Cult Diaries

Brooke Deanne
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

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. 2d ago

    HOLY DISOBEDIENCE: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows

    What happens when the faith that was meant to bring you hope becomes the very thing that causes your deepest wounds? In this powerful episode of Cult Diaries, Brooke sits down with award-winning essayist, screenwriter, and religious trauma advocate Melissa Duge Spiers to explore her journey of breaking free from religious abuse, reclaiming her voice, and transforming pain into purpose. Melissa shares her personal story with honesty and courage, offering hope to anyone questioning their beliefs, healing from spiritual manipulation, or rebuilding their identity after leaving a high-control religious environment. Event though she left the Seventh Day Adventist at 18 years old, she realized she was acting out her religious programming in relationships. Obedience, loyalty to a fault set her up to be a prime candidate for narcissistic abusers. As the creator behind The Glory Whole and author of the award-winning memoir Holy Disobedience, Melissa has become a passionate advocate for survivors of religious trauma, helping others understand that healing is possible—and that life on the other side of fear is filled with freedom. Melissa's journey through religious abuse and the path to healing.The hidden psychological impact of high-control religious environments.Reclaiming your identity after leaving a faith community.Breaking free from shame, fear, and religious conditioning.Finding your voice and sharing your story with courage.How writing became a powerful tool for healing and advocacy.What hope and freedom can look like after religious trauma.Whether you're questioning your faith, recovering from spiritual abuse, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is a reminder that your story doesn't end when you leave—it begins. If this episode resonates with you, be sure to subscribe to Cult Diaries, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone who needs to know they are not alone.

  2. Jul 13

    Escaping an Abusive Marriage & the Family That Enabled It

    Mae Scott, a woman whose story shines a light on a kind of abuse that often goes unseen—the kind that is protected, enabled, and reinforced by family systems themselves. Mae is the author of An Embarrassment of Pandas, a powerful and honest account of escaping not only an abusive marriage, but an entire family dynamic that functioned like a cult—one that protected her abuser and turned against her, despite the harm she endured. For nearly 19 years, Mae was caught inside a web of control, manipulation, and silence. This conversation unpacks the reality of narcissistic family systems—where loyalty is demanded, truth is distorted, and the survivor is often scapegoated for speaking out. We talk about:– What it feels like when an entire family protects the abuser– The psychological impact of narcissistic and “cult-like” family dynamics– The breaking point that leads to choosing yourself– And the long, courageous journey back to freedom, identity, and peace Mae is not only a survivor—she is a social worker, advocate, writer, and mother of three, using her voice to support others navigating similar experiences. Her message is simple, but powerful: everyone deserves freedom, and everyone deserves peace. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt trapped in a system that told them to stay silent, for anyone who has been made to question their reality, and for anyone who is ready to reclaim their life. Because sometimes the hardest truth to face is this: the people who were supposed to protect you… didn’t. And healing begins the moment you choose yourself anyway. Grab her book here: https://a.co/d/01m9nM6r

  3. Jun 29

    Faith, Fear, and Finding Her Voice Again: Pentecostal Exit Story

    In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Edna White, a survivor, truth-teller, and transformational leader who courageously shares her journey of leaving the Pentecostal church and confronting the deep-rooted patriarchy and suppression of women within it. Edna opens up about what it felt like to live inside a system where women’s voices were minimized, their roles confined, and their identities shaped by rigid expectations. This conversation goes beyond religion—it’s about power, control, and the quiet ways women are taught to disconnect from their truth. But this is also a story of reclamation. As the Founder and CEO of 2nd Chance Inc., Edna now helps individuals and communities rise beyond adversity and step into purpose-driven lives. She is the author of Stuff! The Stuff No One Told Us About Life After Sexual Abuse, and a powerful voice for those navigating healing, identity, and life after trauma. Through her work as a Business & Clarity Strategist, keynote speaker, and host of the podcasts Keeping it Real on Purpose and Unchurched, Edna creates spaces for honest conversations, emotional healing, and authentic leadership. In this episode, we explore:– The hidden impact of patriarchy within religious systems– What it takes to unlearn suppression and reclaim your voice– Healing after both religious and personal trauma– And how to move from survival mode into clarity, confidence, and purpose This conversation is real, raw, and deeply validating—especially for anyone who has ever felt silenced, controlled, or disconnected from their truth. Because sometimes, leaving isn’t just about walking away from a place it’s about finally coming home to yourself.

