Saving Face and Finding Faith: Aimee Byrd on Church Trauma and Theology

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📝 Show Description:

After publishing a critique of biblical gender roles, author Aimee Byrd faced an online smear campaign—led in part by leaders from her own church. In this episode, she joins Will Wright and Josh Burtram to discuss her new book Saving Face, a deeply personal reflection on faith, identity, and healing after religious trauma.

Byrd unpacks how patriarchal church systems often silence women, what it means to rediscover yourself after betrayal, and how theology can be both liberating and weaponized. She also shares how poetry, the Song of Songs, and the face of Christ helped rebuild her spiritual life. From a sit-and-spin memory to misogynistic Facebook groups, this conversation explores the cost of speaking up—and the grace that can follow.

👤 Guest Bio:

Aimee Byrd is an author, speaker, and former podcast co-host known for her work challenging complementarian theology in evangelical circles. Her books include Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, The Sexual Reformation, and Saving Face. A former café owner turned theologian, Byrd writes about women’s roles in the church, spiritual formation, and healing from religious trauma.

📚 Resources & Links:

• Saving Face by Aimee Byrd savingfacebook.com ()

• Aimee Byrd’s Website aimeebyrd.com ()

• Aimee narrates the audiobook version of Saving Face

• Related book: Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Aimee Byrd

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She DoesWhy Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org

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