Beyond The Surface

Hollow Sunday: Confronting the Complexity of Easter Emotions

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +1100

Easter is supposed to be a time of joy and renewal, but for many who've experienced religious trauma, it can bring up something far more complicated. In this episode, Sam and Elise set aside the conventional Easter narrative to sit with the harder, quieter feelings this time of year can stir up, drawing on their own experiences to explore how themes of suffering, sacrifice, and mandated celebration leave lasting marks on identity and self-perception. From the emotional whiplash between Good Friday's grief and Easter Sunday's compulsory joy, to the internal pressure of feeling like you're doing the holiday "wrong," they create an honest space for the feelings that so often go unspoken. This isn't an episode about how to cope; it's an invitation to simply acknowledge where you are, and a reminder that if Easter feels more like a weight than a celebration, you are far from alone in that.

Connect With Us

Connect with Elise via her website - https://www.eliseheerde.com/ and over on Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

From Obedience to Autonomy and Life Beyond Fundamentalism

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Naomi shares her journey of leaving the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) world and navigating life after such a high-control environment. She talks openly about the emotional and psychological toll of religious trauma, including the difficulties of estrangement from family and the fear that comes with questioning deeply ingrained beliefs. The conversation highlights the importance of self-kindness, prioritising mental health, and reclaiming autonomy, while also exploring the opportunities for growth, empowerment, and building relationships on one’s own terms after leaving a strict religious system.

Who Is Naomi?

Naomi Norton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Missouri and Kansas, an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor, and the founder of Hope for Healing Therapy in Kansas City. She holds a PhD in Family Therapy, with research focused on how white fundamentalist evangelical Christianity conceptualizes mental illness. Her work includes developing a White American Fundamentalist Evangelical Power and Control Wheel, inspired by the Duluth Model.

Naomi has worked in the mental health field for nearly a decade across psychiatric hospitals, child welfare, and intensive in-home therapy. She specializes in working with individuals and families impacted by religious trauma, spiritual abuse, faith deconstruction, and complex mental health concerns. She is trained in DBT and EMDR and is deeply committed to helping people heal from harmful religious systems while reclaiming their identity, autonomy, and sense of safety.

Connect

Find out more about Naomi via her website - https://www.hopeforhealingllc.org/
You can also find her over on Facebook

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Finding Freedom and Leaving the 2x2's

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Tristan shares what it was like growing up in the 2x2's, a high-control religious group that shaped much of his early life. He reflects on the strange mix of freedom and restriction in his childhood, and the confusion that can come from trying to make sense of both the good memories and the harmful parts of that upbringing. Tristan talks about the lingering impact of indoctrination, while also acknowledging the ways his experiences helped him navigate life outside the group once he left. It’s a thoughtful conversation about holding complexity, making sense of a religious past, and the importance of talking openly about these stories so people don’t have to process them alone.

Who Is Tristan?

Former 2x2 cult member (NZ). On a mission to understand and educate on religious trauma, religious abuse, coercive control, high control groups and navigating mental health.

Connect With Us

Find Tristan over on Youtube, Instagram & Facebook
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Exploring Identity and Power: A Deep Dive into Wicked

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +1100

This solo episode is basically me unapologetically loving Wicked and unpacking why it hits so hard for anyone who’s left a high-control religion. I talk about my deep connection to Elphaba; the “problem,” the scapegoat, the one who won’t stay small and how her story mirrors the experience of choosing authenticity over belonging. We explore the grief and liberation that come with being cast as the villain for stepping outside the system, and why that narrative feels painfully familiar for so many of us.

I also spend time with Glinda, because it’s never that simple. She represents the ache of staying, the love tangled up with fear, loyalty, image, and the cost of not leaving. Through Wicked, I reflect on propaganda, scapegoating, and the way systems decide who is “good” and who is “wicked.” It’s theatre kid energy meets religious trauma processing and honestly, it makes sense of more than it probably should.

Connect

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Complexity of Spirituality and Embodiment Beyond Religion

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Sam chats with Katie about what it actually looks like to rebuild life after religious trauma, especially coming out of a strict Catholic environment. Katie shares how growing up in rigid faith shaped her identity, leaving her stuck in perfectionism, people-pleasing, and constantly second-guessing herself. Together, they unpack the idea of redefining spirituality outside organised religion; shifting it from rules and performance into something personal, embodied, and genuinely life-giving. The conversation also gets practical, exploring small ways people can reconnect with themselves through hobbies, rituals, and everyday choices, reminding listeners that recovery isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about slowly learning to trust your own voice again.

Who Is Katie?

Katie Krier is a Spiritual Wellness Coach who helps people rebuild identity and personal sovereignty after religion. Her work supports those disentangling from religious conditioning and learning to live from their own inner authority.

Connect with us

Katies website - https://katiemkrier.com/start-here
Connect via Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Life After Leaving Faith And Losing Your Community Overnight

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +1100

For the 100th story episode, the roles flip a little as Sam steps into the guest seat and hands the hosting mic over to Matt, creating space to share more of her own lived experience of religious trauma. Together, they reflect on the complicated grief that comes with leaving high-control faith communities, not just losing beliefs, but losing belonging, identity, and sometimes entire support systems through shunning and judgment. The conversation moves through the emotional weight of trying to re-enter those spaces, the loneliness that can follow choosing authenticity, and the slow process of finding connection again with people who truly understand. At its heart, this milestone episode is about loss, resilience, and what it looks like to rebuild a sense of home after everything familiar falls away.

Connect With Us

You can find Matt over at https://mgacounselling.com.au/ or on Facebook

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Freedom from Fundamentalism after Four Decades

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +1100

Stacy shares her long and complicated relationship with fundamentalism and evangelical Christianity, starting with a childhood shaped by strict values rather than overt religiosity, and moving into a born-again faith she found as a teenager while searching for belonging. What initially felt like connection and purpose slowly became transactional, where her worth was measured by how much she served, showed up, and stayed in line. She talks openly about the mental health toll of living under constant religious expectation, and the quiet ways doubt began to creep in long before she felt able to name it. The unraveling accelerated through experiences of betrayal in her church and the broader disruptions of COVID, forcing her to reckon with a faith that was no longer sustainable. This episode is about listening to that inner knowing, grieving what’s lost, and finding the courage to choose yourself when the system you trusted starts to fall apart.

Who Is Stacy?

Stacy is a 64 year old woman who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s with a fundamental non religious upbringing who then got involved at 19 with fundamental evangelical Christianity and stayed for 40 years! Left it all 3 years ago.

Connect

Connect with Stacy over on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stacy_singledecker/

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Coming Home To Self: Queer, Spiritual & Free

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +1100

Ben shares his story of growing up in a small town in New Zealand, where Christianity initially felt like safety and belonging; until his queerness made that same faith feel threatening and conditional. He opens up about the pressure of staying closeted, the impact of religious trauma, and the fear of rejection that shaped his sense of self. Ben also speaks about a turning point during his time in prison, where unexpected spiritual experiences helped him reconnect with a version of faith that affirmed rather than condemned him. Throughout the episode, we explore how community, friendship, and supportive relationships can become lifelines in recovery, especially when rebuilding identity after incarceration and learning to live more openly and authentically.

Who Is Ben?

NZ born Australian who lives in Naarm/Melbourne. Ex gymnast, ex church leader, ex raver and an ex convict. He is currently in his coaching era, both in the gym and in the workplace. Co-host of the Queerfully Made podcast.

Connect

Connect with Ben over on IG - https://www.instagram.com/bennynicholson/

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Purity, Shame, and Untangling a High-Control Upbringing

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Brianna shares her journey growing up in a high-control religious environment and the impact of her mother leaving a restrictive sect while pregnant. She reflects on the effects of purity culture, shame around sexuality, and years of believing she had a sex addiction. Brianna discusses reclaiming her identity, separating her beliefs from her upbringing, and finding empowerment. The episode closes with a message of hope, emphasising the importance of self-discovery and the value of personal stories.

Who Is Brianna?

Brianna Bell is a Canadian journalist and essayist whose work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe & Mail, CBC, and more. Brianna's memoir, God Lover, will be published by Toronto's Dundurn Press in 2027.

Connect

Brianna's Website - https://www.briannabellwriter.com/
Connect on socials - Substack, Threads, or Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Behind the Curtain: The Systematic Power of Megachurches

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Sam sits down with Scott, a journalist and author, to discuss his latest book examining the rise of megachurches and their ties to Christian nationalism. Scott shares his experiences growing up in a Southern Baptist megachurch and explores the power dynamics that often leave congregants feeling voiceless. The conversation highlights systemic issues within megachurch culture, including the exploitation of members, the use of hope as a tool of control, and the consequences of silence around abuse. Scott emphasises the importance of validating the experiences of those harmed and amplifying collective voices to challenge these structures. The episode closes with reflections on accountability, transparency, and the need for communities where individuals feel seen and heard, offering validation and encouragement to anyone navigating trauma within church environments.

Who Is Scott

Scott Latta is an award-winning journalist who has spent a decade reporting for humanitarian organizations on conflict, displacement, and climate change around the world. His essays and reporting have been featured in The Believer, CityLab, Modern Farmer, and The Southampton Review, which awarded him the Frank McCourt Memoir Prize. He lives in Oregon.

Connect

Scotts website - https://www.scottlatta.com
Connect with Scott via Substack: Gods of the Smoke Machine, Bluesky: @scottlatta.bsky.social or Twitter: @swlatta

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

From Faith to Freedom: Leaving an Abusive Marriage

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, I’m joined by Louise for a raw and honest conversation about intimate partner abuse, faith, and the long road back to self-trust. Louise shares how love, control, and religious beliefs became tangled together, making it hard to recognise abuse while she was inside it. We talk about the ways faith and religious language can be used to justify manipulation, silence doubt, and keep people stuck in harmful relationships, as well as the deep confusion that comes from trying to reconcile pain with beliefs about love, forgiveness, and endurance. Louise reflects on the barriers she faced when seeking help, the role of community (both helpful and harmful), and what it’s taken to reclaim her sense of agency and worth. This episode offers validation for anyone navigating similar dynamics and gently names the courage it takes to leave, heal, and begin again.

Who Is Louise

Louise grew up on, and lives on, Wurundjeri Country in Naarm/Melbourne Australia. Her story is about the domestic abuse she experienced in a 'Christian marriage', and the influence of Christianity and the churches she was a part of, including a cult, in enabling the abuse.

Connect

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Cost of Being Queer in a Fundamental Church Part Two

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +1100

In part two of Chris’s story, we explore the shift from denial to self-acceptance as a queer person shaped by faith. Chris reflects on how embracing authenticity accelerated his journey, and how connecting with others who had already walked this path made healing feel possible. We talk about the grief that comes with recognising lost time spent under shame, conversion ideologies, and trying to survive within unsafe religious systems, as well as the complexity of redefining relationships built around a false version of self.

The conversation also turns toward Chris’s role in advocacy against conversion practices. He shares the emotional weight of stepping into public action, driven by responsibility rather than visibility, and the power of survivor-led movements in creating change. This episode weaves together personal healing and collective action, highlighting how community, truth-telling, and courage often go hand in hand.

Connect with Chris

For information on SOGICE - https://sogicesurvivors.com.au
To connect with Chris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-csabs-67152b224/

Connect with Sam

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Cost of Being Queer in a Fundamental Church Part One

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +1100

This episode explores the impact of religious trauma on personal identity, focusing on Chris’s experience as a queer person raised within fundamentalist Christianity. Chris reflects on growing up in a Charismatic Baptist church, where emotionally intense healing practices and fear-based teachings shaped his early understanding of faith and selfhood. He shares how messages about sexuality, particularly the framing of homosexuality as broken or demonic deeply affected his mental health, contributing to years of shame, anxiety, and OCD. As the conversation unfolds, Chris speaks candidly about the painful process of reconciling faith with his authentic self, and the emotional fallout of realising that the beliefs meant to save him were also causing harm. The episode highlights the complexity of healing from religious trauma and the importance of honest conversations about faith, sexuality, and recovery for those navigating similar paths.

Connect with Chris

For information on SOGICE - https://sogicesurvivors.com.au
To connect with Chris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-csabs-67152b224/

Connect with Sam

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Bonus - Navigating Nostalgia: A Reflection on Christmas and Religious Trauma

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This episode delves into the complexities of navigating the Christmas season, particularly for individuals grappling with religious trauma. I reflect on both nostalgia and discomfort that arises during this festive period, articulating what I miss from my past experiences within a church context, alongside the burdens I no longer wish to bear. The conversation emphasises the duality of memory; acknowledging the beauty in the rituals and community while simultaneously rejecting the pressures and emotional manipulations that often accompanied them. This episode serves as a space for shared reflection, encouraging acceptance of both the joys and challenges that accompany this time of year.

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

What 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Reveals About Trauma

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this bonus episode, Sam sits down with ex-Mormon therapists Ashley and Melissa to unpack the latest season of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives through the lens of religious trauma and deconstruction. Drawing from both their lived experience and clinical work, they discuss the heavier themes woven through the show; sexual assault, childhood trauma, purity culture, and the emotional toll of life inside a high-control religious system. Ashley shares how confronting it can be to watch stories that echo her own, while Melissa highlights the importance of understanding the hidden dynamics that shape these women’s lives. Together, they explore what healing can look like after Mormonism, the power of community, and why compassion is essential for anyone navigating their way out of a restrictive faith.

Who are Ashley & Mellissa?

