Best Susan Cottrell, FreedHearts Podcasts (2025)

1
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Evaluating Safety 23:08

7h ago23:08

23:08

I know you feel it. So much fear. So much worry. We see it everywhere, we see it in our own family. Many are considering whether to stay in their state, or even stay in the country. Or whether it is time to go. We asked several people we respect in this community about the topic and their answers could not be more varied. Beloved, what is the right…

1
To Christian Parents of LGBTQ+ Children 26:18

7d ago26:18

26:18

Your child says, “Mom, I’m Gay!” You want to shove those words back in and put the lid on. But you can't. Your child is gay or bisexual or transgender. This goes against everything you've been taught. It was not what you had in mind, and you instantly wonder where you went wrong. When you become a parent, you know to expect the unexpected. But for …

1
What Is This Mom Supposed To Do? 16:04

14d ago16:04

16:04

We heard from a Mom who loves her daughter but does not accept her being gay, understanding but not really understanding, embracing but letting her daughter know she does not approve. And this Mom could not understand why that was wrong, and why her heart need to be set free. She represents many on this journey of deconstruction who are in limbo – …

1
Moms, You Are Not a Disappointment! 12:17

21d ago12:17

12:17

Today, a beautiful episode focused on Moms. Mother’s Day will come and go. Maybe you’ll do brunch with family, get a call from the kids, maybe open a card or a present. Or not. If you get a card, it is quite likely that reading those words of appreciation will bring simultaneous joy and guilt! Seems to be the nature of motherhood. Sit with me… I wo…

1
My Transgender Child: A Mother's Tender Story 22:35

28d ago22:35

22:35

With all that has been going on to attack, condemn, and erase our precious transgender community, we thought it was the perfect time for this. In this very special, intimate episode, we share something that came from a mom of transgender daughter. She wrote it for her pastor, for anyone, who is trying to sort out transgender, gender nonconforming, …

1
Don’t You Dare Deny the Beauty of Being Transgender! 34:17

1M ago34:17

34:17

Today, we continue to focus on the transgender community with an encore broadcast of a very popular FreedHearts Podcast episode from January 2022. Our trans children, family members and friends are beautiful. And beloved. Living their authentic lives. Oh my goodness, that is an amazing truth. Amazing stories. Amazing beauty. False teachings, binary…

1
How the Bible AFFIRMS Transgender & Nonbinary People! 45:49

1M ago45:49

45:49

Christians mistakenly suggest that if you take the Bible seriously, you must stand against the existence – as well as the health and even humanity of transgender people. Actually, the OPPOSITE is true! In this episode, we talk about how the Bible AFFIRMS transgender and gender non-conforming people. And, how misinterpretations and binary thinking c…

1
It's Okay to Hold a Grudge! 27:29

2M ago27:29

27:29

These past few months have resulted in some deep wounds – often from people that are, or used to be very close to us. We have been told that we should not hold a grudge, that we should let go of everything. But I think we are missing a bigger truth. Could it be that it’s good to hold a grudge? We don’t want to walk around with resentment, or unforg…

1
The UnChristian Jesus & The UnChristlike Church! 25:45

2M ago25:45

25:45

Jesus and Christianity and Church. We link those three together but the truth is that to do so has no basis in history, no basis in theology, certainly no basis in today’s non-affirming, rules-based, behavior-focused, hyper-political religion. Jesus is a great mascot. But Beloved, it’s a bait and switch! Jesus would be considered unChristian by the…

1
Why Posting on Social Media Might Not Change Things 22:07

2M ago22:07

22:07

We get caught up in social media. Doomscrolling, fear scrolling, just scrolling to find a glimmer of hope and good news. We all know the feeling: you see something infuriating and, before you can stop yourself, you’re pounding the keys, firing off a post that will change the world, or at least change someone’s mind. Anyone else do that? But, honest…

1
Can We Be Certain About Our Beliefs? 28:09

2M ago28:09

28:09

On this deconstruction journey, we have unclobbered the Scripture that is falsely taught to condemn LGBTQ+ and same-sex relationships. We have exposed false teachings that are used for religious manipulation. And we recently addressed the big one: the myth and false teaching of hell! It’s a lot, and it rattles the core of our theology – but in the …

1
Triage the Chaos So We Can Be Prepared & Effective 35:59

3M ago35:59

35:59

Has the world gone crazy? Has this country gone crazy? Feels like it for sure. Do you feel like maybe you’re crazy busy, stressed and overwhelmed? Yeah, me too. We talked about everything that is happening – the news and developments we are being bombarded with. Coming at us so fast it’s hard to process it all. Which we pointed out is by design. An…

