Beyond BJU: Exposing Fundamentalism

In this episode, we dive into the experiences of Daisy, who was raised in the IFB movement and is a stay-at-home daughter. She was forced to attend BJU in 2008, right after the death of her best friend. Despite her plea to take time off to grieve, she was pushed into an environment where she was labeled a "trouble student" from day one. Unaware of her autism at the time, Daisy grappled with academic struggles and navigating the toxic culture of BJU. She was subjected to bullying, scrutiny, and sexual harassment due to her body size. After enduring two years of multifaceted abuse, Daisy was left emotionally numb and was back under the absolute control of her parents. Join us as we explore Daisy's journey, the abuse she faced, and her path towards healing.

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In this Patreon bonus episode, host Andrew Pledger explores the transformative power of trauma survivors sharing their stories. He discusses how recounting experiences in a safe space fosters healing, validation, and emotional regulation. Referencing insights from Dr. Laura Anderson and Brené Brown, Andrew explains the importance of finding the right language to articulate trauma. He highlights the role of storytelling in reclaiming personal narratives and overcoming complex PTSD, as emphasized by Dr. Alexandra Stein.

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*Some audio is regenerated by AI because of mispronunciations and/or recording issues

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Get early access to the FULL Exposing The Wilds series here: https://patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

or listeners can wait until the end of August to get the final episode.

This four-part series features a former staff member of The Wilds Christian camp in Brevard, NC. The camp is affiliated with Bob Jones University. The former staff sheds light on its inner workings. We'll delve into the camp's origins, organizational structure, daily routines, counseling methods, teachings, practices, and more. The series starts with the survivor's childhood experiences at Bethany Baptist in Brevard; an Independent Fundamental Baptist church/cult affiliated with The Wilds camp. She recalls the abuse endured at the church’s Christian school and the church's controlling nature, describing the pervasive influence of The Wilds staff over the church and the cult-ure they fostered.

In the second installment, the survivor unveils her experiences working at The Wilds. She outlines the staff hierarchy, roles, and training, revealing the organization's intricate inner workings and demanding schedules. She discloses the counseling techniques employed on campers, sharing haunting stories and instances of heavy indoctrination through sleep deprivation, substandard meals, fear tactics, information control, time management, intense physical activity, and more. In the third section, she shares more specific accounts and concerns about the camp and discusses her healing journey.

In the final episode, she reviews a counseling booklet produced by The Wilds, detailing their counseling methods and their impacts. A big part of the counseling is The Tree Model which the survivor exposes and unpacks.

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*Some audio is regenerated by AI because of mispronunciations and/or recording issues

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Sarah Caton, a young preacher’s daughter growing up in a small Mormon town in Utah is beginning to doubt her faith. Highly observant, and stubborn, Sarah tends to see and point out inconsistencies which keeps getting her in trouble, especially in church. But ultimately, the very traits she thinks will be her downfall are what lead to her starting the deconstruction process.

By following her own truth, she fears losing her family and entire community. She struggles with the decision to leave behind the religious abuse and control only to find domestic abuse waiting for her on the other side. Will she find the courage to stand up for herself, or will she once again submit to her patriarchal authority figure? Interwoven with humor, poignant memories, and vivid recollections, this is one girl’s journey from compliant convert to doubting “exvangelical." - the description from Caton's memoir "Deconstructing: Memoir of a Preacher's Daughter."

Purchase her memoir on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2rWZih7

Andrew Pledger's Links

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Access the full episode on my Patreon here: https://patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

In this Patreon bonus episode, I dig into the complex subject of indoctrination, focusing on its psychological, social, and mental health effects. I define indoctrination using the scholarly work of individuals like Dr. Janja Lalich and Dr. Robert Lifton, addressing topics like thought reform and coercive persuasion. I share my own experiences of being raised within the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement, highlighting the profound influence of indoctrination on identity formation, decision-making, and critical thinking processes. I present the specific criteria and instruments employed in spotting indoctrination within groups, trace the sinister facets of religious trauma, and discuss the intricacies of escaping from such environments.

