igotout

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 organizational development. Her focus on children led her to work as a community volunteer with the Foster Care Review Board, Girl Scouts, YWCA, and American Red Cross.

Debby has written a number of books, and she cites as most life-changing her experiences learning from cult survivors while writing Whispering in the Daylight, The Children of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries and their Journey to Freedom. Alamo’s story is chronicled in the Sundance TV docuseries “Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo,” in which Debby appears as their cult expert (NBC Peacock Productions and World of Wonder Productions, February 2019). Presently, Debby serves as the president of the International Cultic Studies Association and founder and executive director of Keys to Me.

Whispering in the Daylight: The Children of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries and Their Journey to Freedom

Keys To Me

Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo. Found on Amazon here and also on Peacock.

International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)

Follow Debby on Social Media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debby.schriver
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbyschriver/

Our podcast features a beautiful song by Jaia Suri called, “Leaving the Cult”. Subscribe to Jaia Suri on Spotify and access the song here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0d8WYUM6qo8LEO5mviIauB?si=cuDxfcBmQPeutbg153oeWg&nd=1 

If you feel moved to support Jaia’s music, please join her Patreon subscribers at: https://www.patreon.com/JaiaSuriMusic

Jennifer is a cult and religious recovery counselor. She is certified in a specialized approach working with survivors that is research based and rooted in the work of Dr. Gillie Jenkinson. She has a Masters in the Psychology of Coercive Control and functions as an expert witness in such cases. Jennifer is also a research associate at Salford University.  For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 a sample of those who have left cultic groups.

Ashlen has previous experience working for multiple non-profit settings in the field of cult recovery. Most recently, this has included working as Director of Events for the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). During that time, she facilitated workshops, webinars, and conferences for those in touch with multiple aspects of the cult phenomenon including therapists, former members, legal professionals, media representatives, academics, and others. Prior to her work with ICSA, she worked as a case manager in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the non-profit Holding Out Help, where she was involved on the front lines of helping individuals leaving diverse polygamist communities out West.

She currently enjoys living in Portland, Oregon where she is a volunteer co-organizer of the Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education (SAFE) Meetup for those who have left or are considering leaving high-demand religious groups in the local community.

Find Ashlen on social media at:
https://www.peopleleavecults.com/
https://linktr.ee/peopleleavecults
https://www.instagram.com/peopleleavecults/
https://www.facebook.com/peopleleavecults
https://www.linkedin.com/company/people-leave-cults-llc/

Email address: ahilliard@peopleleavecults.com

The Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education (SAFE) is a regular meetup in Portland, Oregon for those who have left or are considering leaving high-demand religious groups. https://www.safeportland.org/

Ethical Standards for Thought Reform Consultants

Article: Exit Counseling and the Decline of Deprogramming

Cultic Studies Review, Volume 1, Number 3, 2002, 249-291

Research Presented by Ashlen Hilliard, MSc Psychology of Coercive Control: Understanding Reproductive Coercion and Cults in a Destructive Group Setting: 

Warren Jeffs FLDS documentary we referred to called, “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey”. https://www.netflix.com/title/81292539

Our podcast features a beautiful song by Jaia Suri called, “Leaving the Cult”. Subscribe to Jaia Suri on Spotify and access the song here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0d8WYUM6qo8LEO5mviIauB?si=cuDxfcBmQPeutbg153oeWg&nd=1

If you feel moved to support Jaia’s music, please join her Patreon subscribers at: https://www.patreon.com/JaiaSuriMusic

Jennifer is a cult and religious recovery counselor. She is certified in a specialized approach working with survivors that is research-based and rooted in the work of Dr. Gillie Jenkinson. She has a Masters in the Psychology of Coercive Control and functions as an expert witness in such cases. Jennifer is also a research associate at Salford University.  For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 up in this group, and the impact it’s had on her family. After 35 years she has decided to speak out after losing her mother and being distanced from her eldest daughter. Although her story carries pain, Amanda has found new purpose as she fights to expose the group, the leadership, the destruction of families, and religious abuse.

Our podcast features a beautiful song by Jaia Suri called, “Leaving the Cult”. Subscribe to Jaia Suri on Spotify and access the song here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0d8WYUM6qo8LEO5mviIauB?si=cuDxfcBmQPeutbg153oeWg&nd=1


If you feel moved to support Jaia’s music, please join her Patreon subscribers at: https://www.patreon.com/JaiaSuriMusic


Jennifer is a cult and religious recovery counselor. She is certified in a specialized approach working with survivors that is research-based and rooted in the work of Gillie Jenkinson. She has a Masters in the Psychology of Coercive Control and functions as an expert witness in such cases. Jennifer is also a research associate at Salford University.  For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists


If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

Watchtower has made a number of changes to the elder arrangement throughout their history. Whilst policy changes are acceptable, the way this has been done indicates human direction and not that of God, despite Watchtower claims to the contrary.

There’s a new elders manual that has just been released by the Watchtower. It is called Shepherd The Flock of God and as with every iteration there are changes of course. One of the changes that is particularly concerning is their view of elders and the responsibility that is handed down to them especially in light of their age

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If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjackson

Buy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzm

Buy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4

#JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #EldersManual

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 sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and other crimes. Season 2 of The Vow is set to release in October 2022. 

Sarah’s memoir on this topic is called Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult that Bound My Life. In it, she shares her story from the moment she takes her first seminar to her harrowing fight to get out of NXIVM, collaborate with the FBI, help others, and heal.

Sarah and Nippy are also actors. You can find Sarah on the Hallmark Channel and Nippy’s latest appearance on the Good Doctor. You can also join Sarah and Nippy at SXSW this March of 2022. They will be doing a live show of their podcast, A Little Bit Culty. If you haven’t checked it out, please do… Sarah and Nippy host survivors, experts,  and help their audience understand, heal from, and avoid abusive situations, one little red flag at a time.

In this discussion, Sarah and Nippy share about their family dynamics both during and post NXIVM amidst other related topics! Join us!

Check out A Little Bit Culty: https://www.alittlebitculty.com/
For more on Sarah’s book, Scarred: https://www.sarahedmondson.com/book
Join Sarah & Nippy at SXSW 2022: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/events/PP119952
Check out The Vow: https://www.hbo.com/the-vow

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2022 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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: @that.awkwardplace
Twitter: @space_awkward

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 problems'.

TW: adult & child abuse & sexual abuse

Lou infused his version of biblical teachings with pseudo-psycho beliefs, constantly creating new “therapies” to “deal with the personal, family and sexual” problems he identified within his parishioners. In 1976, Lou began teaching that “sex is a myth in our culture” and developed bizarre therapies to prove his theory. At 14, against Deb’s will, she was involved in several of the therapies. Knowing she wasn’t supposed to talk about what she had experienced, she also knew it wasn’t right, and told someone. The media got hold of the information and started bombarding Lou for interviews. When the church found out, they decided to take action and hold him accountable. On March 21, 1977, Lou submitted his resignation to the Methodist church to avoid a heresy trial.

Lou and several of his devoted followers decided to create their own community, and eventually purchased a 58-acre plot of land on Vashon Island in Washington State where they lived in big green army tents for years while the community built homes, and a couple buildings. They called themselves The Wesleyan Community, officially called, The Wesleyan Christian Community Church and Retreat Center. Deb shares the story of her time in Ingleside and on Vashon Island until she eventually escaped in February of 1981, when she was 19 years old.

Follow Deb on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkcults/

To find out more about #igotout, please visit: https://www.igotout.org/

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 problems'.

TW: adult & child abuse & sexual abuse

Lou infused his version of biblical teachings with pseudo-psycho beliefs, constantly creating new “therapies” to “deal with the personal, family and sexual” problems he identified within his parishioners. In 1976, Lou began teaching that “sex is a myth in our culture” and developed bizarre therapies to prove his theory. At 14, against Deb’s will, she was involved in several of the therapies. Knowing she wasn’t supposed to talk about what she had experienced, she also knew it wasn’t right, and told someone. The media got hold of the information and started bombarding Lou for interviews. When the church found out, they decided to take action and hold him accountable. On March 21, 1977, Lou submitted his resignation to the Methodist church to avoid a heresy trial.

Lou and several of his devoted followers decided to create their own community, and eventually purchased a 58-acre plot of land on Vashon Island in Washington State where they lived in big green army tents for years while the community built homes, and a couple buildings. They called themselves The Wesleyan Community, officially called, The Wesleyan Christian Community Church and Retreat Center. Deb shares the story of her time in Ingleside and on Vashon Island until she eventually escaped in February of 1981, when she was 19 years old.

Follow Deb on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkcults/

To find out more about #igotout, please visit: https://www.igotout.org/

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 problems'.

