Shows
The Divorcing Religion PodcastThe Sex & Power Podcast: Truth-telling that liberates with Mike Steve CollinsThe Sex & Power Podcast: Truth-telling that liberates with Mike Steve Collins: The Anti-Civil Rights MovementMike Collins is the author of The Anti-Civil Rights Movement: Affirmative Action as Wedge and Weapon (University Press of Kansas, 2024), Understanding Etheridge Knight, updated edition (University of South Carolina Press, 2023), and The Traveling Queen (poems, Sheep Meadow Press, 2013). His essays have appeared in Harper’s Magazine, The Oxford American, The Cambridge Companion to American Prison Writing and Mass Incarceration, Fight & Fiddle, Callaloo, PMLA, and elsewhere. His poems have appeared in New Letters, About Place, 32 Poems, The Rupture, JAMA, The American Journal of Po...
2026-01-281h 00
The Divorcing Religion PodcastS&P Podcast: Detra Denise - Ashes and Embers: How Detra Denise Turned Pain into Power PART 2Detra Denise - Ashes and Embers: How Detra Denise Turned Pain into Power PART 2In this episode, Detra shares what it was like to go from obscurity to fame after being featured in a 15-part series in the Humans of New York. She also opens up about being offered protection by the gents of the Harlem Cigar Room, and what kept her moving forward instead of giving up.DETRA’S LINKS:http://www.detrasstory.com/https://www.instagram.com/onewomannyc1?igsh=MWl2cDB2ZWptYmRlMA%3D%3D&utm_so...
2026-01-1457 min
The Divorcing Religion PodcastS&P Podcast: Detra Denise - Ashes and Embers: How Detra Denise Turned Pain into Power PART 1Detra Denise - Ashes and Embers: How Detra Denise Turned Pain into Power PART 1 Content Warning: CSA, suicidality, familial estrangementMy guest today is Detra Denise, a former pastor's wife who dared to change her life in unimaginable ways. After leaving her toxic marriage, Detra moved to New York City to start over. Thanks to both her love of connecting with people and her musical and storytelling skills, Detra built an exciting and meaningful new life for herself—and was featured in Brandon Stanton's "Humans of New York" along the way! From...
2026-01-071h 06
The Divorcing Religion PodcastS&P Podcast: Kiki Negress - The Uppity NegressThis week on the Sex & Power Podcast, I'll be speaking with Kiki Negress, The Uppity Negress.Kiki Bryant is known across platforms as the Uppity Negress: a brilliant, incisive voice on race, feminism, religion, and culture. She is also an entrepreneur and creator. In this episode, Kiki shares about the painful childhood that helped shape her bold, intersectional style of truth-telling. Join us to learn what she wishes white feminists would understand about allyship and power dynamics, and a whole lot more.FOLLOW KIKIhttps://uppitynegress.com/https://www...
2025-12-261h 29
The Divorcing Religion PodcastJennie Gage - Life, Take Two!Jennie Gage - Life, Take Two!Divorced: MormonismTW: Suicide attemptJennie Gage is a writer, creator, and former Christian nationalist and Mormon trad wifey turned outspoken advocate for justice, compassion, and community. Through her YouTube channel and “Life, Take Two” podcast, she blends personal story with sharp cultural critique, exposing harmful systems while lifting up the people they fail. Jennie’s work is raw, honest, and deeply human — a voice for anyone rebuilding their life, reclaiming their power, and choosing to care in a world that teaches us not to...
2025-12-171h 12
The Divorcing Religion PodcastMelody Post - House of Yahweh CultMelody Post - House of Yahweh CultDivorced: ChristianityCW: Mention of suicide and traffickingMelody Post was a member of the House of Yahweh Cult from 1989 to 1994. At age 18, she was married to the cult leader's son and gave birth to a child within the group, assisted only by midwives, having not seen a doctor throughout her pregnancy. She left in 1994 when the leader, her father-in-law, introduced polygamy into the teachings after being caught cheating on his wife. In this episode, Melody shares candidly about how her family got sucked into the House...
2025-11-261h 05The Divorcing Religion PodcastElyse Bouvier - Unfolding Faith FilmElyse Bouvier - Unfolding Faith FilmDivorced: ChristianityToday, Canadian filmmaker Elyse Bouvier joins me to talk about her journey out of Christianity, and how it became the topic of her film Unfolding Faith, which will be released online for free streaming by The NFB – National Film Board – in Canada this month. Here’s a short synopsis of Elyse’s film, which will resonate with many of you: Calgary photographer and filmmaker Elyse Bouvier reflects on how giving up her faith reshaped her identity and her relationship with her parents. In raw yet empathic...
2025-11-1256 min
The Divorcing Religion PodcastDr. Pavna K. Sodhi (Part2) - Navigating Internalized Racism in 3rd-Generation Punjabi-Sikh ImmigrantsDr. Pavna K. Sodhi (Part2) - Navigating Internalized Racism in 3rd-Generation Punjabi-Sikh ImmigrantsWelcome to Part 2 of my interview with Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi. Dr. Sodhi joins me again to share her knowledge about Punjabi-Sikh teachings, values, practices, and experiences. Today, we discuss internalized racism and how it can force 3rd-generation Punjabi-Sikh Immigrants to divorce religion. Dr. Sodhi shares her personal experiences as a 2nd-generation Punjabi-Sikh Immigrant and the challenges and opportunities of raising her children in Canada. ABOUT Dr. SODHI:Pavna K. Sodhi (she/her), EdD, is a registered psychotherapist, author, speaker, an...
2025-11-0557 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDr. Sarah Farrell - Shattering Into a WholeDr. Sarah Farrell - Shattering Into a WholeDivorced: Christian Fundamentalism Sarah M. Farrell, PhD, MSW, LICSW is a researcher, academic, and clinical social worker (who sometimes fancies herself a stand-up comedian). She has over a decade of clinical practice experience with diverse clientele. Having grown up in a deeply insular religious group practicing evangelical fundamentalism, she focuses both on seeking empirical knowledge and shedding light on stories that have been held back for too long. Systemic injustice within the church is perpetuated by lack of resources and lack of access to knowledge with which t...
2025-10-2258 min
The Divorcing Religion PodcastLacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 2Lacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 2Divorced: ChristianityCW: Frank discussion about sexLacey Bond (IntimacyLacey) is a Certified Sex, Relationship, and Intimacy Coach and sex/kink educator based in Los Angeles. She's dedicated to helping people heal from Purity Culture, growing healthy relationships with other people and developing awesome, shame-free sexuality. Today, Lacey educates us about sexuality spectrums, consent and coercion, and kinksploration for the purity survivor. FIND LACEY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intimacylaceyT...
2025-10-081h 03
The Divorcing Religion PodcastTimmy Joe Gibson - Former Tongue Talkin, Holy Rollin, Bible ThumperTimmy Joe Gibson - Former Tongue Talkin, Holy Rollin, Bible ThumperDivorced: ChristianityTimmy Gibson, is a former fundamental evangelical Bible thumping tongue-talking Holy Ghost Rollin Pastor. After graduating Bible College, Timmy spent 30 years teaching and preaching the Bible, with his main message being that the only way to escape the eternal flames of Hell was to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Ironically, this “pursuit of truth” led him away from Christianity, which he now views as just a mythical man-made story. FIND TIMMY GIBSON on YouTube...