  4. Jun 15

    Breaking The Silence On Patriarchal Harm: Evangelicalism Exit Story

    Katherine Spearing, MA, CTRC — founder of Tears of Eden, certified trauma recovery practitioner, author,  and host of the groundbreaking podcast Uncertain, one of the first platforms to boldly name and explore spiritual abuse. Katherine has spent years holding space for survivors navigating the devastating — and often invisible — impact of religious trauma and patriarchal harm. Through her nonprofit work, clinical training, and advocacy, she supports women and artists rebuilding their lives after systems that demanded silence, submission, and self-abandonment. In this episode, we explore:• What spiritual abuse actually is — and why it’s so often misunderstood• How patriarchy shapes trauma inside high-control faith systems• The grief of losing belief — and the courage it takes to reclaim identity• Why art, storytelling, and even improv theater can be powerful tools in recovery We also talk about Katherine’s book, A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts, which tenderly captures the spiritual abuse survivor’s healing journey — the slow unraveling, the invisible wounds, and the quiet rebuilding of self-trust. Katherine has been featured on influential podcasts including IndoctriNation and A Little Bit Culty, and continues to write and advocate for survivors through tearsofeden.org and katherinespearing.com. This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned their faith, untangled themselves from patriarchy, or felt the invisible paper cuts of spiritual harm.

  5. Jun 1

    You're Allowed To Question-A Jehovah's Witness Exit Story

    In this deeply moving episode of Cult Diaries, I sit down with writer and storyteller Georgia Clare, whose life has been shaped by both profound rupture and breathtaking resilience. Raised in Wales and now living in the southwest of France, Georgia shares her journey of growing up within a high-control religious community, navigating childhood trauma, enduring personal loss, and ultimately finding the courage to leave the belief system that once defined her identity. What follows is not just a story of deconstruction — but of reconstruction. Georgia speaks with tenderness and clarity about what it means to lose a worldview, a community, and a sense of certainty — and how writing became her lifeline through it all. Through words, reflection, and radical honesty, she slowly rebuilt trust in herself and discovered meaning beyond indoctrination. We also explore her guided journal, You’re Allowed to Question, a resource she created for those walking the path she once did — the kind of companion she wishes she had eight years ago. Designed for individuals healing after high-control religion, this journal offers meditations, prompts, and space to untangle belief from identity. It’s available in both full-size and pocket editions. This conversation is about grief. It’s about autonomy. It’s about the terrifying and liberating act of questioning everything you were taught — and choosing yourself anyway. If you’ve ever had to begin again after belief, this episode will meet you gently and remind you that you are not alone. Links: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Allowed-Question-Meditations-High-Control/dp/2959698185 https://www.georgiaclare.com/ https://georgiaclare.substack.com/

  6. May 18

    What Happens Inside a Secretive Cult Like SIST?

    In this deeply powerful and possibly triggering episode, (trigger warning) we sit down with Martha Glory Kartaoui, a cult survivor who has transformed unimaginable experiences into a life devoted to healing, truth, and empowerment. Martha courageously shares her story of life inside Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology (SIST)—a secretive, fundamentalist group based in Shawano, Wisconsin. Led by Avraham Cohen (formerly R.C. Samanta Roy or Rama Behera), the group has been described by former members and media as a cult, with allegations including emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and severe physical torture. This conversation goes beyond headlines and into the lived reality of what it means to be inside a high-control environment—and what it takes to break free from it. Martha’s journey didn’t end with escape. After more than 14 years of deep, intentional healing, she has become a powerful leader in the trauma-healing space. She is the creator of Unbound, an immersive experience designed to help individuals release the past and reclaim their power, and the founder of Unbound: The Collective, a global community of “battle angels” rising into wholeness. She is also an international bestselling author, speaker, trauma-informed coach, and host of Let Glory Shine, using her voice to awaken, empower, and guide others back to themselves. In this episode, we explore:– What it really takes to break free from cult programming– The long and layered process of healing the mind, body, and nervous system– Reclaiming identity after control, fear, and conditioning– And how to rise into purpose after surviving the unimaginable This is more than a story—it’s a reclamation. If you’ve ever felt controlled, silenced, or disconnected from your truth, this episode will meet you there—and gently guide you forward. Because healing isn’t just about surviving what happened it’s about becoming who you were always meant to be. Grab her book or listen to her show below: https://lnk.bio/MarthaGloryKartaoui

