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FreedHearts — Religion & Spirituality
FreedHearts

Freeing hearts to love and be loved! Love. Inclusion. Affirmation. Susan Cottrell is the Mom of two LGBTQ+ children; the founder of FreedHearts; an international speaker with a viral TEDx talk; a pastor and theologian; an acclaimed author; and a fierce advocate and ally. In her unique tender, relatable style, Susan is a prominent voice of unconditional love and lavish inclusion. Powerful, authentic, and relevant in today’s society, Susan has a lot to say. The Advocate calls her their “Favorite Affirming Matriarch.” OutSmart magazine calls her “The Mother of all MamaBears!” Reverend Ashley Harness from Auburn Seminary says, “Susan has this fierce, loving, don’t mess with me, Mom vibe.” If you have been excluded, or if someone close to you has been excluded because of who they are or who they love – or maybe you have been the one doing the excluding – the FreedHearts podcast is for you. Join Susan, along with her husband Rob, on the journey. You are not alone. Welcome home!

Copyright: ℗ & © 2020 FreedHearts

Latest Episodes:

Family Issues Are NOT Your Fault! Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

We have an amazing capacity to normalize things that can be unbearably painful.
It’s a great survival skill. It really does help us survive unimaginable circumstances. But it’s NOT a great thriving skill. Once you’re past the danger, once you survive, you need a new pattern to thrive.
And you need to know that trauma, those unbearable, dysfunctional family issues – especially those surrounding you living your authentic life, or you supporting your LGBTQ+ child, are not your fault.
Beloved, it's NOT your fault!

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New Year's Revolutions Instead of Resolutions! Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

We are not huge fans of New Year’s resolutions. Kind of feels like setting yourself up to fail. I understand the power of motivation and commitment, setting a goal, pushing yourself – but somehow this feels different.
So, instead of New Year’s resolutions – we are doing New Year’s revolutions!
We give you 7 things to stop and 7 things to start that can be life-changing, revolutionary for your life.

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How Do I Really Know If I'm Right About LGBTQ+? Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

The anti-gay church has done a lot of damage as it is a system that was built on exclusion.
So, if we find ourselves excluded for whatever reason, we take a lot of baggage with us – false teachings, shame, guilt, cult-like programming.
One huge piece of baggage is doubt – wondering if we really are right about all of this. About LGBTQ+. About deconstruction.
This is an important episode for our hearts, our peace, our mental and physical health. It will help free our hearts to love and be loved.

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A Gift from Susan: A Story About You from Mother God Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

I have tiny babies in my life now – my grandchildren. I love them – as they are, for who they are. Unconditionally. They don’t have to do anything to earn that. And they never, ever will.
As we grow up, sometimes parents do and say hurtful things and withhold the love and acceptance you deserve. You don’t, and never did deserve that.
So, today I want to give you a gift, just from me, and talk to that tiny child in you through a beautiful story - a picture of God as Mother, and you as the child.
Beloved, your heart so deserves this.
Love, Susan

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A Christmas for the Rest of Us. Holidays After Deconstructing. Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

After you have deconstructed, Christmas becomes an interesting season doesn’t it? Our view of God has expanded, our faith has expanded.
In this beautiful, very special holiday episode, we share three stories - one from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple; one from Sandra Cisneros; and a unique retelling of the Biblical story for us outliers, the rest of us.
I hope these unwrap the way we see and celebrate this Christmas and holiday season.
It is about reconstructing Christmas in the midst of a deconstructing faith.
Celebrating for the rest of us.

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Holidays or Helladays? When you can’t, or don’t want to go home. Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Have you been uninvited to a holiday or family gathering? Yeah, us too.
And honestly, is that kind of event the last place you would want to be because of things that are said or just because of how you are made to feel?
We are right in the middle of the holiday season, and all the family issues and triggers that can bring.
So, let’s talk about how to navigate difficult family situations, and also about options for when you can’t, or don’t want to go home for the holidays.

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Infuriating Family Fanatics! Just in Time for the Holidays. Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

This time of year, and being around family so much can be full of triggers and difficult situations. Especially with all the division and anger out there.
So, how do we deal with infuriating family fanatics?
When we are afraid, angry, and even hurt, how do we love people we don’t even like that much? What does that mean, and what does it not mean?
A very helpful episode as we go into this holiday season.

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Are Anti-LGBTQ Christians Real People or Just Bots?!? Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

Today, we talk about all the things you hear from anti-LGBTQ Christians, and we ask if those are real thoughts and questions, real concerns, or are they just repeating what they have been programmed to say??
We have some fun discussing if they are real people or are they just bots?? ;-)
And, most importantly, we talk about how to respond, especially when they just so happen to be family members.

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Changing Family Definitons and Expecations Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

How we define family changes. Relationships change. So, our expectations of family should change.
We get triggered, we get hurt, especially at this time of year.
Beloved, you deserve to find your people. You deserve to love and be loved as you are for who you are.
As Richard Bach said, "The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life."
Let’s talk about family, chosen family, and realistic family expectations.

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Getting Out of the Christian Labyrinth Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

We get a lot of emails from beloved souls who have been absolutely terrified by their church and Christian friends.
Cause, you know, that’s so Christlike. (sigh)
They are told that they’re not enough, that their parents are right, their pastors are right, and they’re just awful if they can’t change their fundamental core. That they are doomed.
No Beloved, you’re NOT doomed!
Today we talk about two kinds of Christianity and faith. They are very different, and WE get to decide which we want to be part of.

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