Looking for Grace

Welcome to part one of a multi-part episode series on the decline of Carl Stevens, the rise of Tom Schaller, and the messy, messy middle in between. In these next few episodes, we will be taking a look at what happens when a leader fails, a power vacuum is created, and ambitious men pretendingto be humble servants see an opportunity too good to pass up-as well as what happens to those who dare to ask questions or get in their way.

For this episode I am delighted to welcome back Jennifer Dean as we discuss her new book, "Shadow of Joy."

We talk about the writing, editing, and launch process, along with all the emotions that come with creating and releasing such a personal project. We also talk about her book and what she wants the readers to know and to take away from the story.

For more information, you can visit her website at www.beyondtheshadow.me.

Content warning: This episode contains adult themes around coercive control and abuse.

In this episode, we talk about the latest news of Greater Grace's decision to resign from the Evangelical Counsel for Financial Accountability while under investigation for being out of compliance with one of the ECFA guiding principles, and why this kind of accountability matters.

Two families. Two super conservative religious ecosystems. How does this result in both families having two sons who became predators?

On this episode we take a look at what might be contributing factors to how these two families got here-and what we can learn from it all.

CONTENT WARNING: this episode contains conversation about sexual assault, molestation, and CSAM. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

For this episode I am joined by the writer of the Grumpy Bex blog on Substack as we tackle the topic of purity culture and the impact it had on our generation, especially females of our generation, both as teenagers and in our adult lives.

Content Warning: sexual content including abuse, coercion, and venereal disease

This week I am joined on the podcast by survivor and author Jennifer Dean. Jennifer is an absolute delight, and in this conversation we talk about her experience being in a marriage marked by coercive control and abuse while also being part of Greater Grace, and the way church leaders responded to her cries for help.

She has turned those experiences into a way to help others, and is about to release her very first book, "Shadow of Joy" in April. You can find out more at beyondtheshadow.me.

I am so pleased to bring you the very first guest conversation on Looking for Grace podcast! I had great time chatting with Arrow about what's it's like when the world you know crashes with reality. We also discussed contradictions, cracks, and finding a way out. -and how we even managed to find some fun along the way.

In this episode we will examine some examples of abuse at GGWO affiliate locations by local church leaders and the response of GGWO leaders in Baltimore. We will also take a look at GGWO's view of affiliation and why it is problematic.

Content warning: this episode contains harsh language regarding abuse, listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, we take a look at the timeline of abuses at GGWO Baltimore that were detailed in the GRACE report and whether or not they fit the leader's claim of there having been no findings of abuse at the Baltimore campus in the last 20 years-and whether or not that even matters.

Episode note: after recording this episode, I did uncover that Jesse A. was required to be on the offender registry for life.

In this one we start right with the figure who was central to it all-Carl Stevens. Content warning for manipulation and abuse.