The cult.ture podcast

cultturepod
  • 4.9 (15)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to the cult.ture podcast Exploring the fine line between belief and manipulation In this podcast, we dive deep into the stories of cult survivors, unraveling the psychological, emotional, and social forces that pull people into these high-control groups. Through candid conversations, analysis, and firsthand accounts, we explore how belief can transform into manipulation, and how resilience leads to recovery. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok Thanks for rating us 5 stars on all major podcast platforms🫶 Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Your support helps makes this happen and just know that you are not alone.

  1. 4d ago

    39-Breaking the Umbrella | Bri’s Journey Out of IBLP

    Bri grew up homeschooled in a conservative Christian family before becoming deeply involved with the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), the fundamentalist organization founded by Bill Gothard and closely associated with the Duggar family. She believed in the teachings enough that, as an adult, she planned to bring IBLP into her own family. Then she became a mother. When Bri attempted “blanket training” with her infant son, a practice she says was intended to teach blind obedience, her instinct was to comfort him when he cried. That instinct led to a question that changed everything: Why should comforting her own crying baby be considered breaking the rules? Bri joins cult.ture to talk about growing up sheltered, homeschooling, the Duggar family's influence, Bill Gothard, IBLP's “umbrella of authority,” gender hierarchy, obedience, parenting, and the process of beginning to question a worldview she once fully believed. We also explore the anger and discovery that followed as Bri began researching the people and institutions she had been taught to trust, and how she is now raising her own children with more freedom to question, explore, and decide what they believe for themselves. It's a conversation about control disguised as protection, the moment instinct collided with indoctrination, and what it can mean to break a cycle.   Follow Bri here   Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Follow us on Instagram and TikTok thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶   Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy. Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity. Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

    39-Breaking the Umbrella | Bri’s Journey Out of IBLP

  2. Aug 2

    38-From Armageddon Fear to Public Service with Gisselle

    What happens when a child is taught that the world may end before she ever reaches adulthood? Gisselle Ayala grew up as a first-generation Latina in a strict Jehovah’s Witness family in Phoenix. From an early age, she was taught that Armageddon was imminent, that life in the present world was temporary, and that pursuing a career or higher education was largely unnecessary. In this audio-only conversation, Gisselle joins Derek to discuss the isolation of growing up “in the world” but never being allowed to fully participate in it. She reflects on the pressure to maintain appearances, the lack of empathy she witnessed inside the congregation, the suppression of her cultural identity, and the painful consequences of disfellowshipping within her own family. Gisselle also shares how her desire to attend Bethel unexpectedly led her to community college and how using the research skills she had been taught eventually exposed contradictions she could no longer ignore. After discovering the organization’s handling of child sexual abuse cases and witnessing an elder verbally intimidate her younger brother, she decided that she would never return to another meeting. Leaving at 19 did not immediately erase the fear, isolation, or pressure. But it gave Gisselle the opportunity to begin creating a future she had never been taught to imagine. Today, she holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, media studies, and journalism and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration and Public Policy at Arizona State University. Her interests in civic engagement, voting access, and public service have become part of the process of reclaiming a voice she once felt forced to silence. This conversation explores: • Growing up in a strict Spanish-language Jehovah’s Witness congregation • Cultural identity, representation, and the Gen Z ex-JW experience • Armageddon fear and being raised without a vision for the future • Family instability, disfellowshipping, and conditional belonging • Higher education and the pressure to abandon college • Researching Watchtower teachings and discovering misrepresented sources • The meeting that became Gisselle’s final night in the congregation • Rebuilding family relationships after leaving • Political neutrality, voting, and reclaiming civic participation • Creating a meaningful life beyond a high-control religion Gisselle’s story is a reminder that leaving is not the end of someone’s life. Sometimes, it is the first opportunity they have had to truly begin it. Follow Gisselle on Tik Tok: @gisselle.ara   Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Follow us on Instagram and TikTok thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶   Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy. Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity. Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

