Raised in a conservative, fundamentalist Christian environment, Monte Mader’s home life was filled with being forced to memorize Bible verses or risk extreme corporal punishment. A scholar of the Bible, she later publicly deconstructed those beliefs and now focuses on challenging dogma and exploring cultural and historical topics.  Today we discuss some of the main talking points fundamentalist’s use to harm and oppress others and dispute them using the Bible itself. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Find Monte Mader on social media!

IG:  https://www.instagram.com/montemader/

Website: https://montemader.com/

https://linktr.ee/MonteMader

Watch our initial interview with Monte

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**Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raised in a conservative, fundamentalist Christian environment, Monte Mader later publicly deconstructed those beliefs and now focuses on challenging dogma and exploring cultural and historical topics. Her home life was filled with being forced to memorize Bible verses or risk extreme corporal punishment. Her mom left the family of 6 children early in Monte’s childhood and was replaced by a sadistic stepmother who kept her and her brother in the basement for 2 years along with other harsh punishments. 

Even though Monte was being bred to be a housewife with strict gender roles, once her father recognized her off-the-charts intelligence, he quickly switched gears and wanted her to become a Supreme Court Justice to enact and even overturn policy for the agenda of extreme fundamentalist ideology. After a tumultuous engagement that ended in betrayal and disaster, Monte continued to deconstruct when she realized she had been lied to about what the Bible actually says from a Scholastic POV. Now she uses her platform with millions of followers to debate against those who try to use the Bible’s words to harm and oppress others. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Find Monte Mader on social media!

IG:  https://www.instagram.com/montemader/

Website: https://montemader.com/

https://linktr.ee/MonteMader

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Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.

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Venmo @sheliseann

Find us on Social media!

Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

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Brian Recker is a former Evangelical Pastor who spent about eight years in ministry before stepping away from traditional evangelicalism. He grew up as the son of a Baptist preacher and attended the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. Now, he speaks up about a love-centered relationship with God as interpreted by the Bible and shares why it’s common for people to fall into Authoritarian based control when they are already in a fear-based or high control religion. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch our initial interview with Brian here

Brian’s Book:  “Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love”

Follow Brian on social media!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/berecker/

Substack: https://brianrecker.substack.com/

Brian’s link tree: https://linktr.ee/berecker

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Venmo @sheliseann

Find us on Social media!

Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brian Recker is a former Evangelical Pastor who spent about eight years in ministry before stepping away from traditional evangelicalism. He grew up as the son of a Baptist preacher and attended the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. Instead of pastoring a local church in the traditional sense, Brian now speaks, writes, and teaches about a more inclusive, love-centered Christian spirituality. By removing pun*shment from Christianity’s center, Brian boldly reimagines the core questions of faith, such as why Jesus lived and d*ed, and what it means to be “saved.” He emphasizes following Jesus without fear of hell, and focuses on compassion, empathy, and justice in spiritual life.

Click here to watch on YouTube

Brian’s Book:  “Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love”

Follow Brian on social media!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/berecker/

Substack: https://brianrecker.substack.com/

Brian’s link tree: https://linktr.ee/berecker

Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!

Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.

Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness

Venmo @sheliseann

Find us on Social media!

Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the Old Colony Mennonites in Texas where JT was raised, education was only a priority up until 8th grade or age 13. After he escaped into the Military as soon as they would take him, he quickly realized he was either lied to or important information was left out. He ended up getting his GED at 21 years old. Learn how he navigated the "English" world with limited knowledge and a drive to succeed. 

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Watch our initial interview with JT

Follow JT on social media!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jtguenter/

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@jt_guenter

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Venmo @sheliseann

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Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Western Texas is an Old Colony Mennonite settlement where John Guenter grew up. His mother converted and ended up being one of the most strict members there. He was bullied and abused constantly for being gay, even though he wouldn’t even fully understand his orientation until later in life. He was under threat of being kidnapped and taken to an unlicensed facility in Mexico where they sent people to be “fixed” for various reasons.  Aside from the terror of being separated from family and sent to another country, it was well known that the Mennonites in Mexico had ties with the Cartel. He realized it wasn’t safe for him to remain in the settlement and escaped by joining the military as soon as he was able. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch our follow up live with JT  

Follow JT on social media!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jtguenter/

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@jt_guenter

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Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.

Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!

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Venmo @sheliseann

Find us on Social media!

Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following up our incredible interview with Lilia Tarawa, today we go LIVE with her to further discuss what it was like escaping the Gloriavale cult.  Founded by her grandfather, who was inspired by the Amish in the US, Gloriavale became an isolated community in New Zealand that implemented communal living, strict gender roles and even identical uniforms for its members. 

The numbers grew rapidly, especially since birth control wasn’t allowed. Lilia showed promise in leadership skills as a chiId, but was quickly shot down in an hours-long public shaming by her own grandfather. When her friends were being arranged to marry men they didn’t know or like, she realized she needed to escape. Learn how her whole family was able to leave Gloriavale and the struggles they faced afterwards. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch our initial interview with Lilia

Book:  “Daughter of Gloriavale:  My Life in a Religious Cult”

Find Lilia on social media!

Podcast: “Brandbreaker with Lilia Tarawa”

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@liliatarawa

FB: https://www.facebook.com/msliliatarawa

IG: https://www.instagram.com/liliatarawa/

Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!

Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.

Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!

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Venmo @sheliseann

Find us on Social media!

Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lilia Tarawa was raised in an isolated community in New Zealand started by her grandfather, called Gloriavale. Inspired by the Amish in the US, he implemented communal living, strict gender roles and even identical uniforms for its members. The numbers grew rapidly, especially since birth control wasn’t allowed. Lilia showed promise in leadership skills as a chiId, but was quickly shot down in an hours-long public shaming by her own grandfather. When her friends were being arranged to marry men they didn’t know or like, she realized she needed to escape. Learn how her whole family was able to leave Gloriavale and the struggles they faced afterwards. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch our follow up LIVE with Lilia

Book:  “Daughter of Gloriavale:  My Life in a Religious Cult”

Find Lilia on social media!

Podcast: “Brandbreaker with Lilia Tarawa”

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@liliatarawa

FB: https://www.facebook.com/msliliatarawa

IG: https://www.instagram.com/liliatarawa/

Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!

Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.

Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness

Venmo @sheliseann

Find us on Social media!

Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing.  Lovina Zook grew up in one of the strictest Amish settlements started by her own family. Highly demanding gender roles were enforced leaving Lovina with no other choice than to marry a relative and become a busy housewife, or be considered an old maid at 24. She had high ambitions and knew she had to escape and trade her entire family and community to be free to live her dreams. Her stardom has grown exponentially on social media where she teaches others how to cook and bake like she did while in the Amish. Join us to find out how she managed to do it and any struggles she faced along the way. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch Lovina's initial interview

Find Lovina on social media!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook

Website: https://socialsbylovina.com/

Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!

Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.

Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness

Venmo @sheliseann

Find us on Social media!

Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing.  Lovina Zook grew up in one of the strictest Amish settlements started by her own family. It was common to marry cousins as most people there were related by blood and a woman would be considered an “old maid” if still single by 24 yrs old. Lovina discusses the hardest parts including struggling with mental heath, strict rules and not receiving any love or affection from parents of family members. As soon as she turned 18, she ran away in the middle of the night with the intention to become more than the Amish would ever allow. Lovina would then find a massive following on social media. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch our follow up LIVE with Lovina answering your questions

Find Lovina on social media!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook

Website: https://socialsbylovina.com/

Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!

Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.

Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness

Venmo @sheliseann

Find us on Social media!

Instagram @cultstoconsciousness 

Host Instagram @sheliseann 

Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ 

TikTok @cults.to.consciousness 

Twitter @cultstocon 

**Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:17 Lovina's Amish settlement

00:06:01 How leadership is determined

00:10:52 Strict dress code

00:17:18 Importance of covering hair in Amish tradition

00:20:42 What family like was like for Lovina

00:26:30 Lack of affection within the household

00:34:17 Hygiene standards within the community

00:42:38 Why she ran away

00:48:52 Marrying cousins & s*xual repression

00:55:46 Smuggl*ng books

00:58:10 Why Lovina didn't want to be baptized

01:04:25 When Lovina left

01:15:29 Difficulties after leaving

01:28:01 How her parents treated her after leaving

01:33:15 Linda, listen

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.