Sunday School Dropouts

Andrew and Laura kick off the "Advanced Sex Ed" series — a deeper dive into topics first introduced in Season 3's purity culture episodes. This opening episode tackles the question: Does "sex addiction" actually exist? They walk through clinical diagnostic frameworks, the evangelical origins of the term, and why the language of addiction may do more harm than good. The conversation weaves together research, clinical experience, and personal history to reframe so-called sex addiction as an impulse control issue rooted in emotional dysregulation, trauma, and moral incongruence — not a clinical addiction.

Resources discussed in this episode: 

Please note: the resources and references listed below are comprised of all references discussed in this podcast episode. The mentioning of a resource does not imply the host’s agreement or endorsement with the resource. 

Andrew’s 2021 post

Facing the Shadows - Patrick Carnes

Every Man’s Battle - Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, Mike Yorkey

Grubbs, J. B., Perry, S. L., Wilt, J. A., & Reid, R. C. (2019). Pornography problems due to moral incongruence: An integrative model with a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48(2), 397–415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-018-1248-x⁠

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

This week we continue our deep dive into How Fascism Works by Jason Stanley, covering chapters 6 through 10: Victimhood, Law and Order, Sexual Anxiety, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Arbeit Macht Frei. We explore how these dynamics connect to high-control religion, fundamentalism, and the current political landscape. Our goal is not to tell you who to vote for — it's an invitation toward curiosity, challenging yourself, and growth.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Or still need to register to vote? Click here! 

Don’t know where to vote? Click this link to find your polling location! 

Resources discussed in this episode: 

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation by Jon Meacham

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

Disciples of White Jesus - The Radicalization of American Boyhood by Rev. Angela Denker

Ordinary Men by Christopher Browning

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

In the season 4 premiere, we dive into Jason Stanley's book How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them, covering chapters 1 through 5. We explore how the same dynamics many of us experienced in high-control religion — the mythic past, propaganda, anti-intellectualism, unreality, and hierarchy — show up in fascist political movements, and why recognizing the overlap matters right now.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Or still need to register to vote? Click here! 

Don’t know where to vote? Click this link to find your polling location! 

Resources discussed in this episode: 

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation by Jon Meacham

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

Disciples of White Jesus - The Radicalization of American Boyhood by Rev. Angela Denker

Ordinary Men by Christopher Browning

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

Last week the post religious/faith deconstruction community was faced with a loss of a voice and advocate in Ryan (RL) Stollar. Ryan’s death has opened up conversations that go beyond just this moment and are causing people to reflect and reconsider grief, humanity, and the complexity of life. In today’s episode, Andrew and Laura discuss some of the themes they have observed in social media spaces, their coaching sessions, and between friends and colleagues.

While this episode will not be focusing on the specifics of Ryan’s death, we will be discussing sensitive topics such as suicide, coercive control and abuse, fundamentalism, and grief. We’ll be exploring moving beyond binary, fundamentalist thinking and moving into the gray, messy space of life, holding multiple realities, and acknowledging abuse and coercion without erasing the positive contributions of someone’s life.

If you or someone you know needs support, please consider reaching out to the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery (www.traumaresolutionandrecovery.com/available-practitioners) and schedule your FREE inquiry call with a practitioner(s) of your choice.

Laura also wrote a Substack article diving further into these dynamics; you can access that article at: www.drlauraeanderson.substack.com

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 

To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here

Hosts: 

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji 

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

In this season finale of Sunday School Dropouts, Laura and Andrew look back on a landmark season dedicated to unpacking the pervasive and lingering effects of purity culture. Reflecting on what they learned, what surprised them, and where they find hope, Laura and andrew explore how these rigid teachings extend far beyond sexual ethics into daily struggles with body image, diet culture, adult friendships, and social media dynamics. A central focus of the episode examines the connection between neurodivergence and high-control religious systems, drawing on insights from their interview with Michelle Moseley to explain why individuals with ADHD or autism can be uniquely vulnerable to these environments. The discussion also ventures into how purity culture historically intersects with power, control, and racial eugenics, while analyzing the unexpected rise of the modern manosphere and red pill culture as a new evolution of these familiar, toxic frameworks.

The episode also tackles the deep personal work required to move past religious trauma, contrasting the intellectual act of deconstructing harmful beliefs with the arduous journey of somatic and emotional healing. Laura and Andrew discuss the protective impulse to completely burn bridges when escaping high-control environments, validating it as a necessary first response for survival rather than a reckless last resort. Highlighting a massive wave of listener feedback, including a notably strong resonance from the ex-LDS community, the conversation celebrates the collective power of shared stories. Ultimately, this finale bridges the gap between uncovering past harms and looking forward, offering listeners a compassionate roadmap for reclaiming their bodies, their boundaries, and their peace.

