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As a lifelong believer in Christ, I’ve grown weary of witnessing harm within spiritual settings. I’m tired of pretending it isn’t happening or convincing myself that spiritual abuse isn’t a serious issue—one that not only plagues the church but is also spreading beyond religious institutions.
This is why the Soul Bruises podcast was created. It’s dedicated to exposing, educating, and ultimately working toward the eradication of spiritual abuse in all its forms. Whether you can relate to my experiences or bring your own perspective to the table, I hope Soul Bruises offers a balanced and thorough exploration of the issue.
Whether you’re a spiritual leader, a member of a church, or someone with no connection to God or religion, I challenge you to reconsider your assumptions about spiritual abuse. I encourage you to tune in.
With each episode, I hope you gain a clearer understanding of what spiritual abuse is, how it manifests in religious and non-religious settings, who it affects, and why it’s crucial to address it with honesty and purpose.
20 Episodes
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Send us a text What parts of yourself have you cut off to fit into someone else's spiritual mold? In this raw and revealing conversation, Pastor Kristy Hodson shares her journey through a high-control religious environment where authenticity was often sacrificed on the altar of conformity. Drawing from Brené Brown's powerful distinction—"Fitting in is about becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are" Kristy...
Send us a text What 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 damag...
Send us a text Misplaced 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 l...
Send us a text Show 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 La...
Send us a text "Be Human, Be Kind, Be Both."
Send us a text This 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. spiri...
Send us a text Wade Mullen's RESTORE 2022 conference talk that mentions DARVO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-w6rPMy5M&t=1933s Rachel Denhollander's trial transcript & verbal testimony Transcript: https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/us/rachael-denhollander-full-statement/index.html Testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CjVOLToRJk Spiritual abuse is an insidious force that can silence even the most courageous voices. Explore this hidden realm with me, Christie...
Send us a text Spiritual 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, a...
Send us a text What 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 attentio...
Send us a text Ever 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, w...
Send us a text Have 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 F...
Send us a text Have you ever navigated a staircase, wary of that one perilous step you know to skip? That's the essence of the 'missing stair', an analogy we explore in a special bonus episode of Soul Bruises, which casts light on the often unseen perils within our spiritual communities. We delve into the metaphor's origin and its startling relevance to spiritual abuse, illuminating the dangers of ignoring harmful behaviors that, like a literal missing stair, threaten our collective wellbeing...
Send us a text Step behind the curtain of spiritual trust with me as we unearth the dark intricacies of deception that plague the paths of the faithful. This Soul Bruises episode peels back the layers of deceit woven into the fabric of spiritual communities, using the enigmatic life of John Harvey Kellogg as a case study. As you listen, discover the subtle yet devastating ways that seemingly trustworthy figures mask their true intentions, and how these tactics shape the perilous ...
Send us a text Have you ever felt the heavy burden of spiritual abuse within a faith community? Our journey into the shadows of spiritual manipulation begins here, where I hope to guide you through the often-misunderstood realm of spiritual abuse. We're not just scratching the surface; we're exposing the deep-rooted patterns of control that have caused generational hurt across all faith traditions. With the expertise of thought leaders like Jeff VanVonderen and James Rochford, w...
Send us a text As we start on this journey, I'd like to echo the words of Elie Weisel: "Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." With this episode, we're raising our voices against an oppressor that often goes unnoticed - spiritual abuse. Through personal experiences, insights from experts, and stories of those who've survived, we'll navigate this often misunderstood, but deeply consequential issue. Specifically, we'll examine h...
Send us a text This introductory episode of Soul Bruises sets the stage for the podcast's mission—to uncover the reality of spiritual abuse, understand its impact on individuals, and discuss ways to combat it. Your host, Christie emphasizes the importance of listener participation and involvement to this issue. Christie's personal motivation stems from witnessing far too many loved ones who have experienced spiritual abuse and feeling compelled to speak out against this harm. Inspired ...
Send us a text Spiritual abuse can be a very sensitive topic! I felt it necessary to give a disclaimer, for anyone that might find the information shared on this podcast, to be triggering . I do not want to cause any further trauma to anyone. I understand if you are a victim of spiritual abuse that this may be the last thing you want to listen to. If you can't, please encourage your friends and family to listen to it instead. You need all the support you ca...
Send us a text The "Soul Bruises" podcast, hosted by Christie Hodson, delves into the often ugly and concealed realities of spiritual abuse. It addresses the weariness and sadness that arise from hearing stories of abuse at the hands of spiritual leaders and the troubling absence of accountability for these abusers. The podcast seeks to shed light on the damage hidden behind the veils of religion, faith, and dogma. Through candid conversations, powerful stories, and the wisdom of those who ha...
Send us a text What happens when your spirituality becomes a battleground? When your voice, appearance, and very humanity are treated as problems to be fixed rather than gifts to be celebrated? Pastor and Chaplain, Kristy Hodson takes us deep into her journey through high-control religion, revealing the subtle yet devastating ways spiritual abuse can damage our connection to both community and the divine. With remarkable honesty, she shares how attempting to create positive change from within...
Send us a text "Be Human, Be Kind, Be Both."
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