Michelle Fischler, a trailblazer in the realm of sex therapy, is renowned for her innovative approach to fostering sexual wellness and education. As a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist and ASTO Certified Sex Therapist, she seamlessly blends her expertise with her role as a dynamic therapist, interviewer, and speaker. A highlight of her work …

Korrenne Jensen - Intersection of ADHD and Religious Trauma Korrenne (Kory) Jensen is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario. Areas that she works in include religious trauma, ADHD, and grief. She also works with populations that include front of line healthcare workers, first responders, and indigenous individuals. Kory is the clinical director o…

Tia Levings - A Well-Trained Wife Divorced: Christian fundamentalism CW: Brief reference to CSA My guest today is author Tia Levings, who describes herself as “an author exploring anti-fundamentalism after church-sanctioned domestic abuse in high-control religion.” Tia appeared in Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime, and her memoir, A Well-Trained W…

Britt Hartley - No Nonsense Spirituality Divorced: Mormonism My guest today is author, nihilism survivor, and atheist spiritual advisor Britt Hartley. Britt has over 287,000 followers on TikTok, and I think after our chat today that you will want to follow her, too! Britt is a former Mormon, current atheist, whose journey away from religion took he…

Anke Richter - DECULT TW: References to CSA, sex trafficking, suicide My guest today is international journalist and author Anke Richter, who is based in Christchurch, New Zealand. In 2022, Harper-Collins published Anke’s important and bestselling book called CULT TRIP: Inside the World of Coercion and Control. According to Anke’s website: She spen…

Wilbur Turner - Two-by-Two Survivor Today’s guest is Wilbur Turner (he/him), visionary founder and president of Advocacy Canada. He is located on the unceded ancestral lands of the Syilx people in Kelowna, BC, Canada. A well-regarded speaker and workshop facilitator, Wilbur utilizes personal stories and humour to engage, educate, and uplift audienc…

Announcement! The Shameless Sexuality Conference is back! The Conference centered around life after purity culture will be held in Seattle, WA from May 23 to the 25th, 2025 in Seattle, WA. Don't wait to get your tickets and book your room: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/ Lyn Smith Gregory - Relative of Joseph Smith LYN SMITH GREGORY grew up in …

Karrine Blouin - ExJW Girl In Shambles Divorced: Jehovah’s Witnesses TW: Sexual Abuse I discovered today’s guest, Karinne Blouin, on Instagram, where her handle is “girl_inshambles.” Her insights and personal snippets about her former life as a Jehovah’s Witness gripped me hard enough to invite her to share her story with us today. Karinne was born…

Meg Applegate - Unsilenced CW: Kidnapping At the age of 15, Meg Applegate was abducted by two strangers in the middle of the night from her California home. Eight hours later she found herself at a lockdown treatment facility for 6 months in Boise, ID. After that, she was placed in an additional behavioral modification program in northern Montana f…

Rebekah Monroe - Religious Trauma Research My guest today is Rebekah J. Monroe, who identifies as a white queer woman with lineage in the Osage and Cherokee Tribes. Rebekah goes by the pronouns are She/Her/They. Currently, Rebekah is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student, co-founder of the non-profit NARC-RT (which stands for North American Resear…

Lindsey Doolittle - Recovering from Religion & Suicide Loss TW: Today we will be discussing issues related to suicide Lindsey Doolittle was introduced to me as a documentary film maker who recently focussed her lens on Dr. Darrel Ray’s work at Recovering from Religion (see below for more information on this documentary). In speaking with Lindsey, I…

Nikole Mitchell - From Pastor to Only Fans Model Divorced: Evangelical Christianity CW: Frank discussions about sexuality Today’s guest has previously appeared on the Dr. Phil Show, Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, CBS – and today she is a guest on the Divorcing Religion Podcast! I’m talking about Pleasure Coach NIKOLE MITCHELL. Raised in the Evangelical Christi…

Linda Martin - Religious Exemptions are Killing Kids Divorced: Followers of Christ Cult CW: Child abuse and death due to faith-based exemptions Linda Martin was born into the Idaho Followers of Christ sect, leaving the church at age 16. It is estimated that the child mortality rate for the Followers of Christ between 2002 and 2011 was 10 times that…

