BONUS EPISODE: Christine Emba

Fariha Róisín is a poet, Muslim, and survivor of extreme childhood trauma. In this raw, soul-baring conversation, they speak about the long road from abuse to healing - via Islam, queerness, Ayahuasca, and a radical reimagining of wellness.

This is not your typical conversation about wellness, it's about what healing really takes and why the current wellness industry often gets it so wrong.

🎧 In this episode:

- What Western wellness won’t tell you about trauma

- How Islam became a radical site of healing and resistance

- Reclaiming the body, queerness, and spiritual power

- The deeper spiritual technologies beyond capitalism

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse and self harm.

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🎙️ Follow The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast

📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

✍️ Follow Fariha: https://www.instagram.com/fariha_roisin/?hl=en

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:21 What is Sacred to you? Fariha Answers

04:51 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact

08:54 Islam and Personal Identity

15:26 Queerness and Faith

20:50 The Intersection of Wellness and Spirituality

29:10 Rituals and Agency in Modern Life

32:45 Discerning Wellness: A Critical Perspective

36:08 The Role of Spirituality and Healing Modalities

40:12 Ayahuasca: A Transformative Experience

50:07 Reflections on Faith and Historical Contexts

Keywords:

Transformative journey of healing, spirituality, and resistance: Ayahuasca, spiritual healing, trauma recovery, decolonization, decolonisation, Muslim spirituality, queer faith, wellness revolution, intergenerational trauma, plant medicine, indigenous wisdom, childhood abuse survivor, radical self-care, spiritual transformation, colonialism and healing, Islamic feminism, psychedelic therapy, ancestral healing, spiritual awakening, mental health recovery, cultural resilience, holistic wellness, trauma-informed healing, spiritual resistance, alternative medicine, intersectional spirituality, sexual abuse recovery, mindfulness practices, feminist spirituality, postcolonial healing, spiritual empowerment, trauma therapy, queer spirituality, indigenous medicine, wellness culture, spiritual journey, healing from abuse, cultural trauma, spiritual liberation, body-mind healing, radical wellness, spiritual resilience, trauma centred care, cultural identity, spiritual practices, healing rituals, emotional recovery, spiritual guidance, transformative healing, cultural empowerment, spiritual connection, trauma integration, holistic healing, spiritual awakening, cultural healing, trauma-informed spirituality, spiritual growth, healing modalities, cultural transformation, spiritual resilience, trauma recovery techniques.

We sat down with Jonathan Rauch - a gay, Jewish atheist - to explore his remarkable journey from accepting his sexuality and rejecting religion to becoming a key voice advocating for same-sex marriage and the vital role of Christianity in sustaining liberal, secular democracy.

Key topics include:

- Jonathan's personal wrestle with his sexuality and eventual acceptance

- His commitment to gay and lesbian equality and the social conservative case for same-sex marriage

- The negative effects of secularisation

- The importance of Christian values in supporting liberal democracy and the need for a Christian revival

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🎙️ Follow The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast

📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/ 💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

✍️ Follow Jonathan Rauch: https://x.com/jon_rauch?lang=en

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:57 What is Sacred to you? Jonathan Rauch answers

02:48 Childhood Influences and Jewish Identity

05:58 Feeling on the outside

06:58 Trying to be religious

08:47 The Fight for Free Speech and Liberalism

11:52 The Journey to Same-Sex Marriage Advocacy

15:06 Navigating Personal and Public Identity

17:57 Understanding Anger and Tolerance in Debate

19:44 Denial and Acceptance of Same-Sex Attraction

34:28 Advocating for Christianity as an Atheist

36:14 The Consequences of Secularisation

38:19 The Role of Christianity in Democracy

40:42 Core Teachings of Christianity and Liberalism

47:21 The Need for Christianity in Secular Society

51:13 The Search for Transcendence

54:34 Messages for Secular Liberals and Christians

Keywords:

Jonathan Rauch, Liberal democracy, Christianity and politics, Gay rights, Same-sex marriage, Religious freedom, Secular society, American democracy, Political philosophy, Free speech, LGBTQ+ rights, Jewish identity, Atheism, Religious values, Social change, Political discourse, Minority rights, Cultural transformation, Civic engagement, Religious tolerance, Political liberalism, Social conservatism, Identity politics, Democratic values, Religious revival, Intellectual history, Cultural dialogue, Personal identity, Political belief, Social justice, Religious pluralism, American creed, Constitutional values, Community building, Interfaith dialogue, Political moderation, Cultural understanding, Religious institutions, Social cohesion, Intellectual freedom, Political compromise, Religious skepticism, Cultural diversity, Democratic principles, Social transformation, Religious critique, Political philosophy, Civic virtues, Cultural evolution, Intellectual honesty