2025-10-0158 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastLacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 1Lacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 1Divorced: ChristianityCW: Frank discussion about sexLacey Bond (IntimacyLacey) is a Certified Sex, Relationship, and Intimacy Coach and sex/kink educator based in Los Angeles. She's dedicated to helping people heal from Purity Culture, growing healthy relationships with other people and developing awesome, shame-free sexuality. Lacey lived the quintessential Purity Culture Experience (raised in the Evangelical church and youth group, Bible study, and Christian school, graduated from Biola University, featured in the 2015 documentary Give Me Sex Jesus), and s...
2025-09-2455 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDavid Hayward - The Naked Pastor, RevealedDavid Hayward - The Naked Pastor, RevealedDivorced: ChristianityMy guest today is known by many of you for his powerful cartoons and paintings related to deconstruction from Christianity. I’m speaking with my fellow Canadian, David Hayward, who is an ex-pastor turned full-time artist. David is also known as The Naked Pastor. He's been blogging about spirituality, deconstruction, and religious freedom since 2006. He is also the author of several books, including Til Doubt Do Us Part and Flip It Like This.David participated on the Ex-Clergy Panel at CORT2021, the inaugural Conference on...
2025-09-1751 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastPamela Jones - Escaping a Deadly Polygamous CultPamela Jones - Escaping a Deadly Polygamous CultDIVORCED: FLDS Cults TW: Brief mention of CSA and child abuse in this episodeIn 1965, PAMELA JONES was born in Los Molinos, Mexico, into a polygamous Mormon cult known as The Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of Time. As the eldest daughter of 13 children, she left school at age 11 to care for her younger siblings in a remote desert compound without electricity or running water. Married at 15, Pamela found herself trapped at Zion’s Camp, an even more oppressive cult offshoot, with...
2025-09-101h 16The Divorcing Religion PodcastTara Jean Stevens - Heaven BentTara Jean Stevens - Heaven BentDivorced: PentecostalismCW: Sexuality discussedToday I’m speaking with fellow Canadian Tara Jean (TJ) Stevens, the host and creator of Heaven Bent, a podcast docuseries with a special focus on Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. In addition to her successful podcast, TJ has also been a morning show favourite on Vancouver radio & TV for 25 years. Listen to "Tara Jean in the Morning" on Wave 98.3 - Vancouver's Coolest Vibe.In this episode, TJ shares candidly how the “Toronto Blessing” and other charismatic Christian experiences impacted her life. ...
2025-09-031h 00The Divorcing Religion PodcastKarrah Youngblood - Exposing A Predator: WildfireKarrah Youngblood - Exposing A Predator: WildfireTW: Violence and sexual assaultKarrah Youngblood is a professional artist, single mom, and unexpected memoirist from Oklahoma. She never planned to be an activist, but standing up to the man who hurt her — and so many others — turned into a fight she couldn’t walk away from.Karrah is now telling her story: The story of what happens when one woman refuses to stay silent, despite every reason to. Wildfire, A Memoir, is about how Karrah Youngblood stood up to one of the most documented predat...
2025-08-2752 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastPamela Nickel Williams - Scientology: When Lies Are TruePamela Nickel Williams - Scientology: When Lies Are TrueDIVORCED: ScientologyTW: Incest Pamela Nickel Williams was born into Scientology. Her parents were early Scientologists who worked closely with L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology’s founder, at the first Church of Scientology in the late 1950s. Pamela and her parents were practicing members of the church until the late 1970s. After years of burying her childhood memories, Pamela began writing and documenting her experiences, seeking to acknowledge the abuse she suffered, and to try and understand the dysfunction that existed within her fam...
2025-08-201h 11The Divorcing Religion PodcastAllie Monday - Erotic Photographer & Worshiper of WomenAllie Monday - Erotic Photographer & Worshiper of WomenDIVORCED: FundamentalismTW: Eating disorder mentioned briefly My guest today was one of our sponsors for Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture 2025. Allie Monday is an erotic photographer and the creator of Ladygroove, a body-led portrait experience rooted in healing, sensuality, and self-acceptance. Her work invites women to shed shame and come home to their erotic aliveness. With over a decade behind the lens & 500+ women photographed, she blends artful witnessing with deep playful presence to create images that feel like sacred artifacts.Today, A...
2025-07-2357 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastCynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats and Lizard People PART TWOCynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats and Lizard People PART TWODIVORCED: ChristianityTW: Antisemitism, violence, and satanism are all mentioned in this episode.Today, nuclear engineer and writer Cynane Shay joins me for Part 2 of our conversation, "Tinfoil Hats and Lizard People." Our discussion today is based on research Cynane has conducted over the past few years to gain an understanding of where and how QAnon beliefs and antisemitic conspiracy theories originated. This research has taken Cynane several hundred years into the past, so buckle up for our deep dive! FIND C...
2025-07-161h 07The Divorcing Religion PodcastCynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats & Lizard People PART ONECynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats & Lizard People PART ONEDIVORCED: ChristianityCynane Shay is a nuclear engineer living in South Carolina. Her childhood in White Christian Nationalism normalized conspiracy theories like Obama Birtherism and the Biblical apocalypse; but 2020, with COVID and Qanon, finally made her realize something was deeply wrong.Now Cynane is writing a book, “Taking Off the Tinfoil Hat: How Lizard People and Space Lasers Dismantled my Christian Worldview,” to process the deconstruction of her fundamentalist evangelical faith and her propagandistic patriotism. Losing loved ones to the pandemic was a tragedy, but lo...
2025-07-091h 02The Divorcing Religion PodcastAlyona Smoky - A Beautiful LiberationAlyona Smoky - A Beautiful LiberationCW: War in UkraineAlyona Smoky was born and raised in Ukraine, where her mother joined a high-control, conservative evangelical church when Alyona was young. As a result of family stressors, Alyona shouldered much of the emotional burden in her family as a child, and she grew up very quickly in a chaotic and emotionally intense environment.When she was 16, Alyona moved to the U.S. with her family due to political unrest in Ukraine. She found coming to the U.S. disorienting, having left...
2025-07-021h 03The Divorcing Religion PodcastMichelle Moffitt - From Abuse to FreedomMichelle Moffitt - From Abuse to FreedomCW: Sexual AssaultMichelle Moffitt Rogers is a licensed therapist, Enneagram expert, and author. In this episode, Michelle shares her story and explores the psychological impact of spiritual abuse, the complexities of leaving both faith and a toxic marriage to a pastor, and what healing looks like on the other side. You won't want to miss her raw, honest exposé about the dangers of being a pastor's wife when the pastor isn't safe.Her book is called Cracked Open: A Journey to a...
2025-06-2552 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastSteve Ghikadis - Humanism from the HeartSteve Ghikadis - Humanism from the HeartSteve Ghikadis is a Humanist Officiant who conducts secular marriages, memorials, and many more meaningful life-affirming celebrations. Raised as a freethinker, Steve has been married to a Christian for over a decade. He and his wife, Cindy, believe in the importance of bridging the gap between believers and non-believers. Their two young children are being raised in an interfaith household and are free to choose their own path. Steve's family dynamic inspired him to write Humanism from the Heart: Building Bridges Beyond Belief, a book that emphasizes the i...
2025-06-1853 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastForest Benedict, LMFT - Porn Is Not the ProblemForest Benedict, LMFT - Porn Is Not the ProblemDivorced: Evangelical ChristianityCW: Frank discussion of porn, sex, and self-pleasureForest Benedict is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Washington states who specializes in religious trauma and sexual shame. Forest began his career as a Christian who was passionate about helping others recover from sex and porn addiction—believing at the time that he was in recovery himself. He became a leading voice in the “anti-pornography movement,” and served as the Clinical Director of a sex addiction treatment program and trai...