Clint Heacock - Is Christianity Killing Democracy? CW: USA politics & religion 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: JaniceSelbie@mas.to Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net Twitter: https://twitter.com/divo…

Dr. Danielle Kramer - Taylor Swift and Deep Fake Porn 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: JaniceSelbie@mas.to Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion Twitter: http…

Sandy Bigtree & Philip Arnold - The Religious Origins of White Supremacy 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: JaniceSelbie@mas.to Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcerel…

Hannah Abbasi - From Christian to Muslim to Secular Humanist, Part 2 Divorced: Islam In our last episode, we were introduced to Hannah Abbasi. Hannah grew up in a Christian home but converted to Islam in her teens due to family influences on her father’s side. In today’s episode, we learn more about what it was like for Hannah to live and study in …

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 Eas…

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 wit…

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…

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 Spac…

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 i…

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 relig…

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 h…

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…

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 irrev…

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 wo…

Lisa Kohn - Addicted to The Messiah Divorced: Unification Church (The Moonies) CW: Suicidality; abandonment; substance addiction My guest today was a speaker at the very first Conference on Religious Trauma in 2021. Lisa Kohn is a Unification Church Second Gen, and she is the award-winning author of TO THE MOON AND BACK: A CHILDHOOD UNDER THE INFLU…

Dawn Knoche Anthony - Mom of 9 who Divorced Religion Divorced: Fundamentalist Christianity CW: Domestic abuse, miscarriage Dawne Knoch Anthony was in an abusive marriage justified by religion. She got out and now gives back to the community to help others. A survivor of domestic abuse and religious trauma, Dawne has redefined her life with resilien…

The Margaret Atwood Episode Margaret Atwood is the author of more than 50 books of fiction, poetry, critical essays, and graphic novels. Her work has been published in more than 45 countries. The Testaments, her most recent novel, is a co-winner of the 2019 Booker Prize. It is the long awaited sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, now an award-winning TV …

Dorian Ortega - Dismantling Systems of Oppression Dorian A. Ortega is a licensed clinical professional counselor and founder of F.L.Y. Radical Therapy, LLC. First Love Yourself (F.L.Y.) Radical Therapy is a therapeutic approach centering BIPOC and LGBTQIA+. It’s about loving yourself through collective social liberation awareness and healing with e…

Philip Moss - Athletes in Action Exposed Divorced: Christianity CW: Child abuse, sex/purity culture Philip Moss grew up in a small midwestern ultra conservative farming community and Reformed Church tradition, after which he attended a conservative Christian College and then spent 7 years with the Campus Crusade for Christ (cult) as a basketball pl…

Jeremy Low - Intense Christianity led to Intense Depression Divorced: Christianity and Navigators CW: SUICIDAL IDEATION in the last half of show Jeremy Low began his search for friendship and purpose during his polytechnic days, and eventually found himself deeply committed to the Navigators, a Christian campus ministry run by a fundamentalist miss…

Naomi Norton Ph.D, LCMFT, LMFT - White Evangelical Power and Control Divorced: White Evangelical Ideology Naomi Norton graduated from Northcentral University with her PhD in Family Therapy. Her dissertation focused on how the white fundamental evangelical culture makes meaning about mental illness. She has an active private practice, is an assistan…

Kelly Hofer - From Hutterite to Heathen Divorced: Hutterite Christianity My guest today is fellow Canadian, Kelly Hofer, who is a visual content producer in Calgary, Alberta. Kelly grew up on a Hutterite colony in Manitoba. At age 19, Kelly made the difficult decision to leave his home on the colony due to his sexuality and to pursue art as a caree…

Yehudis Keller - Sockless Rebel Divorced: Ultra Orthodox Judaism My guest today is Yehudis Keller, who is a former member of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, NY. Yehudis is currently a clinical psychology Ph.D. student in Cleveland, aiming to contribute to psychological research on the mechanisms of psychological adjustment after dis…

DJ Williams, PhD - Murder as a Leisure Activity Divorced: Mormonism CW: Suicide, homicide, frank descriptions of sex Today’s guest, Dr. DJ Williams, was raised Mormon. We met when he presented at a Center for Positive Sexuality session on the Threat of Mass Public Violence by “Incels.” Dr. Williams is a Professor at the Department of Sociology, Soc…

