Un-holier Than Thou Podcast

WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of child abuse, neglect, and institutional trauma. Listener discretion is advised. Imagine being 12 years old, sent away by your own parents, and trapped for years in a place that promised help but delivered a nightmare. This week on "Un-holier Than Thou" we sit down with the incredibly brave Tabitha, a survivor of the notorious Tranqui...

WARNING: This episode discusses sensitive topics including cult dynamics, manipulation, and emotional abuse. Listener discretion is advised. You won't believe what she survived. 🚨 This week, get ready for a raw, eye-opening conversation as we welcome special guest Alisha , a brave survivor who was born and raised in a cult-like religious environment! You might know Alisha from TikTok, where...

You won't believe this story. 🚨 This week on Unholier Than Thou, we're honored to welcome special guest Kim Kelley , a courageous survivor who was born and raised inside an international religious cult notorious for severe child abuse and trafficking . Kim pulls back the curtain on the chilling reality of growing up in a highly controlled environment, the shocking abuse she and her sibl...

In this captivating episode, we welcome Tamara Buchanan, known as Jezebel on social media, sharing her extraordinary journey from life in a strict Apostolic Pentecostal cult to becoming an advocate and speaker. Tamara recounts her upbringing, the moment she decided to reclaim the name Jezebel to empower herself, and the harrowing experiences of sexual and domestic abuse she endured. She discusses...

In this deeply moving and powerful episode, hosts Susie and Jenny sit down with Brad, a former IFB member and pastor's kid, to delve into his harrowing experiences of abuse and his long journey towards healing. Brad shares his story of being molested by a church deacon's son, the denial of justice by his own father, and the subsequent challenges he faced growing up in such a troubling en...

In this episode, we delve into Samantha's powerful and heart-wrenching story at New Beginnings Girls Academy. Samantha recounts her journey from a troubled childhood, marked by familial conflicts and self-harm, through her traumatic experiences at the academy. She speaks candidly about the abuse and mistreatment she endured, the flawed educational system, her multiple attempts to escape, and...

In this episode of our podcast, we are joined by Dan Engleman, a former cadet of Bethel Boys Academy. Dan shares his deeply personal and harrowing experiences from his time at the academy between 1995 and 1997. Adopted at a young age due to his biological parents' struggles with addiction, Dan details the challenges he faced in his early years, leading to his placement in Bethel Boys Academy....

In this powerful episode, we welcome special guest Blue to share their deeply personal and transformative story. Blue delves into their upbringing in a strict evangelical household and discusses how growing up in a religious cult setting shaped their early life experiences. This conversation explores Blue's journey through deconstructing deeply ingrained beliefs, coming to terms with their no...

In this emotional yet sometimes funny and light-hearted episode, we sit down with Johnna, a survivor from Happiness Hill, a troubled teen home. Johnna shares her harrowing experience of growing up in an abusive household, dealing with undiagnosed ADHD, and the challenges she faced at Happiness Hill. From being misdiagnosed and unjustly labeled as a drug addict to enduring horrific abuse and strict...

You think you know church life? THINK AGAIN! 🤫 Ever wonder "how the sausage is REALLY made" behind the scenes? This week on Unholier Than Thou, Jenny and Susie — both pastor's kids themselves — are spilling ALL the tea on the unspoken, unfiltered realities of growing up in ministry! 🤯 Get ready for eye-opening stories of chaos, drama, and shocking hypocrisy that regular churchgoer...

In this emotionally riveting episode of our podcast, we sit down with Dan Edwards, a survivor of the Bethal Boys Academy under Lester Roll Off Enterprises. Dan sheds light on his harrowing experiences, including the trauma he faced at a young age and the extreme environment of the academy. He details how severe punishments, psychological suffering, and forced labor shaped his early life, leading h...

In this powerful and emotional episode, we welcome Dave, a popular TikTok content creator, as he shares his raw and inspirational life story. Raised Baptist by a preacher father, Dave recounts his childhood filled with religious zeal, parental neglect, and severe abuse, including molestation by a man living in his home. Despite these hardships, Dave's resilience shines through as he navigates...

In this week's episode, we are joined by the incredible Dee from The Umbrella Rebellion Podcast. Dee shares her personal journey from being involved in the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) under Bill Gothard's cult, through her struggle with an abusive marriage, to ultimately finding her path to freedom and healing. Dee's story covers her upbringing in a Catholic family, th...

In this episode of the 'Unholier Than Thou' podcast, Susie and Jenny dive into the intricacies of cult dynamics and their shared experiences growing up in a manipulative religious environment. They discuss terminology like 'love bombing,' the inconsistencies they witnessed within their communities, the tactics used to control members, and the personal impacts of these environme...

In this powerful and emotional episode, we welcome Becky, a former member of the Mormon Church, to share her deeply personal experiences and the lasting impact of religious trauma. Becky dives into her upbringing within the church, her struggles with purity culture, and the emotional toll of sexual abuse. She candidly discusses the secrets and controversial practices of the church, the challenges...

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Skwarczynski, the creator of the Preacher Boys podcast. Eric shares his journey growing up in the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement, his experiences of finding faith and disillusionment, and the pivotal moments that led him to start his podcast focused on #exposing abuses within the IFB community. We discuss the complex and emotional aspects of d...

Welcome to 'Unholier,' our podcast on the pervasive influence of religious indoctrination and cult-like judgments. In this episode, it's just us delving deep into the concept of Purity Culture. We discuss how it impacts not just church visits or Bible reading but seeps into every facet of life, especially for women raised in specific religious environments like the Independent Funda...

In this episode, hosts Susie and Jenny welcome Sabrina, a survivor of the troubled teen industry and abusive adoption practices. Sabrina shares her harrowing experiences in multiple troubled teen facilities and the abuse she faced. She also delves into her advocacy work, including speaking before the Senate Finance Committee and collaborating with Paris Hilton's 1111 Media, aiming to reform t...

In this powerful episode, hosts Susie and Jenny sit down with Nate Dunn, who shares his harrowing experiences within the troubled teen industry. Nate delves into his early life trauma, including an abduction at seven years old, and his time at abusive facilities like Victory Ranch and Bethel Boys Academy. Despite years of suffering and subsequent struggles with addiction and incarceration, Nate re...

Welcome to the explosive debut of Unholier Than Thou, a new podcast from the Surviving Network! In this premiere episode, host David Keck from The Process of Healing introduces you to Jenny Smith and Susie Spencer, the fearless voices behind this groundbreaking series. We're pulling back the curtain on the hidden horrors of the IFB, the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI), and other religious cults,...