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Bodies Behind The Bus

Bodies Behind The Bus
Spiritual Abuse
Southern Baptist Convention
Mental Health
Acts 29
Child Sexual Abuse
Trauma
Religious Abuse
Christianity
The Austin Stone
Austin Stone
Acts 29 Network
Sexual Abuse
Pastor Jay
Novo
Chapel Hill Bible Church
Clergy Sexual Abuse
Youth Pastor Jay
Systemic Issues In Religious Institutions
Christian Nationalism
Purity Culture

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 monthlyEpisodes135Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityDocumentaryReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Bodies Behind The Bus

Latest Episodes

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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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
Emily Maynard
Licensed psychotherapist in California
Episode: Announcement: On the Road Event w/ Emily Maynard

Hosts

Jonna Harris
Co-host focusing on survivor storytelling and accountability within religious communities.
Jay Coyle
Co-host guiding conversations with empathy, aiming to center survivors and critique harmful leadership practices.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Finally agree with Johnna sort of

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DKJ304
    United States2 months ago
  • Thank you

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TurkeyTilly
    United States4 months ago
  • Great work!

    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 😅

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LaurynMK88
    United States5 months ago
  • Stories that Need to be Heard

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KTMM22
    United States5 months ago
  • A forum to trash God’s church

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    violin joe
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel the show can be polarizing or accusatory.
Critics push back on perceived bias or sensationalism in certain episodes.
The hosts are praised for compassionate interviewing and facilitating healing.
Survivor stories are powerful and shed light on systemic abuse.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Katie’s Story / The Austin Stone
Q: What were the early religious influences and how did ATI shape Katie's family life?
Katie explains ATI and courtship rules set expectations for gender roles, modesty, and submission, and how these shaped daily life and family decisions.
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.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bodies Behind The Bus

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

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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Which podcasts are similar to Bodies Behind The Bus?

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

How many episodes of Bodies Behind The Bus are there?

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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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.

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