Faith, Dinosaurs, and Finding Themself in Vienna with Emry Kettle

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Emry Kettle about the wild, winding journey from evangelical upbringing to a major adult awakening in Austria. Emry shares their experience of growing up in a turbulent, religious household in the Pacific Northwest, finding safety in church while missing out on some pretty big scientific facts (dinosaurs!), and how moving overseas led to questioning, self-discovery, and a total shift in identity and beliefs.

About the Guest:

Emry Kettle is a Child Behavior & Family Support Specialist helping overwhelmed parents break harmful cycles and build relationships rooted in connection, boundaries, and self-trust. Based in Austria, they bring humor, warmth, and lived experience to the messy, meaningful work of raising kids and healing ourselves.

Main Topics Covered:

• How unstable family life and the search for connection can draw kids (and adults) into religious communities
• What it’s like to discover—as an adult—that dinosaurs are, in fact, real
• The process of unraveling childhood indoctrination, questioning faith, and redefining personal values
• Navigating family systems, belonging, and the grief/joy of losing and building community
• Emry’s radical self-discovery around sexuality, gender, and the importance of values-based parenting
• The practical work of helping parents shift away from inherited dogma and write their own family stories

Quote from the Episode:

“It was like the Truman Show. Like, you guys are all freaking lying to me this entire time. Are you kidding me? And now I have to figure it out in my 30s. How dare you.” — Emry Kettle

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Emry calls in from Vienna, Austria & self-care confessions

[00:04:23] Discovering the “truth” about dinosaurs—and biblical alternatives

[00:09:23] Turbulent family life, church as a safe haven, and Sunday school

[00:18:26] Science vs. faith at public school in Washington State

[00:20:36] Moving to Austria and the start of deconstruction

[00:29:53] Sex, values, and how research and relationships changed everything

[00:35:21] “Plinko” moment: connecting the dots and a trip to the Natural History Museum

[00:40:52] The freedom of letting go, the betrayal of indoctrination, and processing anger

[00:48:12] Emry’s work helping parents define values after leaving religion

[00:54:10] Rapid-fire questions: the Sound of Music, dogs, and outer space

Special Offer from the Guest:

Defining Your Parenting Values Guide. 

A self-paced guide that can help you uncover the values that actually matter to you—so you can parent with more confidence, clarity, and connection. 

Normally €19 50% off for the audience of Imperfect Adulting.

Use code IMPERFECT at checkout: https://payhip.com/b/pUubj 

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