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PODCAST

Honoring the Journey

Life is a journey, and we’re all walking our own unique path. But every now and then, we get the chance to step onto someone else’s path, to see the world from their perspective, and to learn from their experiences. That’s what we do here on Honoring the Journey. We walk alongside others, explore their stories, and then step back onto our own path—hopefully with new insights, deeper understanding, and a broader perspective for the journey ahead. Honoring the Journey is hosted by Leslie Nease, a

religion & spirituality religion

All Episodes

01:14:13

From Fear to Freedom: Honoring the Journey of Pastor...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/05/11

Today, Leslie sits down with Pastor Joe Smith, who leads Maison Church in Gainesville, Florida — a progressive, welcoming congregation formed from a merger of two churches. Joe shares his faith deconstruction journey, beginning in the Free Will Baptist tradition, where childhood teachings instilled deep fear of hell and the rapture. He traces his gradual shift away from fundamentalism, sparked by the birth of his daughter in 2002 and questions about gender hierarchy, accelerated by the political

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00:54:42

Faith Funk: Honoring the Journey of Michael Camp

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/05/04

In today’s episode, Leslie reunites with returning guest Michael Camp to discuss his new book Faith Funk, which explores how people become trapped in high-control religious systems and the psychological toll — including anxiety, depression, and PTSD — that results from toxic faith experiences. Michael and Leslie dive deep into topics like cognitive dissonance within evangelicalism, the doctrine of original depravity, and how religious communities sometimes exploit vulnerability and suppress

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00:50:45

Leaving Mormonism: Honoring the Journey of Megan Verno

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/04/27

In this episode of Honoring The Journey, Leslie talks with Megan Verno — a therapist, writer, and founder of Novo Nexus — about their parallel journeys out of high-control religions (Megan from Mormonism/LDS, Leslie from Evangelical Christianity). They explore the striking similarities between their experiences, including the loss of identity, community, and self-trust that comes with religious deconstruction, as well as specific LDS practices like the temple ceremony and excommunication culture

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00:48:23

The Wilderness Priest: Honoring the Journey of Father...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/04/20

In this episode of Honoring the Journey, Leslie chats with Father Pete Nunnally — an Episcopal priest who calls himself "the Wilderness Priest" — about his nature-based church called Water and Wilderness Church near Washington, DC. Pete shares how the church meets outdoors, rain or shine, along the banks of the Potomac River, intentionally lowering the barriers to worship for people who've been hurt by or disconnected from traditional church settings. The conversation weaves through Pete's lifelong

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01:03:06

All Those Opposed: Honoring the Journey of Jen Nielsen

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/04/13

What happens when the questions you’ve been taught to silence refuse to stay quiet?Today on Honoring the Journey, Leslie talks with Jen Nielsen (@allthoseopposed), who shares her powerful journey out of the LDS Church—the doubts that started it, the cost of following them, and why she’s chosen to speak out. This is a story of courage, clarity, and reclaiming your voice. Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease and the artwork for the show is also created by Leslie

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00:58:17

The Justice of Jesus: Honoring the Journey of Rev....

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/04/06

In this episode of Honoring the Journey, I sit down with Rev. Joash Thomas—priest, public theologian, and author of The Justice of Jesus.Joash shares his journey from an Indian Pentecostal upbringing in Mumbai, to political consulting in Georgia, to a powerful awakening that led him into human rights work. We talk about how Western Christianity has been shaped by colonialism, the difference between the “colonizer’s Jesus” and the historical Jesus, and how practices like prayer were meant to form

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01:03:59

Bonus Episode: Let's Talk About the Bible with Former...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/03/30

This episode is a deep dive conversation between Leslie and Joe Boyd, a former pastor and biblical scholar, exploring how to approach scripture during deconstruction. They discuss the challenging journey of questioning long-held beliefs about biblical inerrancy, examining how the Bible was compiled, and wrestling with its ancient cultural context versus modern interpretation. Joe explains how evangelicals are often deconstructing their understanding of the Bible itself rather than losing faith

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00:45:37

The Courage & Humility to Say "I Was Wrong": Honoring...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/03/23

Today on Honoring the Journey, we have a powerful conversation with Josh Harris, author of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," as he shares his journey of reckoning with the impact of purity culture. Harris openly discusses how he came to recognize the harm caused by his influential book after years of hearing stories from people affected by its teachings, ultimately leading him to unpublish it and apologize publicly. The conversation explores the difficult process of deconstructing deeply held beliefs,

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01:03:10

Leaving the Lord's Recovery: Honoring the Journey of...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/03/16

Today on Honoring the Journey, Leslie chats with Halli Carbrey (@hallifaith.liberated) about leaving high control religion. Halli shares her story of growing up in a small, insular group called the Lord's Recovery, experiencing excommunication with her then-husband in 2019, and navigating the complex process of deconstruction while raising three children. The discussion explores themes of religious trauma, purity culture's impact on sexuality, the struggle to find identity beyond rigid belief

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01:00:35

From Southern Baptist to Mainline: Honoring the...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/02/23

It's the 100th Episode of Honoring the Journey today!! Leslie welcomes Beau Stringer, a former Southern Baptist preacher who transitioned to mainline Christianity. Beau shares his journey from growing up in an evangelical bubble in West Texas, serving as a youth pastor at 19, and eventually becoming a senior pastor, to questioning biblical inerrancy and evangelical theology—particularly around the violence in the Old Testament versus Jesus's command to love enemies. After wrestling with these

