Faith Rehab

Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Spirituality

The Faith Rehab podcast brings real talk about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We are a safe place that exists to bring comfort and community to those who have been hurt by the imperfections of the church. We create a safe space for people to experience genuine Christian acceptance and community, no matter where they are on their journey. We help people repair their relationship with Jesus and His followers, if they can. We help people find hope and experience community wherever they are on their path. We talk openly about spiritual disappointment, church conflict, leadership failures, doubt, and the process of rebuilding trust. These conversations are not about attacking faith — they are about restoring it. We work to create a safe space to talk about church hurts and trauma without getting stuck there. We believe faith can survive questions. We believe healing takes time. And we believe honesty is healthier than pretending. We help people answer the “now what?” questions in their spiritual journey. We work to have people tell us, and inspire us, by talking about how they got through it and found their sanity. In short, we talk to real people and share real stories about: — What hurt?— What’s helped?— Where ya headed? Join us as we explore together, search together, scream together, cry together, and learn to live together as imperfect people. Join those of us who are just trying to be real, no matter what that looks like right now. Faith Rehab is about restoration, not rebellion. It is about transformation, not perfection. If you’ve ever felt spiritually confused, burned out, or unsure where you belong in church culture, this space is for you. Welcome to the conversation. www.faithrehabpodcast.comfaithrehabpodcast@gmail.com

Episodes

  1. Jul 8

    Ep. 10 – Ten Episodes! What We Have Learned So Far

    This is our tenth episode of the Faith Rehab Podcast, where we talk about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We remind ourselves of our goals: “we exist to bring comfort and community to those who have been hurt by the imperfections of the church.” We have heard people’s stories, we have reflected on what has hurt, what has helped, and where they are headed now. We have celebrated that people continue to grow and change, no matter where they feel like they are headed. We remind people that we are committed to not naming individual pastors or churches, but to working through the hurts of individual people.  We talk about the role of the church in our lives; the good, the bad, and the ugly. CJ reminds us that “The church is meant for brokenness to go away over time and change to happen over time.”  The rituals may differ, the beliefs may differ, but many churches, even among the hurts, are helping people change to be more like Christ. That it is possible to move from filtering all spiritual experiences through our pain, to seeing a focused relationship with God and letting go of some pain, finding healing and joy again. Real healing can come when we go from seeing the hurt as the story of our lives, to seeing that hurt as a chapter in the story of our lives. Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  2. Jun 28

    Ep. 9 - Matthew Scott-Lee: The Part of Me the Church Wanted to Fix

    Today’s episode is with Matthew Scott, a friend that Heidi has known from kindergarten. They met because they lived in cold weather, needed mittens and both used black socks for their hands. Matt grew up going to church and in a loving family. He has long known he was gay, but that was not accepted by his family or his church. Matt subjected himself to Conversion Therapy to try and align himself to the church’s beliefs and what he says “what ended up being probably 15 years of my life of trying to fight that reality of being gay”. Denying who he really is has caused him pain, family division, suicidal thoughts, and lots of church hurt. Heidi says Matt being gay “is the least interesting thing about you” and yet in church circles it raises the most eyebrows and most debate. We will explore why. He has a history of teaching and performing in the fine arts. He has a master’s degree, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and currently has a private counseling practice helping people deal with their issues, their relationships, and embracing their identities. You will hear that Matt is funny, compassionate, and in his words: “I have a very big heart for the underdog and really resonate with stories of people who feel somehow like an outsider, misunderstood.” His life stands as a monument to the need for us to love people for who they are, without looking at how we can change them. The Holy Spirit’s full-time job is to help us grow and transform. That job is taken; we don’t need to do it for others. The world is a better place with Matt in it. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the time with our friend Matt. For more of Matt check out his website: https://thegreenroom.clientsecure.me/#home Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  3. Jun 14

