Finding Normal: Life after Spiritual Trauma

We invite you to join our journey to re-discovering God and Christianity in the wake of traumatic religious experiences.

43: Abuse & Accountability in Churches: A Conversation with Katie Biddinger

Our conversation with Katie about her recent research into abuse in churches. We touch on how background contributes, the many kinds of abuse, how it becomes so prevalent, possible paths forward toward safer churches, and more. TW: Sexual Assault Additional Resources: Katie's Paper "Silent No More", Podcast with Ruthy Heiler, PBS Article on Abuse Prevention in Catholic Churches, Best Practices on Outside Investigations Related Podcasts: Our Interview with Olivia Olds, Our Story, Episode in th...

04-20
01:51:35

42: We're Back

It's been a while, but we are still here! Join us as we ramble for a little while about the things we are thinking about these days, and hint at some future topics for the podcast. Recommended Resource: The History Chicks Podcast: Martha Washington and Ona Judge

03-27
32:45

Short Thoughts - I'm Still Standing

A very short episode - thoughts inspired by a song... on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ETC85CgzTHM?si=IVQK0dxc12Us_4g9 on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2UHK8agSYWJUzMuQTPMCVq

04-17
15:09

41: IFB Culture

We discuss why transition out of the IFB feels like living in a foreign culture, IFB social hierarchy and potential inbreeding, with background music by Poppy the guinea pig. CD Code: MUSICEPISODE24

04-10
01:07:21

40: The Music Episode

We finally tackle a much requested topic - Christian Music. So many rules, so little sense. So what music is ok - and why do Christians make up so many rules about it? Recommended Resources: Postmodern Jukebox Our CD - discount code: MUSICEPISODE24

02-13
02:04:54

39: Psychological Manipulation and the Israel/Hamas conflict

A number of people in the Deconstructing/Advocate community read this situation shockingly wrong. So what's really going on? This is a very heavy and long episode, but we felt it couldn't really be any shorter without leaving out anything important. Recommended Resource: The War of Return Helpful links and resources: Buzzwords Info Sheet Israel: A Simple Guide by Noa Tishby Roots Metals / Debbie Lechtman Unpacking Israeli History Hen Mazzig Amanda (on TikTok) Lizzy Savetsky Meira Cowland Po...

12-13
02:39:17

38: Purity Culture

We discuss the toxic IFB teachings on "purity" and how it is destructive, harmful, and not even close to the truth. Once you start really examining it, the evangelical view of sex is quite disturbing. Resources: Bare Marriage She Deserves Better Andrew Bauman God Made All of Me X-Spot Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Anatomy for Kids 5 Myths Article by Dr. Camden Morgante On Elizabeth Eliot's terrible Courtship Awful TGC article The Purity Hoax by Jonathan Poletti TGC Background FAQS on Purity ...

12-02
01:15:59

37: Rejecting Legalism Isn't Enough

We explore something we have noticed - when people recognize and reject legalism and think that they have somehow arrived at a new and better Christianity. But it isn't enough and we discuss why. Resources: Rebecca Davis' Blog - HeresTheJoy.com The Unvarnished Truth Podcast Untwisting Scriptures Books 1-4

11-17
01:11:30

36: Money, Money, Money

A discussion on how financial teaching and practices in abusive churches affect the lives of those under them - for years. Recommended Resource: Pagan Christianity Other links: Reporting on Franklin's Graham's behavior More about Faith Promise The Naked Bible Podcast on Melchizedek Our Instagram profile

08-19
01:51:09

35: Why We Don't Go to Church

We discuss why we longer attend and institutional church, why it's good to take a break from church, and what "church" actually is (despite what we think of). Resources: Broken Trust by F. Remy Diederich Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna Heiser on Hebrews 10:25 - Naked Bible Podcast Bare Marriage episode on Grooming 58 to 0 by Jon Zens Jesus Storybook Bible Meredith Anne Miller The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross 24 Family Ways Books on Trauma Triggers: 1) The Body Keeps ...

