The Willow Tree - Audio Stories

The Willow Tree
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Poems and Stories set to a score with sound effects, produced by The Willow Tree and Friends - My journey out of a high-control church home spanning two decades. Willow means 'Freedom' and the Willow Tree is symbolic of humans' capability to withstand hardship, loss, and difficult emotions. Thanks to its long life and the ease with which new trees can be root. unmaskingwonderland.substack.com

  1. Sep 24

    The Inversion of Discernment

    It’s a warm spring night, and I’m sitting outside on the back deck on our old couch. It’s been relegated out here after being well and truly wrecked by our golden retriever. We got her three years ago, right when our family needed a therapy dog more than anything. She destroyed practically everything in sight, but we love her to bits. Just this week, a neighbour gifted us a practically brand-new couch. So tonight, after covering up the holes in the old one—the same couch that moved with us all the way from the Mansion—I’m cozing up out here to write tonight’s Substack, fighting off the mosquitoes as I type. I’ve come to a sobering conclusion: the church preaches the importance of having ‘discernment’, while actively brainwashing its members into a state of total, manufactured blindness. I grew up in ‘the church’. I was taught to obey and submit to my leaders. I was taught that questioning a pastor was ‘touching the Lord’s anointed.’ So when we came under a manipulative, abusive leader, the red flags flared immediately. We felt them. We saw them. We knew in our guts that something was wrong, but we couldn’t run. Because the very man causing the harm was the one defining what ‘discernment’ was supposed to be. We couldn’t run because the very man causing the harm was the one defining what ‘discernment’ was supposed to be. HIS version of discernment was never meant to reflect back on him, his actions, or his abuse. It only ever flowed downward. He sat at the top, and discernment was weaponised as a tool of surveillance. As young elders, our mandate was to ‘discern a member’s spirit’. We were commanded to read the congregation—to figure out whether people ‘aligned with the vision’, whether they were being ‘combative’, whether they still respected the PASTOR, or whether they were ‘on their way out.’ Our job was to sniff out anyone who felt uncomfortable, report the heads-up back to him, and then deal with it on HIS behalf. As young elders, our mandate was to ‘discern a member’s spirit’. That was what he called “discernment.” And the one unbreakable rule of his system was that discernment could NEVER—not ever—be turned back on him, or used to hold him accountable. Karen, If that is the case then you should actually be confronting Brady about it and not really even require Tesha to speak to me particularly if she had shared that with you. Is Tesha exaggerating? Guys, guarding our flock is not just MY responsibility, it should also be YOURS particularly if you have been given oversight of such. As an Elder, Karen you should feel free to approach Brady, and question his conduct before I do it. In fact actually in this particular instance this is what I think should be done: 1. Karen - approach him to speak about what Tesha has shared 2. Find out from the other girls if he has actually been sharing negative remarks (about our church) to them. If that is happening what you need to inform him that this is an issue of integrity. That you must raise with him. If he is unhappy here, then I am fine with you folks suggesting for him to leave and go else where for his own benefit. Karen can you bring this to Mitch’s attention as Mitch is supposed to follow up on him and the business manager has him employed to clean, which if this is the case we may need to replace him immediately, unless he owns up to it and actually repents over what he is, or has done. Can you guys please attend to this right away as this is bad or “unholy” fire that can spread through out and so we will need to nip this in the bud. The youth group is starting to grow and such things of this nature is expected to some extent but it really needs to be attended to right away. Hence the need to operate in the gift of discernment and the gift of wisdom. All of this is what has been taught on Wednesdays at our leadership sessions, so hope these lessons will be of value and that you can utilise the revelation you have received and move in these gifts when dealing with such cases. Thanks and please advise Blessings, Senior Pastor Hence the need to operate in the gift of discernment and the gift of wisdom. All of this is what has been taught on Wednesdays at our leadership sessions… There were so many times we were pressured to exercise this kind of ‘discernment’. But it was never discernment at all—it was just surveillance for a dictator. Reconciling that now isn't just about coming to terms with our own history of servitude and deception; it exposes the toxic, false doctrine running through so many evangelical churches—a doctrine that completely hijacks a person’s natural instincts and replaces them with blind loyalty. It was never discernment at all—it was just surveillance for a dictator. There are so many examples of this ‘hijacked discernment’, and I’m sharing just a couple here. I share them because back then, we truly believed we were ‘about the Father’s business’. We genuinely believed we were playing on the ‘right team’. In reality, we were playing Wing Defence for an abuser. Standing out on the wing, blocking the passes, marking anyone who tried to get close to the target, and shielding the centre court so he could keep playing his game untouched. We thought we were defending the vision, but we were just guarding the abuser. From the PASTOR to Karen ... Just a quick note: I have already had a chat with another pastor prior to leaving and he shares my concern in their lack of attendance at church on Sunday’s not just the week of our anniversary. Sally has an answer for almost everything but the point is that they are not sacrificial. I don’t think Mitch went for rehearsal - he meant to but did not check with Nitin- that was feedback I got. Sally has probably only met with Justin possibly once or if not twice. The plan is weekly but it is too early to tell. Their commitment must be Sunday’s and our other meetings we have. This was NOT evident way before even Mitch got the job. So his job is really not the reason for their lack of involvement. You need to ask them how do they see involvement. It has to go beyond just the talk. I have realised Sally is good at talking but not at executing if it is not convenient for her/them. That’s my real quick feedback Thanks for catching up, and am really praying for you guys. We love u and appreciate all u guys do. Thanks heaps. Just discern these guys well.The PASTOR’s iPhone “Just discern these guys well…” That was the PASTOR speaking to us about a couple within our closest circle of friends. A couple we genuinely loved, spent endless time with, and thought we had a separate relationship with—outside of HIS control. But even that wasn't safe from him. He destroyed that, too. Nobody could truly trust us back then because we were forced to ‘discern’ for HIM. Our job was to figure out if people were still loyal to the kingdom—to his kingdom. And if they weren’t? It was our job to shut them out. Nobody could truly trust us back then because we were forced to ‘discern’ for HIM. The PASTOR never used the word ‘discern’ to mean a personal conviction, or an inner warning that something was wrong, damaging, or destructive. It was used as a trap. An invitation to either embrace someone or shun them, with the only deciding factor being that member’s absolute loyalty to HIM. Now that we are out—now that we finally see—our natural, God-given discernment has blown wide open. But the radar no longer focuses on “disloyal” church members. It hones straight in on spiritual abuse. Our red alert screams the second we witness someone pretending to speak for God, causing damage, and harming people just to feed their own power. That discernment has become a superpower. Spotting a narcissistic, power-hungry leader doesn’t require a lengthy diagnostic chart—we feel it, we see it, and we recognise it immediately. With that superpower comes caution. And with that caution comes sadness, distrust, and the heavy necessity of treading very carefully when deciding who we trust and who we wait to trust. So as the evening cools and I swat at the last few mozzies on the back deck, a quiet grief settles in. I grieve for the person I was—passionate, positive, and endlessly trusting. I can never be that person again. Trust is still on trial. But discernment—true, unshakeable discernment—is now my second skin. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unmaskingwonderland.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Sep 22

