Almost Awakened
205 episodes — Page 1 of 5
Mormonism: A Narcissistic System: Why It’s Never Enough
What if the reason you felt like you were never enough… wasn’t you? In this episode, Teresa explores the striking parallels between narcissistic relationship dynamics […]
Reclaiming the Forbidden: Sex, Power, and the Life Force Religion Suppressed
You were never broken. You were disconnected. In this unforgettable episode of Almost Awakened, we sit down with Kimberly Bryant — also known as Miss […]
Hive Mind or Human Freedom? The Ethics of Pluribus
What if humanity suddenly shared one mind? In this episode, Bill Reel and Britt Hartley dive into the provocative sci-fi film Pluribus and unpack the […]
Stealing from Religion Without Losing Your Soul
What happens after you leave religion — but still feel a deep pull toward meaning, ritual, spirituality, or transcendence? In this conversation, Bill Reel and […]
Reason & Religion: Austin DiValentino
What happens when reason starts questioning itself? In this episode of Almost Awakened, Britt Hartley and Bill Reel sit down with Austin DiValentino, creator of […]
Rainn Wilson – Soul Boom
In this episode of Almost Awakened, we sit down with Rainn Wilson, best known to many as Dwight Schrute from The Office, for a wide-ranging […]
The Hardest Part of Leaving Religion: On Loss of Community
The Hardest Part of Leaving Religion: On Loss of Community Leaving religion often comes with a sense of relief, clarity, and freedom, but for many […]
I’m Not Ok Unless You’re Ok: Codependency & Mormonism
In this solo episode of the Almost Awakened Podcast, Teresa Hobbs explores codependency through a nervous-system and systems lens, with a specific focus on why […]
Navigating Mixed-Faith Holidays Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Family)
Getting together with family during the holidays can be beautiful… or it can feel like stepping into a spiritual escape room you never signed up […]
Exploring The Edges with Bill Reel & Britt Hartley
Britt Hartley from No Nonsense Spirituality and Bill Reel from the Almost Awakened Podcast are teaming up again for a brand-new series built around honest, […]
Purity Culture & Sexual Shame
Purity culture didn’t begin with religion, it began with control. In this episode, Teresa and Bill explore how ancient systems of ownership and inheritance evolved […]
Shame as Control Unmasking the Manipulation
In this episode of Almost Awakened, we dig into the emotional weapon that too many of us have been shaped by—shame. Bill and Teresa break […]
Fragilization: What Happens When We Over-Identify with Our Wounds
What happens when trauma awareness turns into over-protection, and healing gets stuck in the identity of what harmed us? In this episode of Almost Awakened, […]
Holy Boundaries or Holy Control? Learning What Safety Really Feels Like
In this episode of Almost Awakened, Bill and Teresa explore one of the most misunderstood aspects of emotional health, boundaries. We unpack what safe and […]
Holy Manipulation: Gaslighting in High-Demand Faiths
What happens when your church convinces you that your own memories, questions, and feelings can’t be trusted? In this episode of Almost Awakened, Bill Reel […]
Opposing Viewpoints: Religious Apologists V. Critics
The Almost Awakened Podcast is planning out a “Opposing Viewpoints” series and in this first episode of our new Opposing Viewpoints series, Bill shares a […]
Why You Can’t Sit Still: Mindfulness, Trauma, and the Nervous System
In this episode of the Almost Awakened Podcast, Bill Reel and Teresa Hobbs explore why stillness can feel so uncomfortable, especially for those recovering from […]
From Obedience to Integrity [Part 2]
In this episode of Almost Awakened, Bill and Teresa explore the transformative shift from external obedience to internal integrity. What happens when we stop living […]
From Obedience to Integrity: Rebuilding Identity from the Inside Out PART 1
[Almost Awakened Ep: 191] What happens when obedience no longer defines you? In this episode, we explore the tender, disorienting, and ultimately liberating journey of […]
What Healthy Relationships Do Differently !
Why do some relationships thrive after conflict while others crumble? What if conflict wasn’t the problem in your relationships—but the key to deeper connection? In […]
The Mind & Body’s Connection to Religious Trauma
In this powerful episode, we explore the fascinating—and at times unsettling—truth that your body can carry pain, anxiety, and illness long after the danger is […]
Your Body Isn’t Broken: Teresa Hobbs Shares Her Personal Healing Journey [Almost Awakened 188]
In this powerful and vulnerable episode, Teresa Hobbs opens up about her personal journey through years of chronic illness, unexplained symptoms, and deep emotional and […]
Why We’re So Divided: Trauma, Bias, and the Human Brain [Almost Awakened 187]
Why does the world feel so divided—and why is it so hard to stay curious when we disagree? In this episode of Almost Awakened, we […]
Healing from Religious & Spiritual Trauma [Almost Awakened 186]
What happens when the very thing that was supposed to save you ends up breaking you? In this deeply personal episode of Almost Awakened, Bill […]
Unmasking Trauma: What It Really Is and How We Heal [Almost Awakened 185]
You’ve heard the word ‘trauma’—but do you really know what it means? In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we break down the truth about trauma: […]
Healing Starts Here: Understanding the Nervous System & Trauma [Almost Awakened 184]
Ep. 184 | Almost Awakened In this episode we explore how nervous system dysregulation affects your health, relationships, emotions, and identity—and how understanding this system […]
Catching Up With Britt Hartley [Almost Awakened 183]
Britt Hartley returns to engage Bill on several questions that will create a fantastic awakened conversation and to reconnect on where being almost awakened has […]
Creating A Fulfilling Romantic Relationship [Almost Awakened 182]