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 

To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here

Hosts: 

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji 

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

In this episode of Sunday School Dropouts, host Andrew Kerbs is joined by memoirist and ex-Adventist advocate Melissa Duge Spiers to discuss her book, Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows. Melissa shares the incredible twenty-year journey of bringing her story to publication, including a decade where the manuscript sat untouched and the hurdles she faced with major publishers due to legal anxieties surrounding the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The conversation dives into the unique invisibility of the ex-Adventist community compared to groups like ex-Mormons, exploring the deep cultural conditioning that keeps these stories hidden. Through the lens of her memoir, Melissa reflects on the overwhelming reader response from various religious survivors who finally feel seen, while also discussing her appearance on Mormon Stories with John Dehlin.

The discussion also digs into the messy, personal realities of writing a memoir and navigating family dynamics after revealing buried secrets. Melissa opens up about the delicate craft of protective storytelling, changing names, and the deeply disappointing conversation she had with her elderly father regarding the book. Looking toward the future, she shares a glimpse into her upcoming projects, including a novel and a true crime memoir tentatively titled Lies Wide Shut. Ultimately, this episode serves as a powerful call for listeners to deconstruct their faith, seek specialized religious trauma therapy, and find peace within life's inherent messiness.

Guest Info: Melissa Duge Spiers

Website: www.melissadugespiers.substack.com 

Social Media (Instagram) @the.glory.whole

Get Melissa’s book, Holy Disobedience here!

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 

To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here

Hosts: 

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji 

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

Let’s talk about sex, baby! Today sex educator and creator of the Purity Culture Dropout brand and services, Erica Smith, joins us to talk about sex, comprehensive sex education and resources if you’re needing some remedial sex education after abstinence only or purity culture “sex education”. We’ll also be sharing some prayer requests, answering listener questions and generally having a holy time!

Resources mentioned on the podcast: 

Holy Hurt Podcast series by Dr. Hillary McBride

Erica Smith:

Website: https://www.ericasmitheac.com/

IG: @ericasmith.sex.ed

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 

To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here

Hosts: 

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji 

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

On today’s episode of Sunday School Dropouts we will be talking to Cody Harman, a certified fitness coach and nutritionist! Cody shares his story of growing up within evangelicalism and purity culture being socialized female, coming out and transitioning. Cody’s lets us in on his process of healing from the shame and harm that was caused by high control religion and offers encouragement and hope on the journey of healing. You can find Cody at the following places:

• Instagram: @mrcoachcody_scoobyprep

• TikTok: @mrcoachcody

• Facebook: Cody Harman

• Twitter: @mrcoachcody

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Codytalks11/featured

• Website: www.codyharman.com

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything 

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji 

Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

In this episode, Laura is joined by Dan Miller for his fifth visit to the show to dissect the complex intersections of modern masculinity and religious extremism. Using Senator Josh Hawley's book as a primary case study, the discussion explores why certain conservative movements choose the biblical figure of Adam over Jesus as their primary archetype for manhood. This shift reflects a broader desire for a dominant alpha male figure that aligns more closely with imperial power than the humble and sacrificial themes found in the Gospels. The conversation examines how this ideological framework feeds into a larger pipeline connecting the secular manosphere with high control religious environments, offering men a sense of certainty and hierarchy in an increasingly unstable world.

The dialogue also addresses the genuine social crises contributing to male loneliness and identity loss, such as economic shifts and a lack of community purpose. Rather than providing constructive solutions, these movements often redirect valid frustrations toward marginalized groups or a nostalgic, mythic vision of the Roman Empire. Miller and Laura explore the psychological defense mechanisms of aggression and the difficulty many men face when sitting with insecurity or trauma. The episode concludes by highlighting healthier alternatives to traditional patriarchy, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, collaborative parenting, and the quiet strength found in caring professions and civic engagement.

Share your purity culture stories with us by leaving a voicemail or sending your story to us!

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 

To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here

Hosts: 

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji 

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...

In this deep dive into the Hulu phenomenon The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, host Laura is joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Ashley Buckner to peel back the layers of drama and reveal the complex psychological machinery underneath. The duo explores how the Mormon influencer pipeline was born from a culture of polished aesthetics and public testimony, and why the sudden shift in financial power—where women become primary breadwinners in patriarchal households—creates such volatile relational friction. From the Momtok aesthetic to the systemic roots of oversharing, this episode examines how religious conditioning prepares women for the camera while simultaneously stifling their personal development.

Beyond the viral TikToks, the conversation tackles the heavy reality of identity foreclosure and arrested development, explaining why early marriage often leads to acting out later in life. Buckner provides a compassionate, trauma-informed perspective on the cast's experiences, specifically looking at somatic symptoms of sexual trauma and the ways purity culture inflates and weaponizes the concept of cheating. Whether you are a fan of the show or a survivor of a high-control group, this episode offers a frank discussion on generational trauma, the lack of boundaries inherent in confession culture, and why some therapists actually recommend this reality TV trainwreck as a legitimate tool for deconstructing religious trauma.

Share your purity culture stories with us by leaving a voicemail or sending your story to us!

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 

To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here

Hosts: 

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji 

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 

Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbs

To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here

Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTo...