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Safe to Hope: Hope Renewed in Light of Eternity exists to offer women space to tell their stories of suffering and loss with care, dignity, and honesty. Though all suffering is loss, we ground that belief in a God who cares and remains present. This is our hope.
73 Episodes
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In this episode of Safe to Hope, Dr. Lisa Oakley, a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Chester explains her 20-year journey in defining and addressing spiritual abuse, highlighting its emotional and psychological impacts. She emphasizes the importance of creating healthy church cultures and responding well to disclosures. Dr. Oakley will discuss the subtlety of spiritual abuse, the need for proper policies and processes, and the damaging effects of dismissal and di...
In this first episode of Safe to Hope, Season 7 Wade Mullen joins Ann Maree and Julia to unpack how spiritual abuse operates within churches and Christian organizations. Drawing from his research and lived experience, Wade exposes the image-protecting tactics—silencing, justification, denial, and confusion—that often harm victims and protect systems. This conversation offers language, clarity, and hope for those seeking truth, safety, and a more faithful response to abuse. Safe To Hope is one...
Is the word 'abuse' too vague? We know it's terrible, but what IS it? We hear of manipulation and control but what does it look like? Join 'Anna' as she recounts (specific) details answering these questions and more. If you would like to know more about the dynamics of domestic abuse if you have questions go to Called to Peace.org Darby Strickland's book Is It Abuse? is excellent for both victims and church leaders for identifying the patterns of abuse. And in addition, Dr...
On this last episode, Darby and Ann Maree will discuss the ultimate goal for story telling. We want to move toward finding God’s purposes in our stories. Our Father leaves nothing unused in his redemptive plan, and our circumstances just may be his invitation to join with him in those purposes. Safe to Hope is a production of HelpHer. Our Executive Producer is Ann Maree Goudzwaard. Safe to Hope is written and mixed by Ann Maree and edited by Ann Maree and Helen Weigt. Music is Waterfall by R...
Today, Darby expresses God’s heart for a victim as He invites her into Scripture—an invitation into His word. She also helpfully talks about navigating a situation when someone has been the recipient of a misuse of Scripture—how to gently guide them back to hearing God’s word. Link to purchase any of Darby's books. Safe to Hope is a production of HelpHer. Our Executive Producer is Ann Maree Goudzwaard. Safe to Hope is written and mixed by Ann Maree and edited by Ann Maree and Helen Weigt. ...
In this episode, Darby Strickland and I continue our discussion about "Story" for the Safe to Hope podcast. Darby mentioned, the last time we spoke, that the Bible doesn’t shy away from providing us with details. But the words in Scripture are not used for the purpose of venting. Scripture shares stories for the benefit of self and for the benefit of others. Scripture shares stories in order to improve our relationship with the Lord. So the question we started to answer was, how can we ...
On the "Safe to Hope, Hope Renewed in Light of Eternity" podcast we help women tell their story with an eye for God's redemptive purposes. All suffering is loss, but God leaves nothing unused in his plans. We want to help women see his redemptive thread throughout their circumstances and then look for opportunities to join with God in his transformational work. Link to purchase any of Darby's books Safe to Hope is a production of HelpHer. Our Executive Producer is Ann Maree Goudzwaard. Sa...
In this episode of Safe to Hope, guest host Lynna Sutherland from Advocacy from the Presbyterian Pew sits down with Ann Maree to discuss how spiritual abuse can unfold inside church structures—and why a woman’s “perspective” is often dismissed when authority is treated as ultimate. Ann Maree shares her journey from long-term service and trust in her church to becoming the one who was silenced, discredited, and pushed out. She describes advocacy work that led to accusations, misuse of church p...
This bonus and final episode of the Safe to Hope podcast brings together Dr. Dan Allender and our storyteller, Carya, in a conversation that is both tender and profound. Dr. Allender—known for his pioneering work in trauma and abuse recovery—invites Carya to reflect on her healing journey through the lens of God’s image, goodness, and gentleness. Together, they explore the paradox of holding both unbearable evil and astonishing grace within one life. SHOW NOTES: Dr Allender resources Th...
In her final story episode, Carya reflects on what it means for God to be with her—not only through rescue, but in the long, quiet ache that follows. Through Scripture, images, and honest wrestling, she shares how comfort can coexist with agony, and how the Word that once felt distant has become both balm and challenge. Explore what healing looks like when it isn’t finished yet—when faith must hold steady between lament and hope. Episode 4 Episode 6 Restoring the Shattered Self and ...
