Leaving Eden Podcast

On this episode, we answer more listener questions! TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PTSD and PTSD symptoms, child abuse, mental, physical, and sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse including guilt, shame, and fear. In most episodes we’ll mention at least a few of these topics, bu...

On today's episode, we answer listener questions on a variety of topics! TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PTSD and PTSD symptoms, child abuse, mental, physical, and sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse including guilt, shame, and fear. In most episodes we’ll mention at least a fe...

In this episode, we deconstruct the story of Jepthah and his daughter. This is a bible story that was used to great effect during Sadie's fundamentalist upbringing as a tool to control people and as a tool to demand obedience. The details of the story, however, vary quite dramatically from the way Sadie remembers it being told when she was growing up. By looking at different interpretations, we ar...

In this episode, we review Jill Duggar Dillard's new book, Counting the Cost, co-authored by her husband Derick Dillard and Craig Borlase. "For the first time, discover the unedited truth about the Duggars, the traditional Christian family that captivated the nation on TLC’s hit show  19 Kids and Counting . Jill Duggar and her husband Derick are finally ready to share their story, reveal...

On Today's episode, we delve into both J. Frank Norris' infamous 1926-1927 murder trial, and the physical and historical evidence surrounding his "Brain In The Jar" story that was used for decades after his death to scare fundamentalists into submission. This "Brain In The Jar" story appeared in our first ever podcast episode. Since that time over three years ago, it has been our holy grail. Findi...

We have finally, after 3 years, tracked down the ORIGINAL "Brain In A Jar" story that appeared in both Episode 1 of our podcast, and Episode 57, our primer for new listeners. This story was our holy grail, and after 3 years we have tracked down a firsthand account of this story for confirming/debunking. It originated with a fundamentalist pastor named J. Frank Norris, who in many ways is the genes...

On this episode, we discuss fitness influencer-turned christian womanhood influencer Brittany Dawn, as well as all of her cons, grifts, flimflams, frauds, and scams. TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PTSD and PTSD symptoms, child abuse, mental, physical, and sexual abuse, and s...

In the final episode of our "Summer of Satan" series, Sadie and Gavi discuss banned toys in fundamentalism including Cabbage Patch Kids, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and of course, Barbie. They finish the episode with a discussion and review of the Barbie movie as well as a teardown of Ben Shapiro's "review" of the Barbie movie. An extended, uncensored, and ad-free version of this podca...

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavi celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the podcast with a retrospective look at their favorite moments from the past year, and with some previews of what listeners can expect going forward! An extended, uncensored, and ad-free version of this podcast episode is available to subscribers at Patreon.com/LeavingEdenPodcast WE HAVE NEW MERCH AVAILABLE, AND A NEW MERCH SHOP,...

On Today's second part of a two-part episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss Alberto Rivera, one of Jack Chick's most trusted sources for the conspiracy theories that he proliferated in his comic books. Alberto Rivera alleges a large-scale global conspiracy theory in which the Roman Catholic Church seeks world domination. Turns out, just like everything else in Rivera's life, his conspiracy allegations ar...

On Today's first part of two-part episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss Alberto Rivera, one of Jack Chick's most trusted sources for the conspiracy theories that he proliferated in his comic books. Alberto Rivera alleges a large-scale global conspiracy theory in which the Roman Catholic Church seeks world domination. Rivera claims to be an ex-priest who worked for the jesuits to infiltrate protestant ch...

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavi review Larson's Book of Rock: For Those Who Listen to the Words and Don't Like What They Hear by Bob Larson. This book provides a good overview of what most fundamentalists find objectionable about rock music. It also provides insight into how out of touch and disconnected from reality most fundamentalists are when it comes to music. TW: In general we talk about...

Gavi and Sadie begin their SUMMER OF SATAN special episode series discussing the satanic panic! On today's episode, they discuss the life, art, and ministry of Jack Chick, creator of the infamous christian propaganda mini-comic book gospel tracts otherwise known as "Chick Tracts." Jack Chick was one of the primary promoters of the satanic panic/illuminati conspiracy theory and had a massive influe...

On today's episode, friend of the pod and drag performer extraordinaire Dinah House-Fire joins Sadie and Gavi to talk about Jim and Elizabeth Elliot. Elizabeth is the author of the book "Through Gates of Splendor," which chronicled her husband's death during an ill-advised missions trip to spread christian colonialism in Ecuador. Elizabeth's later writings were instrumental in the advent of purity...

On today's episode, Meghan Crozier of Thereafter Podcast sits down with Sadie and Gavi to talk about her experience of discovering bisexuality later in life, as well as how to help people in the intermediary steps of becoming affirming. Listen to Thereafter Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thereafter/id1534952602 Follow Thereafter P...

In this episode, Sadie and Gavi are joined by Pastor Noah Hepler, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Philadelphia. Pastor Noah was featured on Season 5 Episode 1 of Netflix's Queer Eye as an openly gay pastor running a queer affirming ministry. He speaks about his own journey and upbringing in fundamentalism, his experience on the show, and what it means to be an affirming Chri...

Shiny Happy People contributors and IBLP survivors Lindsey Williams and Chad Harris join Sadie and Gavi to give analysis and insight into their review of the new documentary miniseries exposé of the Duggar family, the IBLP, and Bill Gothard. TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PT...

F*** Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PTSD and PTSD symptoms, child abuse, mental, physical, and sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse including guilt, shame, and fear. In most episodes we’ll mention at least a few of these topics, but w...

Sadie has finally gotten her hands on a copy of the rare fundamentalism memoir, "The Wizard of God, My Life With Jack Hyles," by Vic Nischik. This book contains many bombshells about the Hyles-Nischik affair that were previously unknown. TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PTSD a...

Join Sadie and Gavri'el as they discuss the Scopes Monkey Trial, a pivotal moment in American history that affected the right to teach science in public schools. This trial was one of the first worldwide or semi-worldwide mass-media events that was covered in real time.  In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and ment...

On this episode, Sadie and Gavri'el discuss various scandals surrounding Jerry Falwell's ministry and Liberty University, as well as the pool boy scandal that prompted the Falwell family's departure from leadership of Liberty University. TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PTSD a...

On today's episode, Gavi and Sadie discuss the history of Jerry Falwell's ministry at Thomas Road Baptist Church, his political activism with The Moral Majority, and his christian university, Liberty University. TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PTSD and PTSD symptoms, child ab...

On this episode, Sadie and Gavi are once again joined by Dr. Shoshana Fagen, who lends her considerable expertise to the discussion of the ubiquitous and infamous fundamentalist parenting book/child abuse manual, "To Train Up A Child," By Michael and Debi Pearl. The techniques recommended in this book have been used by fundamentalist families like the Duggars for decades. Together with Shoshana, t...

On this episode, Sadie and Gavi take a deep dive into fundamentalist hate preacher Peter Ruckman, his bizarre autobiography, his multiple marriages, and his theology, which was extreme even for IFB standards. Sources for this episode are available here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/sources-for-4-24-81931295 TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, includin...

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavi answer listener questions about a variety of subjects! In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not limited to suicide and mental health, racism, misogyny, PTSD and PTSD symptoms, child abuse, mental, physical, and sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse including guilt, shame, and fear. In most episodes we’ll mention...