In this episode of Almost Awakened, Bill shares his two month dive into relationship research. From John & Julie Gottman to Jordan Peterson RESOURCES:https://youtu.be/mS3bfCt0K88?si=qi-wdEVuZVHDJ0_phttps://youtu.be/E5swtIjpxxA?si=jpBWf28DfDMZbjtbhttps://youtu.be/PQo8hFqfe9A?si=46f4K_7rRlvVfgXihttps://youtu.be/Qv70RMUFlu0?si=lqBYi7z256AW7ME9https://youtu.be/Xvb-v83qJ8U?si=iPCFr8BISXxG2z9Hhttps://youtu.be/knVfc_B0W6E?si=CUvMcGhvT6lOSw6Zhttps://youtu.be/gh5VhaicC6g?si=6FBHmmD0xl_k63vKhttps://youtu.be/sa0RUmGTCYY?si=nmIOn9WnnN_wsZBphttps://youtu.be/-pdCDq_MTj4?si=OxeVnc8sNArOHj56https://youtu.be/aS3oxcTk-9Q?si=Fdcp2GEN4UBKSn6s Thanks […]
The Gender Dysphoria & Transgender Debate: A Foundation Conversation [Almost Awakened: 181]
Join Bill Reel and Jon Streeter in a thought-provoking conversation that delves deep into the complexities of the Gender Dysphoria & Transgender Debate. In this […]
Britt Hartley: No Nonsense Spirituality [Almost Awakened: 180]
In “No Nonsense Spirituality,” author, philosopher, and friend Britt Hartley offers a groundbreaking exploration that marries the rigor of rational inquiry with the depths of […]
Dan McClellan: Discerning Between Data and Dogma [Almost Awakened: 179]
Join hosts Bill Reel & Britt Hartley on this thought-provoking episode of Almost Awakened as they engage in a profound conversation with Dr. Dan McClellan. […]
Natasha Helfer & Post Religious Sexuality [Almost Awakened: 178]
In this thought-provoking episode, host Bill Reel engages in a candid and enlightening conversation with the incredible Natasha Helfer—a Mental Health & Sex Therapist. Join […]
Awakened Perspectives – Manda [Almost Awakened: 177]
“Awakened Perspectives” is a transformative podcast series that invites listeners on a profound journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. In each episode, your host Bill Reel […]
Awakened Perspectives – Michael Foley [Almost Awakened: 175]
“Awakened Perspectives” is a transformative podcast series that invites listeners on a profound journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. In each episode, your host Bill Reel […]
Awakened Perspectives – Ammon Arave: AA: 174
“Awakened Perspectives” is a transformative podcast series that invites listeners on a profound journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. In each episode, your host Bill Reel […]
Awakened Perspectives – Phil McLemore: AA: 173
“Awakened Perspectives” is a transformative podcast series that invites listeners on a profound journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. In each episode, your host Bill Reel […]
Awakened Perspectives – Miles Hunsaker: AA: 172
This is the second in series of Conversations where I sit down with people to delve into the deeper conversations of humanity. People I know […]
Awakened Perspectives – The Fresh King Benjamin: AA: 171
Today begins a new chapter in the Almost Awakened Podcast. A series of Conversations where I sit down with people to delve into the deeper […]
Looking Back & Looking Forward: AA: 170
Britt and Bill sit down to look back at the work they have done and to discuss the future of Britt, of Bill, and of […]
The Future Of The Almost Awakened Podcast: AA: 169
The Almost Awakened Podcast has some news to share and we wanted to tell our audience that news and how it will affect the show. […]
Baring it All With The Naked Pastor: Almost Awakened: 168
In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the life and philosophy of the Naked Pastor, a remarkable figure whose journey from the pulpit to […]
Christ, Krishna, & the Buddha – A Mystical Approach W/ Bob Peck: AA: 167
Christ, Krishna, and the Buddha with Bob Peck, Mystic Author Almost Awakened: 167 “Christ, Krishna, and the Buddha” is a exploration of the lives and […]
Barbie & the Heroine’s Journey: Almost Awakened: 166
Barbie & the Heroines Journey Bill and Britt outline the heroines journey and how it differs from the hero’s journey. RESOURCES: https://heroinejourneys.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/victoria-schmid.jpgWeird Barbie – https://creations.mattel.com/products/weird-barbie-barbie-the-movie-hyb84https://heroinejourneys.com/heroines-journey/https://maureenmurdock.com/articles/articles-the-heroines-journey/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroine’s_journeyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/22/books/maria-tatar-heroine-with-1001-faces.htmlhttps://storygrid.com/heroines-journey/https://mythcreants.com/blog/using-the-heroines-journey/
Vulnerability With The Other: Almost Awakened: 165
Brene Brown has said that, “practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives.” She defines spirituality in terms of connection […]
Celtic Spirituality: Almost Awakened: 164
Celtic Spirituality is not a church. It was never formed into a unified institution. So what is it? And how can learning about it help […]
Mysticism & Esoterica: Almost Awakened: 163
Delve into the intricate relationship between mysticism, religion, societal control, and progress in this thought-provoking podcast episode. Explore how mysticism, the pursuit of direct spiritual […]
Values, Perspectives, & Taking The Tie: AA: 162
In this podcast, we present six beautifully crafted parables, each designed to illuminate the significance of values and perspectives in resolving conflicts. Through these timeless […]
Controversial Conversations: Almost Awakened: 161
In this thought-provoking episode of The Almost Awakened Podcast, we courageously delve into the heart of some of the most contentious and divisive topics of […]
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Unveiling the Layers of the Self: AA: 160
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Unveiling the Layers of the Self: AA: 160 In this follow-up episode, we delve back into the Internal Family Systems […]
An Introduction To Integral theory: AA: 159
In this Episode of Almost Awakened we take a look at Integral theory also known as Spiral Dynamics, a cognivitive development model made famous by […]