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--><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:media="http://www.rssboard.org/media-rss" version="2.0"><channel><title>The GRACE Awakening</title><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/</link><lastBuildDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:41:06 +0000</lastBuildDate><language>en-US</language><generator>Site-Server v@build.version@ (http://www.squarespace.com)</generator><itunes:author>GRACE</itunes:author><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:new-feed-url>https://anchor.fm/s/10342a9d8/podcast/rss</itunes:new-feed-url><itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality"/><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:image href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b0a335c45776ee022efd309/1678fb3b-d869-4e35-87c3-cafb1a30d91f/Screenshot+2025-04-03+at+2.35.07%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1500w"/><description><![CDATA[<p>The GRACE Awakening: Reckoning with Abuse in the Church explores the complex and often hidden dynamics of abuse and power within the church. Join the GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in a Christian Environment) team as we tackle tough questions and interview leading experts, journalists, and thinkers to dissect and navigate systemic issues and recurring patterns of harm in Christian contexts. </p>]]></description><item><title>Ep 16: SPECIAL: Truth, Bias, &amp; Independent Investigations: Common Questions About GRACE Independent Investigations</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:41:05 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/questions-about-investigations</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:698a25b7a94715739a23b0c4</guid><description><![CDATA[In this special release podcast, Robert sits down with GRACE Executive 
Director Laura Thien and Executive Editor Wade Mullen to pull back the 
curtain on our Independent Investigations. Tune in to learn how the GRACE 
team handles bias, what it means to be trauma-informed, and common 
questions we get asked by churches and indviduals about the investigative 
process.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 15: Turning the Page: What’s Next for GRACE</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 19:01:00 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/turning-the-page</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:695c0966b584fe31152407d3</guid><description><![CDATA[That's a wrap! In the final episode of Season 1, we speak with the new 
GRACE Executive Director, Laura Thien, about her journey in abuse and 
trauma work and what she sees coming for GRACE in 2026. Plus, Robert, Zane, 
Hannah, and Laura talk about the tension of holding hope and accountability 
for the Church, resiliency in the face of trauma, and the limited edition 
Selena Gomez Oreos.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 14: It Isn’t An Affair: Let’s Talk Adult CSA</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:47:55 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/it-isnt-an-affair</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:69441347e7f94f2275aae68a</guid><description><![CDATA[In this episode, Robert has attorneys Amy Stier and Emily Petrie back to 
recap a GRACE Live Conversation they had over the summer on adult clergy 
sexual abuse and answer the many questions you asked during the live 
webinar. You won't want to miss it!]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 13: Silence is Deadly: Image Management &amp; The 4 Walls of Defense</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:28:22 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/silence-is-deadly-4-walls</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:6931a7bd28b9ed58ddc74160</guid><description><![CDATA[In this episode, we have a NEW interview with author and GRACE Editor in 
Chief of Institutional Response, Wade Mullen. Join Robert, Hannah, and Zane 
as we talk with Wade about image management, the slippery slope of 
self-promotion, and the 4 walls of defense used by institutions and 
offenders when confronted with allegations of abuse/misconduct. Plus, why 
Wade hates acronyms but uses them anyway, and the antidote to the 4 walls 
of defense.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 12: SPECIAL: Theological Engagement on Child Abuse &amp; the ELCA’s Special Message on Child Protection</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:29:08 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/elca-social-message-on-child-protection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:691f4ec139d5274c902ec88f</guid><description><![CDATA[In this special release podcast, Robert speaks with GRACE Board Member and 
Chief Program Officer for Education & Research for Zero Abuse Project, 
Victor Vieth, live at the 16th annual Virginia Crimes Against Children 
Conference. Victor and Robert discuss what the Bible has to say about 
corporal punishment, the necessity of theological engagement on the issue 
of child abuse, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's (ELCA) 
groundbreaking social message on child protection that was adopted in 
November of 2025. And as an added bonus, hear about Victor's encounter with 
Johnny Cash.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 11: Silence is Deadly: How Trey's Law is Taking the Muzzle Off the Truth</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:22:26 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/silence-is-deadly-treys-law</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:6915f67ae5aa0209f0b4cd3b</guid><description><![CDATA[In this NEW interview, we discuss "taking the muzzle off the truth" with 
guest Elizabeth Phillips, the primary advocate behind Trey's Law in Texas. 
Join Robert, Zane, and GRACE Assistant Director, Emily Petrie, as we talk 
with Elizabeth about her brother's story and how it inspired the 
legislation that is rewriting the use of NDA's in child abuse cases. Plus, 
some ponderings about why Superman works a 9-5, if cats really are evil, 
and what it means to find hope in dark places.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 10: Silence is Deadly: NDAs and the Church</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:28:48 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/silence-is-deadly-ndas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:69036475504c61475908c0d1</guid><description><![CDATA[Join Robert, Hannah, and Zane as they break down a previous GRACE Live 
Conversation with author and professor Scot McKnight and attorney Boz 
Tchividjian about the insidious use of nondisclosure agreements within 
churches to silence abuse survivors. Plus, how a Dr. Who villain relates to 
NDAs, the role of the wider-church community in stopping the normalization 
of confidentiality clauses, and the importance of wielding Scripture with 
caution.       ]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 9: Trauma-Informed Faith&#x2014;The Intersection of Faith &amp; Community Care in Sexual Exploitation Recovery</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:32:28 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/trauma-informed-faith-institute-of-survivor-care</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:68ee4ff73099745e365a97f9</guid><description><![CDATA[In this episode, we have a NEW interview with psychologist, speaker, 
author, and founder of the Institute of Survivor Care, Dr. Jeanne Allert. 
