Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Carol Merchasin - Suing Predatory Spiritual Leaders  

Carol Merchasin is an attorney who leads a practice group litigating sexual misconduct in religious, faith-based and spiritual communities at McAllister Olivarius. She is an experienced investigator who has conducted dozens of workplace investigations, including those involving sensitive allegations made against top level executives. 

Carol’s current work shines a light on the failures of many spiritual centers and retreats, and the abuse of power by cult leaders.

In this episode, Carol and I discuss cults, litigating spiritual leaders, and the need to educate judges and jurors about coercive control. We also mention Dr. Steven Hassan's work, which you can find here: 

https://freedomofmind.com/

FIND CAROL:

[email protected]

Website: https://mcolaw.com/team/carol-merchasin/

Instagram: @mcallisterolivarius (https://www.instagram.com/mcallisterolivarius/)

Janice's Amazon Best-Seller Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in

USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video.

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
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The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2025
www.porthosmedia.net

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Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Mandisa Thomas - WTF, USA?! 

My guest today is activist and speaker Mandisa Thomas.  Although never formally indoctrinated into belief, Mandisa was heavily exposed to Christianity, Black Nationalism, and Islam. 

In 2011, Mandisa founded Black Nonbelievers, Inc., as a non-profit, secular organization.  Its goals include eliminating stigma, increasing visibility, and providing support and networking opportunities around non-belief in the African-American community. In addition to founding Black Nonbelievers, Mandisa is also the president. 

Today, Mandisa shares how Caucasians can support their BIPOC neighbors in light of the upcoming challenges and threats posed by a Republican government.

FIND MANDISA

https://blacknonbelievers.org/

Janice's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in

USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video.

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
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The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

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Lonnie Mann - Gaytheist
Divorced: Orthodox Judaism

Lonnie Mann grew up Orthodox Jewish in New York. It's a strict, difficult lifestyle for anyone; but Lonnie found additional challenges growing up as he realized he was gay, and struggled to reconcile his faith and sexuality. Ultimately, Lonnie managed to leave the community. Eventually, he wrote a graphic novel about his experiences, with his partner Ryan Gatts helping provide artwork. 

Lonnie’s book is called Gaytheist: Coming Out of My Orthodox Childhood. 
FIND LONNIE:
https://www.lonniecomics.com/

Janice's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF  and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video. 

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
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Threads: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

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Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Dr. Marlene Winell - Christianity Run Amok

DIVORCED: Christianity

Dr. Marlene Winell is a licensed psychologist, educator, and writer. Her background includes 30 years of experience in human services, in both community and academic settings. She holds a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University and is the author of Leaving the Fold: A guide for former fundamentalists and others leaving their religion. 

Dr. Winell directs the organization Journey Free, which offers services for recovery from harmful religion. In 2011, she named "Religious Trauma Syndrome." Marlene is also a filmmaker, photographer, mother, and grandmother.

Today, we explore institutionalized religionism in the USA, as well as ways in which Trump represents the worst elements of Christianity. 

Below are Dr. Winell's articles referenced in our conversation:

• Trump's Worldview Mirrors the Most Archaic and Apocalyptic of Christian Beliefs

https://www.alternet.org/2016/09/trumps-worldview-mirrors-most-archaic-and-apocalyptic-christian-beliefs

• It's Not Just Personal: The Collective Trauma of Religion

https://americanhumanist.org/what-we-do/publications/eph/journals/volume29/winell/

FIND Dr. WINELL

https://www.journeyfree.org/

www.marlenewinell.net

Janice's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in

USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video. 

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

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Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Yasmine Mohammed - Fighting Religious Tyranny 

DIVORCED: Islam

CW: Violence and SA briefly mentioned

I am honored today to speak today with human rights activist Yasmine Mohammed, who is founder and president of Free Hearts Free Minds, and the author of the book Unveiled: How the West Empowers Radical Muslims. 

From elevating the voices of marginalized freethinkers on her podcast, to creating a global network of allies across religious and political divides through co-founding and co-directing the CLARITy Coalition, Yasmine is one of the most prominent and vocal figures supporting persecuted freethinkers across the globe. 

Today, Yasmine and I discuss the urgent need to support freethinkers trying to survive in theocratic nations.

FIND YASMINE:

Yasmine Mohammed Community

Free Hearts Free Minds

Yasmine Mohammad Podcast

Unveiled: How the West Empowers Radical Muslims

Clarity Coalition

Yasmine Mohammed Instagram

Yasmine Mohammed Twitter

Yasmine Mohammed Facebook 

Janice's Amazon Best-Seller book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in

USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video. 

