Beyond The Surface

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...

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 hea...

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 dec...

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 purs...

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 A...

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 e...

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 an...

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...

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 reflection...

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...

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 thera...

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...

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 Chris...

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 toxi...

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 individ...

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 complexiti...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 C...

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 explor...

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 deva...

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 thi...

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 experti...