Faith Through Trauma and Transition

When in the presence of a courageous, resilient and trusting souls, such as Matthew Francis, one knows that there is great wisdom being shared. I was blessed to sit down with Matthew to discuss his incredible journey from significant childhood trauma, struggles with mental health, recovery from cancer, grappling with his faith in God, and with transitioning from female to male.

In this interview, Matthew dives in deep to why the mental health system is broken, sharing his personal experience and offering potentially transformational solutions. He talks about his experience being transgender, offering insight into how people can learn to understand, and relate better to, people in the trans community. He even touches upon the “othering” that happens with race and gender. He talks about why some people react out of fear to transgendered people. And Matthew shares a beautiful story about a supernatural experience he had with angels coming to him after he suffered a vicious beating as a young child. Lastly, Matthew talks about how his faith in God has fueled him, how he reconciled his fear of God to understanding that he, along with all humans, are beloved.

Matthew Francis is the author of My Resurrected Spirit and host of the talk show Diversity Dignified. He is also the Founder of “Freedom to Flourish,” which encapsulates the belief that all lives are of infinite value and that sharing your story is the catalyst of empathy and much needed dialogue. Matthew believes everyone deserves to thrive and that we must all work together to bring out the best in each other. He travels nationally delivering educational and motivational speeches using his own tragedy turned triumph to highlight resilience. Matthew is an alumnus of the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He has distinguished himself as an activist for twenty-five years on many diverse social issues. Matthew has spoken at Harvard, Maine Medical Center and University of Maine system.

Matthews’s publications and presentations include, speaking at the Social Work Grand Rounds at Maine Medical Center on “Gender Dignity, Unique and Equal.” He is slated to present on trauma, transition and mental health institutions for the Psychology Department at USM. Matthews’s most recent undertaking has been his book, My Resurrected Spirit, which chronicles Matthews’s journey through essay, short stories and is enjoying national success. Matthew’s references include; Dr. Aila Jesse McCutcheon, at The Center for Cognitive Therapy; Dr. Jane Pringle, retired Outpatient Clinic Director at Maine Medical Center; Dr. Herbert Renz-Polster, Pediatrician and Author in Germany; Linda Jacobson, CNS at Maine Medical Center’s McGeachey Hall.

His book, “My Resurrected Spirit,” is now available on Amazon.

You can learn more about Matthew at his website, www.hmatthewfrancis.com.

Thanks for listening. For more about me, Rachel Horton White, visit www.soulfulworkconsulting.com