Mel Williams

About Mel Williams

Melissa Williams is the creator of Lostat50Something, where she shares her journey of leaving a decades-long marriage, deconstructing from Catholicism, and experiencing a profound late-in-life spiritual awakening.

Her story includes a powerful “message” from her late father that helped her heal deep trauma and inspired her to create the practice she calls Backwards Confession. Instead of seeking absolution, Melissa names the harms caused by institutional religion, offers forgiveness on her own terms, and reclaims her agency.

Melissa speaks openly about religious trauma recovery, grief integration, spiritual awakening, and midlife reinvention. Her story resonates with anyone navigating faith transitions, family complexity, or starting over later in life.

She is to be featured on podcasts including Divorcing Religion (Janice Selbie) and is building a growing audience through her own podcast and YouTube channel.

Audience Takeaways

Forgiveness is most healing when chosen, not demanded

How rituals can be reimagined for modern spiritual growth

Navigating spiritual experiences with both openness and skepticism

The hope and possibility of reinventing life after 50

Sample Questions for Hosts

What is a “Backwards Confession,” and how did it help you reclaim your agency?

How did your late father’s “message” play a role in your spiritual awakening?

What are the most common wounds you see from institutional religion, and how can people begin to heal them?

How do you balance healthy skepticism with openness to mystical or spiritual experiences?

What advice would you give to someone reinventing their life after 50?