    Safe Open Hands

    To those who no longer call themselves Christians, to those who maybe still have faith but cannot walk back into a church. To those who have tried, who have set foot in a church and have shrugged, shuddered and run out… Maybe not physically, but mentally you’ve run out crying. I hear you. I see you. I understand you. We set foot in a church nearly every week since leaving our high-control church that we can only call a cult. We set foot in this church because former members of our high-control church invited us. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. They said it was safe. And we’re thankful for that. For the most part, we found it safe, but there are certainly triggers along the way. There are pain points. And there are times when, more often than not, we watch former members of our high-control church set foot in what we call a safe church. I don’t think the leaders realise how often this happens. I don’t think people understand how often former cult members, Christian cult, whatever you wanna call it, try and return to church. So we’ve been there; we’ve watched it time and time again. We know them. We know their face, we know their voice, we know their story. They’ve come to us in pain; they’ve shared their grief, and then months, years later they’ve tried to come back to church. Most of them try once, set foot in, and are there for the worship. The songs trigger them, but they stay. They try and breathe through it. Many songs remind them of the place they came out of, the place that abused them. Some songs are fresh, new. They don’t know them. They haven’t been to church in many years. And then the preacher gets up and begins his sermon. It is often here where these former survivors, these former cult members, find a differentiation between what they came out of, at least in our circumstance, and what they’ve walked into. You see, what they’ve walked into, the sermon, is based on the Bible, and it’s solid. They speak to us after the sermon. They speak to us after church. They are thankful that they were able to take this big leap and step into a church that, in many respects, was like the one that abused them, but also very unlike it. It was like it because many of the same people were there. The same person leading the worship that was leading the worship in our high-control service, with the same passion, the same love for Jesus, just in a different place and a different space. The people surrounding them, the people sitting with them, many familiar, some unfamiliar, but carrying the same grief, the same load, the same experience from that place. Introduced to them at the end with a knowing glance. These former members of our high-control church try so hard to assimilate because it’s not just for them that they want church. It’s not just because of the faith they held so dear in their childhood. It’s because they want something like that for their children. They want something like that for their family, but not like the abuse. They don’t want the abuse. They don’t want the control. They don’t want the manipulation, but they want the family. But with the family, when the family is that close, the abuse follows. Churches that are not high-control churches, that are safe, the closeness of family is less. It’s more distant. As it should be. And that’s what we miss. So we miss the closeness of family, the closeness of the people that were in our lives 24/7. And even when we see them, when we look up, and we see them in the same safe church, and we speak to them, and we hug them, and we love them, but that connection is not the same. And so we have to remind ourselves, that connection was unhealthy. That connection was unsafe. Because when a church organisation becomes more important than your direct family, that’s unsafe. So we smile, and we love, and we care, and we grieve, and we hug. But the trauma of missing the past connection is there. And so when, when these former members step into this, what we call a safe church, and they look around and they see the people they’ve missed, and they worship with the people they’ve missed, they can’t stay, 'cause the grief is too much and the safety is questionable. They try. They breathe in deep. They want it for their kids, and they want it for their families. That’s not safety. So what is safety in these spaces for people who have suffered so much? For these people who were children, who have grown up in a place where the leader has destroyed them. How can we make our churches safe? What is needed to change? It is not enough to tell people that they need to be in community. From a psychological point of view, yeah, we all know that Community is something we were part of so deeply. Telling us that we need to be part of a community, that we can’t give up meeting together… Flip that on its head — because that is what we did. For so many years we were intertwined so closely that we couldn’t escape. How do we make church safe again? How do we make it safe for those who have escaped, and is it even possible? And is it even necessary? When we think about what these former members want. It is often a fragment, an isolated portion of what they experienced in their own upbringing. It is just that connection and that closeness and that family and that good advice and that biblical counsel, the Bible as a basis. That’s what they want. But what they got in their upbringing was abuse, manipulation, control, and destruction. And to try and separate those two things is very, very difficult. I can’t even imagine what they’re grappling with if they grew up in the same place we joined when we were in our mid-20s. Because what I have had to deal with and what our family has had to deal with has broken us beyond belief. But we had a different foundation. We had churches previously that were not in the same way abusive and controlling and manipulative, and we were not used in that same way. So our abuse happened in our adulthood. But what for the people, for the children that came through our doors? What do we expect for them? So I ask all the churches out there: please create a safe place for people. Stop telling them things that frighten them away Most of them know the scriptures, and when you use the scriptures to control them, they run because that is what they have experienced, and that is what destroyed them. We need open hands. We need safe hands. As someone said recently, it rang true. A traumatised human is like an injured animal. Let them cry, let them scream, let them scratch, let them run. Do not judge them as though they should have it all together. Let them fall apart. And be there to cushion their fall. That’s all. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unmaskingwonderland.substack.com/subscribe

