Episode 162

Welcome to my first episode of 2026! After a six-week break, I'm returning with greater clarity and readiness to share about a topic I've been living through: deconstruction.

In this episode, I'm opening up about my personal journey through deconstruction—not as an outside observer, but as someone who has walked (and is still walking) this difficult path.

What I Cover:

• Why lived experience matters when discussing deconstruction—and why resources from those who haven't gone through it often fall short

• The crucial connection between deconstruction and trauma that's often missing from conversations

• Why deconstruction is an embodied, multidimensional experience that can't be reduced to intellectual analysis alone

• The mystical dimension of deconstruction and what it means to leap into the abyss with no guarantees

• How deconstruction relates to spiritual midlife and the transition into the second half of life

• Why I had to be willing to let go of everything—even my identity as a "good Catholic"—to follow where Christ was leading

This is the beginning of a season exploring deconstruction from multiple angles. I'll be addressing questions listeners send me and diving into the many facets of this complex, painful, and ultimately transformative journey.

If you're going through deconstruction yourself, I hope this offers you some companionship and validation. If you're trying to understand what someone you love is experiencing, I hope this gives you insight into the depth and sacredness of this process.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

CHAPTER MARKERS
0:00 - Introduction: Why Now?
9:37 - The Importance of Lived Experience
21:01 - Deconstruction and Trauma
29:42 - Trauma-Informed Lens to Reactions Towards Deconstruction
38:01 - The Integrative Lens
44:24 - The Mystical Dimension
51:57 - No Guarantee in Deconstruction
56:45 - The Second Half of Life
1:01:25 - Closing Thoughts

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