The Divorcing Religion Podcast

Jennifer French 
Divorced: Christian mystical cult

Jennifer French is a cult and religious recovery counsellor with a Master’s degree in the psychology of coercive control. She was a member of a Christian mystical cult for 11 years, and this year she addressed us at the Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT2022). Jennifer is host of the Project Hope Podcast for families and friends with loved ones in high-control/high-demand groups. Today, she shares what drew her to a cult and how she eventually left.

FIND JENNIFER:
https://www.jennifer-french.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie

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

Get your free consultation with Janice, book 1:1 sessions, or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your recordings from the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

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PESACH EISEN

Divorced: Ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Judaism
Pesach Eisen is a trained psychotherapist and researcher with a focus on the intersection of religious disaffiliation and mental health. Pesach was raised in an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish faith community, from which he gradually departed during his 20s. Today, we explore what it was like to grow up in such a fundamentalist environment, and how he Divorced Religion.

Contact Pesach:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/choice-and-rebirth
https://footstepsorg.org/
T: @pesachology

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie
SPECIAL THANKS to our newest Patrons: Paul, Sheila, Anne, and Sacha!

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

Get your free consultation with Janice, book 1:1 sessions, or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your recordings from the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

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Angela Soffe

Divorced: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism)

Angela Soffe was raised in the Philippines in an Argentine-American family. She is a rising star in the music world whose work and story have been featured in independent films, commercials, and podcasts worldwide. Her music reflects moving out of personal darkness and the challenges of stepping away from 30 years in Mormonism. We met when Angela agreed to speak at the inaugural Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT2021). Today, Angela opens up about what it was like to lose her faith and the challenges of leaving Mormonism behind.

FIND ANGELA:
https://www.angelasoffe.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/angelasoffemusic
https://www.instagram.com/angelasoffemusic/

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie

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

Get your free consultation with Janice, book 1:1 sessions, or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your recordings from the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

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ELAM ZOOK
Divorced: Traditional Amish Christianity

Elam Zook is a writer, activist, and community organizer addressing Amish and plain community issues. His work has been published in The Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies. Elam's efforts were instrumental in organizing the groundbreaking Disrupting History: Reclaiming Our Amish Story conference, which challenged conventional narratives of Amish life. 

Elam refers to himself as “nonconforming Amish.” Today, we will be discussing the pressing need for Amish children to receive a better education than is currently required under United States law.

Find Elam:
http://theamishandus.blogspot.com/
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/amishstudies/vol5/iss1/4/
T: @easyEZ 

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie
SPECIAL THANKS to our latest patrons: Sheila, Paul, Anne, and Sacha!

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

Get your free consultation with Janice, book 1:1 sessions, or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your recordings from the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

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Dr. CALEB LACK
Divorced: Christianity

Caleb W. Lack, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma. A licensed clinical psychologist, he is an award-winning educator and bestselling author of six books. He specializes in the treatment of children and adults with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

Dr. Lack is the former director of the Secular Therapy Project, which aims to bring together non-religious persons seeking mental health treatment with secular, evidence-based providers. He spoke at the Conference on Religious Trauma in 2022 on the topic of Overcoming Fear of Hell. 

In this episode, we touch on scrupulosity and fear of Hell, as well as how parents might unknowingly make anxiety issues worse for young children - and how they can stop.

FIND DR. CALEB LACK:
https://www.caleblack.com/
T: @professorlack

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Dr. Lack’s books - http://caleblack.com/writing.html
Secular Therapy Project - seculartherapy.org/
IOCDF - https://iocdf.org/find-help/
Find CBT providers - findcbt.org
PTSD self help - https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/selfhelp_coping.asp
 
THANKS TO OUR NEWEST PATREON SUPPORTERS: Sheila, Anne, Paul, and Sacha.

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie
SPECIAL THANKS to our latest patrons: Sheila, Paul, Anne, and Sacha!