TW: adult & child abuse & sexual abuse

Lou infused his version of biblical teachings with pseudo-psycho beliefs, constantly creating new “therapies” to “deal with the personal, family and sexual” problems he identified within his parishioners. In 1976, Lou began teaching that “sex is a myth in our culture” and developed bizarre therapies to prove his theory. At 14, against Deb’s will, she was involved in several of the therapies. Knowing she wasn’t supposed to talk about what she had experienced, she also knew it wasn’t right, and told someone. The media got hold of the information and started bombarding Lou for interviews. When the church found out, they decided to take action and hold him accountable. On March 21, 1977, Lou submitted his resignation to the Methodist church to avoid a heresy trial.

Lou and several of his devoted followers decided to create their own community, and eventually purchased a 58-acre plot of land on Vashon Island in Washington State where they lived in big green army tents for years while the community built homes, and a couple buildings. They called themselves The Wesleyan Community, officially called, The Wesleyan Christian Community Church and Retreat Center. Deb shares the story of her time in Ingleside and on Vashon Island until she eventually escaped in February of 1981, when she was 19 years old.

Follow Deb on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkcults/

To find out more about #igotout, please visit: https://www.igotout.org/

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 children. In addition, she also did a lot of exploring of all that had been forbidden! And always...she wrote.

In her 30’s she found out that various male members of her family had been abusers within the church. This sent her on a decades-long discovery process: confronting family members and tracking down and speaking to the victims. She formed an unlikely bond with one of the victims, and this led her to uncover and address her own trauma from purity culture, the patriarchal stranglehold, and church abuse.

The Glory Whole is the name of her instagram account which she refers to as “a work in progress that chronicles her story”. If you follow her, you will occasionally see excerpts from her memoir, which is in process.

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_glory_whole/

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 of her own healing journey of discovery and exploration, Naomi and others are telling their stories through a podcast series that Naomi created, called Cult in Connecticut. In it, Naomi shares about her experience of being born and raised in this cult, and the journey of healing from the pain and confusion she experienced growing up. At eighteen, Naomi left the church and everything she had ever known to begin a new life. We discuss her process of leaving, healing, experiencing life and much more!

Naomi is also a Nashville creative artist and business owner!

To listen to Cult in Connecticut: https://anchor.fm/cultinconnecticut
To follow Naomi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomivanwinkle/

For those interested, Naomi's group was also formerly known as Dayspring, King’s Chapel, Bethel, Peniel, and International Church.

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 referred to myself as ‘Mennocostal,’ frequently attending closed Mennonite churches run by the Holdeman Mennonites.”

It wasn’t until her 40s that Janice began experiencing doubts about her deeply held faith. As her marriage unraveled, her questions grew. She found herself wondering about the impact of religion on sexuality, gender roles and equality, social justice, and more.  

 “Not permitted to explore these questions, I felt like a beach ball held beneath the water for too long. My sadness, confusion, and anger threatened to explode if something didn't change.”

 After ending her decades-long marriage, Janice went back to school to attain her Diploma of Applied Psychology and Counseling. 

 “My passion is to help others who are experiencing the multiple significant losses associated with religious de-conversion. My own journey could have been easier if I had been able to connect with even one other person who had walked away from their faith and built a healthy life afterward.” 

 These painful experiences influenced Janice to develop the Divorcing Religion Workshop so that others could gain knowledge and tools to help with their own journey out of fundamentalist religions.  

In May of 2021, Janice hosted the inaugural on-line 'Conference on Religious Trauma' (CORT), with over 20 speakers providing education & insight into RTS & recovery.

For more information about Janice and her offerings: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/

You can still purchase access to recordings of all CORT speakers by purchasing a Resources ticket: https://pheedloop.com/CORT/site/home/

To find Janice on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.selbie/

To find Janice on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxcCYdtSFUDK896rMRi7J_w

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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. Understanding and Healing from Spiritual Abuse in Christian Churches”. You will hear a little bit about the book during our discussion but if you’d like to know more, you can find the book at the Amazon link below.

From 1984-1996, Ken and Sharon were part of an abusive church with a pastor who is still in an ongoing legal case. However, on January 23 2020, a jury found the pastor guilty of the sexual abuse of a minor, and sentenced him to 160 months without the possibility of parole. Ken’s book is a wonderful preventative resource that I would recommend for all who are or want to be part of a church community. In addition, for those serving Christian communities, this is also an excellent resource for leadership. 

