Mindful Minds

Hi all! I wanted to share a brief one year update since stopping the pod, as well as an update on the remaining archived episodes. I hope you are all doing well, and wish you all the love. xoxo, fina Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

TW: sexual assault, domestic violence, violence against pregnant persons We are back, for the THIRD time, with my two favorite people, Moji Alawode-El & Marie Khan. These two are not only kickass abortion activists and educators, but they are also such amazing humans. Moji Alawode-El (she/her) is the marketing manager at Abortion Access Front (@abortionfront) and one of the hosts of Feminist Buzzkills Live!   Podcast. Marie Khan (she/her) is the Director of Programs at Midwest Access Coalition (@midwest_access_coalition). In this episode, we go over the legislation that has bene introduced, the status of abortion pill access, the violence that has been committed, and the harm that has been done since Roe v Wade was overturned in 2022. If you are seeking a more comprehensive episode on abortion, check out episode 33 or episode 45 for a breakdown of when Roe fell. Marie & Moji also talk about some next steps for folks who are seeking to support abortion access, care, and providers. - PAY ATTENTION TO ELECTIONS! Please research your special and local elections. Voting for abortion access happens year round, not just in November. - Support new abortion clinics and clinic expansions! Valley Abortion Group in New Mexico is new and needs your support!- Show up and support your local abortion clinics! - Don’t forget about mutual aid groups!  - Recognize your privilege and help support intersectional rights too! Products & Services we LOVE:- Skouts Honor: We are HUGE fans of Skouts Honor. Their probiotic products saved our pup from SO much itchiness. If you use code MINDFULMINDS at checkout, you can get 20% off of a purchase of $50 or more! Keep those pups happy & itch free. - Buzzsprout: I started my show with NO podcast experience and Buzzsprout made it so easy. If you are looking to start a podcast, or find a new host, try Buzzsprout! Listeners will receive a $20 credit by using our link and you’ll be supporting the show. Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

Mindful Minds entered my life in a time when I was at my loneliest and my most depressed.In so many ways, this project saved my life. It gave me purpose, It gave me a reason to stick around.I turned 25 this week, and I don’t recognize the 21 year old who sat down at her computer and googled, “how to start a podcast.”In the last 4 years, she has grown and healed and gained so much confidence and peace and joy.She has interviewed her heroes and learned from strangers.I am so proud of her, and so proud of this community.Thank you for your kindness and your support with this decision. Thank you for cheering me on and for accepting my decision to rest.The fact that so many strangers have rallied around me and encouraged me for the last 3 years is unreal.I am so proud of you all and how you’ve chosen to grow and heal.I hope you know that it’s okay to rest too.To my 67 guests: you have changed my life. You listened, you taught, and I am so honored to have continued to connect offline with so many of you. You made this podcast. Your expertise is what spearheaded this vision.To the 48 countries, and 821 cities. To the thousands and thousands of listeners. Thank you thank you thank you. You turned a hobby into a community. And one last time: to end our time, unclench your jaw, take a deep breath, and remember: you can always learn, you can always grow, and you can always choose to live your life in a more mindful way.Goodbye for now,FinaPlease rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

Content warning: religious trauma & talk about triggersWelcome to the LAST guest episode of Mindful Minds!! As a little thank you, I have released my religious trauma sticker collection!! You buy the stickers on Etsy here!This week we have a super special guest. I am so excited to welcome Dr. Laura Anderson (she/her) to the podcast!! Dr. Laura’s work has been so impactful in my personal deconstruction journey, and it was such an honor to have her on the show. Dr. Laura Anderson (PhD, Saybrook University; LMFT) is a therapist, trauma resolution and recovery coach, writer, educator, and creator who specializes in complex trauma with a focus on domestic violence, sexualized violence, and religious trauma. Laura has a private practice in Nashville, Tennessee, and is the founder and director of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery, an online coaching company where she and the other practitioners work with clients who have experienced high demand/high control religions, adverse religious experiences, cults, and religious trauma. In 2019, Laura cofounded the Religious Trauma Institute with the goal of providing trauma-informed resources, consultation, and training to clinicians and other helping professionals who work with religious trauma survivors. You can find Dr. Laura on social media at @drlauraeanderson , @traumaresolutionandrecovery , and @religioustraumainstitute . You can also visit her website. Dr Laura’s new book, “When Religion Hurts You: Healing from Religious Trauma and the Impact of High Control Religion” is out now! Products & Services we LOVE:- Skouts Honor: We are HUGE fans of Skouts Honor. Their probiotic products saved our pup from SO much itchiness. If you use code MINDFULMINDS at checkout, you can get 20% off of a purchase of $50 or more! Keep those pups happy & itch free. - Buzzsprout: I started my show with NO podcast experience and Buzzsprout made it so easy. If you are looking to start a podcast, or find a new host, try Buzzsprout! Listeners will receive a $20 credit by using our link and you’ll be supporting the show. Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

