trigger warnings: suicidal ideation, domestic violence, child abuse, family trauma, complex trauma, church hurt, spiritual abuse, depression

This extended episode is not easy listening and not family friendly. Prepare yourself for uncomfortable and painful storytelling before you tap the play button. Be ready to pause or stop listening when you feel triggered or it’s just too much. We know this is not for the faint of heart.

Wellness coach Sonia Lee shares some stories from her personal experiences, full of pain and shame, because to name them all would be overwhelming for her and us. She explains why it’s important to go back to those painful memories through story work and body work in the process of healing, growth, and transformation. She also poignantly speaks of her crumbling under church hurt, and how even that became a turning point for her discovery of real love, spirituality, and community.

Her life was at stake, and so is yours. Don’t get stuck in the darkness of shame, merely surviving and suffocating. Healing is hard work. And, your life is worth it. May this story give you a bit more faith to take a courageous step towards hope and healing.

And, stay connected to Erasing Shame on our socials to get your invitation for the upcoming webinar with Sonia Lee, where she will unpack more about how to heal from church hurt.

Our Asian American experiences are interwoven with multiple layers of pain and shame, intergenerational trauma, neglect, survival, both conscious and unconscious moments, that shape who we are, how we see the world, and how that shapes our spirituality in Christian churches.

In collaboration with Asian American Christian Network of Atlanta (AACNA), this is the unedited raw episode of our extended conversations for nearly 2 hours, with: Dr. Stan Sonu (Pediatrics Physician), Hannah An (Worship Leader and Spiritual Director), David Park (Pastor & Nonprofit Consultant), and DJ Chuang (this podcast’s co-host & Digital Strategy Consultant).

We took time deliberating whether exploring the essence of an Asian American Christian was esoteric or essential, because it’s not really an all or nothing proposition, though it seems like not many are openly engaging in this topic, at least not in public, as if our spirituality and theology was absent of any cultural context. We discuss why it might be important to embrace one's ethnic identity as God sees it, rather than abstract theological concepts. We’ve noticed that in many Asian American churches, God is often talked about in an abstract sense, and what is needed is a deeper relationship with God. We realize that this process of unlearning and relearning is difficult. We use fancy words like dialectic, industrialization, Xanga, blogging, unintended harm, physiology, and much more.

What do you think? Add a comment to chime in with where this conversation should drill down further and farther.

Show Notes at erasingshame.com/why-do-few-asian-american-christians-care-about-being-asian-american/

Han Namgung spent his formative years in Korea and Kenya, and he reflects on how his upbringing shaped his path toward a career in counseling. He explores the concept of feeling like a "forever traveler," navigating different cultures and communities. Additionally, he addresses the challenges of living in a society that prioritizes high achievement and status.

Han recognizes that shame is a common motivator and can stifle authenticity and connection. He affirms that our aspirations should extend beyond simply seeking to eliminate shame; instead, we should strive for a state of peace or joy that enriches our lives.

Show notes at erasingshame.com/han-namgung-unpacks-belonging-mental-health-a-tck-between-korea-kenya-and-the-united-states-s7e08/