Ashley Buckner is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Utah and California. Specialising in a form of trauma therapy called Brainspotting that works to help people find more regulation in their nervous system. She has the additional speciality of religious trauma and faith transitions. Ashley was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (aka: the Mormon Church) and later left in 2008.

~~~

Mellissa Perry Hill, MS, LPC is a therapist, supervisor, educator, and founder of Inner Compass Counseling & Consultation, LLC—a Gilbert-based practice specializing in Mormon religious trauma, Mormon faith transitions, and nervous-system-centered recovery after high-control religion. As a clinician who left the LDS church herself, Mellissa blends lived experience with deep clinical training in EMDR, IFS-informed care, DBT, and trauma-responsive narrative work. Her approach is warm, grounded, slightly sassy, and rooted in the belief that healing begins when we stop outsourcing our authority and start listening inward.

Mellissa has been featured on multiple podcasts, panels, and professional mental-health platforms, where she speaks about the intersections of spiritual abuse, identity reconstruction, complex family dynamics, and the physiology of trauma. She is also the author of the Faith Transition Journal on Amazon and hosts an online clinician community dedicated to ethical, inclusive, anti-shame mental-health care.

Outside the therapy room, Mellissa is a mom of three, a sunrise yogi with a soft spot for nervous-system regulation flows, and an unapologetic lover of big books—the kind that sit proudly on your nightstand whether you’re actively reading them or spiritually absorbing them through osmosis.

Her work centers on helping people return to themselves: to the body, to intuition, to inner authority, and to a sense of safety strong enough to hold both the grief and expansion of a faith crisis. Whether she’s supervising clinicians, running groups, creating educational content, or speaking on air, Mellissa reminds people that their inner compass isn’t broken—just waiting to be reclaimed.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Ashley via her website – https://www.ashleybucknerlmft.com/about
You can also connect over on Instagram

You can find out more about Mellissa via her website - http://www.inner-compass-counseling.com/
You can also connect over on Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Ones Deconstructing Faith & Parenting - Liz & Jesse Part 2

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this follow-up episode, Liz and Jesse open up about parenting after faith deconstruction, an experience filled with both healing and unlearning. They reflect on how leaving a high-control church reshaped their ideas of authority, discipline, and what it means to raise kids with curiosity instead of fear. Through personal stories, they share the challenges of guiding children who question everything and the beauty in watching them form their own beliefs. Together, they unpack the shift from obedience to openness, from control to connection, and the daily work of letting their kids feel the full range of being human - joy, pain, doubt, wonder, all of it. It’s a heartfelt conversation about breaking cycles, choosing authenticity, and raising children who feel free to be fully themselves.

Connect With Us

To learn more about Liz & Jesse or The Practice Co head to their website.
You can follow along over on Instagram – @thepracticeco
You can download The Practice Co on Apple or Android

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Ones Who Deconstructed While Married - Liz & Jesse Part 1

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Liz and Jesse join us for a deeply honest conversation about what it means to deconstruct faith while rebuilding a relationship that began inside a high-control church. Liz shares her experience growing up as a pastor’s daughter and the shock of discovering her father’s double life, a revelation that shattered her worldview. Jesse reflects on his eclectic spiritual background and the dissonance of questioning the beliefs that once defined him. Together, they unpack the toll of purity culture, the weight of community expectations, and the struggle to find themselves beyond performance and dogma. Through it all, their friendship has been the anchor that’s held them steady through deconstruction and healing. What emerges is a story of liberation, self-discovery, and rediscovering joy in the simple things.

Connect With Us

To learn more about Liz & Jesse or The Practice Co head to their website.
You can follow along over on Instagram – @thepracticeco
You can download The Practice Co on Apple or Android

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Bringing An AuDHD Lens to Deconstruction

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Jeremy shares his experience of growing up within a strict Lutheran sect, offering a candid look at how faith, identity, and his late AuDHD diagnosis intersected throughout his life. From early moments of doubt at just ten years old to the long process of deconstruction that followed, Jeremy reflects on the challenges of navigating a belief system that often discouraged questioning and individuality. The conversation explores how environments rooted in rigid doctrine can stifle self-expression and perpetuate cycles of shame, while also shedding light on the unique ways neurodivergent experiences shape one’s relationship with faith and community. Jeremy reveals the courage it takes to unlearn deeply ingrained beliefs and reclaim a sense of autonomy, offering listeners a deeply human story of resilience, awareness, and healing.

Who Is Jeremy?

Jeremy Schumacher is a therapist, educator, and coach. Jeremy specialises in couples counselling, religious trauma, and sports performance, bringing warmth, adaptability, and depth to his work. Outside the therapy room, he’s often outdoors with his wife, two boys, and three dogs or happily nerding out about books, music, and the psychology of superheroes.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Jeremy on his website - https://wellnesswithjer.com/
You can connect over on Instagram or Youtube
Tune in to Jeremy's podcast Your Therapist Needs Therapy

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The MLM Cult Survivor

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Brandie opens up about her experience within a commercial cult operating under the guise of a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme. She reflects on the allure of belonging and empowerment that initially drew her in, and the eventual disillusionment that came with realising the manipulative dynamics at play. Brandie explores the guilt, fear, and loss of autonomy that many, especially young mothers face in these high-control environments. Her journey of leaving the MLM world and rebuilding her sense of self offers a powerful reminder of the importance of self-forgiveness, critical awareness, and community support in reclaiming one’s identity beyond coercive systems.

Who Is Brandie?

Brandie is a student psychotherapist in clinical supervision, and MLM recovery advocate. She believes everyone deserves freedom of mind, so she speaks out about abuses of power and coercion perpetrated by MLM scams.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Flipping The Pyramid
Connect with Brandie over on Substack or Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Cult Survivor Who Wont Be Silenced

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this powerful episode, Cheryl shares her courageous journey of escaping the Exclusive Brethren, a high-control religious community marked by isolation and fear. Born into a life defined by strict rules and emotional repression, Cheryl recounts her childhood in rural Saskatchewan, revealing experiences of sexual abuse, indoctrination, and deep psychological control. Leaving the group at just 17, she began the long, painful process of reclaiming her freedom and sense of self. Through raw honesty and reflection, Cheryl offers insight into the emotional toll of religious trauma, the importance of community in recovery, and the transformative power of therapy. Her story stands as a moving testament to resilience, healing, and the human capacity to rebuild after unimaginable loss.

Who Is Cheryl?

Cheryl Bawtinheimer (née Hope) is a survivor of child sexual abuse who escaped the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church at 17. She now speaks internationally about the hidden harms of high-control religious groups and works to support and empower other survivors and insiders still stuck in the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Cheryl over on Facebook or Instagram
For a one-stop shop for the Get A Life Podcast head to their website - https://www.get-a-life.net/

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Ex-Mormon Therapist

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Raised in an unorthodox Mormon family, Ashley shares her journey of navigating faith, identity, and the pressures of patriarchal religious structures. In this conversation, she reflects on the tension of growing up with a non-Mormon father, the weight of expectations within her community, and the shame that often accompanied rigid doctrine. Now a therapist specialising in religious trauma, Ashley offers candid insight into the process of deconstructing harmful beliefs, reclaiming identity, and finding empowerment beyond the confines of Mormonism.

Who Is Ashley?

Connect With Us

Find out more about Ashley via her website - https://www.ashleybucknerlmft.com/about
You can also connect over on Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Went From Being A Blessing To Being Shunned

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Shunned after leaving the Geelong Revival Center, Jodie shares her journey from the insular world of fundamentalist faith to a more expansive and authentic sense of self. She reflects on the love and community she once knew, alongside the rigid expectations and lack of critical thought that shaped her childhood. Candidly exploring the pain of shunning and the challenge of rebuilding relationships, Jodie offers a powerful story of resilience, healing, and the courage it takes to reclaim identity beyond the confines of a high-control church.

Who Is Jodie?

Born & raised in high control pentecostalism (GRC, of 'pray harder' and Vic Inquiry fame!), 4 generations deep. Jodie left in her 40s with her family. Her dad was a pastor who spoke up about bullying within ministry, and they got kicked out because they had them stay in their home. They suffered some extreme shunning & witnessed some impressive hypocrisy in the church. Now out for almost 3 years and thriving.

Connect With Us

Connect with Jodie over on Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Went From Golden Child To Scapegoat

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Lauren’s story begins with the role of golden child, expected to keep the peace in a high-control family by silencing her own needs and striving for parental approval. Over time, this weight collided with her growing awareness of politics and social justice, sparking questions that clashed with her upbringing and eventually led to estrangement. Her journey captures both the grief of losing family ties and the strength found in choosing authenticity, offering hope to anyone navigating the painful, but liberating, path of self-discovery.

Who Is Lauren?

Lauren Smallcomb is a certified Mind-Body Practitioner whose journey as a healer began at 20 when she became a registered nurse, dedicating a decade to caring for patients in the ER. She later expanded her expertise to become a birth doula and, eventually, a nutritional therapist. In 2020, after making the difficult decision to walk away from a dysfunctional family system, Lauren embarked on a transformative process of rebuilding her mind and body through brain retraining and trauma healing.

This journey inspired her to become a certified Mind-Body Practitioner. Her newfound sense of empowerment prompted Lauren and her therapist husband to establish Flourish Therapy, with the intention of helping others heal and thrive after childhood trauma. Born and raised in upstate New York, they now make their home in Northern Thailand with their children, two dogs, and a cat.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Lauren via her website - flourishtherapy.kartra.com/page/goldenchild
You can also connect on Instagram, Facebook, and Substack

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Suburban Witch

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Hana, known online as the Suburban Witch, shares her journey of deconstructing a Pentecostal upbringing in Australia and the lasting impact of religious trauma. The conversation explores her childhood experiences of indoctrination, including purity culture, conformity, and the pressure to tie self-worth to rigid belief systems. Hana reflects on the psychological toll of growing up in a high-control religious environment and the courage it takes to reclaim identity beyond it.

Through her story, listeners are invited into a deeper understanding of the resilience and healing that comes with unlearning harmful teachings and embracing authenticity, making this episode a powerful offering for anyone navigating faith, identity, and recovery.

Who Is Hana?

Hana is a professional Tarot reader, Astrologer & Witch who helps spiritual seekers go from feeling confused, blocked and overwhelmed to feeling confident, connected and clear in their path through a variety of mediums.

She hosts the podcast ‘Witch Talks’ interviewing key Witches in the community, has a thriving YouTube channel with content from Spellcrafting, Tarot tutorials, Witchcraft basics and even details her own journey from Pentecostal Christian to proud Witch.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Hana and her work via her website - https://www.suburbanwitchery.com
Connect via Facebook, Instagram & Youtube

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Survived IBLP

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Rachel shares her story of being immersed into the IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles), where the teachings of Bill Gothard shaped her understanding of faith, identity, and community in deeply controlling ways. She reflects on how the subtle mechanisms of spiritual abuse left lasting impacts on her ability to trust, belong, and feel secure in herself, even after leaving. As Rachel traces her gradual disentanglement from the IBLP framework, she sheds light on the resilience required to unlearn harmful teachings and rebuild a life outside of rigid religious control. Her honesty offers listeners both insight into the lingering effects of spiritual abuse and hope in the possibility of healing, as she speaks to the ongoing process of reclaiming identity, truth, and freedom on her own terms.

Who Is Rachel?

Rachel Lees is an award-winning New Zealand writer in Tauranga and the author of “Sacred Grooming”. The online memoir details her experience of being hand selected at 20 and groomed over years by American fundamentalist cult leader Bill Gothard of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). As one of the whistle-blowers which led to the downfall of the Christo-fascist organisation and resignation of the leader, and then filing a lawsuit against Gothard in 2015, Rachel withstood many personal attacks against her. She is passionate about speak more on predatory grooming and the healing that comes from the pursuit of justice.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Rachel on Instagram or Substack

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Asian American Apostate

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Scott, a Japanese American, reflects on his journey of navigating faith, race, and identity within evangelical Christianity. His parents adopted the church as a path to assimilation after the trauma of their own internment during World War II, a legacy that shaped his childhood in predominantly white spaces where he often felt alienated. While evangelicalism offered belonging, it also demanded conformity, leading Scott to eventually question its contradictions and begin the hard work of deconstruction.

He shares the emotional labor of disentangling belief from dogma, and how cultural trauma, racial identity, and political realities like Christian nationalism complicate that process. Scott speaks candidly about the loneliness and struggle of leaving faith, but also about the healing found in community and the freedom of embracing uncertainty. His reflections point toward a spirituality grounded not in rigid certainties but in authenticity, compassion, and the courage to hold space for mystery.

Who Is Scott?

Scott is a 4th generation Japanese American author, musician, and podcaster. Creator/host of Chapel Probation and co-host of The Horny Chapel, Asians in Baseball, and Let's Talk About Text with Blake Chastain. Author of Asian American Apostate: Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University. Composer and editor at Axis Mundi Media with Brad Onishi.

Connect With Us

Scott's Website - http://rscottokamoto.com
Connect via Facebook or Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Escaped Providence

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Sally shares her journey of recovering from her time in Providence, a high-control cult that exploited her search for belonging. From her childhood as a Vietnamese immigrant to the manipulative dynamics that drew her into the group, Sally reflects on how cults prey on vulnerability and maintain control through fear and psychological tactics. Her story sheds light on both the personal cost of spiritual abuse and the broader patterns of coercion within such movements. Through honesty and courage, Sally also speaks to the process of healing, finding community, rebuilding identity, and reclaiming hope after trauma.

Who Is Sally?

Sally is a Vietnamese-Chinese-Australian counsellor with lived experience of cult trauma, supporting ex-Providence and Shincheonji members for over five years. She offers trauma-informed counselling and exit support to help people rebuild safety, reconnect with themselves, and rediscover their own values.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Sally via her website - https://www.ahavacounselling.com.au/

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Sufi Cult Survivor

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +1100

T shares their powerful story of spending over two decades in a coercive Sufi group and what it meant to finally walk away. We talk about the search for belonging that can draw people into high-control spaces, the manipulation and fear that keep them there, and the emotional cost of suppressing identity for the sake of faith.

T reflects on cultic vows, spiritual betrayal, and the resilience it took to reclaim their truth and embracing their sexuality during the pandemic and navigating today’s hostile climate around trans and reproductive healthcare. Their story is one of both heartbreak and renewal, showing how healing and self-definition are possible even after deep religious harm.

Who Is T?

Born in the US, T graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1993. Once a gay feminist liberation theologian, they later spent over two decades (1997–2020) in a coercive Sufi Muslim group in the American Midwest, where obedience to a “living guru” became central to their life. After leaving during the Covid pandemic, T has been reclaiming their sense of self and voice. They are now an activist and a PhD candidate in performance, bringing both lived experience and academic insight to their work as they continue the process of recovery and transformation.

Connect With Us

For all details surrounding T and his performance pieces head to - https://quityourcult.net
You can also connect via Facebook, Instagram or YouTube

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Divorced Religion

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Janice shares her story of growing up in religion, specifically a Pentecostal family in Canada, where vibrant expressions of faith like speaking in tongues were part of daily life. Raised by parents transformed by their beliefs, she navigated the tension between familial love, purity culture, and the pull of individual identity, a journey that would eventually inspire her to write Divorcing Religion. Janice reflects on pivotal moments, from high school relationships that sparked a crisis of faith to a “back to Jesus” chapter that ultimately gave way to deconstruction. We discuss the emotional toll of leaving fundamentalism, the comfort she found in new secular communities, and the healing role of open conversation, resources like Dr. Marlene Winnell’s work. Through candid reflections on family boundaries, forgiveness, and self-acceptance, Janice offers a heartfelt look at religious trauma and the resilience it takes to move beyond it, leaving listeners with both hope and a sense of solidarity.

