Rephonic
Artwork for Bodies Behind The Bus

Bodies Behind The Bus

Bodies Behind The Bus
Spiritual Abuse
Southern Baptist Convention
Christian Church Leadership
Acts 29
Monrovia Fellowship
Julie Roys
Toxic Work Environment
Financial Mismanagement
Albert Tate
Child Sexual Abuse
Guidepost Report
Judge
Bart Barber
Clergy Sexual Abuse
Statute Of Limitations
Worship Leadership
Pastor L
Taylor
Christian Evangelical Culture
Community Accountability

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes128Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryReligion & SpiritualitySociety & CultureChristianity

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Bodies Behind The Bus

Latest Episodes

Alicia served for years as both a volunteer leader and staff member at a growing non-denominational church in Ohio. After becoming deeply involved in ministry and church leadership, she began noticing troubling patterns within the church’s culture an... more

In this episode of Bodies Behind the Bus, Julia shares her story of becoming involved in an Acts 29 affiliated church plant that gradually shifted from hopeful beginnings into a culture of control, blurred boundaries, and spiritual harm. As she navig... more

In this episode of Bodies Behind the Bus, we’re joined by Ciji, founder of Louder Than Silence, an organization providing free, trauma-specific care and community for survivors of sexual violence. Together, we explore what trauma-informed spaces actu... more

In the final episode of this three-part series, Christy and Joshua come together to reflect on the shared impact of spiritual abuse and the long road toward truth and healing. Their conversation explores how harm reverberates through relationships, w... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Holy Post
The Holy PostPhil Vischer
The Popcast With Knox and Jamie
The Popcast With Knox and JamieKnox McCoy and Jamie Golden
Theology in the Raw
Theology in the RawTheology in the Raw
A Little Bit Culty
A Little Bit CultySarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
Maintenance Phase
Maintenance PhaseAubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

Recent Guests

Ciji Wagner
Founder of Louder Than Silence, an organization providing resources for survivors of sexual violence.
Louder Than Silence
Episode: ATBS: w/ Ciji Wagner
David Bronson
Co-founder of Deconstruction Doulas, guiding survivors exiting high-control religious settings.
Deconstruction Doulas
Episode: ATBS: "Escaping Theonomy’s Grip" w/ The Bronson's
Margaret Bronson
Co-founder of Deconstruction Doulas, working with survivors from high-control religions.
Deconstruction Doulas
Episode: ATBS: "Escaping Theonomy’s Grip" w/ The Bronson's
Mollie Callahan
A spiritual director and seminary student
Episode: ATBS “Church Discipline” w/ Mollie Callahan
Dr. Jared Stacy
Ethicist, theologian, and author of an upcoming book on conspiracy theory and evangelicalism
Episode: ATBS: “Holy Paranoia” W/ Jared Stacy
Beth Allison Barr
Author and medieval historian, known for her works on women in church and clergy roles.
Episode: ATBS: “Becoming the Pastor’s Wife” w/ Beth Allison Barr
Eric Isaac
Professor and board member who researches the intersection of spirituality and coercive beliefs.
Episode: ATBS - “Fundie Cult Beliefs Going Mainstream w/ Christian Nationalism” ft. Margaret Bronson & Eric Isaac
Robert Callahan
Attorney, board member of Bodies Behind the Bus, and author of 'Fire In The Whole'.
Episode: ATBS “Fire in the Whole” w/ Robert Callahan
Christa Brown
Author, advocate, and survivor
Episode: ATBS “Baptistland” w/ Christa Brown

Hosts

Jay Coyle
Host of the show, engaged in narratives surrounding spiritual abuse and the impact on survivors.
Jonna Harris
Co-host, dedicated to highlighting stories of spiritual abuse survivors and advocating for healing and accountability.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Disappointed

    I would have given this podcast zero stars. However I do believe it’s important to bring to light church scandals that have historically been swept under the rug. This has been a black eye for the church for some time…..how scandals have been dealt with. But this show doesn’t really deal with these issues. This show uses the word Abuse very loosely. I’ve listened to 8 episodes to get a feel for the show and more often than not the hosts coerce the guests into a much more severe “problem” than re... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DKJ304
    United States4 months ago
  • Thank you!

