In this episode of Inside Personal Growth, host Greg Voisen welcomes back author, psychologist, and speaker Dustin Dunbar to discuss his bold new novel, Her Holiness: A Novel. Known for his previous book You’re Doing Great and Other Lies Alcohol Told Me, Dustin returns with a story that goes beyond personal transformation—it imagines a future where spiritual leadership embraces equality and balance.
➥ Book: Her Holiness: A Novel
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A Novel Born from Feminine Inspiration
Dustin grew up in the Midwest with strong spiritual women who deeply shaped his outlook—especially his grandmother, who taught Sunday school for 63 years, and his mother, a grounded and compassionate guide. These women became the seeds of inspiration for his central character, Kate Murphy, the protagonist of Her Holiness.
Kate is both mystical and deeply human, embodying love, compassion, and determination. Through her, Dustin addresses one of the most controversial questions in organized religion: why women are still excluded from leadership roles in the Catholic Church.
A Challenge to Tradition
Dustin’s novel dives into the historical imbalance of patriarchy and asks: Why can’t women lead spiritually? He argues that genitalia has nothing to do with spirituality, urging readers to move beyond outdated gender roles.
He recalls being in Italy when the idea first struck him—seeing headlines about Catholic leaders calling the church “200 years out of date.” That lightning-bolt moment sparked a 13-year journey that culminated in Her Holiness.
The story doesn’t just imagine a female pope—it explores the rise of the divine feminine energy and what it means for a more balanced, compassionate, and spiritually equal future.
Spiritual Lessons Within the Story
Through Her Holiness, Dustin blends storytelling with deeper reflections on human consciousness. Drawing on his background in psychology and his own spiritual practice of meditation, he emphasizes that what some call “supernatural” is simply untapped human potential.
The novel also tackles difficult subjects:
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The repression of sexual energy within the priesthood
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Institutional betrayal in religion
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The tension between tradition and progress
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The healing power of balancing masculine and feminine energy
Dustin reminds us that love—not dogma—is the heart of all true spiritual traditions.
A Call for Balance
Drawing on Carl Jung’s concept of anima (the feminine energy within men) and animus (the masculine energy within women), Dustin encourages readers to reflect: Am I balanced? Too much masculine energy leads to aggression, greed, and expansionism. Too much feminine energy without expression can lead to passivity. True wholeness requires harmony.
This balance, Dustin argues, is not just personal—it is what our world needs most. Wars, divisions, and systemic inequality are symptoms of an imbalance. The rise of the divine feminine offers a path toward healing, compassion, and unity.
Why This Book Matters Now
From Vatican politics to international settings stretching from Brazil to Cambodia, Her Holiness is more than a story—it’s a vision for humanity’s future. Dustin believes that raising women spiritually will be the most powerful transformation we can make for our planet.
As he shares: “It’s not solar energy or natural resources we’re missing—it’s the divine feminine energy we’ve been afraid to embrace. If we do, our world will heal.”
Learn More & Connect with Dustin Dunbar
Book: Her Holiness: A Novel
Website: dustin-dunbar.com
Instagram: @dustindunbarafg
Facebook: Dustin Dunbar AFG
Whether you are drawn to spirituality, curious about gender equality in religion, or simply love powerful storytelling, Her Holiness invites you to reimagine what’s possible.
You may also refer to the transcripts below for the full transcription (not edited) of the interview.
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