Who Is Janice?

Janice is a Registered Professional Counsellor. Founder of CORT (Conference on Religious Trauma) and Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture. Host of the Divorcing Religion Podcast. Author of Divorcing Religion: A Memoir & Survival Handbook, Creator of SEX & POWER Speaker Series. She spent 40 years as a devout Christian. Divorced religion (and her pastor-husband) about 15 years ago and never looked back! Now her life is devoted to helping others recover from religious trauma and embrace this one beautiful, messy, delicious life.

Connect With Us

Find all you need on Janice's website - https://www.divorcing-religion.com/
You can find CORT over on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ComeToCORT
You can also connect over on Instagram or Facebook

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Saved So Hard She Needed Therapy

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, I sit down with Elise as she reflects on her experience growing up in a Pentecostal mega-church and the long, layered process of leaving a high-control religious community. She shares how fear and obedience were embedded in her early beliefs, and how that shaped her sense of self for years. As we talk through the pivotal moments that led to her deconstruction, Elise opens up about the inner conflict, grief, and eventual freedom that came with walking away from faith. We also explore how finding the right language became a powerful part of her healing, because sometimes, putting words to your experience is the first act of reclaiming it. This conversation is an invitation to anyone who’s ever struggled to name what happened to them, and a reminder that defining your own story can be a radical, grounding act.

Who Is Elise?

Elise Heerde (she/her) is a Certified Coach who helps people recover from religious trauma and cultic systems. Her work is grounded in lived experience, professional training, and a passion for creating safe, judgment-free spaces with a splash of sarcasm. Elise blends authenticity and hope in all she offers. Co-founder of The Religious Trauma Collective (Australia/New Zealand) Her memoir Holy Hell: Saved So Hard I Needed Therapy was released May 2025.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Elise via her website – https://www.eliseheerde.com
Or you can connect over on Instagram or Facebook
You can purchase her book Holy Hell: Saved So Hard I Needed Therapy over on Amazon

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Moving From Shame To Self-Compassion

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this deeply moving episode, Erica shares her story of growing up in a religious household in Canada and then moving to Australia, a childhood shaped by fear, guilt, and shame. Her reflections offer insight into the painful journey of untangling self-worth from the expectations of family and faith. We talk about what it means to deconstruct beliefs that were never truly yours, the shame that purity culture breeds, and the disconnection from one’s own body and desires that can follow.

Erica’s journey is also shaped by her experience of being neurodivergent, adding another layer to the complexity of surviving high-control religious environments. She opens up about body image, sexuality, and the long road to self-compassion, especially when society and religion have tied your value to your purity. And in a surprising twist, Erica’s discovery about her biological origins prompts a fresh reckoning with her past.

This conversation is for anyone listening who’s ever wrestled with identity, family, or faith. Her story is a reminder that healing is messy, layered, and worth every step.

Who Is Erica?

Erica Webb is a registered counsellor, somatic exercise coach and highly sensitive person. She supports other highly sensitive women to discover their sensitivity superpowers and more confidently navigate the tricky bits of being a sensitive person in an often insensitive world.

Erica combines her training in Behavioural Science, Counselling, and various mindful movement modalities, along with her understanding of the nervous system’s role in trauma, pain and high sensitivity. She focuses on Self-Compassion, Kindness and Curiosity as key components to foster resilience as a sensitive human navigating the world.

Erica works with clients 1-1 and in her online membership space, the SelfKind Hub. She is also host of the podcast SelfKind with Erica Webb and cohost of the podcast Midlife Unfiltered: The Season of Me.

Connect With Us

You can learn more about Erica on her website
Connect with Erica on both Facebook & Instagram
You can also listen to Erica’s Podcasts SelfKind & Midlife Unfiltered: The Season of Me

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Went From Mormonism To Writing Spicy Novels

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Growing up in the Mormon church, Daisy was expected to follow the rules - and bring her siblings back into the fold. But beneath the surface of religious rituals and gender expectations was a deeper struggle with mental health, body image, and the pressure to be the “good girl.” In this episode, Daisy opens up about the impact of purity culture, the silence around emotional wellbeing, and the loneliness of living in a community that misreads pain as a spiritual flaw.

Her story explores what happens after you leave: the guilt, the shame, the slow work of finding yourself again. Daisy shares how writing, community, and coming out as bisexual became lifelines in her journey toward freedom. This conversation is a tender and honest look at what it means to untangle your identity from a faith that tried to define it for you.

Who Is Daisy?

Daisy lives in the Utah Valley with her husband and three kids. When she’s not writing her next book, she’s reading, cooking, and spending time with her family. Her love of writing has been prominent since childhood, and she’s always felt a call to share her stories, as well as been encouraged to by her late grandpa. A hopeless romantic since she first saw The Phantom of the Opera at age eight, she’s been writing her own romances ever since!

She’s a former member of a high demand religion and hopes to bring light to the issues of the church in which she was raised, while also telling beautiful stories about life after leaving.

As a fat woman, body inclusivity is extremely important to her, so most of her FMCs, and some of her MMCs, will be fat baddies who get their HEA. She’s also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and it’s important to her that everyone who reads her books feels safe and welcome.

Connect With Us

You can find more about Daisy on her website - https://www.daisywren.com/
Or you can connect over on Instagram.

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Went From Liberty To Liberation

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Luke grew up as the youngest of five, navigating family dynamics and a complicated relationship with faith. His journey from rural Canada to a deeply evangelical college in the U.S. brought him face-to-face with teachings that clashed with his emerging queer identity. In this episode, Luke shares candid reflections on conversion therapy, the pressures of purity culture, and the emotional toll of trying to conform in high-control religious spaces.

Through humour, honesty, and vulnerability, Luke tells the story of finding his way back to himself. From shame and suppression to joy and self-expression, this conversation is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we stop hiding and start healing.

Who Is Lucas?

Lucas Wilson is a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto Mississauga and was formerly the Justice, Equity, and Transformation Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Calgary. A survivor of conversion therapy, he is the editor of Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy.

He is also the author of At Home with the Holocaust: Postmemory, Domestic Space, and Second-Generation Holocaust Narratives, which received the Jordan Schnitzer First Book Publication Award. His public-facing writing has appeared in The Advocate, Queerty, LGBTQ Nation, and Religion Dispatches, among other venues.

Connect With Us

Find more about Lucas here - https://utschools.academia.edu/LucasWilson
You can connect on socials Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Challenged Purity Culture & Reclaimed Asexuality

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This episode shares the powerful story of Grace, whose journey through religious trauma and identity is deeply intertwined with her experience of asexuality. Raised in a strict Calvinistic Baptist church, Grace was taught doctrines like total depravity and original sin, which left her believing she was fundamentally broken. These messages shaped her early understanding of self-worth, shame, and sexuality.

Her story is a reminder of how difficult it can be to explore identity when your framework for understanding yourself is steeped in fear and control. Through it all, her connection to nature and a more agnostic spirituality has offered peace.

Who Is Grace?

Grace was born in England, moving to Aotearoa at age 13. She was homeschooled throughout her upbringing in a conservative Christian family, though she no longer identifies with the faith. These days, she resonates more with agnostic or atheist perspectives.

Grace is neurodivergent and lives with anxiety and depression, and she’s currently awaiting an ADHD diagnosis. She is a survivor of child sexual assault and purity culture, and speaks openly about the long-term impacts of both. Grace identifies as asexual and demisexual and is married to an incredible man. She’s aesthetically attracted to both men and women (though she’ll tell you women take the lead there).

She’s currently studying psychology and working toward a career that reflects her lived experience and deep empathy for others.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Grace via Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Raised In A Non-Traditional Southern Baptist Home

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Michelle shares her story of growing up in a non-traditional Southern Baptist environment and how it shaped her sense of self. While her experience didn’t always match mainstream ideas of Southern Baptism, it still carried its own form of control and complexity. Through honest conversation, we explore how religious identity can look different for everyone and how stepping away from it can open the door to deeper self-understanding. This episode is a reminder that faith journeys are rarely simple, and there’s power in questioning what we’ve been taught.

Who Is Michelle?

Michelle F. Moseley is a licensed clinical mental health counsellor providing therapy in North Carolina, USA. She specialises in working with individuals who have experienced spiritual abuse and religious trauma, having her own lived experience of both. Michelle's work also includes HAES-aligned body image services, adult ADHD/Autism assessments, and educational workshops for a variety of audiences.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Michelle via her website - https://michellefmoseley.com/
You can also connect on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Chose Holy Disobedience

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This podcast episode delves into the complex journey of Melissa leaving the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church, who shares her personal narrative of deconstruction and recovery from high-control religious frameworks. We examine the intricate layers of her upbringing, including the strictures imposed by the church that shaped her identity and relationships. Throughout, we explore the psychological ramifications of such a rigid belief system, particularly how it influences one's autonomy and self-perception. Melissa shares her evolving understanding of spirituality, ultimately gravitating towards a secular perspective while remaining open to the mysteries of existence. This episode serves as a poignant reflection on the struggles and triumphs inherent in the process of liberation from dogma, offering insights for those traversing similar paths.

Who Is Melissa?

Known as 'The Glory Whole' on social media; and is writing her religious-trauma recovery memoir HOLY DISOBEDIENCE coming out in 2026 with Lake Drive Books.

Connect With Us

Connect with Melissa over on Instagram - @the.glory.whole

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The Ex-Mormon Stripper

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This episode dives into the powerful story of a former Mormon who shares her journey from being a devoted member of the church to reclaiming her autonomy and identity. Elayna opens up about growing up in a tight-knit Mormon community, where strict rules around purity and behaviour made her feel isolated and controlled. She talks honestly about the fear, guilt, and loneliness she carried as a child, and how those feelings eventually pushed her to question and leave her faith.

A really eye-opening part of the conversation explores her decision to become a stripper, a bold move that she frames as reclaiming her body, power, and freedom. This shift wasn’t just about a new career but about pushing back against stigma and healing from past trauma. She explains how setting boundaries and embracing consent helped her build a sense of agency she’d never had before.

Who is Elayna?

Elayna is an ex-Mormon turned stripper! Mormonism brought her sexual shame while the sex industry brought her sexual healing. The work of Dr. Marlene Winell was pivotal in her religious recovery process.

Connect With Us

You can more about Elayna on her website - https://www.elaynalove.com
You can also connect over on Instagram - @elaynalove

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Went From Conservative To Contemplative

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, we hear Joel’s story of growing up queer within the weight of conservative evangelical beliefs while slowly finding refuge in contemplative forms of Christianity. He shares his journey from internal conflict and suppression to a life where both his faith and sexuality are fully embraced. We talk about the emotional and mental toll of hiding parts of yourself, the challenges of coming out in religious spaces, and the quiet power of being known. Joel’s reflections on authenticity, connection, and spiritual depth offer hope for anyone walking the long road of integration and healing.

Who is Joel?

Dr. Joel Hollier is a theologian, pastor, researcher and educator whose work sits at the crossroads of faith, sexuality, and inclusion. With a background in pastoral ministry, he brings a nuanced understanding of theology, guided by empathy and scholarly depth. Joel engages diverse communities with an open heart, addressing the harm caused by exclusionary religious practices and doctrines. His writing, teaching, and mentoring empower others to embrace a more expansive, affirming spirituality. By fostering dialogue, he helps people reclaim their narratives and find belonging in spaces once marked by judgment or fear.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Joel via his website - https://www.joelhollier.com/
You can connect via Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Healing From Spiritual Abuse

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Spiritual abuse is at the heart of this episode, as Tyler shares his powerful story of leaving a high-control evangelical ministry and the emotional fallout that followed. Raised in a conservative Christian environment, Tyler opens up about the deep impact of excommunication, shame, and the pressure to conform, especially as he began to embrace his queer identity. We dive into the complex layers of faith, sexuality, and recovery, exploring how authoritarian leadership and love bombing shaped his experience. This conversation is raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful, offering a glimpse into the messy but beautiful process of healing, reclaiming identity, and finding community after spiritual harm.

Who Is Tyler?

A ever-curious and ever-evolving learner, Tyler Williamson is a queer bartender and life coach based in Birmingham, Alabama. Tyler worked in full-time evangelical Christian ministry across the US for 12 years until experiences of spiritual, emotional, and narcissistic abuse broke his heart and helped wake him up. Tyler began his deconstruction process in the midst of great grief and loss, but has been finding deep healing in de- and re-constructing his life and faith. And finally getting to date boys

You can find him and more of his story on his Instagram @wtylerwilliamson. And he would love to work with anyone as a coach who is interested in processing through deconstruction, coming out, grief, spiritual abuse, or learning how to life life more fully and authenticity.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Tyler on either Facebook or Instagram
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Navigating The Intersection Of Faith, Sexuality And Gender

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In a compelling and heartfelt discussion, the podcast explores the challenges of navigating faith alongside the complexities of queerness and personal identity. The conversation centres around Steff’s life experiences, marked by the duality of their upbringing in a conservative religious setting and their exploration of their queer identity. We unpack the societal pressures and inner conflicts that can arise when someone begins to question long-held norms, especially within faith communities. Steff shares openly about their journey of self-discovery, the importance of vulnerability, the search for belonging, and the healing power of telling your story. This episode is a reminder of how crucial it is to create spaces where people can show up fully as themselves; no masks, no shame and imagine a version of faith that makes room for everyone.

Who Is Steff?

Steff Fenton (they/them) is a genderqueer writer, speaker, educator, and advocate who empowers people to celebrate the intersections of being trans, queer, and Christian. After ten years of advocacy within the Anglican Church, Steff founded and co-pastored an independent church in Sydney, and a network for LGBTIQA+ church inclusion, called Equal Voices. As a freelance "pastor" Steff is passionate about cultivating safe spiritual spaces for trans and queer people of faith. Steff enjoys facilitating empathetic trainings, workshops, keynotes, and group sessions, as well as being a wedding celebrant and author of an upcoming book called Gender Expansive Faith.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Steff via their website
You can connect via Facebook and Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Stumbled Out Of Evangelicalism

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Brandon shares his experience of coming out of evangelicalism and navigating the complex intersections of faith, identity, and queerness. Raised in a non-denominational charismatic church, Brandon reflects on how that environment shaped his worldview and the deep tension he felt trying to reconcile his sexuality with what he was taught. We talk about the grief of coming out, the pain of rejection from family and community, and the long, messy process of reclaiming autonomy. This conversation is a powerful reflection on what it means to leave behind a version of faith that harms, and to choose a life rooted in honesty, courage, and connection.

Who Is Brandon?

Brandon Flanery is an ex-pastor, ex-missionary, ex-evangelical who writes about the tenuous intersection of faith and sexuality. He’s conducted research on why people are leaving Christianity and is published with The Scribe, Baptist News Global, the University of Colorado, and the award-winning Colorado Springs Indy. In addition to writing, he co-founded the LGBTQ+ Christian dating app—believr—and lives in Atlanta.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Brandon via his website
You can also connect on Facebook & Instagram
Be sure to grab yourself a copy of Brandon's Memoir - Stumbling: A Sassy Memoir about Coming Out of Evangelicalism

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Walked The Tightrope Of Belief And Resistance

Thu, 29 May 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Josie’s journey from devout Anglican to questioning her faith is one of courage and introspection, a path familiar to many who’ve walked the tightrope between belief and doubt. Embraced by the Church at just 10 years old, her decades-long relationship with faith shaped her identity in profound ways. In this episode, Josie opens up about navigating evangelism, rigid gender roles during her college years, and the inner conflict between personal desires and religious conditioning. We also explore the church’s treatment of marginalised people and the tension this created within her own family. Her story is a powerful reminder that deconstruction is not about rejection. It’s about growth, agency, and learning to live with questions.

