The Ex-Baptist Sisters Podcast

Vikki Mansheim
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Personal Journals
  • Weekly

Join sisters Vikki and Taniya as they share a weekly topic from their IFB (Independent, fundamental Baptist) childhood and tell how they were able to leave an oppressive, restrictive cult-like religion. They are reclaiming their past for good and building an online community of survivors as well as educating anyone curious about cults, toxic religion, and exposing church abuse.

  1. Oct 22

    Pluck Your Eye Out, You Creep | Modesty and Modern Misogyny

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Links: Shane Gillis Clips: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/s/LKtNX7topV Trump Rally: A fight broke out at President Trump's rally in Youngstown, Ohio ... www.facebook.com › CBSNews › videos › fight-breaks-... Genevieve Bernadette Article: https://genevievebernadette.substack.com/p/are-they-lonely-enough-yet University of Chicago Incident: https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/15/us/university-of-chicago-sexual-assault-allegation-video https://www.facebook.com/cnn/videos/a-21-year-old-woman-reported-being-sexually-assaulted-during-a-party-at-an-alpha/4474263316147110/ Connect & Support: Patreon & Discord Community: [Patreon Link / patreon.com/exbaptistsisters]Email Us Your Story: exbaptistsisters@gmail.comInstagram: [@exbaptistsisters]TikTok: [@exbaptistsisters]Facebook: [The Ex-Baptist Sisters Podcast] In this episode, we dive headfirst into the unbroken chain of misogyny connecting fundamentalist church culture to secular "bro" and mainstream media culture. Spurred by Shane Gillis’s viral Saturday Night Live monologue mocking women’s gym attire as "artificial bait," we examine how secular commentary mirrors the exact theological frameworks we grew up with in the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement. From Jack Hyles’ and Jack Schaap’s pulpit purity rhetoric to modern gym discourse and frat-house culture—including the recent Cornell University case and an assault at a University of Chicago fraternity—we unpack how society consistently strips men of moral agency while placing the sole burden of male self-control onto women's bodies. We break down the toxic concept of "defrauding," contrast purity standards with Jesus's actual words in Matthew 5, and discuss writer Genevieve Bernadette’s viral insight on how holding men accountable isn't aggression—it’s the expiration of unearned privilege. Trigger Warnings Sexual assault, gang rape, and fraternity violence (detailed mentions of the Cornell University case and University of Chicago incident)Statutory rape and sexualization/predatory commentary regarding underage girls and teenage minorsPurity culture, modesty policing, and religious spiritual abuse / victim-blamingPhysical assault and political violence (discussion of a rally attendee being assaulted)Domestic violence and murder-suicide statistics

    Pluck Your Eye Out, You Creep | Modesty and Modern Misogyny

  2. Oct 8 ·  Bonus

    What's Your Goliath? | Vikki and Sean: Late Night Chat

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Taniya is taking the week off to move, so Vikki is joined by her husband, Sean, to celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary. In this preview of their full Patreon bonus episode, they look back 20 years to where it all began: meeting at First Baptist School, secretly passing spiral notebooks, hiding hugs under security cameras, and navigating young love inside high-control fundamentalism. Hear how the rest of the story unfolds through breaking apart, reconnecting, and deconstructing together over on our Patreon! Connect & Support: Patreon & Discord Community: [Patreon Link / patreon.com/exbaptistsisters]Email Us Your Story: exbaptistsisters@gmail.comInstagram: [@exbaptistsisters]TikTok: [@exbaptistsisters]Facebook: [The Ex-Baptist Sisters Podcast]

    What's Your Goliath? | Vikki and Sean: Late Night Chat

  3. Oct 1

    Taniya Might Have Fought Some of You | Taniya Talks Part 2

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Connect & Support: Patreon & Discord Community: [Patreon Link / patreon.com/exbaptistsisters]Email Us Your Story: exbaptistsisters@gmail.comInstagram: [@exbaptistsisters]TikTok: [@exbaptistsisters]Facebook: [The Ex-Baptist Sisters Podcast] In this continuation of Taniya’s story, Vikki and Taniya dive deep into the emotional and psychological realities of leaving the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement. From dissecting the absurd label of being called a "born-again atheist" to unpacking the fawn response, childhood indoctrination, and the harsh realities of fundamentalist culture, the sisters reflect on how far they’ve come. They also get real about why they started the podcast, their political awakenings, breaking their silence, and the power of speaking out against abuse. Links: Rodrigues Family: https://www.reddit.com/r/FundieSnarkUncensored/comments/lq2bnc/i_noticed_that_jillpm_removed_her_horrific/ Nancy Wilson: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdJspH2DYws/?stkn=MWV0OXdpbmt5ZWE2NQ== Religion Tree: https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/s/1DK04fFWfq

    Taniya Might Have Fought Some of You | Taniya Talks Part 2

  4. Sep 17

    How the Turn Tables | Taniya Talks Part 1

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Connect & Support: Patreon & Discord Community: [Patreon Link / patreon.com/exbaptistsisters]Email Us Your Story: exbaptistsisters@gmail.comInstagram: [@exbaptistsisters]TikTok: [@exbaptistsisters]Facebook: [The Ex-Baptist Sisters Podcast]In Part 1 of Taniya’s personal deep dive, the sisters unpack what happens when deconstruction leaves the realm of theology and collides with real life. Taniya opens up about the awkward, painful transition from being the "godly example" in church to becoming the subject of whispered prayer requests after her husband, Dustin, walked away first. From the shock of finding a hidden stash of The Office DVDs to shedding the doctrine of male headship, she details the messy work of deprogramming purity culture and fundamentalist expectations. Finally, Taniya shares a candid, heartfelt perspective on navigating societal pressure around having children, coming to peace with infertility through personal unattachment, and reframing a child-free adulthood not as a secret sorrow, but as a hard-earned luxury.