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

Get your free consultation with Janice, book 1:1 sessions, or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your recordings from the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

Support the show

Clint Heacock 
Divorced: Evangelical Christianity

Dr. Clint Heacock is an ex-evangelical pastor and Bible college teacher of over 20 years who is now committed to helping formerly religious people unpick their indoctrination, mind control, and conditioning - and take back their lives. You may recognize Clint as the host of MindShift podcast, and as a speaker at the Conference on Religious Trauma earlier this year (CORT2022). In this episode of the Divorcing Religion podcast, Clint gets personal about life in and out of religion.

FIND CLINT:
https://mindshiftpodcast.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/MindShift2018

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie
SPECIAL THANKS to our newest Patrons: Anne, Paul, Sacha, and Sheila!

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

Get your free consultation with Janice, book 1:1 sessions, or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your recordings from the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

Support the show

David C. Smalley
Divorced: Christianity

In addition to being a successful comedian and actor with over 100 million views on TikTok, David C. Smalley has also hosted his own podcast for over 12 years, making over 600 episodes, downloaded some 60 MILLION times. The David C. Smalley podcast includes discussions that are inspiring and funny, with cordial debates on skepticism, religion, spirituality, politics, and more.
 I was privileged to join David on one of his episodes to discuss religious trauma and recovery, and in this episode of the Divorcing Religion podcast I chat with him about his former faith, his family, and his fame.
Find David:
https://www.davidcsmalley.com/
David C. Smalley - Daughter Issues 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcVwiijGTDGhXbHSanD7MQw
https://www.patreon.com/daughterissues

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie
SPECIAL THANKS to our latest patrons: Sheila, Paul, Anne, and Sacha!

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

Get your free consultation with Janice, book 1:1 sessions, or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your recordings from the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

Support the show

Divorced: Christianity

Today’s guest is skeptic, magician, and snake-breeder Matt Dillahunty!

Raised Southern Baptist, Matt once considered becoming a minister. Eventually, he lost all belief in the tenets of Christianity and became an atheist. In addition to being a well known speaker and debater, Matt has hosted and co-hosted numerous popular shows on atheism including NonProphets Radio and The Atheist Experience. Currently, Matt is hosting the popular show “The Hang Up” on You Tube. 

In this episode of the Divorcing Religion Podcast, Matt shares his journey out of Christianity and how it impacted family relations.

https://www.patreon.com/AtheistDebates
https://www.youtube.com/@SansDeity/featured

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie
SPECIAL THANKS to our latest patrons: Sheila, Paul, Anne, and Sacha!

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

Get your free consultation with Janice or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your tickets to the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

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Jillian is a women's self-worth group facilitator as well as a family mediator who practices in Boise, Idaho. Jillian has 13 years of experience working in the mental health field and has her bachelors in criminal justice, with a minor in psychology. Jillian's primary passion is facilitating support groups and courses to women through her practice at Goddess LLC, where she specializes in empowerment and self-worth. Jillian has served on the Idaho Mediation Association board for three years and has served as the interim Vice President for one year. Jillian is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Idaho State Bar, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Soroptimist International.

Contact Jillian:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/iamunapologetic
Website: http://www.jillianaurora.com
Unapologetic Empire website: http://www.theunapologeticempire.com

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie
SPECIAL THANKS to our newest patrons: Sacha, Anne, Paul, and Sheila!

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

Get your free consultation with Janice or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your tickets to the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

Support the show

Beatrice Weber was raised in an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and was married off to a Rabbi in an arranged marriage before graduating high school. 

She is a published Author, speaker, education advocate, and mother of 10.

In 2019, she filed a complaint with NYC and NYS on behalf of her youngest son, since he was not receiving a basic education. In 2020 she was featured in a New York Times video Op-ed, calling on the politicians and education officials to step in and ensure that all children in NYS receive an education.
Contact Beatrice:
https://beatriceweber.com/
@beawebwriter

Support this podcast on Patreon and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie
SPECIAL THANKS to our latest patrons: Sheila, Paul, Anne, and Sacha!

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

Get your free consultation with Janice or sign up for the Divorcing Religion Workshop here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

Get your tickets to the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference here: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceOnReligiousTrauma
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.

Support the show