Who Is Josie?

Dr. Josie McSkimming is a psychotherapist, academic, author and consultant who has long explored the intersections of identity, belief, and relational dynamics. Specialising in the fallout from fundamentalist religious communities, she works with clients to make sense of fear, shame, and confusion that often linger long after departure. Josie’s therapeutic style is warm, inclusive, and attuned to cultural nuances. Through research, training, and clinical practice, she assists individuals in examining old narratives, building healthier relationships, and forging more authentic understandings of faith, spirituality, and their own inner lives.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Josie via her Website, Instagram or LinkedIn
You can find Josie's 2 books here - Gutsy Girls & Leaving Christian Fundamentalism and the Reconstruction of Identity

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Went From Mormonism To Polyamory

Thu, 22 May 2025 06:00:00 +1100

AJ was just 15 when she was drawn into Mormonism, pulled in by the love-bombing and sense of belonging it offered. In this episode of Beyond the Surface, she shares what it was like to join the Church from a secular background, navigate strict rules and rituals through her teen years, and eventually face the slow, painful process of questioning everything. From avoiding certain rites as a “convert” to the metaphorical shelf of doubts finally breaking, AJ’s story is one of deep emotional complexity. After leaving, she began to rebuild her identity—embracing polyamory, autonomy, and a life beyond shame.

Who Is AJ?

AJ is an ex-Mormon yoga vegan hippie who lives life according to her own heart and desires. After realising the conventional & religious life she was conditioned into wasn't serving her, she started following her own path. First, it was a career change, then she walked away from 15 years of infertility choosing to be childfree, and within that time she discovered religion was not for her as well. As she started to explore herself and the life she wanted, she created @authenticallyrelating_aj to chronicle her experience through deconstructing monogamy, exploring polyamory and eventually landing on her own authentic heart led path she travels today.

Connect With Us

Connect with AJ via Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Went From Conservative Baptist To Affirming Pastor

Thu, 15 May 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Colby, a pastor, and author of Unclobber shares his journey of deconstructing his faith, particularly around LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church. Growing up in a conservative Baptist environment, he reflects on how deeply ingrained beliefs of exclusion shaped his views, and how he came to see the Bible’s so-called “clobber passages” as a message of love and acceptance. Colby discusses the challenges of reconciling his upbringing with his new affirming beliefs, emphasising the importance of staying true to oneself despite potential backlash. This conversation invites listeners to question harmful narratives and explore a more inclusive, compassionate version of Christianity that values love, justice, and diversity.

Who Is Colby?

Colby has been a pastor for over 20 years. His first decade took place within the evangelical world of his roots and education, while the past 12 years have been in post-evangelical, progressive Christian churches and spaces.

As the author of two books (UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality, and, The SHIFT: a survival guide for becoming a progressive Christian), and as a prolific writer at PerspectiveShift.co, Colby continues to be a sought after voice for progressive Christianity.

Currently a traveling preacher, digital pastor, and touring speaker, Colby advocates for an approach to the Christian faith that is rooted in the Way of Jesus, while also being adaptive to the world we inhabit.

Connect With Us

You can find all of the ways to connect with Colby via his website - https://www.colbymartinonline.com/
You can also connect via Instagram - @colbymartin

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Bonus - Deconstructing Monogamy & Exploring Polyamory with Ann Russo

Mon, 12 May 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This podcast episode delves into the intricate topic of deconstructing monogamy, wherein we engage in a profound exploration of diverse relationship structures. Our conversation centres on the societal norms surrounding monogamy, particularly within high-control faith contexts, and the implications these norms have on individual identity and relational dynamics. The episode not only illuminates the challenges faced by individuals questioning traditional relationship models but also highlights the potential for growth and self-discovery that arises from such explorations. Throughout, we advocate for open dialogue and the importance of understanding the values that underpin our relational choices, encouraging listeners to embrace their authentic selves.

Who Is Ann?

Ann Russo, LCSW, MA, Theology is a mental health advocate, therapist, and thought leader specializing in healing religious trauma, sexual empowerment, ethical non-monogamy, queer identity, and inclusivity in mental health. With over two decades of experience, she combines professional expertise and lived experience to inspire transformation and foster meaningful conversations about often-stigmatized topics. Ann is currently writing her first book under contract with PESI, which introduces the Religious Trauma Treatment Model (RTTM). She is also the founder and clinical director of AMR Therapy, a boutique mental health practice serving clients with a focus on culturally competent, accessible care for marginalized communities.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Ann via her website, YouTube or connect on LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Chose Freedom Over Certainty

Thu, 08 May 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Emily opens up about growing up in a high-control religious environment and the emotional toll it took on her sense of self. She reflects on how the rigid beliefs of her faith once felt grounding but eventually left her feeling anxious, stifled, and disconnected from her own identity. Her story captures the often messy and deeply personal journey of deconstructing long-held beliefs in search of freedom and authenticity.

As we chat, Emily speaks to the power of community in healing, and how connecting with others on similar paths helped her rebuild trust in herself. Together, we explore what it means to find belonging outside of oppressive systems, and how stepping into vulnerability can lead to transformation. This conversation is a gentle reminder that while deconstruction can be painful, it can also be a doorway to discovering who you really are.

Who Is Emily?

Emily Maynard is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, where she focuses on supporting people after religious trauma. She grew up in high control religion and Purity Culture in the United States, and talks about real life after religious trauma on her Instagram. Emily is certified in EMDR therapy, and loves swearing and pub trivia nights.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Emily via her website or Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Ex-JW Creative

Thu, 01 May 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Ex-Jehovah’s Witness, musician, and filmmaker Scott takes us on a powerful journey of identity, creativity, and liberation. Growing up in a high-control religious environment, Scott found freedom through music, filmmaking, and ultimately, the act of walking away. His documentary Witness Underground is a moving tribute to artists who, like him, broke free from religious constraints and reclaimed their voices.

In this episode, we explore the emotional cost of leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the loneliness of being labelled rebellious, and the courage it takes to choose authenticity over conformity. Scott’s story is a reminder that healing often begins where creativity is born—and that it’s possible to find belonging outside of systems that once defined us.

Who Is Scott?

Scott was raised in the Great Lakes region. His teen music community recorded two indie rock albums while being influenced by a religious cult. He ran camera and sound for a local news station and went to university for photography and digital media. He spent five years in Hanoi, Vietnam focused on documentary filmmaking culminating in a music-scene anthology film, Hanoi Mixtape.

Witness Underground is Scott's first documentary. He runs the adjacent Banana Island Films YouTube channel featuring interviews with CULT ESCAPE ARTISTS demonstrating how self-expression shortens the path to healing after traumatic experiences highlighting people who have successfully navigated mind control.

He's volunteering with Decult related projects including a peer to peer support group in the home city of Decult, Otautahi New Zealand.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Witness Underground here - https://www.witnessunderground.com/
You can also connect with Scott over Instagram - @scotthoman or via Facebook

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Went From Martyrdom To Choosing Herself

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Steph’s (She/They) journey is anything but ordinary. Raised in Spain and California by missionary parents, faith wasn’t just a belief—it was her family’s entire identity. In this episode, she shares what it was like growing up in a world shaped by martyrdom, purity culture, and rigid gender expectations, and how these pressures left her feeling rootless and anxious.

Together, we unpack the emotional toll of high-control religion and the complex process of stepping away from a “good church girl” identity. From questioning her beliefs to rediscovering creativity and community, Steph’s story is a powerful reflection on the courage it takes to deconstruct and rebuild a life that truly fits.

Who Is Steph?

Steph is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California specialising in Religious Trauma. As an exvangelical themselves, they often think of how their own religious upbringing intersects with the clinical space and their clients. It has been powerful to create space where clients can feel seen and validated while exploring their unique experiences. Their deconstruction process was a pivotal time to hone their values system, rebuild community, and learn how to trust their instincts. Now, they help others do the same!

Connect With Us

You can find out more about working with Steph via her website - http://www.stephanieharimototherapy.com
You can also connect over on Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Deconstructed By Reading A Thousand Books

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Larry shares his journey from a rigid Catholic upbringing to a broader, more personal exploration of spirituality. His story weaves through early experiences shaped by guilt and expectation, a high-pressure career in investment banking, and a life-altering moment following the events of September 11, 2001. This turning point led Larry to explore diverse spiritual traditions - both Eastern & Western, and to question the boundaries of religious dogma. The conversation delves into faith, symbolism, and the power of personal interpretation, inviting listeners to reflect on their own evolving spiritual paths.

Who Is Larry?

Larry Jordan spent 25 years in investment banking, assisting companies, governments, and non-profit agencies in issuing over $10 billion of municipal bonds for capital projects and cash flows.

In 2011, he quit his job and sold his house to spend his life in service. He drove veterans to the VA clinic, prepared 1,000 tax returns for low-income families, taught school in Africa, and volunteered for the American Red Cross.

Over the last 20 years, he traveled around the world, read over 1,000 books about spirituality, and had some powerful experiences in several spiritual traditions, including baking in a sweat lodge, chanting to Shiva, meditating in a zendo, and whirling with the dervishes.

His first book, "The Way: Meaningful Spirituality for a Modern World" won Silver a 2024 Nautilus Book Award.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Larry & his book via his website.
You can also connect on Instagram, & Facebook

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Bonus - How To Be Okay Over Easter

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This bonus episode delves into the profound complexities surrounding the celebration of Easter, particularly for those who have experienced religious trauma. We explore the multifaceted emotions that arise during this season, acknowledging that for many, Easter serves as a poignant reminder of guilt and suffering rather than joy. Both Jane and I reflect on our personal experiences of navigating this time post-church, discussing the weight of expectation and the societal pressures that accompany such traditions. We emphasise the importance of self-care, encouraging listeners to confront their feelings and articulate their needs, whether that involves reclaiming the holiday or choosing to disengage entirely. Ultimately, this episode seeks to provide solace and validation to those grappling with their relationship to Easter, affirming that each individual's journey is valid and deserving of respect.

Connect With Us

To find out more about Jane and her practice head to her website – https://janekennedycounselling.com.au/
Or to connect with her on social media; you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

You can also find both of us over at The Religious Trauma Collective

The One Who Is Finding Spirituality Within The Grey

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This episode explores the complexities of religious trauma and faith deconstruction, shedding light on the psychological and emotional toll of leaving high-control religious communities. Jacqui shares her story of growing up in Australia with a deep spiritual yearning that clashed with her agnostic family background, leading her into church communities that both fulfilled and constrained her. The discussion delves into the nuances of coercive control within religious institutions, families, and workplaces, emphasising the importance of reclaiming personal identity. This episode offers insight, reflection, and hope for those navigating their own path beyond faith.

Who Is Jacqui?

Jacqui Cousins is a Public Health Practitioner & Mental Health Nurse Counsellor. She specialises in institutional trauma, including medical, religious & workplace trauma. A Master of Public Health informs her focus on person-centred care, education, and advocacy.

Connect With Us

You can find more out about Jacqui via her website - Nursing the Mind
You can also connect via Instagram or Facebook

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Spicy Book Author

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Spicy book author Sara Madderson joins Beyond the Surface to explore the intersections of faith, sexuality, and personal identity, drawing from her convent education in Dublin and Manchester. She reflects on the pervasive guilt and shame instilled by Catholic teachings and the ways purity culture shaped her understanding of desire and repression.

As the conversation unfolds, Sara discusses her literary work, including novels written under the pen name Elodie Hart, which challenge traditional narratives by exploring sexuality (sometimes within religious contexts). Through her writing, she reclaims her story and invites readers to confront the often-taboo tensions between faith, sex and self-expression. This episode offers a thought-provoking look at the power of literature to spark dialogue, promote healing, and challenge deeply ingrained beliefs about autonomy, desire, and self-acceptance.

Who Is Sara?

Sara Madderson is the person behind the pen name Elodie Hart, an author of super spicy contemporary romance with side helpings of Catholic trauma and priest kink.

Connect With Us

You can find all of Sara/Elodie's books on her website - https://elodiehartsaramaddersonshop.myshopify.com/
You can also connect via Instagram, Facebook or her Facebook group.

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Heretical Poet

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Marla’s (who I have dubbed the 'Heretical Poet') journey is one of profound transformation, from a conservative evangelical upbringing to an open-minded and inclusive perspective. She shares the challenges of maintaining authenticity, unlearning ingrained biases, and navigating traditional marriage ideals while deconstructing her faith.

Her experiences across different U.S. regions shape her reflections on systemic racism, queerness, and spirituality. Through her passion for “poem art” and advocacy at pride festivals, Marla offers guidance to those on similar paths, proving that healing and joy come from embracing personal truth and breaking free from harmful ideologies.

Who Is Marla?

Marla Taviano is into books, love, justice, globes, anti-racism, blue, gray, rainbows, and poems. She reads and writes for a living, wears her heart on her t-shirts, and is on a journey to live wholefarted (not a typo). She's the author of Unbelieve, Jaded, and Whole, and lives in South Carolina with her kids and her cats.

Connect With Us

Find out more at about Marla and her books over on her website - marlataviano.com
You can also connect on Facebook & Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Went In Search Of Authenticity

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Authenticity is at the heart of this episode as we sit down with Nismah, who shares her journey from growing up in a strict evangelical household to deconstructing her faith. She reflects on the emotional struggle of reconciling her sexuality with religious beliefs and the pressures of purity culture, particularly for women.

Nismah opens up about her time at Bible college, drawn by an unconscious crush, only to confront doctrines that challenged her understanding of identity. As she unlearns ingrained beliefs and embraces her queer identity, she highlights the power of supportive communities in healing and self-discovery.

Who Is Nismah?

Nismah is a songwriter, producer, vocalist, entrepreneur, and feminist who has been writing and producing music since 2005 for herself, other artists, and sync licensing. After stumbling into the world of film and TV placements in 2011, she cracked the code on funding a music career, landing features in hit shows like Love is Blind, Dancing with the Stars, and Temptation Island. With a degree from Berklee, songwriting and production credits on hundreds of songs, and the opportunity to learn from industry legend Kara DioGuardi, Nismah continues to push creative boundaries and build an ever-evolving musical legacy.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Nismah's work on her website
You can also connect over on Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Chose Love Over Dogma

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This episode explores faith, identity, and religious trauma through Linda’s personal journey. Growing up in a tightly-knit Christian community, Linda shares her path through faith transitions, ultimately finding a home in an affirming church. A key discussion centres on the intersection of personal belief and gender identity, particularly in supporting her transgender child. As Linda navigates deconstructing long-held beliefs, she embraces a more nuanced understanding of God and community. This conversation invites listeners into a space of empathy and reflection, highlighting the power of love and acceptance in our spiritual journeys.

Who Is Linda?

Linda Pesavento listens deeply, laughs a lot and is passionate about the power of owning and honouring our story to bring healing and transformation.

Linda is a counsellor in private practice at On The Journey Counselling. She finds great fulfilment in creating a safe space where people feel secure, heard and accepted and feels privileged to be able to walk alongside couples and individuals as they navigate the challenges of life and find a deeper understanding of their own strength and wisdom.

Linda is an Australian expat living in Hong Kong. She is wife to Gary, and proud mum to adult children Jay and Sophia.

Connect With Us?

You can find out more about Linda over on her website - https://www.onthejourneycounselling.com/
You can also connect via Facebook or Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Understanding Cult Dynamics: Insights from a Survivor and Expert

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

