Project Hope Podcast

When Erika Bornman was nine years old, her family joined and ultimately moved to, KwaSizabantu, a Christian mission in South Africa—a place touted as a multiracial nirvana, founded on egalitarian values. But life at KwaSizabantu was hard, especially because Christianity was used to justify harsh punishments and physical abuse. KwaSizabantu exerted emotional, psychological, and sexual control over...

When Erika Bornman was nine years old, her family joined and ultimately moved to, KwaSizabantu, a Christian mission in South Africa—a place touted as a multiracial nirvana, founded on egalitarian values. But life at KwaSizabantu was hard, especially because Christianity was used to justify harsh punishments and physical abuse. KwaSizabantu exerted emotional, psychological, and sexual control over...

Lorna & Bill Goldberg have been working in the field of helping both those who have left cults as well their family members, for almost 50 years now. In this episode, you will hear both how they got into the field, as well as insights and anecdotes regarding their work with those navigating the challenging time of having a loved one in a group of high control or high demand. Bill and Lorna have th...

Kathleen was a part of Maum Meditation from 2015-2017. She reached level 4 when she decided to leave the organization. It was the gift of someone sharing information with her, that allowed her to identify that something was very wrong and it is from this spirit that Kathleen is now giving back, in hopes that what she shares, might allow others to be free as well. For those seeking information on M...

Kathleen was a part of Maum Meditation from 2015-2017. She reached level 4 when she decided to leave the organization. It was the gift of someone sharing information with her, that allowed her to identify that something was very wrong and it is from this spirit that Kathleen is now giving back, in hopes that what she shares, might allow others to be free as well. For those seeking information on M...

In this episode, Joyce & Nina join us to take a deep dive into understanding the importance of defining consent in our legislation and the widespread impact this could have upon important causes that uphold our humanity and autonomy. Joyce Short is the founder and Chief Executive of the Consent Awareness Network (CAN) and a TEDx Talk Presenter. She has been an expert witness and the architect of s...

Debby Schriver is a cult survivor advocate, author, and human rights activist. A native of Chicago, Debby earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Tennessee. Her career led her to serve new students, parents, and undergraduates in the Student Conduct and Orientation Department. Debby spent the last part of her career at the University leading employee training and organizatio...

Debby Schriver is a cult survivor advocate, author, and human rights activist. A native of Chicago, Debby earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Tennessee. Her career led her to serve new students, parents, and undergraduates in the Student Conduct and Orientation Department. Debby spent the last part of her career at the University leading employee training and organizatio...

Ashlen Hilliard is a cult intervention specialist helping families with loved ones in cultic or high-control groups or relationships through her organization, People Leave Cults. She completed her MSc in the Psychology of Coercive Control in early 2022 and conducted research on the relationship between reproductive coercion, psychologically abusive environments, and the extent of group identity in...

Amanda Redwine joins us as both a cult survivor and whistle-blower. She is exposing the cultic environment of her former Church known as Revival for Christ Club in Moore, Oklahoma. This group also owns and operates the Yellow Rose Dinner theater. The leader of the group is Timothy Vanover, accompanied by his wife, Jennifer Vanover.  Amanda shares her experience regarding what it was like growing u...

In this part 2 episode of my interview with my brother, we take a deep dive into the stories around what my family was going through as I entered deeper into the group. We also discuss my getting out and what was happening for him as all of that unfolded.  Our podcast features a beautiful song by Jaia Suri called, "Leaving the Cult". Subscribe to Jaia Suri on Spotify and access the song here: http...

For the official Season 2 launch of the Project Hope Podcast, I speak with my brother about the experience he had as his awareness began to unfold regarding my involvement in what we referred to as "The Order". In this episode, he shares the challenges of realizing what was happening and what the red flags were. He shares about attempts to dissuade or inform me and efforts that went public. As we...

In this pre-season 2 launch bonus episode we get to spend time with singer-songwriter, Jaia Suri, the musician whose song, "Leaving the Cult" is featured on Season 2 of the Project Hope Podcast. We sit down to discuss her musical journey and the evolution of this song. The full song is played at the end of the episode for all of you to enjoy in its entirety! Alongside music from Jaia's 4 other alb...