Join Robert, Hannah, and Zane as we talk with Dr. Allert about sexual 
exploitation recovery, the difference between raising awareness and "trauma 
drama / trauma voyeurism," and what it means to walk alongside survivors in 
their healing process. Plus, in our intro/outro discussion, Robert and 
Hannah talk about the most underrated frameworks and what trauma-informed 
principles look like when practically applied in a ministry setting.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 8: Trauma-Informed Faith&#x2014;Collaboration &amp; Mutuality</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:28:17 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/trauma-informed-faith-collaboration-mutuality</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:68ee4f6697640d32293c99a9</guid><description><![CDATA[In this episode, Robert and Hannah continue their review of trauma-informed 
care principles through a GRACE Live Conversation with Cheryl Lerfald and 
Janet Magee on what collaboration looks like in direct advocacy, within 
systems, and across systems. Plus, find out which team members from famous 
fandoms Robert and Hannah think have the best and worst collaboration.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 7: Trauma-Informed Faith&#x2014;Empowerment, Voice, &amp; Choice Matter</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:25:51 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/trauma-informed-faith-empowerment-voice-choice</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:68ee4eb348bc53375278d26a</guid><description><![CDATA[Tune in as Robert, Zane, and Hannah digest a previous GRACE Live 
Conversation with Amy Stier and GRACE Board Member Leanne Mellado on the 
trauma-informed care principle of Empowerment, Voice, and Choice. 
Additionally, the team discusses bravery, vulnerability, and the cost of 
coming forward.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 6: Trauma-Informed Faith&#x2014;Creating Physical, Emotional, &amp; Spiritual Safety</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:22:53 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/trauma-informed-faith-safety</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:68ee4dcb49425c184eb20040</guid><description><![CDATA[Join Robert, Hannah and Zane as they discuss a previous GRACE Live 
Conversation with David Pittman and past-Robert about the various 
dimensions of safety and how we can create safer environments and cultures 
in faith communities. Plus, in honor of Robert listening to himself in an 
old interview, we talk time-travel, practical safety measures, and 
wrestling through the fallout of spiritual harm.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 5: Toxic Church&#x2014;Is There Hope for the Institution of the Church?</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:19:02 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/toxic-church-is-there-hope</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:68ee4cffc4c1d343371f5704</guid><description><![CDATA[In this episode, we have a NEW interview with speaker, author, and 
literature professor Dr. Karen Swallow Prior around post-institutionalism, 
the loss of virtue in leadership, and whether the failure of the 
Westernized Church spells out the death of Christianity or an opportunity 
for reformation. Plus, Robert, Hannah, and Zane discuss classic literature, 
the difference between a mob and a movement, and how a new Star Wars show 
demonstrates various dimensions of moral courage when it comes to staying 
or leaving a toxic system.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 4: Toxic Church&#x2014;I’m Trapped in an Abusive System… Now What?</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:15:21 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/toxic-church-now-what</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:68ee4bd7af4c5748346c9c59</guid><description><![CDATA[Tune in as Robert, Zane, and Hannah break down a previous GRACE Live 
Conversation with our former Executive Director, Boz Tchividijian, and 
author Scot McKnight, about finding peace despite being caught in a toxic 
church system. In addition, the team tackles common fears that keep people 
trapped in toxic church systems, the cost of leaving, and grassroots 
methods of cultural change.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 3: Toxic Church&#x2014;Understanding the Cycle of Abuse in Church Systems</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:10:41 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/toxic-church-cycle-of-abuse</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:68ee4ae1e464025a670906c5</guid><description><![CDATA[In this episode, Robert, Zane, and Hannah discuss a previous GRACE Live 
Conversation with Wade Mullen & Chuck DeGroat about how toxic church 
systems are formed and maintained. Plus, the small cultural norms we find 
bothersome, the culpability of leaders in culture formation, and three 
stages of reckoning with toxic church systems.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 2: Toxic Church&#x2014;What is Power and How is it Abused in Faith Settings?</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:06:05 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/toxic-church-what-is-power</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:68ee49bfaf4c5748346c1261</guid><description><![CDATA[Join Robert, Hannah, and Zane as they listen to and break down a previous 
GRACE Live Conversation with Dr. Diane Langberg and Phil Monroe about what 
power is, the forms it takes, and how it can be misused in faith settings. 
Plus, the wisdom (or lack thereof) of bringing back Dire Wolves, the 
temptation to take shortcuts to power, and prioritizing legal obligations 
versus caring for the vulnerable.]]></description></item><item><title>Ep 1: Welcome to The GRACE Awakening</title><dc:creator>Hannah Fordice</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:54:17 +0000</pubDate><link>https://www.netgrace.org/podcast/2025/7/10/welcome-to-the-grace-awakening-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5b0a335c45776ee022efd309:686fd62792273730f9e0750e:6870286f3b22fd2ab062b338</guid><description><![CDATA[Welcome to The GRACE Awakening Podcast! Get to know the GRACE team 
(including Robert Peters, Zane Hart, and Hannah Fordice) and why a podcast 
may just be the right place to have complex conversations around reckoning 
with abuse in the Church today.]]></description></item></channel></rss>