Behind The Mirror

One of the most difficult parts in the deconstruction journey is that of loneliness. Whether you've lost your community, friends, family or career many find themselves wandering in a wilderness while deconstructing their faith. In this episode, I dive into this portion of my journey and expose the pain, isolation and mental battles I faced and continue to face. I offer three phases of the wilderness, taking notes from Jesus' personal journey in the wilderness. This is an encouraging episode to offer comfort and empower you to continue following where Spirit leads.   Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com FB Group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel  

In this episode, I explore the psychological effects of deconstruction. I break down the four phases of deconstruction and openly share the good, bad and ugly of each part. I get honest about the painful realities I continue to face during this process and share my own crisis of faith.  Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel  

I invite BT Harman (Brett Trapp) to join me on this episode as we talk about life after Blue Babies Pink. I ask him ALL THE THINGS. We discuss how he overcame his fears to be authentic and bravely share his journey with the world. He shares what has broken his heart the most inside the LGBTQ Christian community as well as what pushed him to open up about his personal beliefs. He beautifully offers empathy and encouragement towards parents, friends and family of LGBTQ people and shares useful tips of how best to love and honor them. This is one of my favorite honest, rich conversations. BT Harman: https://btharman.com/ Blue Babies Pink: https://www.bluebabiespink.com/ Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel  

I spent years trying to avoid painful emotions. I mastered the art of "being okay". But, eventually unresolved grief made a loud appearance and I couldn't hide from it any longer.  Confronting painful emotions is difficult, but our bodies are designed to grieve. It's how we heal, process and move forward. In order to have the life we truly want to live, grief is something we have to press through in order to get to the other side.  Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel

I invite Calvin Arsenia, a classically trained vocalist, harpist and musician onto the show for an honest conversation about his journey of leaving the worship space and following his own path. Calvin's music has gained worldwide attention for his shows that tackle sexuality, religion and race in a stunningly unorthodox manner.  We discuss how he learned to believe he was enough while embracing his true self and how he created an authentic life and community. He talks candidly about the pain and frustration he encountered during his time in church, but equally the beauty and depth he continues to pull from his relationship with God and his spirituality. Show notes: Calvin Arsenia: www.calvinarsenia.com Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel

Learning how to be vulnerable, real and authentic was one of THE HARDEST THINGS I've ever done. In this episode, I expose my own journey into authenticity and the baby steps I took in this process. I also talk about how Jesus lived and interracted with humans on a real level and how the main thing that irritated the snot out of him were those who were "false".  Show Notes: Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Facebook Group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel

Jesus said things like: my yoke is easy and my burden is light. He talked about offering life and giving it to the fullest. He told those who were tired and weary that he would give them rest. The message of loving well and living well were consistent throughout Christ's ministry and teachings. And yet, many Christians instead of focusing on loving and living well, they focus on "suffering well".  In this episode, I challenge the idea living a life of suffering as we re-think verses like: "taking up your cross" and how you should be "content in any and all circumstances". It's a new perspective on a theme that has been prevelent in most of mainstream Christian culture.  Show notes: Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel Facebook Group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup  

How does the first story of humans in the Bible relate to our present day culture? In this episode, I explore the "fall" and how it pertains to a very relevant question: what does God say is good and what does God say is evil? This story reveals the primary cause as to why so many denominations, families, relationships, churches and groups are divided. It also offers hope for how we can find peace inside our relationships and inside our relationship with the Divine.   Show notes: Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel Facebook group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup  

When you start to question what you believe, what certain scriptures mean, how you view the Bible or God all together, many of us start to panic. For me, it was mainly because one of the predominant things in the Christian culture I was raised in, was the pressure to "have an answer" for everything. But when my absolute answers started unraveling, I felt terrified. In this episode I share what that process looked like for me and how I was able to shift from fear to peace.  Show notes: Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Facebook group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel

In part 2 of the best of season 1, I explore the best of my conversations with Pete Enns (The Bible for Normal People), Jim Lee (Energy healing with the Splankna Institute) and Tim Rymel (author of Re-Thinking Everything). In these candid, honest conversastions we discuss topics like: Re-thinking our relationship with the Bible and how we read it How to be authentic Spiritual abuse Inclusion and LGBTQ issues Deconstruction Show Notes: Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel  

In this episode, I compile the highlights of some this season's best guests (part 1). You'll hear the best of my conversation with WP Young (The Shack), Carlos Rodriguez (Happy Sonship) and Micah J Murray as we explore different ways of imagining God, Christianity and our faith as a whole. We discuss thoughts on hell, inclusion, the history of American Christianity, how we've misunderstood God, "judgement" and what Jesus was really all about.  Show Notes: Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com FB Group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel    

So often when bad things happen we are told, "don't worry, God is in control" But can God be in control and good at the same time? Is the idea of God being in control even biblical? I explore all of this from my wrestling with this question and my own journey of trying to balance the idea of a good God in the midst of tragedy and heartache.  Show notes: Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com