1
Responding to All This Gaslighting 19:44

3M ago19:44

19:44

Beloved, hear me: You are not imagining things! When you see executive orders, policies, rollbacks, hate-filled rhetoric, & you feel that gut-punch of fear — it’s real. When your heart aches because you see rights stripped away, protections dismantled, & lives put at risk — it’s not in your head. And yet, when we speak up, we are dismissed, laughed…

1
How Not to be Overwhelmed! 28:02

3M ago28:02

28:02

We wake up to news, breaking stories happen throughout the day, the barrage of executive orders and developments seem never-ending. It can easily be overwhelming. Anybody feel that way? Beloved, that actually may be their goal. Today, we talk about what is happening in our country right now, how it’s making us feel, and what we can do about all of …

1
Can You Uninvite People to Your Wedding & Special Event? 31:49

3M ago31:49

31:49

We recently came through the holidays. Has anyone ever been uninvited to a family gathering? We have. Well, Spring is coming, maybe you have a wedding on the calendar? So, today, we flip the script and talk about YOUR special events… a birthday celebration, wedding, family reunion, graduation. And we ask the questions: Are there people we HAVE to i…

1
The Myth & Dangers of Christian "Accountability" 24:46

4M ago24:46

24:46

How much do you have to listen to someone who wants to tell you how to live and what you’re doing wrong, and if you’d just follow their advice you’d be good? Not much! Have you heard the phrase “iron sharpens iron” as a justification for someone telling you everything that is wrong with you? Or have you ever been part of a religious “accountability…

1
Freedom From Self-Judgment 16:03

4M ago16:03

16:03

Beloved, last week we talked about the myth and false teaching of hell and how we have been so terrorized by it. That and other false teachings cause us to think and believe the most awful things about ourselves. Things that are just not true! Today, we tell you some true things… about you. Jesus said for us to love our neighbor AS WE LOVE OURSELVE…

1
Hell: The Deadliest Teaching in History! 42:47

4M ago42:47

42:47

According to religion, there are certain beliefs, certain parts of theology, that are not even debatable. Why?? Maybe because they pose the greatest threat to the power system of the church. That’s why when you even question it – you are immediately called a heretic. Or worse. We have addressed many of these and will continue to do that moving forw…

1
The Gift of Fear! 30:20

4M ago30:20

30:20

We have talked about reclaiming our power, our hope, and not surrendering to doomscrolling or fearscrolling narratives. Today, we go deeper and press the conversation around fear - to bring us freedom. We don’t want to live our lives afraid. There’s no life in that. Fear is not the place to make our best choices. We know that. Fear IS helpful when …

1
You Deserve to Be Believed About Who You Are 22:13

4M ago22:13

22:13

No one knows you better than you. No one knows who you are and the journey you have been on better than you. So, why do so many people not believe you when you tell them? Why do they think they know you better than you know yourself, telling you that you are confused, or just plain wrong? Let’s talk about how to move forward when you are disbelieve…

1
Why We Are Not Wrong About Transgender People! 31:07

5M ago31:07

31:07

Today, we cover some basic faith-related questions: Why are churches so against transgender people? Are we wrong to support them? Does God ask us to support trans people in our community? Are we just listening to false doctrine? You know what false doctrine is? It’s manmade religion parading as requirements from God. It’s traditions of men that lin…

1
Why Are My Kids So Mad at Me? 38:22

5M ago38:22

38:22

The election is over. One person was elected President and one was not. Half the country is elated and half is distraught. We knew that whatever the outcome, some would be thrilled and some would be devastated. We’ve heard from LGBTQ+ people who are in deep despair, in existential fear. And we’ve heard from parents who are confused, saying, “My chi…

1
Well Beloved, Now What?? 29:32

6M ago29:32

29:32

This is our first episode since the election, and we know many of you are reeling right now, wondering what’s ahead. We have heard from so many of you. You may feel afraid, terrified, dazed, confused - not even sure where to start to make sense of life right now, and how to move forward. So, let’s talk about that today. We are going to talk about f…

1
In Times Like These... Caring for Ourselves and Those We Love 21:59

8M ago21:59

21:59

This is a very special episode that I think we all need. Certainly, we are aware of what has been happening in the world, overwhelmed with media, social media, mixed feelings of hope, followed by dread, doom and fear, then replaced with excitement -- wild emotional swings. And we expect that to continue and even heighten in the coming weeks. What d…

1
Queer Wisdom: What Queer Culture Teaches That Straight Culture Doesn't 21:25

8M ago21:25

21:25

Today we are going to share some queer wisdom. What is that? It is wisdom that accepts people for who they are, inclusive, affirming, celebrates diversity, and loves above all else. That is what Jesus modeled and taught – and it’s so different from what the non-affirming, rules-based church teaches. We talk about the validity of church as a constru…

