I found the freedom to take up space instead of trying to conform to a mold forged in the fire of the empire. The truth is that to become comfortable in my skin and with my scars, I had to leave a place where scars had to stay hidden. In the space of the wilderness, I learned to like all that was OTHER about me. And I hope you give yourself permission to like all that is OTHER about you, too.Jenai AumanOur episode this week is with Jenai Auman, a Filipina-American mom, author of the book, Othered, storyteller and artist. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband and two boys. Drawing from her years of church ministry experience, education, and trauma-related training, she writes on healing, hope and the way forward for those who have experienced spiritual abuse and religious trauma.If you feel “othered” and unwelcome in traditional Christian spaces, this podcast episode is for you.Some of the topics we explore are these:Marginalization within the church.How Jenai's personal journey as a biracial individual shaped her understanding of belonging and exclusion, both within the church and in broader society.How people who feel marginalized by the church can cultivate a sense of belonging within themselves, even when the community around them fails to provide it.How the journey toward self-belonging impacts the way we relate to others, especially those who may still be part of the religious institutions that caused harm.Wisdom for parents who want to guide their children through the process of finding or creating their own spiritual belonging.How to navigate the balance between teaching our children about faith and protecting them from the potential harm that can come from toxic religious environmentsSome practical ways to create a family culture that embraces belonging and inclusion.Our favorite words from this podcast episode were things like "empire" and "safe" and "chosen" and "EMO Joanne Gaines." Find out why when you listen.You can find Jenai at the following:Website: jenaiauman.comInstagram: @jenaiaumanFacebook: Jenai AumanThreads: @jenaiauman

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