In this second part of Ryan’s journey on Unburdened, he and Trevor pick up where we left off—diving into ministry struggles, relational strain, and the unraveling of once-certain beliefs. From the loneliness of small-town church life to the devastation of losing community, Ryan shares how disillusionment pushed him to let go of everything he thought he knew about God.

Through the challenges of early marriage, counseling, and the experience of becoming a father, Ryan came to realize that rebuilding from zero was the only way forward. His story offers both resonance and relief for anyone who’s had to walk away from certainty to find a more authentic path.

We discussed:

• Life in rural ministry and the collapse of a small church community
• The personal cost of unmet expectations in marriage and ministry
• Disillusionment with organized religion and walking away from church
• The role of counseling and learning to reconnect with emotions
• Becoming a father and the shift in understanding God as “Father”
• Wrestling with fear of hell and choosing honesty over certainty
• Navigating mixed-belief marriage dynamics
• Rebuilding from zero and finding freedom in starting over

Learn more about Unburdened Podcast:

Website: https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast

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In this first episode of Season 2 of Unburdened, Trevor Little welcomes his new co-host, Ryan Schuck. Ryan shares his journey of growing up in a conservative Christian home, immersing himself in scripture, and pursuing ministry. From wrestling with theological questions like free will to facing the pressure of doing “something great for God,” his story through Bible college and beyond reveals the weight of spiritual expectations and the cracks that emerge when certainty can’t be found.

Now stepping into the role of co-host, Ryan reflects openly on this first chapter of his path toward authenticity and healing after spiritual trauma. This is part one of his story, with more to come in the next episode.

We discussed:

• Growing up in a conservative, homeschooled Christian family
• Early passion for scripture and theological study
• Wrestling with questions of free will and God’s plan
• Disillusionment with Bible college and ministry training
• The pressure to do “something great for God”
• How friendship and community shaped his questioning years
• Beginning the journey toward authenticity and healing

Learn more about Unburdened Podcast:

Website: https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Unburdened, Trevor and Carey welcome Jim Larkin, a former minister who shares his journey of spiritual transformation. Growing up in a deeply religious family, Jim followed a conformist path, eventually entering ministry despite lingering questions about his faith. A pivotal moment during his ministry led him to reflect on his beliefs and step away from the church, finding a new spiritual expression through Kabbalah and interfaith work.

Now a life coach, Jim helps others navigate transitions and heal from spiritual wounds, offering insights into reclaiming personal authenticity and spirituality. He also leads programs like Healing Your Spiritual Wounds, creating safe spaces for individuals to explore and redefine their spiritual paths.

We discussed:

• The pressure and expectations of being a minister’s child.

• Struggles with indecisiveness and people-pleasing.

• The impact of leaving organized religion on personal identity.

• Rediscovering spirituality outside traditional frameworks.

• Balancing personal desires with community expectations.

Learn more about Jim Larkin at:

Website: https://jimlarkin.today/

Program: https://jimlarkin.today/the-hysw-journey/

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast:

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.