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In Part 2 of this deep dive into corporal punishment, Vikki and Tanya continue the conversation on the heavily normalized culture of physical abuse, spanking, and spirit-breaking within the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement.

This week, they open up space for raw, vulnerable listener stories that highlight the real-world impact of these practices. They examine the disturbing guidelines in Jack Hyles’ literature (How to Rear Infants), pit cult discipline tactics against actual developmental science, and explore how physical control in childhood seamlessly morphs into emotional and verbal manipulation in adulthood.

Most importantly, Vikki and Tanya discuss how to break the cycle by moving away from coercion toward co-regulation and share a concrete toolkit of books and resources to support listeners on their healing and deconstruction journeys.

Resources & Books Mentioned:

• Parenting Forward by Cindy Wang Brandt
• Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of physical abuse, corporal punishment, and childhood trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

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This week, Vikki and Taniya dive deep into one of their most highly requested and heaviest topics yet: the deeply normalized culture of corporal punishment and the deliberate breaking of a child's spirit within the independent fundamental Baptist movement.

From the authoritarian teachings of James Dobson and Michael and Debbie Pearl to the rantings of Jack Hyles they unpack how normal, healthy childhood curiosity was twisted into a spiritual crisis. With a blend of raw personal memories and dark humor, the sisters call out the psychological and emotional grooming behind delayed discipline, validation for survivors breaking the cycle, and a reminder that you were always worthy of unconditional love.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of childhood physical, spiritual, and emotional abuse.

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In this week's solo episode, Vikki shares a deeply personal open letter and safe harbor for survivors navigating life after fundamentalist church abuse. She explores a profound recent realization: even if we could completely erase a primary individual perpetrator from our history, the broader system of IFB culture inflicted institutional trauma that still demands the same heavy work of healing.

Vikki gently unpacks the core pillars of this conditioning while validating the natural confusion and resistance that survivors often face when untangling their past. To provide immediate support, she guides listeners through a practical toolkit and an interactive, on-mic somatic grounding exercise designed to help reclaim trust in our own bodies and judgment. Finally, she highlights the necessity of trauma-informed care and shares a teaser for an upcoming, securely gated community space designed for deeper connection and mutual support.

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This week, we react to TikTok comments from former fundie and IFB listeners sharing the surprisingly ordinary things they were taught were dangerous, sinful, or “gateways to hell” growing up. From Harry Potter and Halloween to roller skating, public school, and saying “oh my gosh,” we unpack the fear, control, and shame that shaped so many of our childhood experiences.

The conversation also turns more personal as Vikki shares a piece of her own story and reflects on what happens when abuse, grooming, and institutional failure are minimized or rewritten to protect reputations instead of people. We talk about deconstruction, questioning harmful systems, and why telling the truth—even years later—still matters.

Content warning: discussion of grooming, sexual abuse, institutional abuse, child abuse, victim blaming, mental health, coercive control, and strong language.

TPUSA Women's Summit Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSz1txJEyv8&t=75s

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This week, Vikki and Taniya revisit an episode they thought was lost and unpack Christian nationalism, patriotic culture in church, and the ways politics and religion became deeply intertwined in the world they grew up in.

The episode explores how fear, certainty, and black-and-white thinking shaped their worldview—and what it has looked like to slowly question those beliefs, separate faith from politics, and become comfortable with uncertainty. Along the way, they discuss religious deconstruction, parenting, empathy, and the process of building values intentionally instead of simply inheriting them.

Content Warning: strong language, corporal punishment, abuse, sexual assault, war and violence, racism, and dediscussion of biblical stories containing violence and sexual themes

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Polished Shaft Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr0UpQXYkGs

In this solo episode, Vikki shares powerful listener stories about growing up in Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) spaces and the lasting impact of religious trauma, modesty culture, and spiritual control. Listeners open up about experiences with modesty rules, abuse of pastoral authority, shame, deconstruction, grief, and rebuilding identity after leaving high-control faith environments.

The episode explores what it means to untangle belief from fear, heal from harmful systems, and find community in being seen and understood. Through honest reflection, difficult stories, and moments of hope, this conversation is a reminder that healing isn’t linear—and no one has to do it alone.

CW: religious trauma, spiritual abuse, sexual abuse, rape references, purity culture, misogyny, victim blaming, suicidal ideation, suicide loss, eating disorder mention, deconstruction, and discussions of emotional abuse and faith-related trauma.

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In this episode of the podcast, the sisters read listener-submitted stories from life inside IFB schools, churches, and Bible colleges. They include everything from absurd dress codes and demerits to fear-based control, public shaming, and deeply unsettling abuse of authority. Through funny, heartbreaking, and validating memories, they unpack the lasting impact of fundamentalism, the culture of silence surrounding abuse, and the healing that can come from finally telling the truth out loud.

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In this episode of the Ex-Baptist Sisters podcast, Vikki and Taniya are joined by Vikki's husband Sean for a deeply personal conversation about grief, church culture, burnout, and the lasting effects of growing up in the IFB world.

The sisters share stories about their late older sister Nadia and describe her life, personality, faith, and the enormous impact she had on their lives and deconstruction journeys. Along the way, they unpack the harmful teachings they encountered surrounding tragedy, “God’s plan,” emotional suppression, gender roles, and self-sacrifice within fundamentalist Christianity.

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In this episode, Vikki and Tanya continue their modesty series by sharing personal stories from IFB college culture, early deconstruction, and the emotional impact of purity culture. From dress checks and shame-based rules to reclaiming autonomy and learning to trust themselves again, they unpack how modesty was tied to morality, identity, and control.

They also explore the slow, complicated process of deconstructing those beliefs while navigating family expectations, faith, body image, and healing after religious trauma.

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In this episode, Vikki and Tanya discuss the lasting effects of purity culture and modesty teachings in IFB and conservative Christian environments. Through personal experiences and listener stories, they unpack body shame, emotional repression, strict dress codes, unhealthy gender expectations, and the long-term impact these teachings had on self-worth, relationships, and identity. They also begin exploring what deconstructing those beliefs and rebuilding a healthier relationship with themselves has looked like.