How to Leave Catholicism/High-Control Religion & Stay Happy w/ Evelyn from Leave Laugh Love

Leaving a fundamentalist or conservative form of Catholicism is more than just walking away from a church—it’s walking away from an entire worldview, identity, and sometimes your community. In this episode of Intrinsically Ordered, Evelyn from the podcast Leave Laugh Love joins us for an honest, vulnerable, and occasionally funny conversation about leaving faith as a queer person. We talk about the emotional process of leaving, what healing looks like, building a new life, and practical steps for anyone questioning their faith. Whether you’re deconstructing, doubting, or just curious, this is for you.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:27 Evelyn's Background and Journey
01:30 Starting the Podcast and Providing Resources
02:11 Personal Stories of Faith and Doubt
03:20 Understanding Fundamentalist Catholicism
05:50 The Process of Deconstruction
08:49 Navigating Relationships and Friendships
15:54 Making Practical Plans to Leave
18:19 The Role of Therapy and Support Networks
25:00 Life After Leaving Religion
38:09 Sunday Mornings Without Mass
38:35 Navigating Belief and Morality
39:06 Empathy and Self-Discovery
41:44 Finding Purpose After Leaving Religion
42:47 Exploring New Communities and Hobbies
44:34 Redefining Life and Meaning
49:20 Grieving and Reconstructing
52:17 Navigating Relationships Post-Religion
55:42 Embracing a New Life
01:05:23 Final Thoughts and Resources

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