Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Shalom interviews Zalman, who was born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania, where his parents opened a Chabad center and Jewish school as "shluchim" aimed at bringing secular Jews closer to Orthodox practice. Zalman describes growing up as the only Orthodox family, lacking kosher resources, having limited socializing outside the home, and later switching fr...

This episode of Beyond Belief introduces Noor, an ex–Shia Muslim from an Iraqi family who grew up mostly in New Jersey. Noor describes performing prayers out of fear of hell, questioning rituals (washing, direction of prayer, nail polish, menstruation restrictions, and catch-up prayers), and quietly disengaging by late middle school/early high school while fearing family repercussions like being s...

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Shalom interviews Mark about leaving fundamentalist religion, focusing on Mark’s cradle-Catholic upbringing and later shift into mental health work. Raised in a deeply involved Roman Catholic family, Mark experienced Vatican II’s transition era and a major culture clash after moving at age seven from Catholic Rhode Island to the Protestant Deep South during early-...

In this episode of Beyond Belief , Shalom speaks with Flatbush Girl , an Orthodox Jewish advocate working for change from inside the community. Rather than telling a story of leaving religion, she describes why she remains connected to Orthodox Judaism while openly criticizing systems she sees as harmful, especially around women’s rights, marriage, divorce, mikvah, niddah, and communal power struc...

In this episode of Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus , Shalom speaks with Kevin Bolling about growing up Catholic, coming out as gay, and gradually leaving organized religion behind. Kevin reflects on the tension between identity and faith, the role of community in both staying and leaving religion, and how his experiences ultimately led him to lead the Secular Student Alliance. The convers...

In this episode of Beyond Belief we hear from Aysha, an ex-Muslim woman who shares her personal journey of leaving Islam. Raised in a moderately conservative Muslim family in New York City, Aysha discusses her multicultural upbringing and the pivotal moments that led her to question and eventually depart from her faith. The conversation delves into the intellectual and emotional challenges she fac...

In this conversation we meet with Sammy, creator of Haram Doodles, as she discusses the significance of Ex-Muslim Month and shares personal experiences growing up as a South Asian Muslim immigrant. The dialogue explores the complexities of cultural and religious identity, the impact of immigration on religious practices, and the evolution of Islam in the West. Sammy reflects on her journey of deco...

In this episode we talk with Rachel about her journey out of the fundamentalist Jewish community she was raised in. Rachel reflects on growing up between Israel and Canada, her involvement as an outreach professional through Aish HaTorah, and the pressures of strict religious expectations. She discusses the challenges of navigating her role as a woman within Orthodox society - extricating her own...

In this episode, Shalom examines the historical divergence between Judaism as a religious-cultural tradition and Zionism as a modern nationalist project. He traces how Zionism emerged in 19th-century Europe among largely secular Jewish thinkers who reframed Jewish identity around territory, statehood, and political power, often in contrast to the ethical, diasporic, and spiritual foundations of Ju...

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Mike returns to discuss his journey out of Zionism, mirroring his earlier departure from fundamentalist religion. The conversation delves into the historical nuances and personal struggles faced during the deconstruction of deeply held beliefs about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mike shares his experiences in the Israeli military, pivotal moments of realizatio...

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Shalom speaks with author Carl, who grew up in the little-known religion of Christian Science. Carl describes a childhood shaped by the belief that matter is unreal, illness is a mistaken thought, and negative emotions must be suppressed to “reflect God.” He shares the contradictions inside the faith—parents who quietly take children to doctors while insisting sic...

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Shalom speaks with Nushuz, a former Sunni Muslim from Pakistan who writes under a pen name for her safety. Nushuz shares her journey growing up in a highly educated yet deeply patriarchal household, navigating contradictions between modern life and rigid religious norms. Her path out of Islam began through sincere devotion until she ultimately realized she no long...

Unlike the show's typical format of interviewing people who have left fundamentalist religions, this episode explores Dr. Mark Banschick's expertise on narcissism, child development, integrative medicine, and the intersection of psychology and spirituality. Dr. Banschick discusses the nature of high-control narcissistic systems found in various organizations, including religious groups, an...

