Hannah Abbasi - From Christian to Muslim to Secular Humanist, Part 1
Divorced: Christianity

PART 1 – FROM CHRISTIAN TO MUSLIM 

My guest today is Hannah Abbasi, a transplant to New York City from Austin, Texas. As an adult, she has also lived in Qom, Beirut, and Cairo. At the University of Texas at Austin, Hannah studied Religious Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, and History with a minor in Arabic Language. She went on to study at Islamic seminaries in Iran and Lebanon and completed her Master’s of Science in Education from the City College of New York in 2018.

Hannah eventually co-founded AN-NAS, an ethics-based community for humanists from Muslim backgrounds. In this episode, Hannah shares about her life from childhood up to college.

RESOURCES MENTIONED 

https://www.an-nas.org/ 

https://rarforum.org/fellows/

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Melanie Trecek-King - Critical Thinking is Power

Divorced: Religious Fundamentalism

Melanie Trecek-King is an Associate Professor of Biology at Massasoit Community College, where she equips students with empowering critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy skills.

Melanie loves to share her “teach skills, not facts” approach with other science educators and to help organizations meet their goals through better thinking. She is also the Education Director for the Mental Immunity Project and CIRCE (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), which aim to advance and apply the science of mental immunity to inoculate minds against misinformation. In addition to her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, and a Master of Arts in Ecology, Ms. Trecek-King is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

Today, Melanie will be speaking with me about fine-tuning our critical thinking skills, including exploring how we form our beliefs.

FIND MELANIE: https://thinkingispower.com/

Support this podcast by becoming a Member of the CORT YouTube channel. When you Support this podcast 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. 

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Jeff Beaumont - Trafficked by Scientology

Divorced: Scientology

CW: Trafficking, forced labour, self-harm.

Jeff Beaumont was born into Scientology and educated at the local Scientology school in Vancouver, BC, Canada. At age 14, he was kidnapped and trafficked to the USA to perform labour in the Sea Org branch of Scientology. During that time, Jeff was forced to disconnect from his mother, who was out of Scientology at that point. On returning to Vancouver, he spent about 10 more years on staff at the church of Scientology. 

In 2012, Jeff woke up - and he has been working on his recovery ever since. Recently, he started speaking out against the abuses of Scientology on YouTube and podcasts. His YouTube channel is called PTS for Life.  

In this episode, Jeff shares about growing up 2nd Gen and what it’s been like reintegrating into life outside his former high-demand group.

FIND JEFF: www.youtube.com/@ptsforlife

Support this podcast by becoming a Member of the CORT YouTube channel 

When you Support this podcast 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. 

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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.

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Matthew Remski - Conspirituality

Divorced: Roman Catholicism

Today’s guest is journalist and author MATTHEW REMSKI. In addition to being the author of 8 books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, Matthew is co-host of the wildly popular Conspirituality Podcast. I asked him to join me after hearing his presentation “When Spirituality is a Broken Space,” at the Symposium on Death and Bereavement Studies, hosted by Dr. Terri Daniel. Today, Matthew shares insights into how conspirituality and capitalism hijacked COVID.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

·         CONSPIRITUALITY: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became A Health Threat, by Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, & Julian Walker

·         Love, Terror, and Brainwashing, by Alexandra Stein

·        Practice and All is Coming: Abuse, Cult Dynamics, and Healing in Yoga and Beyond, by Matthew Remski

·         Critical Thinking Cards and posters available here: https://www.schoolofthought.org/projects

FIND MATTHEW:

https://www.conspirituality.net/

https://matthewremski.com/wordpress/

Support the Divorcing Religion podcast by becoming a Member of the CORT YouTube channel 

When you Support this podcast 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

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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.

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Seth Andrews - Our Lord & Saviour, Taylor Swift

Divorced: Christianity

 CW: U.S. politics

 Don’t worry, this episode is not ALL about Taytay - but she is a happy part of it. 

Today’s guest is Seth Andrews, a former evangelical and Christian broadcaster who now hosts The Thinking Atheist…one of the most popular podcasts and online atheist communities in the world! The Thinking Atheist is not a person. It is an icon encouraging all to reject faith and pursue reason and evidence. Seth has authored five books, including his latest offering, “Christianity Made Me Talk Like an Idiot.” He also hosts a second podcast, "True Stories with Seth Andrews."

 In this episode, Seth and I discuss what’s happening in the USA, from atheism to Al Jazeera, with a dash of Taylor Swift thrown in. 

FIND SETH:

https://www.thethinkingatheist.com/

https://www.truestoriespodcast.com/podcast

https://twitter.com/SethAndrewsTTA

Support this podcast by becoming a Member of the CORT YouTube channel 

When you Support this podcast 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 the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 

Mastodon: [email protected]

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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.