  3. Jul 19

    37-Finding Freedom | Scott Homan & Witness Underground

    What happens when your greatest act of resistance is simply becoming yourself? This week, we sit down with filmmaker Scott Homan, director of the acclaimed documentaryWitness Underground, to explore life growing up as a second-generation Jehovah’s Witness, the underground music scene that became a lifeline, and the long journey of rebuilding identity after leaving a high-control religion. Scott shares the moment he realized he was living two lives, one dictated by the expectations of the Watchtower and another fueled by creativity, music, and authentic connection. Together, we unpack the psychology of indoctrination, fear, deconstruction, chosen family, and why art often becomes one of the first languages of freedom.   In this episode we discuss: Growing up as a second-generation Jehovah’s Witness Music as a path toward authenticity and self-discovery The hidden underground scene of Jehovah’s Witness musicians Fear, indoctrination, and the psychology of control The moment Scott recognized he was in a cult Deconstruction, atheism, and rebuilding a worldview Friendship, community, and healing after high-control religion The making of Witness Underground Whether you’ve experienced religious trauma, left a high-control group, or simply want to better understand how people reclaim their identity after systems of control, this is a conversation about resilience, creativity, and what it means to finally live on your own terms.   Learn More About Scott Homan & His Work Witness Underground Documentary exploring the underground music scene within Jehovah’s Witness culture and the journey of those who found freedom through creativity. https://www.witnessunderground.com/ Watch / Stream Witness Underground Available through multiple platforms including Apple, Amazon, Tubi, Plex, YouTube Movies, and more. https://www.witnessunderground.com/ Banana Island Films https://www.bananaislandfilms.com Banana Island Films YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@bananaislandfilms Guidedoc (International Streaming) https://guidedoc.tv/documentary/witness-underground-love-letter-to-the-outcast-documentary-film/ Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/witness_underground IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15215562 Follow Scott Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scotthoman Witness Underground Instagram https://www.instagram.com/witnessunderground Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WitnessUnderground Other Projects  Hanoi Mixtape A documentary exploring the underground music scene in Hanoi, Vietnam. https://www.hanoimixtape.com/ Music and the Mystical Experience Documentary project exploring music, consciousness, and psychedelic therapy. https://www.sutherlandsounds.com/music-for-psychedelic-therapy Nuclear Gopher New music from the artists and recording studio covered in Witness Underground https://www.nucleargopher.com/ Resources Mentioned For those questioning faith, recovering from religious trauma, or rebuilding after high-control environments: Recovering From Religion https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ Secular Therapy Project https://www.seculartherapy.org/ DECULT A documentary and resource project exploring cult recovery and coercive control. https://decult.net/ DECULT: Beyond Belief Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZMhsGHTn30 Cults to Consciousness https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdruRz-kWtIBIzgURq05lzw If this episode resonates with you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who may need to hear it. Your support helps us continue creating conversations that explore identity, belief, recovery, and the human experience with honesty and compassion.     Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Follow us on Instagram and TikTok thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶     Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy. Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity. Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

    37-Finding Freedom | Scott Homan & Witness Underground

  4. Jul 5

    36-Brittany Hart on IHOPKC, Spiritual Abuse, and Rebuilding Faith

    In this episode, Derek and Trent sit down with Brittany Hart, writer, poet, and author of Surviving Wonderland: A Journey Beyond Control. Brittany Hart is an author and poet who writes at the intersection of spiritual trauma and recovery. Her debut collection, Surviving Wonderland: A Journey Beyond Control, transforms her experience in a high-control religious group into art for anyone reclaiming their voice and finding their way back to themselves. She now supports fellow survivors through creative writing, online guides, and spaces of gentle, grounded healing. Brittany shares her experience inside the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, also known as IHOPKC, and how a high-control religious environment shaped her sense of identity, time, purpose, and faith. What began as a sincere search for God slowly became wrapped in fear, urgency, end-times messaging, intense worship culture, and the belief that rest, normal life, and even questioning could mean spiritual failure. Through her book, Brittany uses poetry and the imagery of Alice in Wonderland to describe the process of going down the rabbit hole, waking up, and finding language for what happened. This conversation explores spiritual abuse, the power of music and repetition, the grief of lost time, the role of therapy, and what it can look like to rebuild faith in a way that is no longer rooted in fear. This is a conversation about control, healing, and the courage it takes to come back to yourself.   Brittany’s poetry collection, Surviving Wonderland: A Journey Beyond Control, is now available on Amazon Untangle from end times anxiety with help from Brittany here Follow Brittany on Instagram   Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Follow us on Instagram and TikTok thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶     Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy. Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity. Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

    36-Brittany Hart on IHOPKC, Spiritual Abuse, and Rebuilding Faith

  5. Jun 21

    35-They Reinstated an Apostate | Jeron's Story

    Jeron Benton joins cult.ture to share his journey growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, becoming inactive, returning to the organization after a near-death experience, and ultimately waking up after a shocking judicial committee experience. In this conversation, Jeron opens up about being disfellowshipped after spending two years trying to return to the faith, the moment he realized the system wasn't what he believed it was, and the bold plan that led him to be reinstated after he had already become an apostate. We also explore the deeper realities of leaving a high-control religion: losing family, rebuilding identity, navigating grief, finding authentic friendships, and learning to trust yourself after years of being taught not to. Most importantly, this episode is about healing. Jeron shares what freedom looks like today, the struggles that still remain, and the practices that help him move forward. Topics include: • Jehovah's Witness upbringing • Disfellowshipping and shunning • Judicial committees • Family loss after leaving • Cult recovery and deconstruction • Emotional healing and men's mental health • Authenticity and personal freedom • Rebuilding life after a high-control group Follow Jeron: YouTube: Jeron Benton Instagram: @jerons_world   Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Follow us on Instagram and TikTok thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶     Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy. Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity. Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

