🎙️ Episode 14 — “When Healing Is Called Possession”
A Story of Adoption, Trauma, Faith, and Reclaiming Identity
This week on The Awakening Podcast, we sit down with Hal, who courageously shares his deeply personal and painful journey through adoption, loss, religious trauma, and self-discovery.
Hal was adopted from Russia and came to the United States at just 22 months old, where he was raised by his mom and dad. After the devastating loss of his mother to cancer, Hal went on to attend Clemson University. While there, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that altered the course of his life.
During his recovery, Hal found himself surrounded by a group of Pentecostals who attempted to cast demons out of him, interpreting medical trauma as spiritual failure. The harm deepened when his father told him he was going to hell for being gay, leaving Hal wrestling with shame, identity, and belonging.
Today, Hal identifies as spiritual and no longer associates with the God of the Bible, choosing instead a path focused on healing outside of the religious frameworks that caused him harm. Hal has chosen to remain private, and we deeply honor that choice.
This episode is raw, tender, and profoundly human — especially for those navigating:
- Religious trauma
- Parental rejection
- Spiritual abuse
- Identity after faith
You are not alone.
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🎶 Music Credits
Intro & Outro Music: “Your Poison” by Rox Knox
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