By Laura Farhy | Spiritually Homesteading Podcast

“The church may be falling apart, but your faith doesn’t have to.”

Welcome to the Spiritually Homesteading Podcast. I’m Laura Farhy, and I’m here to help you navigate faith deconstruction while staying rooted in your relationship with Jesus. This podcast is for the spiritually curious, the religiously burned-out, and anyone asking deeper questions about God, church, and spiritual identity.

Why “Spiritually Homesteading”?

We live in a time when the institutional church feels like it’s crumbling—and for many, that’s left a spiritual void. But here’s the truth: you are the CEO of your soul. Your spiritual life is your responsibility, and you have the authority to ask questions, seek truth, and cultivate faith outside traditional frameworks.

That’s what I mean by “spiritual homesteading.” It’s about reclaiming ownership of your soul—like tending a garden from the inside out.

My Faith Journey: From Childhood Belief to Crisis

I grew up in a Catholic household. From a young age, I had vivid dreams of Jesus and felt an unshakable connection to Him. But everything changed when I lost my brother in a tragic car accident at 13. That moment shattered my faith—and my childhood.

While my family tried to keep me within the walls of Catholic tradition, my heart had already checked out. I went through the motions of confirmation, but I was spiritually disengaged.

In my twenties, I began to explore other religions and philosophies. Yet, none of them clicked. Something was always missing.

Finding God Outside of Religion

Eventually, I discovered a non-denominational church—my first experience where I felt safe enough to question and piece together my beliefs. But even then, I struggled with the rigidity of organized religion. I couldn’t reconcile man-made tradition with God’s actual doctrine. That dissonance pushed me to explore deeper.

My journey led me to powerful stories of women in church history—Anne Hutchinson, who helped lay the intellectual groundwork for Harvard and inspired The Scarlet Letter, and Junia, the female apostle whose name was later changed in the Bible to sound male. These stories blew my mind and confirmed what I had begun to suspect: the church had silenced and sidelined women for centuries. Did I really want to be a part of that?

Why I Stepped Away from the Institution—Not from Jesus

One of my breaking points came when I felt like God had given me a specific dream… and then told me “no.” I couldn’t understand why.

It made me question everything. But in that deconstruction, I found clarity. I realized the church doesn’t get the final word—God does. And while men may lead church institutions, they are not God. Submitting to flawed humans isn’t the same as submitting to a flawless God.

Rebuilding Faith Through Spiritual Homesteading

Through study, prayer, and countless hours of wrestling, I came to understand who Jesus really is. And that understanding set me free.

Now, I live in a place of deep, authentic faith—not one dictated by religious institutions, but one rooted in relationship with Jesus.

My Mission: To Create a Safe Space for Spiritual Misfits

If you’ve ever felt like a black sheep in the church, you’re not alone. This space is for people who are spiritually displaced, but still believe. People who want more from their faith than rules and hierarchy.

Together, we can build a community of modern-day spiritual homesteaders—people reclaiming their souls and walking with Jesus in freedom, authenticity, and love.

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🎧 Listen to the Podcast

Catch the full story on the Spiritually Homesteading Podcast — Episode 1: My Testimony and Why I Left Religion But Kept Jesus. You can also watch the vlogast here

🌱 Let’s Grow Together

• Visit LauraFarhy.com for faith resources
• Send me a message if you’re walking a similar path
• And if this spoke to you, please rate and review the podcast to help others find their spiritual tribe