  3. 10/22/2025

    Drowning

    I’m on task. It feels like home. But home broke me. He’s here—my comrade. A different place, yet in so many ways, the same. Safer, yes— but still, the same. The same people. Back to “normal.” I drag my camera gear through the double doors— The best equipment, hardly touched in years. I want it to breathe again. He needs it for his new role. Same post, same position— different leader, different curtain. They don’t have the gear we once had. We had everything— government grants, industry contacts, a crew, a team, a post we thrived in. Switches, multiple cameras— “Camera 1, switching to Camera 2.” But here— no crew. And they don’t need it. We never needed it. It was overkill, all for the promotion of one. Still, he needs my camera. So I walk in, camera slung over my shoulder, tripod in hand. And instantly, the waves rise. I’m pulled under, deep in the middle of an ocean. I hold my breath. Fish swirl around me— praying, pacing the aisles, voices bubbling in muffled sound. Leaders, volunteers. Pre-service prayer. I choke. I can’t find air. The water distorts their faces, but I know them. I hear them. And I remember— the staff room table, the marching circles, “Louder, louder—don’t stop. Press in, press in…” The water folds in tight. I have to escape. I set the gear by the sound desk— he’ll find it. I have to come up for air. I walk fast, head down, avoiding eyes, afraid of being pulled in. “Stay for the breakthrough,” they’d say. But no— I need to breathe. I can’t breathe. I find the exit. Burst into the foyer. Oxygen floods in. I almost collapse, lungs aching, after holding it all in too long. A sip of water. Sun on my face. I recover quietly. I’ve never drowned, but once, at thirteen, a wave toppled me and I thought I would die. It felt like that. I can’t go back in. I don’t know if I ever will. It’s not the prayer. It’s the system. The familiarity. The trauma. Deep Dive This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unmaskingwonderland.substack.com/subscribe

  4. 08/29/2025

    The Owl, the Raven and the Peacock

    Verse 1 Her art adorns the wall, the owl in the tree. Chosen by the Master, so wise was he. The owl to him meant wisdom, but to scripture desolation But Bible was not his major, rather music was his passion For the prophets had spoken, in voices of old, “The owl marks the wasteland, the ruin, the cold. It dwells in desolation, in places undone, It sings not of wisdom, but judgment begun.” Chorus Oh, the owl kept its silence, The raven declared: “This temple you’ve built is hollow, ensnared. You thought you chose wisely, but blind was your eye— The owl is of ruins where the living things die.” Verse 2 The white peacock shimmered, so pure, so divine, A symbol of glory, of life’s holy sign. But the Master refused it, he lifted the night, He enthroned the owl, and he crowned it as light. Yet the feathers grew ragged, the artwork grew thin, Like the faithful who faltered, worn hollow within. Her art began peeling, the wall turned to bone, Till the symbol of ruin was left there alone. Chorus Oh, the owl kept its silence, The raven declared: “This temple you’ve built is hollow, ensnared. You thought you chose wisely, but blind was your eye— The owl is of ruins where the living things die.” Bridge From Isaiah to Jeremiah, the words still resound: “The owl in the wasteland, where no life is found. Among shattered cities, abandoned in fear, A creature of judgment, not wisdom, is here.” The Master had faltered, though he claimed to be wise, He promoted the darkness, mistook it for skies. The raven kept crying, “The truth will be shown— You chose, and you chose poorly… the ruin is your throne.” Final Chorus Oh, the owl kept its silence, The raven declared: “This kingdom has fallen, its altar laid bare. The peacock of purity was cast to the side, And the Master’s great wisdom was nothing but pride.” This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unmaskingwonderland.substack.com/subscribe

  5. 06/04/2025

    Deep Dive Podcast - Review of The Framework Interview with Karen Alsop

    Repost: In "Exclusive Interview (Part 2): Leaving the House of Larry Sebastian - Casey City Church," host Jake Elliott interviews Karen Alsop, a former elder at Casey City Church. Alsop recounts her nearly two-decade-long involvement with the church, beginning with her and her husband's initial partnership with Pastor Larry Sebastian to establish a local youth program. She details the church's growth, including the acquisition of a building influenced by prophetic pronouncements and Sebastian's grand "Disneyland" and "Star Trek" visions. Alsop candidly shares her personal journey of realising Sebastian's manipulative and controlling behaviour, which she identifies as narcissistic, and the emotional toll it took, particularly after she became pregnant. The discussion highlights the destructive impact of Sebastian's leadership on individuals and families, leading to broken relationships and "dechurching" among many members. Alsop also describes the failed attempts at reconciliation orchestrated by Ministers Fellowship International (MFI) and its leader, Johnny Scroggins, who publicly labelled those speaking out as "Judases." Despite the personal cost, Alsop emphasises her commitment to advocating for victims and bringing accountability to abusive systems within the church, expressing hope for genuine repentance and healing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unmaskingwonderland.substack.com/subscribe

