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Almost Awakened – Almost Awakened: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Brittney Hartley & Bill Reel
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- Mar 12, 202634 min
Mormonism: A Narcissistic System: Why It’s Never Enough
What if the reason you felt like you were never enough… wasn’t you? In this episode, Teresa explores the striking parallels between narcissistic relationship dynamics and high-demand religious systems, specifically within Mormonism. Through a compassionate but honest lens, she examines how institutional patterns like shifting expectations, avoidance of accountability, image preservation, and conditional belonging can shape identity, nervous system regulation, and long-term wellbeing, especially physical health. This conversation goes beyond theology and into lived experience and explores: • Why high-demand systems can mirror narcissistic dynamics. • How that creates codependency patterns. • Chronic self suppression and its impact on the nervous system. • Why chronic symptoms like fatigue, pain, anxiety, and autoimmune conditions can emerge in these environments. • How healing often requires moving through grief, anger, and identity reconstruction. • And why the body’s response is not a character flaw, but a survival adaptation. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from striving, confused by persistent symptoms, or disconnected from your authentic self after leaving a high-demand environment, this episode may help you understand why and that healing is possible. Join us at our NEW CHANNEL: @almostawakenedpodcast Teresa will be launching her upcoming Anchor and Regulate groups beginning March 11th. These groups are structured nervous system healing spaces designed for individuals navigating chronic symptoms, chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety and mystery illnesses that are driven by stress or trauma. These groups combine psychoeducation, somatic practices, emotional processing, and supportive community to help you rebuild safety in the body and support you in resolving chronic symptoms.Learn more here: https://www.monarchintegrativecoaching.com/group-support Join the conversation. Like, share, and subscribe to support this work. Donate to Almost Awakened: https://donorbox.org/almost-awakened-2 Learn more about coaching at https://awakenandthrive.org
- Mar 12, 20261h 15m
Reclaiming the Forbidden: Sex, Power, and the Life Force Religion Suppressed
You were never broken. You were disconnected. In this unforgettable episode of Almost Awakened, we sit down with Kimberly Bryant — also known as Miss Bliss — a dominatrix and intimacy coach who helps people leaving high-demand religion reclaim the parts of themselves that were labeled “forbidden.” This isn’t just a conversation about sex. It’s about Eros — your life force. Your creativity. Your desire. Your intuition. Your pleasure. Your internal authority. High-demand religion didn’t just regulate behavior. It regulated bodies. It regulated desire. It regulated play. And when desire is suppressed, something deeper goes offline. We explore: How kink can become structured, consensual nervous-system healing Why dominance and submission can rebuild consent and personal agency The difference between indulgence and embodied reclamation Why play is threatening to controlling systems How erotic energy reconnects us to wholeness The role of safety, consent, and aftercare in healing sexual shame This conversation is provocative — yes. But more than that, it’s trauma-informed, sovereignty-centered, and deeply aligned with the principles of Almost Awakened: Slow down. Regulate. Get curious. Reclaim your voice. Reclaim your body. Reclaim your choice. Because awakening isn’t about rejecting your past. It’s about inhabiting your present — fully, consciously, and unapologetically alive. If you’ve ever felt both curious and terrified of your own desire… This episode is for you. Southern Utah Event on April 24-26th Reclaiming the Forbidden Where Sensuality, Soul & Surrender Meet Hosted by Kimberly Bryant Founder of That Deeper Feeling https://www.facebook.com/events/hurricane-utah/reclaiming-the-forbidden-where-sensuality-soul-surrender-meet/1220237470257148/ Kimberly’s Personal Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BH5BWHaHe/?mibextid=wwXIfr Kimberly’s Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/kimberly_mccooey_bryant?igsh=MWkxeGxvenY5Z3k3bQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Learn more about Kimberly at: thatdeeperfeeling.com Follow her on Instagram & Facebook: @thatdeeperfeeling
- Mar 12, 20261h 9m
Hive Mind or Human Freedom? The Ethics of Pluribus
What if humanity suddenly shared one mind? In this episode, Bill Reel and Britt Hartley dive into the provocative sci-fi film Pluribus and unpack the ethical, psychological, and existential questions it raises. Would you join a collective consciousness if it promised peace, belonging, and an end to loneliness? Or would you choose autonomy—even if it meant isolation? We explore: • Whether individuality is sacred or just biological habit • If shared consciousness eliminates conflict—or eliminates dissent • The ethics of consent when “the greater good” becomes dominant • Why some characters embrace the hive while others resist • What this story reveals about human nature, freedom, and fear Is a hive mind utopia… or the softest form of tyranny? This conversation goes beyond the plot and into deeper territory: identity, morality, connection, loneliness, trauma, agency, and what we’re actually afraid of losing when we say we value “freedom.” If you had the choice, would you join? Let us know in the comments.
