A Short Newsletter of Updates

+ a new podcast to listen to, my journey as a creative coach, trauma recovery coaching, & more

Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash

I don’t have a long newsletter for you this month. I’ve kept my head down while I’ve been chipping away to finish my book manuscript. (Update on that at the bottom of this newsletter.)

I had hoped this post’s focus would be on the boundaries I’ve had to build and hold to regarding how I move forward and interact with others who exist in or are adjacent to the church abuse survivor advocacy world. Unfortunately, life happens, and I haven’t been able to flesh out my thoughts just yet to put in newsletter form, but I hope to do that in the months to come. But in a few words: Finding trusted friendships that will endure is labor-intensive, and the potential for being retraumatized is enormous.

I hope to flesh that thought out more soon, but in the meantime, I have some updates for you below.

With you & for you,

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A New Listen

Author, coach, speaker, and songwriter, Justin McRoberts had me on a recent episode of the @ Sea Podcast. He gave me a chance to talk a bit about why I do the work I do today. We discussed why many might consider me a part of the “deconstruction” conversation, but how “deconstruction” sometimes feels like a coat not made for me. We talk a little bit about my story, how I avoid “trauma-dumping,” how I handle rejection, where I find belonging, and why the work of building something new in the church matters. I also speak a little more on what my book is about toward the end of the episode.

A quick fun fact. Justin is my creative coach, and he has been very supportive in providing me with direction for the last year and a half. He was the one to encourage me to become a creative coach for others. (More on that below.)

I was mindful about the choice to have a white dude be my creative coach, especially since I left a church with only white dudes in leadership, but Justin’s consideration, deference, humility, and his ability to see me as a peer with expertise made it an easy partnership to choose. Plus, his books are dope, too.

You can listen anywhere podcasts are.

justinmcroberts

A post shared by Justin McRoberts (@justinmcroberts)

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Creative Coaching & Trauma Recovery Coaching

Speaking of coaching, I’m currently taking clients who are interested in creative coaching or who are looking for help with development as a creative professional.

I have availability to take on 1-3 more clients.

I’m also currently training to become a trauma recovery coach through the IAOTRC. Training began in February and the program runs through July. Once certified, I’ll be able to provide trauma recovery coaching for a few clients per month.

I decided on the program with the IAOTRC because they are doing their due diligence. Like other counseling and mental health professional associations, the IAOTRC has a Code of Ethics, a review board, a supervisory board, a grievance and reporting process, but they have a global reach and coach through a multicultural lens. A multicultural lens was a requirement for me.

If you’re interested in having me coach you through Trauma Recovery, you can join my waitlist, but you can also reach out to a few other Trauma Recovery Coaches I’ve gotten to know:

• Sarah Yaw Coaching

• Nikki G Speaks

• Katherine Spearing

• Certified Trauma Recovery Coaching Directory on IAOTRC.org

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The Broken to Beloved Summit - April 19-21, 2023

I’ll have a session you can watch with the upcoming BROKEN TO BELOVED summit hosted by Brian Lee with the Gospel-Centered Enneagram.

It’s a summit for those who have experienced hurt, abuse, and trauma within the church.

A few of the other speakers for the summit include:

• Erin Hung, host of the recent #AtoZofTraumaRecovery campaign on Instagram

• Laura Barringer, co-author of A Church Called Tov

• K.J. Ramsey, therapist & author of The Lord is My Courage

I’ll be speaking to healing and wholeness through creativity, art, and story.

I believe the summit is free to attend if you catch it live starting April 19, but you can also purchase an all-access pass to watch at your convenience.

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Book Update

My manuscript is due June 1st. I have just about two months to finish. In reality, I’m hoping to have the first draft done by May 1st so I can spend a month finessing and editing. We’ll see.

I’ve cussed when the words won’t write themselves and sighed when the thought in my head won’t manifest on the page. But I’ve also fist-pumped and celebrated every time I finish a chapter and realize This is a book I’d buy and read. If you have a tough inner-critic, you’ll understand what a rarity it is to like (let alone, love) you’re own work.

It’s 80% complete, and I am 100% grateful.

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You can find past posts from Letters for the Wilderness by visiting jenaiauman.substack.com.