Moving Forward Talk Show

Moving Forward
  • 4.9 (12)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Moving Forward podcast is for individuals seeking healing and recovery from the lasting impacts of spiritual abuse. Focused on navigating life after leaving high-demand groups, the podcast delves into the journey of overcoming trauma and finding a renewed sense of balance and well-being. With a keen understanding of the challenges posed by such experiences, the hosts bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge. Moving Forward provides a safe and empathetic space for listeners to explore their own paths to healing. Drawing from their extensive backgrounds, the hosts offer valuable insights and practical strategies for coping with the aftermath of spiritual abuse. Through candid discussions and supportive dialogue, the podcast aims to empower listeners to reclaim their lives and forge a healthier, more fulfilling future beyond the confines of their past experiences.

  1. 10/28/2025

    Christian Music’s Dark Secrets: The Michael Tait Investigation

    In this emotionally raw episode of the Moving Forward Talk Show, Jennifer, Emily, and Kristi confront the devastating realities of abuse in Christian communities—from the scandal surrounding Michael Tait and the Newsboys to disturbing cases in high-control religious groups and homeschool circles. They expose systemic failures, victim-blaming, and the dangers of misplaced trust in spiritual environments. More importantly, they offer practical advice for protecting children, supporting survivors, and building safer faith communities. If you’ve ever wondered how this could happen in “God’s house,” this episode pulls back the curtain. We stand with survivors. We believe you. You are not alone.

  2. 10/14/2025

    Healing in Community: Life After Religious Trauma

    Welcome to Season 2 of the Moving Forward Talk Show! In this episode, Jennifer, Kristi, and Emily reconnect after a break to share honest stories about life after leaving the "Message" — a high-control religious group centered around William Branham. They discuss everything from church transitions, parenting, and spiritual rediscovery to eschatology trauma, discerning God's voice, reclaiming agency, and rethinking church authority. Whether you're fresh out of a high-control group or years into your healing, this episode offers deep insight, shared laughter, and heartfelt support. Topics include: - Leaving unhealthy churches and finding new faith communities - Understanding the Holy Spirit apart from control - Women's agency in religion and life - Real-life “flashback” stories that shaped their healing - Community support, parenting, and moving forward

    56 min

  3. 12/25/2024

    Unlocking Christmas Joy

    The discussion starts with Jennifer, Kristi, and Emily sharing their varied experiences of Christmas, ranging from joyful traditions to navigating strict ideologies against the celebration of Christmas in high-control groups. Each reflects on their childhood and adult transitions, highlighting the influence of their upbringing on current traditions. The conversation evolves to explore the challenges of reconnecting with or forming new traditions after leaving controlling environments. They also touch on family dynamics, the struggle for acceptance, and the joy of creating new memories despite obstacles. Throughout, they emphasize kindness, understanding, and the spirit of Christmas as a unifying factor for growth and healing. They conclude with advice on embracing the holidays with positivity, advocating for questioning long-held misconceptions and embracing new perspectives. The hosts share anecdotes of adapting to life outside high-control groups, discussing the emotional complexities of navigating family relationships and building new traditions. The episode wraps with reflections on the meaning of Christmas and encouragement for listeners to cherish their unique celebrations.

    1h 5m

  4. 11/20/2024

    Moving Forward With Money

    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/movingforwardtalkshow The moving forward trio invites Stephanie Niblock to the show. Stephanie shares her journey of leaving a high-control group, highlighting the challenges she faced in regaining financial independence. Stephanie explains how trauma affects one’s relationship with money and discusses the importance of addressing these emotional wounds to make better financial decisions. She offers advice on how people, especially women leaving controlling environments, can reclaim financial autonomy. As the discussion progresses, Stephanie delves into her personal story, revealing her experiences with bankruptcy and homelessness despite her initial financial success. She provides insights into how emotional factors and unresolved trauma contributed to her financial struggles. Through therapy, self-reflection, and professional education, Stephanie rebuilt her life, becoming a financial advisor. Christy, Emily, and Stephanie discuss practical steps for financial recovery, including seeking support, setting boundaries, and identifying personal values. The show closes with advice for women struggling with financial decisions in high-control groups, emphasizing personal growth and financial freedom.