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In this episode, Rebecca Worthington shares her personal journey, from her upbringing as a Freewill Baptist, and to her years at Bob Jones University. She provides a candid account of the expectations and pressures she faced growing up, and the impact of purity culture and fundamentalism. Rebecca also discusses her experiences at BJU, from navigating its rules system to discovering her bi/pan identity. Her post-BJU years marked the beginning of a healing journey, unpacking family relationships, embracing her intuition, and exploring spiritual practices like tarot card reading. Listen as Rebecca reflects on her life’s trajectory, the lessons she’s learned, and her aspirations to help others heal from spiritual trauma.

Rebecca’s Links:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@midnightsunflowertarot?_t=8mF7jUG27L8&_r=1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midnight_sunflower_tarot?igsh=cWp1dTQwMTR1NDA5&utm_source=qr

Andrew Pledger's Links

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-Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

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Access the full episode on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

-In this Patreon bonus episode of 'Beyond BJU,' I, Andrew Pledger, delve into the theme 'You Are Good: Discovering Your Pure Self.' I discuss the impact of toxic fundamentalist beliefs that foster self-hatred and disconnection from one's genuine self. I introduce the therapeutic concept of Internal Family Systems (IFS), which identifies and reconciles multiple sub-personalities within each person's mental framework. I emphasize the inherent goodness within everyone, highlighting the importance of compassion, love, and mindfulness in self-healing. This episode includes insights from psychology, therapy, and personal experiences, encouraging listeners to reconnect with their core selves and embrace their inner goodness.

Andrew's Links

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Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

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In this episode, we delve into the life of Mary Hubbard, who shares her experiences growing up at Dyer Baptist Church in the IFB movement. Dyer Baptist is an offshoot of FBC Hammond Baptist Church. She also shares her experiences attending BJU. She discusses the controversial events that led to her expulsion from BJU, including a relationship with a staff member and the aftermath, which involved counseling programs and harsh judgments. Mary also discusses her move to Lynchburg, VA, her marriage, and her experiences at Liberty University. Her journey of deconstructing evangelical Christianity, her current husband's struggle with mental health in the church, and their subsequent departure from organized religion provide a powerful perspective on faith and individualism. Listen to Mary's inspiring journey to freedom and self-discovery.

Andrew Pledger's Links

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

My Substack: https://speakingupandrewpledger.substack.com/

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

-Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This four-part series features a former staff member of The Wilds Christian camp in Brevard, NC. The camp is affiliated with Bob Jones University. The former staff sheds light on its inner workings. We'll delve into the camp's origins, organizational structure, daily routines, counseling methods, teachings, practices, and more. The series starts with the survivor's childhood experiences at Bethany Baptist in Brevard, an Independent Fundamental Baptist church/cult affiliated with The Wilds camp. She recalls the abuse endured at the church’s Christian school and the church's controlling nature, describing the pervasive influence of The Wilds staff over the church and the cult-ure they fostered.

In the second installment, the survivor unveils her experiences working at The Wilds. She outlines the staff hierarchy, roles, and training, revealing the organization's intricate inner workings and demanding schedules. She discloses the counseling techniques employed on campers, sharing haunting stories and instances of heavy indoctrination through sleep deprivation, substandard meals, fear tactics, information control, time management, intense physical activity, and more.

In the third section, she shares more specific accounts and concerns about the camp and discusses her healing journey.

In the final episode, she reviews a counseling booklet produced by The Wilds, detailing their counseling methods and their impacts. A big part of the counseling is The Tree Model which the survivor exposes and unpacks.- Coming August 2024

Andrew Pledger's Links

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

My Substack: https://speakingupandrewpledger.substack.com/

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

-Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashley Easter is a cult survivor turned survivor advocate. She is the founder of Courage 365, a non-profit for abuse survivors (especially those abused in faith contexts) and a television producer focused on highlighting stories of meaning and mission. She is also an intuition life coach specializing in helping women take back their power and confidently make decisions for themselves. (description from The Desert Sanctuary podcast)

Sign up for a Courage Club (FREE Online Peer Support Group): https://www.courage365.org/clubs

Courage 365: https://www.courage365.org/

Ashley Easter’s Website: https://www.ashleyeaster.com/

Ashley's TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDvhN7rSLK4&t=11s

Rift by Cait West: https://a.co/d/gz9Q7qk

Andrew Pledger’s Links

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

My Substack: https://speakingupandrewpledger.substack.com/

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

-Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.