Cheers To Leaving!
By Cheers to Leaving!
Cheers To Leaving!Apr 14, 2022
Ep 37 We were Christian Theater kids (with Nathaniel Bozarth)
Nathaniel Bozarth is an Emmy award-winning storyteller, public historian, and data scientist. His creative work has centered around the history of residential segregation and the personal work of racial justice. This work includes a podcast (Wide Ruled) on justice in education, two documentary series about how various identities affect one’s access to “the American Dream” (Your Fellow Americans, Re:Dream), and a TedX Talk. In 2018, Nathaniel co-created an app-based tour (Dividing Lines) of the history of residential segregation in KC. In 2021, the team created a new virtual version of the tour. Nathaniel teaches data analytics at Rockhurst University and pursue with an emphasis on data justice.
My Projects: www.nathanielbozarth.com/projects
Dividing Lines (VR/driving tour) www.jocolibrary.org/dividinglines
Land of Opportunity (documentary): video.kansascitypbs.org/video/land-of-opportunity-8bqamu/
Support Group: Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook
Ep 36 How Do We Heal (with Andrew Jasko)
Back at it with Andrew Jasko! If you didn't listen to episode 34 we definitely suggest you do before listening to this one to hear more about Andrew and his story. In this episode we cover PTSD, the difference between religious trauma and other trauma, and most importantly how do we heal.
Andrew Jasko, M.Div., MA Counseling Psychology in progress, is a former Princeton Seminary educated minister. He left his religious faith and community because of the severe psychological trauma he experienced. After spending years and thousands of dollars healing his trauma and helping hundreds of people transform their lives, He is considered an expert in healing religious trauma. His clients hire him to heal and find healthy, authentic spirituality that suits them. As a religious trauma specialist and spirituality coach, He helps people heal and reclaim a healthy connection with spirituality by using trauma-informed therapeutic techniques and psychospiritual practices.
To learn more about Andrews work and to work with him: Home - Healing Religious Trauma & Integrating Healthy Spirituality (lifeafterdogma.org)
Support Groups: Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook Healing from Religious Trauma, Discussing All Perspectives on Spirituality | Facebook
Sound by the wonderful Cameron Smith
Ep 35 Roe v Wade Overturned
Hello beautiful listeners. In light of recent events, we could not be silent about how we feel and how it has impacted us and how it will impact you. We are tired and angry and shit talk about evangelical's posts on Facebook but ultimately hope to provide you with resources and empower you as well.
Resources: Donate – Together Rising
Home - National Network of Abortion Funds
PLAN C: Learn to access at-home abortion pill options online (plancpills.org)
Support Group: Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook
Sound by the wonderful Cameron Smith
Ep 34 God is a fascist and hell isn't real (with Andrew Jasko)
Oh HELL yes (see what I did there?) we are talking to Andrew Jasko today about religious trauma, psychedelics, hell, healing and much more. You might need a glass of wine for this one cause we're diving real deep.
Andrew Jasko, M.Div., MA Counseling Psychology in progress, is a former Princeton Seminary educated minister. He left his religious faith and community because of the severe psychological trauma he experienced. After spending years and thousands of dollars healing his trauma and helping hundreds of people transform their lives, He is considered an expert in healing religious trauma. His clients hire him to heal and find healthy, authentic spirituality that suits them. As a religious trauma specialist and spirituality coach, He helps people heal and reclaim a healthy connection with spirituality by using trauma-informed therapeutic techniques and psychospiritual practices.
To learn more about Andrews work and to work with him:
Home - Healing Religious Trauma & Integrating Healthy Spirituality (lifeafterdogma.org)
Article mentioned in Episode: Is Evangelical Christianity’s God the Devil? - Healing Religious Trauma & Integrating Healthy Spirituality (lifeafterdogma.org)
Life After Dogma - YouTube
Support Groups:
Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook
Healing from Religious Trauma, Discussing All Perspectives on Spirituality | Facebook
Sound by the wonderful Cameron Smith
Ep 33 Born Sinful (with Phill Drysdale)
Today we're going to explore original sin. Oh yeah, shes a doozy. But dont worry, we have an amazing guest here to walk us through the mess of being born sinful.
Phil Drysdale is a companion to those going through the painful process of deconstruction. He conducts research on those who deconstruct, has various free resources, including his podcast and offers a safe space for people to anonymously explore their deconstruction. You can reach out to Phil on Instagram with a DM!
Phil Drysdale (@phildrysdale) • Instagram photos and videos
Phil Drysdale - YouTube
Join our support group!
Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook
Sound by: Cameron Smith
Ep 32 God Loves Divorce
Sidenote: Rachael's voice audio file got messed up so we apologize in advance for the sound quality of her voice.
