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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes106Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for Heaven Bent

Latest Episodes

Tara Jean unpacks her fear of the rapture with Dr. Amy Frykholm, the author of "Rapture Culture: Left Behind In Evangelical America."

www.amyfrykholm.com/rapture-culture

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

Retching. Snarling. Supernatural strength. Tara Jean deconstructs the exorcism ritual with psychological anthropologist Tayna Marie Luhrmann.

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

At one youth group night in 1993, a church leader taught Tara Jean about the 'witching hour'. Why does this ominous time of night still haunt her decades after she left the church and where does this concept come from? On this episode, retired profes... more

Growing up in the church, Tara Jean was instilled with a spirit of fear that has stayed with her decades after she stopped calling herself a believer. On this season, she'll lean on expert guests to help demystify some of these specific fears, like e... more

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Recent Guests

Tayna Marie Luhrmann
Renowned psychological anthropologist, Stanford, author of When God Talks Back
Stanford University
Episode: S11E3: Memories of an Exorcism
Sabina Magliocco
Retired professor of anthropology and the study of religion, University of British Columbia; professor emeritus at California State University, Northridge
University of British Columbia
Episode: S11 E2: The Witching Hour
Bernard McGinn
Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago Divinity School; author of Antichrist: 2,000 Years of the Human Fascination With Evil
University of Chicago Divinity School
Episode: S11E1: The Antichrist
Brittany Hart
Author of Surviving Wonderland, poet
Author, Surviving Wonderland
Episode: S4B10: Surviving Wonderland
Michael Klarfeld
Agnostic, artist and English teacher who lived in Kelowna during Patricia King's ministry period in 2002
Independent, Germany-based
Episode: S10E4: Jesus Sauce
Ron Cantor
High-profile victim advocate in the Charismatic Movement, author, and scholar on Jewish roots of the New Testament
Author of KAP
Episode: S10E3: The Kingdom Accountability Project
Jobie John Mallett
Worship leader with a colorful past in the Charismatic Church.
Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship
Episode: S1B2: The One Who Roared Like a Lion
Janice Selbie
Registered professional counselor and religious trauma recovery coach
Episode: Divorcing Religion
Jedidiah Hartley
The son whose name is tied to a prophetic dream
Episode: S8 Trailer: Son of a Prophet

Host

Tara Jean Stevens
Host and creator; lead interviewer focusing on accountability within religious movements.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • Sharon

    I just finished season 3 and Sharon was a delight to listen to. You both had great energy together!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisaJayJay
    Canadaa month ago
  • Oh Snap!

    Accountability for Bethel at last?? Tara, we need a fresh drop after the new revelations of the last few weeks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    macbabe16
    United States3 months ago
  • Good podcast annoying music.

    Good podcast, but would be a lot better without the music and sound effects behind the talking it's so distracting and annoying, it dosnt need it.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    TheBagtree
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Fantastic show

    I am honestly shocked that this podcast does not have 5 stars. I listen to podcasts all day and Tara Jean is one of the best hosts. Thoughtful, well written content, fair and accurate. Plus her voice is so easy to listen to. She is a great speaker. Don’t listen to the haters. You won’t regret listening to this podcast if you’re willing to listen with an open mind

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LaurentiaA
    United States6 months ago
  • Just as crazy!

    Just now listening to season 5 but claiming that “abolition of the police” is reasonable is definitely a mindset that is just as crazy as those of the people you cover!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    listeningok
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate high production quality and thoughtful handling of sensitive topics.
Listeners praise thorough, fair reporting and strong interviewing that sheds light on abuse within religious contexts.
Audience values survivor-centered narratives and accountability-focused discussions.
Critics note occasional criticisms about AI usage or editorial stance, but overall sentiment is positive.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#216
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#66
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#205
South Africa/History
Apple Podcasts
#216
Philippines/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S11 E2: The Witching Hour
Q: Thank you for that. And to start, even though I think so many of us already know the answer to this question, what are the stereotypes about witches today?
The guest explains that the modern stereotype of the witch is heavily influenced by Western folklore and popular media, painting witches as either evil or powerful women, but that these depictions have historically served social and gendered functions, often demonizing female knowledge and healing traditions.
S4B10: Surviving Wonderland
Q: How did therapy influence your processing of trauma and faith?
Therapy, especially trauma-informed care, helped Hart separate personal guilt from the responsibility of the organization's harms, and introduced internal family systems to reconnect with her younger self.
S4B10: Surviving Wonderland
Q: What helped you recognize something was off years later?
Hart describes the moment of realizing patterns described by survivors on platforms like TikTok, and reading public statements about abusive leadership, which led to naming the experience as cult-like.
S4B10: Surviving Wonderland
Q: Tell us about your first day at Ihopkc and what drew you to stay.
Hart explains she was drawn by the music and sense of purpose at conferences, which felt like 'heaven on earth' and was reinforced by a powerful vision of 24-7 prayer and devotion.
S10E4: Jesus Sauce
Q: How did Ron interact within the ministry when you were there?
Ron appeared warm and friendly but largely peripheral to the ministry's direction; his private demeanor contrasted with Patricia's public intensity, and there were moments where he was silenced in group settings, signaling a problematic power dynamic.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Heaven Bent

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

Tackling timely, hard-hitting topics around spiritual accountability, this show investigates alleged misconduct within high-profile religious movements and the resulting impact on victims. Episodes center on first-hand testimonies, expert critique, and calls for transparency, with a consistent focus on accountability structures, governance, and survivor perspectives. Notable strengths include rigorous research, careful handling of sensitive material, and high production quality that supports in-depth interviews with whistleblowers, advocates, and researchers. The approach is likely to appeal to listeners who want thoughtful, evidence-driven exploration of controversial religious leadership and its consequences.

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What are the audience demographics for Heaven Bent?

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How many subscribers and views does Heaven Bent have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Heaven Bent?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Heaven Bent:

1. The Cult Queen of Canada from Uncover
2. Infamous
3. Focus: Adults in the Room
4. Was I In A Cult?
5. Scamfluencers

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.

How do I contact Heaven Bent?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Heaven Bent?

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What guests have appeared on Heaven Bent?

Recent guests on Heaven Bent include:

1. Tayna Marie Luhrmann
2. Sabina Magliocco
3. Bernard McGinn
4. Brittany Hart
5. Michael Klarfeld
6. Ron Cantor
7. Jobie John Mallett
8. Janice Selbie

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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