The Angela Rose Show

Angela Rose

5.0 (2)
CHRISTIANITY

Unveiled stories of courage from survivors of religious abuse.

NOV 7

“He Was God to Me”: Rebekah’s Escape from Spiritual, Emotional, and Mental Abuse

Send us a text “I was so conditioned into thinking that what my parents were like was normal, that I didn’t see any red flags.” 💔 In this moving episode of The Angela Rose Show, Rebekah Thomas opens up about growing up in an Independent Fundamental Baptist household, a world where fear, control, and spiritual manipulation shaped every part of her existence. What began as a home rooted in religion evolved into a life of isolation, obedience, and eventual escape. Rebekah’s story reveals the devastating impact of psychological, emotional, and spiritual abuse and the long, courageous journey toward reclaiming her mind, body, and soul. Through her vulnerability, we see what happens when belief is weaponized and how the human spirit can rise from the wreckage of indoctrination. 🔍 With bravery and truth, we explore: •Growing up under authoritarian religious control •How isolation and fear kept Rebekah compliant •Witnessing and surviving familial abuse •The devastating effects of religious and mental manipulation •How purity culture and gender hierarchy shaped her marriage •The patterns of narcissistic control repeating across generations •Breaking free from spiritual and domestic abuse •Rebuilding a life of independence, self-worth, and peace This is not just a story of survival. It is a story of awakening, courage, and rebirth. 🌿 🛑 Trigger Warning: Discussion of child sexual abuse, religious trauma, mental and emotional abuse, domestic violence, and spiritual manipulation. 💬 If Rebekah’s story moved you, please share this episode with someone who may need to hear it. Together, we can bring light to hidden stories and healing to those still searching for freedom. 🎧 Support The Angela Rose Show: You can now support our mission and stories like this by becoming a monthly contributor here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458617/subscribe?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5ucQYAansDCEPvXiAhZX8XuE8r3zW9Qxwu_cnMXOXYOf1WaVKzjnxWeI1fTw_aem_6icjEQaLh3KFZIIPFzU_Kg 🔗 Follow Rebekah Thomas: Website: https://www.ediemaessoap.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ediemaessoap 🔗 Follow Angela Rose: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/angelarosemartin Facebook:http://facebook.com/angelarosemartin TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@angelaroseshow 📍 Crisis Support Resources Crisis Text Line — Text TWLOHA to 741741Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call 988National Child Abuse Hotline — Call 800-422-4453National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 800-799-7233RAINN (Sexual Assault Support) — Call 800-656-4673 Support the show

1h 59m
OCT 20

From Mennonite Control to Freedom: A Story of Abuse, Loss, and Inner Peace

Send us a text “Some of our most painful losses are not fully perceived by the people around us. But that doesn’t make them any less worthy of being seen or grieved.” In this profoundly moving episode of The Angela Rose Show, Ruth Miller unveils her story of spiritual, emotional, and sexual abuse within a conservative Mennonite community, and how she found her voice after decades of silence. Ruth courageously walks us through childhood trauma, fear-based religion, isolation, narcissistic abuse, and the devastating loss of her daughter. Her story is one of deep grief and also of incredible grit. Today, Ruth stands as a student training to become a licensed therapist, offering compassion to others walking the same road. 🔍 With tenderness and truth, Ruth and I explore: •Early memories of abuse and isolation in her Amish Mennonite upbringing •The terror of being punished and silenced in the name of religion •Surviving sexual abuse and the long-term impact of hypervigilance and fear •Living in a controlling marriage and finding courage to leave •The unimaginable loss of her daughter and learning to breathe again •How mentorship, therapy, and faith helped her rebuild her life •Why healing happens in layers and how Ruth now brings hope to others This is not just a story about survival. It is a sacred story unveiling truth, peace, and the power of a woman who knows her strength. 🛑 Trigger Warning: This episode includes descriptions of childhood sexual abuse, religious abuse, emotional manipulation, suicidal ideation, and the loss of a child. Please listen with care. 💬 Has this conversation resonated with your story? Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out privately. You are not alone. And if you found hope in today’s episode, please like, share, and subscribe to help us reach more survivors and families. 🎧 Support The Angela Rose Show: You can now support our mission and stories like this by becoming a monthly contributor here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458617/subscribe?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5ucQYAansDCEPvXiAhZX8XuE8r3zW9Qxwu_cnMXOXYOf1WaVKzjnxWeI1fTw_aem_6icjEQaLh3KFZIIPFzU_Kg 🔗 Follow Ruth Miller: Facebook: Ruth Miller Ministries (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558948408274#) 🔗 Follow Angela Rose: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/angelarosemartin Facebook:http://facebook.com/angelarosemartin TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@angelaroseshow 📍 Crisis Support Resources Crisis Text Line — Text TWLOHA to 741741 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call 988 National Child Abuse Hotline — Call 800-422-4453 National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 800-799-7233 RAINN (Sexual Assault Support) — Call 800-656-4673 Support the show