Many of you may know Sarah and Nippy from Season 1 of The Vow, the critically acclaimed HBO documentary series on NXIVM . The Vow shows real time and historical footage of the group and documents Sarah and Nippy, amidst others, revealing the emotional toll of unfolding events that transpire and the bravery of this core group that's resulted in the NXIVM leader, Keith Raniere, being convicted of se...

Adam Jones is a 27 year old former Seventh-Day Adventist, and theology student. He runs a ministry called "That Awkward Space" where he criticizes and critiques religious and political ideas. He is currently in school for social work and hopes to graduate soon. He is newly married and is currently enjoying a quiet life in upstate New York with his wife. Follow Adam on social media at: Instagram: @...

In 1974, at twelve years old, Deb Donner's mother joined what she thought was loving, trusting, close-knit Christian Fellowship, committed to helping anyone in need called, The Ingleside United Methodist Church. They called themselves The Fellowship, and they were pastored by a man named Lou Hillendahl who touted an 'inner healing ministry' that 'helped hundreds of people with all kinds of problem...

In 1974, at twelve years old, Deb Donner's mother joined what she thought was loving, trusting, close-knit Christian Fellowship, committed to helping anyone in need called, The Ingleside United Methodist Church. They called themselves The Fellowship, and they were pastored by a man named Lou Hillendahl who touted an 'inner healing ministry' that 'helped hundreds of people with all kinds of problem...

In 1974, at twelve years old, Deb Donner's mother joined what she thought was loving, trusting, close-knit Christian Fellowship, committed to helping anyone in need called, The Ingleside United Methodist Church. They called themselves The Fellowship, and they were pastored by a man named Lou Hillendahl who touted an 'inner healing ministry' that 'helped hundreds of people with all kinds of problem...

Melissa was raised in a conservative, cult-like faction of the fundamentalist Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  She left the church when she turned 18 and it was the late 80's. At the time, she was thinking she was out, done, through. Throwing herself into "the real world" she modeled, acted, earned an Ivy League degree, worked in politics, finance, and high tech. She also married twice and had two c...

Naomi Van Winkle was born into a religious group (King's Chapel) in Connecticut which was essentially a Christian cult. The group had a female leader who was based at their headquarters in England (Mansfield Woodhouse) and dictated much of the community's ongoings as well as individual lives, with the use of fear & high pressure tactics to interrogate and manipulate. After many years and as part o...

Janice Selbie was born and raised in a charismatic Christian home, attending Pentecostal,  Vineyard, and other Evangelical churches before eventually marrying a man who would become a pastor. In her 30s she became ultraconservative, wearing a head-covering, homeschooling their children, and rejecting any vestiges of secular life ( including TV, radio, music, newspapers, magazines, etc.). "I referr...

Kenneth Garrett is currently the senior pastor of Grace Church, located in Portland, OR. He is the founder of the Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education, and he is also a member of the advisory board of ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association). Ken and Sharon (his wife) have 3 daughters and four grandchildren whom they see often. Ken has written a book called, "In the House of Friends. Underst...

Kenneth Garrett is currently the senior pastor of Grace Church, located in Portland, OR. He is the founder of the Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education, and he is also a member of the advisory board of ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association). Ken and Sharon (his wife) have 3 daughters and four grandchildren whom they see often. Ken has written a book called, "In the House of Friends. Underst...

After the passing of both her parents in her early 20's, Kelly Alder joined a Neo Native American tribe, marrying its leader and becoming one of his many wives. Red Bear was the spirit name given to Kelly during a ceremony held by the tribe's founder, John Twobirds. She began writing her memoir about six years ago when a little voice started persistently nagging her to, "Write this crazy stuff dow...

Jen Kiaba is an artist and educator who grew up in the infamous Unification Church, a religious group referred to by popular media as "the Moonies" and a primary example of a cult. After escaping a forced arranged marriage, she fought her way out in her early twenties and went on to earn her BA in Art History at Bard College. As an artist she uses photography to explore the failure of faith and th...