Church is supposed to be a sanctuary.

But what happens when it becomes the place that breaks you?

In this unfiltered and courageous conversation, we're diving into the kind of pain the Church doesn’t like to talk about—church hurt.

We're talking spiritual manipulation, toxic leadership, cult-like control, and the paralyzing guilt that keeps many trapped in pews, afraid to walk away.

Our guest, Simon Andrade—host of the Free and Redeemed Podcast—knows this pain firsthand. He’s walked the road of betrayal masked as ministry, and he’s here to help us face the truth:

You're not crazy.

You’re not weak for leaving.

And Jesus is not the one who hurt you.

If you’ve ever sat in a sanctuary and felt your soul suffocate…

If you’ve ever been told to “just submit” while your spirit screamed for peace…

If you’ve wrestled with the fear that walking away from a church means walking away from God…

This episode is for you.

We’re asking the hard questions—about forgiveness, boundaries, cult-like systems, and the messy journey toward healing. Because freedom doesn’t come from silence. It comes from honesty—and honesty and truth will always lead you closer to Jesus.

We Go Deep On:

Is it just “church hurt” or is it spiritual abuse?

How do you protect your soul without hardening your heart?

Can you love Jesus and take a break from church?

Red flags of modern-day cults that don’t look like cults

Healing when you're still in pain—and learning to trust again

Raw. Honest. Necessary.

This isn’t just another podcast.

This is truth that draws us nearer to the heart of Christ.