1
Unleash Your Inner Champion 22:51

8M ago22:51

22:51

What is happening in your life? Are people telling you to go out there and hustle in an economic system that doesn’t work except for the elite? Are people saying it’s okay to be gay, but you can’t act on it – that you can only have this kind of partner or else you have to be alone? Do people tell you to believe what they believe or you’ll go to hel…

1
You Don't Owe Non-Supportive People Anything! 17:44

9M ago17:44

17:44

You don’t owe non-supportive people answers when they can’t just let you be who you are. You don’t owe them your time, you don’t owe them your peace, you don’t owe them your soul. But that can be a challenge, for sure, because you don’t want to end the relationship. Or, you may have the thought that if you back off, things could still mend somehow …

1
Strike a Pose and Light Your Inner Spark! 22:29

9M ago22:29

22:29

After diving in – no pun intended – to the recent Olympics, we really want to entice you to look at the spark in yourself, that may have been there from the very beginning. And to let it resurface. You may have been taught or encouraged to hide it – but we hope you are in a safer place to listen to and follow your heart, and not feel crushed that c…

1
Healing with the Arts! 35:03

9M ago35:03

35:03

With all this talk about the teaching of contempt and religion, we thought it was time for a little relief: a little ART relief! When I had cancer five years ago, part of the available treatment was a studio program where we created art. They kept saying, “It’s about the process, not the product.” I can hardly even express the joy this has opened u…

1
30 Freeing Things We Did After We Deconstructed! 37:48

9M ago37:48

37:48

When we talk so much about all the hate and contempt coming from the non-affirming, rules-based church; the hypocrisy, the division out there; it can leave us feeling pretty down. When we go so deep in our journey coming out of religion, we can miss the beauty along the way. Today, we want to remind us all of the joy we have found on our journey of…

1
So, What Do We Do with the Bible?? Part II 32:36

10M ago32:36

32:36

Today, we continue with Part II of our series asking the question: "What do we do with the Bible?" People take it literally – ignoring it’s history, as well as all the additions, edits and translations that have been done. People claim its authority – despite not really knowing who it was written by and why. And Christians use it to justify great h…

1
So, What Do We Do with the Bible?? Part I 34:00

10M ago34:00

34:00

This is part one of an important two-part series where we ask the question: “What do we do with the Bible?” We need to deconstruct it because it is abused and used as a weapon. And then they accuse you of heresy when you even slightly question it. It is used to justify great harm to people - racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny etc. I know you…

1
What Do We Do With All This Hate? 32:27

10M ago32:27

32:27

We have talked about how the church actually teaches us to hate ourselves, to hate God and the natural next step... to hate others. Of course, they don’t say that it is hate… they even go so far as to call it love, or tough love. It's all part of their gaslighting! But to those on the receiving end, it IS indeed hate. When there is such a deep foun…

1
Does the Church Actually Teach us to Hate God?? 22:07

10M ago22:07

22:07

Today, we talk about the Teaching of Contempt for God – and how the church actually teaches us to hate God!! We may not realize that, amidst the singing of praises, and saying, “Oh God is so good!” but all of it is over a trapdoor of seething contempt for a God who we are taught is capable of some horrible stuff. That’s our understanding from relig…

1
Does the Church Actually Teach us to Hate Ourselves? 26:31

11M ago26:31

26:31

You only can define God or even think about God in relation to us and the relationship with us. So, it’s important to know who are we. Today, we talk about the church’s teaching of contempt for YOU. How the church actually teaches us to hate ourselves! We talk about who we are, and how God, the Universe, Spirit, really truly feels about us. In the …

1
Having Fun with SLOTH and GLUTTONY! 30:22

11M ago30:22

30:22

Let's have some fun with sloth and gluttony! Have you been told you’re not working hard enough, that you just want things handed to you while you sit around and do nothing? Isn’t that the trope? That you just need to work harder, and that if you’re not making it, it’s your fault! Mohamad Safa says, “People aren’t going hungry because we cannot feed…

1
Yikes! What About ENVY and WRATH? 26:10

11M ago26:10

26:10

Today, we talk about envy and wrath. Yikes, scary! Breathe. We are all okay. That’s why we are deconstructing this -- to free our hearts from this fear. People in power often accuse and shame us in the very things they do! It’s all about projecting. They project onto us their sins, their crimes. That sleight of hand, that narrative keeps us focusin…

1
Oh Baby… Let’s Talk All About LUST! 35:11

11M ago35:11

35:11

We’ve been deconstructing the so-called "7 Deadly Sins" — and today we talk about LUST! The non-affirming church makes rules telling you that you’re lustful—your beautiful relationships are demeaned and reduced to being about lust—because there is no room in the church to affirm you. And we ask: Why the heck does it matter what religious leaders sa…

