
The Bodies Behind the Bus is a podcast centering on the voices of spiritual abuse survivors. We began with stories out of the Acts 29 network and have branched into many organizations since our launch. We are the discarded few. We have been abused, gaslit, ignored, slandered, deceived, intentionally hurt, and betrayed. Our stories were manipulated and our voices were stolen. We were left alone wit... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 135 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ChristianityDocumentaryReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture | |||

Keri Ladner is the author of American Dominion: The Rise and Radicalization of a New Christendom. Her book traces the roots of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Dominion theology in the United States. She began her research while studying the C... more
Bel joins us from Australia to share her story of growing up in a church in the Sydney Anglican Diocese. When she was six, she nearly died in an accident at church. Soon after, her family moved to a new church led by a man we call Rev T. He called hi... more
In this episode, our storyteller Jane shares her years inside Chi Alpha, the college campus ministry of the Assemblies of God (AG). What began as a warm, welcoming community slowly turned into something else. Jane describes the pressure to lead, the ... more
Michelle shares her story of serving on staff at a church in Indiana, where subtle control, blurred pastoral authority, financial pressure, and spiritual manipulation slowly became clear over time. Her story names the confusion of being labeled, sile... more
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Johnna said on a recent episode that she won’t tell anyone who to vote for but that our vote affects people. She said we should consider the most vulnerable of our people when we vote. I completely agree….and the most vulnerable are the unborn who can’t speak for themselves. We should vote considering the millions that have been murdered. I know she was referencing illegal immigrants but the unborn need our protection. This show consistently highlights self centeredness.
I appreciate this pod - these stories are hard and absolutely necessary to hear. Thank you for the thoughtful way you elevate these storytellers and share the stories so that the truth is out there. Keep it up!
Great and important work. I do wish we didn’t have to hear Driscoll at the beginning of every episode. I try to fast forward through it but can never escape him completely 😅
Grateful for the work of this crew to provide a platform for survivors who want to speak their stories out loud. Not only is it powerful hearing survivors, it’s powerful seeing the dots connect and patterns of tactics emerge across religious abuse situations, so in a way it’s educational too.
This is a podcast that hurls accusations at churches and groups of people with no accountability. It is one-sided. And as important as it is to bring to light church abuse in all its forms, I personally know people interviewed on this podcast who are liars, who have misrepresented or omitted facts in “their stories.” I suppose it is to be expected with a medium that requires no real accountability or investigation, because this is certainly not journalism, and more of a candy dish for people who... more
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Survivor-focused conversations center on spiritual abuse, toxic leadership, and the lasting impact of high-control religious systems. Across episodes, guests share personal journeys—from church staff and missionaries to survivors who've navigated manipulation, boundary violations, and healing through therapy, deconstruction, and community support. The show stands out for its trauma-informed framing, emphasis on accountability, and a willingness to spotlight underheard voices within various faith communities. This is likely to appeal to listeners seeking validation, practical healing strategies, and critical perspectives on organizational faith cultures. A notable strength is the sustained commitment to elevating survivors' stories while lin... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Bodies Behind The Bus:
1. Roys Report
2. Bare Marriage
3. Preacher Boys Podcast
4. Faith Adjacent
5. Truce - History of the Christian Church
Bodies Behind The Bus launched 5 years ago and published 135 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Bodies Behind The Bus include:
1. Ciji Wagner
2. David Bronson
3. Margaret Bronson
4. Mollie Callahan
5. Dr. Jared Stacy
6. Beth Allison Barr
7. Eric Isaac
8. Robert Callahan
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