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
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Threads: [email protected]
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

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Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Alice Greczyn

WELCOME to Strong Women in Secular Spaces, a special Divorcing Religion podcast series highlighting women's courage, creativity, resilience, and strength. 

Alice Greczyn is an actress, author, and activist. Raised in a fundamentalist Christian home, Alice's book Wayward: A Memoir of Spiritual Warfare and Sexual Purity resonates especially with those who are recovering from religious trauma and purity culture indoctrination. In reclaiming her own bodily autonomy, Alice has embraced modeling, pole dancing, and producing adult content for Playboy and OnlyFans, in addition to acting and writing.

Don't miss our thoughtful conversation about religion, politics, women's rights, and interacting with people from every sphere - especially, those with whom we disagree.

FIND ALICE:

https://www.alicegreczyn.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alicegreczyn/

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video. 

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
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Threads: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

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Ashlen Hilliard, MSc - Cult Intervention Specialist
DIVORCED: Church of Christ

TW: Cults, trafficking, and one mention of SA

Ashlen Hilliard (she/her), MSc, is a Cult Intervention Specialist and the founder of People Leave Cults. She has been featured on NewsNation, HuffPost, BET+, and more. As a Cult Intervention Specialist, Ashlen collaborates with a team of experts to offer guidance and support to families with loved ones entangled in cult-like groups or relationships. 

In this episode, Ashlen discusses growing up in and leaving the Church of Christ, her work with individuals seeking to leave polygamist communities in the Western United States, her volunteer work with S.A.F.E., and the consulting work she now does with People Leave Cults.

FIND ASHLEN:

https://www.peopleleavecults.com/

https://www.safeportland.org/

https://www.beyondthefencemovie.com/

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video. 

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
Mastodon: [email protected]
Threads: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

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Jason Pollick - Confessions of a Former Priest

Divorced: Christianity

Jason was an atheist as a teenager, so he was as surprised as anyone when he had a spiritual experience that told him to become a priest. He tried to avoid this call, but eventually became an Anglican priest, a vocation he lived for 12 years. 

After being diagnosed with PTSD in 2019 because of his experiences in the church, he spent 2 years on disability for mental health reasons. During that time, he began to question his faith and discovered he could no longer support the idea of a loving god who guided the course of history. Jason regained his freedom of thought, embraced his atheism and relinquished his clerical orders. 

Jason is now a registered social worker in Ontario. He works in private practice as a therapist, offering virtual sessions throughout Ontario, and in-person session in downtown Ottawa. Jason still describes himself as spiritual, and works mainly with people from across the spectrum of religious and non-religious spiritual expression.

FIND JASON: www.JasonPollick.com

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video. 

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
Mastodon: [email protected]
Threads: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

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David Fitzgerald - Jesus Isn’t Real
Divorced: Southern Baptist Christianity

Author David Fitzgerald is an award-winning writer, historical researcher, and atheist activist who lectures internationally at universities and secular events, and is a frequent guest on many podcasts. 

David has been a passionate advocate for atheism, civil rights, counter-apologetics, and secular humanism his entire adult life. He is best known for his books Nailed, and The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion, including Jesus: Mything in Action. David’s latest book is PLAYING GOD: An Evolutionary History of World Religion, Volumes 1-3.

In this episode, David shares that what we formerly knew about the origins and founders of world religions has been turned on its head – and that Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, and Buddha never existed in the first place!
FIND DAVID:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/david.fitzgerald.33633/
Email: [email protected] (Order your signed copy of David’s books here)
Website: http://davidfitzgerald.org/

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/
Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services
Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video. 

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
Mastodon: [email protected]
Threads: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

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Eric Skwarczynski - Preacher Boys: Exposing the IFB
DIVORCED: Independent Fundamental Baptist, Christianity

CW: Child abuse

Eric Skwarczynski is an ex-fundamentalist on a mission to shed light on the darker sides of high-control religious environments. As the host of the Preacher Boys podcast, he interviews survivors, experts, and authors on topics such as trauma recovery, mental health, power dynamics, fundamentalist thinking, and relationships.

Today Eric shares about his experiences growing up in an IFB family and school, including why he left the IFB – and eventually divorced religion altogether. He also shares some of the pushback he receives for his work as a podcast host exposing IFB abuse.

Eric's work has been featured in the Peacock documentary Shadowland and news outlets like CBC. He also appeared in the four-part documentary series Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals, now streaming on Max.
FIND ERIC: https://www.preacherboyspodcast.com/

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/
Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services
Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video. 

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
Mastodon: [email protected]
Threads: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2024 
www.porthosmedia.net

Support the show