The Divorcing Religion Podcast

Cynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats & Lizard People PART ONE
DIVORCED: Christianity

Cynane Shay is a nuclear engineer living in South Carolina. Her childhood in White Christian Nationalism normalized conspiracy theories like Obama Birtherism and the Biblical apocalypse; but 2020, with COVID and Qanon, finally made her realize something was deeply wrong.

Now Cynane is writing a book, “Taking Off the Tinfoil Hat: How Lizard People and Space Lasers Dismantled my Christian Worldview,” to process the deconstruction of her fundamentalist evangelical faith and her propagandistic patriotism. 
Losing loved ones to the pandemic was a tragedy, but losing loved ones to the rabbit hole was its own tragedy that left too many of us with unresolved trauma and unanswered questions. So from Flat Earth to the IBLP cult to Jewish space lasers, Cynane pulled the thread, cracked her faith, and found the inseparable link between cults, conspiracy theories, and American White Christian Nationalism. 

FIND CYNANE: More information, EXvangelical reading recommendations, and social media links are found on her website: www.TakingOffTheTinfoilHat.com

FIND JANICE:

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

Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

 and CANADA 

Amazon
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now: 

https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/ 

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: 

https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

 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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Alyona Smoky - A Beautiful Liberation

CW: War in Ukraine

Alyona Smoky was born and raised in Ukraine, where her mother joined a high-control, conservative evangelical church when Alyona was young. As a result of family stressors, Alyona shouldered much of the emotional burden in her family as a child, and she grew up very quickly in a chaotic and emotionally intense environment.

When she was 16, Alyona moved to the U.S. with her family due to political unrest in Ukraine. She found coming to the U.S. disorienting, having left behind community and structure while carrying internalized religious control with her. Alyona felt stuck between two worlds — Ukrainian and American — and didn’t feel truly at home in either.

In this episode, Alyona shares her fascinating story of immigration and her liberation from high-demand religion and purity culture. Don't miss her journey of becoming a coach, writer, and photographer, as she helps others recover from high-control systems, including religion, cults, and ideology-heavy environments. Alyona also hosts the Showing Up Sustainably Podcast.

FIND ALYONA:

 Alyona's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alyonasmoky?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9c4ed103-f24b-4f70-8139-c914dbec5e59

FIND JANICE:

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

Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

 and CANADA 

Amazon
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now: 

https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/ 

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: 

https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

 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

Michelle Moffitt - From Abuse to Freedom

CW: Sexual Assault

Michelle Moffitt Rogers is a licensed therapist, Enneagram expert, and author. In this episode, Michelle shares her story and explores the psychological impact of spiritual abuse, the complexities of leaving both faith and a toxic marriage to a pastor, and what healing looks like on the other side. 

You won't want to miss her raw, honest exposé about the dangers of being a pastor's wife when the pastor isn't safe.

Her book is called Cracked Open: A Journey to a Resilient and Independent Mindset.

FIND MICHELLE:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/michellemoffittcoach
Instagram: instagram.com/michellemoffittcoach

Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5uhrmnb

Indie Books: bookshop.org/p/books/cracked-open-a-journey-to-a-resilient-and-independent-mindset/8fdfa2c36aade660?ean=9798889262671&next=t

Website: https://fiveoakscounseling.com/

FIND JANICE:

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

And Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook - Kindle edition by Selbie, Janice. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF
and CANADA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now: 

https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok: @janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: 

https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

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

Steve Ghikadis - Humanism from the Heart

Steve Ghikadis is a Humanist Officiant who conducts secular marriages, memorials, and many more meaningful life-affirming celebrations. Raised as a freethinker, Steve has been married to a Christian for over a decade. He and his wife, Cindy, believe in the importance of bridging the gap between believers and non-believers. Their two young children are being raised in an interfaith household and are free to choose their own path. 

Steve's family dynamic inspired him to write Humanism from the Heart: Building Bridges Beyond Belief, a book that emphasizes the importance of working together to celebrate the diversity of worldviews. Steve serves as an Ambassador for Humanist Canada, Recovering from Religion, and Sunday Assembly. In 2024, he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for significant contributions to his community in Windsor/Essex, Ontario, Canada. 

In this episode, I ask Steve some challenging questions about raising kids with a Believer, whether religious people can be humanists, and more.

FIND STEVE:

Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/share/16XVw44tkk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/steve.ghikadis?igsh=MXN5MHlleGM0YWQ4MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Book: 

Amazon-Canada: https://a.co/d/c63RA3s

USA: https://a.co/d/5gpaUEp

Europe: https://amzn.eu/d/

FIND JANICE:

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

And Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook - Kindle edition by Selbie, Janice. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF
and CANADA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now: 

https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok: @janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: 

https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

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

Forest Benedict, LMFT - Porn Is Not the Problem

Divorced: Evangelical Christianity
CW: Frank discussion of porn, sex, and self-pleasure

Forest Benedict is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Washington states who specializes in religious trauma and sexual shame. 
 
Forest began his career as a Christian who was passionate about helping others recover from sex and porn addiction—believing at the time that he was in recovery himself. He became a leading voice in the “anti-pornography movement,” and served as the Clinical Director of a sex addiction treatment program and trained pastors and therapists in a sex addiction certification program. 
 
Since deconverting from Christianity, Forest has dramatically shifted his focus to helping those wounded by religious systems reclaim their sexuality and authentic sense of self. Today, he offers online therapy through his private practice and also works online with Storm Haven Counseling & Wellness in Temecula, California. Forest is active on social media and regularly shares insights through his blog.

