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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 monthlyEpisodes172Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessMental HealthSociety & CultureRelationships

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Artwork for The Divorcing Religion Podcast

Latest Episodes

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

FIND JANICE:

Janice Selbie's best-selling book, Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook, is available here: amzn.to/4mnDxuo

Religious Trauma Survivor Support Groups happen online Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern.... more

YouTube

Sex & Power: Chris Tompkins - The Truth About Shame: Chris Tompkins on Love, Liberation, and LGBTQ Resilience

Chris Tompkins is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who specializes in working with adult gay men. He is also the author of the APA aw... more

YouTube

Clara Ritger spent her 20s building a successful media career — producing for U.S. national media such as NBC, WSJ, and TLC — while secretly battling chronic illness and burnout. A ruptured appendix, major abdominal surgery, and skin cancer forced he... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Dr. Sarah Farrell
Clinical social worker, therapist, professor, and stand-up comedian
Episode: Dr. Sarah Farrell - Shattering Into a Whole
Lacey Bond
Certified sex relationship and intimacy coach and sex kink educator
IntimacyLacey
Episode: Lacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 1

Host

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

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 92 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 States10 months 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.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Melissa Duge Spiers - HOLY DISOBEDIENCE: GOOD GIRL GONE WILD
Q: What finally pushed you to leave and how did you navigate education and independence after that?
Leaving at 18, Melissa describes a gradual process of asserting independence, pursuing secular education, and negotiating with her family to support her choices, including moving abroad briefly and then returning to secure a secular degree.
Melissa Duge Spiers - HOLY DISOBEDIENCE: GOOD GIRL GONE WILD
Q: So what did that mean for you growing up in terms of schooling, rules around entertainment, and your access to wider perspectives?
She explains the indoctrination embedded in daily life—mandatory religion classes, Sabbath observance, prohibition of certain media and activities, and the strong emphasis on submission and gender roles, which later catalyzed her critical reevaluation of her beliefs.
Melissa Duge Spiers - HOLY DISOBEDIENCE: GOOD GIRL GONE WILD
Q: And I think that's something you can relate to on some level. I'd love for you to take us back to your childhood and tell us a little bit about what it was like growing up and how religion impacted your life.
Melissa describes growing up as a fourth-generation Seventh-day Adventist in a highly controlling community, with strict rules, limited exposure to the outside world, and a focus on purity culture and obedience. The conversation covers education, family dynamics, and her eventual departure at 18, followed by years of deconstruction and rebuilding.
Sex & Power: Clara Ritger - When Success is Killing You: Clara Ritger on Meditation, Mortality, and Meaning
Q: What role does social media and the wellness industry play in our sense of enoughness, and how can listeners reclaim their agency?
The episode discusses how the treadmill of performance fuels burnout and how wellness should empower people to act in alignment with their values, not just to feel better momentarily or compete in a market that equates worth with output.
Sex & Power: Clara Ritger - When Success is Killing You: Clara Ritger on Meditation, Mortality, and Meaning
Q: How do you approach teaching meditation to people with trauma histories without reactivating them?
By meeting people where they are, tailoring practices to individual needs, avoiding forcing comfort, and focusing on building a sustainable, embodied practice that respects limits and supports nervous-system regulation.

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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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Which podcasts are similar to The Divorcing Religion Podcast?

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

1. Cults to Consciousness
2. A Little Bit Culty
3. Thank God I'm Atheist
4. The Atheist Experience
5. Preacher Boys Podcast

How many episodes of The Divorcing Religion Podcast are there?

The Divorcing Religion Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 172 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 The Divorcing Religion Podcast?

Recent guests on The Divorcing Religion Podcast include:

1. Melissa Duge Spiers
2. Chris Tompkins
3. Clara Ritger
4. Mike Steve Collins
5. Detra Denise
6. Melody Post
7. Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi
8. Dr. Sarah Farrell

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