Dr. Dan Allender joins Ann Maree to discuss trauma, faith, and the work of story. Together they wrestle with how believers can live in the tension between death and resurrection—where hope and heartache coexist. SHOW NOTES:Episode 4 Self-CareEpisode 6 Dr Heather EvansDr Allender’s Resources: The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual AbuseThe Healing Path: How the Hurts in Your Past Can Lead You to a More Abundant LifeTo Be Told: Know Your Story, Shape Your FutureThe Cry of...
Carya’s rescue didn’t begin with a manual—it began with love, prayer, and a community willing to bear witness. In this conversation, “Lynn,” the trusted friend who helped orchestrate Carya’s exit from harm, shares how faith, patience, wise counsel, and practical safeguards came together to make safety possible. This is not a how-to guide; it’s a testimony of God’s steady care through ordinary people who chose to stay. SHOW NOTES: Episode 4 Self-CareEpisode 6 Dr Heather EvansRestoring the Shat...
In this pivotal chapter of her story, Carya shares how her long nightmare began to shift—when the years of abuse finally gave way to rescue. Yet safety was not something she could walk into alone. This episode highlights the crucial role of people-helpers—those who step in, stand beside, and walk with survivors through the fear, uncertainty, and fragile beginnings of healing. Show Notes: Episode 4 Self-CareEpisode 6 Dr Heather EvansRestoring the Shattered Self by Dr. Heather GingrichTreating ...
This week on Safe to Hope, Dr. Heather Davediuk Gingrich joins us for a conversation that blends deep clinical insight with years of walking alongside survivors of extreme abuse. From dissociative identity disorder (DID) to ritual abuse, she helps us understand how evil distorts, how the church can cause further harm—even unintentionally—and how to become truly safe people for those who are healing. This is a sobering yet hope-filled episode, equipping us to listen well, care wisely, and resp...
Through language rarely spoken in Christian spaces, Carya explains the difference between grooming and training, and how dissociation became the means of survival when life became unbearable. Carya invites listeners to see not only the trauma, but the mercy that allowed her to endure it. Her words call us, the Church to deeper understanding, and to become a place where stories like hers can be known and safely held. Show Notes: Episode 4 Self-CareEpisode 6 Dr. Heather EvansShattered No More b...
In this compelling expert segment, attorney and advocate Rachael Denhollander offers deep insight into the role of theology in abuse prevention and response. She helps us understand why survivors struggle to be believed and what it takes to build churches that are safe, discerning, and equipped to care well. SHOW NOTES: What Is A Girl Worth? By Rachael DenhollanderRedeeming Power by Diane LangbergInformational Resources: Serving SRA Survivors: Satanic Ritual Abuse Recovery by Kay Elise Tolman...
This episode is one of the most sobering in our 2025 Safe to Hope season. As Carya transitions into life beyond her father’s household, she shares how a new circle of abusers—men in Christian leadership—took over her life with terrifying control. She exposes not only their cruelty, but also how they weaponized orthodoxy, hiding their evil behind sound doctrine and religious influence. In this story, Carya shares a deeply personal and painful part of her journey: her pregnancies and her childr...
What does healthy intimacy look like in Christian marriage? And what happens when biblical language gets tangled with cultural stereotypes? In this powerful and hope-filled episode, we welcome Sheila Wray Gregoire—author, researcher, and founder of BareMarriage.com—to discuss her latest book The Marriage You Want. With wisdom grounded in Scripture and backed by extensive research, Sheila offers a compelling call to mutuality, emotional connection, and healthy sexuality within marriage. This c...
In Episode 2 of our Summer Reading Series, Julia and Ann Maree welcome Elyse Fitzpatrick to talk about her latest book, Unloved: The Rejected Saints God Calls Beloved. Together they explore how God's mercy meets us in the middle of shame, rejection, and misunderstanding—and why the church desperately needs prophetic voices willing to tell the truth. With deep personal insight and decades of ministry experience, Elyse challenges us to reconsider how we view the mischaracterized women of Script...
In this powerful Summer Reading Series conversation, Safe to Hope host Julia Fillnow and Help[H]er Executive Director Ann Maree Goudzwaard sit down with therapist, author, and advocate Tabitha Westbrook to explore the sacred journey of healing after trauma. Drawing from her book, Body & Soul, Healed & Whole, Tabitha speaks candidly about sexuality, consent, coercive control, embodiment, and the intersection of theology and trauma recovery. Together, they discuss how survivors can reco...
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