Personal reflections and insights from Megan’s ongoing journey with religious harm recovery.
A Note From Megan | In this Note, I explore the complex question of whether men and women can truly be “just friends,” challenging traditional beliefs that are influenced by both purity culture and pop culture. I also share my evolving perspective on ways attraction, friendship, and connection can exist outside the gender binary.
A Note From Megan | Anger is often seen as a negative emotion, but what if we viewed it as a source of wisdom and empowerment? In this Note, I share insights on how embracing anger can guide us toward change and healing, especially for those navigating the complexities of leaving a high-control religion.
A Note From Megan | If conflict still feels risky for you, there’s usually a reason. Many of us grew up learning that the safest thing to do was to avoid it altogether. In this Note, I share why avoiding conflict keeps relationships stuck at a surface level and how engaging in conflict with safe people can open the door to deeper, more honest connection.
A Note From Megan | Purity culture can narrow the way you’re taught to evaluate relationships, especially when “relationship with god” becomes the main filter. In this note, I talk about marriage-first dating, the checklist mindset, and what it can look like to rebuild a fuller, more human way of seeing yourself and others.
A Note From Megan | Last week, I picked up Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates, and it opened my eyes to the alarming connections between the manosphere and Christian patriarchy. This Note offers a high-level look at the manosphere, its overlap with Christian patriarchy, and what it can normalize when it goes mainstream.
A Note From Megan | I recently came across a thought-provoking post that challenges the idea of “protecting my peace” and encourages us to confront discomfort in our relationships, especially with those whom we view as holding toxic beliefs. I’d love for you to explore this with me and to reflect on how we navigate conversations with family and friends who may not share our values.
A Note From Megan | In this newsletter, I explore the unsettling connection between James Dobson and Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting how Dobson’s influence has contributed to a culture that minimizes abuse and protects powerful men exactly like Epstein.
A Note From Megan | I often hear people say they’re looking for “neutral” sources of information or that therapists should be “neutral,” but I don’t think neutrality exists. I think it’s better to seek transparency, especially for those of us indoctrinated into coercive religious groups. This Note is meant to connect you with my Statement of Values, which goes into depth about my worldview, identities, and values.
A Note From Megan | “Biblical discipline” often brings to mind harsh, physical punishment, but there’s another piece that often hits even harder—emotional withdrawal. In this Note, I explore how god’s model of discipline influenced our parents and our own relational experience with god as a father figure in ways that may continue to impact our relationships even today.
A Note From Megan | After recently attending a Unitarian Universalist service, I finally identified why certain relationships hold a sense of both love and dread. This Note reflects on masking, shared reality, religious trauma, and why honest, unfiltered community matters so much in times of political authoritarianism.