Untangled Faith: Recovering From Spiritual Abuse Amy Fritz

 
Have you ever had a long-lost friend reach out to connect with you on social media only to discover they really just wanted to sell you something connected to the Multi Level Marketing business they were a part of?
 
Or maybe you’re one of those folks who has been pulled into an MLM and you’re drowning.
 
Or maybe you’re worried about a friend who has quit their  J O B to do direct sales and you’re concerned that they aren’t able to pay their bills.
 
And what in the world does this have to do with Christianity? I can’t wait for you to listen!

In this episode, you will be able to:

Unlock the harmful impacts of MLMs on Christian communities and their faith practices.
Deconstruct the cunning methods and marketing lures of MLMs especially crafted for Christians.
Gain insight about the financial risk and losses commonly faced by individuals drawn into MLMs.
Probe the link between MLMs and the prosperity gospel belief widely accepted in Christian contexts.
Highlight the necessity for cultivated thought and vigilance in fending off MLM scheming.

 

Say hello to Chris Staron, renowned for being unafraid to tackle controversial topics within the church. He brings his thoughtful and fair approach to this discussion as the host of the Truce podcast. Going from historical Christian issues to present-day conundrums such as MLMs, he engenders a deep understanding of the church's dynamics.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:03 - The Influence of MLMs in the Church,

00:06:32 - MLMs as Schemes,

00:08:12 - MLMs Targeting Christians,

00:10:48 - MLMs and Faith,

00:12:44 - The Math of MLMs,

00:13:58 - The Structure of Multilevel Marketing,

00:15:33 - Challenges and Inconveniences of MLM,

00:16:49 - MLM and False Promises,

00:19:16 - Limited Market and Financial Challenges,

00:21:37 - MLM Company Profits and Fees,

00:28:51 - The Problem with Disclosures and Fine Print,

00:29:51 - The Responsibility of Believers in Direct Sales,

00:31:46 - The Prosperity Gospel and Financial Curriculums,

00:36:23 - Tying Christianity to Extra Pursuits,

00:39:57 - Understanding and Admitting MLM Involvement,

00:43:00 - Making Bad Financial Decisions,

00:43:46 - Supporting Friends in Financial Distress,

00:45:13 - Helping Others with Budgeting,

00:46:07 - Where to Find More Information,

00:46:51 - Wrapping Up and Future Conversations,


Resources:

Check out the Truce podcast: https://trucepodcast.com
Listen to The Dream podcast about MLMs: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-dream
 
Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com//2023/08/16/91-navigating-the-intersection-of-faith-politics-guest-kaitlyn-schiess/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/09/20/96-the-reshaping-of-the-american-church-guest-bob-smietana/
 
 
Support the show:
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Where you can find me:
Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith
 https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz
https://twitter.com/faithuntangled
https://twitter.com/amyfritz
 
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz
Producers:
Michele Pjanic
Phil and Susan Perdue
Pam Forsythe
Chelle Taylor

Veteran religion journalist, Bob Smietana joins Amy Fritz to talk about his new book Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why It Matters.
 
The episode was originally aired in the fall of 2022.
Bob shares why burning it all down is not the best approach to organized religion, why the "organized" part of "organized religion" is important, and what the future of the American church looks like.
Bob also shares some thoughts on the pastoral plagiarism conversation and what it was like to be able to publish an exclusive interview with Beth Moore. 
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling here: https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Buy Bob's book: https://amzn.to/3LtRjKG
Leave a review: https://podcasts.app.com/us/podcast/untangled-faith/id1561001170
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
Where you can find me:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz
https://twitter.com/faithuntangled
https://twitter.com/amyfritz
https://facebook.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling here: https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz
Producers: Michelle Pjanic, Phil & Susan Perdue

"We want to present God as the savior that he is. He's a savior from our sin and shame." - Rebecca Davis

Author, Rebecca Davis, joins Amy Fritz to talk about teachings in the Christian church about suffering and brokenness.
 
In this episode, you'll learn about:

How unraveling harmful church teachings can cultivate spiritual enrichment.
The role of critical thinking and discernment as indispensable tools in biblical interpretation.
The portrayal of God as a comforting sanctuary for those who've experienced abuse.
The importance of an empathetic and accepting church environment in facilitating individual healing.
Resources:

Work with Rebecca: https://heresthejoy.com/rebecca-davis-info/
Buy Rebecca's new book: https://amzn.to/3ECVaCD
 
Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2022/10/26/58-untwisting-scriptures-guest-rebecca-davis/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2022/07/06/45-for-the-ones-who-wonder-if-there-really-is-a-good-shepherd-guest-kj-ramsey/
 
Support the show:
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Where you can find me:
Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith
 https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz
https://twitter.com/faithuntangled
https://twitter.com/amyfritz
 
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz
Producers:
Michele Pjanic
Phil and Susan Perdue
Pam Forsythe
Chelle Taylor

Lawsuit Update: Hypocrisy and Double Standards at Ramsey Solutions
Explicit content and language warning.
 
** This is a conversation that was recorded for the Untangled Faith Patreon community in December of 2022. Since it has been about a year since there was much movement in the O'Connor lawsuit, I decided to share this audio publicly. If you hear any mention of "upcoming" dates, keep in mind that this was recorded almost a year ago.**
 
In this episode of the Untangled Faith podcast, host Amy Fritz is joined by attorney, Melissa Hogan, to discuss the ongoing lawsuits that involve Dave Ramsey's company, Ramsey Solutions (The Lampo Group), and the hypocrisy and double standards within the organization.