2025-06-1156 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastPavna K. Sodhi, EdD - Exploring the Intersections of Punjabi-Sikh Cultural/Religious Identity - Part 1Pavna K. Sodhi, EdD - Exploring the Intersections of Punjabi-Sikh Cultural/Religious Identity - Part 1As a humanist and mental health clinician, I'm interested in learning about other cultures and belief systems. To that end, Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi graciously agreed to join me on the Divorcing Religion Podcast to share her knowledge about Punjabi-Sikh teachings, values, practices, and experiences. This episode is Part One of our conversation.ABOUT Dr. SODHI:Pavna K. Sodhi (she/her), EdD, is a registered psychotherapist, author, speaker, and adjunct professor residing in Ontario, Canada. With...
2025-06-0458 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastUnquestionable Calvin - From Religion to Conspiracies to RealityUnquestionable Calvin - From Religion to Conspiracies to RealityDIVORCED: Christianity and ConspiraciesMy guest today is Calvin Smith, whom you may recognize from his YouTube channel Unquestionable Calvin. Calvin was exposed to both Christianity and supernatural ideas from an early age. Eventually he rejected Christianity but firmly believed multiple conspiracy theories, even attempting to build a career around them. In this episode, Calvin shares his journey from Religion to Conspiracies to Reality. FIND CALVIN:TikTok.com/UnquestionableCalvinInstagram.com/UnquestionableCalvinYouTube.com/UnquestionableCalLinktr.e...
2025-05-2854 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastKristin Cherry Jackson, LMFTA - Sex & IntimacyKristin Cherry Jackson, LMFTA - Sex & IntimacyDivorced: Purity CultureCW: Frank discussion about sexKristin Cherry Jackson is a licensed psychotherapist (LMFTA) focusing on sex, relationship, and trauma therapy in Washington state. A purity culture refugee herself, Kristin is painfully familiar with the many ways that growing up with restrictive messages around sex, gender, and sexual orientation can leave lasting impacts. Kristin specializes in helping survivors of sexual and religious trauma to heal, clarify their values around relationships, and own their desire and pleasure. She is s...
2025-05-211h 09The Divorcing Religion PodcastTessi Muskrat, M.A. - Free To Explore: Sexuality After Purity CultureTessi Muskrat, M.A. - Free To Explore: Sexuality After Purity CultureDivorced: Evangelical Purity Culture A native woman of Cherokee and Irish descent, Tessi Ynada Muskrat holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a doctoral student researcher at the University of Missouri. Co-founder of the international Purity Culture Research Collective (PCRC), Tessi’s research centers the voices of those who have experienced sexual and gender-based trauma in religious contexts. Additionally, Tessi works as a post-traumatic growth coach, companioning those who have experienced religious or purity culture trauma on their...
2025-05-1955 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastPatti & Nancy, Apostate Sisters - Life After a Doomsday CultPatti & Nancy, Apostate Sisters - Life After a Doomsday CultDIVORCED: Worldwide Church of God CW: Mature themes Today I’m excited to interview Patti and Nancy, who recently interviewed me on their popular APOSTATE SISTERS YouTube channel! Patti and Nancy are sisters deconstructing their upbringing in the Worldwide Church of God Christian doomsday cult. The sisters note that the cult stifled their critical thinking and warped their sense of autonomy. They decided to start their YT channel to unpack the impacts of high-control religion, from bodily autonomy to mental health, and...
2025-05-141h 30The Divorcing Religion PodcastQuantas Ginn, MBA, MS, LMFT-S, CST - Sex Therapy for Purity Culture SurvivorsQuantas Ginn, MBA, MS, LMFT-S, CST (he/him) - Sex Therapy for Purity Culture Survivors My guest today is Quantas Ginn. Quantas is a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) professor teaching courses on Human Sexuality and MFT theories. His research interests include interracial relationships, perinatal parenting, and the intersection of religion and sexuality. Quantas also operates a private practice as a marriage, couples, and family therapist, and also as a Certified sex therapist. He works with individuals and couples on a variety of issues, including communication, conflict management, and sexual intimacy. I’m delighte...
2025-05-0753 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDr. Kayden Vargas - From Conservative Christian to Nonbinary PsychologistDr. Kayden Vargas (they/he) - From Conservative Christian to Nonbinary PsychologistTW: Brief references to CSA Dr. Kayden Vargas (they/he) is a trans nonbinary poet, parent, and psychologist located in the traditional homelands of the Yakama Nation. Their poetry revolves around themes of small-town living, bicultural/bilingual/biracial life, trauma healing, and trans identity. Their clinical specialties include gender affirming healthcare, eating disorders, religious trauma, and queer psychosocial development. Kayden also works as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Heritage University, a small not-for-profit university that is both a Hispanic-Serving-Institution and Na...
2025-04-3059 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastGlenda Jordan - Powerful PolyamoryGlenda Jordan - Powerful PolyamoryDIVORCED: Southern Baptist ChristianityMy guest today is a model, artist, and entertainer - and she will be speaking at the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture event in Seattle this May! Glenda Jordan lives in Las Vegas these days but grew up on a farm south of Nashville, Tennessee - where she was indoctrinated into the Southern Baptist faith from birth. After deconstructing religion in college, Glenda became involved in activism for various causes. Joining the third-wave intersectional feminist movement, Glenda believes that liberation from the patriarchy a...
2025-04-231h 13The Divorcing Religion PodcastJeremy de Tolly - Liberate Your VoiceJeremy de Tolly - Liberate Your VoiceMy guest today is rock and roll musician, and heart-centered communication coach, Jeremy de Tolly. Jeremy works with those who have deeply shut-down voices, whose voices often became blocked starting in their childhoods. He understands the significance that parenting, school, and culture can have on our voices, and that, to return a voice to health, we need to address the expression aspects of these issues specifically. This led Jeremy to develop the Radiant Voices material and methodologies that he teaches now, both as a private vocal transformation coach an...
2025-04-1656 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastLauren Elise Rogers - Sex Ed for You!Lauren Elise Rogers - Sex Ed for You!DIVORCED: Fundamentalist ChristianityCW: Frank discussions of s3xLauren Elise Rogers is a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and Embodied Intimacy & Relationship Coach. She is the founder of Sex Ed for You, where she provides clear, compassionate, and comprehensive guidance on intimacy, relationships, and sexual health. After being raised in a high-control religion and getting married at 21, Lauren fought her way out to become the person she needed most. Her desire to understand her relational missteps – like her decade-long marriage to her daughter's gay...
2025-04-0955 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDr. Josie McSkimming - Gutsy GirlsDr. Josie McSkimming - Gutsy GirlsDIVORCED: ChristianityToday’s guest is Dr. Josie McSkimming, who joins us from Australia. She has previously been a guest on the Divorcing Religion Podcast and was also a speaker at CORT2023. Dr. McSkimming is a clinical social worker with more than 35 years experience – and personal experience with religious trauma. When I learned that she’d published a book about her life, I wanted to read it right away. Her book is called GUTSY GIRLS: Love, Poetry, and Sisterhood.Josie grew up in the shadow of her...
2025-04-021h 00The Divorcing Religion PodcastHip-Hop Artist, Seven J - Betrayed by ChristianityHip-Hop Artist Seven J - Betrayed by ChristianityDIVORCED: ChristianityTW: Discussion of suicidal ideationRaised in the heart of Jacksonville, FL, amidst the grit and hustle of the city's most notorious zip code, Seven J emerged as a powerhouse in the world of hip-hop. His music is a testament to his roots, blending raw, lyrical prowess with harmonious melodies that captivate listeners and transport them to another world. With a resume that boasts performances in iconic venues from Los Angeles to New York, Seven J has left his m...