    How the Turn Tables | Taniya Talks Part 1

  5. Sep 10

    Just As I Am Without a Skirt | The Exclusionary Nature of IFB Churches

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! https://www.maddiezahm.com/ Connect & Support: Patreon & Discord Community: [Patreon Link / patreon.com/exbaptistsisters]Email Us Your Story: exbaptistsisters@gmail.comInstagram: [@exbaptistsisters]TikTok: [@exbaptistsisters]Facebook: [The Ex-Baptist Sisters Podcast] In this episode of the Ex-Baptist Sisters podcast, Vikki and Taniya explore how the rigid, exclusionary culture of the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement shaped their childhoods, distorted their relationships, and dictated who was considered "safe" or worthy of connection. Prompted by a listener whose non-IFB family experienced subtle alienation at an IFB Christian school, the sisters examine how high-control religious environments enforce conditional acceptance through superficial markers of holiness like dress codes, modesty rules, and church attendance. Reflecting on their own time inside the "in-crowd," Vikki and Taniya unpack the quiet condescension, fear-based paranoia, and intense guilt instilled by purity culture and fundamentalist doctrine, contrasting it with the authentic, unconditional love they now value. The conversation turns vulnerable as they discuss the profound loneliness and grief of deconstruction, the loss of lifelong social networks, and Vikki’s experience facing church betrayal and victim-blaming after speaking out about surviving childhood abuse by a trusted mentor. From laughing over the absurdity of performative piety to finding comfort in secular friendships, neighborly kindness, and the music of artists like Maddie Zahm, Vikki and Taniya share an honest, relatable look at what it takes to unlearn religious bias, untangle moral anxiety, and rebuild life on one’s own terms.

    Just As I Am Without a Skirt | The Exclusionary Nature of IFB Churches

  6. Aug 27

    I Miss the Village, Not the Cage | Finding Community Ouside the Church

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In the continuation of the previous episode, Vikki and Taniya dive into the very real grief and neuro-chemical withdrawal of losing a built-in church village. They break down the concept of "collective effervescence," ditching the quiet shame of missing church routines, and practical, low-pressure ways to build authentic community outside the walls of high-control religion. From community theater and tabletop campaigns to effortless neighborhood meetups, there are so many ways to find where you belong. Content Warning: This episode contains explicit language and candid discussions of religious trauma, cult deconstruction, isolation, and brief mentions of sexual abuse and childhood corporal punishment. Connect & Support: Patreon & Discord Community: [Patreon Link / patreon.com/exbaptistsisters]Email Us Your Story: exbaptistsisters@gmail.comInstagram: [@exbaptistsisters]TikTok: [@exbaptistsisters]Facebook: [The Ex-Baptist Sisters Podcast]If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help other people find the show!

    I Miss the Village, Not the Cage | Finding Community Ouside the Church

  7. Aug 20

    Your System is Flawed | Spiritual Bypassing and Toxic Positivity

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In Part 1 of this two-part series, Vikki and Taniya tackle a hard and quiet part of deconstruction: unlearning the loaded language and spiritual bypassing ingrained by high-control religion. They break down how fundamentalist platitudes force premature closure, suppress real grief and anger, and shift blame onto victims. Plus, the official launch of the Ex-Baptist Sisters Patreon! Join our community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheEx_BaptistSistersPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exbaptistsisters/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18dNf8qxkH/?mibextid=wwXIfr Our Sponsor: LOTRAMAPOD, hosted by Matthias Austin https://lotramapod.carrd.co/ Content Warnings: Religious trauma, spiritual abuse, high-control religious environments (IFB), suppression of mental health and grief, brief mention of child physical discipline/spanking, and discussion of past grooming, sexual abuse of a minor, and institutional mishandling.

    Your System is Flawed | Spiritual Bypassing and Toxic Positivity

  8. Aug 13

    Not as Poised and Polished | Unscripted Decompression and Cycle-Breaking

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Vikki and Taniya take a step back after their heavy two-part series on corporal punishment for a raw, unscripted decompression session. The sisters unpack the emotional impact of re-listening to their own trauma, share a powerful and triggering listener story highlighting the link between physical abuse and sexual trauma, and examine the ways fundamentalist religious environments normalize violence against children under the guise of biblical discipline. They also discuss practical cycle-breaking in parenting, unlearning spiritual bypassing, and how to rebuild a sense of purpose and community outside of the church. Listen in for: Honest conversation on deconstruction, bodily autonomy, processing childhood trauma, and finding real connection beyond religious control.Email your stories: exbaptistsisters@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exbaptistsisters/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18dNf8qxkH/?mibextid=wwXIfr Our Sponsor: LOTRAMAPOD, hosted by Matthias Austin https://lotramapod.carrd.co/ Related links: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Good-Humans-Parenting-Confident/dp/1684033888 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lauren-boeberts-21-year-old-son-arrested-child-sexual-exploitation-cha-rcna591830 https://wjla.com/news/local/kenneth-baldwin-alexandria-pastor-crossroads-baptist-church-baileys-crossroads-pennsylvania-state-police-explicit-images-teenager-minor-church-sermon-victim-investigation-exposure-nude-photos-evangelist-dr-harrison-ministry-allegations-children Content Warning: explicit language, child abuse, religious trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse

    Not as Poised and Polished | Unscripted Decompression and Cycle-Breaking
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About

Join sisters Vikki and Taniya as they share a weekly topic from their IFB (Independent, fundamental Baptist) childhood and tell how they were able to leave an oppressive, restrictive cult-like religion. They are reclaiming their past for good and building an online community of survivors as well as educating anyone curious about cults, toxic religion, and exposing church abuse.

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