Episode Details
Back to EpisodesLeaving the Church & Finding Your Own Voice | Joni Woods
Description
Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself!
Joni Woods spent nearly 20 years as a youth and young adult pastor before leaving both her marriage and the church that shaped her. Now an author and corporate consultant, she joins Wendy to talk about what it actually takes to trust yourself when the people around you don't agree with your choices.
They explore:
- Why "anchoring down" on your own reasons matters more than winning an argument, especially when family, faith leaders, or an ex-spouse are working hard to change your mind
- The difference between grace that heals a relationship and grace that's used to justify staying in something harmful
- How writing through a contentious divorce turned into a book meant to give other people language for what they're not ready to say out loud yet
Joni's story isn't about rejecting faith. It's about redefining what alignment with it looks like on her own terms. Her decision to leave didn't come with anyone doing it for her or with her, and that's exactly the point: the anchoring has to come from inside.
Connect with Joni:
Get her book, Burned, Blocked, and Better than Ever: A Raw Journey of Healing: amazon.com/Burned-Blocked-Better-Than-Ever/dp/B0FGCXZBHX?tag=syty-20
Instagram: instagram.com/authorjoniwoods
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joniwoods
Website: JoniWoods.com
Referenced in this Episode:
Coffee Chat with Joni: https://youtu.be/AC4ZlMAzeGM
The Vow Series: imdb.com/title/tt10222764/
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