2025-03-261h 08The Divorcing Religion PodcastEmily Hedrick - Resiliency in Tough TimesEmily Hedrick - Resiliency in Tough TimesDIVORCED: Mennonite EvangelicalismEmily Hedrick is a resilience coach specializing in religious trauma and compassion fatigue. A former Mennonite pastor, she holds an M.Div., is an ICF-accredited coach, and is a certified Forward-Facing (R) coach. In addition to being a former guest on the Divorcing Religion Podcast, Emily was a powerful speaker at CORT2022. How to Treat Your Body Like a Sacred Text is Emily's most recent book. Her expertise in trauma recovery, body-based practices, and navigating the impact of toxic religion equips her to e...
2025-03-1954 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastAnn Russo, LCSW - Sexuality & Religious TraumaAnn Russo, LCSW - Sexuality & Religious TraumaDIVORCED: Fundamentalist ChristianityMy guest today is Licensed Clinical Social Worker ANN RUSSO.As the founder and director of AMR Therapy, Ann is a mental health advocate, educator, and thought leader specializing in addressing complex and often stigmatized topics such as religious trauma, sexual empowerment, ethical non-monogamy, queer identity, and inclusivity in mental health.Ann knows that understanding the impact of religious trauma on identity, relationships, and mental health is essential to healing religious trauma. To that end, she has developed what s...
2025-03-1256 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastJanice Formichella - EstrangedJanice Formichella - EstrangedDIVORCED: MormonismTW: References to abuse Janice Formichella is a breakup coach and the host of the podcasts Sex and the Solo Girl and Breakups, Broken Hearts, and Moving On. She is passionate about helping people from all backgrounds to beat their breakup, overcome loneliness, and make the end of a relationship the start of a powerful new beginning. Janice is also a survivor of domestic violence, an ex-Mormon, and an advocate for those choosing family distancing or estrangement. FIND...
2025-03-051h 07The Divorcing Religion PodcastBeth Granger - Leaving the Cult Was Only Half the BattleBeth Granger - Leaving the Cult Was Only Half the BattleDIVORCED: Anglican CultWarning: This episode may be triggering for those who experienced abuse in childhood and adolescence.Beth Granger was the first staff-child born at Grenville Christian College, an elite private boarding school in Canada that was actually a cult - from which she did not escape until her 30s.Despite her cult leaders’ predictions that she would end up on the streets if she left, Beth went on to earn her Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University, beco...
2025-02-261h 03The Divorcing Religion PodcastMarla Taviano - From Missionary to HereticMarla Taviano - From Missionary to HereticDIVORCED: Christian FundamentalismAuthor Marla Taviano knows what it's like to lose it all. In this poignant and humorous conversation, she shares about her missionary husband's infidelity while in the field, the loss of her marriage, and relinquishing some cherished beliefs. She also discusses the power of writing as a force for healing.FIND MARLA:IG: https://instagram.com/marlataviano Substack: https://marlataviano.substack.com Website: https://marlataviano.com Janice's Amazon Best-Seller Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now ava...
2025-02-1952 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastLuis Cornejo - Born this way!Luis Cornejo - Born this way!DIVORCED: Chrisitan FundamentalismMy guest today is Luis Cornejo: A Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist, and the founder of Queer Magic Entertainment LLC. He also hosts the Queer Magic Podcast.A proud first-generation Guatemalan and Mexican American, Luis is passionate about empowering the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities through his work in mental health, fashion, and self-expression. As a speaker, model, and advocate, he uses his platforms to challenge oppressive systems, celebrate diverse identities, and inspire others to embrace their authentic selves. To...
2025-02-1254 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastJamin Coller - Almost A CultJamin Coller - Almost A CultTW: Mentions of suicidalityMy guest today is Jamin Coller – and if you got Rapture Anxiety after watching the 1970s Christian cult movie A Thief in the Night, you’ve already met Jamin’s dad! After th e movie, his dad started a fundamentalist church. A seminary graduate, pastor’s kid, and true believer, Jamin spent his first 40 years as a Bible scholar, theologian, worship pastor, national children’s speaker, and Christian educator. But the inconsistencies were too much.In this episode, Jamin shares about growing up with his c...
2025-02-0559 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Annie Laurie Gaylor - Religion is Killing American WomenStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Annie Laurie Gaylor - Religion is Killing American WomenAnnie Laurie Gaylor is co-founder and co-president of FFRF – the Freedom from Religion Foundation. In addition to being a long-time women's rights activist, Annie Laurie is an accomplished author.Her book, Woe to the Women: The Bible Tells Me So, was first published by FFRF in 1981, and is in its 4th printing. In 1988, FFRF published her second book Betrayal of Trust: Clergy Abuse of Children, the first book documenting widespread sexual abuse by clergy. Her 1997 anthology, Women Without Supersti...
2025-01-2948 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastMalkie Schwartz - From Fundy to Freedom FighterMalkie Schwartz - From Fundy to Freedom FighterDivorced: Ultra-orthodox JudaismIn her early 20s, Malkie Schwartz chose to leave her ultra-orthodox Jewish community. Within 3 years, she founded Footsteps, the first organization in North America to help people who wish to leave the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and live in mainstream society. Footsteps gained notoriety in 2017, with the release of the Netflix documentary “One of Us.” To date, Footsteps has served over 1300 individuals. Malkie is also co-founder and board member of the Rights and Religions Forum. In 2023, the Rights and Religions Forum (RARF) launched the Borge...
2025-01-2246 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Carol Merchasin - Suing Predatory Spiritual LeadersStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Carol Merchasin - Suing Predatory Spiritual Leaders Carol Merchasin is an attorney who leads a practice group litigating sexual misconduct in religious, faith-based and spiritual communities at McAllister Olivarius. She is an experienced investigator who has conducted dozens of workplace investigations, including those involving sensitive allegations made against top level executives. Carol’s current work shines a light on the failures of many spiritual centers and retreats, and the abuse of power by cult leaders.In this episode, Carol and I discuss cults, litigating spiritual leaders, and the need...
2025-01-1556 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Mandisa Thomas - WTF, USA?!Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Mandisa Thomas - WTF, USA?! My guest today is activist and speaker Mandisa Thomas. Although never formally indoctrinated into belief, Mandisa was heavily exposed to Christianity, Black Nationalism, and Islam. In 2011, Mandisa founded Black Nonbelievers, Inc., as a non-profit, secular organization. Its goals include eliminating stigma, increasing visibility, and providing support and networking opportunities around non-belief in the African-American community. In addition to founding Black Nonbelievers, Mandisa is also the president. Today, Mandisa shares how Caucasians can support their BIPOC neighbors in light of the upcoming challenges and threa...
2025-01-0852 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastLonnie Mann - GaytheistLonnie Mann - GaytheistDivorced: Orthodox JudaismLonnie Mann grew up Orthodox Jewish in New York. It's a strict, difficult lifestyle for anyone; but Lonnie found additional challenges growing up as he realized he was gay, and struggled to reconcile his faith and sexuality. Ultimately, Lonnie managed to leave the community. Eventually, he wrote a graphic novel about his experiences, with his partner Ryan Gatts helping provide artwork. Lonnie’s book is called Gaytheist: Coming Out of My Orthodox Childhood. FIND LONNIE:https://www.lonniecomics.com/Janice's Best-selling book Divorcing Reli...
