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Artwork for Honoring the Journey

Honoring the Journey

Leslie Nease
Deconstruction
Christianity
Faith Deconstruction
Evangelicalism
Love
Spirituality
Mental Health
Faith
Community
Religious Trauma
Purity Culture
Faith Journeys
Community Support
Evangelical Christianity
Theology
Deconstruction Of Faith
Mormonism
Faith Transition
Fundamentalism
Spiritual Awakening

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,... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes121Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ReligionPhilosophyReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Honoring the Journey

Latest Episodes

On today's Honoring the Journey, Leslie sits down with Kallie Klug a somatic practitioner, yoga instructor, and author of Tired of Being Good, to explore the concept of "fawning" as a biological stress response rooted in people-pleasing. They discuss... more

This conversation with Vernique Esther went so many places, and I loved every minute of it! Vernique grew up in a beautiful and sometimes chaotic mix of denominations, cultures, and ideas about God, shaped by her Haitian and West African roots. Her j... more

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Today, Leslie has a conversation with Rob Zahn, a Lutheran pastor and author of LSD to Galilee. The episode weaves together Rob's unconventional path into ministry, the story of discovering his estranged father on his deathbed and uncovering his fath... more

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In this episode of Honoring the Journey, we hear from the lovely Promise Backlund (Eve Was Framed), a former worship leader in Charismatic Churches, to discuss her deconstruction from an evangelical upbringing to eventual atheism. We explore themes l... more

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Recent Guests

Vernique Esther
Therapist, speaker, content creator
Episode: Let's Talk About Religious Trauma: Honoring the Journey of Vernique Esther
Rob Zahn
Author of LSD to Galilee; Lutheran pastor
Zumbro Lutheran Church, Minnesota
Episode: LSD to Galilee: Honoring the Journey of Rob Zahn
Promise Backlund
Former evangelical worship leader, writer known for The Gospel of Lies
Author, Gospel of Lies
Episode: From Christian Worship Leader to Atheist: Honoring the Journey of Promise Backlund
Britt Hartley
No-nonsense Spirituality advocate and spiritual director, former Mormon/Mormon deconstruction subject
No-nonsense Spirituality
Episode: Bridge Builder: Navigating Faith, Family & Deconstruction with Britt Hartley & Leslie Nease
Steven Francisi
Founder of Healing Roots On Up; mental health advocate; author of From A-Hole to All Right
Healing Roots On Up
Episode: Walking Away from MAGA: Honoring the Journey of Steven Francisi
Marla Taviano
Poet and author known for deconstruction and advocacy on social justice
Author of Unbelieve, Jaded, Hole; former Christian writer and deconstruction advocate
Episode: Unbelieve: Honoring the Journey of Marla Taviano
Lisa Sharon Harper
Public theologian, activist, author
Freedom Road
Episode: Shalom and The Un-spun Gospel: Honoring the Journey of Lisa Sharon Harper
Phil Drysdale
Psychotherapist; researcher and founder of Deconstruction Network
Deconstruction Network
Episode: Let's Talk About Deconstruction: Honoring the Journey of Phil Drysdale
David Gushee
Author of Changing Our Mind; ethicist and professor
Mercer University (as referenced in discussion)
Episode: Changing Our Mind About LGBTQ: Honoring the Journey of David Gushee

Host

Leslie Nease
Host of the show, known for deconstructing Evangelical beliefs and guiding compassionate conversations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 67 ratings
  • Spirit of Light Driven

    Leslie is truly led by the Spirit of Light and Empathy towards all. This genuine hunger to understand, embrace and love all is reflected in her interviews, her truth and the light she warmly gives to all her interviewees and listeners alike. Thank you for the gift, thank you for the wisdom and thank you for not believing in American mainstream Jesus and having the courage to search for and truly be the hands and feet of our real Jesus of Nazareth and bringer of salvation from darkness.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Asa Face
    United States4 months ago
  • Someone who understands

    I’ve just learned about the idea of deconstruction, and going through this process is like going into a dark room, Leslie has shown me others in this journey who I can relate to and learn from

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Angela the seeker
    United States7 months ago
  • Great show!