Please listen to the beginning of this episode for a major update. I cannot thank you all enough for the last 3 years. You have changed my life. Thank you.  Trigger warning: homophobia, transphobia, self-hatred, discrimination, hate crimes, mental health distress, addiction, suicide, counseling abuse, emotional abuse, sexual assault & investigations, brief talk about school shootings via Columbine, graphic description of suicide (time stamp: 1:02:00-1:07:00). This week we have the incredible Erin Green (She/They) of REAP (Religious Exemption Accountability Project) on the podcast to talk about homophobia and discrimination at Christian Colleges. Erin (She/They) is the Campus and Alumni Organizer for REAP. They are an affirming biblical scholar and LGBTQIA+ activist. Erin has a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Azusa Pacific University and an M.Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary. If you listened to episode 24, we talk quite a bit about REAP. REAP fights for the safety, bodily autonomy, justice, and human rights of LGBTQIA+ and other communities marginalized at many predominantly white, taxpayer-funded religious schools and colleges. Using campus organizing, storytelling through podcasting, documentary film, and speaking and preaching on campuses throughout the country, REAP empowers students, faculty, staff and alumni at these institutions to advocate for human rights, while shining a light on the dangers and abuses of a major educational pipeline of white Christian Supremacy.If you want to follow REAP and learn more about what they’re doing and how to support it, you can visit them online here and follow them @REAP_lgbtq . You can also reach out to REAP if you are a queer student who is facing discrimination or hatred in a religious school. REAP is also releasing a podcast called, “On God’s Campus,” soon so keep an eye open for that! Lastly, if you want to follow or connect with Erin directly, you can follow them at @_runningerins_ .   Products & Services we LOVE:- Skouts Honor: We are HUGE fans of Skouts Honor. Their probiotic products saved our pup from SO much itchiness. If you use code MINDFULMINDS at checkout, you can get 20% off of a purchase of $50 or more! Keep those pups happy & itch free. - Buzzsprout: I started my show with NO podcast experience and Buzzsprout made it so easy. If you are looking to start a podcast, or find a new host, try Buzzsprout! Listeners will receive a $20 credit by using our link and you’ll be supporting the show. Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

COMMUNITY UPDATE  - I have rebranded my Tik Tok from @fina__bina to @mindfulmindspod !! If you are looking for our page on Tik Tok, that's where to find all of our deconstruction videos and content. Content warning: We talk about blood, surgery, and medical procedures in this episode!This week we have Isabella (she/her) of @letstalkperiodau to talk about all things menstrual care & chronic illness! This is unlike any other episode we have done, but I felt like it was a really important topic to touch on.  For many of us who grew up in religious environments, we didn’t learn about our bodies or how to know if something is wrong. In this episode, we talk a lot about PCOS and Endo, and how to treat these conditions, how to recognize them, and how to push against the cultural taboos. I learned SO much in this episode, and to be honest, was quite surprised by how much I didn’t know. Isabella’s IG account, @letstalkperiodau, is a great educational resource, especially for ex-religious folks. She also has her amazing podcast, Let’s Talk, Period, which is available on all streaming platforms! If you are looking for more education resources, you can also find her blog here, her website here, her mentoring information here, and her Tik Tok here! Products & Services we LOVE:- Skouts Honor: We are HUGE fans of Skouts Honor. Their probiotic products saved our pup from SO much itchiness. If you use code MINDFULMINDS at checkout, you can get 20% off of a purchase of $50 or more! Keep those pups happy & itch free. - Buzzsprout: I started my show with NO podcast experience and Buzzsprout made it so easy. If you are looking to start a podcast, or find a new host, try Buzzsprout! Listeners will receive a $20 credit by using our link and you’ll be supporting the show. Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

