Episode 346 was excellent and heartbreaking, and could have been a great moment to additionally talk about how the church does nothing about mental illness. Obviously her husband was (is?) in a years-long mental health crisis which escalated into severe delusions, paranoia, erratic behavior, and horrible violence. And all the church did about it, was to fire him for bad theology. What a terrible disservice. It's just so sad the lack of basic knowledge that people growing up in church recieve. Mixing mental illness with overspiritualizing is always, always a disaster of some variety. GREAT SHOW

I appreciate Eric’s work on exposing abuse in the IFB.

Thank you for bravely speaking the truth with love, compassion and courage. This is what divine love sounds like to me. The church should take notes, as I don’t see God in their houses of worship at all. As a mom, I will never again step back into a place where I’m told my value is less than a man or predator pastor. They have lost it if they think I’d allow my kids around people that show they worship abusers’ ability to abuse.

Eric does a great job interviewing his guests and listening to their stories. His show exposes so much abuse within the IFB community that many people need to be aware of and understand what is happening within that world

Love love love this show. Thank you for all you do!

I have been binge listening to this show. As a survivor of spiritual, narcissistic and emotional abuse it has been healing to hear other people’s stories. Eric’s kindness and compassion shines through as he does the interviews.

Podcasts such as this one shine such an important light on the hypocrisy and toxicity of high-demand religions and sects like the IFB. Bravo, and keep up the good work.

I’ve been listening to this pod since 2020. I felt like I was alone with my religious experiences. On my own, I was trying to find some sort of healing for my religious trauma and the abuse that was facilitated and encouraged by the doctrine being taught in IFB and in the general evangelical Christian world. When I heard familiar names of preachers that I had encountered and heard hard evidence and testimonies of survivors I knew in my heart that I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t the only one and that my concerns were 100% valid. Throughout my time being a listener and apart of the Facebook group, I’ve had my ups and downs through out my journey. I didn’t realize how steeped I was in religious dogma and that the chains of religious oppression and abuse were still on my wrists and that I have been carrying them around even years after leaving church life. I was like a Christian refugee. I didn’t fit in anywhere. Now I know why. Truth isn’t welcome where protecting lies is the top priority and order of the day. Thank you for giving survivors a voice. Thank you for helping us find one another so we can have a support group. Thank you for platforming people like Ashley Easter and Courage 365. That free support group and resources literally saved my life. You all saved my life. I am so proud of all of you. Thank you Eric for your kindness, boldness, bravery, discernment, compassion, and undying quest to uncover the lies and help educate people so they can protect themselves and their children. I am so thankful for you and all your hard work and being honest about your personal faith journey. I know that was a challenge for you to be public about that and got back lash but seeing your example of being honest no matter what has helped me find freedom in my own life. I hope that I can follow your example of bravery and truth telling. Much love to you. Keep up the good work.

Amen preacher, amen. As an individual raised as fem in First Baptist Church of Hammond, I know first hand how toxic and dehumanizing IFB can be for all, not just women. I remember how frowned upon speaking up in service was for women ( this knowledge came to me as a four year old). I say amen to not just voice my agreement for everything you’ve done for those leaving IFB, but to acknowledge how much work you’ve don’t to help us realize or reclaim our voice. Thank you for providing a platform for women. Thank you for giving us the space and power to feel like we can say “amen.”

Very important and much needed truthful information about religious abuse. So glad it’s available