Melissa was devoted to "doing things right" this time in her marriage to Froggy, a man she thought she knew. In this episode, we uncover the elaborate web of deceit spun by Tom and Charlotte, who exploit the goodwill of church members to orchestrate a wedding for Melissa and Froggy. As Melissa navigates the pressure to conform to Froggy's expectations, tensions rise, and the true colors of her supposed Prince Charming begin to emerge.

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

In this episode of Burning Butterflies, Melissa and Amanda delve deep into the unsettling tale of a church community torn apart by the very structure meant to bring them together. Join us as we unravel the web of manipulation that shrouds this seemingly holy endeavor. 

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

Every week, nearly 8 million Americans sit in a church service and listen to a sermon. Most are there to hear a message of hope, connection and faith. But what happens when the pastor leverages the pulpit to publicly shame and humiliate those who dare to rock the boat? 

Join Melissa and Amanda as they discuss their experiences being pulpit shamed and how it became a regular part of the toxic culture of spiritual abuse at "Come As You Are."

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

"Those were the good-ole days!" That is what Amanda used to tell people when referring to her early years in serving at "Come As You Are."  In this episode, Amanda shares her personal experiences of indoctrination, where the fervor of serving and doing all she could to honor God was masked the shadows of control and depression.  

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

Anywhere you go has an onboarding system; school, work and yes, even church. You are welcomed in and taught about what to expect at that organization. But what happens when that onboarding system is set up to condition you to be loyal to just one person and one place. And what happens when the information you share is used to take advantage of you and exploit your hopes, your skills and your faith? 

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

Melissa arrived at "Come As You Are" as a single mother ready to "do things right!" But now we all know how "Come As You Are" operates. She needs to be all in. She's invited to attend Bible studies and begins serving on teams. But her life gets turned upside down when a chance encounter with a man whose broad shoulders captivate her turns into him asking , "Can I keep you forever?" 

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

Women are called to be a helper; silent and submissive. There is an entire offshoot of Christian books dedicated to teaching women how to be a Godly wife. So why is this problematic? 

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

How does someone become the poster child the the perfect church lady that others will eventually be expected to live up to and that you will eventually use to destroy her confidence and character? 

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

In the moment, it just seemed like they really liked her and wanted her to be a part of what they were doing. She thought she had found community and belonging. In hindsight, she was being love bombed to ensure she would become an all in member. In this week's episode of Burning Butterflies, Amanda shares her love bombing phase at "Come As You Are."

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!

I have a deficit. I am inadequate. There is something wrong with me. Why can't I get it together?  Is there something wrong with my faith?

Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!