06-16
02:18:39

34: Book Review: Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar Vuolo

We share our thoughts and analysis of Jinger Duggar's recent book. What's good, the import context of the book, what's bad, and what's missing. Recommended Resources: Untwisting Scriptures, Book 1 by Rebecca Davis Untwisting Scriptures, Book 3 by Rebecca Davis Quiverfull by Kathryn Joyce Documentation of articles mentioned in the episode

06-02
01:39:51

33: Survivor Story: Interview with Olivia Hitt Olds

TW: Discussion of Child Abuse, Death of a Pet, Suicidal Thoughts We talk with Olivia about her experience growing up under an abusive, narcissistic mother while under the influence of a toxic, abusive IFB "church" cult under a very controlling and untrustworthy pastor. We also talk with her about how she escaped, the honest struggles of her journey out, and how she has become a voice and advocate for others who grew up in the same cult-like church. Olivia's Instagram: olivia_thedoula Olivia...

05-10
02:15:07

Bonus: Analysis of "Created to Be His Helpmeet"

Analysis of Debi Pearl's book Created to Be His Helpmeet. In which we refrain from reading inappropriate quotes from the book (mostly), dismiss Rachel's awkward college homemaking class, and reflect on why we don't like happy people. Resources: Interview with Cynthia Westphall on the Bare Marriage podcast Codependency episode on The Best of You with Alison Cook Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible by Mary DeMuth Tricia Robinson painting "The Four" Sarah McDugal Bare Marriage (Shei...

03-24
01:45:59

31. What About Spanking?

We discuss what the Bible teaches about spanking children and how scripture has been twisted to defend certain cultural ideas. We also delve into the history of spanking a bit to see where the idea of disciplining children that way came from. Resources and Documentation: Corporal Punishment in the Bible by William Webb Thy Rod and They Staff They Comfort Me by Samuel Martin Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson Janet Lansbury and Unruffled Families Where Grace Is in Place by Jeff VanVondera...

02-04
01:22:31

30: Modern Manifestations of Patriarchy

We discuss a variety of modern patriarchal movements and teachers. The final episode in our patriarchy series. Examples of False teaching: Created to be His Helpmeet by Debbi Pearl Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs Documentation of Piper's abuse and support of abuse: https://baremarriage.com/2022/06/john-piper-tells-women-with-harsh-husbands-to-basically-do-nothing/ https://baremarriage.com/2022/06/podcast-why-john-piper-should-stop-talking-about-marriage/ Helpful Resources: Quiverfu...

01-20
01:20:54

29: Untwisting Scriptures Book 4 with author Rebecca Davis

We talk with Rebecca Davis about her newest book - Untwisting Scriptures Book 4: Wolves, Hypocrisy, Sin Leveling, and Righteousness. It's a really good one! Get the book here: https://a.co/d/3NQ2trQ

12-02
46:30

28: Patriarchy Pt. 7: The Rebirth of Patriarchy

We delve deep into the history of where modern patriarchy finds its roots. Since it isn't from the Bible where did it come from? The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Barr: https://amzn.to/3xcPDjQ The Other Half Podcast Interview with Beth Barr on Theology in the Raw The Bare Marriage Podcast Quiverfull by Kathryn Joyce Cult of Domesticity Articles: https://www.thoughtco.com/cult-of-domesticity-4694493 https://americainclass.org/the-cult-of-domesticity/ https://psmag.com/social-justice/t...

11-11
01:36:55

27: What About Halloween?

We discuss the origins of Halloween and whether you can take your kids trick-or-treating. Has the church told the truth about Halloween? Books: Trick or Treat: The History of Halloween The Book of Hallowe'en Podcast Episodes about Samhain: https://peeranormal.com/podcast/peeranormal-18-samhain-and-halloween/ About Witch hunts:https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/witch-hunters-podcast-marion-gibson/ About Salem: https://www.historyextra.com/podcast-series/salem-witch-trials-history-po...

10-18
01:36:24

26: Justin Woodbury Interview Pt 2

In this two part interview we have a conversation with Justin about his new book and his experience in the IFB. Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse Justin's Book: Sheltered but Not Protected

10-04
01:06:27

25: Justin Woodbury Interview, Pt 1

In this two part interview we have a conversation with Justin about his new book and his experience in the IFB. Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse Justin's Book: Sheltered but Not Protected

10-04
01:24:50

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