2025-01-0159 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Dr. Marlene Winell - Christianity Run AmokStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Dr. Marlene Winell - Christianity Run AmokDIVORCED: ChristianityDr. Marlene Winell is a licensed psychologist, educator, and writer. Her background includes 30 years of experience in human services, in both community and academic settings. She holds a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University and is the author of Leaving the Fold: A guide for former fundamentalists and others leaving their religion. Dr. Winell directs the organization Journey Free, which offers services for recovery from harmful religion. In 2011, she named "Religious Trauma Syndrome." Marlene i...
2024-12-2559 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Yasmine Mohammed - Fighting Religious TyrannyStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Yasmine Mohammed - Fighting Religious Tyranny DIVORCED: IslamCW: Violence and SA briefly mentionedI am honored today to speak today with human rights activist Yasmine Mohammed, who is founder and president of Free Hearts Free Minds, and the author of the book Unveiled: How the West Empowers Radical Muslims. From elevating the voices of marginalized freethinkers on her podcast, to creating a global network of allies across religious and political divides through co-founding and co-directing the CLARITy Coalition, Yasmine is one of the most prominent an...
2024-12-1553 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Alice GreczynStrong Women in Secular Spaces: Alice GreczynWELCOME to Strong Women in Secular Spaces, a special Divorcing Religion podcast series highlighting women's courage, creativity, resilience, and strength. Alice Greczyn is an actress, author, and activist. Raised in a fundamentalist Christian home, Alice's book Wayward: A Memoir of Spiritual Warfare and Sexual Purity resonates especially with those who are recovering from religious trauma and purity culture indoctrination. In reclaiming her own bodily autonomy, Alice has embraced modeling, pole dancing, and producing adult content for Playboy and OnlyFans, in addition to acting and writing.
2024-12-1154 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastAshlen Hilliard, MSc - Cult Intervention SpecialistAshlen Hilliard, MSc - Cult Intervention SpecialistDIVORCED: Church of ChristTW: Cults, trafficking, and one mention of SAAshlen Hilliard (she/her), MSc, is a Cult Intervention Specialist and the founder of People Leave Cults. She has been featured on NewsNation, HuffPost, BET+, and more. As a Cult Intervention Specialist, Ashlen collaborates with a team of experts to offer guidance and support to families with loved ones entangled in cult-like groups or relationships. In this episode, Ashlen discusses growing up in and leaving the Church of Christ, her work with individuals s...
2024-12-041h 00The Divorcing Religion PodcastJason Pollick - Confessions of a Former PriestJason Pollick - Confessions of a Former PriestDivorced: ChristianityJason was an atheist as a teenager, so he was as surprised as anyone when he had a spiritual experience that told him to become a priest. He tried to avoid this call, but eventually became an Anglican priest, a vocation he lived for 12 years. After being diagnosed with PTSD in 2019 because of his experiences in the church, he spent 2 years on disability for mental health reasons. During that time, he began to question his faith and discovered he could no longer support t...
2024-11-271h 00The Divorcing Religion PodcastDavid Fitzgerald - Jesus Isn’t RealDavid Fitzgerald - Jesus Isn’t RealDivorced: Southern Baptist ChristianityAuthor David Fitzgerald is an award-winning writer, historical researcher, and atheist activist who lectures internationally at universities and secular events, and is a frequent guest on many podcasts. David has been a passionate advocate for atheism, civil rights, counter-apologetics, and secular humanism his entire adult life. He is best known for his books Nailed, and The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion, including Jesus: Mything in Action. David’s latest book is PLAYING GOD: An Evolutionary History of World Religion, Volumes 1-3.In this epis...
2024-11-2059 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastEric Skwarczynski - Preacher Boys: Exposing the IFBEric Skwarczynski - Preacher Boys: Exposing the IFBDIVORCED: Independent Fundamental Baptist, ChristianityCW: Child abuseEric Skwarczynski is an ex-fundamentalist on a mission to shed light on the darker sides of high-control religious environments. As the host of the Preacher Boys podcast, he interviews survivors, experts, and authors on topics such as trauma recovery, mental health, power dynamics, fundamentalist thinking, and relationships.Today Eric shares about his experiences growing up in an IFB family and school, including why he left the IFB – and eventually divorced religion altogether. He also shares some of...
2024-11-1357 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastRichard A. Kiers - Christian Cult SurvivorRichard A. Kiers - Christian Cult SurvivorDivorced: Fundamentalist ChristianityCW: Brief mention of CSA and suicidalityMy guest today is author and cult survivor Richard A. Kiers. Richard was born in Canada to Dutch parents. When he was 10, Richard’s parents joined a Group called "The Move" and relocated their family to a commune in British Columbia in 1972. It turned out that The Move was a cult, led by Sam Fife, which at one time had over 40,000 members. Richard wrote a book about his cult experiences called Swindled by Faith: A Tim...
2024-11-0656 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastPhil Zuckerman - Exploring SecularismPhil Zuckerman - Exploring SecularismPhil Zuckerman is a sociology and secular studies professor at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. Phil founded the first Secular Studies department in the United States in 2011. Secular Studies is an interdisciplinary program focusing on manifestations of the secular in societies and cultures, past and present. Today Phil shares his own experiences with secularism. We also discuss differences between American, French, and Scandinavian concepts of secular and religious life, and what it means to be a moral person. FIND PHIL:https://philzuckerman.com/Earlybird tic...
2024-10-3056 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastMahrs Schoppman - The Colonization of our BodiesMahrs Schoppman - The Colonization of our BodiesDivorced: Evangelical ChristianityMahrs Schoppman is a queer & trans somatic psychotherapist with a private practice based out of his home office in the redwood trees of Occidental, California. Mahrs specializes in working with the queer community and with those who live with the embodied traumatic impacts of growing up in an oppressive religious environment. He is passionate about walking with people on their journeys of reclaiming embodied knowing, sensation, emotional range, and vitality as a means of recovering from the learned dissociation that comes with restrictive r...
2023-05-1753 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastJessica Barksdale - Family SecretsJessica Barksdale - Family SecretsCW: CSA, sexual coercionAuthor JESSICA BARKSDALE has written 16 books, including novels and poetry, with a short story collection coming out this year. She currently teaches a course for UCLA Extension on novel writing. The subject of Jessica’s most recent novel, What the Moon Did, resonates with stories I’ve heard from clients in my counselling practice.Themes in this book include adolescence, vulnerability, coercion, and family secrets, with the underlying message summarized as: No matter how we try to hide our pasts, the truth finds its way...
2023-05-1057 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastIsaiah Bell - From Cult Survivor to ComposerIsaiah Bell - From Cult Survivor to ComposerDivorced: Evangelical cult “The Move”CW: CSA is mentioned in this episode.Isaiah Bell is a Canadian tenor, writer, composer, and artist who grew up in Canada in an evangelical cult. I recently had the opportunity to attend his one-man, cabaret-style opera called “The Book of My Shames,” which he describes this way:“I’m a good and happy modern gay, thanks very much... But there’s this other me that’s at odds with all that; this tender part that has been left behind in the da...
2023-05-101h 02The Divorcing Religion PodcastJena Miyu - Rebuilding Identity Post-ReligionJena Miyu is the co-owner of a YouTube channel called The Atheist Network Group “The Flavor” with her boyfriend, Oz. Jena was raised a Baptist Christian and has been an atheist for nearly 4 years. She has been part of the online atheist community for the same amount of time. Jena has co-hosted, produced, and run several different shows and channels.In this episode, Jena shares some of the challenges related to rejecting Christianity as a Black woman, mourning losses without belief in gods, and rebuilding identity post religion.FIND JENA:YouTube: https://youtube.com...