  6. 02/18/2025

    Return of the Prophet

    I had to take a walk and scream a little after revisiting a prophecy from December 2010. A prophet, closely connected to our church, spoke over the staff, and Austin, reinforcing our pressure to remain in The Mansion and sustain the church building. At the time, my husband and I were contemplating a major decision—whether he should leave his school job to take on a church role. We had only shared this privately with (The MASTER) Austin and his wife. Yet, this prophet spoke directly to it, claiming divine insight. Looking back, I’m beyond grateful my husband remained at the school. His job has been a blessing—a refuge and a safe haven, even amidst the storm. It’s also provided a financial safety net while I’ve been unable to work. Listening to that prophecy now, I see how it contributed to the manipulation and bound us to a vision that drained us financially and emotionally. What struck me even more deeply was when the prophet proclaimed to Austin that his deceased father was watching from heaven, proud of him for opening the church building. This contradicts everything I know to be true. It was spiritual manipulation designed to validate Austin’s actions and keep us all invested. Years later, after Austin was asked to resign due to his abuses, this same prophet returned. Instead of accountability, he declared Austin’s rise, prophesying double doors of opportunity. He knew about the abuse but never asked us, never sought the truth. When I tried to reach out, he blocked me. I remember those early prophecies—how they reinforced the financial burden, the pressure, the control. And now, after years of unravelling the truth, I see them for what they were. If you’re in a situation where prophecy is being used to manipulate and control, know this: it’s not from God. My book, Deep Dive, is my way of shedding light on this kind of abuse. To the prophet, you know who you are. The harm your words have caused? It's real, and it’s long-lasting. Deep Dive isn’t just my journey—it’s for all of us who’ve been shaped by false promises and who’ve had to rebuild ourselves after the chaos of confusion and deceit. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unmaskingwonderland.substack.com/subscribe

