Almost Awakened

Latest Episodes:

The Mind & Body’s Connection to Religious Trauma May 18, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode, we explore the fascinating—and at times unsettling—truth that your body can carry pain, anxiety, and illness long after the danger is gone. Through bizarre medical stories and neuroscience-backed insights, we expose how the brain can misfire protective signals, trapping us in cycles of suffering with no clear physical cause. But we don’t stop at science. We take a hard look at how religious trauma—especially from high-demand systems like Mormonism—can sabotage the nervous system, teaching us to fear our own instincts and stay hypervigilant in the name of obedience. From chronic pain to panic attacks to unexplained sickness, we reveal how trauma—spiritual or otherwise—can become embedded in the body… and how healing is possible. If you’ve ever wondered why you still feel unsafe, even when you’re “out,” or why your symptoms don’t match your diagnosis—this is the episode that connects the dots.

Why We’re So Divided: Trauma, Bias, and the Human Brain [Almost Awakened 187] Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

Why does the world feel so divided—and why is it so hard to stay curious when we disagree? In this episode of Almost Awakened, we unpack the hidden forces driving today’s polarization. From ancient survival wiring to cognitive biases to trauma-shaped perception, we explore how our brains are glitching in a modern world built to trigger fear and certainty. We also dive into how media algorithms hijack our nervous systems, and why outrage spreads faster than truth. Most importantly, we offer a path back: through regulation, curiosity, and reclaiming our humanity in a world pulling us apart. Take a breath… and let’s dig in.

**Unmasking Trauma: What It Really Is and How We Heal [Almost Awakened 185]** Apr 11, 2025
Show notes

You’ve heard the word ‘trauma’—but do you really know what it means? In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we break down the truth about trauma: not just the dramatic events, but the subtle, often invisible wounds that live in our bodies, shape our behavior, and distort how we see the world.
**We explore:**
*What trauma actually is (hint: it’s not the event itself)?
*Why trauma is more common than most people think?
*The crucial difference between “Big T” and “little t” trauma!
*How unresolved trauma hides in perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, and chronic pain?
*The science of how trauma rewires the brain and nervous system!
*And most importantly—how we can heal, rewire, and grow from it!
Whether you’re on your own healing path, supporting someone else, or simply want to understand yourself and others better—this episode is for you.
You’re not broken. You’re responding exactly the way a nervous system responds to pain. And there’s a way forward.
Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share if this conversation resonates with you.

**Healing Starts Here: Understanding the Nervous System & Trauma [Almost Awakened 184]** Apr 01, 2025
Show notes

Ep. 184 | Almost Awakened In this episode we explore how nervous system dysregulation affects your health, relationships, emotions, and identity—and how understanding this system can radically change the way you live and heal. Welcome to the reboot of the Almost Awakened Podcast—where big awakenings meet real-life healing. Bill Reel is joined by his new co-host, trauma coach Teresa Hobbs, and they are kicking things off with a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood—and most powerful—keys to personal transformation: your nervous system. But this isn’t just about science and stress responses. We’re talking relationships, emotions, identity, illness, and the invisible ways trauma shapes our lives.

In this episode, you’ll learn: *What trauma actually is (hint: it’s not just what happened to you). *How your nervous system holds the key to healing and wholeness. *Why you might be stuck in fight, flight, freeze—or shutdown—and how to shift. *What co-regulation, Polyvagal Theory, and chronic symptoms have in common. *Simple, body-based tools to start rewiring your system today.

Whether you’re navigating religious deconstruction, chronic stress, or just want to feel more alive and at ease, this conversation is your launchpad.

Subscribe for weekly episodes on: Itunes, Google Play, Apple Music, Stitcher and FEATURED on YOUTUBE

Hosted by: Bill Reel, Almost Awakened Podcast Founder Teresa Hobbs, Trauma Recovery & Mind-Body Coach, Monarch Integrative Coaching Dive in: https://almostawakened.org

Catching Up With Britt Hartley [Almost Awakened 183] Dec 14, 2024

Show notes

Britt Hartley returns to engage Bill on several questions that will create a fantastic awakened conversation and to reconnect on where being almost awakened has led them.

Creating A Fulfilling Romantic Relationship [Almost Awakened 182] Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Almost Awakened, Bill shares his two month dive into relationship research. From John & Julie Gottman to Jordan Peterson

RESOURCES:
https://youtu.be/mS3bfCt0K88?si=qi-wdEVuZVHDJ0_p
https://youtu.be/E5swtIjpxxA?si=jpBWf28DfDMZbjtb
https://youtu.be/PQo8hFqfe9A?si=46f4K_7rRlvVfgXi
https://youtu.be/Qv70RMUFlu0?si=lqBYi7z256AW7ME9
https://youtu.be/Xvb-v83qJ8U?si=iPCFr8BISXxG2z9H
https://youtu.be/knVfc_B0W6E?si=CUvMcGhvT6lOSw6Z
https://youtu.be/gh5VhaicC6g?si=6FBHmmD0xl_k63vK
https://youtu.be/sa0RUmGTCYY?si=nmIOn9WnnN_wsZBp
https://youtu.be/-pdCDq_MTj4?si=OxeVnc8sNArOHj56
https://youtu.be/aS3oxcTk-9Q?si=Fdcp2GEN4UBKSn6s

Thanks so much for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment!

