Safe to Hope

In this first part of her story, Carya offers a window into her childhood— the one outsiders saw, and the one they didn’t. Her narrative reveals how abuse and trafficking can be carefully concealed behind the mask of normalcy, community, and even “Christian” culture. As you hear her story, we urge you to listen slowly and carefully, not just with your ears, but with your heart.

We begin here to challenge the illusions, to equip the church to respond to real evil, and to stand with survivors like Carya who risk everything to speak the truth.

Warning: This episode contains detailed descriptions of childhood sexual abuse and trafficking. Please use discretion and prioritize your emotional safety as you listen.

SHOW NOTES:
Bearing Witness Episode 1 Introduction
Bearing Witness Episode 3 Julia, Ann Maree and Carya
Bearing Witness Episode 4 Self-Care

Informational Resources:

• Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion
• RAINN.org - Informational Support for sexual abuse survivors 
• Kay Tolman's Revelation Gateway Ministries
• On the Threshold of Hope: by Diane Langberg
• Escaping High-Control Religious Groups

Self-Care Resources:

• Christian Trauma Healing Network, Tools & Handouts 
• Self-Regulation for Daily Triggers
• Therapy in a Nutshell 
• Justice From the Victim’s Perspective by Judith Herman
• Honoring the Truth: A Response to the Backlash by Ellen Bass & Laura Davis

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

How do you prepare your heart and mind to hear stories of deep suffering without becoming overwhelmed — or walking away untouched?

In Self-Care with Julia and Ann Maree, we pause before beginning this season’s difficult story to talk about something equally important: how to listen well.

Ann Maree is joined by licensed therapist and Help[H]er board member, Julia, to explore the weighty but necessary practice of bearing witness — not only to unimaginable trauma but also to the redemptive thread running through the darkness. You’ll hear practical self-care strategies, spiritual insights, and thoughtful encouragement for anyone who wants to enter into another’s story without losing themselves in the process.

SHOW NOTES: 

Self-Care Resources:

• Christian Trauma Healing Network, Tools and Handouts
• Self-Regulation for Daily Triggers
• Therapy in a Nutshell
• Justice From the Victim’s Perspective by Judith Herman
• Honoring the Truth: A Response to the Backlash by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis
• Escaping Enemy Mode by Dr Jim Wilder

Informational Resources:

• Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion
• RAINN.org - Informational Support for sexual abuse survivors
• On the Threshold of Hope by Diane Langberg
• Escaping High-Control Religious Groups

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

Recently, a well-known Christian podcast released a new series exploring topics like trauma, mental illness, and abuse—many of the same themes we're addressing this year on Safe to Hope. Understandably, some of our listeners are engaging with both, and a few have already shared how conflicted or invalidated they felt.

In response, we’ve released a special bonus episode. To gently offer a different perspective—one shaped by the lived experiences of survivors and informed by experts in trauma care and memory science. This episode also frames the heart of our season: why believing survivors matters, and how we hold sacred space for stories that are hard to tell.

SHOW NOTES:

Season 6 Introduction (Episode 1)

Season 1 Significance of Story

Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence – From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror by Judith Lewis Herman

Remember my Affliction:Advent Through Lamentations  by Kimrey Dillon

Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks

What is a Girl Worth?  by Rachel Denhollander

Living in His Presence by Sylvia Gunter (re: Luke 11:24-26)

Keith Evans quotes from https://youtu.be/nxPxss963SI?si=NbqKx7DFCqX0KyGs

Honoring the Truth: A Response to the Backlash by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis

Misquoted 20,000; correct is 12,000 reports of satanic ritual abuse

Misquoted 1 Timothy instead of 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Dr Jim Wilder Resources:

• The Red Dragon Cast Down: A Redemptive Approach to the Occult and Satanism
• The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

This week on Safe to Hope, we talk about the process of storytelling, self-care, and grief, and why survivors need time, patience, and space to make sense of what they’ve been through. Carya shares how putting words to her story changed how she saw it, but also how she wrestles with grief and the need for lament. 

SHOW NOTES:

Season 1 Significance of Story

Season 6 Introduction (Episode 1)

Season 6 Jesus is My Captain

Dr Jim Wilder Resources:

• Thrive conference.
• The Red Dragon Cast Down: A Redemptive Approach to the Occult and Satanism
• Pandora Problem: Facing Narcissism in Leaders & Ourselves 
• The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation
• Escaping Enemy Mode: How Our Brains Unit and Divide Us

Informational Resources:

• Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion
• RAINN - Informational Support for sexual abuse survivors:
• Escaping High-Control Religious Groups 
• On the Threshold of Hope: Opening the Door to Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Diane Langberg

Self-Care Resources:

• Christian Trauma Healing Network, Tools and Handouts
• Self-Regulation for Daily Triggers
• The Essential Skill to Regulate Your Nervous System - Relaxed Vigilance vs. Hypervigilance

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode of Safe to Hope, we meet Carya, our storyteller for Season 6. Instead of starting at the beginning of her story, we begin with where she has landed—a place of deep wrestling, but also profound hope. Through the lens of Jesus is My Captain, Carya shares the mystery of suffering, the presence of Christ in unimaginable pain, and the reality that following Him is not always safe, but it is good. Her words are a testament to the severe mercy of God, who calls us not to escape suffering, but to walk with Him through it.