1
GREED: Is There an Upside?? 35:18

11M ago35:18

35:18

Have you ever wondered why the conservative nonaffirming rules-based church is so upside-down? They focus downline, shaming and threatening regular people who are just trying to live. Meanwhile, these leaders are hiding rampant child sexual abuse and promoting teachings that are racist, misogynistic, queerphobic, especially transphobic. We’ve been …

1
PRIDE: It’s a Celebration, Not a Sin! 24:51

12M ago24:51

24:51

June is Pride Month—a time dedicated not just to parades and rainbow flags but to profound affirmation and resistance against discrimination. The skewed Christian view of pride involves a self-centered attitude, placing oneself above others and, most critically, above God. But the LGBTQ+ community is not declaring themselves above anyone else. Prid…

1
Have We Totally Misunderstood What “Repent” Means?? 24:37

12M ago24:37

24:37

We have all heard it: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Actually, this is one of the worst translated passages in all the Bible – and one of the most harmful because of that. What if what Jesus REALLY said was, “Deconstruct, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Would that change things? Would it have eliminated a lot of the shame an…

1
Humanity’s Fallen and It Can’t Get Up… NOT! 40:19

1y ago40:19

40:19

Today we deconstruct one of the most insane ideas in Christianity: The alleged fall of humanity, when one person ate forbidden fruit, and now, there is not one shred of goodness in us, not a spark, unless we have asked Jesus to be our Savior. That’s the story. The actual theory and false teaching is that because Eve and Adam sinned, the rest of us …

1
Beloved, You Have an All Access Pass 26:43

1y ago26:43

26:43

Rules, laws, shoulds, shouldn’ts... the Bible is full of them. And the church has even added more to that list! The religious leaders approached Jesus and asked, “Hey Jesus, Uh, lot’s of rules here, lots of laws, what are the ones that are the most important?” And Jesus deconstructed ALL the law, ALL of those rules, ALL of the rules the church adds…

1
The Church Has Trapped You and Sealed the Exits 36:02

1y ago36:02

36:02

We’ve been wanting to talk for a while about how the conservative evangelical church traps people. It is deliberate. They draw you in, telling you: God loves you just as you are — yes you’re a sinner, we’re all sinners, duh. But God loves you — just some minor tweaking here and there, and you’ll be good as new. They dismantle you, making you an ene…

1
Contempt for Our Free Will & For Our Children 33:25

1y ago33:25

33:25

Today, we talk about how the church teaches us to have contempt for our own free will. And, in particular, how we have contempt for, interact with, and treat our children. This may sound harsh, but, based on their teachings and beliefs, it’s the truth: The religious, rules-based, behavior-focused, conservative church hates its children! One of the …

1
Contempt for God's Love, Joy, Freedom 33:54

1y ago33:54

33:54

We have started to ask the question: Who is God? It’s certainly NOT the old white man in the sky, with all the feminine aspects ripped out. Something has been stolen from us. Our sacred interior has been ransacked and we have lost the understanding of God who loves us, delights in us. This is vital because when we know God feels this way about us —…

1
How Gender Plays Out in Real Life 21:46

1y ago21:46

21:46

Today, we talk all about an example of how gender plays out in real life. How masculinity and femininity are perceived and received, and the impact it has. When you reduce the feminine, you reduce all the feminine traits: of caring, healing, listening, loving—which are indispensable as a balance to the masculine. What happens when you do that is to…

1
God’s Gender Reveal!! 25:19

1y ago25:19

25:19

What is masculine and what is feminine? What is our understanding of what they mean? Why does it matter? And why is the culture, and especially the church, holding so hard to traditional definitions? Gender has been turned into a false binary that has assigned roles based on gender with very little tolerance for crossover—even though all of us have…

1
The Teaching of Contempt – The Absolute Core of Our Problems 27:52

1y ago27:52

27:52

Here we go! We begin our deep-dive into deconstruction by talking about the core of the false teachings coming from the ultra-religious, non-affirming, conditional-love church. It is the root of our racism, queerphobia, xenophobia, misogyny—so much of our problems and issues today. What is it? It is the Teaching of Contempt. Us versus them. So, wha…

1
It’s Bible Story Time! Does This Sound Absurd to You?? 19:10

1y ago19:10

19:10

It’s important to deconstruct – especially when your faith has been rattled by religious abuse. You likely know exactly what I am talking about. If we do not deconstruct, we can be left with a lot of baggage. It’s vital to separate the God of Religion from the truth of God. Today we have some fun – and we pose a pretty big question. Beloved, gather…

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Susan Cottrell, FreedHearts Podcasts

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