2023-04-2658 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDr. Ling Lam - Spiritual RefugeeDr. Ling Lam - Spiritual RefugeeDivorced: Fundamentalist ChristianityDr. Ling Lam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a part-time practice in Palo Alto and San Francisco. He is also a Lecturer in the Counseling Psychology Department at Santa Clara University, where he teaches courses on Complex Trauma, Crisis Intervention, LGBT Counseling, Family Therapy, Couple Therapy and Multicultural Psychotherapy. In this episode, Dr. Lam discusses his own challenges with cultural shifts, spiritual awakenings, and embracing his sexuality as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community..For more from Dr. Lam, join us...
2023-04-1247 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastErica Smith - Sex After Purity CultureErica Smith - Sex After Purity CultureErica Smith is an award-winning sexuality educator and consultant with over 20 years of experience. She has provided comprehensive sex education and advocacy to young women and LGBTQ+ youth in Philadelphia’s juvenile justice system, worked in abortion care, and supported HIV+ and transgender adolescents and their families.Erica developed the Purity Culture Dropout™️ Program to provide the sex education we missed growing up in purity culture - a program that is accurate, queer inclusive, trauma informed, compassionate, and comprehensive.On today’s episode, Erica shares some of the e...
2023-04-0545 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastAngel De Santis - Surviving God’s Twisted LoveAngel De Santis - Surviving God’s Twisted Love Divorced: The Children of God cultCW: CSAANGEL DeSANTIS Angel grew up in the apocalyptic Christian cult known as The Children of God. She managed to leave the cult about 14 years ago, and has been on a healing journey ever since, by building her brain and sharing her thought processes with others.Angel is a mental health advocate, cult survivor, & storyteller, in addition to being a yoga teacher in LA.She has a YT channel and has developed seve...
2023-03-3055 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastTatyana Russell Chipp - Adoption, Religion, and LGBTQ+ LifeTatyana Russell-ChippDivorced: ChristianityCW: Adoption, sexual assault Today on the Divorcing Religion Podcast we will be exploring adoption – particularly religious adoption – with all of its sticky tentacles and residue, especially for those adoptees who outgrow their adoptive parents’ religious beliefs.Tatyana Russell-Chipp was adopted from Russia into a Canadian Christian family. She was a pastor and ministry leader for about 10 years but deconstructed her faith altogether following significant spiritual abuse. In this interview, Tatyana shares candidly about abandonment issues related to being relinquished at birth and then fearing additional abandonment by coming...
2023-03-2459 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastZorah Khan - My Leap to FreedomZorah Khan - My Leap to FreedomDivorced: Islamic cult*I apologize for some background noise in this episode from my noisy furnace – but it’s worth listening to this amazing story of hard-won freedom!Zorah Khan understands both cultural oppression and religious indoctrination, having grown up in an Islamic cult from childhood. In addition to being deeply fear-based, the cult also endorsed the suppression of joy, freedom, and segregation from wider society.In her own words: “My opinions and freedom were always in the hands of someone else. This conditioning ran so deep t...
2023-03-2356 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastMary Byler - AMISH MISFITMary Byler Divorced: Traditional Amish lifestyle and beliefsCW: CSAMy guest today is advocate, podcaster, and newly published author Mary Byler. Mary grew up Amish, and since escaping has focussed attention on the child sexual abuse that plagues many Anabaptist and other closed religious communities, including Amish ones.Her new book is called Reflections and Memories of an Amish Misfit.Mary will be joining us as a speaker at CORT2023 in October: https://www.religioustraumaconference.org/RESOURCESMary’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BP...
2023-03-2348 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastMarie LePage - PSYCHEDELICS: THE UNF*CKENINGMarie LePage - PSYCHEDELICS: THE UNF*CKENINGDivorced: Evangelical/nondenominational Catholicism*Note* Do not try psychedelics without first conferring with your doctor. For some people, it is never safe to use psychedelics. Use of psychedelics is not legal in many states and countries.MARIE Le PAGE describes herself as a life doula, life coach, community organizer, and plant-medicine sitter. Marie understands personally the pain and trauma of growing up in an emotionally neglectful and spiritually abusive household. Upon discovering plant medicine, Marie started their awakening and integration experience. They now find joy in coaching...
2023-03-1550 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastWillie Cartwright - Saved to SaneWillie Cartwright - Saved to SaneDivorced: ChristianityWILLIE CARTWRIGHT is a speaker, entrepreneur, author, and advocate. Willie is a professional person, having received a B.S Degree in Finance and earned an Executive MBA.Though he and his wife now own several successful businesses, Willie and his sister were raised by a single mother in the public housing neighbourhoods of Birmingham, Alabama.As a child, he was relentlessly bullied due to his thick glasses and stutter. His stepfather was so verbally abusive that Willie threatened to kill him.Raised in a strict...
2023-03-1058 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDr. Josie McSkimming - Rebuilding IdentityREBUILDING IDENTITYDr. Josie McSkimmingDivorced: Evangelical ChristianityGet your tickets to the Conference on Religious Trauma here: https://religioustraumaconference.org/Dr. Josie McSkimming is an Australian social worker, psychotherapist, lecturer, and researcher. She has been in full time private practice since 2000, specializing in relationship therapy and adult mental health.In her book Leaving Christian Fundamentalism and the Re-construction of Identity, Dr. McSkimming details the stories of those who have left Christian fundamentalist churches and how they change after they have left.In this episode, we discuss what’s in...
2023-03-0859 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastChristy Powell - Exploring SexualityChristy PowellDivorced: Fundamentalist ChristianityChristy Powell (he/him) is a Texas-based counselor and activist with a focus on religious trauma and romantic and sexual relationships of all sorts and sizes. Christy works with clients to explore questions of gender and orientation, kink and polyamory, out of control sexual behavior, and healing from religious shame.We first connected when I was a guest on the Secular Sexuality show on YouTube, where Christy is one of the hosts. Today, Christy and I discuss his journey from fundamentalist Christian virgin to sexually liberated atheist....
2023-03-0351 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastMarty Shoemaker - Sex, Psychology, & HumanismDr. Martin Shoemaker SEX, PSYCHOLOGY, AND HUMANISMDivorced: Evangelical ChristianityDr. Martin Shoemaker was raised in a devout evangelical Christian home in California. While attending Fuller Seminary, his faith was fragmented by studying theology and secular psychology at the same time. He left the church and finished his PhD in clinical psychology, eventually discovering humanism through friends in Canada. For the last several years, Marty has volunteered as a humanist chaplain in British Columbia, which is where we met at a local event for atheists, skeptics, and humanists. In this episode, Dr. Shoemaker discusses h...
2023-03-011h 11The Divorcing Religion PodcastLuna Corbden - Mormon ManipulationLuna Corbden Mormon Manipulation Divorced: MormonismLuna Lindsey Corbden was born into the LDS (Mormon) Church and left the faith at age 26. Autistic and gender fluid, they are an advocate for marginalized people within or at the fringes of authoritarian religions, particularly Mormonism. Their book, Recovering Agency: Lifting the Veil of Mormon Mind Control, helps religious trauma survivors unpack their conditioning by deconstructing the manipulation techniques used by the LDS church. Today, we discuss what led Luna to divorce Mormonism, as well as some of the specific manipulation tactics used by the Mormon church to dr...
2023-02-2748 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastRyan Stollar - The Bible: No Friend to ChildrenRyan Stollar THE BIBLE: NO FRIEND TO CHILDREN RYAN STOLLAR is a researcher, advocate, and author. He was homeschooled from kindergarten through high school graduation before attaining both a Master of Human Services in Child Protection and A Master of Arts in Eastern Classics. He has worked with high school students in homeschool communities and is co-founder of the viral website HOMESCHOOLERS ANONYMOUS.An advocate for children and abuse survivors, Ryan has run numerous social media campaigns for child advocacy organizations. He is a “child liberation theologian,” and his upcoming book is called The Kingdo...