1h 12m
SEP 26

From Gang Violence to Sobriety: A Journey of Survival, Addiction, and Unbreakable Faith

Send us a text She ran away at 12 years old, stripped on stage at 15, and nearly boarded a plane that crashed weeks later. What saved her? Radical honesty, stubborn love, and a faith that outlived the rules. In this episode of The Angela Rose Show, I sit down with my soul-friend Jamie, a survivor whose life began on the gang-controlled streets of Chicago. Her journey through childhood neglect, abuse, grooming pipelines, and severe addiction reveals a profound truth: healing is found in connection, not perfection. Together, Jamie and I trace the thread that kept showing up: love wins. Her journey takes us through addiction with 7 DUIs, infertility grief, and the rebuilding of a sober community around a backyard campfire for women. If you’ve ever wondered whether authenticity can actually change a life, this story is for you. With raw vulnerability, Jamie and I unpack: •Surviving rape at 11 and being groomed by gangs for prostitution •Physically dragged by church workers and sent to the Lester Roloff Baptist home •Finding structure and faith for the first time •The empty promise of escape through materialism and “call-girl” life •The devastating spiral of alcoholism that led to 7 DUIs and jail time •The life-or-death moment of self-confrontation that began 12 years of sobriety •Clothing judgment within a Mennonite community and reclaiming personal faith •How Jamie created Time Out for Women, a simple campfire community to fight loneliness and build authentic connection This is more than a survival story. It’s a testament to the relentless power of showing up for yourself and the healing that happens when we choose to edify instead of judge. 🛑 Trigger Warning: This episode includes descriptions of childhood sexual assault, gang violence, kidnapping, prostitution, addiction, alcoholism, and infertility. Please listen with care. 💬 Has this conversation resonated with your story? Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out privately. You are not alone. And if you found hope in today’s episode, please like, share, and subscribe to help us reach more survivors and families. 🔗Connect with Jamie Marts Facebook: Jamie Marts Cell #717-201-3395 🔗 Follow Angela Rose: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/angelarosemartin Facebook:http://facebook.com/angelarosemartin TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@angelaroseshow 📍 Crisis Support Resources Crisis Text Line — Text TWLOHA to 741741Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call 988National Child Abuse Hotline — Call 800-422-4453National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 800-799-7233RAINN (Sexual Assault Support) — Call 800-656-4673Support the show

1h 13m
AUG 28

'Because I Love You': The Hidden Trauma of Hitting Children

Send us a text “They told me it was love. But what I felt was fear, shame, and confusion. Spanking in God’s name left wounds that went far deeper than my body.” In this groundbreaking episode of The Angela Rose Show, I sit down with Matt Shantz, mental health worker, coach, and survivor of corporal punishment in conservative Mennonite communities. Together, we uncover how “discipline in love” becomes trauma cloaked in religion, shaping our view of God, our bodies, and our ability to trust. 🔍 With courage and compassion, Matt and I explore: How spanking harms attachment and development, even when done “calmly” or “in love”Why children forced to bond with violent caregivers carry lifelong nervous system traumaThe hidden sexual impacts of spanking, from unwanted arousal to complete shutdownAngela’s personal story of dissociation and powerlessness watching siblings being hitWhy religious communities rebrand violence as “spanking” and how humor masks deep woundsThe unique trauma of witnessing abuse in the house of GodPractical alternatives: breaking cycles of violence, regulating ourselves as parents, and raising children with connection instead of controlResources for parents and survivors: attachment-based parenting, trauma recovery, and healing from religious abuse This is not just about parenting. It is about truth-telling, breaking generational cycles, and reclaiming what love really means. 🛑 Trigger Warning: This episode includes descriptions of corporal punishment, child abuse, sexual confusion, arousal and shutdown, dissociation, religious manipulation, and spiritual trauma. Please listen with care. 💬 Has this conversation resonated with your story? Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out privately. You are not alone. And if you found hope in today’s episode, please like, share, and subscribe to help us reach more survivors and families. 🔗 Follow Matt Shantz 🌐 Website: https://www.mattshantz.org/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantzmatt/ 🔗 Follow Angela Rose: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/angelarosemartin Facebook:http://facebook.com/angelarosemartin TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@angelaroseshow 📍 Crisis Support Resources Crisis Text Line — Text TWLOHA to 741741Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call 988National Child Abuse Hotline — Call 800-422-4453National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 800-799-7233RAINN (Sexual Assault Support) — Call 800-656-4673Support the show