    35-They Reinstated an Apostate | Jeron's Story

  6. Jun 7

    34-Stop the Shunning: A Conversation with Bethany Leger

    In this episode of cult.ture, Derek sits down with author, speaker, and Stop the Shunning creator Bethany Leger. Raised as a Jehovah's Witness, Bethany shares her journey from questioning the organization to ultimately leaving alongside her husband. Together, they explore the emotional realities of shunning, the complexities of family estrangement, and what it means to rebuild a life after a high-control environment. The conversation dives into Bethany's books, Physically and Mentally Out and her newest release, Burning Down the House, which examines toxic family dynamics, boundaries, conditional love, and healing after emotional control. Topics include: • Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses • The impact of shunning • Family estrangement • Toxic family systems • Setting healthy boundaries • Identity after high-control groups • Activism and recovery • Finding authenticity after trauma Whether you're navigating religious trauma, family estrangement, or simply learning how to reclaim your voice, Bethany offers insight, honesty, and hope for the journey forward. Connect with Bethany: YouTube Website Email Instagram Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Follow us on Instagram and TikTok thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶     Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy. Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity. Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

    34-Stop the Shunning: A Conversation with Bethany Leger

  7. May 24

    33-Novice Enthusiasm: Creativity After Control — with Sean Miller

    In this episode of cult.ture pod, Derek and Trent sit down with artist, writer, and former Jehovah’s Witness Sean Miller for a raw, grounded, and deeply human conversation about life after high‑control religion. Sean grew up as a born‑in JW, the son of a respected elder, and followed the expected path of baptism at 16, auxiliary pioneering, regular pioneering, ministerial servant. But beneath the surface, he carried a creative drive that the organization repeatedly framed as selfish, dangerous, or worldly. As he puts it in the episode, “Go try to take a passion project and throw it into the creative industry when you’ve been taught you don’t even deserve kindness.” Together, we explore: What it’s like to rediscover your identity after leaving a high‑control group How creativity becomes both a survival tool and a reclamation of self The psychological cost of being an artist in a restrictive religious environment The difference between “what the cult took” and “where we land afterward” Why Sean finally finished his book Novice Enthusiasm — and how this podcast played a role The strange, beautiful ways the universe nudges us forward This conversation is honest, funny, grounded, and refreshingly free of bitterness. It’s about growth, not grievance  and about the creative life that becomes possible once you step outside the boundaries someone else drew for you. If you’ve ever left a high‑control group, struggled with self‑worth, or tried to reclaim your creative voice, this episode will resonate.   Find Sean Here: Website: www.seangregorymiller.com Book: Novice Enthusiasm Socials: Instagram     Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Follow us on Instagram and TikTok thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶     Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy. Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity. Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

    33-Novice Enthusiasm: Creativity After Control — with Sean Miller

  8. May 9

    32-Blood Doctrine, Programming & Conditional Love | Audrey’s Story

    Audrey joins Trent and Derek to share her experience growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness and what ultimately led her to leave in 2025. In this episode, Audrey opens up about the emotional pressure of trying to live a “perfect” life inside the organization, the fear surrounding blood transfusions, purity culture, elder involvement in marriage and sexuality, conditional relationships, and the difficult process of rebuilding life outside the religion. We also explore what it’s like waking up while married to a non-Witness, the emotional pull to return, navigating family dynamics, and learning how to trust yourself after years inside a high-control belief system. Audrey’s story is raw, honest, emotional, and deeply human. If you’ve ever questioned a system of control or struggled with rebuilding your identity after leaving one, this conversation may resonate with you.   Follow Audrey: TikTok: @audrey.breaks.free Instagram: @_audrey_la_latinga_   Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Follow us on Instagram and TikTok thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶     Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy. Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity. Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

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About

Welcome to the cult.ture podcast Exploring the fine line between belief and manipulation In this podcast, we dive deep into the stories of cult survivors, unraveling the psychological, emotional, and social forces that pull people into these high-control groups. Through candid conversations, analysis, and firsthand accounts, we explore how belief can transform into manipulation, and how resilience leads to recovery. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok Thanks for rating us 5 stars on all major podcast platforms🫶 Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon Your support helps makes this happen and just know that you are not alone.

Information

  • Creator
    cultturepod
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The cult.ture podcast

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