Ken's book, "In the House of Friends": https://www.amazon.com/House-Friends-Understanding-Spiritual-Christian/dp/1725266024

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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. Understanding and Healing from Spiritual Abuse in Christian Churches”. You will hear a little bit about the book during our discussion but if you’d like to know more, you can find the book at the Amazon link below.

From 1984-1996, Ken and Sharon were part of an abusive church with a pastor who is still in an ongoing legal case. However, on January 23 2020, a jury found the pastor guilty of the sexual abuse of a minor, and sentenced him to 160 months without the possibility of parole. Ken’s book is a wonderful preventative resource that I would recommend for all who are or want to be part of a church community. In addition, for those serving Christian communities, this is also an excellent resource for leadership. 

Ken's book, "In the House of Friends": https://www.amazon.com/House-Friends-Understanding-Spiritual-Christian/dp/1725266024

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

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 down!” And so, she gave into this call, grabbing moments where she could in between the cooking, laundry and school runs. And now, to our benefit, she shares her story in this beautifully written memoir. Kelly has received many accolades for the book and also has a blog that you can find at her website where she writes about life experiences and the topics of femininity, vulnerability and belonging. 

Purchase Kelly's incredible book at: https://www.amazon.com/Fourteenth-Wife-search-belonging/dp/0620913134/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3AH8YZSGG6EU6&dchild=1&keywords=the+14th+wife&qid=1623207549&sprefix=the+14th+wife%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1

Check out Kelly's website at: https://kelly-alder.com
Follow her on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/iamredbear/
Follow her on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/TheFourteenthWife

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

To check out Pure Haven: https://purehaven.com/jenniferfrench

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 the resulting loss of identity that occurs. Her work has been exhibited internationally, was a third place winner of the Julia Margaret Cameron Award, a top 200 finalist in Critical Mass, and an Honorable Mention in the 13th Pollux Award.

Since 2014 she has worked as an educator and mentor with  various non-profits that seek to empower youth. She also writes and speaks about art, healing and their intersection.

To view Jen’s artwork & writing: https://www.jenkiaba.com/
Follow Jen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenkiaba/
Follow Jen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenkiaba
Other organizations Jen mentions:
Unchained At Last: https://www.unchainedatlast.org/
The Resilience Foundation: https://resiliencefoundation.org/

Trigger Warning: Topics of abuse

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

To check out Pure Haven: https://purehaven.com/jenniferfrench

Megan and Dom Benninger speak about their religious backgrounds and their journeys together through a religious cult, a charismatic nondenominational church, and a Southern Baptist church that all exhibited signs of spiritual abuse. As survivors, they have dedicated their lives to preventing spiritual abuse in institutional settings and serving others who have also been abused under the guise of Christianity. They hope to provide a safe place for victims of spiritual abuse to share their stories without judgement. They want to identify spiritually abusive wolves within organized religion, to protect others from harm. To find out more about this part of their mission, go to https://baptistaccountability.org/. They want to help others identify the signs and symptoms of spiritual abuse through their written works and educational resources, as well as through speaking engagements. Megan and Dominique shared their story with the USA Today, which was published online on February 13, 2020. The article, along w Megan & Dom’s writings can be found on their website at https://churchtrauma.org. 

To view writings about Oakwood and the letters Megan referred to in the podcast: https://churchtrauma.org/category/oakwood/

To view Dom’s Narrowgate blog: https://churchtrauma.org/category/narrowgate-cult-series/

To visit Megan and Dom’s website Baptist Accountability: https://baptistaccountability.org/

USA Today featuring Megan and Dom’s story: https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2020/02/13/southern-baptist-sex-abuse-pastors-history-divided-church/4586698002/

Rachel Denhollander quote & website: https://rachaeldenhollander.com/

“A review of protestant insurance companies found MORE reports of clergy sexual abuse than a review of Catholic insurance companies, even though Catholics actually keep better track. 
And those predators are often being shielded by more pastors.
This isn't a few random wolves.”

