Spiritual, Not Religious

In “Guilt, Shame, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves — Part 2,” the Spiritual Not Religious team continues their deep dive into the difference between guilt and shame and explores how the church has sometimes used both for formation—and, at times, for control. Drawing on insights from Brené Brown and faith-based counseling language that frames guilt as conviction and shame as condemnation, the conversation traces these dynamics through biblical stories like Genesis and Jesus’ response to the woman caught in adultery. Along the way, Shawn, James, and Mollie reflect on personal experiences of “church hurt,” the role of vulnerability and safe community in healing, and why religious culture so often fixates on sexuality. The episode closes with a hopeful reminder: we are not defined by our worst moments, and the path forward is rooted in truth, grace, and belovedness.