    These interviews help me understand evangelicals, American Jesus and American politics. A great topic to unearth. Very Interesting conversations!! Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xhnv
    United Statesa year ago
  • Grateful

    Leslie's interviews have given me such comfort through my own deconstruction journey! It makes you feel like you are not alone!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AmandaC76
    United States2 years ago
  • Great topic to discuss!

    These interviews have helped me understand my American evangelical relatives, the American Jesus and American politics. Interesting. Well done, Leslie! Thank you. It is very validating hearing some of my questions also being asked by others

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xhnv
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are seen as knowledgeable, diverse, and deeply insightful.
Audience notes the show helps deconstructors feel understood and less alone.
The conversations are viewed as healing, practical, and transformative for faith journeys.
Listeners praise the host's compassionate questioning and safe space for tough topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Let's Talk About Religious Trauma: Honoring the Journey of Vernique Esther
Q: How has Vernique's personal journey influenced her professional approach?
Her experiences moving through multiple denominations, her divorce, and deconstruction inform a therapy style that emphasizes human flourishing, authenticity, and practical tools over rigid doctrine, with a focus on spiritual practices that nurture self-care and relational health.
Let's Talk About Religious Trauma: Honoring the Journey of Vernique Esther
Q: What is trauma language and how does it help clients?
Trauma languages are patterns like control and rejection that manifest from past trauma; recognizing these helps clients understand their behaviors as safety mechanisms and provides a basis to adjust actions and heal, especially in intimate relationships and broader life contexts.
Let's Talk About Religious Trauma: Honoring the Journey of Vernique Esther
Q: What kinds of issues are women of faith bringing to you in therapy?
Common concerns include whether God is on their side during suffering, how to view misfortune, and alignment of decisions with faith; trauma around gender roles, marriage, and infertility; and moving from 'good girl' expectations toward self-advocacy and relational equity.
Testify to Love: Honoring the Journey of Melissa Greene
Q: Tell us what happened, Melissa.
Melissa explains the(original) Avalon dynamics, the fallout around Michael Passons' sexuality, and how that moment catalyzed her questioning of traditional doctrine, leading to a broader, more inclusive view of faith.
Rethinking Hell, The Bible & The Nature of God: Honoring the Journey of Brian Zahnd
Q: What catalyzed your journey from traditional views of hell to a more nuanced understanding?
A combination of personal pain, pastoral experiences, and exposure to broader interpretations of scripture led to questioning. The speakers describe how fear-based beliefs about hell conflicted with their sense of God's character and love, pushing them toward a Christ-centered reframe.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Honoring the Journey

What is Honoring the Journey about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful conversations centered on faith, doubt, and personal transformation. The show often features guests who are navigating deconstruction, redefining spirituality, and pursuing inclusive, compassionate belief systems. A recurring strength is holding space for vulnerability, trauma, and real-world changes—whether from evangelical backgrounds, musical careers, or academic inquiry—while encouraging curiosity, empathy, and community. Listeners are typically drawn to nuanced faith journeys, social justice, and practical guidance for living out beliefs in everyday life. A notable angle is the blend of personal storytelling with actionable insights for navigating religious transition without losing human connection or purpose.

Where can I find podcast stats for Honoring the Journey?

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How many listeners does Honoring the Journey get?

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What are the audience demographics for Honoring the Journey?

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How many subscribers and views does Honoring the Journey have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Honoring the Journey?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Honoring the Journey:

1. The RobCast
2. The Bible For Normal People
3. Homebrewed Christianity
4. Nomad Podcast
5. The New Evangelicals Podcast

How many episodes of Honoring the Journey are there?

Honoring the Journey launched 3 years ago and published 121 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Honoring the Journey?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Honoring the Journey?

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What guests have appeared on Honoring the Journey?

Recent guests on Honoring the Journey include:

1. Vernique Esther
2. Rob Zahn
3. Promise Backlund
4. Britt Hartley
5. Steven Francisi
6. Marla Taviano
7. Lisa Sharon Harper
8. Phil Drysdale

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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