Daphne shares her story of marriage, divorce, and leaving evangelicalism through her blog and IG platform. She is also a relationship coach for folks who are looking for support when leaving harmful situations and trying to find peace and happiness in relationships. Daphne's blog and ways to work with her can be found at the links below:
Daphne | Relationship Coach (@goldendaph) • Instagram photos and videos
Ep 31 Unsolicited Bible Verses
This episode we talk about unsolicited bible verses which frankly might be worse than an unsolicited dick pic? You can decide for yourself. We chat about receiving these kinds of texts from parents and family members, boundaries, and how to navigate both of these.
Friendly reminder: send us your stories! We want to read them! Email us at: cheerstoleaving@gmail.com
Please join our facebook group as well! Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook
Ep 30 Deconstructing Purity Culture (with Sarah Lacour)
This week we are talking to Sarah Lacour who runs a page on Instagram called @deconstructingpurityculture. In this episode we discuss Sarah's experience growing up in purity culture, the new 300-page third party investigation of the SBC, the christian sex gal, and how purity culture and diet culture go hand in hand.
To find Sarah: Sarah (@deconstructingpurityculture) • Instagram photos and videos
Support FB Group: Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook
Sound by Cameron Smith
Ep 29 From Christian Mingle to Tinder
Another classic episode of Molly and Rachael talking about purity culture, but this time we zero in on what it was like to 'date' in evangelical culture and dating AFTER evangelical culture. So fun right? Lets do this.
Ep 28 A Double Life (With Dr. Josie McSkimming)
Ep 27 Christian Nightmares
TW: Spanking
This week our special guest is Christian Nightmares. You know, the page that has all funny yet terrifying things Christians do. In this episode we talk to christian nightmares about his page, his religious background, christian punishments and why he chooses to stay anonymous and a lot more! So settle in, grab a margarita(or 3), and lets talk about christian nightmares.
To find out more about christian nightmares and to donate to his cause click the link below:
@ChristianNightmares | Linktree
Ep 26 Horny for Easter
Show notes:
Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook
Origin Of Easter (allaboutjesuschrist.org)
Ep 25 Down the Rabbit Hole: Philosophy and Ambiguity (with Cameron Smith)
Currently experiencing existential dread? Cool. Us too. Here's some philosophical theories to help you.
Cameron Smith is our special guest today. He has a degree in physics, math, business, and economics and has devoted his life to forever learning. Cameron is on TikTok as XerofoX where he posts philosophical videos about different theories about reality and consciousness. He was raised as a christian but later found that science was more of an answer than Christianity.
Today we talk to Cameron about his life, philosophies and general madness that we all experience. Lets all go down the rabbit hole together!
To follow Cameron on his many endeavors:
XerofoX (@xerofox) TikTok | Watch XerofoX's Newest TikTok Videos
🦊 XerofoX 🦊 (@officialxerofox) • Instagram photos and videos
XerofoX (@officialxerofox) / Twitter
Ep 24 Getcho Bliss (with Yeside A Davis)
We thought it was about time for some sexy talk. Our special guest today is Yeside Davis who is an Intimacy Doula & Erotica Writer. Dont know what an intimacy doula is? Guess you'll have to listen to find out. Ope. We talk about autonomy, self love, self intimacy after leaving religion and so much more!
To follow and learn more or book with Yeside, see below:
Instagram: Yeside (@getchobliss) • Instagram photos and videos
Ep 23 Puppets for Jesus
Hellooooooo listeners. Today we are speaking with Dr. Lauren Sawyer and yes you guessed it, puppets. But not just puppets, we will dive into purity culture (cause thats always relevant), sex, being lgbtq+ and a believer? Is it possible? Social justice and holding the church accountable for wrong doings. Strap on in cause its gonna be a bumpy ride.
Dr. Lauren D. Sawyer is an educator and ethicist living in Seattle, Washington. For more than 5 years, Lauren has taught courses in philosophy, ethics, theology, and religion for undergraduate and graduate students across the country. In her role as Program Manager for FaithTrust Institute, she develops trainings and curriculum for a variety of religious and spiritual communities and participates in investigating allegations of clergy misconduct.
Sawyers dissertation, I Stumbled/I Caused You to Stumble:White Girls and Queer Youth as Sexual Agents in Contemporary Evangelical Purity Culture, explores the longterm effects of Christian purity culture. She investigates the function of teenage sexualization as they uphold a white supremacist patriarchal norms. Lauren’s work is a detailed analysis of gender, sexuality, religion and culture.
IG: instagram.com/ldsawyer
Website: laurendsawyer.com
Purity Culture Research Collective: puritycultureresearchcollective.com
Ep 22 We've Been Warned
Hello lovelies! Molly and I check in with each other in this episode and talk about how our deconstruction is going and lots of other epiphanies we've had lately and just generally shooting the shit as one does. Molly received a warning letter and we read it on the pod!
