Un-holier Than Thou Podcast

🚨 CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?! 🚨 Join Jenny Smith and David Keck on the Un Holier Podcast as they react in real-time to the most jaw-dropping, controversial sermon clips from Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) preachers you've ever heard. We're not holding back. Hear the shocking moments —including documented racial slurs and insane conspiracy theories—that shaped their childhoods. Jenny...

In this gripping podcast episode, we welcome Marbeth Skwarczynski, mother of 'Preacher Boys' host Eric and accomplished author, as she discusses her harrowing experiences growing up in the IFB (Independent Fundamental Baptist) movement. We dive deep into her real-life inspirations for her compelling book 'No Longer Invisible' and explore the emotional challenges and abuses she...

🔥 The exhaustion of religious legalism is REAL. You don't want to miss this jaw-dropping, deeply personal conversation! In this powerful episode of the UN Holier Podcast , host Jenny Smith sits down with the incredible Christiana Miller , a talented singer, songwriter, and influential social media personality. Christiana grew up completely immersed in the ultra-restrictive Independent Fundam...

Join Jenny Smith on the UnHolier Podcast for a raw, unfiltered conversation with Joanna, a survivor who escaped a terrifying ordeal. At a young age, her family was lured into a seemingly innocent church in Washington State, only to discover it was a controlling cult. Joanna bravely shares the shocking details of the severe abuse she endured, the manipulation by trusted leaders, and the heartbreaki...

We're switching gears (but keeping it real) with Jonathon Hamilton, a true survivor who embraces the chaotic reality of deconstruction. Jonathan walks us through his journey of shedding the rigid religious labels that once defined him, explaining why he now considers himself 'no one and everyone.' He brings a fascinating and humorous perspective on how losing your faith and identity...

In this gripping episode of the UnHolier Podcast, we welcome Jessica, a brave survivor of the troubled teen industry, who shares her powerful story of resilience. Jessica recounts her harrowing experiences in the Happiness Hill and Shenandoah Haven homes, exposing the extreme and abusive practices rooted within these institutions. From manipulative religious control to physical and emotional abuse...

Welcome back to the UnHolier Podcast! In today's episode, host Jenny Smith interviews a returning guest, 'A', a survivor of the troubled teen home, Shenandoah Haven, in Cleveland, Tennessee. They dive deep into what 'A' has been up to since her first appearance, including connecting with other survivors and gathering eye-opening information about the abuse and corruption a...

Are you questioning your faith, or struggling with past wounds from a high-control religious environment? In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Anne Russo , a groundbreaking therapist specializing in religious trauma . With her forthcoming book on the topic, Anne shares her personal experiences and her expert insight into the silent epidemic of religious trauma. You'll discover: What...

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of physical, emotional, and sexual trauma. Viewer discretion is advised. In this explosive episode of Un Holier Than Thou, Jenny sits down with special co-host David Keck to a hear a story of survival that will leave you speechless. We are honored to welcome Martha, a brave author, trauma coach, and speaker, who shares her harrowing journey of...

Ready for a trip down memory lane that's anything but holy? Join Jenny and her special guest Johnna as they spill all the tea on their crazy journey growing up in the Independent Fundamental Baptist ( IFB ) church. It's a hilarious look at everything you weren't allowed to do, especially when it came to music. Imagine a world with only hymns, strict dress codes, and zero rock and ro...

In this powerful and emotional episode of Unholier Than Thou, hosts Susie and Jenny welcome a courageous survivor—A—who is breaking her silence on the horrifying abuse she endured at Shenandoah Haven, one of many institutions in the troubled teen industry. A shares her story of being sent away without consent, subjected to emotional, physical, and religious abuse, and ultimately surviving a system...

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains sensitive discussions of religious trauma, sexual abuse, and miscarriage. Listener discretion is advised. Imagine a life defined by unyielding control and harsh judgment. This week on "The Process of Healing," hosts Susie and Jenny sit down with the incredibly brave Barb , who shares her harrowing, unfiltered story of being raised within a rigid,...

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...