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Breaking Free from Religious Trauma: Healing After Life in a High-Control Cult
In this episode, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Brooke Deanne, an RTT therapist and trauma healing mentor, to unpack her powerful story of breaking free from the confines of a high-control religious environment.
Brooke opens up about being born and raised as a third-generation Jehovah’s Witness. She shares the painful realities of life inside what she identifies as a cult including the loss of community, fear-based control, and the shunning faced for questioning authority or stepping out of line. Together, Steve and Brooke discuss the psychological tactics used to enforce obedience, how trauma bonds are formed, and the challenges of redefining self-worth and authenticity after decades of indoctrination.
This episode is a candid exploration of grief, resilience, and ultimately learning to choose yourself, even when it means leaving behind family and community. Join us for a raw and inspiring conversation about trauma, healing, and the courage it takes to reclaim your inner authority.
Key Moments:
05:07 Cult Warnings: Historical Lessons
06:33 Cult Control Through Fear
12:52 Growing Up as a Jehovah’s Witness
15:01 Self-Love Over Parental Expectations
17:15 "Embracing Self-Love for Better Parenting"
20:40 "Understanding Trauma Bonds"
24:17 Journey from Trauma to Healing
About the guest :
Brooke Deanne is a Trauma Healing Mentor, Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTT), and NLP Practitioner empowering female survivors of abuse and trauma to reclaim their lives by rewriting their stories via a holistic approach to access new levels of mind, body, and spirit integration. After overcoming her history of abuse as an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, and toxic relationships, Brooke brings profound insight to her work and as an advocate against religious abuse and domestic violence. She is the author of The Grief Monster, a trusted resource in therapy offices and hospitals to help children process loss, and Shattered, Broken, & Beautiful - Losing My Religion and Finding Faith, a transformative memoir exploring her healing journey from a religious cult and abusive relationships. Brooke also hosts The Cult Diaries podcast. Discover more at https://www.lifecoachinggoddess.com/
Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachinggoddess
About Coached Soul™:
Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.
For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/
View all episodes
By Dr. Steve Hudgins, LPC-S, NCCIn this episode, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Brooke Deanne, an RTT therapist and trauma healing mentor, to unpack her powerful story of breaking free from the confines of a high-control religious environment.
Brooke opens up about being born and raised as a third-generation Jehovah’s Witness. She shares the painful realities of life inside what she identifies as a cult including the loss of community, fear-based control, and the shunning faced for questioning authority or stepping out of line. Together, Steve and Brooke discuss the psychological tactics used to enforce obedience, how trauma bonds are formed, and the challenges of redefining self-worth and authenticity after decades of indoctrination.
This episode is a candid exploration of grief, resilience, and ultimately learning to choose yourself, even when it means leaving behind family and community. Join us for a raw and inspiring conversation about trauma, healing, and the courage it takes to reclaim your inner authority.
Key Moments:
05:07 Cult Warnings: Historical Lessons
06:33 Cult Control Through Fear
12:52 Growing Up as a Jehovah’s Witness
15:01 Self-Love Over Parental Expectations
17:15 "Embracing Self-Love for Better Parenting"
20:40 "Understanding Trauma Bonds"
24:17 Journey from Trauma to Healing
About the guest :
Brooke Deanne is a Trauma Healing Mentor, Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTT), and NLP Practitioner empowering female survivors of abuse and trauma to reclaim their lives by rewriting their stories via a holistic approach to access new levels of mind, body, and spirit integration. After overcoming her history of abuse as an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, and toxic relationships, Brooke brings profound insight to her work and as an advocate against religious abuse and domestic violence. She is the author of The Grief Monster, a trusted resource in therapy offices and hospitals to help children process loss, and Shattered, Broken, & Beautiful - Losing My Religion and Finding Faith, a transformative memoir exploring her healing journey from a religious cult and abusive relationships. Brooke also hosts The Cult Diaries podcast. Discover more at https://www.lifecoachinggoddess.com/
Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachinggoddess
About Coached Soul™:
Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.
For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/