Rephonic
Artwork for Heaven Bent
International House Of Prayer
Mike Bickle
Sean Feucht
Christian Nationalism
Art Lucier
Sexual Abuse
Charismatic Christianity
Christianity
Spiritual Abuse
Shawn Bolz
Aimee Semple Mcpherson
Clergy Sexual Abuse
Heaven Bent
Pentecostal Christianity
Sexual Assault
Charismatic Movement
Bob Hartley
Kansas City, Missouri
Pentecostalism
Bethel Church

Supernatural signs & wonders. Unusual spiritual practices. Explore the fascinating and sometimes dangerous world of the modern-day prophetic movement, with host & creator Tara Jean Stevens.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes106Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

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Artwork for Heaven Bent

Latest Episodes

Daniel Snyder's recovery from addiction didn't happen the way he was told it would. On this final episode, he reflects on what ultimately helped him. Also, what harm does he believe he caused others while he was still at Wagner Hills Farm Society?

*R... more

What happened to Daniel Snyder after he got kicked out of Wagner Hills Farm Society? Tara Jean visits Langley Memorial Hospital with Daniel to find out. Plus, an impromptu visit from Daniel's wife reveals new details about how Wagner Hills managed re... more

Are there any connections to be made between Daniel Snyder's extreme religious upbringing and his later struggles with addiction? On this episode, Daniel and Tara Jean visit his childhood church in British Columbia's "Bible Belt".

Hosted on Acast. ... more

Daniel Snyder returns to Wagner Hills with Tara Jean. It's a faith-based recovery facility in Langley, British Columbia. What was his first day as a resident like in 2003? How did he wind up on staff? And what were the culture, procedures, and power ... more

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Recent Guests

Daniel Snyder
Former leader at Wagner Hills Farm Society; survivor sharing his recovery journey
Wagner Hills Farm Society
Episode: S12E5: Something to Believe In
Kathryn Krick
Ministry leader and founder of 5 Fold Church
5 Fold Church, Los Angeles
Episode: Kathryn Krick: The TikTok Apostle
Grace Sims
LA-based writer and director; premiered The Country They Call Life at LA Shorts International Film Festival
Grace Sims (filmmaker)
Episode: The Art of Deconstructing
Matthew Sutton
Distinguished professor and chair at the Department of History, Washington State University; author of Chosen Land
Washington State University
Episode: The History of Christianity in America
JoEllen Lindsdtrom
Former staffer at Hope City KC, providing critical commentary on Lisa Bickle Stribling and Mike Bickle's leadership
Hope City KC / Lisa Bickle Stribling
Episode: S4B11 P2: Do What I Say, No Questions Asked
JoEllen Lindstrom
Former Hope City participant and eyewitness
Hope City KC (former)
Episode: S4B11 P1: Hope City KC
Michael Klarfeld
Former participant connected to Kelowna ministry
Germany-based participant with connections to Patricia King ministry
Episode: S10E7: Why Can't You Just Say Sorry?
Ron Cantor
Author and leader in the Messianic Movement; advocate
Patricia King's circle; CAP contributor
Episode: S10E7: Why Can't You Just Say Sorry?
Josh Brahinsky
Author of Tongues of Fire, How Charismatic Prayer Changes Evangelical Brains and Inspires Spirit-Filled Activism
Stanford Mind and Spirit Project (research); Author
Episode: Tongues of Fire: The Truth About Glossolalia

Host

Tara Jean Stevens
Host and creator of the show, focused on investigation and storytelling around religious movements and spiritual practices.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Like the narrator

    I liked the first season so far that is all I have listened to. I was going to maybe listen to another one realized many seasons are missing?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Gf ch third CB
    United States16 days ago
  • Listenable

    Someone’s grinding an axe.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    dennzio
    United States5 months ago
  • ✺ EXCELLENT! Well produced Fantastic guests ✺

    Therapy and understanding for the fire + brimstone crowd! Such an engaging show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ciao Laura
    United States5 months ago
  • One of my top listens

    I’m from a small town in NZ and my family’s faith culture was significantly shaped by all the stuff flowing out of the Toronto Blessing, and the American “prophetic, televangelist” network. Thanks to Tara Jean, I’ve learned so much about the history of the “flavour” of Christianity I was raised with - and similarly, have now discarded. I REALLY appreciate season 11 because I was raised with all of the elements of the “spirit of fear”, which took becoming involved in a megachurch and then decons... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AllKlass
    Canada5 months ago
  • I needed this to heal from my experience. AMAZING!

