Raised in the Lamb of God Covenant Community, Audrey Clare Farley grew up in a tightly controlled environment shaped by charismatic Catholicism, rigid gender roles, and a theology that demanded obedience at all costs. Now a historian and author, Audrey reflects on how that formative experience shaped her work on eugenics, religious fundamentalism, and the ways society constructs categories like “madness” and “monstrosity” to justify violence.

In this conversation, Audrey joins Max and Emma to discuss the quiet violence of spiritual abuse, how high-control religious spaces blur the lines between holiness and harm, and why storytelling is vital for recovery and resistance. Together, we explore what happens when faith communities become more invested in control than care—and how reclaiming your voice can be an act of liberation. Look out for the recap essay on our Substack, which functions as long-form show notes and will include relevant links to Audrey’s work and more.

Content statement: Before you listen to this episode, take a beat. Today's episode features discussions of clergy sex abuse, sexual assault, purity culture, grief and loss. As someone who lived through purity culture, Emma knows that discussions of virginity can be especially triggering to many of us, so before diving in, take a breath and assess where you are. If you're not in a good spot right now, feel free to come back later. We really appreciate you holding space with us and taking care of yourselves. The conversations we have are difficult but important, but to create change, we need to respect and maintain our boundaries and prioritize our well being.