This bonus episode explores the complexities of cults and the psychological impact of religious trauma with Gillie Jenkinson, a psychotherapist specialising in cult recovery. Gillie shares her insights and personal experiences, shedding light on the manipulation and control that define cult dynamics. We discuss the lasting effects on those who leave and the vital role of psychoeducation in rebuilding identity post-cult. Through this conversation, we offer understanding and hope, emphasising that healing is possible with the right support and resources.

Who Is Gillie?

Dr Gillie Jenkinson is a UKCP accredited psychotherapist, international speaker, published author and director of Hope Valley Counselling. For nearly 30 years she has specialised, as a therapist, researcher and trainer, in the challenges faced by those who have experienced coercive, cultic and spiritual abuse. Gillie's book 'Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse: A Workbook for Recovery and Growth' was published by Routledge in May 2023 and which received the Dianne Casoni Award in 2023 https://infosecte.org/en/dianne-casoni-award/.

She was awarded the Herbert L Rosedale award in 2023 ‘in recognition of leadership in the effort to preserve and protect individual freedom, help victims, or inform society about ethical and legal dimensions of the cult phenomenon’. Gillie was a keynote speaker at the DeCULT conference in New Zealand in 2024.

Connect With Us

To find out more about Gillie's work head to her website.
You can also connect over on Facebook or LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Went From The Bible Belt To Liberation

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Kit (he/they) shares their deeply personal journey of growing up in the Bible Belt and navigating the impact of religious trauma. Raised in a home influenced by Dr. James Dobson’s child-rearing methods, Kit reflects on the atmosphere of fear and control that shaped their early years. They discuss how this environment, along with the pervasive Christian culture, affected their sense of identity, particularly as a queer individual. As Kit recounts their coming out process, they highlight the social rejection and isolation they faced, shedding light on the challenges of breaking away from traditional religious and societal norms.

The episode concludes with Kit’s journey toward self-acceptance, the importance of setting boundaries with toxic family dynamics, and the power of self-love and healing. This conversation offers a meaningful exploration of religious trauma and encourages listeners to embrace their own paths to liberation.

Who Is Kit?

Kit Morgan (he/they), licensed clinical social worker in New York and creator of @theliberatedporch is a leading innovator for 2SLGBTQIA+ religious trauma informed care.

When Kit began working in mental health a decade ago with formerly incarcerated individuals, they began to realise the intersectionality of leaving the carceral system and leaving religious fundamentalism. As a former member of Christian fundamentalism and conversion therapy survivor, Kit recognised the importance of directing their work to providing liberation-oriented therapy and education for those who have been impacted by adverse religious or spiritual experiences. Kit’s work is centered around dismantling oppressive ideologies, integrating tried and true healing practices, and cultivating inner wisdom.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Kit's work via their website - https://www.theliberatedporch.com/
You can also connect over on Instagram - @theliberatedporch

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Apostate Barbie

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Micki shares her powerful journey of breaking free from the Jehovah’s Witness community and navigating life beyond its rigid confines. She reflects on the deep psychological impact of growing up in a high-control religious environment, the fear and uncertainty that came with leaving, and the struggle to redefine her identity outside of the faith. Our conversation explores the complexities of belonging, the emotional toll of losing a tight-knit community, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life on one’s own terms. Micki’s story is a testament to resilience, healing, and the transformative power of self-discovery, offering hope to those on a similar path.

Who Is Micki?

Micki, known as Apostate Barbie, spent 30 years as a Jehovah’s Witness before having a moment of awakening in October 2020. Following her departure from the tightly controlled religion in February 2021 – still a virgin at 37 years then – she embarked on a journey to rebuild her life from scratch, embracing authenticity, diversity and her sexuality. To educate others, Micki now shares her insights and deconstructs her former faith on TikTok. Her series “Random Things Jehovah’s Witnesses Are Not Allowed To Do” had over two million views, propelling her into the spotlight. As a bisexual woman who grew up in a repressive and sexist environment, Micki is especially dedicated to uplifting the voices of women and LGBTQ+ individuals who have faced similar struggles. She is from Auckland but lives in London.

Connect With Us

Connect with Micki over on Instagram or TikTok

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Loving Heretic

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Brady’s journey from a conservative evangelical upbringing to a spiritually liberated life is a powerful exploration of faith, identity, and emotional healing. Growing up under the pressure to conform, he struggled with fear, burnout, and the need for external validation. As he stepped away from organised religion, he discovered the importance of authenticity, safe spaces for vulnerability, and meaningful human connection. His story also challenges traditional masculinity, highlighting the role of therapy and nature in his healing. In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Brady shares his path of deconstruction and reconstruction, offering a fresh perspective on spirituality and personal growth.

Who Is Brady?

Brady Rather, creator and host of the Love Like A Heretic Podcast, started his journey of spiritual liberation after exiting the evangelical church. A father, musician, artist, and creator, he seeks to create and foster human connections that make us all feel a little less alone at the end of the day. He believes that through empathy, vulnerability and compassion, we can all find a place of individual peace in our pursuit of healthy relationships, friendships and community. Brady hails from the Midwest region of the US, where he and his children enjoy connection with nature, music, art, and the occasional road trip.

Connect With Us

You can find Brady over on Instagram - @lovelikeaheretic
You can find the details for Brady's podcast Love Like A Heretic here
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Found The Divine In The Forest

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Episode Summary

Jess shares her journey from a rigid religious upbringing to a more expansive and liberating spiritual understanding, shaped by her parents’ transition from Indonesian pop stars to church ministers. Growing up in a Pentecostal Charismatic environment, she struggled with purity culture, the pressure to meet impossible religious standards, and restrictive doctrines like the ‘Dating Revelation,’ which removed personal agency in relationships. As she began exploring centering prayer and reconnecting with her intuition, Jess discovered that spirituality could exist beyond the confines of the church. Her story is a powerful testament to the freedom found in self-discovery, love, and the natural world, encouraging listeners to embrace curiosity, question limiting beliefs, and seek communities that nurture authenticity.

Who Is Jess?

Jess is on a mission to live a more connected and intuitive life. A recovering pastor’s kid, she devoted her whole life to church and ministry until her mid-30s, when she began to ask questions about her faith that had no easy answers. The long process of deconstruction that followed has put her on a pathway toward deeper connection with her own embodied truths and intuition, and a more gentle way of life for her and her children. Today she offers peer support calls for people experiencing spiritual deconstruction and other major life shifts, as well as Reiki healing and Women’s Circles, all in the service of helping others connect to their own inner wisdom. Jess lives with her three brilliant kids and two quirky fur babies among the healing forests of the Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne.

Connect With Us

Find out more about the work Jess does on her website The Connected Self
You can also connect via Facebook & Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Understanding Spiritual Coercive Control with Bethany Jantzi

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Episode Summary

This episode delves deep into the intricacies of coercive control and spiritual abuse within religious communities, highlighting how these dynamics can lead to profound psychological and emotional harm. Bethany, shares her extensive background in the psychology of coercive control and offers valuable insights into the signs of spiritual abuse. They discuss the BITE model, which outlines the methods high-control groups use to manipulate and isolate individuals, and explore the internal struggles victims face, such as fear, obligation, guilt, and confusion. The conversation emphasises the importance of recognising these red flags and taking steps towards healing and recovery, while also addressing the challenges loved ones encounter when trying to support someone in a coercive environment. The episode is a vital resource for those affected, encouraging them to seek safety and reclaim their autonomy in the aftermath of spiritual trauma.

Who Is Bethany?

Bethany Jantzi is a coercive control educator and consultant. Formally trained as a counsellor, she also holds a Master of Science in the Psychology of Coercive Control from the University of Salford. She is passionate about helping people understand the intricate mechanisms of coercive control and believes that every person has a fundamental right to live free from coercion, abuse, and control. Her research explored high control groups and the weaponisation of religious texts as a form of coercive control against women. Other areas of interest are trauma-coerced attachment, adult clergy sexual abuse, and the process of radicalisation.

Connect With Us

Find out more over on Bethany's website - http://www.freefromcontrol.ca
You can also connect over on Instagram & LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Radiates Queer Joy

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Episode Summary

Nita’s journey of self-discovery reveals her struggle with queerness in a conservative environment, ultimately leading to a powerful realisation about her identity. She reflects on the trauma of leaving a once-belonging community and highlights the value of finding support outside traditional church settings. With vulnerability and honesty, Nita shows how reclaiming joy and peace can transform and empower individuals to grow into their authentic selves.

Who Is Nita?

Nita (she/they) is a licensed clinical counsellor whose jam is bringing misfits home. Her superpower is turning confusion into clarity. They do this by showing folx how to accept and walk confidently as the best version of themselves. Together, we will shatter the box of status quo and define life in your own terms.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Nita's work via her website - https://nitaagustincounselling.com/
You can also connect via social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Youtube

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Went From Missionary Kid to Spiritual Nomad

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Nancy reflects on her upbringing in conservative Christian circles, the challenges of being a missionary kid, and the struggles she faced in reconciling her sexuality with her spirituality. As she navigated these complexities, she discovered the importance of self-acceptance and the value of listening to one’s intuition. The discussion also touches on the impact of cultural narratives on personal identity and the transformative power of community support. Through her experiences, Nancy emphasises the need for compassion and understanding in the process of finding one’s authentic self, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace their own journeys of integration and healing.

Who Is Nancy?

Nancy Shadlock is a missionary kid turned youth pastor turned spiritual director and Coming Out Coach. When Nancy finally discovered that she didn’t have to divorce her spirituality to embrace her sexuality she started creating the life she’s always dreamed of, but feared would never be possible.

Now as the Founder of Centered Consulting & Coaching and the Conscious Queer Collective and host of The Coming Out Chronicles podcast, she dedicates her time to helping people and organizations break free from metaphorical closets to bravely live the truth of how beautiful and whole they are.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Nancy via the following:

Their website
Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn
Their YouTube Channel

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Deconstructing Mormon

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Kristi shares her story of growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, revealing how traditional gender roles, the belief in eternal family togetherness, and distinct doctrines shaped her upbringing. Navigating the pressures surrounding faith, sexuality, and identity, Kristi discusses her internal conflict over gay marriage, the mental health impact of church teachings, and the emotional toll of keeping secrets. She candidly reflects on her journey out of Mormonism, the role of therapy in embracing her bisexuality, and the delicate task of maintaining family bonds amid a faith transition. Kristi’s experiences highlight the importance of curiosity, grace, and authenticity when forging one’s own path.

Who Is Kristi?

Kristi Hyde is an eldest daughter, an Aries, and a natural redhead with a deep love for reading romance novels and writing poetry. Born and raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church), Kristi spent her early life in Utah before relocating to Arizona in 2019 with her partner.

A former banking professional, Kristi is now a devoted stay-at-home mum to her two daughters. Her passion for writing has culminated in her debut poetry collection, Self Deconstructing: Mormon Faith Journey Poetry, which beautifully captures her journey of faith deconstruction and personal growth.

Connect With Us

Connect with Kristi over on Instagram.
You can purchase Self Deconstructing: Mormon Faith Journey Poetry over on Amazon.

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Went From Born-Again Christian to Agnostic Atheist

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Sallyann shares how her family’s shift from Roman Catholicism to born-again Christianity in 1970s Ireland sparked both connection and conflict, ultimately leading her to question long-held beliefs. She recounts a six-year relationship overshadowed by a controlling religious community, a move to Australia in search of healing, and the personal upheaval of deconstructing her faith and marriage. Embracing atheism and agnosticism, Sally-Ann illustrates the transformative power of choosing curiosity over certainty, reminding us that forging one’s own identity can bring both freedom and self-discovery.

Who Is Sallyann?

Born into a Catholic family in Ireland, and then becoming a ‘born again Christian’ and moving to a Pentecostal church, Sallyann was serious about her faith and her commitment to God. It wasn’t until she started studying Psychology and Counselling in her late 30s that she began having doubts and questioning her faith. After several years of ‘seeking God’, reading and researching, and talking to other Christians including church leaders, she found that she could no longer call herself a Christian. Sallyann is now a therapist working in Perth, Western Australia, specialising in supporting people who are questioning their faith, or who are leaving or have left a high control religion or cult. Having experienced spiritual abuse and engaging in her own therapy to recover from religious trauma, she now has a sense of freedom and peace that she never had as a religious person.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Sallyann via her Website, Facebook or LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Religious Abuse & Academic Sabotage Survivor (Part Two)

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Katrina shares her journey of religious trauma and abuse amid the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, recounting how American missionaries’ abrupt departure left her feeling abandoned in Africa. She describes relocating to the U.S. with her family, only to face academic sabotage, familial tensions, and a struggle for independence. Katrina’s determination to pursue higher education and a career in psychology, despite parental disapproval and health challenges, highlights her resilience and search for identity. As she breaks free from toxic control, Katrina finds hope through unexpected community support and reshapes her faith on her own terms, embracing the compassion of Jesus beyond traditional confines.

More About Katrina

Speaker and life coach that specialises in religious abuse, academic sabotage, and good girl syndrome, Katrina is currently living her best life in her renovated garage, feverishly writing away and creating motivational speeches! She hopes her ongoing projects will help others find the same peace she has found.

Katrina is a teacher to toddlers by day, an overachieving writer by night, and a coffee-drinking socialiser on the weekends! As a never-ending psychology enthusiast, Katrina is not ashamed to seek trauma-informed therapy every week!

Katrina loves making new connections with churches and colleges through her speaking career and collaborating with other artists who are trying to create beauty out of pain. Katrina's biggest focus is to speak around the US and eventually around the world, including Africa, where she was orphaned, adopted, and raised as a missionary for 20 years.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Katrina on her website - https://www.speakwithkatrina.online/
You can also connect via Facebook or Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Religious Abuse & Academic Sabotage Survivor (Part One)

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode (and its only Part One) of Beyond the Surface, Katrina shares her remarkable journey of religious abuse within a remote East African missionary setting, shaped by her adventurous father, her mother’s struggle with depression, and the unique challenges of being an African orphan adopted by American missionaries. She reflects on the cultural dissonance of navigating life between Africa and the United States, confronting issues of race, identity, and the expectations tied to diverse Christian traditions. Katrina’s resilience is illuminated through her candid account of academic sabotage, highlighting how mentorship and self-awareness guided her beyond her family’s limitations. Her story offers hope to anyone seeking to redefine their path amid rigid religious and cultural constraints.

More About Katrina

Connect With Us

Find out more about Katrina on her website - https://www.speakwithkatrina.online/
You can also connect via Facebook or Instagram

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

How To Be Okay Over Christmas

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Navigating the complexities of Christmas can be particularly challenging for those who have experienced religious trauma or disconnection from their previous faith communities. This conversation delves into strategies for being okay over the holiday season, emphasising the importance of awareness around triggers and the need for self-compassion. Host Sam and guest Jane reflect on their personal experiences with Christmas, sharing how their celebrations have evolved from church-centric traditions to more individualised, meaningful rituals. They discuss the significance of boundaries, especially in familial contexts, and encourage listeners to prioritise their well-being by recognising their needs and feelings. Ultimately, the episode offers practical tools and insights to foster a sense of connection and joy, regardless of one's past or current beliefs.

More About Jane

Jane Kennedy is a Sydney-based Counsellor. Jane has lived experience of religious trauma and is committed to supporting people as they leave church and/or faith. This experience, still frequently misunderstood, can be life-altering. She brings language and framing for the complexities of religious trauma to the counselling space and works with other Australian therapists to broaden knowledge among those working with affected clients. Jane has written her story, an e-book, The Sentimental Non-Believer, on Loving & Leaving God.