- Feb 11, 20261h 47m
Stealing from Religion Without Losing Your Soul
What happens after you leave religion — but still feel a deep pull toward meaning, ritual, spirituality, or transcendence? In this conversation, Bill Reel and Britt Hartley sit down with religious ethicist and author Liz Bucar to explore what fills the vacuum when traditional faith falls away. From modern wellness culture and yoga to psychedelics, embodiment, and moral pressure, we ask hard questions about where people turn next — and whether those new spaces truly free us or quietly recreate the same dynamics we thought we escaped. Liz shares insights from her work and her book Beyond Wellness, examining how even “spiritual but not religious” communities can reproduce shame, hierarchy, and invisible expectations — often without realizing it. Together, we explore: Why wellness culture increasingly functions like religion How moral pressure sneaks into spiritual spaces What it means to “steal from religion” ethically Why humans still crave ritual and transcendence How authority, identity, and meaning-making persist after deconstruction What secular communities often miss emotionally How embodiment, yoga, and psychedelics can be approached with care rather than dogma This is an honest, thoughtful, and deeply human conversation for anyone navigating life after faith — especially those who are intellectually out but still feel emotionally or culturally tethered to their religious past. If you’ve ever wondered why leaving belief didn’t automatically bring peace… this episode helps explain why 00:02:41 – Who is Liz Bucar and how she became a religious ethicist00:04:13 – Why Liz wrote Beyond Wellness00:07:01 – What modern wellness culture gets wrong00:12:22 – When spirituality becomes moral pressure00:16:45 – Stealing from religion ethically00:22:38 – What secular people often miss after deconstruction00:30:14 – Yoga, embodiment, and deeper spiritual practice00:38:52 – Psychedelics, meaning-making, and ethical use00:49:41 – Authority, experience, and who gets to decide truth01:00:27 – Why humans still crave ritual and transcendence01:10:36 – Advice for those intellectually out but emotionally tethered01:17:39 – Reflections on Beyond Wellness and modern spirituality01:19:26 – Britt & Bill reflect on Liz’s insights
- Feb 4, 20261h 40m
Reason & Religion: Austin DiValentino
What happens when reason starts questioning itself? In this episode of Almost Awakened, Britt Hartley and Bill Reel sit down with Austin DiValentino, creator of the rapidly growing platform Reason & Religion (@austindivalentino). Austin has built a large following by exploring philosophy, belief, atheism, morality, and meaning—often asking the questions most people quietly avoid. While he has identified as an atheist, his thinking continues to evolve, and this conversation dives straight into the tension between certainty, doubt, and what it actually costs to pursue truth. Together, we explore: What led Austin to begin creating content around religion, philosophy, and critical thinking When belief or disbelief stops being theoretical and becomes deeply personal Whether reason and religion are truly opposed—or falsely framed as enemies Why modern humans vastly overestimate how rational we actually are Where reason genuinely helps us—and where it completely breaks down We also wrestle with some of the biggest existential questions people face after faith shifts: Can morality exist without God or a transcendent framework? Is losing belief in God harder—or losing belief that the universe “cares”? Is it always good to know what’s true, even if truth destabilizes hope and meaning? Should everyone be exposed to ideas that may unsettle mental health—or should some stories be handled with care? Austin also reflects on: The emotional cost of studying philosophy deeply Whether there are ideas that feel beautiful even if they may not be true What modern people most avoid asking because the answers might change them What he ultimately hopes people take away from his work beyond simply “being right” This is an honest, human conversation about meaning after certainty—about what remains when belief loosens, and how we learn to live anyway. If you’re navigating belief, disbelief, or somewhere painfully in between, this episode is for you. Follow Austin DiValentino— Reason & Religion Instagram: @austindivalentino Support Almost Awakened https://donorbox.org/almost-awakened-2 If anyone needs support dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/
- Jan 31, 20261h 52m
Rainn Wilson – Soul Boom
