#23 Belonging + Religious Deconstruction

Aug 8

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In this episode, Dr. Mona chats with guest Royale Heart, a psychic medium and intuitive. Royale shares her journey to becoming a professional in her field despite an initially unsupportive background.

To begin, Royale discusses the challenges she faced growing up in a religious Lebanese household where her psychic abilities were initially rejected. She recalls her mother's disapproval, labeling her work as the devil's. Despite this, Royale pursued her path, facing familial and public shunning. Over time, and particularly after her grandmother's passing, her mother began to accept her abilities, especially after receiving messages from Royale that only her grandmother could have known.

Royale reflects on her deep involvement in church activities during her youth and the initial messages she received about religion. She describes a significant moment of awakening during a personal crisis when traditional prayers failed to help her. Guided by an intuitive push to meditate, she experienced a profound shift, receiving clear messages about her life's path. This moment marked the beginning of her transformation from religious adherence to embracing her spiritual and psychic abilities. She acknowledges the ongoing challenge of reconciling her past religious beliefs with her current spiritual path but finds solace in her guides and personal experiences.

Royale’s service in the Army began with her enlistment in 2000, just before the events of 9/11. She shares a story about how a minor car accident led her to the recruiting station, where she eventually decided to join the military. She served as a military police officer and later as a 50-caliber gunner during multiple deployments, including a tour in Iraq in 2003. Despite the challenges and the harsh realities of war, she expresses gratitude for her experiences, noting that they shaped her understanding of humanity and the struggle between light and dark. Her time in the military also provided a unique perspective on religion and culture, particularly during her deployment in Iraq.

The conversation delves into the concept of faith deconstruction, a term often associated with evangelical Christianity, where individuals critically examine and dismantle the beliefs and teachings they were raised with. This process, however, can apply to any religion. Royale reflects on various moments that led to her own deconstruction, particularly her time in the Army. After getting a tattoo, she faced condemnation from a churchgoer who told her she was going to hell for defiling her body. This encounter, combined with her recent traumatic experiences in war, led to a profound disillusionment with the church. Further disillusionment occurred during her master's program, where she encountered peers who took the Bible's literal interpretations over scientific evidence.

When she began to embrace her new spiritual path, Royale had to lose a community she thought she belonged in. She recalls the mourning phase she went through after she lost that part of her identity. However, when she lost that community, she gained a new sense of community in new ways. Part of growth, she explains, is knowing that our belongings will shift and change as we grow. Royale offers advice on how to navigate religious deconstruction and trauma, including seeking out supportive communities that resonate with your current beliefs and interests. In closing, Royale shares her own definition of belonging: a state of safety and peace, achievable through self-acceptance and creating a personal space of tranquility.

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0:20 - Dr. Mona introduces today’s guest, Royale Heart.

2:33 - Royale’s psychic abilities and initial challenges.

7:00 - Royale’s early religious involvement and awakening

17:59 - Royle’s military service and spiritual growth.

20:02 - Royale’s experiences in the army.

25:16 - Eye-opening experiences and shifting perspectives.

32:20 - Losing community to find her spirituality.

36:15 - Advice for navigating religious deconstruction and trauma.

39:04 - Creating safe spaces.

41:32 - What belonging means to Royale.

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