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Artwork for Descent Into Light

Descent Into Light

Sisters of the Little Way
Spiritual Abuse
Catholic Church
Father Dave
Sexual Abuse
Moral Injury
Grooming
Sister Judith
Victim Blaming
Institutional Abuse
Biofluorescence
Clericalism
Covid-19
Clergy Misconduct
Sisters Of the Little Way
Father Hans Zollner
Awake
Survivors Of Abuse
Mimetic Desire
Scapegoating
Survivorship

Descent Into Light courageously unpacks stories often left untold—stories of adults harmed within religious settings, including everything from sexual abuse to the broader reality of spiritual abuse. Co-creators Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble and Sister Danielle Victoria Lussier draw on their experiences to illustrate the broader picture of how adult abuse unfolds in spiritual settings, focusing sp... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes10Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ReligionReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Descent Into Light

Latest Episodes

In this special bonus episode of Descent into Light, we welcome back Catholic moral theologian Marcus Mescher to dive deeper into a crucial concept from Episode 3: Moral Injury. Marcus breaks down how moral injury differs from PTSD, where the term or... more

YouTube

What does it mean to hope—not with blind optimism, but with the quiet strength born from walking through darkness?

In Episode Eight of Descent Into Light, “Hope Illumines the Dark,” we close the series not with an ending, but with a beginning. Sr. T... more

YouTube

What happens when the truth you’ve been waiting for finally comes—but not in the way you hoped?

In Episode Seven of Descent Into Light, “Exposed to the Light,” we step into the stage of acceptance. After years of waiting, Sr. Theresa Aletheia and Sr... more

YouTube

What happens when truth-telling threatens to cost you everything?

In Episode Six of Descent Into Light, “Forging A Little Way,” Sr. Theresa Aletheia and Sr. Danielle Victoria reach the moment where their paths converge. In this episode, we enter tha... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Bishop John Stowe
Bishop of Lexington in Kentucky
Order of Friars Minor Conventional
Episode: VIII: Hope Illumines the Dark
JD Flynn
Editor of The Pillar, a Catholic journalism project
The Pillar
Episode: VII: Exposed to the Light
Bishop Andrew Cousins
Bishop of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota
Diocese of Crookston
Episode: VII: Exposed to the Light
Father Hans Zollner
German Jesuit and one of the world's leading experts on safeguarding and prevention of sexual abuse
Pontifical Gregorian University
Episode: VI: Forging A Little Way
Sarah Larson
Executive Director of Awake, a community of abuse survivors and concerned Catholics
Awake
Episode: VI: Forging A Little Way
Luke Burgess
Professor at the Catholic University of America
Catholic University of America
Episode: V: The Displaced Weight of Abuse
Paul Fahey
Professional counselor and host of the Third Space Podcast
Third Space Podcast
Episode: V: The Displaced Weight of Abuse
Dr. Marcus Mesher
Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at Xavier University
Xavier University
Episode: III: The Courage to Be Angry
Sister Danielle Victoria
Co-creator of the podcast and survivor of spiritual abuse
Sisters of the Little Way
Episode: II: Bride Grooming

Hosts

Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble
Co-creator of the podcast and survivor; narrator across episodes; affiliated with Sisters of the Little Way.
Sister Danielle Victoria Lussier
Co-creator of the podcast and survivor; primary host and organizer of Descent Into Light.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 82 ratings
  • Mark 4:9

    This podcast was a tender gift of comfort, reassurance and strength. Spiritual abuse has occurred within Catholic Institution to a member of our immediate family during 2024 and 2025. This horrible wrong real and ongoing. Thank you for your courage. Know of my prayers for you both and this vital and unique mission.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    splistens
    United States7 months ago
  • A God send

    God bless you abundantly for creating this. It is so deeply needed. 🤍🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    adastra998766
    United States7 months ago
  • Great courage

    A tremendous podcast that applies throughout society. They share great wisdom on a dark reality of our world. The Holy Spirit is clearly at work with these Sisters! Very well produced.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tom Pax7
    United States10 months ago
  • A Clarion Call for Ecclesial Conversion

    This whole series is a prophetic call to the entire People of God to live more closely to Christ’s example and teaching in the gospels by dying to our need for self-preservation through protecting the institution of the Church and instead to empty ourselves in solidarity and support of the survivors who have been betrayed and abused in the Catholic Church. The Sisters of the Little Way and their collaborators have created an incredible resource for learning about spiritual abuse - one not to be ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @animann
    Singapore10 months ago
  • A must listen!

    EMR

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EMR2679
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Compelling survivor-focused storytelling with expert context.
Courageous, well-produced exploration of a difficult topic.
A vital, propulsive resource for church reform and safeguarding.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

II: Bride Grooming
Q: Why is vulnerability considered a double-edged sword in spiritual contexts?
While vulnerability allows for deep connections with God and others, it also opens individuals to potential spiritual abuse if trust is misplaced.
II: Bride Grooming
Q: What is spiritual bypassing?
Spiritual bypassing is a term used to describe the avoidance of painful emotions or uncomfortable truths by using spiritual practices or beliefs.
V: The Displaced Weight of Abuse
Q: What is the significance of the memento mori practice in your experience?
Memento mori helped keep Sister Theresa Aletheia focused on what was most important and prevented her from making rash decisions during a difficult time.
V: The Displaced Weight of Abuse
Q: What advice did you receive from other sisters when you were preparing for your final vows?
Many advised Sister Theresa Aletheia to keep her head down and just get through the process without causing any disturbances.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Descent Into Light

What is Descent Into Light about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, impact-driven series that centers survivors' voices and expert analysis to illuminate spiritual and sexual abuse within religious settings, with a focus on the Catholic Church. Across episodes, listeners hear personal narratives from the co-creators who left a convent, interwoven with interviews from safeguarding experts, theologians, and journalists. The show consistently pushes for accountability, transparency, and systemic reform, while offering guidance for healing and practical steps for survivors and communities. It's notable for its careful production, empathetic storytelling, and blend of intimate testimony with rigorous context from reputable contributors.

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How many listeners does Descent Into Light get?

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How many subscribers and views does Descent Into Light have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Descent Into Light?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Descent Into Light:

1. Godsplaining
2. Pints With Aquinas
3. Restore The Glory Podcast
4. The Counsel of Trent
5. Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

How many episodes of Descent Into Light are there?

Descent Into Light launched a year ago and published 10 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 Descent Into Light?

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What guests have appeared on Descent Into Light?

Recent guests on Descent Into Light include:

1. Bishop John Stowe
2. JD Flynn
3. Bishop Andrew Cousins
4. Father Hans Zollner
5. Sarah Larson
6. Luke Burgess
7. Paul Fahey
8. Dr. Marcus Mesher

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