Unfolding Faith and How Deconversion Redefines Identity and Relationships

Unfolding Faith and How Deconversion Redefines Identity and Relationships

From Braaains by Braaains Podcast

November 25, 2025 · 49 min · Season 4 · Episode 78

About this episode

Elyse Bouvier discusses her short documentary 'Unfolding Faith' and the impact of deconversion on identity and relationships.

Elyse Bouvier is a filmmaker, photographer, and writer who recently wrote and directed the short documentary, Unfolding Faith, for the National Film Board of Canada. In this nuanced and timely short film, Elyse explores how her decision to give up her faith redefined both her identity and her relationships with her parents. We spoke to Elyse about her deconversion from Evangelical Christianity and what it was like to have raw yet empathetic conversations about faith while making her documentary with her devout mother and her father, a former pastor turned atheist. We also discussed shows like Unorthodox and films about transformation, like Barbie and Wild, and how Elyse would love to see TV and film tackle the nuanced, grey areas of the deconversion process and what it is like to live in mixed-faith families. CW: religion and religious themes DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Transcript_EP078_Unfolding-Faith.pdf Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com Follow: @BraaainsPodcast Music: @_Deppisch_ Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

People in this episode

Guest: Elyse Bouvier

Topics covered

  • deconversion
  • identity
  • relationships
  • faith
  • mixed-faith families
  • documentary

Keywords

  • deconversion
  • faith
  • identity
  • documentary
  • mixed-faith families
  • Elyse Bouvier
  • religion

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Film Board of Canada

Books & works: Unfolding Faith, Unorthodox, Barbie, Wild

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