The Divorcing Religion Podcast

Janice Selbie
  • 5.0 (33)
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Divorcing Religion Podcast

The Divorcing Religion Podcast was launched by professional counsellor Janice Selbie  to highlight the impact of Religious Trauma Syndrome. Guests include The Thinking Atheist Seth Andrews, The Friendly Atheist Hemant Mehta, author Margaret Atwood, Godless Mom, Mandisa Thomas, Dr. Darrel Ray, Dr. Marlene Winell and more. 

  1. 5D AGO

    Cynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats & Lizard People PART ONE

    Cynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats & Lizard People PART ONE DIVORCED: Christianity Cynane Shay is a nuclear engineer living in South Carolina. Her childhood in White Christian Nationalism normalized conspiracy theories like Obama Birtherism and the Biblical apocalypse; but 2020, with COVID and Qanon, finally made her realize something was deeply wrong. Now Cynane is writing a book, “Taking Off the Tinfoil Hat: How Lizard People and Space Lasers Dismantled my Christian Worldview,” to process the deconstruction of her fundamentalist evangelical faith and her propagandistic patriotism.  Losing loved ones to the pandemic was a tragedy, but losing loved ones to the rabbit hole was its own tragedy that left too many of us with unresolved trauma and unanswered questions. So from Flat Earth to the IBLP cult to Jewish space lasers, Cynane pulled the thread, cracked her faith, and found the inseparable link between cults, conspiracy theories, and American White Christian Nationalism.  FIND CYNANE: More information, EXvangelical reading recommendations, and social media links are found on her website: www.TakingOffTheTinfoilHat.com FIND JANICE: Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA: Amazon.com https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF  and CANADA  Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now:  https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/  Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services  Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/ Subscribe to the audio-only version here:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast  The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular mental health clinician. Support the show

    1h 3m

  2. JUL 2

    Alyona Smoky - A Beautiful Liberation

    Alyona Smoky - A Beautiful Liberation CW: War in Ukraine Alyona Smoky was born and raised in Ukraine, where her mother joined a high-control, conservative evangelical church when Alyona was young. As a result of family stressors, Alyona shouldered much of the emotional burden in her family as a child, and she grew up very quickly in a chaotic and emotionally intense environment. When she was 16, Alyona moved to the U.S. with her family due to political unrest in Ukraine. She found coming to the U.S. disorienting, having left behind community and structure while carrying internalized religious control with her. Alyona felt stuck between two worlds — Ukrainian and American — and didn’t feel truly at home in either. In this episode, Alyona shares her fascinating story of immigration and her liberation from high-demand religion and purity culture. Don't miss her journey of becoming a coach, writer, and photographer, as she helps others recover from high-control systems, including religion, cults, and ideology-heavy environments. Alyona also hosts the Showing Up Sustainably Podcast. FIND ALYONA:  Alyona's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alyonasmoky?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9c4ed103-f24b-4f70-8139-c914dbec5e59 FIND JANICE: Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA: Amazon.com https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF  and CANADA  Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now:  https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/  Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services  Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/ Subscribe to the audio-only version here:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast  The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular mental health clinician. Support the show

    1h 3m

  3. JUN 25

    Michelle Moffitt - From Abuse to Freedom

    Michelle Moffitt - From Abuse to Freedom CW: Sexual Assault Michelle Moffitt Rogers is a licensed therapist, Enneagram expert, and author. In this episode, Michelle shares her story and explores the psychological impact of spiritual abuse, the complexities of leaving both faith and a toxic marriage to a pastor, and what healing looks like on the other side.  You won't want to miss her raw, honest exposé about the dangers of being a pastor's wife when the pastor isn't safe. Her book is called Cracked Open: A Journey to a Resilient and Independent Mindset. FIND MICHELLE: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/michellemoffittcoach Instagram: instagram.com/michellemoffittcoach Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5uhrmnb Indie Books: bookshop.org/p/books/cracked-open-a-journey-to-a-resilient-and-independent-mindset/8fdfa2c36aade660?ean=9798889262671&next=t Website: https://fiveoakscounseling.com/ FIND JANICE: Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF And Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook - Kindle edition by Selbie, Janice. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now:  https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/ Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion TikTok: @janiceselbie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/ Subscribe to the audio-only version here:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician. Support the show

    53 min

  4. JUN 18

    Steve Ghikadis - Humanism from the Heart

    Steve Ghikadis - Humanism from the Heart Steve Ghikadis is a Humanist Officiant who conducts secular marriages, memorials, and many more meaningful life-affirming celebrations. Raised as a freethinker, Steve has been married to a Christian for over a decade. He and his wife, Cindy, believe in the importance of bridging the gap between believers and non-believers. Their two young children are being raised in an interfaith household and are free to choose their own path.  Steve's family dynamic inspired him to write Humanism from the Heart: Building Bridges Beyond Belief, a book that emphasizes the importance of working together to celebrate the diversity of worldviews. Steve serves as an Ambassador for Humanist Canada, Recovering from Religion, and Sunday Assembly. In 2024, he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for significant contributions to his community in Windsor/Essex, Ontario, Canada.  In this episode, I ask Steve some challenging questions about raising kids with a Believer, whether religious people can be humanists, and more. FIND STEVE: Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/share/16XVw44tkk/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/steve.ghikadis?igsh=MXN5MHlleGM0YWQ4MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Book:  Amazon-Canada: https://a.co/d/c63RA3s USA: https://a.co/d/5gpaUEp Europe: https://amzn.eu/d/ FIND JANICE: Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF And Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook - Kindle edition by Selbie, Janice. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now:  https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/ Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion TikTok: @janiceselbie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/ Subscribe to the audio-only version here:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician. Support the show

