078: Seeking Hope in Anxious Seasons with Sara Billups Artwork

Broken to Beloved Podcast

Over 92 million adults in the US have experienced spiritual abuse and religious trauma. Maybe you’re one of them.

The Broken to Beloved Podcast is for anyone who’s been affected by spiritual abuse, religious trauma, or church hurt and is looking for practical resources to move toward healing and wholeness.

Brian Lee is a pastor, coach, and speaker who survived it in 3 different environments and now works to advocate for others who have been wounded by the church and her leaders, and to provide practical tools for awareness and safeguarding against future abuse.

All Episodes

Broken to Beloved Podcast

078: Seeking Hope in Anxious Seasons with Sara Billups

October 28, 2025 • Season 3 • Episode 78

0:00 | 55:37

How do you find hope when there are a million reasons to worry?

In this episode, Sara shows us ways to recognize and calm our anxieties around our bodies, churches, and politics. We talk through her latest book, Nervous Systems, which is full of spiritual practices for those seeking personal and collective peace. If you have been taught negative connotations around your anxiety, in this conversation, Sara helps reframe and normalize it—believing that Jesus meets us there with hope, not demand. We also talk about the anxious reality that many people with spiritual abuse face when re-entering the church or community. Sara shares how she has moved from suspicion and cynicism to slowly trusting again.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Guest Spotlight ✨

Sara Billups is a Seattle-based writer and cultural commentator whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Christianity Today, Aspen Ideas, and others. Sara writes Bitter Scroll, a monthly Substack letter and co-hosts the podcast That’s the Spirit. She earned a Doctor of Ministry in the Sacred Art of Writing at the Peterson Center for the Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary. Sara works to help wavering Christians remain steadfast through cultural storms and continues to hope for the flourishing of the Church amid deep political and cultural division in America. Her second book, Nervous Systems, will be released November 4, 2025, from Baker Books.

Website | Instagram | Bitter Scroll Substack

Nervous Systems by Sara Billups | Amazon | Bookshop
Orphaned Believers by Sara Billups | Amazon | Bookshop

Similar Episodes You Might Like:

077: Seeking Wholeness in Low Seasons Justin McRoberts

—————

We need your help. Your gift of just $25 will make a big difference and help us continue this work. Donate today.

—————

Sign up to receive our weekly Podcast Newsletter with new episodes, updates, exclusive discounts, and more!

Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. This all helps us to grow and continue providing quality content for you and our community of listeners.

—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.