148 | God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us: Unlearning Fear & Reclaiming Joy with Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail

Gather in Growth

What if God never meant for you to live in fear, shame, or self-hatred?

In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail — Episcopal priest, creator, and author ofGod Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us: 40 Devotions to Liberate Your Faith from Fear and Reconnect with Joy. We dive deep into unlearning fear-based faith, healing from toxic theology, and reclaiming the radical joy of being fully loved by God. Whether you’re deep in deconstruction or just beginning to ask hard questions, this episode offers hope, healing, and a reminder that curiosity, nuance, and belonging were always part of the story.

We explore:

• The deep roots of fear-based faith — and how it shapes our sense of self
• Why reclaiming joy is a radical act of spiritual liberation
• Healing from church hurt without losing your connection to God
• The intersections of faith, feminism, queerness, and justice
• Navigating deconstruction with gentleness, curiosity, and hope
• Embracing the truth that you were created from love, for love — not fear
• Building a spirituality rooted in joy, abundance, and radical belonging

If this conversation stirred something in your heart, I'd be honored if you’d subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who might need to hear it. Your support helps us spread messages of hope, healing, and spiritual liberation to more souls who are ready to reclaim the joy they were made for.

Meet Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail:

Rev. Lizzie is an Episcopal priest, author, and joyful disruptor of toxic theology. She’s the founding pastor of Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas—a vibrant community rooted in ancient worship and radical hospitality. With degrees from Mount Holyoke College, Duke Divinity School, and Seminary of the Southwest, Lizzie weaves together faith, feminism, and queer theology. Her debut book is a love letter to the disillusioned, deconstructing, and deeply hopeful.

Connect with Lizzie:

• Follow Rev. Lizzie on Instagram
• Visit her website
• Listen to the And Also With You Podcast
• Learn more about Jubilee Episcopal Church
• Order God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us

Connect with Emily:

• Website: www.EmilyReuschel.com
• Instagram: @emilyreuschel
• Facebook: Emily Reuschel
• LinkedIn: Emily Reuschel
• Join my Book Insiders List: Sign up here!

Resources & Links:

• Sign up here to get the inside scoop on my book writing journey
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• Book me as a speaker for your next event
• Gather in Growth Podcast Production – Learn more about Jill Carr Podcasting