1h 25m
JUL 10

Sex Trafficked by Her Adoptive Mother And Pastor’s Wife: Triana’s Courageous Escape

Send us a text "She was the minister’s wife. I was her adopted daughter. No one believed me, until my body forced me to remember." In this shattering episode of The Angela Rose Show, Triana, chronic illness warrior, and founder of Broken Pieces Art Studio, reveals how her adoptive mother, a Dunkard Brethren pastor’s wife, trafficked her as a child while the church covered the crimes. 🔍 With extraordinary courage, Triana shares: •Being adopted out of prison into a high-control religious family, and how “spiritual grooming” masked her abuse •Trafficked around ages 5 to 8, including physical violence by her mother, she dissociated to survive •Baptized in terror in a freezing creek at age 8 (to wash her sins) as the hellfire preaching and damnation left her with no other choice •The near-fatal car accident at age 3 that left her with nerve damage, only to be dismissed as attention-seeking •Church records documenting bruises on children... and why no one was ever charged •How escape through marriage and motherhood unleashed suppressed memories, and how her art (like her crystal butterfly resin designs) reclaims the beauty stolen from her This is more than a survivor story. It's a reckoning, an unflinching exposé of how religious systems enable predators, and the extraordinary strength it takes to rise from the wreckage. 🛑 Trigger Warning: This episode contains raw descriptions of sexual abuse, child trafficking, spiritual manipulation, racism, suicidal ideation, and psychological violence. Please listen with care. 💬 If Triana’s story resonates with you, share your thoughts in the comments or reach out privately. You are not alone. 🔗 Follow Triana / Broken Pieces Art Studio 🌐 Website: brokenpiecesartstudio.com 📸 Instagram: @broken_pieces_art_studio 📘 Facebook: Broken Pieces Art Studio 🔗 Follow Angela Rose: Instagram: @angelarosemartin Facebook: @angelarosemartin TikTok: @angelaroseshow 📍 Crisis Support Resources Crisis Text Line — Text TWLOHA to 741741 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call 988 National Child Abuse Hotline — Call 800-422-4453 National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 800-799-7233 RAINN (Sexual Assault Support) — Call 800-656-4673 Support the show

1h 34m
JUN 25

From Cults to Clarity: Michelle Stewart’s Journey Out of Religious Control

Send us a text What happens when obedience becomes survival, and silence is enforced through fear of eternal damnation? In this episode of The Angela Rose Show, I sit down with Michelle Stewart, activist, survivor, and author of JUDAS GIRL. Michelle grew up moving through a series of religious cults, including Hutterite, Bruderhof, Russian Orthodox, and an off-grid Amish-style commune led by a former Pathway Publishing editor. Each group claimed to hold “truth,” but used fear, shame, and religious coercion to suppress identity, voice, and thought. 🔍 We explore: Why Michelle used the word cult, and what actually qualifies as oneGender hierarchy, obedience, and early objectification in Hutterite and Bruderhof lifeThe psychological toll of being called “worse than Judas” by her father at age 14Her struggle to reconcile faith, autonomy, and loyalty as a teenage church memberThe role purity culture played in grooming, coercion, and sexual violationHow indoctrination prevented her from recognizing abuse, and her own worthThe impact of untreated mental illness and betrayal within religious systemsThe life-saving power of education, language, and the right resources Michelle’s story is one of surviving impossible choices, reclaiming power, and choosing to name the truth, even when it’s not welcome. As she says in the episode: “You can only make choices from the mindset you know.” 📕 Her memoir JUDAS GIRL doesn’t offer a tidy ending.. It offers validation, insight, and a path toward clarity. 🛑 Trigger warning: This episode includes honest discussions of sexual abuse, spiritual manipulation, and suicide ideation. Please take care as you listen. 💬 If something in this conversation resonates with your story, comment below or message privately. You’re not alone. 📕 Get the Book JUDAS GIRL by Michelle Stewart Also available on Amazon and major bookseller platforms 🔗 Follow Michelle Stewart: Instagram: @michelle_stewart_author - https://www.instagram.com/michelle_stewart_author Facebook: @Michelle-StewartAuthor-61552318056042 - https://www.facebook.com/p/Michelle-StewartAuthor-61552318056042/ Michelle Stewart's Official Website: https://michellestewartauthor.com/ 🔗 Follow Angela Rose: Instagram: @angelarosemartin Facebook: @angelarosemartin TikTok: @angelaroseshow 🔖 Crisis Support Resources If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to one of the following: Crisis Text Line – Text TWLOHA to 741741Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call 988National Child Abuse Hotline – Call 800-422-4453National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-7233RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – Call 800-656-4673 You are not alo Support the show

