Episode 49: Turning to God for Validation, Part 1 with Emily Taylor, Author 'Unlocking Bright Minds'

CW/TW: In this episode, there are discussions of child sexual abuse, an LDS disciplinary council and subsequent trauma as related to both. There is also reference to suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised.

Today author Emily Taylor joins me on the podcast. Raised LDS, Emily lives in the Dallas area with her husband and 2 sons. In our interview we talk about Emily's faith journey and how her experiences from a young age with sexual abuse eventually led to a crisis of faith. She was left questioning the role of church leadership and reflects on the impact that made. Her journey included feelings of shame and ostracization due being misunderstood and unseen by her leaders. Through therapy and hard work, including a process of self-relection, healing, creating space for differentiation and nuance, Emily has come to find her place where to find her validation -- with God. Her relationship is cemented with the Divine and she has been able to create a resource of tools for others to use, particularly aimed at youth. From her website: “Throughout my childhood, I lived through extensive, trauma-inducing experiences. Unable to process those events at that young age, I carefully tucked them away. I made sure nobody could ever see them. I even hid them and their impact from myself believing I was fine. It wasn’t until much later that those experiences and associated feelings bubbled up to the surface. That was when I began the long journey of healing from my childhood trauma. Slowly, with work and the mental tools I was learning, that hollowness inside me was replaced with Godly confidence.” (unlockingbrightminds.org.) The experiences Emily shares in our interview are directly related to her recently published workbook, Unlocking Bright Minds: A 12-week program to overcome negative self-talk and develop genuine confidence, available on her website unlockingbrightminds.org or Amazon. Connect with Emily on Instagram: @unlocking_bright_minds ____________________________ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyond the Shadow of Doubt™⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcast is a proud member of the Dialogue Podcast Network found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DialogueJournal.com/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Part of the Dialogue Journal, the Dialogue Podcast Network was founded by Eugene England, a Mormon writer, teacher and scholar. “My faith encourages my curiosity and awe,” Gene wrote in the very first issue of the journal. “It thrusts me out into relationship with all creation” and “encourages me to enter into dialogue.” My hope is that this podcast is an extension of his vision. Hopeful Spaces is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dallas Hope Charities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ component of Hopeful Discussions, which is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA. Hopeful Spaces is a monthly parent support group facilitated by Meagan Skidmore Coaching. To join Hopeful Spaces is free; send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chc@dallashopecharities.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are ready to get the care and attention you deserve through 1:1 coaching I invite you to reach out. Send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@meaganskidmorecoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠meaganskidmorecoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; subscribe to get my free Pronouns 101 guide & download my free 20+ page LGBTQ+ Resource Guide for families. Please help the podcast grow by following, leaving a 5 star review on Spotify or Apple podcasts and sharing with friends. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to enter the PODCAST GIVEAWAY by July 31, 2023. Share it with a friend; if your friend's name is drawn you BOTH WIN.