    Such an eye-opening (ear-opening?) podcast. Grateful for podcasts like this that share real church stories compassionately, especially in today’s culture war/celebrity/Christian Nationalist climate.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cissalittle
    United States4 months ago
  • Don’t stop

    Johnna, Jay, and company. Please don’t stop doing this work. It’s valuable and needed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    relientkrules
    United States4 months ago
  • Lazy journalism

    I started this podcast open-minded, but it quickly became clear the hosts’ goal wasn’t truth—it was to defame. As someone who’s been part of the church for years, I can filter out the misinformation, but for new or outside listeners this is damaging. Normal practices like small groups, classes, or volunteering were twisted into something sinister, painting the church as a cult. The accusations—about money, authority, even tithing transparency—were misleading or flat-out false. They criticized th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jennifer Joor
    United States5 months ago
  • Tried to have an open mind

    As a counselor and member of this church community, I began listening to this podcast hoping to gain insight into what was happening within my own church and congregation. Unfortunately, the hosts’ approach felt more agenda-driven than balanced. Their commentary often overshadowed the substance of the stories, giving the impression of pushing a specific narrative rather than allowing facts and experiences to speak for themselves. While the topic is serious and deserves careful, nuanced reporting... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Whitneysin
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Others criticize the podcast for perceived biases and express concerns about the portrayal of their religious communities.
Many appreciate the compassionate approach to sharing personal stories of trauma and the emphasis on accountability for institutional failures.
Some listeners express gratitude for the opportunity to hear marginalized voices and the importance of highlighting spiritual abuse.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Julia’s Story / PA
Q: Where are you at today?
I'm in a better place than I was a year ago; I'm remarried, living in my own house with my children, and I feel a sense of peace about not being part of any church institution right now.
Julia’s Story / PA
Q: Why did you want to share your story now?
I wanted to share my story as an act of resistance against systems of power and to validate others who may feel alone in their experiences.
Introducing Just Calling w/ Joash Thomas & BBTB
Q: What is the why behind this book or this conversation?
The book aims to address the necessity of integrating justice into the Gospel and to encourage a shift toward recognizing the importance of both spiritual and physical liberation.
ATBS: "Escaping Theonomy’s Grip" w/ The Bronson's
Q: Can you guys break that down a little bit and also maybe talk about some of like the core beliefs or teachings in that space?
Theonomy is the belief that Old Testament law must be enacted as the law of the land, and its advocates believe all acts by Christians are acts of warfare to impose these laws.
Intro to Stories from The Austin Stone
Q: What do you think is the main thing keeping people from speaking up?
There is a lot of fear and a sense of loyalty that prevents individuals from coming forward due to the church's culture and intake processes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Bodies Behind The Bus

What is Bodies Behind The Bus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the experiences of spiritual abuse survivors, the content highlights the often painful journey of individuals who have dealt with manipulative and harmful situations within various faith communities, particularly those affiliated with high-control organizations like Acts 29. Through a series of personal narratives, the discussions underscore the emotional turmoil and systemic issues that can arise in these religious contexts while stressing the importance of accountability and validation for those affected. Each episode aims to create a compassionate space for storytelling, while also addressing broader themes of justice, healing, and the need for reform within faith-based institutions. This initiative is distinctive in its commi... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Bodies Behind The Bus?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Bodies Behind The Bus. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Bodies Behind The Bus and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Bodies Behind The Bus get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Bodies Behind The Bus, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Bodies Behind The Bus?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Bodies Behind The Bus, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Bodies Behind The Bus have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Bodies Behind The Bus has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Bodies Behind The Bus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bodies Behind The Bus:

1. The Holy Post
2. The Popcast With Knox and Jamie
3. Theology in the Raw
4. A Little Bit Culty
5. Maintenance Phase

How many episodes of Bodies Behind The Bus are there?

Bodies Behind The Bus launched 4 years ago and published 128 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Bodies Behind The Bus?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Bodies Behind The Bus?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Bodies Behind The Bus from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Bodies Behind The Bus?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Bodies Behind The Bus. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Bodies Behind The Bus?

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

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days