Connect With Us

To find out more about Jane and her practice head to her website – https://janekennedycounselling.com.au/
Or to connect with her on social media; you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Body Whisperer

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Zoe shares her transformative journey from a conservative Christian upbringing steeped in guilt and purity culture to embracing her true identity and sexuality. Reflecting on the impact of religious trauma on self-esteem and relationships, she highlights her path to healing through bodywork and self-compassion. Zoe’s story offers hope and inspiration for reclaiming authenticity and self-acceptance.

Who Is Zoe?

With over 14 years of experience in the bodywork and spa industry, including a transformative role as International Trainer for the eco-luxe brand Sodashi, Zoe has worked with some of the world’s most renowned luxury spas, including One&Only, Four Seasons, and Shangri-La. Known for inspiring teams and delivering impactful, transformational training, Zoe became a standout trainer in the industry.

Drawing on years of insight, Zoe recognised a gap in the spa world: the need for therapists to cultivate presence, intention, and the ability to create deeply transformative guest experiences. This realisation led her to create Body Whispering, evolving from offering treatments at home to building a thriving business with over 300 clients and taking her unique approach on tour across Australia.

Connect With Us

Find more about Zoe's offerings via her website - https://www.zoebutler.com.au/
You can also connect over on Instagram - @zoebutler.bodywhisperer

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Was Excommunicated - Part Two

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +1100

If you haven't listened to Part One make sure you head back an episode and listen to it first.

In this episode Craig shares his powerful story of returning to Invercargill after leaving the Exclusive Brethren, recounting the heartache of family rejection and a poignant encounter with his little sister. We explore the deep complexities of healing from religious trauma and the challenges faced when leaving a high-control community, emphasising that healing is about gaining freedom from the past, not erasing it. Craig sheds light on the fear and surveillance tactics employed by these communities against those who choose to leave and the cultural adjustments required to adapt to mainstream society. Reflecting on his journey of self-discovery and the importance of personal identity, Craig’s insights highlight the need for sensitivity and respect when engaging with those who’ve left insular religious backgrounds.

Who Is Craig?

Craig Hoyle grew up in Invercargill within the New Zealand Exclusive Brethren. Separated from public society, he attended Brethren-only schooling and worked in his family's tyre shop. After facing interrogations and conversion therapy for his sexuality, he was excommunicated from the Brethren and lost his family in 2009. Today he is a news director for the Sunday Star-Times. He has worked for newsrooms such as TV3 and RadioLive, and behind the scenes on current affairs shows including 60 Minutes and 3rd Degree. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Craig via Instagram or LinkedIn
Grab Craig's book 'Excommunicated'

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Was Excommunicated - Part One

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Craig, author of Excommunicated, shares his journey growing up within the Exclusive Brethren, a high-control religious group where strict doctrines governed every aspect of life. Realising his community's isolation wasn't the norm, Craig embarked on a path of faith deconstruction and self-discovery, facing profound challenges around identity, sexuality, and belonging. Through heartfelt reflections, he recounts the painful experiences of coming out, being excommunicated, and confronting the emotional toll of family estrangement. Craig's story highlights the complex process of building a life outside the only world he’d known, using humour as a coping mechanism and finding resilience in the face of trauma and cultural disorientation. This conversation provides a rare glimpse into the lasting impacts of strict religious control and the courageous pursuit of self-acceptance.

Who Is Craig?

Connect With Us

You can connect with Craig via Instagram or LinkedIn
Grab Craig's book 'Excommunicated'

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Was Lied To About God

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this compelling conversation, Dr. Jamie Marich shares her journey from a turbulent upbringing shaped by Croatian Catholicism and Pentecostal evangelicalism to a place of self-acceptance and spiritual healing. Jamie grappled with conflicting beliefs about faith, morality, and her early awareness of her queer identity, leading to deep spiritual trauma. In her memoir, You Lied to Me about God, she confronts the religious shame and guilt she endured, advocating for a spirituality that honours her authentic self. Jamie emphasises the importance of chosen family and community support in the healing process, offering listeners hope and encouragement to explore their own spiritual paths, challenge harmful narratives, and embrace a compassionate, inclusive understanding of faith.

Who Is Jamie?

Dr. Jamie+ Marich (she/they/we) began her career as a humanitarian aid worker in Bosnia-Herzegovina where they primarily taught English and music from 2000 to 2003. Jamie travels internationally, teaching on topics related to trauma, EMDR Therapy, expressive arts, mindfulness and yoga, while maintaining a private practice and online education operations in her home base of Akron, Ohio.

Marich’s previous books include Dissociation Made Simple, EMDR Made Simple, Trauma Made Simple, Dancing Mindfulness, Process Not Perfection, Trauma and the 12 Steps in addition to other titles.

The New York Times featured Marich’s writing and work on Dancing Mindfulness in 2017 and 2020. NALGAP awarded Jamie with their esteemed President’s Award in 2015 for her work as an LGBT+ advocate. The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) granted Marich the 2019 Advocacy in EMDR Award for her using her public platform to advance awareness about EMDR and to reduce stigma around mental health. The Huffington Post published her personal story of being out as a clinical professional with a dissociative disorder in May 2023.

Connect With Us

Find out more about Jamie via their website - http://www.jamiemarich.com
You can also connect on Facebook or Instagram
You can also find more content on Jamie's Youtube.

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Whistleblower of a Dominionist Cult

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In a heartfelt exploration of religious trauma, Sam and Clare delve into Clare's experiences as a pastor's daughter in a high-control church. Clare reflects on the authoritarian, misogynistic dynamics of her upbringing, revealing how these shaped her identity through expectations of perfection and submission. The discussion broadens to examine religious control's impact, including conversion therapy practices and LGBTQ+ rights. Clare’s journey of breaking free, becoming a whistleblower, and advocating for others underscores her resilience, even as she navigates the challenges of familial ties. Her humour and authenticity offer hope and empower listeners to embrace healing, self-care, and reclaiming their values.

Who Is Clare?

Clare Heath-McIvor, formerly known as Kit Kennedy in the blogging and podcasting world, is a dedicated communications professional with specialisations in research writing, manuscript development, and non-fiction publishing. She’s passionate about helping people understand their experiences within evangelicalism and high-demand groups, empowering them to navigate life beyond those frameworks.

A proud mum to two spirited souls, Clare balances life as a businesswoman, advocate, and church survivor who has even taken her turn as a whistleblower. Though naps rank high on her list of passions, Clare is deeply committed to her journey through theology and faith deconstruction, which she chronicles with honesty and optimism. Her blog began as an outlet for exploring theology but evolved into a profound journey of faith deconstruction and discovery, leading her to a new way of engaging with spirituality. Today, Clare writes from a place of peace, aiming for that grounded perspective to resonate through her words.

In early 2020, she launched Unchurchable, a podcast for those who find spirituality more accessible than traditional church structures. Whether due to doctrine, trauma, social justice concerns, or other factors, Unchurchable offers a space for those excluded from traditional spaces to engage meaningfully with faith. Clare’s podcast journey expanded in 2023 with Survivors Discuss, co-hosted with Cait West and Shari Smith, where she dives into life after Christian patriarchy alongside two powerhouse voices in the deconstruction space.

When not writing, Clare indulges her love for photography, explores Melbourne’s galleries and bookshops, and occasionally tries her hand at stand-up comedy.

Connect With Us!

Check out Clare's writing on her website - https://www.clareheathmcivor.com
You can also connect over on Facebook or Instagram (and @Unchurchablepod)
Check Out Unchurchable & Survivors Discuss

You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Recovering From Purity Culture As A Person Of Faith with Dr Camden Morgante

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Camden Morgante. We explore the intricate intersections of faith, sexuality, and recovery from religious trauma, particularly in the context of purity culture. Dr. Morgante, a psychologist and author of Recovering from Purity Culture, shares her journey of navigating evangelical teachings that shaped her understanding of identity and sexuality, highlighting the disillusionment she felt as these teachings clashed with her experiences.

The conversation challenges myths like the notion of "damaged goods" after premarital sex, which perpetuate shame and hinder healthy relationships, especially for women. Dr. Morgante encourages listeners to reclaim their faith without shame, inviting them to embrace curiosity, self-reflection, and supportive communities on their journey toward healing and self-acceptance.

Who Is Dr Camden Morgante?

Dr. Camden Morgante (pronunciation: More-GAN-tee) is a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly 15 years of experience as a therapist and college professor. In addition to her private therapy practice, she is a writer, speaker, and coach on issues of relationships, sexuality, trauma, and faith. Her first book, Recovering from Purity Culture, released in 2024. Dr. Camden lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband and their daughter and son.

Connect with Us

Learn more about Camden on her website, www.drcamden.com
Buy Recovering from Purity Culture: www.drcamden.com/book or wherever books are sold
Substack: Walking the Middle Path
Social media: @drcamden

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Holy Runaway

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Matthias shares his courageous journey of navigating the intersection of faith and identity, growing up in a conservative religious environment while grappling with homophobia and his own sexuality. A pivotal moment helped him embrace his identity and begin deconstructing his faith. Matthias reflects on the challenges of reconciling being both queer and Christian, confronting traditional beliefs, and finding a deeper connection to God. His story offers hope and insight for those seeking to live authentically while healing from the wounds of religious rejection and rigid doctrines.

Who Is Matthais?

Matthias Roberts (he/him) is a queer psychotherapist and author of Holy Runaways: Rediscovering Faith after Being Burned by Religion and Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms. Formerly, he hosted the popular podcast Queerology which was dubbed by O: The Oprah Magazine as “one of the best LGBTQ+ podcasts.” Matthias holds two master’s degrees from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, one in Theology & Culture and one in Counselling Psychology.

Matthias’ work has been featured by Bustle, Woman’s Day, Sojourners, The Seattle Times, and many others. In his psychotherapy practice, Matthias specialises in helping people recover from religious and spiritual trauma so they might live confident and fulfilling lives.

Connect with Us

You can find out more about Matthias via his website
You can also connect over on Instagram - @matthiasroberts

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Former Fundamentalist

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Beyond the Surface, we hear Megan’s powerful story of resilience and transformation as she navigates life after growing up in a fundamental, high-control evangelical environment. From the pressures of purity culture to the emotional toll of fear-based faith, Megan shares how she transitioned from conventional therapy to religious harm recovery. Through candid reflections on toxic relationships, faith-driven guilt, and post-traumatic growth, Megan’s journey highlights the importance of community, self-exploration, and reclaiming one’s identity after religious trauma.

Who Is Megan?

Megan is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Religious Harm Recovery Coach who was indoctrinated into fundamentalist evangelical christianity at an early age. Her work in the mental health field eventually helped her begin to make sense of her complicated family history and the way the patriarchal religious groups of her childhood supported harmful, authoritarian systems of control. She now draws from both her personal experience and professional expertise to help others recover from religious harm and reclaim their authentic selves.

Connect with Us

You can find more about Megan's work on her website - https://meganvonfricken.com
You can also connect on Instagram or Facebook
To join Megan's group for religious harm recovery click here.

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Bridging the Gap - The Religious Trauma Collective

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Join us in this enlightening episode of Beyond the Surface as we explore the multifaceted topic of religious trauma in Australia and New Zealand. Joined by Jane Kennedy and Elise Heerd, both therapists and we are all co-founders of the Religious Trauma Collective. Together, we discuss the significant launch of this collective, which aims to provide community, support, and understanding for individuals impacted by religious trauma. The collective is committed to building a registry of trauma-informed practitioners, offering support to those seeking help, and creating a resource hub that showcases local stories and memoirs.

Find Out More About Us

Sam - website or Instagram.
Jane - website or Instagram
Elise - website or Instagram

The Religious Trauma Collective

Visit our website - https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/
If you are a practitioner working with religious trauma; why not join our registry?!
We are also on Instagram & Facebook

Listen to our stories

Sam - 'Me, Myself & I'
Jane - 'The Sentimental Non-Believer'
Elise - 'The Former Good Christian Girl'

The Descendant of Joseph Smith

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Lynn, a direct descendant of Joseph Smith, she shares her journey of faith deconstruction that began in Utah after confronting troubling historical truths about her ancestor and the Book of Mormon. Lynn's path of navigating religious trauma, embracing uncertainty, and redefining her spiritual identity highlights the role of therapy and self-compassion in the process. We also explore the complexities of family dynamics when beliefs diverge, and the importance of fostering mutual respect and understanding amid religious transitions.

Who Is Lyn?

Lyn Smith Gregory grew up in Utah as one of nine children in a devout Mormon family. Her great, great uncle was Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church. At 19, she left the Church and moved to New York City, eventually obtaining an MBA at NYU. After a 20-year career in the tech industry, she left to pursue writing full-time and has attended the Iowa Summer Writing Program and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She lives in Savannah with her husband.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Lyn on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn
Or reach out via her website

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Exvangelical Parent

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +1100

What happens when the church you trust becomes a source of fear and exclusion? In this episode of Beyond the Surface, we sit down with Kimberley, known as the exvangelical parent, to discuss her journey through conservative evangelicalism, growing up during the satanic panic and purity culture. Kimberley shares her struggles with undiagnosed OCD, vivid memories of being shown graphic depictions of hell, and navigating family dynamics shaped by political conservatism. From supporting her brother as he came out to navigating her own deconstruction as a parent, this is a story of fear, resilience, and finding peace beyond religious teachings.

Who Is Kimberly?

Kimberly, She/Her, is the founder of The Exvangelical Parent. She is a writer, artist, wife, and over-caffeinated mom. Enneagram 9. INFP. She is a queer, neurodivergent, hopeful agnostic who likes long walks in the forest and Zoloft. After spending over a decade in the ministry world, she now writes and creates full time. You can find her work on Scary Mommy, The Mighty, The Huffington Post, The Natural Parent, Parent Co, Her View From Home, and Columbia Mom.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Kimberly on social media on both Facebook & Instagram
You can find out more about The Exvangelical Parent via their website.

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Purity Culture 101 with Meg Cowan

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Join us for a powerful bonus episode of Beyond the Surface, where we unpack the complexities of purity culture in evangelical Christianity with returning guest Meg, a sexologist and relationship coach from New Zealand.

Together, we trace the historical roots of purity culture and its impact on modern sexual education and relationships, highlighting how it induces shame around sexual behaviours and affects intimacy in both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ dynamics. Meg shares personal and professional insights, offering a fresh perspective on deconstructing these harmful ideologies to foster healthier relationships and personal well-being.

Who Is Meg?

Meg is a Sex and Relationship Coach specialising in helping people recovering from the shame-based religious teachings of purity culture and the deconstruction of their faith. She has trained in Clinical Sexology, Trauma Informed Care, is a Certified Advanced Sex and Relationship Coach and Integrated Intimacy Practitioner.

She supports people to explore personal agency and intimate connection.

Meg is also a Protect Accredited Trainer (New Zealand’s leading protection and self-defense agency). For more than 14 years she’s worked with clients to help them identify the behavioural and psychological signs of abuse and practical strategies for staying safe.

In all these areas her work focuses on the mind-body connections that help people recover from trauma and find freedom in their bodies.

As the creator of the couples guide to Hotter Sex in 10 days, and The Shame-free Sex Course she delivers empowering practical skills to people all around the world on these subjects.

Connect With Us

You can reach Meg to explore sex and relationships post purity culture on her website
You can also connect over on Instagram – @megccowan

You can connect with Sam over on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Former 'Good Christian Girl'

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Can balancing faith with personal freedom bring true inner peace? In this episode, we sit down with Elise as she shares her raw journey of growing up in a Pentecostal family, where she struggled to balance genuine friendships with heavy religious expectations. Elise opens up about the emotional toll of marriage, depression, and Bible college, highlighting the idolization of overwork in Pentecostal churches and its impact on her well-being. As she deconstructs her faith, Elise reflects on how therapy and self-reflection helped her redefine her beliefs and find safe, authentic spiritual spaces.

More About Elise