1h 53m
MAY 20

Individuality, Diversity, And The Power of Potential

Send us a text “When I began to succeed, I found out quickly who was truly for me." In this deeply personal episode of The Angela Rose Show, I sit down once again with my soul-friend and fellow survivor, Jessica Witmer of Wild Olive Branch Coaching. We’re not just talking about healing today, we’re talking about thriving. About reclaiming agency, success, and voice after a lifetime of compliance and oppression. Coming from Amish and Mennonite cultures where entrepreneurship was “a man’s lane,” Jess and I open up about what it really means to launch a business as a woman from a high-control religious environment. This isn’t about hustle culture. It’s about health, ownership, and self respect. It's about choosing courage over what mind control had instilled in us. 🔍 We unpack: The loneliness of stepping into your potentialHow gender role expectations didn't work for us and why we broke those rulesThe painful loss of relationships when we stopped struggling and started thrivingWriting as reclamation: turning our stories into strengthWhy success as a survivor is revolutionary If you’ve ever felt like your healing or ambition made others uncomfortable, this episode is for you. 💬 Drop a comment, share your story, or just know this: you’re not too much. You have all you need to live out your deepest passion. Dream on! 🔗 Follow Jessica Witmer: Instagram: @wildolivebranchcoaching Facebook: @jessicawitmer Coaching: Wild Olive Branch Coaching 🔗 Follow Angela Rose: Instagram: @angelarosemartin Facebook: @angelarosemartin TikTok: @angelaroseshow 📢 Support This Work Please like, comment, and share to help us reach more survivors ready to step into freedom. 📍 CRISIS SUPPORT RESOURCES Crisis Text Line – Text TWLOHA to 741741 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call 988 National Child Abuse Hotline – Call 800-422-4453 National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-7233 RAINN – Call 800-656-4673 Support the show

35 min
MAY 6

Amish, Addicted, And My Recovery

Send us a text In today’s episode of The Angela Rose Show, I sit down with someone I deeply admire — Jessica Witmer of Wild Olive Branch Coaching. This is her story as a teenager, but it’s also the story of so many of us who grew up silenced, oppressed, and searching for safety in high-control religious environments. Jessica was raised in an Amish household with 15 siblings, a strict environment, with emotional neglect and physical abuse that ran deep. She opens up about being the “outsider” in a church she would never be fully accepted into, dissociation and self-harm, and the unbearable shame that engulfed her for years. Her courage to revisit her teenage years and speak so vulnerably is nothing short of stunning. We talked about what it’s like to wake up from survival mode and realize you’ve never been taught how to live. How even after escaping abuse, the battle isn't over—it just changes. Jessica shares what helped her begin to heal, the poem she wrote that still gives me chills, and the powerful meaning behind her “I think you should stay” hat and self harm transformation tattoo. 💬 What we dive into: Jessica’s experience growing up Amish and feeling like an outsiderSelf inflicted violence, and how it became a way of copingHow she escaped her abusive home at 17 What healing actually looked like… messy, non-linear, and painfully beautifulWhy her scars and her story no longer carries shame If you are struggling with your mental health, I hope this episode reminds you: there is nothing wrong with you. You were never the problem. And you are absolutely worthy of compassion and recovery. I think you should stay. 🖤 Follow Jessica: Instagram: @wildolivebranchcoaching Facebook: @jessicawitmer Coaching & Support: Search Wild Olive Branch Coaching 🎙️ Follow me (Angela Rose): Instagram: @angelarosemartin Facebook: @angelarosemartin TikTok: @angelaroseshow 🔔 Subscribe for more real stories from survivors who’ve turned pain into purpose. ❤️ If You Need Immediate Help 📍 CRISIS SUPPORT RESOURCES Crisis Text Line – Text TWLOHA to 741741 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call 988 National Child Abuse Hotline – Call 800-422-4453 National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-7233 RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – Call 800-656-4673 You matter. Your story matters. And healing is possible. Support the show