Visit our Channel to find everything Mormonism! https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonDiscussionsInc or @MormonDiscussion Our mission at Mormon Discussion is to be a beacon of support for those who are questioning the truth claims or renegotiating their relationship with faith.

Our podcasts like “Mormonism Live,” “Radio Free Mormon,” and “Mormon Discussion” offer a safe space for Discovery and healing. But we need your help. Your donations power our work – expanding outreach, improving content, and creating new initiatives.
Visit https://donorbox.org/umbrella-entity or https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ and make a difference today.

Your support empowers us to empower others. We are a 501C3 Non-Profit and your donation is tax deductible inside the United States https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ Thank you for being part of the change. Together, we’re making a real impact.

The Gender Dysphoria & Transgender Debate: A Foundation Conversation [Almost Awakened: 181] May 02, 2024

Show notes

Join Bill Reel and Jon Streeter in a thought-provoking conversation that delves deep into the complexities of the Gender Dysphoria & Transgender Debate. In this YouTube video, these two articulate voices engage in a nuanced exploration that transcends the surface-level discourse often seen in mainstream media. At the heart of their discussion lies a fundamental clash between two philosophical frameworks: Modern Scientific Rational Empiricism and Postmodern Relativism, which includes Gender Theory. Bill and Jon carefully dissect the implications of these opposing paradigms on the understanding and acceptance of transgender identities. Throughout the video, they unpack the Philosophy surrounding gender theory to illuminate the experiences of transgender individuals. Simultaneously, they critically examine the role of postmodern theories in shaping societal attitudes towards gender, highlighting the importance of acknowledging diverse perspectives while upholding scientific rigor. Through their insightful analysis, Bill and Jon guide viewers towards a deeper understanding of the Gender Dysphoria & Transgender Debate as a microcosm of broader philosophical tensions in contemporary society. By elucidating the clash between Modern Scientific Rational Empiricism and Postmodern Relativism, they empower audiences to critically engage with the nuances of gender discourse and cultivate empathy towards diverse experiences. Ultimately, this YouTube video serves as a beacon of intellectual inquiry, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of introspection and dialogue that transcends ideological divides. Join Bill and Jon as they navigate the intricate intersections of science, theory, and human experience in the pursuit of greater understanding and compassion.
Resources:
The Trojan Unicorn: Queer Theory and Pedophilia (Audio Essay) (youtube.com)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAP4czG3DjE
Sex & Gender: An Evolutionary Perspective – Heather Heying (youtube.com)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkjL58HOS60

Britt Hartley: No Nonsense Spirituality [Almost Awakened: 180] Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

In “No Nonsense Spirituality,” author, philosopher, and friend Britt Hartley offers a groundbreaking exploration that marries the rigor of rational inquiry with the depths of human spirituality. Best of all? No faith in the unbelievable is required. Drawing from the wellsprings of science, philosophy, religion, and psychology, this illuminating work charts a course for those who seek a meaningful life without dogma or woo. Hartley draws on her work as an atheist spiritual director to provide practical guidelines for navigating a secular approach to ritual, morality, awe, transcendence, wisdom, community, intuition, connection, and meaning that can withstand the harsh truths of reality. With wisdom gleaned from the best of rationalism and the timeless insights of religion, “No Nonsense Spirituality” offers pathways to the good life that honor the complexity of the human experience. Engaging, thought-provoking, and deeply resonant, this book invites readers to explore a new understanding of what it means to live the good life in the middle of a culture that ranges from cold skepticism to the unhealthy truth claims of religion and pseudoscience that cannot stand up to modern sensibilities.

The Book – https://www.amazon.com/No-Nonsense-Spirituality-Belief-Required-ebook/dp/B0D1NLMFBR

Britt’s website – https://nononsensespirituality.com/

Thanks so much for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment!

Visit our Channel to find everything Mormonism! https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonDiscussionsInc or @MormonDiscussion

Our mission at Mormon Discussion is to be a beacon of support for those who are questioning the truth claims or renegotiating their relationship with faith. Our podcasts like “Mormonism Live,” “Radio Free Mormon,” and “Mormon Discussion” offer a safe space for Discovery and healing. But we need your help. Your donations power our work – expanding outreach, improving content, and creating new initiatives.

Visit https://donorbox.org/umbrella-entity or https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ and make a difference today. Your support empowers us to empower others.

We are a 501C3 Non-Profit and your donation is tax deductible inside the United States https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/please-consider-donating-today/ Thank you for being part of the change. Together, we’re making a real impact.

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