Shows
Soul BruisesEpisode 18 - Breaking Out Of The Cage: Rebellion, Misplaced Loyalty and Authentic Faith - Part 1 of 3 (Featuring Pastor/Chaplain Kristy Hodson)Send us a text"Be Human, Be Kind, Be Both."2025-07-301h 20Soul BruisesEpisode 17- Soul Cuffs: How Churches Turn Devotion Into Chains (Distorted Loyalty)Send us a textWhat happens when your loyalty to God becomes twisted into a weapon against your own soul? In this deeply insightful exploration of distorted loyalty, we unravel how spiritual abuse manipulates our noblest virtues into chains of obligation and fear.Distorted loyalty isn't just about misplacing your allegiance—it's about how that loyalty functions internally, creating an agonizing inner turmoil that makes you stay in harmful religious environments despite recognizing the damage being done. This episode carefully distinguishes between healthy devotion and the twisted version that leaves you feeling trapped, silenced, and sp...2025-07-0135 minSoul BruisesEpisode 16 - Misplaced Loyalty: Are We Loyal to Christ, or Our Tribe?Send us a textMisplaced loyalty in religious settings occurs when commitment to institutions trumps truth, justice, and human dignity. This harmful dynamic enables spiritual abuse by silencing those who recognize problems, creating environments where manipulation and control thrive under the guise of faithfulness.• Institutional cover-ups of abuse scandals (Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention) prioritize reputation over justice• Theological isolation creates echo chambers where learning from other traditions is discouraged• Gender-based restrictions in ministry show loyalty to tradition over recognizing spiritual gifts• Discouraging questions treats curiosity as rebellion and suppresses critical thinking• Re...2025-06-0138 minSoul BruisesEpisode 15 - Your Mind Is Not Their Property: How High Controlled Groups Manipulate Thought - Spiritual Abuse Tactics & Behaviors 5 of 12 (Part 2)Send us a textShow Note Links:Allender Center: https://theallendercenter.org/Allender Center Podcast: https://theallendercenter.org/category/podcast/Restore Conference: https://julieroys.com/restore/"The Roys Report" Podcast: https://julieroys.com/podcast/Steven Hassan's Influence Continuum: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/influence-continuum/Steven Hassans BITE Model of Authoritarian Control: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model-pdf-download/Dr. Janja Lalich website & resources: https://www.lalichcenter.org/Description of the Episode:...2025-04-181h 09Soul BruisesEpisode 14 - Understanding Cults & Bounded Choice: A Conversation with Dr. Janja LalichSend us a text"Be Human, Be Kind, Be Both."2025-03-211h 12Soul BruisesEpisode 13 - Breaking the Chains of Indoctrination & Thought Suppression - Spiritual Abuse Tactic & Behavior 5 of 12 (Part 1) - Indoctrination & Thought SuppressionSend us a textThis episode explores:* The troubling dynamics of indoctrination, thought suppression, and mind control within spiritual communities. * We emphasize the importance of nurturing critical thinking and personal autonomy to foster genuine spiritual growth.* Analysis of emotional and logical aspects of faith* The role of indoctrination in suppressing individual thought * Discussion on moral vs. spiritual education and their impacts * Examination of thought suppression tactics in faith settings * Insights on reactance theory and spiritual bypassing * Reflections on maintaining critical thinking in spiritualityThis is a link...2025-01-0641 minSoul BruisesEpisode 12 - DARVO - The Manipulative Tactics Abusers Use To Avoid ResponsibilitySend us a textWade Mullen's RESTORE 2022 conference talk that mentions DARVOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-w6rPMy5M&t=1933s Rachel Denhollander's trial transcript & verbal testimonyTranscript: https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/us/rachael-denhollander-full-statement/index.htmlTestimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CjVOLToRJkSpiritual abuse is an insidious force that can silence even the most courageous voices. Explore this hidden realm with me, Christie Hodson, as we...2024-11-0143 minSoul BruisesEpisode 11 - Untangling the Web of Spiritual Authority - Spiritual Abuse Tactic & Behavior 4 of 12 - Authority, Spiritual Authority & Distorted LoyaltySend us a textSpiritual abuse can shatter faith and trust in devastating ways. Imagine an environment where authority becomes a tool for manipulation rather than guidance. In this episode of Soul Bruises, we tackle the harrowing reality of spiritual abuse within religious settings, dissecting how authority and distorted loyalty can morph into instruments of harm. Learn how to differentiate between genuine spiritual authority and the misuse of power that leads to exploitation and suffering, and understand why speaking up is crucial for mental and spiritual well-being.Journey with us as we examine historical and...2024-09-301h 17Soul BruisesEpisode 10 - BONUS EPISODE - Can We Skip to the Good Part?Send us a textWhat if the pain you thought was just "church hurt" was actually something much more severe? Today on the Soul Bruises podcast, we return from our hiatus to confront the unsettling reality of spiritual abuse head-on. We explore why it's critical to listen to the voices of those who've endured this trauma, how the term "abuse" carries a weight that "church hurt" does not, and why skipping to the positives without addressing the harm is not an option. Victims deserve our attention, our belief, and our action. We delve into the importance of...2024-07-0440 minSoul BruisesEpisode 9 - Dismantling the Illusion of Sacred Coercion - Spiritual Abuse Tactic & Behavior 3 of 12 - ControlSend us a textEver felt the discomfort of a conversation that doesn't seem right in a spiritual setting? I, Christie, pull back the curtain on the darker side of faith communities, spotlighting the fine line between spiritual guidance and coercive control. With an eye on those who twist faith for their own benefit, Soul Bruises attempts to peel back the layers to reveal behaviors and tactics that harm and control, rather than heal and guide.With insights from author Amanda Montell, we delve into the power of language in high-control groups, showing how words c...2024-04-261h 02Soul BruisesEpisode 8 - What Is The Deadliest Toxin In A Church Soil? - Spiritual Abuse Tactic & Behaviors 2 of 12 - PowerSend us a textHave you ever considered the profound impact of power within your spiritual community? This episode pulls back the curtain on the often-invisible abuse of power, where control and authority can distort faith's nurturing environment. With the wisdom of Diane Langberg guiding us, we dissect the spiritual abuse triad – power, control, and authority – and investigate how these forces can either build or destroy. We draw parallels with historical figures like Lincoln, Pittacus and Fred Rogers, exploring the measure of character necessary to handle power justly and the crucial responsibility that comes with wielding it....2024-03-2250 min