EP 163 This Was Supposed to Be the Place #5: From Shame to Something Sacred

What happens when the place that was supposed to offer belonging, love, and healing becomes the very thing that teaches you to be small? In this episode of Clemenz With a "Z", I explore how my time in the ICOC—and the broader evangelical culture I grew up in—shaped the way I saw myself, God, and the meaning of worth. From the story of the Garden to the image of the Cross, I unpack how scripture and church culture taught me that I was broken at my core—and how that belief followed me into every part of my life. But I also talk about what happens when you start to question that story. When you realize it wasn’t God who made you feel that way—it was people. This is an honest reflection on shame, self-erasure, and the journey toward a more freeing, more loving spirituality.

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review—it helps more people find these stories. And remember: I’m just a channel, I ain’t the source.

If you’d like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524 or, you know, grab a sticker or maybe even a tank top (because apparently, every scene has merch)—you can head over to my new website:
👉 www.clemenzwithaz.com

You’ll find ways to support the show, check out new updates, and maybe pick up something to wear that says, “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about some things too.”

Until next time—stay open, keep asking, and keep walking. Peace!