Becoming YOU Beyond Deconstruction Florence Ukpabi Okwusogu

Welcome, welcome to the final episode of Becoming YOU Beyond Deconstruction. Now that I’m into the third year of sharing my deconstruction and deconditioning journey here, I thought that going back and revisiting the idea of faith and how my understanding of faith has shifted and changed would be a nice way to bring things to a close.
I actually started drafting my thoughts for this episode back in January, it’s taken me this long to put them together and feel in the place where I can share it.I am excited to do so today.This episode gets a little emotional and raw at times, but it’s not surprising as I not only share some of the shifts and changes that I have been experiencing and how they have informed my understanding of faith, trust, spirituality and life but also where this is taking me next.
I hope you enjoy listening to this episode and I also want to say a huge thank you for being a part of this podcasting journey with me. I hope you will continue joining me as I share written posts via Substack.NB. After recording the episode I realised that the audio wasn’t the greatest but it still is fine to listen to, it was such an honest and raw episode that I knew I didn’t want to record it again even if it doesn’t sound 100% perfect.
Lastly, I have a favour to ask, I would love for you to consider leaving a comment or if not liking or sharing this post. Much LoveFlorence O. x

Posts and Episodes Mentioned
* EP14 Exploring Embodiment
* EP10 God Who are You
* Second Awakening
* Letting Go of Toxic Faith
Awakening Coaching
You can also find out about working with me through Coaching and Guidance Support here.



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Welcome back to another episode of "Becoming YOU Beyond Deconstruction". In this episode, I had a conversation with Laura Lewis, a Substack writer, author, and creator of "The Whole Woman Oracle Deck and Guidebook" on embodiment.
This is a topic that I feel very strongly about. Even though working somatically is becoming more popular, it doesn't necessarily equate to what embodiment is. Laura and I allowed our conversation to take its path. We explored the idea of embodiment, our experiences of it, the challenges and joys of it, and how it can help support our individual and collective healing.
Laura candidly shared her realisation of how New Age spirituality stopped her from living as an embodied, responsive human being, how she stumbled upon Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and how this, in turn, enabled her to develop a deeper relationship with her body.
Please take a moment to listen, like and share this post. Comments are open as usual for podcast episodes, I would love to read (hear) your thoughts on this topic.
Meet Laura
Laura, a mother of three beautifully wild children, describes herself in her own words as being a woman filled with an undying devotion to her own becoming. Searching for the muse in every stolen moment, her writing has been an avenue for weaving her own meaning into the world, enabling her formerly starved soul to grow satiated once again.
Her fondest wish is that her words might offer some sustenance to those women who are still hungry and howling for more.
You can meet with and connect with Laura on either one of her Substack publications:
* The Whole Woman
* An Ode to Devotion
You can also order The Whole Woman Oracle Deck and Guidebook at special pricing for the Christmas season by clicking the image below.



Get full access to To Live Life from Soul (A Reflective Journey) at florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Becoming YOU Beyond Deconstruction and a deep, reflective, and empowering conversation with my episode guest Ronna Detrick.
After leaving a faith she had grown up with and a 20-year marriage to a pastor she took with her the stories of women yearning to be seen, heard, and honoured apart from doctrine and dogma. Ronna's journey is a testament to the courage required to step away from the familiar and confront questions that challenge the very foundations of our identity, in particular as women.
In this conversation, we delve into the intricate process of unravelling beliefs and external definitions of self-worth and embracing the profound sovereignty that lies within. We examine the subtle and not-so-subtle ways Patriarchy has shaped us touching on aspects of feminism, feminist theology, and the power of storytelling in reshaping the narrative of women's lives.
Ronna graciously shares her wisdom, depth of understanding and her journey of courageously stepping away from the confines of patriarchal norms towards the sovereign woman who has always longed to exist.
I hope you enjoy the episode.
Meet Ronna
Ronna Detrick embarked on a transformative journey two decades ago when she left the confines of the church, taking with her the stories of women yearning to be seen, heard, and honoured apart from doctrine and dogma. Her inspiring career has spanned human resources, executive leadership, coaching, and spiritual direction, all while advocating for the empowerment of women.
With a strong background in feminist theology, Ronna's insights illuminate the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and life lessons, resonating with those navigating deconstruction and personal growth. Her courageous step away from patriarchal norms exemplifies the power of authenticity and self-discovery.
Ronna is also the author of "Rewriting Eve: Rescuing Women's Stories from the Bible and Reclaiming Them as Our Own." which can be purchased in all good online bookstores including Amazon UK and the US*.
You can connect with Ronna on her website or her Substack Rewriting with Ronna Detrick.
*Affiliate links


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Welcome back to another episode of Becoming YOU Beyond Deconstruction. A few months back, I was invited to share my experience of deconstructing Christianity as a Black British Woman. Though the post was never published, I have been wanting to share it as a podcast episode so here it is.
Please note that I talk about some topics that may be difficult or triggering such as inherent racism, slavery and colonisation. I feel like these things need to be said at the very least because they have impacted my own “deconstruction” journey but also knowing that they continue to impact the lives of others like me.
Comments are open here for you to share your thoughts and reflections, however, if you do choose to leave a comment, please be mindful of the above.
Mentioned in this Episode
Not Everyone Who Deconstructs is American
Thank you!
I truly appreciate you being a loyal subscriber to this publication. Your support matters, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or leaving a pledge. You can also show your support by buying me a Coffee, sharing with friends or leaving a review on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you listen to the podcast.
Florence O.


Get full access to To Live Life from Soul (A Reflective Journey) at florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

Answering some of life’s biggest questions for yourself is a big part of the work of Becoming YOU beyond Deconstruction. It’s about rediscovering what you truly believe and think, who you really are beyond the conditioning and norms that you previously accepted.
Join me in today’s episode as I explore probably one of the biggest questions we can ask ourselves - why am I/you/we here on this planet?
It’s highly likely that your why to date has been wrapped up in social, cultural and religious expectations, from a deconstructing perspective, how much of your why and sense of purpose revolved around the business of your and others’ salvation?
But maybe all this has done is obscure your most authentic WHY.
So today I am reflecting on my journey of answering this question, what has come out for me:
* Why do I believe I am here?
* What is humanity’s purpose/role on this planet?
* What are things that stop us from embracing our Why?
* How this exploration has challenged, triggered and is recreating me.
It’s another deep reflection, where I talk about lots of things from human evolution to the ego and with some astrology thrown in lol.
Comments are open here for you to share your thoughts and reflections.
Mentioned in this Episode
Jas over at here is her post on exploring Chiron placements.
You may also be interested in some previous posts that touch on similar themes:
* The Life Purpose Question
* The Pregnant Feminine
* A Different Take on Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth
* The Ego Isn’t Your Enemy
Enjoy!
Thank you!
I truly appreciate you being a loyal subscriber to this publication. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber of Unfolding or leaving a pledge. You can also show your support by buying me a Coffee, sharing with friends or leaving a review on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you listen to the podcast.
Comments are open on this post, so feel free to share your thoughts and reflections.
Florence xoxo


Get full access to To Live Life from Soul (A Reflective Journey) at florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe

It’s been a while since my last podcast episode and one of the reasons why, which I also wrote about previously is the realisation that I need more space around this journey of Becoming. Life can be unpredictable and challenging, and on top of that when you are doing the healing work of returning to authenticity, old wounds and unanswered questions resurface along the way all requiring gentleness, time and space.
This podcast episode explores the issue of how to live in a world where pain and sorrow exist, how God can fit into this picture now my beliefs have changed and how this influences and impacts WHO I am being and HOW I live and can thrive despite it all.
If you've ever felt let down by God during dark times, feel like you can no longer trust God or even questioned the existence of the Divine due to the presence of suffering in the world…
If you have ever struggled to find hope or light again in the midst of pain and wondered, God, where are you? It’s OK, you are not alone.
In this episode, I share what has helped me navigate all of the above and more and how this has allowed me to heal some of my own God and faith wounds and make room to create an image of God that brings me hope, comfort and peace.
Mentioned in this Episode
God as Mother
God as Thought
Greater Works than These
The Dangers of Second Coming Theology
You may also be interested in these recent posts:
* Difference between Spiritual and Religious Practice
* Faith as a Feeling
Thank you!
I truly appreciate you being a loyal subscriber to this publication. It’s definitely not always easy to share such an intimate personal journey of reconstruction. If you do receive value from being here, please take a moment to review the podcast on iTunes or you can pledge support to the publication, become a paid subscriber or even Buy me a Coffee.
Until next time, comments are open. I would love to hear from you.


Get full access to To Live Life from Soul (A Reflective Journey) at florenceukpabiokwusogu.substack.com/subscribe