Show Notes:

Season 6 Introduction (Episode 1)

Informational Resources:

• Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion:
  https://www.lalichcenter.org/
• RAINN - Informational Support for sexual abuse survivors:
   rainn.org
• On the Threshold of Hope: Opening the Door to Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Diane Langberg

Self-Care Resources:

• Christian Trauma Healing Network, Tools and Handouts:
  https://christiantraumahealingnetwork.org/resources/tools-and-handouts/
• Self-Regulation for Daily Triggers:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcoIE3Yiaw0
• The Essential Skill to Regulate Your Nervous System - Relaxed Vigilance vs. Hypervigilance:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcoIE3Yiaw0&t=5s

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

She thought she knew God. Then suffering came—relentless, overwhelming, and dark. In this episode of Safe to Hope, Dr. Ingrid Faro shares her journey of wrestling with evil, questioning God, and discovering a faith stronger than suffering. As we begin a season filled with hard yet necessary conversations, Dr. Faro helps us lay a foundation for understanding evil—because without that framework, we cannot fully grasp the hope that follows.

SHOW NOTES:
Dr. Ingrid Faro

• Website: https://www.ingridfaro.com/
• Evil in Genesis: A Contextual Analysis of Hebrew Lexemes for Evil in the Book of Genesis
• Demystifying Evil: Demystifying Evil: A Biblical and Personal Exploration
• Redeeming Eden: How Women in the Bible Advance the Story of Salvation (not yet released)
• Honest Answers: Exploring God Questions with Your Tween co-authored with Janelle Alberts

Other mentions:

• Evil and the Justice of God by N.T. Wright
• The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
• The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

In the powerful conclusion to our series on reconciled relationships, Ann Maree invites counselor Greg Wilson and biblical counselor Darby Strickland to discuss the difficult path of healing from domestic abuse. Greg and Darby offer deep insights into recognizing God’s presence amid suffering, stressing the need for patience and the priority of addressing an abuser’s behavior before focusing on the victim’s response. They unpack the impact of trauma and urge churches to stand by victims, even when human support falls short. This conversation is a compelling reminder of God’s unwavering work, even in our brokenness.

SHOW NOTES:

• Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims by Darby A. Strickland
• Something Scary Happened by Darby A. Strickland
• Something Sad Happened by Darby A. Strickland
• When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church by Jeremy Pierre and Greg Wilson
• Greg Wilson’s practice Soul Care Associates
• Christian Trauma Healing Network
• Called to Peace (Protect the Flock is a seminar Called to Peace offers to churches.)
• ChrisMoles.orgMen of Peace program
• PeaceWorks University is Chris Moles training arm 

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

Imagine walking through the storm of domestic abuse, where hope feels distant, and healing seems impossible. In the gripping final episode of Season Five of the Safe to Hope podcast, Ann Maree sits down with Charles and Renee, a couple who once faced the darkest of days. But through God’s unwavering faithfulness, they found a path to reconciliation and healing.

Renee opens up about the comfort she drew from the promises of Romans 8:28, believing that even in the chaos, God was working for good. Psalm 73:26 became her lifeline, reminding her that even when her heart felt shattered, God was her strength. For Charles, the journey was about transformation, leaning on 1 Peter 3:7 to understand the true calling of a husband, and 2 Peter 1:5-8 as a roadmap for growth in godly character.

Together, they share how the Gospel changed everything, offering hope when there seemed to be none. Renee passionately calls for churches to stand boldly in addressing abuse with justice and mercy, while Charles urges leaders to prioritize an abuser’s repentance before rushing to resolve the victim's response. Their story is a testament to God's intervention and a reminder that church leaders must be equipped to walk with those in crisis.

SHOW NOTES:

• Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims by Darby A. Strickland
• Something Scary Happened by Darby A. Strickland
• Something Sad Happened by Darby A. Strickland
• When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
• When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church by Jeremy Pierre and Greg Wilson
• Called to Peace (Protect the Flock is a seminar Called to Peace offers to churches.)
• ChrisMoles.orgMen of Peace program
• PeaceWorks University is Chris Moles training arm 
• DASA Report

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.

Join us for a powerful conversation with Chris Moles, pastor and biblical counselor, who shares his deep insight into the sinister nature of domestic abuse and how it can be confronted and redeemed. In this episode, Chris reflects on the complexities of coercive control, repentance, and the responsibility of power within relationships. He unpacks the distinct patterns of abuse, the weight of unrepented sin, and the journey from violence to gentleness. With thought-provoking analogies and real-life examples, Chris emphasizes the vital role of heart change, beyond mere behavior modification, in breaking abusive cycles. Whether you're seeking to understand abuse on a deeper level or looking for guidance in advocating for victims, this episode will leave you reflecting on what it truly means to lead and live like Christ.

See What You Made Me Do: Power, Control and Domestic Violence by Jess Hill

When Home Hurts:A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church by Jeremy Pierre and Greg Wilson

Called to Peace (Protect the Flock is a seminar Called to Peace offers to churches.)

ChrisMoles.org

Men of Peace program

PeaceWorks University is Chris Moles training arm 

EQUIP

Safe To Hope is one of the resources offered through the ministry of Help[H]er, a 501C3 that provides advocacy for women in crisis in the church, and training and resources for those ministering in one-another care. Your donations make it possible for Help[H]er to serve as they navigate crises. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help[H]er website                         
Give    
Shop              

We value and respect conversations with all our guests. Opinions, viewpoints, and convictions may differ so we encourage our listeners to practice discernment. As well, guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of HelpHer. It is our hope that this podcast is a platform for hearing and learning rather than causing division or strife. 

Please note, abuse situations have common patterns of behavior, responses, and environments. Any familiarity construed by the listener is of their own opinion and interpretation. Our podcast does not accuse individuals or organizations.

The podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional care, diagnosis, or treatment.