    53 min

  5. JUN 11

    Forest Benedict, LMFT - Porn Is Not the Problem

    Forest Benedict, LMFT - Porn Is Not the Problem Divorced: Evangelical Christianity CW: Frank discussion of porn, sex, and self-pleasure Forest Benedict is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Washington states who specializes in religious trauma and sexual shame.    Forest began his career as a Christian who was passionate about helping others recover from sex and porn addiction—believing at the time that he was in recovery himself. He became a leading voice in the “anti-pornography movement,” and served as the Clinical Director of a sex addiction treatment program and trained pastors and therapists in a sex addiction certification program.    Since deconverting from Christianity, Forest has dramatically shifted his focus to helping those wounded by religious systems reclaim their sexuality and authentic sense of self. Today, he offers online therapy through his private practice and also works online with Storm Haven Counseling & Wellness in Temecula, California. Forest is active on social media and regularly shares insights through his blog. FIND FOREST:  Website: ForestBenedict.com  Instagram: @ForestBenedictLMFT FIND JANICE: Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Recordings are available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference 2025! Get your Resource Ticket now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/ Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/ Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician. Support the show

    56 min

  6. JUN 4

    Pavna K. Sodhi, EdD - Exploring the Intersections of Punjabi-Sikh Cultural/Religious Identity - Part 1

    Pavna K. Sodhi, EdD - Exploring the Intersections of Punjabi-Sikh Cultural/Religious Identity - Part 1 As a humanist and mental health clinician, I'm interested in learning about other cultures and belief systems. To that end, Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi graciously agreed to join me on the Divorcing Religion Podcast to share her knowledge about Punjabi-Sikh teachings, values, practices, and experiences. This episode is Part One of our conversation. ABOUT Dr. SODHI: Pavna K. Sodhi (she/her), EdD, is a registered psychotherapist, author, speaker, and adjunct professor residing in Ontario, Canada. With over 25 years of psychotherapeutic and research experience, Dr. Sodhi has interacted with a multitude of populations in various clinical, academic, and supervisory spaces. Her professional background and personal narrative offer a unique research perspective regarding culturally responsive trauma-informed work, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities, and immigrant mental health. Her research has been featured in national and international scholarly journals and books. She credits her Punjabi-Sikh upbringing and lived experience for her continued interest in these timely topics. As a productive ally, she takes pride in decentring systemic racism, breaking barriers, and encouraging others to be culturally responsive. Her latest book titled, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy for BIPOC Communities: Decolonizing Mental Health (Routledge) was launched in June 2024. FIND Dr. SODHI: Access the book - https://www.routledge.com/authors/i16038-pavna-k-sodhi?srsltid=AfmBOooC1Epb96bBMPCvsQdMiOVHHzOWpPku2b-7pVApOLqDfePmEIij Website: https://www.pavnaksodhi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunotherapy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavna-k-sodhi-she-her-67b81615/ Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/ Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need hel Support the show

    58 min

  7. MAY 28

    Unquestionable Calvin - From Religion to Conspiracies to Reality

    Unquestionable Calvin - From Religion to Conspiracies to Reality DIVORCED: Christianity and Conspiracies My guest today is Calvin Smith, whom you may recognize from his YouTube channel Unquestionable Calvin. Calvin was exposed to both Christianity and supernatural ideas from an early age. Eventually he rejected Christianity but firmly believed multiple conspiracy theories, even attempting to build a career around them. In this episode, Calvin shares his journey from Religion to Conspiracies to Reality.  FIND CALVIN: TikTok.com/UnquestionableCalvin Instagram.com/UnquestionableCalvin YouTube.com/UnquestionableCal Linktr.ee/CalvinSmith Facebook.com/UnquestionableCalvin Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF Tickets are now available for the ONLINE Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening May 24-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/ Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support:  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/ Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician. Podcast by Porthos Media Copyright 2025 www.porthosmedia.net Support the show

    55 min

  8. MAY 19

    Tessi Muskrat, M.A. - Free To Explore: Sexuality After Purity Culture

    Tessi Muskrat, M.A. - Free To Explore: Sexuality After Purity Culture Divorced: Evangelical Purity Culture  A native woman of Cherokee and Irish descent, Tessi Ynada Muskrat holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a doctoral student researcher at the University of Missouri. Co-founder of the international Purity Culture Research Collective (PCRC), Tessi’s research centers the voices of those who have experienced sexual and gender-based trauma in religious contexts. Additionally, Tessi works as a post-traumatic growth coach, companioning those who have experienced religious or purity culture trauma on their journey to health and thriving.   In this conversation, Tessi shares about going from life on a shame-free commune to being deeply indoctrinated by purity culture teachings - and eventually, discovering her own sexuality.  FIND TESSI: https://www.puritycultureoutcomes.com/ FIND JANICE: Janice Selbie's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZFTickets are now available for the ONLINE Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening May 24-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/Religious Trauma Survivor Support Group is happening on Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific and Thursdays at 6pm Eastern (starting April 17). Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/servicesNeed help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/servicesFollow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: Threads: Wisecounsellor@threads.net BlueSky: @janiceselbie.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/ Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician. Podcast by Porthos Media Copyright 2025 www.porthosmedia.net Support the show

    55 min
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5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

The Divorcing Religion Podcast was launched by professional counsellor Janice Selbie  to highlight the impact of Religious Trauma Syndrome. Guests include The Thinking Atheist Seth Andrews, The Friendly Atheist Hemant Mehta, author Margaret Atwood, Godless Mom, Mandisa Thomas, Dr. Darrel Ray, Dr. Marlene Winell and more. 

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