In this episode, Kendall interviews Esther Joy Goetz, co-host of The Deconstructing Mamas podcast. They delve into Esther's early church memories (or her curious lack thereof) as a missionary kid growing up in Ethiopia, and her journey in finding community after leaving the church she had been deeply involved in as an adult. The conversation explores how we can embrace and lean into challenging beliefs and how doing so results in a more expansive, evolving faith. Esther also talks about the sacredness of nature and her journey of rewilding her soul. She shares her experience of connecting with nature in a seasonal way and the importance of embracing each season fully. She explores the concept of freedom and how her faith shift has allowed her to let go of certainty and embrace personal growth and change. Esther emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself and others as inherently good and wounded, rather than inherently bad and broken. She also discusses her current projects, including writing books of meditations and offering spiritual direction.
Takeaways
Esther's early church memories are limited due to her missionary kid background, but she later attended church and eventually left due to shifting beliefs.
After leaving the church, Esther found community in various spaces, including online communities, small groups, and one-on-one connections.
Esther's faith journey was influenced by her son's questions and her shift from certainty to curiosity and humility.
Love and relationships became more important to Esther than holding onto dogma and beliefs, leading her to prioritize love in her parenting and other relationships.
Nature can be a sacred space for connecting with oneself and the world.
Embracing freedom is more important than seeking safety or certainty.
Shifting from a belief in inherent evilness to inherent goodness can change one's self-perception and view of others.
Compassion and understanding can be extended to those who harm, recognizing their woundedness.
Engaging in practices that foster self-love and personal growth can lead to a deeper connection with oneself and the divine.
The Deconstructing Mamas Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6vblpLhhENqKYBbscfWnIZ?si=e59918fd172f4658
Esther's Website: https://www.estherjoygoetz.com/
Esther's Book, "Wit, Wisdom and Whimsy" https://a.co/d/eRitHyo
1000 Hours Outside Challenge: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/
In this episode, Kendall interviews Esther Joy Goetz, co-host of The Deconstructing Mamas podcast. They delve into Esther's early church memories (or her curious lack thereof) as a missionary kid growing up in Ethiopia, and her journey in finding community after leaving the church she had been deeply involved in as an adult. The conversation explores how we can embrace and lean into challenging beliefs and how doing so results in a more expansive, evolving faith. Esther also talks about the sacredness of nature and her journey of rewilding her soul. She shares her experience of connecting with nature in a seasonal way and the importance of embracing each season fully. She explores the concept of freedom and how her faith shift has allowed her to let go of certainty and embrace personal growth and change. Esther emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself and others as inherently good and wounded, rather than inherently bad and broken. She also discusses her current projects, including writing books of meditations and offering spiritual direction.
Takeaways
Esther's early church memories are limited due to her missionary kid background, but she later attended church and eventually left due to shifting beliefs.
After leaving the church, Esther found community in various spaces, including online communities, small groups, and one-on-one connections.
Esther's faith journey was influenced by her son's questions and her shift from certainty to curiosity and humility.
Love and relationships became more important to Esther than holding onto dogma and beliefs, leading her to prioritize love in her parenting and other relationships.
Nature can be a sacred space for connecting with oneself and the world.
Embracing freedom is more important than seeking safety or certainty.
Shifting from a belief in inherent evilness to inherent goodness can change one's self-perception and view of others.
Compassion and understanding can be extended to those who harm, recognizing their woundedness.
Engaging in practices that foster self-love and personal growth can lead to a deeper connection with oneself and the divine.
The Deconstructing Mamas Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6vblpLhhENqKYBbscfWnIZ?si=e59918fd172f4658
Esther's Website: https://www.estherjoygoetz.com/
Esther's Book, "Wit, Wisdom and Whimsy" https://a.co/d/eRitHyo
1000 Hours Outside Challenge: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/