I invite Dallas Amsden, host of the podcast Defeating Depression, onto the show to share his personal journey of anxiety and depression. Dallas opens up about being a pastor's kid and how his depression and anxiety came to a breaking point where change had to happen. In our conversation, we discuss how mental health is viewed in the church, why so many of us hide in shame of our anxiety or depression and how we can break the unhealthy cycles of coping that we fall into. We also discuss how anxiety and depression are so prevelent when we are in the midst of deconstruction in our faith. Dallas offers encouragement and practical tools for those feeling isolated in their journey. This is a rare, honest conversation on a topic that is so often misunderstood.  Show Notes: Defeating Depression Podcast with Dallas Amsden: http://www.defeatingdepressionpod.com/ Anna's Blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel  

I invite my brother on this episode to have a candid, open conversation about marijuana use. We discuss how we were taught to view this when we were younger, how it was addressed in the church and our thoughts on it currently. Show notes: Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Podcast FB Group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel  

I've heard the phrase: well, we just need to get back to how they did things in the first church. I wanted to play on that idea and really dig into what radical movements the church in Acts was actually about. I explore how Jesus set up this movement and how Paul radically embraced this idea of inclusion, equality and wild movement of the Spirit. Show Notes: Anna's Blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel FB Group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup  

I am honored to invite one of my favorite teachers and thought-leaders onto the podcast in this thought-provoking episode with Pete Enns. Host of the podcast, The Bible for Normal People, Pete is the professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, has his PHD from Harvard and is a contributor to numerous publications and written works. Pete is candid and honest in our conversation as we dig into tough questions like:  What about those conflicting stories in the Bible? How should we read the Old and New Testaments? How do we handle confrontations with friends and family who demand we take the Bible literally? What do we do when we fear our faith is collapsing? This conversation is rich with wisdom and insight, delivered with a wit and humor that only Pete can offer. If you don't know Pete Enns yet, you will definitely be a fan by the end of this episode.  Show Notes: Pete Enns: https://peteenns.com/ The Bible for Normal People Podcast: https://peteenns.com/podcast/ Anna's blog: www.justajesusfol

The topic of sex is one riddled with a thousand different questions and this episode is my attempt to answer some of the common questions I receive. Questions like: is pre-marital sex a sin? What does God view as marriage? Is pornography wrong? What about adultery? What were the opinions of Jesus? What is an actual "Biblical marriage"? I tackle this topic within the lens of scripture, offering the framework of culture, context and common sense. It is an honest episode shared from my own journey and from the collection of stories you've shared with me along the way. I believe this will offer peace, clarity and (hopefully!) relief from shame. Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Facebook group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup  

Oh my goodness. This episode is hands down one of my favorite conversations we’ve have on the show. I talk with New York Times best selling author, William Paul Young (The Shack). He offers candid perspectives on the (often misrepresented) nature and character of God. He answers questions like what do we do with things like judgement? Is hell real? What do we when do when we are in conflict with our theology? How do we overcome shame and embrace who we are? I am a huge fan and was honored to share in such an unfiltered discussion about life, God and the beauty of humanity.   William Paul Young: http://wmpaulyoung.com/ Lies We Believe About God: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501101390 Behind the Mirror Facebook Group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup

Did you know that the hard relationships in your life don't get to control you? WHAT?! WHAT IS THIS YOU SAY?! That's right my friends. And we tackle ALL of it in this episode addressing toxic relationships - whether with a family member, spouse, friend, ex-spouse, partner - we hit ALL the catagories. I unpack the 4 phases of toxic relationships and how to recognize the phase you are in. I offer simple steps to identify healthy relationships versus unhealthy ones and how to set healthy boundaries that will protect your heart and your sanity. I also address what to do with pressure from those who don't support your boundaries as well as when to know it's time to call it quits. This conversation is jam packed with tools and insight from one who has walked this road what feels like a HUNDRED THOUSAND TIMES (not really - but you get the idea) I promise, you will feel empowered and ready to awken change inside the most valuable parts of your life - your relationships. FREE e-book A Field Guide to Toxic Relationsh

In this episode, I tackle many of the not-so-fun things Christians are told to watch out for. I answer questions like:  Are spiritual attacks a thing? Will bad things happen if you are not in God's will? What happens if you step outside the "covering" of your authority? What are spiritual strongholds? After being in a ministry role for nearly a decade, I got an up close and center look at ALL things dark and light. I share from my own journey the wrestling of what I had been taught, versus what I actually saw in the model of Jesus. I expose the good, bad and the ugly of all things super spiritual, and get right to the center of what most if this boils down to: Fear vs. love. Other's voices vs. your own. A benevolent God vs. a punishing God and facing your pain vs. hiding from it. Anna's blog: www.justajesusfollower.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annadimmel/memberships FB Group: www.justajesusfollower.com/podcast/podcastgroup