In this episode of Becoming Whole, we explore the third spiritual movement: the journey from sorrow to joy. Recognizing that sorrow is an unavoidable part of life, particularly for LGBT+ and same-sex attracted individuals, Josh and Sarah Claire discuss how deep pains—both personal and collective—impact our spiritual lives. S Through reflections on clean and dirty pain, grief practices, and the transformative power of mourning, they chart a path toward resilient joy.

CHAPTERS

00:00 | Introduction

01:20 | Lesli on the Unique Sorrows of Queer Christians

07:31 | Defining Sorrow: Loss, Pain and the Brokenness of the World

09:24 | Specific Griefs and Coping Mechanisms of Queer People

17:15 | Clean Pain vs. Dirty Pain: Moving Toward Healing

22:53 | Redefining Joy: Life After Pain, Not Absent of It

27:35 | How Mourning Leads to Joy

32:04 | Spiritual Practices for Joy

43:20 | Closing Conversations with Henry and Lesli

49:50 | Credits

FOOTNOTES

Guest Contributors:

• Lesli Hudson-Reynolds, Spiritual Director, Whispers in the Wind (whispersinthewind.org) | 01:26 and 44:57

• Henry Abuto, Co-host of the Life on Side B Podcast | 43:20

Referenced Works:

• Case Study 2, Interviewed by Josh Proctor, October 2023 | 00:33

• Resmaa Menakem, My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized trauma and the pathway to mending our hearts and bodies. (Central Recovery Press, 2017) | 17:50

• Julia Sadusky, interviewed on the Life on Side B Podcast, “S2E4 | Dr. Julia Sadusky on Mental Health and Loneliness” | 02:37

• Peter A. Levine, In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness (North Atlantic Books, 2010) | 35:23

Music Featured:

• Why Does Everybody Leave by Ben Parks | 00:00

• The Doxology by Clayton Waller | 50:00

Read the full Research Document here.