Other people Megan and Dom mentioned:
Jimmy Hinton: https://jimmyhinton.org/

Christa Brown: https://christabrown.me/ & Stop Baptist Predators: http://stopbaptistpredators.org/index.htm

Ashley Easter: https://www.ashleyeaster.com/

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcombInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

To check out Pure Haven: https://purehaven.com/jenniferfrench

 

Megan and Dom Benninger speak about their religious backgrounds and their journeys together through a religious cult, a charismatic nondenominational church, and a Southern Baptist church that all exhibited signs of spiritual abuse. As survivors, they have dedicated their lives to preventing spiritual abuse in institutional settings and serving others who have also been abused under the guise of Christianity. They hope to provide a safe place for victims of spiritual abuse to share their stories without judgement. They want to identify spiritually abusive wolves within organized religion, to protect others from harm. To find out more about this part of their mission, go to https://baptistaccountability.org/. They want to help others identify the signs and symptoms of spiritual abuse through their written works and educational resources, as well as through speaking engagements. Megan and Dominique shared their story with the USA Today, which was published online on February 13, 2020. The article, along w Megan & Dom’s writings can be found on their website at https://churchtrauma.org. 

To view writings about Oakwood and the letters Megan referred to in the podcast: https://churchtrauma.org/category/oakwood/

To view Dom’s Narrowgate blog: https://churchtrauma.org/category/narrowgate-cult-series/

To visit Megan and Dom’s website Baptist Accountability: https://baptistaccountability.org/

USA Today featuring Megan and Dom’s story: https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2020/02/13/southern-baptist-sex-abuse-pastors-history-divided-church/4586698002/

Rachel Denhollander quote & website: https://rachaeldenhollander.com/

“A review of protestant insurance companies found MORE reports of clergy sexual abuse than a review of Catholic insurance companies, even though Catholics actually keep better track. 
And those predators are often being shielded by more pastors.
This isn't a few random wolves.”

Other people Megan and Dom mentioned:
Jimmy Hinton: https://jimmyhinton.org/

Christa Brown: https://christabrown.me/ & Stop Baptist Predators: http://stopbaptistpredators.org/index.htm

Ashley Easter: https://www.ashleyeaster.com/

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcombInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcas or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

To check out Pure Haven: https://purehaven.com/jenniferfrench

Gabrielle Locke graduated from Seattle University in 2019 for Journalism and has been actively reporting as a freelance writer. She is currently getting her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as she feels called to bring others healing. She lives in Seattle, Washington with her parents and two sisters close by. Along with painting, meditating, hiking, and writing poetry and stories, Gabrielle is a singer/song-writer. She started going by the stage name, Goldi, when she joined the record label, Witch Wood Music, and she has released two songs available on Apple Music and Spotify.

You can find her music here: https://www.witchwoodmusic.com/goldi

Or via Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/goldi.locke/ (music link in bio)

In her podcast episode you will hear Gabrielle describe her experiences in the organization that began as the Order of Christ / Sophia and then morphed into 2 separate organizations run by each leader independently. We will join her as she describes this journey weaving in and out of relationship with these leaders and groups. When Gabrielle left the last group she was a part of, she wrote her first music single, “7:30” about the struggle of finding herself. In the song she says “I want to know who I am” and “sometimes I don’t feel right in my skin”. This song is about the beginning of her liberation.

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

To check out Pure Haven: https://purehaven.com/jenniferfrench

Debbie is the first parent and family member with a loved one in a group of high demand, that I’ve had the opportunity to interview on the Project Hope Podcast. Debbie is not just a mother but also served as a United Methodist minister for 40 years. She is currently retired and lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband John. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading to children through the SMART reading program, as well as making quilts to give away. She is in the process of planning, together with John, as they build a net-zero house in Bend. It was such a pleasure to speak with Debbie and receive her story around the heartache and considerations that a parent specifically can experience when their child is in a group of high control / high demand. If you would like to hear her son, Joel Pitney speak to his experience, please refer to episode 11. Especially for those family members and friends with loved ones close to you heart who are in such groups, I hope you find that our discussion leaves you feeling not so alone. 

The below article that is an interview that Joel conducted with Debbie. I believe it will provide further context to Debbie as it includes some references to how she has been a trailblazer in her own right. 

https://religiondispatches.org/of-god-but-not-god-a-methodist-minister-speaks-about-churchs-refusal-to-open-its-doors-to-lgbt/

Jennifer is a mental health counselor located in the Los Angeles area, using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as the primary modality of psychotherapy that she uses with clients. Jennifer will graduate with her second Masters degree in 2021 in the Psychology of Coercive Control. She works both across the US and internationally with those seeking insight and healing. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.

Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists

If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, projecthopepodcast@jennifer-french.com.

To check out Pure Haven: https://purehaven.com/jenniferfrench