Elise is a Trauma-Informed Counsellor and Coach based in Melbourne, Australia, who is passionate about supporting individuals recovering from Religious Trauma. For decades, she denied her own humanity, constantly pushing herself beyond her physical, emotional, and spiritual limits, unable to say 'no' or slow down due to a deep fear of not being enough. Depression, anxiety, chronic low self-esteem, and perfectionism were her constant companions, while religion, a significant part of her life, only seemed to fuel her self-loathing. She internalised beliefs of being inherently sinful and unworthy of love, living in fear of eternal punishment if she fell outside of God's grace. This relentless need to prove her worth to God, the church, and herself eventually pushed her to the brink.

Gradually, Elise learned to embrace her doubts, questions, pain, and anger, as well as the joy, freedom, curiosity, and self-acceptance that came with letting go. Now, she is deeply passionate about walking alongside others as they reconnect with their own humanity, which is always deserving of love, care, and gentle compassion.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Elise via her website - https://www.eliseheerde.com
Or you can connect over on Instagram or Facebook

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Reclaimed Her Body Post Purity Culture

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode of "Beyond the Surface," we explore Meg's powerful journey of faith deconstruction, beginning with her upbringing in a Christian family in New Zealand and involvement in a conservative Pentecostal church. Meg shares her experiences with purity culture, the internal conflicts of being a devout Christian while navigating typical teenage behaviours, and the impact on her relationship with God and sense of self. We also discuss the tension between church leadership, personal well-being, and family life, and the healing that came from stepping back from church roles to focus on health and personal growth.

More About Meg

She supports people to explore personal agency and intimate connection.

Meg is also a Protect Accredited Trainer (New Zealands leading protection and self defense agency). For more than 14 years she's worked with clients to help them identify the behavioural and psychological signs of abuse and practical strategies for staying safe.

In all these areas her work focuses on the mind-body connections that help people recover from trauma and find freedom in their bodies.

As the creator of the couples guide to Hotter Sex in 10 days, and The Shame-free Sex Course she delivers empowering practical skills to people all around the world on these subjects.

Connect With Us

You can reach Meg on her website - https://megcowan.com
You can also connect over on Instagram - @megccowan

You can connect with Sam over on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Found Life After Religion

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Claire's faith journey, from strict Catholic rituals to the allure of evangelicalism, highlights the clash between public and private religious life, leading to relational trauma and disillusionment with church marketing tactics. Her story reveals the business-like nature of church operations and the mental health struggles that arise from pressure to conform. After leaving her church during the COVID-19 pandemic, Claire found space for reflection and healing, sharing her story to offer hope to others navigating spiritual deconstruction.

More About Claire

Claire is a 32, former Catholic and evangelical. She grew up attending Catholic school but later moved away and found non-denominational churches, which initially seemed more "open." Over time, she realised they weren't. She married a youth pastor, and together they recognised the toxicity of their religious environment and decided to leave. In recent years, she's been working through the indoctrination from her childhood and early 20s.

Connect With Us

You can find Claire over on Instagram & TikTok

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Went From Church Leader To Sex Coach

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Stacey shares her journey of navigating faith, identity, and self-discovery after a painful divorce and joining an evangelical Pentecostal community.

She reveals the emotional highs and manipulative undertones of church life, the struggle between divine perfection and self-acceptance, and the challenges of embracing authenticity in matters of faith and sexuality. Through raw honesty, Stacey explores the complexities of organised religion, the business-like nature of church operations, and her own theological awakenings. Her story underscores the transformative power of deconstructing faith and finding supportive spaces.

Who Is Stacey?

A Queer counsellor and sex therapist advocating for positive sex information for all humans. Ex-Pentecostal leader married to a Non Binary human who had their own journey being Queer in church and ambushed conversion. Stacey left the church in 2019 and stepped down. Passionate about empowering LGBTQIA+ individuals and providing space to relearn all elements that were shamed through religion or generational. Stacey is also of Gamilaraay heritage.

Connect With Us

You can find out more about Stacey's work on her website - http://www.rainbowservices.co
You can also connect over on Instagram - @rainbowservices.cc

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Escaped Catholic Institutional Abuse

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +1100

What happens when devotion turns into oppression? Join us for a gripping episode of Beyond the Surface as we sit down with Ruth from snowy Connecticut, who bravely recounts her harrowing experiences growing up in a militant Catholic institution. Separated from her parents and subjected to the institution's extreme religious and political ideologies, Ruth's story is a powerful testament to the devastating effects of institutionalised abuse and religious indoctrination. Through her vivid recounting of physical, emotional, and psychological torment, we gain a deeper understanding of the traumatic impact of growing up in such a cult-like environment.

Who Is Ruth?

Ruth Reymundo Mandel has been in training and implementation since 1995. Her career began as a middle school teacher in post revolutionary Nicaragua. As a teacher in a developing, post war country she became dedicated to issues surrounding social justice and violence. She later transitioned to higher education and worked at the Bryman School and at The Art Institute of Phoenix as an Assistant Director of Admissions. Her responsibilities included vetting prospective students and identifying barriers to enrolment and to matriculation.

After taking a break to raise her three children, she began working as a trainer and technical support for a national professional line nutritional company and an international professional line herbal company which trained medical professionals in alternative therapies.

In her role she trained doctors and medical professionals in clinical application and was an ongoing support for successful implementation through patient outcomes. She developed systems for practice management, patient support, managed, created and promoted cyclical education events for clinical success. She developed training strategies to respond to a variety of real time field challenges.

Ruth also worked as a professional business coach specialising in systems and practice management. Her dedication to understanding root challenges, institutional, structural and personal impediments which keep people from applying their skills and knowledge in a targeted and successful way helped many of her clients increase their business success.

Aside from her professional accomplishments Ruth is a published poet, an artist, writer and a public speaker. Drawing on her childhood experiences growing up in an abusive, religious institution and as a survivor she is a fierce advocate for those who have experienced institutional abuse. She is dedicated to helping survivors and allies understand their behavioral coping mechanisms, arising out of trauma and mitigating societal and personal judgments surrounding common human responses to violence.

Connect with Us

To find out more about Ruth's work - https://safeandtogetherinstitute.com/
Connect over on Instagram or LinkedIn

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form

The Conversion Practice Survivor

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Growing up in a conservative evangelical bubble, Aaron's early realisation of being gay sparked a profound internal conflict within the rigid doctrines of his faith. From his childhood filled with love and support despite restrictive beliefs, to his tumultuous journey as a pastor grappling with his sexuality, Aaron's story is a testament to resilience and the quest for authenticity. Join us on this emotional and thought-provoking episode of Beyond the Surface as Aaron reflects on his upbringing and the painful yet formative experiences that shaped his path.

Who Is Aaron?

Aaron Kelly, a gay man living in Naarm, grew up in conservative evangelical circles and spent his adult life deeply involved in church leadership. He realised he was gay at 12 but was taught to view his sexuality as sinful. He endured harmful conversion practices during his teens and twenties, leaving lasting emotional scars. As a Pentecostal Pastor with the Australian Christian Churches, Aaron and his then-wife founded Fresh Church in 2015, a vibrant and diverse community. However, when LGBTQIA+ members joined, Aaron faced a conflict with the ACC’s constitution, which prohibited LGBTQIA+ individuals from leadership roles. After two years of studying biblical interpretations of sexuality, Aaron rejected the notion that homosexuality was a sin.

In 2020, Aaron came out as gay, resulting in the loss of his pastoral credentials and his termination as pastor of Fresh Church. He and his wife, though still close friends, separated shortly after. Since then, Aaron has focused on healing and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in religious settings. His story was featured in a 2024 interview on Channel 10’s “The Project,” helping pass a NSW bill banning conversion practices. Aaron is now working on a book about his journey from pastor to proud gay man, continuing his efforts to promote understanding and diversity in religious contexts.

Connect With Us

Connect with Aaron over on Facebook or Instagram

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Religious Trauma & The Body with Liz Milani & Erica Webb

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Join us for a profound exploration of healing religious trauma through the body, featuring insightful conversations with Liz Milani and Erica Webb. Liz, a former pastor and pastor's kid, shares her journey of navigating an involuntary deconstruction of faith, leading her to create a supportive community for others on similar paths. Erica, a somatic exercise coach and counsellor, brings her expertise on how purity culture and teachings of bodily mistrust contribute to a disconnection from the body's inherent wisdom. Together, we discuss the long-term impacts of religious trauma and the importance of reconnecting with and processing trauma through bodily awareness and mindful movement.

Who Are Liz & Erica?

Liz Milani is a writer, and the co-creator of the The Practice Co App. She lives for wholehearted, grounded spirituality, and to help people feel free to find God for themselves, in the world, in the lives they have. Liz lives on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia, with her partner, Jesse, and their three kids.

Erica Webb is a registered counsellor, somatic exercise coach and highly sensitive person. She supports other highly sensitive women to discover their sensitivity superpowers and more confidently navigate the tricky bits of being a sensitive person in an often insensitive world.

Connect With Us

To learn more about Liz or The Practice Co head to their website.
You can follow along over on Instagram - @thepracticeco
You can download The Practice Co on Apple or Android

You can learn more about Erica on her website
Connect with Erica on both Facebook & Instagram
You can also listen to Erica's Podcasts SelfKind & Midlife Unfiltered: The Season of Me

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Domestic Violence Survivor

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Charli shares her experiences growing up in a devout Christian home, the challenges of seeking validation, and the complexities of moving beyond ingrained beliefs. After leaving an abusive marriage and facing family estrangement, she found solace in raising her children with autonomy and openness. Discover how she rebuilt her intuition, set firm boundaries, and redefined her faith, creating a nurturing space for the next generation. We also explore the power of community and inner strength in overcoming trauma and isolation, highlighting the significance of gut instincts, nature, and holistic practices in healing. This episode is filled with resilience, self-discovery, and encouragement for those deconstructing their faith.

Who Is Charli?

Charli is an Emotional Strength & Trauma Coach, and loves having courageous conversations around all thing’s trauma and traumatic impact.

With a history of her own personal trauma stemming from religion, spiritual abuse, narcissistic abuse, and coercive control, she now lives a life of freedom and autonomy while she raises her 2 beautiful young teens and supports others who are ready to find freedom and healing in their own journeys.

Connect With Us

You can find more about Charli over on her website.
You can also connect on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Survived An Unnamed Cult

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Laura shares her experience of being born into the fundamentalist group/cult known as The Truth, discussing the isolation, coercive control, and spiritual abuse she endured. We explore the unique challenges faced by women in these communities and Laura's struggle with identity. Laura reflects on her childhood values, teenage years without typical rites of passage, and the pain of leaving her family and community. She talks about her reintegration, dealing with C-PTSD, and finding her own beliefs. Laura also offers advice to those beginning their deconstruction journey.

Who is Laura?

With over 17 years of experience in accounting and finance, Laura founded the social enterprise and BCorp #GoKindly in 2018. An adventure motorbike rider and open water swimmer, Laura brings a dynamic perspective to her work.

Raised in the 5th & 3rd Generation inside The Truth/2x2s, a high-control, coercive fundamentalist cult, Laura has a unique understanding of religious control. A fierce feminist with an intersectional approach to life, Laura sits on the board of several grassroots, women-led social services organisations.

Holding a BA in Chinese Language & Women’s Studies and a BCom in Accounting & Finance, Laura is also a CA, CPA, and AAICD. With over 20 years of experience supporting women and young people leaving high-control religious groups, Laura has a deep interest in coercive control within religious contexts, drawing from over 30 years of observation.

Laura writes blogs, provides commentary and context on religious and spiritual abuse conversations, and consults with family violence providers to support individuals leaving high-control religions.

Connect with Us

You can find out more about Laura over on her website.
To connect with Laura on social media, head to Instagram - @lauramc.au

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The One Who Gave Up God

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Sarah shares her journey from a Christian upbringing to the present day broader worldview, influenced by the pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement. She talks about the emotional process of leaving her faith, navigating a mixed-faith relationship, and discussing faith with her children. Sarah reflects on reconciling emotional ties to God with new intellectual insights whilst allowing for curiosity and why "spirituality" doesn't fit her experience. She also offers advice for those beginning their own deconstruction journey.

Who Is Sarah?

Sarah Henn Hayward has been writing since she cracked open her first “quiet time” devotional journal.

Sarah grew up in the Chicago suburbs, went to Marquette University for physical therapy, and moved to Spokane, WA, where she met her husband and grew their family. They love camping in the Pacific Northwest and take advantage of their beautiful surroundings as much as possible.

After her deconstruction and departure from the faith of her youth, Sarah felt lost and adrift. Being a Christian was the foundation of her identity, giving her life purpose and meaning. She turned to books for comfort. When the progressive Christian voices fell flat and the atheistic approaches to life couldn't relate to her grief, she began writing her own spiritual memoir.

The process of writing Giving Up God unlocked a previously undiscovered part of Sarah's brain, and she is now full of ideas for more books. She has plans for more non-fiction memoirs and a novel, and she has started writing a children's chapter book series.

She's been loving the process of writing and publishing, and she is excited to see where this journey will take her!

Connect With Us

To find out more about Sarah head to her website
You can also connect with Sarah over on Instagram - @shaywardwrites

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Deconstructing Feminist

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Rachel's Story..

More About Rachel

Rachel is a Minister’s kid, eldest daughter, who grew up in the church and did all the ‘right’ things from a young age, but realised over time that being a bisexual feminist with an environmental science degree didn’t sit that well in certain church circles. She asked too many questions and poked at the wrong bears. Which queued the pain and continued deconstruction…

Connect

To connect with Rachel head to her Instagram.

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Deconstruction Podcaster

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Maggie's Story...

Who Is Maggie?

Maggie runs the Instagram account @hello_deconstructionists and the host of the Hello Deconstructionists podcast, where she is building community post evangelicalism. She is a religious trauma survivor and a dedicated therapy client where she’s working hard to understand who she is outside of religion. Her goal is to share parts of her own story and bring other survivors together to help them know they’re not alone on their deconstruction journey.

Connect With Us.

To connect with Maggie over on Instagram - @hello_deconstructionists
To listen to Hello Deconstructionists on Spotify

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Mysterious Christian

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Amanda's Story...

More About Amanda

Amanda is a Faith Deconstruction & Reconstruction Coach + Clinical Social Worker. You can find her at the intersection of mental health, social work, and theology.

She supports thoughtful Christians and communities who are wrestling through big doubts and questions and hope to stay within the Christian faith while finding more ease and wonder in the process. Her goal is to help people ask different questions and expand the lens of what can be possible in their Christian faith.

Connect With Us

Amanda’s Website – https://www.heyamandawaldron.com/
To connect with Amanda over on Instagram - @heyamandawaldron

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Drag Queen Minister

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is James's Story...

More About James

James Admans (they/them) is a minister, entrepreneur, and drag queen (Marge Erin Johnson, she/her). They are ordained pending call in the United Church of Christ.

They graduated from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (unceded homelands of the Lenape Nation) with a Master of Divinity degree in interdisciplinary Biblical studies, social ethics, and queer theology. During their last year in seminary, they were honoured to receive the prestigious Malcolm Boyd Veritas Award for advocacy and social justice work on behalf of the queer and trans community.

They are also the editor of the recently published Beyond Worship: Meditations on Queer Worship, Liturgy, & Theology, a queer worship anthology featuring thirty-three contributions by LGBTQIA2S+ theologians. The book was awarded a 2023 Independent Publishers Bronze Medal in the category of religion.

Their drag alter-ego, Marge Erin Johnson, leads a vibrant drag ministry, preaching, and leading worship.

Connect With Us

You can find more about James on their website - https://www.theologyqueen.com/
You can also connect on social media over on Instagram or YouTube

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The NeuroQueer Advocate

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Tashas Story..

More About Tasha

