Becoming Brave: The Art of Trusting Yourself Again
Join in on a powerful and personal conversation around faith deconstruction, identity, and courage.
Dear friends,
If you’ve been feeling a little untethered lately—navigating spiritual shifts, questioning old beliefs, or simply trying to trust yourself again—you are so not alone. In this “Becoming Brave” live author panel, you’ll find a rich, soul-stirring conversation.
Hosted by Lake Drive Books, the “Becoming Brave” panelists offered a powerful and deeply personal conversation around faith deconstruction, identity, and the courage it takes to grow into the person you were always meant to be.
Each panelist reflected diverse journeys through spiritual unlearning and reimagining. Lauren Cibene, whose memoir Tiger in a Lifeboat explores themes of trauma and identity, captured the heart of the conversation with her honesty: “There is a fracturing of ourselves,” she said, naming the disorienting experience many feel during faith deconstruction. Yet she also spoke to the hope on the other side of that break: “Lying in both realms”—a reference to navigating old beliefs while forming new ones.
The discussion moved fluidly between theological musings, practical wisdom, and heartfelt confessions. One standout moment came when Raj Lulla offered a word of encouragement: “You’re going to become the person you were always meant to be.” That truth, shared amid vulnerable reflections, served as a benediction for anyone feeling stuck or afraid in their spiritual transition. “This journey is hard,” he added, “but it doesn’t have to be so lonely.”
The panel didn’t shy away from challenging topics—like how to redefine community after leaving church spaces, or how to reclaim joy in everyday life. A common thread among the authors was the importance of trusting oneself after years of religious conditioning that had led to ignoring personal instincts. As one panelist reflected, “I have to trust my instincts”—a daily task that many viewers echoed as their own experience.
Delight also made its way into the conversation. Panelists shared what was bringing them joy right now, from basketball to poetry to finding God in unexpected places. “It’s been so fun finding God in the places the church told me to never look,” one panelist said.
Whether you’re deep in deconstruction, just beginning to ask hard questions, or searching for community on the other side, this conversation is a rich, relatable, and brave space to linger. With generous insights and empathetic storytelling, “Becoming Brave” reminds us that healing is possible—and that it’s okay to take your time.
Check out the video (apologies, due to technical difficulties, it starts partway through). Don’t miss this vibrant and honest exchange that might just give you the courage to take your next brave step.
Meet the panelists:
Lauren Cibene, author of Tiger in a Lifeboat, shares how travel, faith deconstruction, and self-trust have shaped her story. (
)Liz Charlotte Grant, whose book Knock at the Sky offers a spacious, thoughtful look at God and scripture in the wake of biblical disillusionment. (
)Liz Cooledge Jenkins, author of Nice Churchy Patriarchy, takes on the subtle but insidious impacts of misogyny in evangelical spaces. (
)Bethaney Wilkinson, spiritual director and author of The Diversity Gap, brings wisdom about cultivating wholeness and authenticity in times of change. (
)Raj Lulla, writer, brand strategist, and author of The Caring House, lends his voice to the creative and spiritual challenges of reinvention. (
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