    1h 1m

  5. 10/30/2024

    Voices Unbound: Reclaiming Power in Politics

    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/movingforwardtalkshow Jennifer Collins and her co-hosts, Emily and Christie, discuss their experiences with politics after leaving a high-control group. They reflect on how their views on political engagement have evolved, particularly concerning women in politics and leadership. The hosts share personal stories about how their high-control environments discouraged individual political opinions, especially for women, and how they’ve since deconstructed those beliefs. Emily and Christie also share their insights on current political events, and they discuss the challenges of navigating the political system while coming from a background of indoctrination. The conversation is open, thoughtful, and reflects on how far they’ve come in terms of political and personal growth. The second half of the conversation shifts towards a discussion on Christian nationalism versus patriotism, with the hosts exploring the complexities of balancing religious and national identities. They emphasize the importance of civic engagement, whether through voting, discussions, or petitions, and the significance of having a voice in the political process. The hosts also address the fear-mongering that often accompanies both politics and high-control environments, drawing parallels between the two. They conclude by encouraging listeners to critically engage with their political choices, stressing the importance of making informed decisions without being swayed by fear or external pressures.

    1h 2m

  6. 10/16/2024

    Halloween and High Control

    Two-thirds of the Moving Forward Trio, Jennifer and Kristi, discuss the experience of life after leaving a high-control religious group, specifically, the Movement associated with William Branham. Since Emily is absent due to wedding preparations, the two remaining members reflect on their past involvement with Branham's movement and how it influenced the way they and others celebrated holidays such as Halloween. While the Movement did not have an official stance on Halloween, church leaders often imposed restrictions on how people could celebrate, with emphasis on avoiding traditional Halloween practices in favor of biblically-themed alternatives. The conversation shifts from personal childhood Halloween memories to experiences raising children in a group that strictly regulated holiday traditions, focusing on how control extended into seemingly innocuous areas of life like children's costumes and holiday decorations. The hosts further explore the broader implications of control within high-control groups, discussing how fear and spiritualization of everyday things like costumes, candy, and even cats were used to create boundaries and maintain influence over followers. They compare these experiences with current practices of letting children enjoy Halloween without fear, emphasizing the importance of fun and freedom. The show concludes by highlighting the process of healing after leaving such groups, emphasizing the importance of self-trust and community in moving forward.

    53 min

  7. 10/02/2024

    How Not to Join a Cult - With Naomi Wright

    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/movingforwardtalkshow  The conversation in the transcript explores how to recognize and avoid becoming involved in high control groups, often labeled as cults. The dialogue centers on the experiences of Naomi Wright, a guest who founded Be Emboldened Ministries, and how her background growing up in a high-control religious group shaped her mission to help others avoid similar traps. Wright discusses how questions were suppressed in the group she was raised in, creating an environment where followers accepted doctrines without examining them critically. Wright's story unfolds as she shares her personal journey, from losing her parents to eventually earning degrees in mental health and theology, which equipped her to guide others out of controlling religious environments. The hosts and guests emphasize key red flags in recognizing unhealthy groups, such as the suppression of questions, the centralization of leadership, and the shunning of those who leave. They discuss ways to equip children and young adults to recognize and avoid these situations, encouraging open communication and fostering a mindset that questions and independent thinking are vital for spiritual health. The conversation is both informative and personal, offering insights for listeners who may be at risk of, or are recovering from, involvement in controlling groups.

    52 min

  8. 09/18/2024

    Silver Linings - With Leslie Wells

    The Moving Forward trio, Jennifer, Emily and Kristi welcome special guest Lesie Wells, who shares her journey of leaving a high-control group. The conversation spans various topics, including the psychological and physical challenges she faced during her marriage, the impact of the group's doctrines on her personal life, and the process of rebuilding her identity and community after leaving the group. The discussion also highlights the importance of finding silver linings in adversity, particularly through personal growth and the formation of supportive relationships outside the group's influence. The participants reflect on their own experiences, emphasizing the strength and resilience required to move forward after such a significant life change. The episode concludes with words of encouragement for those considering leaving similar groups, underscoring the strength that lies within and the better life that awaits outside of the oppressive environment. The discussion is candid and empathetic, providing valuable insights into the struggles and triumphs associated with breaking free from controlling groups.

    1h 2m
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4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Moving Forward podcast is for individuals seeking healing and recovery from the lasting impacts of spiritual abuse. Focused on navigating life after leaving high-demand groups, the podcast delves into the journey of overcoming trauma and finding a renewed sense of balance and well-being. With a keen understanding of the challenges posed by such experiences, the hosts bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge. Moving Forward provides a safe and empathetic space for listeners to explore their own paths to healing. Drawing from their extensive backgrounds, the hosts offer valuable insights and practical strategies for coping with the aftermath of spiritual abuse. Through candid discussions and supportive dialogue, the podcast aims to empower listeners to reclaim their lives and forge a healthier, more fulfilling future beyond the confines of their past experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Moving Forward
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Moving Forward
  • Show Website
    Moving Forward Talk Show