Life After Church 2.0 Podcast

Dr. Vanessa R Brooks

Welcome to Life After Church Podcast 2.0—the space where faith, freedom, and leadership converge. Hosted by Dr. Vanessa R. Brooks, Leadership Scientist and scholar of religion, mental health, and human behavior, this podcast amplifies the voices and stories of those who’ve dared to step beyond the pews and rebuild their lives on their own terms. Each episode blends lived experience with academic depth—exploring how religious trauma shapes our identity, decision-making, and leadership, and how we can recover power, voice, and vision on the other side of church systems. From unpacking cultural

  1. 10/26/2025

    Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Leaving Church

    In this episode of Life After Church, Dr. Vanessa R. Brooks sits down with Gen Z and Millennial guests to unpack why so many young adults are walking away from traditional church—and what they’re finding instead. From spiritual identity to church trauma, this honest conversation explores how faith is evolving across generations. If this conversation resonates with your story, it’s time to take the next step.Dr. Vanessa R. Brooks created Religious Trauma Recovery: Reclaiming Your Mind, Voice, and Inner Truth to help you heal from toxic religious experiences, release guilt and fear, and rediscover your authentic self. 💡 Start your healing journey here → https://dr-vanessa-r-brooks.mykajabi.com/joinus-88119a85-a750-4608-bbd4-75f2e987617e

  2. 09/15/2025

    Deconstructing, Leaving Church, Finding Faith — A Conversation with Rev. Karl

    What happens when a pastor walks away from the very system that shaped her?In this powerful conversation, Rev. Karla shares her deeply personal journey of deconstructing from Christianity, leaving church leadership, and learning to trust her inner truth again. Together, we explore what it really means to disentangle from religious trauma, redefine spiritual identity, and move from survival to integration.Whether you’re questioning your beliefs, grieving the loss of community, or rebuilding life after church — this episode will remind you that you’re not alone, and your healing is holy.📖 Get Rev. Karla’s book: Deconstructing: Leaving Church, Finding Faith on Amazon and explore her work:https://revkarla.com/links/learnmore?fbclid=IwVERDUAM1Fd5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHoThyX_q7zadpKO_GOvXJ1jB-NFdxnT6RG6ooESvadzNrRS-ndOvBSOfxqYr_aem_jSyjLr-UdS67gSUdKeJoZA📝 Take the Religious Trauma Assessment — start understanding your journeyhttps://ladyceo1.typeform.com/to/lefdL1kj📚 Explore the Religious Trauma Recovery Course — reclaim your mind, voice, and inner truthhttps://dr-vanessa-r-brooks.mykajabi.com/offers/tQvbEAHd🎙️ Life After Church 2.0 Podcast — The conversation for those rebuilding life after church.

  3. 04/13/2023

    The Lived Experience of Laura Forehand's Experience With Trauma & Serving As A Pastor's Wife

    Laura was raised in church and ended up married to a Pastor. She shares her lived experience with the church, being the wife of a pastor, and religious and childhood traumas! Welcome to Life After Church the Podcast

  4. 12/21/2022

    His First Same Gender Loving Experience Happened at Church!!

    Enjoy this beautiful and pure conversation with Tie Davidson who shares some personal yet powerful experiences with religion and his journey to freedom!

    His First Same Gender Loving Experience Happened at Church!!

  5. 12/20/2022

    Traumatized By Hell Doctrine

    I had an amazing time chatting with Andrew Pledger. He says he was raised in a cult and tells his story of religious trauma.  https://4ndrewpledger.mypixieset.com/press-kit/ Show notes Links Resources: https://4ndrewpledger.mypixieset.com/resources/ Linktree: https://www.liinks.co/4ndrewpledger IG: https://www.instagram.com/4ndrewpledger/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@4ndrewpledger?_t=8WhKzmbcJMh&_r=1 Contact Me: https://4ndrewpledger.mypixieset.com/connect/

    Traumatized By Hell Doctrine

  6. 12/09/2022

    From Christianity to Ifa: Arianna's Story

    Arianna Scott is a PK and was committed to service to the church and God. She is a beautiful soul who I have the privilege of knowing and mentoring for years. She is a kind,  empathethetic and brilliant soul. In this conversation she shares a candid and transparent journey of her personal lived experiences of the pain of deconstructing and rebuilding her faith and spirituality.  Be sure to follow Life After Church on YouTube

    From Christianity to Ifa: Arianna's Story

  7. 12/02/2022

    Chronicles of a Christian Witch--Rev. Valerie Love

    Rev. Valerie Love gifted me with a soul-stirring interview and brilliantly enlightens and educates on the Christian Witchcraft phenomenon. She is a wise woman indeed. In you are interested in connecting with Rev. Valerie Love you can find her on the following platforms: Christian Witches Website Rev. Valerie Love Website Christian Witches YouTube Rev. Valerie Love YouTube

    Chronicles of a Christian Witch--Rev. Valerie Love

  8. 11/29/2022

    Deconstructing Religion & Spirituality

    I had an amazing time conversating with Kamai Curry as she talks about how her life went full circle from Spirituality to Christianity to Atheism to back to Spirituality. She talks about the need in her life to not only examine and deconstruct Christianity but her need to do the same with Spirituality. This was a fascinating conversation. Be sure to follow Kam on TikTok

    Deconstructing Religion & Spirituality
See All (13)

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Welcome to Life After Church Podcast 2.0—the space where faith, freedom, and leadership converge. Hosted by Dr. Vanessa R. Brooks, Leadership Scientist and scholar of religion, mental health, and human behavior, this podcast amplifies the voices and stories of those who’ve dared to step beyond the pews and rebuild their lives on their own terms. Each episode blends lived experience with academic depth—exploring how religious trauma shapes our identity, decision-making, and leadership, and how we can recover power, voice, and vision on the other side of church systems. From unpacking cultural

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Vanessa R Brooks
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Vanessa R Brooks
  • Show Website
    Life After Church 2.0 Podcast