TW: religious trauma, high control religious environments, religious abuse, religious shame, spiritual abuse, cult environments, sexual assault, sexual abuse, rape, misogyny, patriarchal ethical issues within the church This week we have an enlightening conversation with Katherine Spearing (she/her) of @uncertainpodcast and Tears of Eden. Tears of Eden “seeks to empower survivors to connect with their own agency to pursue the healing process from Spiritual Abuse. Tears facilitates connection to other survivors and provides language and resources to name the experience of Spiritual Abuse.” We have spoken about religious trauma a TON but we have yet to dive deep into spiritual abuse. Katherine brought such an amazing perspective to the podcast in such an educated and thoughtful way.If you want to check out Katherine’s work you can find Katherine online @katherinespearing and on her website. And if you want to follow Tears of Eden, you can find them online @uncertainpodast and on their website  AND you can learn more about their in person retreat here. Products & Services we LOVE:- Skouts Honor: We are HUGE fans of Skouts Honor. Their probiotic products saved our pup from SO much itchiness. If you use code MINDFULMINDS at checkout, you can get 20% off of a purchase of $50 or more! Keep those pups happy & itch free. - Buzzsprout: I started my show with NO podcast experience and Buzzsprout made it so easy. If you are looking to start a podcast, or find a new host, try Buzzsprout! Listeners will receive a $20 credit by using our link and you’ll be supporting the show. Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

TW: perfectionism, mental health struggles, self-worth struggles/negative self-talk, eating disorders, fatphobiaDoes anyone else identify as a recovering perfectionist? Because I sure do. This week we have an affirming conversation with  Dr. Menije (she/her) about perfectionism. Perfectionism is so rooted in our culture, and tends to be a common thread throughout a lot of mental health issues. For me, with my background in religion, I feel that perfection is the root of so many of my anxieties and insecurities, and I’m sure many of you relate. In this episode, we cover the reality of what perfectionism is, how to approach it, and why it’s so pervasive. If you want to learn from Dr. Menije and follow her work, you can find her on IG @dr.menije . You can also find her courses, blog, and free resources on her website! Products & Services we LOVE:- Skouts Honor: We are HUGE fans of Skouts Honor. Their probiotic products saved our pup from SO much itchiness. If you use code MINDFULMINDS at checkout, you can get 20% off of a purchase of $50 or more! Keep those pups happy & itch free. - Buzzsprout: I started my show with NO podcast experience and Buzzsprout made it so easy. If you are looking to start a podcast, or find a new host, try Buzzsprout! Listeners will receive a $20 credit by using our link and you’ll be supporting the show. Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

TW: purity culture trauma, sexism/misogyny, rape/sexual assault/marital rape (53:30-1:03:45) & (1:07:30-1:20:00), abusive relationships, coercion, manipulation, controlling dynamics, abuse of power, church abuse, brief mention of suicideAlright, we heard you! We received such an overwhelming ask for this topic and specifically, for us to bring back the AMAZING Sarah (she/her) of @deconstructingpurityculture to chat with us - so here we are! Buckle up for an almost 2 hour deep dive into part 2 of our purity culture. If you haven’t listened to our first episode with Sarah, I would highly recommend it. We talk about all things purity culture from how it can lead to marital abuse to how the lack of consent education teaches adults not to have boundaries. In this episode, we dive DEEP into how purity culture and evangelicalism leads to abusive relationships. We talk about how the lack of privacy and oversharing, the authoritarian nature of pastoral leadership, and the intense coercion within the church lead to abuse, assault, and authoritarian romantic relationships. If you want to learn from Sarah and follow her wonderful content, which I would HIGHLY recommend, you can find her on IG @deconstructingpurityculture . You can also find more of her podcast appearances and more resources on her linktree. Sarah also mentioned Reclamation Collective as a therapy resource for religious trauma! I also mention my religious trauma & mental health resources, which you can find here. Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!

TW: eating disorders (restriction + binging & purging), body image issues, depression, perfectionism, shame, self harmWelcome back to Mindful Minds! This week we have the amazing Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir (she/her) on the podcast to talk about how South Asian Cultures impact one’s susceptibility to disordered eating and how it impact one’s mental health. Fatema brings such nuance and gentleness to such a sensitive and multifaceted topic. I would highly recommend listening to her expertise in this episode. If you want to follow Fatema on social platforms and learn more from her, you can find her on IG  @YourSouthAsianTherapist and find her resources and other projects at here. You can also read her amazing blog at fjshakir.wordpress.com . Fatema is also accepting clients in the state of NY! Feel free to message her for more info. Please rate us 5 stars and leave us a review! Mindful Minds is owned and operated by Serafina. All content belongs to Serafina. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for any and all questions, sponsorships, or guest requests!