  7. May 4

    Inside the Cult On The Cape

    In this haunting and deeply powerful episode, I sit down with Bonnie Zampino, a domestic violence and cult survivor who shares the unimaginable reality of life inside the Community of Jesus. What Bonnie endured is almost impossible to comprehend. For three years, she was held in isolation—locked in a basement and only brought out for chants and rituals. Her world was controlled, her mind targeted through repetitive recordings designed to condition and break her. But in the darkest place, she found something that would ultimately help her survive, a small music recorder filled with musicals. That became her lifeline. A quiet act of resistance. A way to protect her mind from the psychological programming she was subjected to daily. This episode is not just about survival, it’s about the resilience of the human spirit. Today, Bonnie has rebuilt a powerful and purpose-driven life. She is the voice behind the podcast The Cult on the Cape, where she sheds light on cult dynamics and gives others the courage to question, speak out, and heal. Beyond her story, Bonnie brings a wealth of experience in human resources, nonprofit leadership, and workforce development, especially supporting individuals facing barriers to employment. She has written for Huffington Post, contributed extensively to autism awareness, and played a role in advancing anti-stalking laws and protections under the Violence Against Women Act. She is also a relentless researcher with a gift for uncovering truth through public records, and in 2024, she co-founded Rock Harbor Truth with Shawn DeLude. She has created a survivor led space to help others heal and deconstruct from religious trauma. This conversation is raw, eye-opening, and deeply moving. It’s about control, survival, truth, and ultimately-freedom. If you’ve ever questioned your reality, your past, or the systems you were raised in… this episode will speak directly to your soul. Non- Profit for Cult Survivors http://www.rockharbortruth.org/ Cult On The Cape Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6JnIrHq9MiKi6DNxsXdRUs?si=79268051ca604793

  8. Apr 20

    Inside A Doomsday Cult: Escaping The House of Yaweh

    Welcome to Season 2! I have finally been able to sit down and make space for some new interviews and this season is going to be a wild ride! I have some amazing guests that I have throughly enjoyed learning from, because their experience has opened my eyes to the common thread between all cult survivors. In this deeply powerful episode, I sit down with Melody Post, a survivor of the polygamist doomsday cult known as House of Yahweh, a high-control religious group rooted in extreme beliefs and rigid control. Melody’s story is one of lost innocence, survival, and profound resilience. She was pulled into the cult at just 15 years old, engaged by 16, married at 18 to the leader’s son, and a mother by 19. By 20, she was excommunicated and cast out of the only world she had known. Inside the cult, life was dictated by fear, control, and deeply disturbing teachings, where underage marriages were normalized, women were treated as “unclean,” medical care was forbidden, and families were separated both physically and psychologically. But this episode isn’t just about what Melody endured it’s about what she rebuilt. Today, Melody is the co-host and producer of the Cultimatum Podcast, and the founder of a thriving support community for survivors. Through her work, she gives voice to those who have been silenced, helping others break free from coercive control and reclaim their lives. This conversation is raw, eye-opening, and deeply human. If you’ve ever questioned belief systems, navigated trauma, or are on a journey of healing this episode will stay with you. Cult Escape & Recovery Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2575419069406501 Cultimatum Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1910498486077283

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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

Information

  • Creator
    Brooke Deanne
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Brooke Deanne
  • Show Website
    Cult Diaries