    Ep. 8 - Truls Neal - You're Not Black Enough: Church, Race & Grace

    On this episode of Faith Rehab Podcast we get to hear from Truls Neal, a career Probation Officer, manager, and Director. He is an accomplished leader, a husband, a father, and a friend. He is the son of a white Norwegian mother and an African American Military father. He has a twin, a wife, and two daughters. When people hear his name and hear that his mother is Norwegian, they expect him to be a blond-haired, blue-eyed man. Truls is more melanated than that and describes himself as “coffee with a little bit of cream” in his complexion. He also reminds us that “None of us are what people expect people to be.” So true! We follow how his ethnic and racial makeup have affected him from the restrictions of where he could live as a child, through his poor treatment in churches. Through his journey he will remind us of God’s intent in dealing with those that are different from us: “I don't want to be about race relations. I want to be about grace relations because I think that's what Jesus calls me to.” In his grace, he teaches all of us what it means to be a child of God. He also tells us about his life mission, “Build community.” We think we can all learn something more about that; and wouldn’t we all be better off if we were building community. Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  4. Jun 3

    Ep. 7 - Grace's Story — Missions, Domestic Abuse, and the Church

    Before you listen: This episode touches on abuse. If anything you hear today resonates with you, resources are available. Two we recommend — Flying Free Now ( www.flyingfreenow.com ), a resource built specifically for Christian women, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline . For the hotline please call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788, free and confidential, 24/7. What happens when the church sends a family to the mission field — and the real danger is inside the home? In this episode, we sit down with Grace (not her real name) — a Christian woman, a missionary, and domestic abuse survivor — to hear her story of surviving abuse within a Christian marriage, and what healing has actually looked like on the other side. We talk about the moments nobody warned her about — the isolation, the spiritual manipulation, the way faith was used as a tool for control. We talk about what the church got right, what it got terribly wrong, and what she wishes someone had said to her sooner. We break down the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation — because they are not the same thing — and why the church’s tendency to conflate the two has kept so many survivors stuck, silent, and unsafe. If you’ve ever experienced religious abuse, spiritual manipulation, toxic marriage dynamics, or felt like the church chose the abuser over you — please listen and share this episode to anyone in mind. Grace also drops some unexpectedly solid parenting advice. Be blessed everyone! Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  5. May 12

    Ep. 6 - Emma Lenz - Almost Welcome - Policies Over People

    Emma Lenz is a dynamic communications professional — she knows better than most how organizations craft a message. So when the Christian youth organization she'd spent years believing in started getting called out for the gap between what they said and what they did, Emma couldn't look away. Emma came to faith with no church background. What followed was years of real questions, a Christian college, working at a church, and eventually a staff role at a well known national youth organization she deeply believed in. Then the stories started coming out — queer students who'd been welcomed in, until they wanted to lead. In this episode, Emma shares what it cost her to say I can't put my name on this — and what it looks like to still hold onto faith after the institution lets you down. Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  6. Apr 28

    Ep. 5 - You're Not Crazy: 4 Steps to Heal Church Hurt

    You've felt it. Someone in the church said or did something that hurt you — and instead of being seen, you got a Bible verse and a "I'll pray for you." In this episode, CJ, Steve, and Heidi walk through Dr. Allison Cook's 4 steps to healing from church hurt (Click here for the article)— and get real about what those steps actually look like in their own lives. They talk about spiritual bypassing, prayer request gossip, the weird power dynamics that happen when church people "speak for God," and why sometimes the most healing thing you can do is step away. Plus: CJ opens up about his walk through addiction and recovery. Steve shares a hospital room story you won't forget. And someone left a casket behind in a tornado warning. You'll have to hear it. Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  7. Apr 14

    Ep. 4 - Church Hurt Is Real — But Do You Actually Have It?

    Not all church hurt comes from scandals, abuse, or headline-worthy moments. Sometimes it’s subtle. Quiet. Hard to name. In this episode of Faith Rehab, we move beyond our personal stories and start unpacking what church hurt actually looks like in real life. We talk about:  The hidden symptoms of church hurt most people miss  Why you might feel anxious, guarded, or disconnected in church  How judgment, lack of grace, and “Christian answers” can push people away  The difference between guilt and shame—and why that matters  Why vulnerability feels safer outside the church sometimes  The role of therapy, safe people, and real conversations in healing This one gets real. From divorce and affairs to small group struggles and trust issues, we dive into the messy middle of faith and pain. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable, unseen, or judged in church… this episode might help you finally put words to it. Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  8. Apr 3

