This solo episode is basically me unapologetically loving Wicked and unpacking why it hits so hard for anyone who’s left a high-control religion. I talk about my deep connection to Elphaba; the “problem,” the scapegoat, the one who won’t stay small and how her story mirrors the experience of choosing authenticity over belonging. We explore the grief and liberation that come with being cast as the villain for stepping outside the system, and why that narrative feels painfully familiar for so many of us.

I also spend time with Glinda, because it’s never that simple. She represents the ache of staying, the love tangled up with fear, loyalty, image, and the cost of not leaving. Through Wicked, I reflect on propaganda, scapegoating, and the way systems decide who is “good” and who is “wicked.” It’s theatre kid energy meets religious trauma processing and honestly, it makes sense of more than it probably should.

Connect

1. You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
2. To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
3. Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
4. Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective