Religion

When we’ve experienced wrongs and trauma at the hands of the people and institutions that once supported us, how do we forgive — and heal?

Katelyn MacDonald has been stopped on the street, in coffee shops, and at a baseball game after she was recognized from her social media videos, where she covers pop songs by LGBTQ+ artists.

And propelled him into the Republican nomination for President for a third time. But not all Christians in the U.S. have such a positive view of the former President. Most Black Protestants have an unfavorable view of Trump (80%). And similar majorities in other religious groups, including atheists, agnostics, and Jews, also view him unfavorably.

When you’ve spent your whole life immersed in a religion, what happens when you begin to question the tenets of your faith?

Elevation Church, a North Carolina-based megachurch that draws thousands, is withdrawing its affiliation.

Since its premiere in 1998, the play has faced backlash from conservative religious groups for its portrayal of Jesus.

Anita is a sucker for live storytelling, so when she and the Embodied team planned their first in-person event, they knew the vibe they were going for. They invited five people to stand on stage in front of a live audience and explore how purity culture has shaped their faith, relationships and sexuality. In part two, you'll meet a poet and a producer who're questioning what purity culture taught them about sexual identity and masculinity.

In October of 2022, hundreds of listeners gathered in the pews of the Hayti Heritage Center for Embodied’s first in-person event: an evening of storytelling about life beyond evangelical purity culture. Produced in partnership with The Monti, Purified Live featured five storytellers, each with a distinct perspective on the lasting impact of the abstinence pledge and the experience of reclaiming their bodies and sexuality. This episode of Embodied features the five stories from that evening, now adapted for radio.

Anita met Embodied listeners IRL for the first time earlier this year at the show's first in-person event "Purified." The evening was part late night talk show and part live storytelling. With music DJ-ed by Quilla to set the tone, five people shared their unique experiences with purity culture on stage in front of a live audience. In part one, you'll meet a social worker, preacher and faith leader who take you from church camp to the pews.

"It’s good when people reject you because they understand clearly who you are," said Pastor Mike Usey of College Park Baptist Church.