Holy Ghosting

Join Sarai and Meg as they discuss the lasting impact of purity culture on our bodies, sexuality, and sense of self. From shame-filled messages like “sex is bad, and your body is bad” to the process of reclaiming pleasure, power, and agency, we explore what it means to move from restriction into liberation. We can reclaim the things that were taken away from us when we were young to build vibrant, healthy, beautifully sensual lives if we want that for ourselves.

In this episode, Meg sits down with Dr. Mara Einstein, professor of media studies and author of the new book Hoodwinked, to dissect the billion-dollar “He Gets Us” campaign and the larger machine of white Christian nationalism behind it.

We explore how evangelical marketing strategies are crafted to target vulnerable populations, why American exceptionalism is such a powerful theme in religious messaging, and how shifts in post-COVID culture, from rising loneliness to financial instability, are being leveraged for recruitment and control.

From tithing campaigns that put churches before families, to courses and data companies shaping belief at scale, we trace how faith is being branded and weaponized as a political tool. But we also talk about resistance: how education, activism, parenting shifts, and even organized boycotts can disrupt this machinery and reclaim community on healthier terms.

This is not just about ads—it’s about power, propaganda, and what it means for democracy when faith becomes a marketing strategy.

In this episode, we sit down with Liz Boltz-Ranfeld to talk about what happens when we take back the pen. For so many of us, writing was once locked inside the rigid frame of quiet times and journaling for the Lord. But Liz invites us to re-envision spiritual writing as something wildly more powerful: a practice of healing, resistance, and reclaiming our own sacred voice.

This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever felt their words stolen by purity culture, evangelical guilt, or spiritual performance. Liz shows us how those same words can be reclaimed—reborn as rituals of self-tending, liberation, and joy.

Let’s keep ghosting the past, and write our way into a future that belongs to us.

This week, Meg and Sarai sit down with Cult Slayer, Mica Ringo, whose Recovering Alumni blog played a key role in exposing the abuses of Teen Mania Ministries and giving survivors a voice as shown in the Prime Docuseries, Shiny, Happy People Season 2. Mica didn’t just tell stories—zir work helped bring lasting attention and pressure that contributed to Teen Mania’s collapse Blavity News & Entertainment ChurchLeaders.

But our conversation isn’t about the docuseries, and it’s not about the past. It’s about the present and the future. We know that together we can dismantle cultic systems, reclaim autonomy, and discover that living well in the afterlife (after church) is not just possible—it’s the point. We talk cult takedowns, freedom, joy, and what happens when you ghost your old beliefs for good. Spoiler: it's a lot more fun.

In an era where voices are silenced, and stories are censored, embracing and supporting spaces that offer uncensored narratives is more crucial than ever.

• Artistic Resistance: Andrea shares her insights on how comics have historically challenged societal norms and offered a platform for collective power and identity expression. With her expertise in comics history, she delves into how these narratives confront binaries and foster world-building.
• Comics and Community: Explore the role of local comic shops like Books with Pictures in creating safe communities and resisting censorship, especially in times when book banning is prevalent.
• Saga’s Universe: We scratch the surface of the epic story of "Saga," a comic series that epitomizes the struggle for identity and belonging in a vast universe, mirroring our own challenges in society.

In today's empowering episode, we're joined by wellness guide and advocate Brit Koch, who introduces us to the transformative concept of rest as a form of resistance plus 49 other Actionable Ways to Resist. Our conversation redefines self-care and explores how small, personal actions can lead to significant societal change. Whether you're new to activism or looking for sustainable ways to continue your engagement without burnout, this episode offers valuable insights into balancing action with self-preservation. Brit's approach encourages us to rethink how everyday choices like resting, spending, and connecting can be potent forms of resistance.

Download Britt's 50 Actionable Ways to Resist Guide https://britkoch.com/ 

She's offering it for free but if you're able to, I highly encourage you to make a donation. And while you're there check out her daily wellness book -- Rooted Rituals: Meaningful Wellness Practices from Ancient Native Wisdom

Threads: @britLkoch

TikTok: @brit.koch

Today, let's talk about something close to our hearts -- community, growth, and the gritty reality of dealing with societal issues. In today's world, where chaos often seems to reign supreme, finding our people, opening up, and taking care of ourselves isn't just nice to have—it's essential for our survival and empowerment. We're bringing you a challenge to engage with your communities and build meaningful relationships while not forgetting your personal health and needs. Stage one is to resist. Together we can overcome.

In this crucial episode, we’re joined by Dr. Laura Anderson to unravel the complex web of religious trauma and its intersection with political turbulence. We're adventuring into the realms of election anxiety, religious healing, and Christian nationalism, we discover challenges and pathways to personal empowerment and peace.

What we're talking about this episode:

• Election Anxiety & Healing Trauma:How the current political climate exacerbates religious trauma and what it means for those caught at the intersection.
• The Christian Nationalism Conundrum: We break down the long game of Christian nationalism and its profound impact on personal and societal boundaries.
• Mastering Self-Care: Learn practical techniques for visualization, bodily awareness, and establishing emotional and physical boundaries, especially in tumultuous times.
• Navigating Family & Information Overload: Get insights on handling tricky family dynamics and shielding yourself from the chaos of constant news cycles.
• Embracing Change and Lightness: Amidst serious discussions, we find moments of lightness and strategies to embrace ease and joy in everyday life.

Dr. Laura Anderson, author of When Religion Hurts You, and the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery have created the: Religious Trauma and the Elections Course: www.traumaresolutionandrecovery.com

Hey ghosties, since we’re in that wicked season, we thought we would take a stab at sharing some of the things we were told were evil. We welcome Kevin Garcia back to the show and we stuck ourselves back in middle school, in the early 90’s when TV was evil.

Episode CW: we talk about our bodies, restrictive eating, diet culture, sexual repression

In this soulful episode of Holy Ghosting, Meg and Sarai Johnson delve into the deeply personal journey of embodiment and the common struggle of feeling disconnected from our own bodies—something many of us face, especially if we grew up in high-control religious settings. They unwrap how cultural and religious scripts have shaped our views on body image and why it’s crucial to cultivate self-care and self-love.

Together, they tackle the tough stuff: the impacts of purity culture and diet culture, and why intuitive eating can be a game-changer. They champion the idea of radical self-care, urging everyone to weave together the pieces of self and body to reclaim their personal power and agency.

In this first episode of their "In This Body" Series, Meg and Sarai share some practical tips on embracing change and making yourself a priority because sometimes, the most revolutionary act is choosing to love yourself.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Embodiment

02:28 Awakening to Physical Awareness

06:45 Cultural and Religious Disconnection

10:21 The Impact of Purity Culture

13:02 Food, Body Image, and Self-Love

18:11 Intuitive Eating and Self-Care

20:50 Reclaiming Sexuality and Pleasure

24:05 The Power of Self-Ownership

27:27 Navigating Community and Expectations

31:26 Integration vs. Separation

36:18 The Importance of Self-Care

38:59 Redefining Selfishness

41:56 Embracing Needs and Vulnerability

47:01 The Process of Becoming

52:44 Finding Freedom in Embodiment