In this episode, we feature the podcast's first Buddhist interviewee. Kacy shares her unique journey from being raised in a culturally Buddhist family in Taiwan, moving to Canada, and ultimately living in a Buddhist monastery. She discusses her experiences with the religion's teachings, the challenges she faced, and the profound impact it had on her life. Kacy also explores her interest in Christi...

In the 21st episode of the Beyond Belief podcast series, Aviva shares her deeply personal journey of leaving an ultra-Orthodox Jewish upbringing. The episode delves into her upbringing in Israel, her intellectual and emotional struggles with religious beliefs, her process of dealing with deeply ingrained notions of morality and individuality, and the gradual and challenging transition out of relig...

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Tales of Religious Exodus, we interview Nourah and Moe, a couple from Saudi Arabia who grew up in deeply religious Muslim families near Mecca. They share their personal journeys out of Islam, the cultural pressures they faced, and the transition to life in Canada, where they found freedom and a chance to rediscover themselves. The couple discusses the emotional to...

In this episode of 'Beyond Belief, Tales of Religious Exodus,' host Shalom welcomes River, a psychotherapist, to share their deeply personal journey of leaving the evangelical missionary church of Canada. River discusses the strict religious upbringing as a pastor's child in Kitchener, Ontario, dealing with the trauma of family life, and the impact of a personal tragedy catalyzed their questioning...

In this episode of 'Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus,' we follow Esther's compelling journey from spending her childhood in China and Canada as a missionary child in Pentecostal and Mennonite communities, to her deconversion during the pandemic. Esther shares the challenges of navigating contrasting religious environments, her experience of missionary work, the conflicting teachings on pur...

In this episode, we explore Nick's transition from a religious upbringing in Orthodox Judaism to a secular life filled with exploration and self-discovery. The episodes cover a range of experiences and themes, from the global moves from Ottawa to Brussels, the struggle with religious education and personal faith, and the challenges faced within a strict community. Personal stories highlight their...

In this episode of 'Beyond Belief, Tales of Religious Exodus,' we explore Jayson's personal journey out of Orthodox Judaism. Growing up in a religious household in Brooklyn, Jason describes his upbringing as Yeshivish modern and details the nuances of his family dynamics and religious practices. At the age of 20, he began to question his beliefs after exposure to college science courses and notici...

This episode of Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus features Alex, who shares his compelling journey of leaving Orthodox Judaism. Alex discusses his upbringing in a culturally Jewish family, his deep involvement with 12-step recovery programs, and his extensive exploration of various Orthodox sects. He describes a pivotal moment in December 2022 that led him to leave the community and begin a...

In this episode of 'Beyond Belief,' the show delves into transformative personal journeys away from traditional religious beliefs. The segment features Rami, who shares his path from a culturally Islamic upbringing in Los Angeles to becoming a vocal ex-Muslim advocate. He discusses the social and familial challenges he faced, his intellectual awakening, and his efforts with his nonprofit,...

This episode of Beyond Belief, explores the profound journey of Pesi Weinberg, a former Orthodox Jew turned therapist and comedian. Pesi discusses growing up in a strict religious environment, the internal and external conflicts he faced, and his ultimate decision to leave the faith. Through candid conversation, Pesi shares insights into the struggles, triumphs, and the ongoing process of healing...

In this episode of 'Beyond Belief, Tales of Religious Exodus,' host Shalom shares his journey of leaving Orthodox Judaism in an interview with Aviva. Shalom discusses growing up in a fervently religious family and the intense emotional and mental struggles that accompanied his departure from religion. He reflects on his ongoing healing process, the significance of therapy, the importance of intell...

In this episode of Beyond Belief, Chana shares their unique journey of leaving the Chabad community. Born to Ba'al Teshuva parents who embraced Chabad in their twenties, Hannah's story provides an inside perspective on growing up in a fundamentalist religious setting in Morristown, New Jersey. Chana navigates through the key milestones of losing faith at age 11, rejecting religious doctrin...