1h 9m
MAY 2

Hidden Trauma, Religious Control, and Realistic Recovery

Send us a text I’ll never forget the moment Jessica said, “Before I ever abandoned myself, I was abandoned by others.” That line was profound. In this episode of The Angela Rose Show, I sit down with my friend Jessica Witmer, trauma coach and founder of Wild Olive Branch Coaching, to have a raw conversation on what realistic trauma recovery looks like. Jessica grew up with 15 siblings in a high-control religious community where abuse, silencing, and survival became the norm. In this episode, we go there. The hard parts. The invisible wounds. The parts nobody wants to talk about in church. We unpack: -How self-abandonment starts early in religious trauma -How fear and shame are baked into obedience -How abuse doesn’t always leave bruises—but always leaves impact -The grief of discovering what was done to you was never your fault -And how reconnecting with your body changes everything This isn’t surface-level healing. This is real. This is raw. This is recovery. 💬 Drop a comment if this resonates, you are not alone. Feel free to email Jessica or Angela Rose if you are looking for safe trauma recovery resources. 🧠 "If no one else believed you, I hope you still find the courage to believe yourself." ~Wild Olive Branch Coaching — 🔗 Connect with Jessica Witmer Instagram: @wildolivebranchcoaching Facebook: @jessicawitmer Coaching & Support: Search Wild Olive Branch Coaching 🎙️ Follow Angela Rose: Instagram: @angelarosemartin Facebook: @angelarose TikTok: @angelaroseshow 📢 If this conversation meant something to you, please like, comment, and share. It helps us reach more survivors and amplify these powerful stories. #TheAngelaRoseShow #ReligiousAbuse #SpiritualAbuseRecovery #ReligiousTrauma #WildOliveBranchCoaching #Jessicawitmer #ComplexTrauma #SelfAbandonment #SurvivorStories #cultrecovery #traumarecovery #amish #mennonite #mentalhealth #abusesurvivors #mentalhealthawareness #religiousabuse #hiddenabuse Support the show

1h 1m
APR 11

Tattoos, Trauma & Truth, Not Wrapped in a Bow

Send us a text What happens when your body becomes both the site of trauma and the canvas for healing? In this vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Ann, a survivor of sexual and spiritual abuse within a Mennonite community. Together, we unravel the weight of twisted love messages, the cost of silence, and what it means to reclaim the parts of yourself once stolen. We talk about the long-term impact of childhood rape, the tangled lines between church and God, and how healing doesn’t always look like a testimony with a pretty ending. Ann shares how her tattoos became symbols of resilience, authenticity, and ownership of her own body. If you’ve ever felt silenced, confused by love, or blamed for your pain, this space is for you. We are not here to perform healing. We’re here to tell the truth, even when it’s still unfinished. 🕊 Subscribe for more unfiltered stories from survivors. Your voice matters. 🎙 The Angela Rose Show ▪️ Connect with Ann Detweiler: Blog: abundantredemptionblog.wordpress.com Facebook: facebook.com/abundantredemptionblog Instagram: @mrs_anndetweiler ▪️ Follow Angela Rose: Instagram: @angelarosemartin Facebook: @angelarosemartin TikTok: @angelaroseshow Support the show

59 min
MAR 6

Mennonite Cult Survivor Exposes Abuse: My Journey from Spiritual Torment to Near-Suicide Despair

Send us a text In this raw and unfiltered testimony, a Mennonite cult survivor bravely recounts her harrowing experiences of spiritual, emotional, physiological, and physical abuse. Plunged into despair with thoughts of suicide, her story is a powerful reminder of the impact of abuse and the difficult road to recovery. Please like, comment, and subscribe for more relatable life stories and support for survivors. 🎙️ Follow me (Angela Rose): Instagram: @angelarosemartin Facebook: @angelarosemartin TikTok: @angelaroseshow Support the show

53 min

11 Episodes

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Unveiled stories of courage from survivors of religious abuse.

Creator

Angela Rose
Years Active

2K
Episodes

11
Rating

Explicit
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© 2025 The Angela Rose Show
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The Angela Rose Show