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00:58:16

Slutty Grace: Honoring the Journey of Jeromy Johnson

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/02/16

Today we honor the journey of Jeremy Johnson, host of the Slutty Grace podcast, as we explore our parallel journeys of religious deconstruction. Both of us were raised in evangelical fundamentalist Christianity, and we discuss how we moved from rigid theological certainty to a more expansive, grace-centered faith. Jeremy shares his path from youth pastor to questioning core doctrines like total depravity, hell, and exclusionary salvation, catalyzed by reading Brian McLaren and experiencing diverse

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00:56:30

Empty Chairs Community: Honoring the Journey of...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/02/09

This episode of Honoring the Journey is a deeply personal conversation with Justin Telthorst, who shares his journey of coming out as gay at age 25 while remaining within the Catholic Church—a path that defied the common narrative of leaving religion behind. Growing up in a conservative Catholic environment in the Midwest, Justin initially viewed his sexuality as a "cross to bear" and his secret testimony to overcome. After years of internal struggle, falling in love with a man, and experiencing

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00:52:18

The Faith Between: Honoring the Journey of Faith...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/02/02

Today, Leslie brings back a past guest: Jonathan Foster. They chat about navigating the "messy middle" of faith deconstruction—the space between conservative and progressive Christianity where people seek compassion, curiosity, and nuanced thinking rather than quick reactions. They discuss Jonathan's work with the Curian Network, a new denominational ecosystem that credentials pastors, chaplains, and faith leaders around "uncontrolling love" rather than rigid theological boundaries, offering a safe

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01:04:51

Snarky Faith: Honoring the Journey of Stuart Delony

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/01/26

Today on Honoring the Journey, we chat with Stuart Delony, a former pastor turned satirist and creator of the "Snarky Faith" podcast and column. Stuart shares his colorful journey from growing up as a Southern Baptist kid whose mother took him to tent revivals seeking healing for his disabled sister, through 20 years of ministry marked by constant questioning, to his current work using humor and satire to examine faith and deconstruction. Leslie & Stuart touch on the absurdity of end-times theology,

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01:06:54

God, Sex & Rich People: Honoring the Journey of...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/01/19

This episode features Mattie Jo Cowsert, author of "God, Sex and Rich People: Recovering the Evangelical Testimony," in a deeply personal conversation about growing up in evangelical purity culture, deconstructing faith, and finding autonomy.Mattie Jo shares her journey from being raised in a multi-generational Baptist ministry family in Branson, Missouri, through her transformative move to New York City at 22 to pursue acting, where her insular religious worldview collided with diverse cultures and

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00:32:05

The Top 10 Things I Used to Teach but Don't Believe...

Honoring the Journey ·

2026/01/12

In this, the first episode of Season 6, and our first episode of the year, I decided to do a little life update and read an entry from my Substack about some of the doctrines I used to teach that I do not believe anymore. This essay from my Substack has spurred a lot of real, deep conversation in the comments section of my Substack. Not only do I share the article and what I no longer believe, but I also share what I believe now and offer an apology to those I have hurt along the way. This was so

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01:10:38

Only Us: Honoring the Journey of Jaxon Phoenix

Honoring the Journey ·

2025/11/17

Today we welcome Jaxon Phoenix, an author and hand pan musician, to discuss his new book "Only Us: Searching for Truth About the Identity of God and Humanity." The conversation delves into Jaxon’s personal journey of faith, deconstruction, and healing from religious trauma. Together, we explore the challenges of questioning inherited beliefs, the psychological impact of indoctrination, and the process of finding a more authentic, compassionate spirituality. Jaxon shares his experiences with

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01:03:02

A Conversation with My Daughter: Honoring the Journey...

Honoring the Journey ·

2025/11/10

In this special episode of Honoring the Journey, Leslie sits down with her oldest daughter, Stephanie, for an open and vulnerable conversation about faith, family, and personal transformation. Together, they reflect on their shared history, the impact of religious upbringing, and the challenges of deconstructing long-held beliefs. Through laughter, honesty, and a few tears, they explore what it means to find healing, autonomy, and genuine connection—both with each other and within themselves.•

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01:05:37

No-Nonsense Spirituality: Honoring the Journey of...

Honoring the Journey ·

2025/11/03

In this episode, we welcome Brit Hartley, an atheist spiritual director, to discuss her personal journey of deconstructing from Mormonism and religion at large. Brit shares her upbringing in a loving Mormon community, the cognitive dissonance she experienced as a teenager, and the pivotal moments that led to her faith crisis and eventual atheism. The conversation explores the challenges of losing faith, rebuilding identity and meaning, and the importance of love, authenticity, and human connection

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01:11:38

Broadening the Narrative: Honoring the Journey of...

Honoring the Journey ·

2025/10/27

Today we welcome my longtime friend, Nicki Pappas, for a deeply personal and vulnerable conversation. Nicki shares her story of growing up in the Southern Baptist church, navigating fundamentalist spaces, and ultimately deconstructing her faith. We also explore themes of spiritual abuse, self-love, embodiment, therapy, and the journey toward authenticity. Nicki opens up about her evolving beliefs, coming out as queer, and the importance of living a life rooted in love rather than fear. The episode

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