FIND FOREST: 
Website: ForestBenedict.com
 Instagram: @ForestBenedictLMFT
FIND JANICE:
Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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
Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:
Threads: [email protected]
BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

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

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

Pavna K. Sodhi, EdD - Exploring the Intersections of Punjabi-Sikh Cultural/Religious Identity - Part 1

As a humanist and mental health clinician, I'm interested in learning about other cultures and belief systems. To that end, Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi graciously agreed to join me on the Divorcing Religion Podcast to share her knowledge about Punjabi-Sikh teachings, values, practices, and experiences. This episode is Part One of our conversation.

ABOUT Dr. SODHI:

Pavna K. Sodhi (she/her), EdD, is a registered psychotherapist, author, speaker, and adjunct professor residing in Ontario, Canada. With over 25 years of psychotherapeutic and research experience, Dr. Sodhi has interacted with a multitude of populations in various clinical, academic, and supervisory spaces. Her professional background and personal narrative offer a unique research perspective regarding culturally responsive trauma-informed work, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities, and immigrant mental health. Her research has been featured in national and international scholarly journals and books. She credits her Punjabi-Sikh upbringing and lived experience for her continued interest in these timely topics. As a productive ally, she takes pride in decentring systemic racism, breaking barriers, and encouraging others to be culturally responsive. Her latest book titled, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy for BIPOC Communities: Decolonizing Mental Health (Routledge) was launched in June 2024.

FIND Dr. SODHI:

Access the book -

https://www.routledge.com/authors/i16038-pavna-k-sodhi?srsltid=AfmBOooC1Epb96bBMPCvsQdMiOVHHzOWpPku2b-7pVApOLqDfePmEIij

Website: https://www.pavnaksodhi.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunotherapy/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavna-k-sodhi-she-her-67b81615/

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

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

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

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

Support the show

Unquestionable Calvin - From Religion to Conspiracies to Reality

DIVORCED: Christianity and Conspiracies

My guest today is Calvin Smith, whom you may recognize from his YouTube channel Unquestionable Calvin. Calvin was exposed to both Christianity and supernatural ideas from an early age. Eventually he rejected Christianity but firmly believed multiple conspiracy theories, even attempting to build a career around them. In this episode, Calvin shares his journey from Religion to Conspiracies to Reality.

 FIND CALVIN:

TikTok.com/UnquestionableCalvin

Instagram.com/UnquestionableCalvin

YouTube.com/UnquestionableCal

Linktr.ee/CalvinSmith

Facebook.com/UnquestionableCalvin

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

Tickets are now available for the ONLINE Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening May 24-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

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

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

Support the show

Kristin Cherry Jackson, LMFTA - Sex & Intimacy

Divorced: Purity Culture

CW: Frank discussion about sex

Kristin Cherry Jackson is a licensed psychotherapist (LMFTA) focusing on sex, relationship, and trauma therapy in Washington state. A purity culture refugee herself, Kristin is painfully familiar with the many ways that growing up with restrictive messages around sex, gender, and sexual orientation can leave lasting impacts. 

Kristin specializes in helping survivors of sexual and religious trauma to heal, clarify their values around relationships, and own their desire and pleasure. She is speaking at the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture online conference on the topic of Confronting Coercion: Freeing Yourself from Sexual Obligation Messages.

FIND KRISTIN:

IntimaTherapy: www.intimatherapy.com/healing-from-purity-culture

Instagram: www.instagram.com/intima_therapy

FIND JANICE:

• Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF
• Tickets are now available for the ONLINE Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening May 24-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/
• Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

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

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

Support the show

Tessi Muskrat, M.A. - Free To Explore: Sexuality After Purity Culture

Divorced: Evangelical Purity Culture

 A native woman of Cherokee and Irish descent, Tessi Ynada Muskrat holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a doctoral student researcher at the University of Missouri. Co-founder of the international Purity Culture Research Collective (PCRC), Tessi’s research centers the voices of those who have experienced sexual and gender-based trauma in religious contexts. Additionally, Tessi works as a post-traumatic growth coach, companioning those who have experienced religious or purity culture trauma on their journey to health and thriving. 

 In this conversation, Tessi shares about going from life on a shame-free commune to being deeply indoctrinated by purity culture teachings - and eventually, discovering her own sexuality. 

FIND TESSI: https://www.puritycultureoutcomes.com/

FIND JANICE:

• Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF
• Tickets are now available for the ONLINE Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening May 24-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/
• Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). 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

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

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

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

Support the show

Patti & Nancy, Apostate Sisters - Life After a Doomsday Cult

DIVORCED: Worldwide Church of God
 
CW: Mature themes
 
Today I’m excited to interview Patti and Nancy, who recently interviewed me on their popular APOSTATE SISTERS YouTube channel! Patti and Nancy are sisters deconstructing their upbringing in the Worldwide Church of God Christian doomsday cult. The sisters note that the cult stifled their critical thinking and warped their sense of autonomy.

They decided to start their YT channel to unpack the impacts of high-control religion, from bodily autonomy to mental health, and share their healing journey with humor and honesty.
 
FIND the APOSTATE SISTERS:
 YT:  https://www.youtube.com/@ApostateSisters
 IG: https://www.instagram.com/apostatesisters/
 You can find the Apostate Sisters on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and BlueSky.
   
Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

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

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group happens on Tuesdays at 5 pm 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

Sign up now for Janice's online Divorcing Religion Workshop starting March 2nd: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-syndrome-workshop

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:

Threads: [email protected]

BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

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

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

Support the show