What if the truth was never missing… just buried under everything you were taught to fear?

A conversation about growing up as the daughter of a religious cult leader, the moment the spell broke, and what it takes to come back to yourself—this episode includes themes of control, spiritual abuse, and lived trauma. 

This one holds a different kind of weight.

No need to rush—we’ll come out the other side.
There is space for all of it here.
🌒 “I worked every day to keep my thoughts pure” — what it means to be afraid of your own mind.
🔥 The moment that didn’t look like a moment — very pregnant, wide awake, and finally done pretending.
🧠 Mind-reading as control — when even your inner world doesn’t feel like yours.
🐸 The frog in the pot — how “normal” slowly reshapes itself around harm.
💔 “Oh honey, I want to get back and miss my friends” — the sentence that broke the illusion.
🌊 Letting every thought come back at once — the night she stopped pushing truth down.
🤝 “I’m leaving… with or without you” — the risk of choosing yourself without a safety net.
🧵 Control that lingers — why leaving doesn’t mean you’re free (yet).
🧭 Relearning how to decide — untangling signs, destiny, and the fear of getting it wrong.
🌱 Starting over at 39 — sitting in a classroom, building a life that finally belongs to you.  

This episode isn’t here to fix things.
It’s here to sit with what is still being untangled.
It’s here to remind you to trust yourself—
and to support you in what you already know. Not everything will resonate.
Take what you need and leave the rest.
There is no timeline for becoming your own—
just the moments where you begin to remember.  

We’re really, really glad you’re here. 💛

Get in touch with Peggy!


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Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  
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James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  

For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  

This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  

We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  

This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios