137 episodes

"Deconstructing religious baggage with laughter and love! Changing the conversation on love and inclusion."  Susan Cottrell is the Mom of two LGBTQ children; the founder of FreedHearts; an international speaker with a viral TEDx talk; a pastor and theologian; an acclaimed author; and a fierce advocate and ally. In her unique tender, relatable style, Susan is a prominent voice of unconditional love and lavish inclusion. Powerful, authentic, and relevant in today’s society, Susan has a lot to say. The Advocate calls her their “Favorite Affirming Matriarch.” OutSmart magazine calls her "The Mother of all MamaBears!" Reverend Ashley Harness from Auburn Seminary says, “Susan has this fierce, loving, don’t mess with me, Mom vibe.” If you have been excluded, or if someone close to you has been excluded because of who they are or who they love - or maybe you have been the one doing the excluding - the FreedHearts podcast is for you. Join Susan, along with her husband Rob, on the journey. You are not alone. Welcome home! 

FreedHearts Susan & Rob Cottrell, FreedHearts

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.9 • 215 Ratings

"Deconstructing religious baggage with laughter and love! Changing the conversation on love and inclusion."  Susan Cottrell is the Mom of two LGBTQ children; the founder of FreedHearts; an international speaker with a viral TEDx talk; a pastor and theologian; an acclaimed author; and a fierce advocate and ally. In her unique tender, relatable style, Susan is a prominent voice of unconditional love and lavish inclusion. Powerful, authentic, and relevant in today’s society, Susan has a lot to say. The Advocate calls her their “Favorite Affirming Matriarch.” OutSmart magazine calls her "The Mother of all MamaBears!" Reverend Ashley Harness from Auburn Seminary says, “Susan has this fierce, loving, don’t mess with me, Mom vibe.” If you have been excluded, or if someone close to you has been excluded because of who they are or who they love - or maybe you have been the one doing the excluding - the FreedHearts podcast is for you. Join Susan, along with her husband Rob, on the journey. You are not alone. Welcome home! 

    Freedom from Lies the Church Tells About You & About God!

    Freedom from Lies the Church Tells About You & About God!

    Sometimes, when people attack deconstruction, they talk about it like it’s an attack on Christianity. Actually, it’s just the opposite. Deconstruction is tearing down false religious teaching that goes against the message and life of Jesus. That message has been perverted by much of the Christian religion.

    Beloved, there is one thing that scares this non-affirming, fundamentalist, legalistic, rules-based, conditional love church more than anything else. Do you know what that is?  It’s YOU. And do you know what they are scared you will do?  TALK! That’s why they work so hard to keep you silent and scared.

    So, we are going to TALK and begin to ask some pretty big questions.
     
    You are going to love this. 
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    • 28 min
    Deconstructing the Prodigal: It's NOT About What You Think

    Deconstructing the Prodigal: It's NOT About What You Think

    Have you been called a Prodigal, and told that if you just repent all will be forgiven?

    Perhaps you’ve been told that, “Sure, you’re saying you’re gay or transgender—or that you are affirming your LGBTQ+ child--or whatever it is—but one day you’ll repent and then we will “graciously” let you back in the fold!”

    Uh yeah, no thank you. 

    Few stories are as misused and misunderstood as the Prodigal.

    Our goal is to have you forever see this from a different point of view and, in this episode, we give you the backstory—so you never have to be abused by the Prodigal story again. 
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    • 31 min
    The Prodigal Transgender Daughter: This Changes Everything!

    The Prodigal Transgender Daughter: This Changes Everything!

    The story of the prodigal has been misunderstood and abused to harm and shame people.

    In this very special, powerful episode, we give you a profound, eye-opening retelling of this classic Biblical story about the prodigal – but this time as a transgender woman

    And she is certainly not the one who repents.

    This will forever change how you view this story!
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    • 16 min
    If I Deconstruct, Will I Lose Who I Am?

    If I Deconstruct, Will I Lose Who I Am?

    When you begin to deconstruct everything you have believed, you begin to wonder who you are.
     
    You’re left wondering: how do I view the world now?
     
    It’s like someone healing from ongoing abuse, and they don’t really know who they are without it—if they’re not an abuse-survivor, who are they?
     
    If you’re not a “Christian,” who are you?
     
    It’s a big question for so many. 
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    • 31 min
    Why Parents Must AFFIRM Their LGBTQ+ Children

    Why Parents Must AFFIRM Their LGBTQ+ Children

    We hear from Christian parents every single day. 

    Many give reasons why they just will not support, accept, affirm their LGBTQ+ child. Usually because of their interpretation of the Bible and what their pastors have told them to do.

    Today we share an email and our answer to a Mom about why parents absolutely MUST support, accept and affirm their LGBTQ+ child.
     
    It is indeed the Christian thing to do. 
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    • 16 min
    Family Issues Are NOT Your Fault!

    Family Issues Are NOT Your Fault!

    We have an amazing capacity to normalize things that can be unbearably painful.
     
    It’s a great survival skill. It really does help us survive unimaginable circumstances. But it’s NOT a great thriving skill. Once you’re past the danger, once you survive, you need a new pattern to thrive.
     
    And you need to know that trauma, those unbearable, dysfunctional family issues – especially those surrounding you living your authentic life, or you supporting your LGBTQ+ child, are not your fault.

    Beloved, it's NOT your fault!
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    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
215 Ratings

215 Ratings

SafetyPants ,

Best of the best advocates

The hosts of this podcast truly appreciate and live the Truth that the Scriptures as well as Jesus of Nazareth’s mission and ministry are about unconditional love for all of The Divine’s creation, without exception or qualification. They provide specific narratives for us to use and make our own in properly ministering to those would falsely claim that anyone is outside God’s love.

Balcaman ,

Love this

Thank you. Your work is so important!!!!

Shae Limtiaco ,

Thank you Rob and Susan!

Fantastic podcast! You should be proud! I love your work.

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