Two Proposals?! Lindsay and Lauren share how the proposal continues and how they found safety in breaking all of the rules.

Get exclusive updates and check out more resources for LGBTQ+ folks and deconstruction at : www.thewoodspodcast.com

When your engagement gets botched! Lauren tells Lindsay for the first time how her engagement plans went sideways. They share the twists and turns of the big day and how different this experience was for them since leaving the church.

Get exclusive updates and check out more resources for LGBTQ+ folks and deconstruction at: www.thewoodspodcast.com

Happy Pride! We used to live in the religious village, where PRIDE month was difficult because our churches taught us that everything LGBTQ+ related was perverted, wrong, and unhealthy. YIKES!

There are phrases that we used to hear (and say ourselves!) that still make us cringe. In this episode, we explore the intention behind them and how they hit us now that we are out and Queer.

Remember the pressure to volunteer in the village? What if there’s a time to receive and recover? Is that okay?

We have had to change our understanding of ourselves, our emotional and physical capacity, and what it means to truly “give back” while living in the woods.

Join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewoodspodcast

Christian Therapy is an oxymoron. In this episode we explore our experiences in Christian therapy and secular therapy. 

We’d love to hear your stories of jumping the village wall and walking into the Woods! Join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewoodspodcast

Deconstruction:

We’ll share what made us doubt what we’ve always been taught, and what started our deconstruction journey.

How about the core belief that we are wicked at our core? Yikes! What if instead we believed that intuition and our own inner alignment is a good thing?

The village is fearful of deconstruction and The Woods welcomes it.

Join us in the journey and share your story at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewoodspodcast

This episode is a broad conversation about the church experience and addictive behaviors. All views are from our own personal experience and perspective and we want to hear your experiences so we can learn from each other. 

You can join us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewoodspodcast 

Religious addiction questions: https://psmag.com/news/the-god-drug-when-religion-becomes-an-addiction 

Gabor Mate's Website: https://drgabormate.com/ 

Tim Ferris interviews Gabor Mate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9B5mYfBPlY

Welcome to Season 2! Lindsay and Lauren kick off the next chapter with thoughts and stories about safe (and not so safe) places, and what it really means to provide support for LGBTQ+ members inside the church.

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods.

Beware…it’s the self-help episode. This subject is often taboo from a fundamentalist perspective, but Lindsay and Lauren take another look at what it really means to improve yourself.

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods.

Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and...if you don't tithe your washing machine will break? This episode is all about beliefs that were drilled into us in the village, but don't seem to fit into the modern world.

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods.

Society, the church, our parents, and we ourselves have been telling a story about our bodies our entire lives. What does it look like to truly listen to your body and celebrate it as it carries you through life?

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods.

Lauren and Lindsay discuss the dynamics of a traditional church community, versus a community in The Woods.

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods.

How do you have a relationship when both partners aren’t out? Lauren and Lindsay share the experience of being in a committed relationship when they both weren’t out. How did they manage the tension? In this episode, you’ll hear how they navigated their relationship tension, how they embraced healthy separation, and how they stayed connected in the midst of it all.

Get exclusive updates and check out more resources for LGBTQ+ folks and deconstruction at: www.thewoodspodcast.com

Do you ever second guess yourself because you feel like you're not allowed to do something? Or maybe you've felt like you have to go through with something even though your gut is telling you you shouldn't? This episode is all about learning to trust and act on those gut feelings (they're usually right!).

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods.

Surprise, we're dating! Also, we talk boundaries. When is it okay to stand up for yourself and let others know how you're feeling?

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods.

In this episode, hosts Lauren and Lindsay talk about "quiet times", a church-backed practice that usually involves reading the Bible, journaling, praying, and repenting your sins to God. They discuss their own experiences with quiet times, and propose that it shouldn't be shameful, but totally human to share your struggles and needs with others.

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods.

In this introductory episode, hosts Lauren and Lindsay tell their personal stories of their choice to leave the village, and what has kept them in The Woods ever since.

---

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of.

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls, but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action.

Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives.

You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You’re shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they’re always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of.

What if everything you've ever wanted to accomplish is just a relationship away? It's so easy to get stuck in the "How do I do that?" phase of dreaming. Insert "Design a Life Team" here. In this episode, Lauren and Lindsay share what a life team is, how it gives us the courage to go after what we want, and the power of choosing people to help us grow.

Get exclusive updates and check out more resources for LGBTQ+ folks and deconstruction at: www.thewoodspodcast.com

Finding friends after leaving the church can be a vulnerable and lonely process. How do you find new rhythms and people to live life with? In this episode, Lauren and Lindsay share the four different types of friendship, how freeing and healthy this is and how each type is needed for well-being in our lives.

Get exclusive updates and check out more resources for LGBTQ+ folks and deconstruction at: www.thewoodspodcast.com

How do you find friends after leaving “automated” friendships in the church? What qualities are important when you are looking for a community? In this episode, Lauren and Lindsay break down the 8 key ingredients in friendship and the power to choose relationships in a fresh way while living wild and free in the woods.

Get exclusive updates and check out more resources for LGBTQ+ folks and deconstruction at : www.thewoodspodcast.com

Lauren and Lindsay break down the 6 types of relational needs and how meeting these needs changed their lives.

Get exclusive updates and check out more resources for LGBTQ+ folks and deconstruction at : www.thewoodspodcast.com

It’s season three, and Lauren and Lindsay are focusing on relationships of all kinds and comparing how relationships function in the village (church life) versus the woods (secular life). In this first episode, they explore the great unknown: marriage outside of the church.  You'll hear old Christian journal entries, research from Esther Perel, and their own processing around what they want marriage to look like.  If you want to know more about Esther Perel's Ted Talk, you can find this one and several others from her, here: https://www.ted.com/talks/esther_perel_the_secret_to_desire_in_a_long_term_relationship

Get exclusive updates and check out more resources for LGBTQ+ folks and deconstruction at: www.thewoodspodcast.com

What if attaching to others is a matter of life and death? For Lauren it was.

Our need for relationships starts the moment we leave the womb. Not everyone attaches the same way and we find this fascinating. We are talking about three main attachment styles today: Anxious, Avoidant, and Secure. We’ll share how these play out in childhood and in our adult romantic relationships. We’ll also share our experiences trying to attach to God and how relationships and attachment change if you jump over the village wall and into the woods.

Motherhood is one of the highest sources of shame for women. Whether you grow up in the Village and live by the religious rules or you run wild in the Woods, Motherhood is tricky to navigate.

In this episode, we'll share our own experiences of raising kids in the wild after leaving the almost impossible expectations found in the church.