  7. 02/03/2025

    The Board Room

    I am now sitting in the very seat that crushed my spirit two years prior. Leather, black and modern. The vast boardroom table, overkill for our small meeting, with two hired investigators in 2023. Today, as I approached my new therapist's office, a familiar unease crept over me. It was the very building where a couple of years ago we faced two men from interstate seeking to unravel our stories of abuse. Back then, hope was high. We thought someone would finally listen. But it was HIM, the MASTER, that initiated their involvement. As soon as we met them in the foyer, hope started to crack. Our access card didn't work and we were stranded, waiting for our friend Justin to bail us out. In that time, small talk filled the void where our true story should have been heard. Justin eventually secured our entry. Leading us to this boardroom, the very place I find myself now. I had no idea when I made the therapy appointment that this was where today's appointment would take me. A fellow survivor had recommended me to this local psychologist, and I was here to seek help for my ongoing trauma that had lifted its ugly head over the past week. But in this space, the memories flooded back. The feeling of being professionally attacked, not heard. We thought we were there to speak of the abuse and abuser, but the focus was shifted as soon as they began recording our recount. We were not allowed to keep our own recording, and we trusted them to provide theirs as promised. That trust was misplaced. Their questions pierced us, seeming to attack rather than understand. They painted us as instigators, while ignoring the victim's stories. Even as we sat with the painful responsibility of sharing them. The investigators demanded we remain silent, even with friends, our sole support network in our cult like environment. The absurdity peaked when they attempted to separate victims like The Naked Armor Bearer and his wife, jemama, from sharing their pain with each other. Their obsession with natural justice seemed only to shield the perpetrator. Our stories and pain discarded along their scripted path. Amidst my husband's heartbreaking sobs after an investigator's hollow empathy display, we realised how isolated we felt. The true ally was Justin, waiting outside, not invited to support us during our lowest point. Cornered until we appeared safe to go home, the investigators finally left us with Justin, our strength and solace. I remembered sitting in this very boardroom, overwhelmed by helplessness and injustice. Feeling the weight of years of fighting battles where we were branded antagonists. But I also remember the validation months later. The day, the interim elders recognized the master as deficient, guilty and disqualified. Facing 60 victims in the room and more online, the truths we had carried were finally declared. Today I leave this boardroom with a surer heart. We were silenced and crushed. Yet our fight led to the truth. We were not just voices lost in the MASTER's thunderous declarations. We regained our voices. We were right to persist, to cry out when the world refused to listen. Our story did not end here. Our cries were not in vain. Validation and justice came because we dared to speak. We did the right thing, and though it cost us dearly, we pray it may help others like us to find their voices, too. Following that fateful meeting, we tried our best to seek clarity on the process of these investigators… Following is our email to them dated July 30th, 2023 Dear Investigators, Thank you for the time you dedicated yesterday, and for graciously extending the meeting. We are grateful for your understanding of our perspective and for showing genuine concern. As agreed, we appreciate you sending us access to the recording from our time with you yesterday. You can email access via Otter if that is preferred. After the meeting, there are certain points we'd like to address for further clarification. During our discussion, you mentioned the protocol and involvement of the ombudsman in regard to the MASTER’s continued position of authority amidst the ongoing investigation. As we have sought professional advice on this matter, it has been consistently recommended that he should have been temporarily removed from his position based on the allegations presented while the investigation is underway (in accordance with our governing policies and government policies). Could you kindly share documentation or direct me to the appropriate section on your website that outlines the legal process you are obliged to follow? I've attempted to navigate your website in search of information about your investigative procedures, but regrettably, I haven't been successful in finding any details about this. GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), handles investigations related to Spiritual Abuse, and they have a well-defined process clearly stated on their website. They also share insights about the process through articles and podcasts, which you can find at: https://www.netgrace.org/independent-investigations There is a video about their process here: Yesterday, we didn't have the opportunity to delve deeply into the matters concerning the other businesses. We are eager to clarify whether you are investigating in accordance with the appropriate guidelines that govern them. During our conversation, we emphasised the paramount importance of addressing the trauma experienced by the victims and their overall well-being, and we earnestly hope for urgent action in this regard. We also discussed a significant issue concerning the lack of communication throughout the investigation process. To date, none of the involved parties have received any official documentation pertaining to the investigation or its procedures. This absence of formal communication is particularly concerning, given the gravity of the situation at hand. As we move forward, it would be immensely beneficial if you could provide more comprehensive information to victims, staff and the church. This approach would alleviate concerns and also serve to establish a clearer framework of what is expected from all parties involved in the process. Proper and timely communication will be essential to ensure a fair and transparent investigation. We expressed our apprehensions regarding the Interim Elders and their potential conflict of interest. I must admit that we now have additional concerns, having learned you have personal friendships with several of these Interim Elders. The MASTER was the one that initiated the Interim Eldership, the whole setup was under HIS direction. While we want to believe that everyone involved will act without bias, our 18-year experience working with the MASTER has taught us that manipulation can occur without one's awareness. I hope you can understand that our apprehension about the process is not a personal attack against anyone undertaking a role in this matter. Instead, it stems from our own acknowledgment of the risks involved, based on past experiences. We want to ensure a fair and objective investigation that is not influenced by personal relationships or biases, as this is crucial for attaining a just resolution. Thank you for addressing these concerns and for sending through documentation to help us in understanding your official process in this investigation. Thank you, From The Willow Tree and Compound Fracture We eventually received a delayed reply from the investigators after further follow-up. Subject: Follow-Up on Your Concerns Dear The Willow Tree I hope you and Compound Fracture are doing OK as you move through another week. We met today to review your emails and ensure we could provide you with a response. Our current priority is obtaining agreement from the interim elders on the process for following up on the documentation that has been collected and forwarded to us. We have provided a verbal report and are in the process of compiling a written report with recommendations for the interim elders. If approved, this will guide the pathway forward. Regarding your request for the recording, we recall giving you permission to record our interview with you. While we also made our own recording with your permission, it is not our policy to make those recordings available to anyone other than ourselves, as we previously indicated. This policy is in place to maintain strict confidentiality. Concerning the legal framework under which we operate, we are committed to upholding the principles of natural justice and take general guidance from the processes outlined by both the Victorian Ombudsman and the Commonwealth Ombudsman. These principles will inform the complaints process that we hope will be approved to address the current situation. We appreciate you raising your concern regarding potential conflicts of interest. I hope these responses are helpful to you and Compound Fracture. Best regards, The Investigators It was always a lost cause. They were his hires. They instructed us not to record. Then, they assured us they would provide the recording. We know—without a shadow of a doubt—what was promised. Lesson learned. Record. No matter what. The interim elders sidelined the investigation team, but the MASTER still clung to their illegitimate findings. I doubt they’d want any real scrutiny of their process—especially not an official investigation. They were anything but trauma-informed. Their final report bent entirely in his favour, ignoring facts, dismissing proof, and refusing to ask the questions that would have dismantled their conclusions. And yet, the MASTER grips that report like it’s his golden ticket to freedom. I doubt any of them would welcome an investigation into their methods. We told the truth. We bared our souls. And they branded us instigators. They attacked while we were down. But we will rise. Next time I walk into that therapy session, past that fateful boardroom, I will st

  8. 10/21/2024

    The Finale is Coming...

