Episode Details

🎙️ 8. Christi Bolaños (Non-Denominational) – A Testimony of Bravery, Anger, and Reclaiming a Bigger God

Alexis is joined by Christi Bolaños — an ER nurse, adoptive mom of seven, and lifelong Christian whose fierce love for Jesus has carried her through heartbreak, injustice, and a faith that had to break open to hold it all.

In this episode, Christi shares how moments of childhood courage shaped her deep commitment to justice, how her family’s decision to adopt shattered her savior complex, and how the “sacred slope” of deconstruction helped her discover a God big enough for all her questions — and all her rage.

They talk about anger as holy fuel, learning to love people beyond success stories, and why standing against Christian nationalism is not a betrayal of faith, but a return to it. Christi’s story is raw, beautiful, and lit with joy, even in the dark.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever sat alone at recess, questioned their calling, or wondered whether their heartbreak could still be holy ground.

💡 Key Takeaways
• Bravery begins in small acts of resistance
• Anger can be sacred when surrendered to Jesus
• Love doesn’t mean rescuing — it means staying
• The “slippery slope” of deconstruction might just be sacred 
• The fruit of the Spirit is a better litmus test than any purity code

⛪ About Our Guest
Christi Bolaños (@christibolanos) is a Pittsburgh-based ER nurse, adoptive mom of seven, and former house parent to more than 70 foster youth. She studied Religious Studies and Philosophy at Westmont College with a focus on feminist and liberation theology. She brings a lived theology of justice, joy, and showing up — even when it costs you everything.

📚 Resources Mentioned
• The Very Good Gospel by @lisasharper
• Migrant God by Isaac Villegas www.isaacvillegas.com (Westmont alum, theologian of immigration justice)
• “All That I Can Say” by David Crowder — @crowder
• Rev. Mariann Budde — Episcopal bishop of Washington D.C. @mariannbudde

#Christianity #Deconstruction #ProgressiveChristianity #FosterCare #FaithAndJustice #FaithAfterEvangelicalism #OpenAndAffirming #MentalHealth #TheSacredSlope #FruitOfTheSpirit #LGBTQ #Exvangelical #Adoption #WomenInLeadership #WomenInMinistry #LetHerLead

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About The Sacred Slope
Where the slippery slope becomes sacred ground.
For the spiritually tender—raised in or rooted in Christianity.
Come explore our global, diverse, inclusive Christian faith, deconstruction, and spiritual identity in a rapidly changing world. Through conversations with clergy, scholars, and cultural voices, the show creates space for people navigating faith after certainty, church harm, or political co-option of religion.

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🎙 Hosted by Alexis Rice
🎵 Music by Brett Rutledge, Eddie Irvin & Sean Spence
📬 Nominate a guest: alexis@thesacredslope.com

🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿
Fruit of the Spirit:  ❤️ love • 💫 joy • ☮️ peace • 🕊 patience • 💝 kindness • 🌿 goodness • 🙏 faithfulness • 🤲 gentleness • 💪 self-control