Hey, Podcast Friends!

 I had the opportunity to be a guest on one of my favorite podcasts, The Graceful Atheist, this week. It was so much fun to have a conversation with David and to share my story. I think other people who are post-faith will identify with this: there are so few people to whom I can truly tell my story, that it felt really cathartic to just lay it all out there. Most of the important relationships in my life are with people who do still believe in God in some form or another, and so even if I can be honest with them in general, I'm holding back out of respect for the relationship. So sitting down to talk to someone like David just felt really good. 

If you're here because of the podcast, hi! David was so kind to give a shout-out to this blog on the episode, which honestly surprised me, because I don't usually share my writing with anyone. I started this blog as a private, anonymous sort of processing tool. But if there are other people out there who can identify with any part of my own story and who find it encouraging to read about, I'm really glad to have you here. 

I don't know how often I'll be updating this (I usually get bursts of inspiration to write, and then the inspiration dries up for a looong time, which is how I know I'll never be a professional writer). But I'd love for you to say hi, if you're visiting here from listening on The Graceful Atheist! And if you have never listened to that podcast and just found this blog some other way, go check it out. I highly recommend it. 

Comments

  1. Donna GSeptember 13, 2021 at 9:29 AM

    Hi, Steph. I just listened to your episode on Graceful Atheist. I related a lot to it. I remember well when I was at the point that you mentioned that you can't imagine not believing in God. It's like God is part of our Identity and to not believe is to almost not exist. It's hard to imagine. However, I was in a new relationship with a man who did not believe and we were living in The Netherlands. Like you, I learn so much from others. I could have good discussions with my partner. I watched and listened to all the people around me in this new environment, which is very secular. I read Dawkin about evolution. Kept questioning and trying to be honest with

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    1. Mrs. ErvenSeptember 13, 2021 at 11:59 AM

      I delved into Dawkin on evolution, too! I also read the other three guys. Hitchens was especially helpful when I just needed to be angry for a while. :)

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    2. The Former ProtagonistSeptember 14, 2021 at 6:01 AM

      Hi Donna, thanks for commenting! Wow, I can imagine how that experience (moving to a secular place, being in a good relationship with someone who isn't a Christian), would totally shatter a lot of the things we believe when we are in a bubble. "To not believe is to almost not exist" - great way of putting it.

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  2. Mrs. ErvenSeptember 13, 2021 at 11:58 AM

    Hello! I also just listened to your episode. I also related to so much of it—conservative Christianity, Calvinism, PPD, figuring our your own morals/values and a whole bunch of other things. Such a great episode!

    I agree with Donna—keep readinf and asking questions. I’ve taken a ton of time to read about evolution, anthropology (things I was strongly discouraged from learning in college), and it’s all been super helpful. ☺️

    Thank you for sharing your story! I spent most of it nodding my head and saying, “yes! Yes!”

    Arline

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    Replies
    1. The Former ProtagonistSeptember 14, 2021 at 6:02 AM

      Thanks for commenting, Arline, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I agree, it's so fun to learn about everything. When my kids are a little bit older and I have all of my brain back, I'm looking forward to digging in even more. :)

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  3. Ruby NeumannMay 29, 2022 at 12:44 PM

    Hi Sara ... Just a shout out to encourage you to keep sharing your thoughts here... Blogging is a good friend. A great place to share your story and help you process your journey. I've been blogging for years, and always found it a great place to be honest. If people don't want my honesty, they don't read my blogs. For the most part... I write to purge my cranium and soul of that which needs to be purged. Whether people read what I've written... not as important. As for being a writer... you are one. The professional adjective (which just means you are getting paid for it) is highly over rated. Most authors will tell you that writing isn't a lucrative career. I spend five grand to get my first book published... my mom spend another five grand to pick up books... and we still have boxes of books in her garage, because shortly after publication, I didn't want to market what I had written. I spend all that money on a book that wasn't my story five minutes after it went to press. So I am very grateful for Blogger. It doesn't matter if the story changes. That is bound to happen... but it doesn't cost me and my mother $10,000 each time I get inspired.

    So keep writing... your Sower story was so precious. You are a great storyteller. Keep it up!!!

    Ruby Neumann... fellow blogger.

    ReplyDelete

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