    It’s been a while since I last shared an update, and I thought it was time to reflect on some progress. Though the Master still reigns and there’s little to be seen on the surface, we remain confident that whatever is happening quietly behind the scenes will ultimately bring closure, and perhaps justice. On a more personal note, I’ve been rediscovering creativity and gradually returning to my work. There are a few exciting projects on the horizon, including a classic Melbourne tram that’s soon to arrive at our property. We’ll be transforming it into an art gallery, a space where stories and art come together. I’ve also added a kiln to my arsenal, and I’m finding real joy in exploring new art forms, learning skills I never thought I’d try. The stories from the past keep coming, as we continue to cross paths with former members of our high-control church—each with something of their own to share. But we trust that God is working, quietly and steadily, in each of our situations. Our hearts still ache for the broken lives left in the wake. It’s a quiet, constant lament. Lately, I’ve been writing songs—some through Suno.com—which has been a form of therapy for me. I realise some of these songs might touch on difficult emotions, so I encourage anyone listening to tread carefully. Still, I’m finding new avenues of expression, both through AI-generated art and hand-crafted pottery. Discovering how these different forms of creativity can bring peace has been refreshing. Perhaps one day soon, I’ll be able to share this blend of art and therapy with others. For today, instead of writing, I’ve composed a song. This is that song.The finale is coming... and we’re getting closer. The Finale (Verse 1) It's been some time, but here I stand, Between the echoes, on this quiet land. The Master still reigns, though we don’t see a thing... Behind the scenes they continue to sing. Justice waits in the shadows, out of sight, But we hold onto hope in the dead of night. (Pre-Chorus) Oh, the stories that linger, the pain that won't fade, We cross paths with the broken, the lives we once made. But I see a light, though it flickers and sways, It’s pulling us forward, through the haze. (Chorus) The finale is coming, I feel it near, With every step forward, it’s becoming clear. Though we’ve been shattered, scattered like clay, God’s hand is mending in His own way. Through the art, through the tears, through the fight, The finale is coming, and justice takes flight. (Verse 2) I’ve returned to my craft, the work of my hands, Shaping stories in clay over broken plans. A Melbourne tram turned into a dream, Where visions of hope and art redeem. The kiln fires hot, new forms take shape, A symbol of freedom, no longer escape. (Pre-Chorus) Though the past still lingers, like shadows on stone, I'm finding new ways to heal, to atone. With each work of art, a burden released, In the silence, a kind of peace. (Chorus) The finale is coming, I feel it near, With every step forward, it’s becoming clear. Though we’ve been shattered, scattered like clay, God’s hand is mending in His own way. Through the art, through the tears, through the fight, The finale is coming, and justice takes flight. (Bridge) Lament for the broken, their stories untold, But I believe in a mercy that never grows old. While the world turns, while the pain still remains, God’s weaving His justice through every strain. New art is rising, new life from the dust, I’m learning to heal, learning to trust. (Chorus) The finale is coming, I feel it near, With every step forward, it’s becoming clear. Though we’ve been shattered, scattered like clay, God’s hand is mending in His own way. Through the art, through the tears, through the fight, The finale is coming, and justice takes flight. (Outro) The finale is coming, we’re almost there, I can feel it in the silence, in the air. Through the stories, through the scars, through the fire, We’re moving closer, rising higher. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unmaskingwonderland.substack.com/subscribe

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About

Poems and Stories set to a score with sound effects, produced by The Willow Tree and Friends - My journey out of a high-control church home spanning two decades. Willow means 'Freedom' and the Willow Tree is symbolic of humans' capability to withstand hardship, loss, and difficult emotions. Thanks to its long life and the ease with which new trees can be root. unmaskingwonderland.substack.com

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