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The Divorcing Religion Podcast

Janice Selbie
Religious Trauma Syndrome
Mental Health
Purity Culture
Religious Trauma
Sexuality
Christianity
Christian Nationalism
Shame
Consent
Deconstruction
Humanism
Empathy
Trauma
Sexual Abuse
Unification Church
Women's Rights
Secularism
Scientology
Empowerment
Atheism

The Divorcing Religion Podcast was launched by professional counsellor Janice Selbie to highlight the impact of Religious Trauma Syndrome. Guests include The Thinking Atheist Seth Andrews, The Friendly Atheist Hemant Mehta, author Margaret Atwood, Godless Mom, Mandisa Thomas, Dr. Darrel Ray, Dr. Marlene Winell and more.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes175Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessMental HealthSociety & CultureRelationships

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Artwork for The Divorcing Religion Podcast

Latest Episodes

Sex & Power Podcast

Guest: Dr. Lucas Wilson

Title: Shame Sex Attraction 

My guest today is Dr. Lucas Wilson, who is a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto. His research centers on White Christian nationalism, with a focus on gender and sex... more

Sex & Power Podcast

Guest: Sammy, Haram Doodles

My guest today is ex-Muslim atheist, artist, and activist Sammy, the creator behind Haram Doodles. Raised in the U.S. as a first-generation South Asian Muslim, Sammy left Islam over a decade ago. In h... more

YouTube

Dr. Janja Lalich on The Sex & Power Podcast

Guest: Dr. Janja Lalich

Title: Exploitation of Women in Cults

Host: Janice Selbie, MPCC

Warning: This episode discusses SA and coercion in cults

 Dr. Janja Lalich is one of the world’s leading authorities... more

Katherine Spearing has spent years listening to the stories most churches would rather stay silent about. As the founder of Tears of Eden, she works directly with survivors of spiritual abuse, helping people untangle trauma, reclaim autonomy, and reb... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Janja Lalich
Sociologist, expert on cults and coercive control
Lalich Center on Cults & Coercion
Episode: Sex & Power with Dr. Janja Lalich: Exploitation of Women in Cults
Katherine Spearing
Founder of Tears of Eden; Trauma Recovery Practitioner; author
Tears of Eden
Episode: Sex & Power: Katherine Spearing - Healing After Spiritual Abuse
Melissa Duge Spiers
Author of Holy Disobedience; memoirist focused on religious trauma and deconstruction
Author, Speaker
Episode: Melissa Duge Spiers - HOLY DISOBEDIENCE: GOOD GIRL GONE WILD
Chris Tompkins
Therapist, author, TEDx speaker, LGBTQ+ advocate
A Road Trip to Love
Episode: Sex & Power: Chris Tompkins - The Truth About Shame: Chris Tompkins on Love, Liberation, and LGBTQ Resilience
Clara Ritger
Trauma-informed meditation teacher and trauma-informed coach
Self-guided meditation practice and coaching
Episode: Sex & Power: Clara Ritger - When Success is Killing You: Clara Ritger on Meditation, Mortality, and Meaning
Mike Steve Collins
Professor teaching at Texas A&M University; author of The Anti-Civil Rights Movement, Affirmative Action as Wedge and Weapon
Texas A&M University
Episode: The Sex & Power Podcast: Truth-telling that liberates with Mike Steve Collins
Detra Denise
Former pastor's wife and survivor of religious and domestic abuse
Independent
Episode: S&P Podcast: Detra Denise - Ashes and Embers: How Detra Denise Turned Pain into Power PART 1
Melody Post
Former member of the House of Yahweh Cult and co-host of the Cultimatum Podcast
Cultimatum Podcast
Episode: Melody Post - House of Yahweh Cult
Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi
A mental health clinician and humanist who specializes in the Punjabi Sikh culture.
Episode: Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi (Part2) - Navigating Internalized Racism in 3rd-Generation Punjabi-Sikh Immigrants

Host

Janice Selbie
Host with professional counseling background focusing on religious trauma and recovery.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 93 ratings
  • Powerful and Compassionate

    The Divorcing Religion Podcast is a powerful and compassionate resource for anyone navigating the difficult path of leaving harmful religious systems. Janice is a phenomenal host—she asks insightful, thoughtful questions that get to the heart of her guests’ experiences while always keeping an eye on the bigger picture.

