Surviving Conversion Therapy and Choosing LifeContent Warning
This episode includes discussion of religious trauma, conversion therapy, coercion, emotional abuse, and threats of electroshock therapy. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
Episode DescriptionThis week on The Awakening, Tamara and I sit down with Zachary Heath, a survivor of religious abuse whose story is both harrowing and deeply hopeful.
Zachary shares his experience growing up in a high control religious environment and surviving the IFB. After coming out as gay, his parents made attendance at conversion therapy a requirement in order to remain living in their home. As the therapy escalated toward the use of electroshock treatment, Zachary was able to escape just in time.
Today, Zachary is using his lived experience to give back. He is part of a nonprofit organization serving at risk youth, helping provide housing and stability, and working as a project director focused on building safe neighborhoods for young people who have nowhere else to go.
This episode is a powerful testimony to survival, resistance, and what healing can look like after religious trauma.
In This Episode We DiscussSurviving high control religious systems
Conversion therapy and coercion
Conditional love and parental control
Escaping religious abuse
Healing after religious trauma
Queer survival and resilience
Housing justice for at risk youth
Turning pain into purpose
About Our GuestZachary Heath is a survivor, advocate, and project director working to create safe and stable housing for at risk youth.
Support Zachary’s project
https://upcurve.life/fundraiser/17/epic-youth-tennessee-at-risk-youth-neighborhood
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/zachary.heath21?igsh=azN1Mnh5djJocmho
TikTok
@zacharyheath21
Why This Episode MattersConversion therapy is abuse. Zachary’s story exposes how religious systems weaponize love and obedience and reminds us that queer lives are worth protecting. Healing is possible and purpose can be rebuilt even after profound harm.
🎶 Intro/Outro Music
Your Poison by Rox Knox
💬 Connect with your hosts
Heather — @happyheather | @happyheathersmiles
Tamara — TikTok @feralatheistjezebel321 | Instagram @tamarajo321
🎥 Follow the show on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s
📩 Interested in being a guest
Email us at [email protected]
Listener Care ReminderThis episode covers heavy material. Please listen at your own pace and take breaks as needed. You deserve safety, dignity, and care.
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