    Ep. 3 - Steve: Pushed Out of the Church I Loved

    In this episode of Faith Rehab, we sit down with Steve McNitt to hear his personal story of church hurt—what happened, how it impacted him, and what helped him move forward. Steve shares the painful experience of being pushed out of a church he loved, navigating betrayal, leadership conflict, and the emotional weight of losing something that once meant everything to him. At the same time, his family faced an even deeper challenge—his son’s battle with leukemia—which reshaped his perspective on faith, pain, and what truly matters. Through it all, Steve opens up about anger, grief, and healing—and why he never let people’s actions redefine who God is. Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  9. Mar 25

    Ep. 2 - CJ: Church Hurt as a Preacher’s Kid

    In this episode of Faith Rehab, we sit down with our producer CJ Mateo as he shares his story of growing up as a third-generation pastor’s kid—and how that shaped his view of church, leadership, and faith. From church planting and busy ministry life to seeing behind the scenes of how church really works, CJ opens up about how the “magic” of church slowly faded and was replaced with frustration, unrealistic expectations, and subtle church hurt.  But this isn’t just a story about disappointment—it’s about perspective. If you’ve ever wrestled with church hurt, disappointment, or questions about leadership—this one’s for you. Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  10. Mar 17

    Ep. 1 – Heidi: I Was a Pastor’s Wife

    Welcome to Faith Rehab — real talk about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. In this first episode, we share who we are and why this podcast exists. We come from different backgrounds and experiences, but we share a common thread: we’ve seen both the beauty of faith and the pain that can come from the church. Faith Rehab was created to be a safe place—a space where people can be honest about spiritual disappointment, church hurt, doubt, and the process of rebuilding trust. This isn’t about tearing faith down. It’s about restoring it. In this episode, you’ll hear a mix of lighthearted moments and real stories as we introduce ourselves and begin to unpack the heart behind this podcast. You’ll also hear part of Heidi’s story—glimpses into her upbringing, personality, and the experiences that have shaped her perspective on faith and life. It’s a mix of humor, honesty, and the kind of real-life moments that remind you we’re all just figuring this out as we go. We’re laying the foundation for honest conversations that acknowledge the hard parts of church experiences while still holding onto hope for healing and growth. We believe: Faith can survive questionsHealing takes timeHonesty is healthier than pretendingIf you’ve ever felt hurt by the church, spiritually confused, burned out, or unsure where you belong—this space is for you. We’re here to talk about what hurt, what’s helped, and where we’re headed. Welcome to the conversation. Faith Rehab is a podcast about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We create a safe space for honest conversations about spiritual disappointment, doubt, and the process of finding hope again—without pretending or having all the answers. Co-hosts: Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo  Produced by: CJ Mateo Contact us at Faithrehabpodcast@gmail.com — we’d love to hear your story.

  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Faith Rehab podcast brings real talk about church hurt, healing, and rebuilding faith. We are a safe place that exists to bring comfort and community to those who have been hurt by the imperfections of the church. We create a safe space for people to experience genuine Christian acceptance and community, no matter where they are on their journey. We help people repair their relationship with Jesus and His followers, if they can. We help people find hope and experience community wherever they are on their path. We talk openly about spiritual disappointment, church conflict, leadership failures, doubt, and the process of rebuilding trust. These conversations are not about attacking faith — they are about restoring it. We work to create a safe space to talk about church hurts and trauma without getting stuck there. We believe faith can survive questions. We believe healing takes time. And we believe honesty is healthier than pretending. We help people answer the “now what?” questions in their spiritual journey. We work to have people tell us, and inspire us, by talking about how they got through it and found their sanity. In short, we talk to real people and share real stories about: — What hurt?— What’s helped?— Where ya headed? Join us as we explore together, search together, scream together, cry together, and learn to live together as imperfect people. Join those of us who are just trying to be real, no matter what that looks like right now. Faith Rehab is about restoration, not rebellion. It is about transformation, not perfection. If you’ve ever felt spiritually confused, burned out, or unsure where you belong in church culture, this space is for you. Welcome to the conversation. www.faithrehabpodcast.comfaithrehabpodcast@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Steve McNitt, Heidi Brandt & CJ Mateo
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 © 2026 Faith Rehab
  • Show Website
    Faith Rehab

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