2023-02-2248 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastJerusha Lofland - Homeschool HellJerusha Lofland HOMESCHOOL HELLDivorced: Fundamentalist Christianity and IBLP CultJerusha Lofland was homeschooled by extremists in Michigan, along with her 10 younger siblings. Her quest for truth led her first out of Bill Gothard’s IBLP cult, then away from Evangelicalism, then freed her from religion altogether. In this episode, Jerusha shares what it was like growing up in an extremist Christian household with very little freedom to explore the outside world - and what it was like to set herself free. FIND JERUSHA:Jerusha blogged her journey from Christian fundamentalism to a...
2023-02-171h 07The Divorcing Religion PodcastEmily Hedrick - Finding and Leaving Progressive ChristianityEMILY HEDRICKDON’T F*CK THE FLOCKDivorced: Mennonite ChristianityIn addition to having her M.Div, Emily Hedrick is a Certified Trauma Support Specialist, a certified Forward Facing coaching practitioner, and a religious-trauma informed spirituality coach. Deconstructing since age 17, Emily roamed religious circles as an atheist for over a decade,and spent four of those years as a pastor! Godless since 2020, Emily enjoys connecting people with others who understand and empathize with experiences of religious harm. Today, Emily shares her (sometimes painful) deconversion journey and experiences as a female pastor, including relationship instructions fou...
2023-02-171h 03The Divorcing Religion PodcastMary Burkhart - Leaving The Black ChurchMary Burkhart: Leaving the Black ChurchDivorced: Apostolic ChristianityTW: CSA, suicidal thoughtsMary Burkhart grew up in the Apostolic/Pentecostal Christian traditions and was heavily indoctrinated into her faith, remaining devout for over 20 years. Her deconstruction journey took her to some very dark places, and nearly cost Mary her life. She is now a Religious Trauma Life Coach, after 10 years of personal religious deconstruction. On this episode of the Divorcing Religion Podcast, Mary shares about her journey, as a Black woman, out of faith and into coaching others recovering from RTS....
2023-02-1049 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDavid Teachout - When Bible College Kills FaithDavid Teachout Divorced: ChristianityDavid Teachout has his Master’s in both forensic psychology and counseling psychology, and he is currently working on a doctorate in clinical psychology. He grew up as a Christian fundamentalist, attending a bible college where he received a BA in theology and psychology - and deconverted in the middle of it all! This year, David spoke at the Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT2022) about navigating marriage when one spouse leaves religion and the other remains a Believer. In this interview, David shares what it was like to lose his faith while att...
2023-02-0958 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastRick Pidcock - Courage to QuestionRick PidcockDivorced: Christian FundamentalismRick is a graduate of Bob Jones University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible. He recently completed a Master of Arts degree in worship from Northern Seminary. After twenty years of leading worship in churches, Rick embarked on a season of spiritual healing where he learned to face his wounds and discover the wonders he had long been suppressing. His journey led him off the stage and drew him home. As a freelance writer, he is also a stay-at-home father of five children and produces music under t...
2023-02-0352 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastJennifer French - Trapped in a Mystical CultJennifer French Divorced: Christian mystical cultJennifer French is a cult and religious recovery counsellor with a Master’s degree in the psychology of coercive control. She was a member of a Christian mystical cult for 11 years, and this year she addressed us at the Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT2022). Jennifer is host of the Project Hope Podcast for families and friends with loved ones in high-control/high-demand groups. Today, she shares what drew her to a cult and how she eventually left.FIND JENNIFER:https://www.jennifer-french.com/https://www.instagram.com...
2023-02-0156 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastPesach Eisen - From Orthodox to AdvocatePESACH EISENDivorced: Ultra-Orthodox Hasidic JudaismPesach Eisen is a trained psychotherapist and researcher with a focus on the intersection of religious disaffiliation and mental health. Pesach was raised in an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish faith community, from which he gradually departed during his 20s. Today, we explore what it was like to grow up in such a fundamentalist environment, and how he Divorced Religion.Contact Pesach:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/choice-and-rebirthhttps://footstepsorg.org/T: @pesachologySupport this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content...
2023-01-271h 03The Divorcing Religion PodcastAngela Soffe - Rising StarAngela SoffeDivorced: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism)Angela Soffe was raised in the Philippines in an Argentine-American family. She is a rising star in the music world whose work and story have been featured in independent films, commercials, and podcasts worldwide. Her music reflects moving out of personal darkness and the challenges of stepping away from 30 years in Mormonism. We met when Angela agreed to speak at the inaugural Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT2021). Today, Angela opens up about what it was like to lose her faith and the challenges...
2023-01-2552 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastElam Zook - Amish NonconformistELAM ZOOKDivorced: Traditional Amish ChristianityElam Zook is a writer, activist, and community organizer addressing Amish and plain community issues. His work has been published in The Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies. Elam's efforts were instrumental in organizing the groundbreaking Disrupting History: Reclaiming Our Amish Story conference, which challenged conventional narratives of Amish life. Elam refers to himself as “nonconforming Amish.” Today, we will be discussing the pressing need for Amish children to receive a better education than is currently required under United States law.Find Elam:http://theam...
2023-01-211h 03The Divorcing Religion PodcastCaleb Lack - Treating religious fear & anxietyDr. CALEB LACKDivorced: ChristianityCaleb W. Lack, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma. A licensed clinical psychologist, he is an award-winning educator and bestselling author of six books. He specializes in the treatment of children and adults with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.Dr. Lack is the former director of the Secular Therapy Project, which aims to bring together non-religious persons seeking mental health treatment with secular, evidence-based providers. He spoke at the Conference on Religious Trauma in 2022 on the topic of Overcoming Fear...
2023-01-1852 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastClint Heacock - From Missional Metalhead to Ex-ChristianClint Heacock Divorced: Evangelical ChristianityDr. Clint Heacock is an ex-evangelical pastor and Bible college teacher of over 20 years who is now committed to helping formerly religious people unpick their indoctrination, mind control, and conditioning - and take back their lives. You may recognize Clint as the host of MindShift podcast, and as a speaker at the Conference on Religious Trauma earlier this year (CORT2022). In this episode of the Divorcing Religion podcast, Clint gets personal about life in and out of religion.FIND CLINT:https://mindshiftpodcast.co.uk/https://twitter.com/M...
2023-01-131h 00The Divorcing Religion PodcastDavid Smalley - Mothers, Music, & Mental HealthDavid C. SmalleyDivorced: ChristianityIn addition to being a successful comedian and actor with over 100 million views on TikTok, David C. Smalley has also hosted his own podcast for over 12 years, making over 600 episodes, downloaded some 60 MILLION times. The David C. Smalley podcast includes discussions that are inspiring and funny, with cordial debates on skepticism, religion, spirituality, politics, and more. I was privileged to join David on one of his episodes to discuss religious trauma and recovery, and in this episode of the Divorcing Religion podcast I chat with him about his former faith, h...
2023-01-1152 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDavid Smalley - Mothers, Music, & Mental HealthDavid C. SmalleyDivorced: ChristianityIn addition to being a successful comedian and actor with over 100 million views on TikTok, David C. Smalley has also hosted his own podcast for over 12 years, making over 600 episodes, downloaded some 60 MILLION times. The David C. Smalley podcast includes discussions that are inspiring and funny, with cordial debates on skepticism, religion, spirituality, politics, and more. I was privileged to join David on one of his episodes to discuss religious trauma and recovery, and in this episode of the Divorcing Religion podcast I chat with him about his former faith, h...