    Listening to this podcast feels safe. Janice creates an environment where people can share their stories of spiritual abuse, manipulation, and trauma without fear of judgment. Sh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michelle the Change Architect
    United Statesa year ago
  • Talking about antisemitism after genocide in Gazah? You must be kidding. This single episode brings me to a brink of unsubscribe from the podcast.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    GrowXYng
    a year ago
  • Talking about antisemitism after genocide in Gazah? You must be kidding. This single episode brings me to a brink of unsubscribe from the podcast.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    RobbiEr
    a year ago
  • I Can’t Get Enough!

    I’ve been searching for podcasts to help in my cult recovery for years. Many have been good, but this one is AMAZING. Janice has such fabulous and interesting guests who have opened my mind, validated and challenged me, and most importantly, made me feel less alone. Thank you for this gift.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ytfytjfytjf
    Canada2 years ago
  • This 1st episode. Seems like a good podcast - interesting topics & guests. I recommend it.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    WillTheKnight
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are relatable and the conversations empower healing and accountability.
Listeners feel safe sharing experiences of spiritual abuse and trauma.
Host is compassionate and asks insightful questions that illuminate guests' stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sex & Power with Sammy: Satire, Apostasy, and the Power of Haram Doodles
Q: What do you hope your art communicates about freedom, healing and life on the other side?
Sammy hopes Haram Doodles conveys belonging, curiosity, and the right to question beliefs as a path to healing; she discusses how art makes complex ideas accessible and how humor can reduce fear while highlighting human rights and emancipation.
Sex & Power with Dr. Janja Lalich: Exploitation of Women in Cults
Q: how do these group leaders use sexuality, relationships and intimacy as tools of domination?
Leaders frame sex and intimacy as privileges or rites that supposedly advance enlightenment or spiritual growth, then couple that narrative with secrecy, loyalty pressures, and social isolation. This combination creates a coercive environment where followers equate obedience with personal and spiritual reward, and where questioning the leader is equated with danger to one's path to salvation.
Sex & Power: Katherine Spearing - Healing After Spiritual Abuse
Q: What resources would you recommend to someone starting their healing journey?
Engage with secular therapy, connect with survivor communities, and explore practical guides and books that validate experiences and offer tools for autonomy and thriving post-abuse.
Sex & Power: Katherine Spearing - Healing After Spiritual Abuse
Q: How did your personal background influence your current work with Tears of Eden?
Her upbringing in a Christian patriarchy movement and subsequent experiences in evangelical settings informed her mission to create a non-faith-based resource hub for survivors, combining therapy, community, and education to prevent isolation.
Sex & Power: Katherine Spearing - Healing After Spiritual Abuse
Q: What is spiritual harm and how does it differ from spiritual abuse?
Spiritual harm refers to the body's trauma response to religious experiences, while spiritual abuse is the intentional manipulation and exploitation of a person using religious beliefs or texts to cause harm; both have lasting impacts regardless of intent.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Divorcing Religion Podcast

What is The Divorcing Religion Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful show exploring religious trauma, deconversion, and recovery through intimate conversations with survivors, clinicians, and advocates. Episodes frequently center on purity culture, spiritual abuse, LGBTQ resilience, burnout, and rebuilding life after high-control faiths, often pairing personal narratives with practical guidance for healing, boundaries, and meaning-making. A standout aspect is the host's emphasis on compassionate listening and accountability, which helps make difficult journeys feel safe for listeners seeking validation, resources, and community. The format often blends memoir with expert insight, offering listeners both relatable storytelling and actionable takeaways for healing and personal growth.

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How many listeners does The Divorcing Religion Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Divorcing Religion Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Divorcing Religion Podcast:

1. Straight White American Jesus
2. TheThinkingAtheist
3. Friendly Atheist Podcast
4. Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan
5. IndoctriNation

How many episodes of The Divorcing Religion Podcast are there?

The Divorcing Religion Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 175 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 The Divorcing Religion Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Divorcing Religion Podcast?

Recent guests on The Divorcing Religion Podcast include:

1. Janja Lalich
2. Katherine Spearing
3. Melissa Duge Spiers
4. Chris Tompkins
5. Clara Ritger
6. Mike Steve Collins
7. Detra Denise
8. Melody Post

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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