It started with one honest conversation.
When Hillary McBride published Holy Hurt, many readers wrote to say the book finally gave language to their pain.
She invited friend and author Joshua Harris (an admittedly surprising conversation partner) to join her for a live discussion. He had been open about the role his past work played in causing spiritual harm. The evening overflowed with laughter, tears, and a shared sense of relief: we’re not alone.
The response was immediate—emails, DMs, and phone calls from cities across North America asking, Can you bring this here? So we are.
These gatherings remain not-for-profit: ticket proceeds first support Fresh Bread Health (a nonprofit expanding access to trauma-informed therapy) and, whenever possible, a local mental-health organization in each host city.
Our goal is simple: create safe rooms where people can name their spiritual wounds, listen deeply to one another, and take the next small step toward wholeness…together.
FAQs
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Brief welcome
Hillary: research-based talk on spiritual trauma
Josh: personal story of harm, reckoning, and repair
Joint conversation between Hillary and Josh
Audience Q&A and closing reflection
Expect honesty, empathy, and space to process—no hype, no hard sell.
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Absolutely. The goal isn’t to attack faith or defend it. It’s to name harm, explore healing, and imagine healthier communities together. Whatever your spiritual background (or none at all), you’re welcome in the room.
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All events are not-for-profit. After covering venue and travel costs, every dollar goes to Fresh Bread Health and, when possible, a local organization expanding access to trauma-informed mental-health care in the host city. Neither Hillary nor Josh takes an honorarium.
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Yes. If money is a barrier to your ability to attend, please email freshbreadhealth@gmail.com for scholarship options. We'd love to help.
Contact us.
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We’re a small team with limited capacity. Please direct questions to the local host or email accounting@therefinery.house
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To request an interview or press materials for Dr. Hillary L. McBride, please complete the form at: hillarylmcbride.com/media-requests
To reach Joshua Harris, email hello@clearandloud.com -
Interested in bringing Holy Hurt to your city—or helping a local team? We have limited capacity for new locations, but we’d love to know you’re out there. Fill out our short interest form, whether you’d like to host or simply lend a hand:
https://forms.lessannoyingcrm.com/view/4038460839925627227131496557230