In this episode of Almost Awakened, we sit down with Rainn Wilson, best known to many as Dwight Schrute from The Office, for a wide-ranging conversation on spirituality, meaning, and the search for depth in a modern world. Rainn Wilson has spent the years since moving beyond sitcom fame to explore some of life’s biggest questions. Through his podcast Soul Boom, Rainn brings together voices from across belief systems to wrestle with spirituality, purpose, and how humans make sense of existence in an age of disconnection, certainty loss, and cultural fragmentation. This conversation explores: What spirituality can look like outside rigid religious frameworks Why meaning, wonder, and transcendence still matter—even in a skeptical age How storytelling, community, and curiosity shape spiritual growth The role Soul Boom plays in creating conversations that unite rather than divide Rather than preaching answers, this episode leans into thoughtful exploration—asking how we live well, stay grounded, and remain open when traditional narratives no longer hold the same power. Rainn is joined by hosts Britt Hartley of No Nonsense Spirituality and Bill Reel of The Almost Awakened Podcast for a conversation that is curious, grounded, and refreshingly human. Whether you’re familiar with Rainn Wilson from his acting career, his work on Soul Boom, or you’re simply interested in thoughtful conversations about spirituality without dogma, this episode invites you to explore the edges with us. 0:00 Intro2:15 Why Rainn Wrote Soul Boom6:40 The Workbook and Creative Spirituality 10:22 Mental Health and Faith 14:48 The Baha’i Path 19:50 Wrestling with God and Morality 24:30 Spiritual Bypassing and Recovery 28:55 A New Kind of Religion?33:10 Atheism, Truth, and Meaning37:50 Science, Mystery, and Humility42:20 How Words Like “God” Divide Us47:10 The Future of Faith52:05 Spirituality and Privilege56:40 The Purpose of Religion Today1:00:25 Finding Awe in the Modern World1:05:10 Unlocking the Heart1:09:30 Final Reflections RESOURCES:NEW Soul Boom Workbook https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Boom-Workbook-Spiritual-Modern/dp/1538775549Original Soul Boom Book – https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Boom-Need-Spiritual-Revolution/dp/B0BCCGD7WPSoul Boom Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/@SoulBoom
- Jan 31, 202627 min
The Hardest Part of Leaving Religion: On Loss of Community
The Hardest Part of Leaving Religion: On Loss of Community Leaving religion often comes with a sense of relief, clarity, and freedom, but for many people, the hardest part isn’t the loss of belief. It’s the loss of community. In this episode, Teresa talks about the quiet grief that often follows a faith transition: losing built-in belonging, shared language, familiar rhythms, and the sense of social safety that religion once provided. I explore why rebuilding connection outside of organized religion can feel so difficult, especially in a post-pandemic world where many of us are already feeling more isolated and disconnected than before. This episode isn’t about fixing yourself or rushing the process. It’s about understanding what you’re actually grieving, normalizing why this phase feels so hard, and gently reminding you that meaningful connection is still possible, even if it looks different than it did before. Join us at our NEW CHANNEL: @almostawakenedpodcast Resources mentioned: Bill Reel and Teresa Hobbs facilitate a Faith Transition & Deconstruction Support Group, a trauma-informed, bi-weekly space for people navigating life after religion. The next group begins January 20, 2026, and a few spots are still available. Sign up here: https://www.monarchintegrativecoaching.com/circle Join the conversation. Like, share, and subscribe to support this work. Donate to Almost Awakened: https://donorbox.org/almost-awakened-2 Join our Support Group – https://www.monarchintegrativecoaching.com/circle Learn more about coaching at https://awakenandthrive.org
- Jan 31, 202633 min
I’m Not Ok Unless You’re Ok: Codependency & Mormonism
In this solo episode of the Almost Awakened Podcast, Teresa Hobbs explores codependency through a nervous-system and systems lens, with a specific focus on why high-demand religious environments, especially Mormonism, are fertile ground for codependent patterns. Rather than framing codependency as a flaw or character issue, this episode reframes it as a survival adaptation that develops when safety, belonging, and worth are tied to external approval, emotional harmony, or compliance. If you grew up: Monitoring other people’s moods Scanning the room before checking in with yourself Feeling responsible for others’ emotions Struggling to identify your own needs, feelings, or limits …this conversation is for you. Interested in the Upcoming Religious Deconstruction Support Group starting in January? Go here to sign up: https://www.monarchintegrativecoaching.com/circle Join us at our NEW CHANNEL: @almostawakenedpodcast Join the conversation. Like, share, and subscribe to support this work. Donate to Almost Awakened: https://donorbox.org/almost-awakened-2 Join our Support Group – https://www.monarchintegrativecoaching.com/circle Learn more about coaching at https://awakenandthrive.org
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