This episode covers such an important topic that so many womxn have confided in me about on my retreats and in our work together: a complicated relationship with patriarchal Christianity and a fear of engaging with spirit in a different way.I asked Barbara Erochina to come on the podcast with me to talk this out because she is a real deal expert on this.Barbara used to be an Evangelical Christian—once on the path to becoming a pastor—who has wandered on the journey to belonging and now works with a purpose of deep spirituality, liberation (especially queer liberation and love). She is an emotional wellness coach and a non-religious spiritual leader. Formally trained in psychotherapy, ministry, and coaching, Barbara offers emotional and spiritual support through one on one coaching, couples and group work, writing, teaching, ritual, and facilitation. In this episode of Belonging, we talk about Barbara's story of immigrating to Canada from Russian, becoming an Evangelical Christian, and having to let go of that sense of belonging in her community when she came out of the closet and decided to leave the Evangelical Church.Barbara really walks up to that uncomfortable edge with me of examining each of our desires to explore spirituality and divinity and freedom of others to express their relationship to spirit in whatever way feels right for them, while at the same time recognizing that Christianity perpetuates incredibly harmful and oppressive systems within our world.This episode isn't an "anti-Christianity" call-out, but just as we examine our relationships with White Supremacy, and Colonization, and Cultural Appropriation, and Racism, and the ways our ancestors have, we have, and we still do perpetuate these things, Barbara and I invite you to gently begin to examine your belief systems with self-compassion so that we aren't continuing to hand down the harmful aspects that have spiraled out of these institutions.Find show notes for this episode here: https://beccapiastrelli.com/barbara-erochina/Follow Barbara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewithcards/ and https://www.instagram.com/bewithweddings/Follow Becca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beccapiastrelli/Credit for the phrase "be a good ancestor" goes to Arianna of https://www.quwutsunmade.com/My book Root & Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the Self is now available wherever books are sold! My intention with this book is for it to be your guide to reconnecting with the earth, your ancestors, and your communities as you come home to your whole self. Despite our best efforts, our modern world leaves so many of us feeling isolated, unworthy, and alone. We’re unrooted from the land, untethered from our lineages, disconnected from our communities, and separated from our deepest sense of self. Root & Ritual is meant to be a pathway back to connection and wholeness through rituals, recipes, and ancestral wisdom. Find more information at: http://rootandritualbook.com/