We have recently made a facebook support group and we hope you'll join us there! Much love xoxo
Facebook group: Cheers to Leaving - Exvangelical Support Group | Facebook
Email: cheerstoleaving@gmail.com
Ep 21 Dr Death
In this episode we talk we talk with Dr. Terri Daniel about the death, the afterlife and dealing with religious trauma around hell.
Terri is a hospice and hospital-trained clinical chaplain and end-of-life educator certified in death, dying and bereavement and in trauma support. She conducts workshops throughout the U.S. for the dying and the bereaved, and teaches in the interreligious chaplaincy program at the Graduate Theological Union. She is the founder of the The Afterlife Conference, The Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, and the Ask Doctor Death podcast, and is the author of four books on death and grief.
Visit the website to find out information on her upcoming conference: Help for Religious Trauma and Toxic Theology When Facing Loss or Grief (deathgriefandbelief.com)
Twitter: @DGBConference
Terri's Twitter: @DrTerriDaniel1
Ep 20 Exvangelis
Ivy, creator of Exvangelis, is talking with us about his video project where he interviews exvangelicals about their stories. We also discuss his background as an evangelical christian, a successful exorcism, purity culture and much more!
Exvangelis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exvangelis/
https://allmylinks.com/exvangelis
To share your story on Exvangelis email at: exvangelis@gmail.com
Ep 19 "I chose me"
Andrew Pledger is sharing his story with us today all the way from South Carolina. We had such an incredible conversation with him and we hope his story and his passion will inspire you. He was recently expelled from Bob Jones university so of course we got the deets on that. Oh and if you see a toxic person ranting about prayer, walk the other way hun. Lets do this!
Josh Harris Video: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CYcOw9LqHL0/?utm_medium=copy_link
Andrews link page:https://www.liinks.co/4ndrewpledger
Andrew Instagram Page:https://www.instagram.com/4ndrewpledger/
Blog: https://cheerstoleaving.wordpress.com/2022/03/03/ep-19-i-chose-me/
Ep 18 It's About To Get Culty
This week Rachael and Molly talk about Church Camp! We touch on purity culture (cause how could you not), super cult like shit that happened but it was normal to us, worship camp sessions, "coming of age" ceremonies (ew) and other fun culty things!
This is Molly's first episode as my new cohost! She will be with us for as long as she likes and I'm super excited to have her. She was in Ep 9 "Healthy Hoe" if you want to go back and listen! She is an ex-missionary kid and exvangelical. She is a massage therapist. She is currently studying pelvic floor therapy with a focus on female sexuality and pleasure!
Find Molly on Instagram @molly.crino
Website: Book a massage with Molly Crino LMT | Louisville KY 40217 (massagebook.com)
Ep 17 My Gay Church Days
Find George at www.mygaychurchdays.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mygaychurchdays/
Ep 16 (BONUS) Purity Culture, Non Denominational churches, and Porn, Oh My! (With Deconversion Therapy)
Collaborating with the Deconversion Therapy pod in this Bonus episode! We talk about our individual stories, purity culture, being 'good', non denominational church's as well as porn and masturbation!
To find out more about Deconversion Therapy: https://www.deconversiontherapypodcast.com/
Heavens Gates and Hells Flames video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njG9P0JvzyI
Full Porn post on the blog! https://cheerstoleaving.wordpress.com/
Ep 15 Christian Crimes - Jesus made me do it!
Honestly let’s talk about the amount of crimes committed in the Christian agenda and in the name of the good Lord, but also the “voices” are concerning…let’s hear about crusades, crimes in the name of Jesus, and some weird ass Facebook posts…
Show notes and references:
https://www.cairn.info/revue-francaise-d-etudes-americaines-2006-4-page-107.htm
https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/crusades
“[Christian nationalists] see it in cataclysmic terms: This is the moment, and God’s going to judge us,” “When you paint it in existential terms like that, a lot of people feel justified to carry out acts of violence in the name of their faith.” -Elizabeth Neumann, a former top official at the Department of Homeland Security who resigned from Trump administration in April 2020.
And last but definitely not least: https://globalgrind.com/1953770/6-crazy-crimes-committed-in-the-name-religion-list/
Ep 14 Jesus Camp!
My thoughts on the 2006 film jesus camp. WTFFFF
Images and more information on the blog!
https://cheerstoleaving.wordpress.com/
"There is a lot of psychological damage that follows when people are trained not to trust themselves"
-Valerie Tarico, child psychologist
Ep 13 How much room is there gonna be in Heaven?
Ep 12 let’s talk about abortion
Ep 11 Doctrine Over Person
Were you ever told your ear ache was the result of satan keeping you from hearing Gods word? Did you ever have a sinus infection as a child and were told that snot smell was your intuition that evil spirits were around? Well you’ve come to the right place cause SAME. My special guest Jennifer and I are talking about mental health and all the crazy shit surrounding it when it comes to the church. You’re not crazy bb just indoctrinated! Jennifer French is a mental health counselor with a specialty in cultic studies and religious trauma, located in Los Angeles and working with clients across the U.S. She will graduate in January 2022 with a Masters in the Psychology of Coercive Control from Salford University in the UK. Jennifer was herself in a group of high control, high demand (aka. cult) that was a mystical Christian based group called the Centers of Light or the Order of Christ/Sophia, located in cities across the United States. Jennifer is also the host of the Project Hope Podcast, for families and friends with a loved one in a group of high control / high demand. If you are interested in hearing more about the story of how Jennifer got into her cult and then left 11 years later, you will find these in episodes 1 and 2. https://www.jennifer-french.com/projecthopepodcast Follow Jennifer on social media at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists Website: Jennifer-French.com
Ep10 God Hates Your Pants
I just want to apologize for the quality of the audio for this particular episode. We were having major internet issues. Anyway! Speaking with my long time friend and fellow exvangelical Candace about finding community outside of the church. We also touch on subjects like evolution/creationism, the 5 stages of grief and how that feels a lot like deconstructing. Come along for the ride!
You can find Candace on Twitter https://twitter.com/candaceladd
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/candaceladd/
Ep9 Healthy Hoe
We have something to say about sexuality and the evangelical church. Did your parents give you “the talk” without actually talking about sex? Did you struggle with learning sex education and figuring out sexual encounters that DIDNT end in marriage in your 20's? Cool. Us too. Let’s talk about it. Pour yourself a drink and let’s talk about all things sex.
Special Guest: Molly Crino
You can find Molly on Instagram @ molly.crino & co-host of blazedth0tz_pdcst
Ep8 A Dictatorship State
This week we are talking about navigating relationships after leaving religion. The Bible and church created this weird zone of forced intimacy but also disconnection because everyone would betray their family or friends if God said to (i.e. Isaac and Abraham lolz) But now that we are out of that toxic space, navigating relationships without waiting for God or our pastor to tell us what to do is HARD. Its hard to reclaim autonomy after never having it and learning healthy relationship functioning after leaving. Grab your glass of libations, if you so choose to indulge, and lets talk about autonomy.
Ep7 F*cked up books in the Old Testament
TW: Scripture reading. Rape. Child murder. This episode is a bit intense as far as content. But if you’ve read the Old Testament we’re sure that’s not news to you. We wanna talk about the fucked up shit in the Old Testament as far as actual verses where God kills children, violates women and ruins peoples perfectly good lives. You’ll probably need wine or whatever your choice of pleasure is for this one cause DEAR GOD how did we ever think this was all normal?
Interesting video referenced in episode: https://www.facebook.com/BeXTheXEvolution/videos/831510247498147
Ep6 The End Times - Apocalyptic Upbringing
It’s self explanatory. Are you familiar with the Rapture? Did you have rapture anxiety as a kid? Is Obama the antichrist? Did you read “left behind” for pure enjoyment? The end times be like “why are you so obsessed with me?” to evangelicals. Grab a margarita and let’s talk about this nonsense!
Mini Episode - Resources
We wanted to do a short episode on resources we found helpful in our deconstruction. We hope you find these helpful as well. Here is a link to our Blog where we will post all the links to these resources as well.
https://cheerstoleaving.wordpress.com/
Christina's Life Coaching Website: https://www.christinamcarlson.com/
Ep5 Changing Your Mindset
Article Rachael mentioned by Jim Palmer: www.jimpalmerauthor.com/post/life-after-religion-deconstruction-deep-dive
Christina's Website: www.christinamcarlson.com/
Religious Tree: the40foundation.org/world-religions-tree.html?fbclid=IwAR12oU1vJTF_DONf8bn1awxIsnPLGkTdDI09RhBYhFEy3JPrOVr9Psu8uQg
IHOP Scandal: www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/love-and-death-in-the-house-of-prayer-53866/
Ep4 Fears Surrounding Leaving
We're talkin fears this week as we take a more serious turn in our episodes. Rachael shares her fears surrounding death, and Christina shares her fears surrounding hell. We talk about the loss of community and identity and how IT DOES GET BETTER! Please reach out to us with any episode topic suggestions as well as your own personal stories regarding these different topics. We would love to hear from you!
Ep3 Homeschooled
Christina and Rachael talk about being evangelicals AND homeschooled in this episode. Let’s talk homeschool curriculums, how homeschooling shaped our lives, things we learned (AND DIDNT LEARN) and how it has affected us as adults today.
If you would like to hear us talk about a specific topic please message us on Instagram or Twitter. If you have a homeschooling story you'd like to share please send us a message! We'd love to hear from you.