Sara Tasneem - Child Marriage Survivor Divorced: Sufi Cult + Child Marriage CW: CSA We will be discussing child marriage and forced marriage today, and all that goes along with it. My guest today is Sara Tasneem, who recently participated on our Child Marriage Panel at CORT2023. Sara is a survivor of forced child marriage who advocates publicly to …

The Cult Sisters - Life in the Last Days Ministries Christian Cult Divorced: Last Days Ministries & Evangelical Christianity This is a CROSSOVER episode! Listen & subscribe to the Feet of Clay – Confessions of the Cult Sisters podcast for the other episode! My guests today were devotees of the late Christian musician - and cult leader - Keith Green…

Seth Showalter - Conversion Therapy Survivor Divorced: Southern Baptist Convention CW: Conversion therapy discussion Seth Showalter is a LCSW from Columbia, MO, working as a clinical supervisor and therapist at Brave Counseling & Psychiatry in Columbia. Seth is also an author, with his newest book, Finally Free: A Surrender to Authenticity, schedul…

Brady Hardin - Sued by his Evangelical Mother Divorced: Christianity My friend Brady Hardin is a secular humanist, conversion therapy survivor, and queer parent living in St. Louis, MO, where he works in Marketing and Design. Brady’s evangelical mother has sued him and his ex-wife for grandparent visitation rights, even though they do not believe h…

Tamara MC - Child Bride in the USA Divorced: Religious Cult My guest today is a freedom activist for girls and women worldwide. Dr. Tamara MC is a social scientist and linguist who explores how language is used to manipulate vulnerable populations. As a cult, child marriage, polygamy, and modern-day slavery survivor/advocate, themes in Dr. Tamara’s…

Carol Merchasin - Sexual Misconduct by Spiritual Community Leaders CW: Discussion of sexual misconduct & abuse by cultic-type leaders As a former corporate investigator turned cult investigator, Carol Merchasin has worked to help uncover some of the hidden corruption at the heart of international spiritual movements. Her work shines a light on the …

Susanna Guarino - Religious Trauma in Relationships Divorced: Christian Fundamentalism Today’s guest is musician and therapist Susanna Guarino. Susanna is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice in NY specializing in religious trauma, spiritual abuse recovery, and couples’ therapy. Susanna’s own parents met in a neo-puritanical Chris…

Uthman Khan - Overcoming Islamic Indoctrination Overcoming Islamic Indoctrination Divorced: Fundamentalist Islam Uthman Khan completed his traditional religious degree from an Islamic Madrasa in the UK. He also received his Master of Arts from Hartford International University in Islamic Studies, focussing on Muslim Christian Relations. Uthman is c…

Mike Phillips - I Like Mike Divorced: Fundamentalist Christianity My guest today is former pastor and current sex and trauma therapist, Mike Phillips. Mike is a Twitter friend I’ve come to respect as a deeply compassionate and professional therapist. He currently specializes in using Internal Family Systems and EMDR therapies, and his focus for sex…

Chris Johnson - The Atheist Book My guest today is New York-based photographer and filmmaker, Chris Johnson. I first heard of Chris through my friend and mentor, Dr. Marlene Winell, who was featured in his beautiful coffee table book A BETTER LIFE: 100 ATHEISTS SPEAK OUT ON JOY AND MEANING IN A WORLD WITHOUT GOD. In this episode, Chris shares what …

E.V. - From Moonie to Atheist Divorced: Unification Church My guest today is E.V., who left the Unification Church (aka The Moonies) after being a devoted member for 25 years. Her story is interesting and her liberation delightful. Support this podcast on Patreon (starting as low as $2/month) and get access to bonus content: https://www.patreon.com…

I Was A Teenage Fundamentalist & Divorcing Religion Crossover Show Guests: IWATF hosts Brian & Troy Today’s show is a special audio-only crossover episode with my Aussie mates, Brian & Troy, hosts of the incredibly popular I Was A Teenage Fundamentalist podcast. Brian & Troy both were both megachurch leaders – until they saw the light. I love the w…

Scott Okamoto - Asian American Apostate 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: Lois, Hayley, and Amy. Every dollar helps. Recordings from the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference now 50% off here https://www…