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REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma

Emily Shepherd
Spiritual Trauma
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Sons Of Patriarchy
Abuse In the Church
Christian Nationalism
Spiritual Abuse
High-Control Religion
Covenant Theology
Biblical Patriarchy
Patriarchy
Religious Trauma
Complementarianism
Theology
Cait West
Presbyterian Of the Southeast
New Covenant
Mental Health
Family Dynamics
Sexism
Trauma

Spiritual Trauma has been defined as occurring when a person's religious experience is stressful, degrading, dangerous, abusive, or damaging.

I am a mother joined by my adult daughter as we discuss our family’s story of recovering from spiritual trauma. In each episode of REST we will share our experience of 17 years in a church community with a high-control culture within the denomination of th... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes29Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthHealth & FitnessReligion & SpiritualityChristianity

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Artwork for REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma

Latest Episodes

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She’s back! My daughter joins me again in this episode and we unpack our family’s story of regret around tithing. She gives us the perspective of a child growing up in a high control church culture, a perspective rarely if ever hear... more

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In this episode, the history of Christian tithing is fully explored and its Biblical claims examined. 

Statistics quoted in the episode come from The Religion Business, a 7-part investigative docuseries that exposes a growing probl... more

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I’m back today with Mike Adams of the UnSunday Show. A former pastor, he left organized religion once he discovered just how free he really is in Jesus under the New Covenant. He now seeks to “unsunday” the modern church by sharing ... more

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Our guest for this episode is Theresa Garcia Robertson, one of 5 girls - now women- who were abused by a pastor or elder in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) and specifically the Presbytery of the Southeast (PSE). Her story fir... more

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Recent Guests

Mike Adams
Former pastor and host of The UnSunday Show, focused on exploring freedom in faith and critiquing organized church structures.
The UnSunday Show
Episode: Guest Interview | Mike Adams on Sundays and Sabbaths
Brian Lee
Pastor, coach, speaker, and survivor of spiritual abuse
Broken to Beloved
Episode: Guest Interview | Brian Lee of Broken to Beloved
Brittany Hart
Poet and author sharing her experiences with spiritual trauma
Episode: Guest Interview | Poet & Author Brittany Hart
Dr. Andrew Bauman
Author of Safe Church, How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities
Episode: Mother/Daughter discussion of the Andrew Bauman interview
Cait West
Author, recently published her memoir "RIFT," discussing her experiences in a patriarchal church environment.
Episode: Guest Interview with Cait West | Part 1
Unnamed Guest
Former member of the church community who shares her story and experiences regarding spiritual trauma and church dynamics.
Episode: Guest Interview | Part 1

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings
  • It's an uphill struggle

    Anytime you are a little one trying to expose the abuse and help others the big group attacks. They hold you to a higher account not because they seek truth but because conformity is the enemy of freedom.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    June10:24Z
    United States8 months ago
  • What abuse?

    This podcast is a waste of time.

    I keep waiting to hear about the abuse, but all this podcast amounts to is an extended advertisement for the church. Seems they are a friendly and loving congregation who hold different principles than the hosts… is that abuse? Also, this is an old trope: child leaves the faith, and instead of any introspection, the parents cope by blaming the church. Convenient.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    YHWHReigns1517
    United Statesa year ago
  • Insights on the conscience!

    Really enjoyed the episodes from March 2024, including the discussion in “Is it all in my head?” about the importance of the human conscience. How rarely the importance of our Spirit-illuminated conscience is mentioned in churches! This is because our consciences may be perceived as threats to Church Authority. “God alone is Lord of conscience” is said but not believed or practiced in many churches.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Strive4Truth
    United Statesa year ago
  • Validating and Enlightening

    So much of your content resonates with me. I respect the courage it takes to produce and broadcast your vulnerable moments, presented logically and clearly without excessive emotion. Thank you for telling your stories!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Carsonmeem
    United Statesa year ago
  • A Much-Needed Podcast

    This podcast is much needed in exposing the abuse that can often be a byproduct of the broken system we call church, with its top-down authority structures. It’s a system ripe for abuse as these episodes demonstrate. I relate to so much of what is said here from my own experiences of being a former pastor for many years before finally leaving that system. I hope this podcast can continue!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    UnSunday.Mike
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel the show critiques church structures and abuse convincingly.
Guests are perceived as brave and candid about trauma and accountability.
Episodes balance vulnerability with practical steps and resources for healing.
The show is seen as timely for those seeking validation and guidance after spiritual harm.
Survivor-focused, healing-oriented storytelling is a strength for guiding others.

Top Christianity Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Guest Interview | Theresa Garcia Robertson on abuse in the OPC
Q: Is there anything that you want to add to your story a year out, looking back?
Theresa reflects on the emotional toll of the events and the lack of accountability, emphasizing the ongoing need to warn others about similar experiences.
Guest Interview | Poet & Author Brittany Hart
Q: What themes from Alice in Wonderland did you find resonant with your experiences?
Brittany discusses the theme of urgency and feeling a sense of a ticking clock, paralleling Alice's adventures with her feelings of pressure in a high-control religious setting.
Guest Interview | Poet & Author Brittany Hart
Q: Would you say that you were raised in a Christian home?
Brittany describes being raised Roman Catholic in New Jersey, with church being part of her life primarily during holidays until she became more serious about her faith at around age 15.
Guest Interview | Brian Lee of Broken to Beloved
Q: What has the work been like trying to create safeguarding measures for churches?
Lee expresses a desire to educate churches on trauma-informed practices to prevent spiritual abuse, sharing alarming statistics on its prevalence in the U.S.
Guest Interview | Brian Lee of Broken to Beloved
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the three-peat of spiritually abusive environments?
Lee explains his tendency to be drawn to such communities was rooted in his upbringing in a high-control culture, making him unaware of alternative church environments.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma

What is REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Restoration-focused discussions explore recovering from spiritual trauma within high-control church environments, with a strong emphasis on personal narratives of abuse, accountability, and healing. Episodes routinely examine how institutional power, gender dynamics, and theological interpretations shape experiences in faith communities, often highlighting trauma-informed practices, accountability, and pathways toward healthier spiritual lives. Notable strengths include vulnerable storytelling from a mother-daughter duo and guests who share practical insights for survivors, alongside critical examinations of church structures and leadership failures. The show is likely to attract listeners seeking validation, guidance, and community around ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma?

These podcasts share a similar audience with REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma:

1. The UnSunday Show
2. The Bible Recap
3. With The Perrys
4. Growing in Grace
5. Safe to Hope

How many episodes of REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma are there?

REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma launched 2 years ago and published 29 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 REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma?

Recent guests on REST: Recovering from Spiritual Trauma include:

1. Mike Adams
2. Brian Lee
3. Brittany Hart
4. Dr. Andrew Bauman
5. Cait West
6. Unnamed Guest

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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