Mattie Jo Cowsert is a New York-based actor, author, and storyteller whose work explores the stories we inherit (and what happens when they no longer fit). Raised in a conservative evangelical home near Branson, Missouri, where her father was a pastor, Mattie Jo spent years untangling the narratives she was handed about faith, sexuality, identity, relationships, and what it means to live a meaningful life.

In this conversation, we explore her memoir, God, Sex, and Rich People, but what fascinated me most wasn't simply her story of leaving evangelical purity culture. It was the way she used storytelling to make sense of it. We talk about the courage it takes to question inherited beliefs, why our most personal stories often resonate the deepest, and how examining our own narratives can become a catalyst for growth, healing, and impact.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How inherited narratives shape our identity, beliefs, and life choices
• The role of storytelling in healing, self-discovery, and personal transformation
• What it takes to rewrite a narrative that no longer serves you

CONNECT WITH MATTIE JO COWSERT:

• Buy the Book: https://www.mattiejocowsert.com/book
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattiejocowsert/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/169

Mentioned in this episode:

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