Tasha is a Queer Neurodivergent Counsellor, Advocate, wife, and chronic pain battler. Many of her clients are neurodivergent, mainly autism and/or ADHD and are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Tasha uses her lived experience to work with these individuals to connect on a deeper level as someone who understands many of the struggles and triumphs faced.

Connect With Us

You can connect with Tasha on Facebook or Instagram
To listen to the other episode I did with Tasha – Beyond The Binary

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Cognitive Dissonance in Queer Lives

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, we break down cognitive dissonance and its impact on Queer individuals, especially within high-control religious environments. We explore the harmful effects of heteronormative conditioning, the enmeshment of religion and politics, and the importance of inclusive faith communities. Kit offers insights on navigating and healing from these experiences.

More About Kit

Kit Morgan (they/them), the author of The Liberated Porch on Substack, writes from their professional experience as a licensed social worker and therapist and personal experience as a trans and queer ex-fundamentalist. Kit seeks to empower folx through their writing so that people can learn how to identify and navigate direct and indirect queer trauma and religious trauma.

Connect With Us

The Liberated Porch on Substack - https://theliberatedporch.substack.com/
To connect with Kit over on Instagram - @theliberatedporch

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Unbound Lesbian

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Steph's Story...

More About Steph

Steph Lentz is a former advertising writer and secondary school teacher. She came to public attention in 2021 after she was sacked from her job as a teacher because of her sexuality. Steph is based in Sydney. She released her debut memoir titled ‘In/Out: A scandalous story of falling into love and out of the church’ in 2023.

Connect With Us

To purchase Steph’s book on Amazon, or Booktopia
You can connect with Steph over on Instagram

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Gay Ex-Pastor

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This Is Mike's Story...

More About Mike

Mike Maeshiro is the founder of Numa, an organisation that supports people recovering from religious toxicity. Mike is gay, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a queer theology enthusiast. Mike is a former instructor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, best known for his class, “Discerning of Spirits.” He now teaches on emotional health and redemptive deconstruction. He is a consultant and coach for gay men recovering from evangelicalism. He also has a team of coaches who work with people whose faith is evolving. He is a social media influencer and thought leader. Mike loves Japanese food, movies, and playing volleyball, and has a depth of useless knowledge about the X-men.

Connect With Us

Mike’s Website – https://www.mikemaeshiro.com/
Connect with Mike on social media – Facebook, Instagram or over on YouTube.

Sam’s website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Inclusive Composer

Thu, 30 May 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Alanah's Story

Who is Alanah?

Alanah is a musician in Nashville, TN, USA. A songwriter and composer/producer, and right now is working on a therapeutic kind of project where she takes old Christian hymns and rewrites the lyrics to be affirming, open-minded, and focused on wholeness. She is working to create a safe place for people like herself who find themselves deconstructing after leaving a high-control religious environment, especially those who used to love the music part of church. She is passionate about working to dismantle the thick layers of shame that we put on ourselves to fit into a high control environment - especially those who are queer.

Connect with us.

To connect with Alanah on Instagram, YouTube or her website.

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Multi-Cult Survivor

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Nikki's Story...

Who Is Nikki?

Nikki G. is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach who helps survivors recover and thrive after Religious Trauma & Cult involvement. She is also a survivor of multiple narcissistic relationships, religious trauma as well as a former member of multiple cultic communities.

Nikki is the CEO of Nikki G Speaks LLC, which exists to support survivors with individual coaching services, an online community, and other various forms of psycho-education related to religious trauma, narcissistic abuse, and cult involvement. She educates and empowers survivors to reclaim their lives and embrace the journey to “come back home” to self.

Connect with us.

Nikki’s website – https://www.nikkigspeaks.com/
You can connect with Nikki over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Intuitive Spirit

Thu, 16 May 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Sam's Story...

Who is Sam?

Sam is a self-confessed introvert and empath, who loves nothing more than good ache-in-the-belly laugh. But more than anything, she loves providing a safe counselling space for gentle souls- introverts, INFJ’s, empaths and neurodivergent people. This is her joy and passion, bringing hope and healing to the broken hearted. Sam first started Paper Crane of Hope as a community development project… Leaving paper cranes in her community to spread this message of hope and healing. It quickly evolved into what it is today- an online therapy space.

Connect with us!

To find more out about Sam’s work - https://www.papercraneofhope.com/
To connect to Sam on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/papercraneofhope/

To connect with Host Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Courageous Storyteller

Thu, 09 May 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This Is Cait's Story....

Who is Cait?

Cait West is a writer and editor based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Her work has been published in The Revealer, Religion Dispatches, Fourth Genre, and Hawai`i Pacific Review, among others. As an advocate and a survivor of the Christian patriarchy movement, she serves on the editorial board for Tears of Eden, a non-profit providing resources for survivors of spiritual abuse, and co-hosts the podcast Survivors Discuss.

Her debut, Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy, was published on April 30, 2024.

Connect With Us!

Cait’s Website - https://www.caitwest.com/
To connect with Cait on Facebook and Instagram
To purchase ‘Rift’ - Booktopia and Amazon

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Sentimental Non-Believer

Thu, 02 May 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Janes story.

Who is Jane?

Links

To find out more about Jane and her practice head to her website - https://janekennedycounselling.com.au/
Or to connect with her on social media; you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Prosper: Drama or Reality?

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +1100

Join us for a discussion on megachurch culture through the miniseries 'Prosper' on Stan.

Connect with us!

To find out more about Jane and her practice head to her website - https://janekennedycounselling.com.au/
Or to connect with her on social media; you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

To connect with Elise head to her website - https://eliseheerde.com
Or you can also find her on Instagram and LinkedIn

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Truth Seeker

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is her story...

Bio

⁣Liz Milani is a writer, and the co-creator of the The Practice Co App. She lives for wholehearted, grounded spirituality, and to help people feel free to find God for themselves, in the world, in the lives they have. Liz lives on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia, with her partner, Jesse, and their three kids.

Links

To learn more about Liz or The Practice Co head to their website.
You can follow along over on Instagram - @thepracticeco
You can download The Practice Co on Apple or Android

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Questioning Ex-Pastor

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is his story...

Bio

Brad Klausman was born and raised within the Southern Baptist Church community. He received his degree in biblical studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University and his master’s from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After serving in full time ministry for over two decades, Brad found himself having to choose between the church and his LGBTQ+ daughter. Without hesitation, he chose his daughter. Now Brad is a certified life coach and empowers individuals who are struggling within, on the way out of, or have left the church to find freedom from systematic religion.

Links

To learn more about Brad and his work head to his website.
To connect with Brad over on Instagram - @brad.lifecoach

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Me, Myself & I

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is My Story....

Bio

As a Queer religious trauma therapist, I work from a trauma informed and lived experience stance. I understand the profound impact that religious experiences can have on individuals and am here to provide an accepting and non-judgmental space to explore your inner world.

I will be releasing my new workbook “Embracing Queerness and Faith” early 2024 which I am hopeful will bring an internal sense of authenticity and freedom to many.

Currently living and working in Goulburn on Gundungarra Land in my private practice Anchored Counselling Services but offering therapy worldwide (except US & Canada).

I am equal parts professional and compassionate with a dash of sarcasm and humour that make the therapeutic journey even more relatable and enriching. I also have an incredibly cute and furry co-therapist Naya; she is a sweet and intuitive Cavoodle.

Links

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
I am also over on Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Deconstructing Damsel

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Hannah's Story..

Hannah went from an evangelical Jesus-loving Christian to an agnostic atheist. Her journey started about over a year and a half ago, when her partner of 4 years called her out by telling her that she wasn’t really a Christian anymore and she is so glad that he did. It took 27 years for her to have her religious bubble finally popped for resulting in seeing all the bullshit and lies that she had been fed for years by the church. Now she is 29 soon to be 30 and still healing from the trauma that religion has left her with.

Links

To connect with Hannah on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_the_deconstructing_damsel_/

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Nature Seeker - Part 2

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +1100

If you haven't listened to Part 1 of Matt's Story - you are going to want to.

This is Part 2.

Matt is the Director of MGA Counselling Services and provides individual, couple, family, and group counselling. He is also the founder of Forest Therapy Victoria. Matt has a special interest in relationship counselling, grief, trauma, abuse recovery, high sensitivity, and spirituality. Matt provides professional and personal development courses on a range of topics and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media on sexuality and mental health.

Aside from his counselling work, Matt also freelances as a cartoonist and illustrator. He is the author and illustrator of the Shapes, Lines and Dots: Creativity and Wellbeing for Kids series of books, plus regularly does commissions for corporate and community clients.

Links:

For more information on Matt’s creative ventures head to - http://mattglover.com
To connect with Matt about his practice head to https://mgacounselling.com.au/
To connect over on Instagram - @matt.r.glover

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Nature Seeker - Part 1

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Matt's Story...well part of it.

Links:

For more information on Matt’s creative ventures head to - http://mattglover.com
To connect with Matt about his practice head to https://mgacounselling.com.au/
To connect over on Instagram - @matt.r.glover

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Deconstructing Mama

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +1100

This is Angela's Story...

Angela is a faith deconstruction coach and host of The Deconstructing Faith Summit who helps people break free from toxic religious culture & empowers them to recover from #churchhurt. She has led online ministries for a decade, enjoys working with clients 1:1, in groups, and is a dynamic conference speaker. She’s a Lark’s Song Certified Life Coach who reaches thousands of people in 40+ countries each month on Facebook, IG, Twitter, Pinterest, and her blog.

She’s a firstborn, Enneagram 8, Gen Xer who loves to question everything. She holds a BA from Indiana Wesleyan and a master’s in leadership from Wesley Seminary. Her graduate research project focused on leadership development and opportunities for Gen X women in the US church.

Angela and her unique online ministry are featured in Lyz Lenz’s 2019 book God Land: Story of Faith, Loss, and Renewal in Middle America. She has published articles in Hope for Women and HOPE is Now magazines. She has been featured in The New Republic, Publisher’s Today, and Religion News Service.

Her first book, Deconstruct Your Faith Without Losing Yourself, shares her decade of experience as a faith deconstruction coach, personal stories, a hefty dose of compassion, and her trademark Gen X humour.

Angela is also a wife, mom to 5, and a proud resident of Marion, Indiana with her family when they’re not traveling the US in their RV.

Links:

Angela’s Website - http://angelajherrington.com/
Connect with Angela over on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
To purchase Angela’s book in Australia on Booktopia

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Deconstruction Journey

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Phil delves into faith deconstruction, highlighting it as an introspective journey rather than a move towards de-conversion. He touches on the comfort of certainty, the impact of small changes, and the special challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Phil emphasises the importance of self-compassion and community support for individuals reevaluating their beliefs, especially those grappling with the realisation of having supported harmful systems. Concluding with advice for newcomers to deconstruction, the conversation underlines kindness and community as vital components in navigating this transformative process.

Who is Phil?

Phil Drysdale is a public speaker, podcaster, researcher, and coach specialising in the area of Deconstruction. For over a decade he’s helped people navigate the painful journey beyond their faith tradition. He conducts research into the Deconstruction community through The Deconstruction Network, runs a regular podcast about Deconstruction, provides free resources to help people on their journeys and offers a safe space for people to process their deconstruction.

Links:

Phil’s Website - https://www.phildrysdale.com & The Deconstruction Network
You can find Phil over on Instagram

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Evolving Creative

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Liss has a few decades experience in a variety of church traditions, 2/3 of a theology degree and spent a good chunk of that time married to a youth pastor. Liss has six incredible offspring and recently married the absolute love of their life; who also happens to be a Burlesque performer.

A small business owner who began sharing hand lettered bible verses online in 2014 before pivoting to teaching iPad Calligraphy, Liss is a multi-passionate creative who tends to ask lots of questions, dive deep into topics that excite them, and share what they’ve found with anyone who will listen.

This is her story.

Links:

Liss’s website - https://lissamyah.com
You can connect over on Instagram - @lissamyah

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Naked Pastor

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +1100

David is a pastor turned artist painting, drawing, and thinking about what it takes to be free to be you. The idea behind the name, NakedPastor, is to seek to tell the naked truth - no matter how vulnerable it feels. David used to be a pastor but has been creating art and working towards freedom with this community for over 10 years now.

Committed to truth, authenticity, and understanding, David supports LGBTQ+ people and groups, BIPOC and women artists, creatives, journalists (and more), and encourages others to do the same. With a Masters in Theological Studies, as well as Diplomas in Religious Studies and Ministry, and University Teaching, He is no stranger to belief systems.

This is his story.

Links:

To find out more about David, read his blog or to purchase any of his art head to his website - https://nakedpastor.com/
You can also connect with David over on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
David also has a YouTube channel that you can check out - https://www.youtube.com/nakedpastor

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Curiosity Chaser

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Fiona is best known for her Instagram account justcurious.au where she talks about the untangling of leaving high control religion. Fiona was raised Pentecostal and until only a few years ago had devoted every part of her life to the church. She is now navigating the healing from religious trauma.

This is her story.

Links:

To connect with Fiona over on Instagram - @justcurious.au

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Thoughtful Poet

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Will Small is a poet, storyteller, and podcaster. He leads an alternative faith community called Meeting Ground and hosts the Spiritual Misfits podcast. He is the author of 'Poems for When the World is Ending' and the founder of Lead by Story.

This is his story.

Links:

To connect with Will on social media; you can head to Instagram @williamsmall or Facebook
If you are interested in his work with Spiritual Misfits, you can find their Facebook group.
For a one stop shop on Will head to his website - https://www.willsmall.com.au

To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices or Facebook
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

The Nomadic Soul

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +1100

Joy Vetterlein is a spiritual coach and writer who is engaged in reimagining life after faith. As a pastor’s kid, a good Christian girl, a Bible college grad, and a former worship pastor, she now helps post-evangelicals to find freedom from oppressive religious programming and to discover their own unique spiritual path. Joy lives in Orange County, California, with her husband and two children.

This is her story.

Links:

Joy’s website - https://www.joyvetterlein.com/
To connect over on Instagram - @joyvetterlein

Sam’s website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices or Facebook
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.

Welcome to Beyond the Surface

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 09:00:00 +1100

Welcome to Beyond the Surface, where the saying "to be seen is to be understood" comes to life.

I am Sam Sellers, your host, and a registered therapist in sunny Australia. I am passionate about the power of storytelling; and empowering voices to be heard that have previously been silenced.

In this weekly seasonal podcast, the stories you hear will be of those who have experienced spiritual or religious trauma, some have loved and left God, while others have reconstructed their faith to one that is deeply authentic and expansive. You will hear my story and no 2 episodes will ever be the same.

You will hear about their pain, and their grief as well as hear about their healing and growth; there will be moments of joy and laughter and times where you will want to cry alongside us.

You will hear from domestic violence survivors, ex-pastors, those in the queer community as well as parents, and allies of the queer community, those who will never step foot in another church and those who are advocating for a new way of doing church.

The diversity is vast and wonderful!

Whether you are walking this same path as us, or you just love hearing people share their story – there is truly something here for everyone.

You can listen to our podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other platform where you get your podcast fix.

I look forward to taking you Beyond the Surface.

Links:

Website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au

Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices