Cult Diaries

Brooke Deanne

Welcome to Cult Diaries, a podcast where courageous voices come together to share the raw, real stories of life after cults. Hosted by an ex-Jehovah’s Witness who knows firsthand the journey from control to liberation, each episode dives into personal experiences of those who have broken free and are ready to tell all. Here, we believe these stories deserve to be heard—not only to shine a light on hidden truths but to empower others to know they, too, can rebuild their lives and find freedom. Join us for honest conversations, resilience, and a shared journey toward reclaiming identity and hope

  1. 09/22/2025

    Deconstructing Faith Without Losing Your Soul

    In this episode, Brooke sits down with Bre Hamilton ( Religious Trauma Coach), who grew up deeply embedded in fundamentalist evangelical Christianity—where identity, belonging, and moral value were measured by submission and spotless rule-following. When their questions began, it wasn’t just beliefs that unraveled; it was an entire sense of self. What makes their story unique is what happened next: they didn’t walk away from spirituality—they reclaimed it. Through curiosity, nervous-system healing, and radical self-honesty, Bre rebuilt a relationship to the sacred that’s consent-based, embodied, and free of coercion. Today, they’ve created a life and business devoted to healing, purpose, and community for others on a similar path. We cover: The quiet mechanics of control: purity culture, gender roles, and “worthiness” as performance Deconstruction without collapse: nervous-system tools for safety, grief, and reorientation Reclaiming spirituality on your terms—rituals, values, and inner guidance you can trust Building ethical, non-coercive community and safeguards against recreating harmful dynamics Practical first steps for listeners beginning to question Connect with your host, Brooke Kekos here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emotional Trauma Quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain clarity on where you’re struggling, identify the hidden blocks keeping you from thriving, and learn how to begin rewriting your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Healing Meditation Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Three powerful guided hypnosis meditations created specifically for survivors of trauma and narcissistic abuse. These meditations are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm anxiety, and foster deep emotional healing—grab yours now and start your journey to inner peace! Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Losing My Religion and Finding Faith. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab your copy!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Warrior Goddess Circle for Book Club⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Bre: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Tik Tok⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠

    37 min
  2. 09/08/2025

    Freedom From Australia MegaChurch

    What happens when the church you dedicate your life to turns out to be a cult? In this episode of Cult Diaries, I sit down with Elise Heerde, who courageously shares her story of growing up in and ultimately escaping the grip of an Australian Mega Church cult. Elise opens up about the unraveling of belief, the painful process of uncovering the truth, and the courageous steps it took to finally break free. Together, we explore what it means to heal after religious trauma, how cult conditioning impacts the nervous system, and how reclaiming authenticity becomes the foundation for real freedom. Elise Heerde (she/her) is a Certified Coach and qualified Mental Health Practitioner in Melbourne, Australia. She is the Co-founder of The Religious Trauma Collective, where she supports people recovering from religious trauma and cults. With both lived experience and professional training, Elise brings compassion, authenticity, and even a touch of sarcasm to her work — creating safe, judgment-free spaces filled with hope. This conversation is for anyone who has ever questioned their faith, struggled with the aftermath of religious control, or is seeking the courage to heal and rebuild their life beyond indoctrination. Elise’s journey will inspire you to trust your inner knowing, reclaim your voice, and remember that freedom is always possible. Connect with your host, Brooke Deanne here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emotional Trauma Quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain clarity on where you’re struggling, identify the hidden blocks keeping you from thriving, and learn how to begin rewriting your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Healing Meditation Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Three powerful guided hypnosis meditations created specifically for survivors of trauma and narcissistic abuse. These meditations are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm anxiety, and foster deep emotional healing—grab yours now and start your journey to inner peace! My Book is finally here: Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Losing My Religion and Finding Faith ⁠⁠⁠Grab your copy!⁠ Connect with Elise: Website Instagram

    39 min
  3. 05/26/2025

    Escaping the Jehovah’s Witnesses & an Abusive Marriage: Jada’s Powerful Story of Freedom & Healing

    Jada Bohmer is the host of Awaken to Freedom, a podcast dedicated to empowering women breaking free from cults, high-control religious environments, and abusive relationships. Today, Jada Bohmer shares her powerful story of awakening—breaking free from the control of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and surviving a deeply abusive marriage. Now, 30 years into her freedom, Jada’s journey is one of resilience, healing, and transformation. Her lived experience offers hope and inspiration to others walking similar paths. Through her voice and her work, she empowers women to reclaim their autonomy, heal from spiritual and relational abuse, and step fully into their truth.  Connect with your host, Brooke Deanne here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emotional Trauma Quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain clarity on where you’re struggling, identify the hidden blocks keeping you from thriving, and learn how to begin rewriting your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Healing Meditation Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Three powerful guided hypnosis meditations created specifically for survivors of trauma and narcissistic abuse. These meditations are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm anxiety, and foster deep emotional healing—grab yours now and start your journey to inner peace! My Book is finally here: Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Losing My Religion and Finding Faith ⁠⁠Grab your copy! Connect with Jada Website YouTube Spotify

    33 min
  4. 04/21/2025

    Breaking The Cycle: Giving My Kids the Freedom I Never Had

    Donovan Johnson left the Jehovah's Witnesses over 8 years ago, after losing his mother. She had confessed that she had questioned things for years, and told him before she passed. He then took that and began to awaken himself to the reality of the religion that he had been taught to believe. In today’s deeply personal episode of Cult Diaries, we’re talking about one of the most powerful forms of rebellion: choosing to live your life freely and giving your children the life you were never allowed to have. For those of us raised in high-control religions, cults, or toxic systems, freedom wasn’t something we grew up with—it was something we had to fight for. Parenting after that kind of upbringing is layered with grief, healing, and conscious choice. It means unlearning everything you were taught about love, obedience, and worth—and replacing it with truth, softness, and sovereignty. This episode is an invitation to all the cycle-breakers, the survivors, the mothers and fathers doing it differently. You may not have been raised in safety, but you’re creating it now. That matters. That’s revolutionary. Connect with your host, Brooke Deanne here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emotional Trauma Quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain clarity on where you’re struggling, identify the hidden blocks keeping you from thriving, and learn how to begin rewriting your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Healing Meditation Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Three powerful guided hypnosis meditations created specifically for survivors of trauma and narcissistic abuse. These meditations are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm anxiety, and foster deep emotional healing—grab yours now and start your journey to inner peace! My Book is finally here: Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Losing My Religion and Finding Faith ⁠Grab your copy!