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Dr. Darrel Ray - All About Sex

Divorced: Christianity

CONTENT WARNING: Today I’m speaking with Dr. Darrel Ray all about sex. From Purity Culture to ethical nonmonogamy to sex and aging – we cover it in this episode!

Dr. Darrel Ray is the founder and President of the Board of Directors of Recovering from Religion. He holds a Masters’ Degree in religion, a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology/Anthropology and a Doctorate in Psychology.

In addition to being a psychologist for many decades, Dr. Ray is the author of several books, including “The God Virus - How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture" and "Sex and God - How Religion Distorts Sexuality".

Darrel has spoken at several of my events, including the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, when he spoke about The Sex Addiction Panic and Its Religious Roots.

FIND Dr. RAY:

https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

https://www.seculartherapy.org/

Support this podcast by becoming a Member of the CORT YouTube channel 

When you Support this podcast 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

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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.

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Erin Harrop - Eating Disorders & Christianity

Divorced: Fundamentalist Christianity

CW: Eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal ideation

Erin Harrop (they/them) is an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver, where their research centers eating disorders, weight stigma, and weight-inclusive approaches to healthcare. Their clinical practice involves supporting patients in recovery from eating disorders and pediatric mental health.

As a person recovering from an eating disorder and religious fundamentalism, Erin hopes to help others heal their relationships with their bodies and hearts.

In this episode Erin shares her own experiences with fundamentalism, disordered eating, and recovery. If you’ve struggled with loving your body, don’t miss this episode.

https://socialwork.du.edu/about/gssw-directory/erin-nicole-harrop

Support this podcast by becoming a Member of the CORT YouTube channel 

When you Support this podcast 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

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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.

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Nick Khatiam - Leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses
Divorced: Jehovah’s Witnesses

CW: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Today I’m speaking with Nick Khatiam, from the NW of England. Nick began his further education in English Literature but really began to focus on academic pursuits with his master's degree, in which he studied psychology.

His research project focused on the experiences of disaffiliates from the Jehovah's Witnesses religion, with plans to extend his research in this area in the future.

Today, Nick shares about his own experiences of leaving a high-control and high-demand religion.

Below are links for Nick’s research project, as well as some videos.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
 https://www.proquest.com/docview/2892644076?sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSH5EY-W5oM&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qkSMkiGWdg&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

Support this podcast by becoming a member of the CORT YouTube channel:
When you Support this podcast 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. 

Support this podcast on Patreon (starting as low as $2/month) and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie Thanks to my newest patrons: Marie and Peter. Every dollar helps.

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

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma on Social Media: 
Mastodon: [email protected]
Threads: [email protected]
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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.

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Sarah Westbrook  MS, LPC, NCC - Trauma Bonded
Divorced: Mormonism/LDS

You never forget your first kiss, your first love…or your first trauma bond. 16-year-old Sarah believed her boyfriend would save her from her dysfunctional home. When her parents discovered that they’d committed the sin of premarital sex, the aftermath left the two teenagers irrevocably bonded in trauma. 

In today’s episode, Sarah speaks plainly about her experiences growing up in a dysfunctional Mormon home and the deep scars of Purity Culture indoctrination.

Part memoir, part self-help guide, Trauma Bonded pairs therapist Sarah Westbrook’s journey of recovery with mental health insights for overcoming toxic relationships and finding peace after complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sarah Westbrook, MS, LPC, NCC, is the founder of Westbrook Counseling Services and Daisy Girl Communications. As a survivor of chronic trauma and emotional neglect, Sarah understands the work that goes into healing from c-PTSD. Sarah is the host of the Unpacking Mormonism and Other Religious Trauma and Raising Crazy: Growing Up to Show Up podcasts.
FIND SARAH & HER BOOK: 
www.daisygirlcommunications.com.

Support the Divorcing Religion Podcast by becoming a member of the CORT YouTube channel:
When you Support this podcast 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

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Threads: [email protected] 
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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.

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Ian Bushfield - Humanism in Canada

Today’s show is all about Humanism! Here is the definition of Humanism, from Humanist Canada:
Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life based on a profound respect for human dignity and the conviction that human beings are ultimately accountable to themselves and to society for their actions. It is a secular worldview that affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical and meaningful lives.

I’m delighted to welcome Ian Bushfield as my guest today. Ian has been involved in the BC Humanist Association since 2009 - and aside from a brief stint in the UK - he has been the Executive Director of BCHA since 2012. Ian has a background in physics and non-profit management and grew up in Alberta. In 2017, he also joined the BC Civil Liberties Association's Board of Directors.

FIND IAN:
https://www.bchumanist.ca/

RESOURCES MENTIONED
https://askuskelowna.ca/
https://humanists.international/
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/ethics-vs-morality/

Support this podcast on Patreon (starting as low as $2/month) and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/janiceselbie Thanks to my newest patrons: Joel and Marie. Every dollar helps.

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

Follow Janice and the Conference on Religious Trauma 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.

Support the show