2023-01-1153 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastMatt Dillahunty - The Godfather of AtheismDivorced: ChristianityToday’s guest is skeptic, magician, and snake-breeder Matt Dillahunty!Raised Southern Baptist, Matt once considered becoming a minister. Eventually, he lost all belief in the tenets of Christianity and became an atheist. In addition to being a well known speaker and debater, Matt has hosted and co-hosted numerous popular shows on atheism including NonProphets Radio and The Atheist Experience. Currently, Matt is hosting the popular show “The Hang Up” on You Tube. In this episode of the Divorcing Religion Podcast, Matt shares his journey out of Christianity and how it impacte...
2023-01-0259 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastJillian Aurora - Unapologetic WomanJillian is a women's self-worth group facilitator as well as a family mediator who practices in Boise, Idaho. Jillian has 13 years of experience working in the mental health field and has her bachelors in criminal justice, with a minor in psychology. Jillian's primary passion is facilitating support groups and courses to women through her practice at Goddess LLC, where she specializes in empowerment and self-worth. Jillian has served on the Idaho Mediation Association board for three years and has served as the interim Vice President for one year. Jillian is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation...
2022-12-2652 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastBeatrice Weber - From Powerless to PowerhouseBeatrice Weber was raised in an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and was married off to a Rabbi in an arranged marriage before graduating high school. She is a published Author, speaker, education advocate, and mother of 10.In 2019, she filed a complaint with NYC and NYS on behalf of her youngest son, since he was not receiving a basic education. In 2020 she was featured in a New York Times video Op-ed, calling on the politicians and education officials to step in and ensure that all children in NYS receive an education.Contact Beatrice:https://beatriceweber.c...
2022-12-191h 02The Divorcing Religion PodcastHemant Mehta - The Friendliest AtheistHEMANT MEHTADivorced: JainismHemant Mehta is the founder and editor of FriendlyAtheist.com, a YouTube creator, and podcast co-host. He is a former National Board Certified math teacher in the suburbs of Chicago and continues to coach a competitive public speaking team. He has appeared on CNN and FOX News and served on the board of directors for Foundation Beyond Belief and the Secular Student Alliance. He has written multiple books, including I Sold My Soul on eBay and The Young Atheist's Survival Guide. He also edited the book Queer Disbelief. Today, Hemant shares candidly...
2022-12-1346 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastCourtney Heard - QAnon VictimsToday’s guest is my friend in real life, Courtney Heard. We met when I was preparing the first Conference on Religious Trauma and she offered me her marketing expertise. As two atheists, we clicked immediately. Through the years we have co-hosted a podcast together (Godless Moms Podcast) and now, with her husband John, Courtney has launched a new podcast that is extremely timely: The Q-Dropped Podcast. Survivors of Religious Trauma Syndrome will recognize the angst her guests share around how the Q conspiracy has alienated them from loved ones swept up in the cult. FIND COURTNEY:
2022-12-0555 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastErin Louis - Wife, Mother, StripperErin Louis: Wife, Mother, Author and StripperDivorced: CatholicismErin Louis was raised a soft Catholic and is a former stripper and author. She has written 3 nonfiction books about stripping:Dirty Money: Memoirs of a Stripper https://amzn.to/3UdTAfR (her memoir)Think you want to be a Stripper? (an insider's look at the industry), https://amzn.to/3EJxsEf andExpose Yourself (a book about atheism, humanism, and critical thinking). https://amzn.to/3ilSAZEErin has most recently published a book of short erotic stories and co-authored a cr...
2022-11-2856 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastMandisa Thomas - Black Nonbeliever, Kick-ass LeaderToday's guest is New York City native Mandisa L. Thomas, who is the founder and president of Black Nonbelievers, Inc. While Mandisa escaped religious indoctrination, today she shares candidly about overcoming other harmful forms of indoctrination and why she started Black Nonbelievers.Contact Mandisa:http://www.blacknonbelievers.orgIG: @mandisa0904T: @mandy0904Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbieSPECIAL THANKS to our newest patrons: Sacha, Anne, Paul, and Sheila!Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/r...
2022-11-2156 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastDr. Bradley Onishi of SWAJBradley Onishi grew up in a nonreligious home in California before his extreme conversion to evangelicalism at age 14. By age 20 he was married and leading a 200-student youth group. After 7 years in ministry, he decided to pursue his Masters in Theology at Oxford University - where he ended up deconstructing his faith. Today, Dr. Onishi is a social commentator, scholar, writer, teacher, coach, and co-host of the Straight White American Jesus (SWAJ) podcast, a religion and politics podcast that focuses on Christian Nationalism in the United States.His writing has been published in the New York Times, L...
2022-11-1451 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastMarlene Winell - Coming OutDivorced: ChristianityDr. Marlene Winell is a psychologist and author of Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion. She is a pioneer in the field of religious trauma, having worked in religious recovery for over 30 years, and she originated the term “Religious Trauma Syndrome.” After I read her book and attended one of her retreats, Dr. Winell became my friend and mentor. She has spoken at each of my Conferences on Religious Trauma, as well as made a guest appearance at the Shameless Sexuality: Life After...
2022-11-0748 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastShirley Fessel - Domestic Violence, in Jesus' NameShirley Fessel is a religious domestic abuse survivor advocate with Masters in both Counseling and Education from Wichita State University. Raised Catholic, Shirley married a Baptist minister who suffered from mental illness and abused Shirley and their children. Shirley was eventually able to flee with her children and begin building a safe life for herself with no help or support from her religious community. Putting her counseling and communication expertise to work, Shirley developed the Redemption from Biblical Battering workbook, a self-help workbook for abused women of faith which provides a faith-based path to freedom from spiritual and domestic...
2022-10-3159 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastAlice Greczyn - The Mindf*cks of FaithTrigger Warning: SuicidalityAlice Greczyn is an actress, writer, and the founder of Dare to Doubt. Midwest-raised and L.A.-based, the Eurasian performer is best known for her role as Mads Rybak on Freeform’s The Lying Game, and occasionally someone recognizes her from the Twitch-streamed all-girls Dungeons & Dragons group Girls, Guts, Glory. Alice is fascinated by the subjective experience of life which she explores through acting and storytelling. Her own story includes a painful but rewarding transition out of evangelical Christianity, a journey that inspired her to found DaretoDoubt.org, a resource site for people de...
2022-10-131h 09The Divorcing Religion PodcastDarrel Ray - From Dogma to DildosDr. Darrel RayDivorced: ChristianityIn addition to being a successful psychologist and author, Dr. Darrel Ray is also the beloved founder of both Recovering from Religion and the Secular Therapy Project. Today, Dr. Ray gets personal about his own reasons for leaving religion and what gives him hope in the midst of our tumultuous times.Contact Dr. Raywww.recoveringfromreligion.orgwww.seculartherapy.org@drdray132 Resources mentioned:The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Cu...
2022-10-0352 minThe Divorcing Religion PodcastSeth Andrews - On Recovering his HumanitySeth Andrews is a former evangelical and Christian broadcaster who now hosts The Thinking Atheist…one of the most popular online atheist communities in the world. The Thinking Atheist is not a person. It is an icon encouraging all to reject faith and pursue reason and evidence. Since its launch in 2010, The Thinking Atheist podcast has been downloaded over 50 million times.Seth has authored five books, including his latest offering, “Christianity Made Me Talk Like an Idiot.”With a mix of humor and heart, Seth Andrews has spoken for audiences large and small in the U.S, C...
2022-09-1953 min