Melissa shares from her perspective as an attorney and from her personal experience with Ramsey Solutions in regard to the O'Connor lawsuit.

Melissa and Amy also discuss the inadequate investigation conducted by Ramsey Solutions and shed light on the power dynamics within the organization and the intimidation faced by individuals who challenge the status quo.

This episode serves as a wake-up call to listeners, reminding them of the need for ethical and responsible behavior within organizations.

We should all be living in a way that if a camera was following us around, our goal is to be able to stand by whatever we've said or done. - Melissa Hogan
 
Resources:

Court documents from the O'Connor Lawsuit https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17372107/oconnor-v-the-lampo-group-llc/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc
RNS reporting on O'Connor Lawsuit https://religionnews.com/2022/09/02/at-dave-ramseys-company-some-sex-outside-marriage-was-ok-court-documents-show-righteous-living-oral-sex-hogan/
Partial timeline of events, and O'Connor Lawsuit document map. https://untangledfaith.substack.com/p/hypocrisy-and-double-standards-at  
Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2021/11/03/20-our-ramsey-story-part-4-the-got-your-six-meeting-1-of-2-episodes/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2021/11/03/21-our-ramsey-story-part-5-the-got-your-six-meeting-2-of-2-episodes/
 
Support the show:
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Where you can find me:
Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith
 https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz
https://twitter.com/faithuntangled
https://twitter.com/amyfritz
 
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz
Producers:
Michele Pjanic
Phil and Susan Perdue
Pam Forsythe
Chelle Taylor

If the secular world is out loving disabled people more than the church, there's a problem. - Jennifer Ko

Jennifer Ko joins Amy Fritz for an essential conversation about disability, accessibility, and ableism in faith communities.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Learn about the complex issue of ableism in our faith communities and how to combat it.
Understand the importance and role of accessibility in places of worship like churches.
Explore theological insights into disability.
Reveal the deep-seated generational sin of partiality towards disabled individuals within religious circles.
Learn more about the challenging experiences of individuals with unseen disabilities and society's misguided judgments.
Resources mentioned by Jennifer:
Joni and Friends:  https://joniandfriends.org/ A Lamenter's Pathway to Joy by Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko https://www.amazon.com/Lamenters-Pathway-Joy-Devotional-Journal/dp/B09TN45GZ1/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+lamenters+pathway+to+joy&qid=1685083811&sr=8-1 Disability and the Gospel by Michael S. Beates https://www.amazon.com/Disability-Gospel-Brokenness-Display-Grace/dp/1433530457/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LOLW4FXWZDV1&keywords=disability+and+the+gospel&qid=1687510323&sprefix=disability+and+the+gospel%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1
Like Me by Laura Wifler https://www.amazon.com/Like-Me-Disability-Discovering-Person/dp/0736985751/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3E904QCUJTVBF&keywords=like+me+a+story+about+disability&qid=1687510361&sprefix=like+me%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1
God Made Me Unique from Joni and Friends https://www.amazon.com/God-Made-Me-Unique-Children/dp/194813070X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=god+made+me+unique+book&qid=1687510396&sprefix=god+made+me+unique%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1
A Day With No Words written by Tiffany Hammond who is a Black Autistic mother of two Autistic boys, one of whom is non-speaking https://www.amazon.com/Day-No-Words-Tiffany-Hammond/dp/1736949799/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+day+with+no+words+tiffany+hammond&qid=1687510536&sprefix=a+day+with+no+words%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1  
Connect with Jennifer here:
https://www.jenniferjihyeko.com
https://substack.com/@jenniferjihyeko
https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.jihye.ko/
https://twitter.com/jenniferjihyeko

 
Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/05/24/81-prophetic-presence-lyndsey-medford-on-trusting-god-through-chronic-illness/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/06/14/84-boz-tchividjian-on-fighting-against-abuse-in-the-church/
 
Support the show:
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled


Connect with me on social media. You can find me at all these places.

https://www.linkedin.com/
https://www.facebook.com/untangledfaith
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://www.twitter.com/faithuntangled
 
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz
Producers:
Michele Pjanic
Phil and Susan Perdue
Pam Forsythe
Chelle Taylor

Note from Amy: I recorded and edited this podcast before a dear friend experienced a deep grief. This was already scheduled and uploaded and ready to share prior to that.  So, while it may seem that this podcast is shared in response to that, it was not.
_______________________________________________
If you’ve ever heard someone offer a Scripture verse at the wrong time or wanted to punch a wall after hearing someone offer a platitude to a grieving mother, you’re going to appreciate today’s episode.
 
Natasha Smith joins me for a conversation about grief. This is a personal one for me because I share about a deep, unexpected grief in my own life.
 
And, as a reminder to those of you who are in the Patreon community, I’ve there is some bonus audio with Natasha in which I share one of the kindest things I heard from a friend after I lost my mom. To listen to that, or to sign up for access, go to patreon.com/untangledfaith
 
Find Natasha here:
Website: https://imnatashasmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imnatashasmith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imnatashasmith/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/imnatashasmith
 
Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/08/09/90-historical-cultural-influences-on-evangelicalism-guest-karen-swallow-prior/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/06/14/84-boz-tchividjian-on-fighting-against-abuse-in-the-church/
 
Support the show:
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Where you can find me:
Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith
 https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz
https://twitter.com/faithuntangled
https://twitter.com/amyfritz
 
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz
Producers:
Michele Pjanic
Phil and Susan Perdue
Pam Forsythe
Chelle Taylor