    I was apart of the Pentecostal UPC from 12 to 18 years old.

    I have a lot of religious trauma- I have been trying to get back into church- but it’s hard after my cult experience. I prayed just this Sunday for a way to get past it. Then I found this podcast. Finding a fellow survivor helps it along. Thank you for putting this out there! ❤️❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    that girl myrisha
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the survivor-focused episodes and rigorous interviews.
Listeners value the nuanced historical context and thoughtful guest selection.
Praises for depth and breadth across controversial topics, with calls for accountability.
Some critics dislike background music or AI usage noted in a few episodes.
Listeners praise the host's balanced, respectful reporting and high production quality.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#95
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#224
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#110
United Arab Emirates/History
Apple Podcasts
#179
New Zealand/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S12E5: Something to Believe In
Q: Why did you pursue paths like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Smart Recovery after leaving Wagner Hills?
Because I needed evidence-based approaches that emphasized nuanced thinking, personal agency, and harm reduction, which contrasted with the rigid, one-size-fits-all model I had experienced.
S12E5: Something to Believe In
Q: What finally helped you acknowledge the harm that occurred under Wagner Hills?
A combination of reflecting on leadership failures, listening to those harmed, and recognizing my own role in promoting and enabling the program's coercive dynamics, which pushed me toward accountability and a more compassionate approach.
S12E4: The Only Solution to Addiction Is Jesus
Q: How did Daniel's hospital experience shift your view on recovery and faith-based approaches?
Daniel describes a life‑and‑death moment with no supernatural visions, but a clear realization that staying with faith alone hadn't freed him; the experience catalyzed openness to other paths, including harm reduction and more compassionate, relational care.
S12E3: Hedge of Protection
Q: What changed for you personally as the Valley Christian Fellowship imploded and you moved forward in life?
The implosion exposed the fragility of charismatic structures and led to a period of disillusionment, after which I began to question rigid dogma, seek authenticity, and eventually pursue an approach to life that values curiosity, self-trust, and personal growth over fixed beliefs.
S12E3: Hedge of Protection
Q: How did early experiences with fear and spiritual warfare influence your later relationship with faith and addiction?
The fear-based messaging and the sense of being a 'mighty warrior' in spiritual warfare gave a distorted sense of power and control, which initially helped manage fear but ultimately contributed to an unhealthy reliance on external spiritual authority, paving the way for a later exploration of substances as an escape when the framework collapsed.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Heaven Bent

What is Heaven Bent about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep, investigative audio series that centers on contemporary evangelical and charismatic movements, exploring topics like accountability, deconstruction, spiritual abuse, and the neuroscience and culture of religious experiences. Episodes blend personal testimonies, scholarly context, and critical analysis to illuminate how power, fear, and belief shape communities today. A standout feature is the willingness to interrogate controversial leaders and practices across cross-border contexts, offering balanced reporting, survivor perspectives, and nuanced history rather than sensationalism. The show often features experts in psychology, religion, and history, along with firsthand accounts from former members, making it a thoughtful resource ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Heaven Bent?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Heaven Bent:

1. The Most Wanted Olympian from Uncover
2. The Tim & April Show
3. The New Evangelicals Podcast
4. Roys Report
5. Healed-ish

How many episodes of Heaven Bent are there?

Heaven Bent launched 6 years ago and published 106 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 Heaven Bent?

Recent guests on Heaven Bent include:

1. Daniel Snyder
2. Kathryn Krick
3. Grace Sims
4. Matthew Sutton
5. JoEllen Lindsdtrom
6. JoEllen Lindstrom
7. Michael Klarfeld
8. Ron Cantor

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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