    37 min
  5. 04/14/2025

    The Truth About Armageddon: Reclaiming Power From Apocalyptic Fear

    In this episode of Cult Diaries, we’re diving headfirst into one of the most emotionally loaded and deeply misunderstood doctrines in the Bible—Armageddon. If you grew up in a high-control religion or under the weight of end-times fear, this conversation is for you. We’ll trace the historical origins of the Armageddon narrative—from its Jewish apocalyptic roots in books like Daniel and Enoch, to how it was reimagined in the Book of Revelation as a metaphor for spiritual resistance under Roman rule. You'll learn how early Christians viewed Rome as the Beast and Jesus as the Lamb, not as players in a literal battle, but as symbols of oppression vs. divine liberation (see Revelation 13, 17, 5, and 14). Then we’ll break down how different religions and denominations interpret Armageddon today—from the fear-based literalism of Jehovah’s Witnesses and evangelical end-times prophecies, to the symbolic, ongoing inner battle embraced by many Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. Spoiler alert: it’s not about fire from the sky—it’s about awakening what’s been silenced inside of you. This episode draws from biblical scholarship, historical context (including insights on Emperor Domitian and first-century persecution), and cross-religious interpretations. Sources include the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, scholarly commentary on Revelation, and interfaith studies on apocalyptic belief systems. ✨ Most importantly, we flip the script: maybe Armageddon isn’t an external war at all. Maybe the real battle is within—when you stop conforming, stop fearing, and start rising into your truth. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by end-times doctrine or been told your worth depends on your survival, this is your invitation to wake up, break free, and reclaim your power.In this episode of Cult Diaries, we’re diving headfirst into one of the most emotionally loaded and deeply misunderstood doctrines in the Bible—Armageddon. If you grew up in a high-control religion or under the weight of end-times fear, this conversation is for you. We’ll trace the historical origins of the Armageddon narrative—from its Jewish apocalyptic roots in books like Daniel and Enoch, to how it was reimagined in the Book of Revelation as a metaphor for spiritual resistance under Roman rule. You'll learn how early Christians viewed Rome as the Beast and Jesus as the Lamb, not as players in a literal battle, but as symbols of oppression vs. divine liberation (see Revelation 13, 17, 5, and 14). Then we’ll break down how different religions and denominations interpret Armageddon today—from the fear-based literalism of Jehovah’s Witnesses and evangelical end-times prophecies, to the symbolic, ongoing inner battle embraced by many Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. Spoiler alert: it’s not about fire from the sky—it’s about awakening what’s been silenced inside of you. This episode draws from biblical scholarship, historical context (including insights on Emperor Domitian and first-century persecution), and cross-religious interpretations. Sources include the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, scholarly commentary on Revelation, and interfaith studies on apocalyptic belief systems. Most importantly, we flip the script: maybe Armageddon isn’t an external war at all. Maybe the real battle is within—when you stop conforming, stop fearing, and start rising into your truth. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by end-times doctrine or been told your worth depends on your survival, this is your invitation to wake up, break free, and reclaim your power. Connect with your host, Brooke Deanne here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My Book is finally here: Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Losing My Religion and Finding Faith Grab your copy!

    13 min
  6. 03/31/2025

    The Cost of Leaving Jehovah’s Witnesses

    Born into a fourth-generation Jehovah’s Witness family, today's guest grew up deeply entrenched in the faith, striving to be the perfect believer while secretly battling feelings of inadequacy and doubt. Like many, she followed the path laid out for her—getting baptized at 13, pioneering, and building a life by Jehovah’s Witness standards. But when her husband voiced his doubts, everything changed. What started as a simple Google search led to a life-altering discovery that shattered the foundation of her faith. She uncovered the hidden truths about the organization, its cover-ups, and its real dealings—and in a single moment, everything she believed came crashing down. The hardest part? Choosing truth over family. In this episode, she shares:⚡ The mental and emotional turmoil of deconstructing a lifelong belief system⚡ How the fear of losing family kept her trapped longer than she wanted⚡ The moment everything changed after uncovering hidden truths⚡ The agonizing decision to leave, knowing it meant complete shunning⚡ How she and her husband fought for their kids' freedom from indoctrination⚡ Her healing journey and why she now speaks out against high-control groups If you've ever struggled with religious trauma, deconstructing faith, or the fear of losing everything just for choosing yourself, this episode will speak directly to your soul. 💡 Trigger warning: This episode discusses themes of religious trauma, family estrangement, and mental health. 🎧 Listen now and share this with someone who needs to hear they are not alone. Connect with your host, Brooke Deanne here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emotional Trauma Quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain clarity on where you’re struggling, identify the hidden blocks keeping you from thriving, and learn how to begin rewriting your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Healing Meditation Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Three powerful guided hypnosis meditations created specifically for survivors of trauma and narcissistic abuse. These meditations are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm anxiety, and foster deep emotional healing—grab yours now and start your journey to inner peace! Connect with Alissa here:Tik Tok Instagram YouTube

    41 min
  7. 03/24/2025

    Breaking Free From The Jehovah's Witness Religion Part 2

    Leaving a high-control religion is more than just walking away—it’s unraveling years of subconscious programming, fear-based conditioning, and deep psychological ties that still shape your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. In this episode, I share Part 2 of my journey—the moment I finally left Jehovah’s Witnesses for good, the devastating loss of my marriage and identity, and the painful truth I uncovered about the organization’s hidden abuse scandals and doctrinal contradictions. But beyond the heartbreak came clarity—a chance to rewrite my story, heal from religious trauma, and help others do the same. This episode isn’t just about deconstructing faith; it’s about the psychological impact of religious indoctrination, trauma bonding, and the fear that keeps so many trapped. Healing after leaving a cult-like religion means confronting cognitive dissonance, reprogramming your nervous system, and reclaiming the parts of yourself you were forced to suppress. If you’ve ever felt the weight of religious trauma, struggled with guilt for questioning your faith, or are seeking validation for your journey—you are not alone, and you are not broken. Tune in as we expose the illusions, break free from fear, and step into the freedom that was always meant to be ours. Connect with your host, Brooke Deanne here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emotional Trauma Quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain clarity on where you’re struggling, identify the hidden blocks keeping you from thriving, and learn how to begin rewriting your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Healing Meditation Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Three powerful guided hypnosis meditations created specifically for survivors of trauma and narcissistic abuse. These meditations are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm anxiety, and foster deep emotional healing—grab yours now and start your journey to inner peace!

    38 min
  8. 03/17/2025

    When Faith Becomes a Weapon: Surviving Spiritual Manipulation & Domestic Abuse

    What happens when faith is weaponized against you? When the very institution meant to protect and guide you becomes the foundation of your abuse? In this gripping and raw podcast, Anna Marie Lopes shares her journey of surviving the dangerous intersection of spiritual manipulation and domestic violence within the church. At just 18, she was drawn into a world where biblical principles were twisted to control me. By 19, she was married to a youth pastor—a man who used his position of power to justify verbal, mental, physical, sexual, financial, and spiritual abuse. For six years, she endured unimaginable cruelty while being told she was fulfilling my role as a “good Christian wife.” But the most shocking part? Her abuser wasn’t just a pastor—he was grooming a minor and having an affair, yet he remains in the pulpit to this day, protected by a system that refuses to hold him accountable. Even her own mother, a survivor herself, sided with him—forcing her to navigate betrayal, isolation, and the painful realization that abusers thrive in spaces designed to hide them. This podcast is a call to break the silence. It’s a deep dive into the realities of religious abuse, the insidious ways narcissists manipulate faith, and the resilience it takes to break free. If you’ve ever questioned how predators continue to thrive in positions of power—or if you’re a survivor searching for validation, healing, and hope—this is for you. You are not alone. And together, we’re shattering the illusions, reclaiming our voices, and exposing the truth. 🎙️ Subscribe now and join the conversation. It’s time to unmask the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Connect with your host, Brooke Deanne here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emotional Trauma Quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain clarity on where you’re struggling, identify the hidden blocks keeping you from thriving, and learn how to begin rewriting your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Healing Meditation Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Three powerful guided hypnosis meditations created specifically for survivors of trauma and narcissistic abuse. These meditations are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm anxiety, and foster deep emotional healing—grab yours now and start your journey to inner peace! Connect with Anna Marie here: Instagram Free Resources: 1. Free reclamationprintable cards & wallpapers for listeners by Brave & Free 2.Healing & CPTSD Community Hub where I host the domestic abuse support circle every month + other free events, resources and inclusive space for trauma survivors to connect, share, and heal 3. Book "Twisted Scriptures"

    52 min
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Cult Diaries, a podcast where courageous voices come together to share the raw, real stories of life after cults. Hosted by an ex-Jehovah’s Witness who knows firsthand the journey from control to liberation, each episode dives into personal experiences of those who have broken free and are ready to tell all. Here, we believe these stories deserve to be heard—not only to shine a light on hidden truths but to empower others to know they, too, can rebuild their lives and find freedom. Join us for honest conversations, resilience, and a shared journey toward reclaiming identity and hope