The Divorcing Religion Podcast

Jeremy de Tolly - Liberate Your Voice

My guest today is rock and roll musician, and heart-centered communication coach, Jeremy de Tolly. Jeremy works with those who have deeply shut-down voices, whose voices often became blocked starting in their childhoods. He understands the significance that parenting, school, and culture can have on our voices, and that, to return a voice to health, we need to address the expression aspects of t...

Lauren Elise Rogers - Sex Ed for You!

DIVORCED: Fundamentalist Christianity

CW: Frank discussions of s3x

Lauren Elise Rogers is a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and Embodied Intimacy & Relationship Coach. She is the founder of Sex Ed for You, where she provides clear, compassionate, and comprehensive guidance on intimacy, relationships, and sexual health. 

After being raised in a high-control religion and getting married at ...

Dr. Josie McSkimming - Gutsy Girls

DIVORCED: Christianity

Today’s guest is Dr. Josie McSkimming, who joins us from Australia. She has previously been a guest on the Divorcing Religion Podcast and was also a speaker at CORT2023. 

Dr. McSkimming is a clinical social worker with more than 35 years experience – and personal experience with religious trauma. When I learned that she’d published a book about her life, I wanted to read it rig...

Hip-Hop Artist Seven J - Betrayed by Christianity

DIVORCED: Christianity

TW: Discussion of suicidal ideation

Raised in the heart of Jacksonville, FL, amidst the grit and hustle of the city's most notorious zip code, Seven J emerged as a powerhouse in the world of hip-hop. His music is a testament to his roots, blending raw, lyrical prowess with harmonious melodies that captivate listeners and transport them to another world. 

With...

Emily Hedrick - Resiliency in Tough Times

DIVORCED: Mennonite Evangelicalism

Emily Hedrick is a resilience coach specializing in religious trauma and compassion fatigue. A former Mennonite pastor, she holds an M.Div., is an ICF-accredited coach, and is a certified Forward-Facing (R) coach. In addition to being a former guest on the Divorcing Religion Podcast, Emily was a powerful speaker at CORT2022. 

How to Treat Your Body Like a Sac...

Ann Russo, LCSW - Sexuality & Religious Trauma

DIVORCED: Fundamentalist Christianity

My guest today is Licensed Clinical Social Worker ANN RUSSO.

As the founder and director of AMR Therapy, Ann is a mental health advocate, educator, and thought leader specializing in addressing complex and often stigmatized topics such as religious trauma, sexual empowerment, ethical non-monogamy, queer identity, and inclusivity in mental health.

A...

Janice Formichella - Estranged

DIVORCED: Mormonism

TW: References to abuse 

Janice Formichella is a breakup coach and the host of the podcasts Sex and the Solo Girl and Breakups, Broken Hearts, and Moving On. 

She is passionate about helping people from all backgrounds to beat their breakup, overcome loneliness, and make the end of a relationship the start of a powerful new beginning. 

Janice is also a survivor of domestic violence, an ...

Beth Granger - Leaving the Cult Was Only Half the Battle

DIVORCED: Anglican Cult

Warning: This episode may be triggering for those who experienced abuse in childhood and adolescence.

Beth Granger was the first staff-child born at Grenville Christian College, an elite private boarding school in Canada that was actually a cult - from which she did not escape until her 30s.

Despite her cult leaders’...

Marla Taviano - From Missionary to Heretic

DIVORCED: Christian Fundamentalism

Author Marla Taviano knows what it's like to lose it all. In this poignant and humorous conversation, she shares about her missionary husband's infidelity while in the field, the loss of her marriage, and relinquishing some cherished beliefs. She also discusses the power of writing as a force for healing.

FIND MARLA:

Luis Cornejo - Born this way!

DIVORCED: Chrisitan Fundamentalism

My guest today is Luis Cornejo: A Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist, and the founder of Queer Magic Entertainment LLC. He also hosts the Queer Magic Podcast.

A proud first-generation Guatemalan and Mexican American, Luis is passionate about empowering the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities through his work in mental...

Jamin Coller - Almost A Cult

TW: Mentions of suicidality

My guest today is Jamin Coller – and if you got Rapture Anxiety after watching the 1970s Christian cult movie A Thief in the Night, you’ve already met Jamin’s dad! After th e movie, his dad started a fundamentalist church. A seminary graduate, pastor’s kid, and true believer, Jamin spent his first 40 years as a Bible scholar, theologian, worship pastor, nati...

Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Annie Laurie Gaylor - Religion is Killing American Women

Annie Laurie Gaylor is co-founder and co-president of FFRF – the Freedom from Religion Foundation. 
In addition to being a long-time women's rights activist, Annie Laurie is an accomplished author.
Her book, Woe to the Women: The Bible Tells Me So, was first published by FFRF in 1981, and is in its 4th printing. 

...

Malkie Schwartz - From Fundy to Freedom Fighter
Divorced: Ultra-orthodox Judaism

In her early 20s, Malkie Schwartz chose to leave her ultra-orthodox Jewish community. Within 3 years, she founded Footsteps, the first organization in North America to help people who wish to leave the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and live in mainstream society. Footsteps gained notoriety in 2017, with the release of the Netflix documen...

Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Carol Merchasin - Suing Predatory Spiritual Leaders  

Carol Merchasin is an attorney who leads a practice group litigating sexual misconduct in religious, faith-based and spiritual communities at McAllister Olivarius. She is an experienced investigator who has conducted dozens of workplace investigations, including those involving sensitive allegations made against top level executives. 

Carol’s curren...

Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Mandisa Thomas - WTF, USA?! 

My guest today is activist and speaker Mandisa Thomas.  Although never formally indoctrinated into belief, Mandisa was heavily exposed to Christianity, Black Nationalism, and Islam. 

In 2011, Mandisa founded Black Nonbelievers, Inc., as a non-profit, secular organization.  Its goals include eliminating stigma, increasing visibility, and providing support and networking oppo...

Lonnie Mann - Gaytheist
Divorced: Orthodox Judaism

Lonnie Mann grew up Orthodox Jewish in New York. It's a strict, difficult lifestyle for anyone; but Lonnie found additional challenges growing up as he realized he was gay, and struggled to reconcile his faith and sexuality. Ultimately, Lonnie managed to leave the community. Eventually, he wrote a graphic novel about his experiences, with his partner Ryan Gatts he...

Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Dr. Marlene Winell - Christianity Run Amok

DIVORCED: Christianity

Dr. Marlene Winell is a licensed psychologist, educator, and writer. Her background includes 30 years of experience in human services, in both community and academic settings. She holds a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University and is the author of Leaving the Fold: A guide for former fundamen...

Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Yasmine Mohammed - Fighting Religious Tyranny 

DIVORCED: Islam

CW: Violence and SA briefly mentioned

I am honored today to speak today with human rights activist Yasmine Mohammed, who is founder and president of Free Hearts Free Minds, and the author of the book Unveiled: How the West Empowers Radical Muslims. 

From elevating the voices of marginalized freethinkers on her podcast, to ...

Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Alice Greczyn

WELCOME to Strong Women in Secular Spaces, a special Divorcing Religion podcast series highlighting women's courage, creativity, resilience, and strength. 

Alice Greczyn is an actress, author, and activist. Raised in a fundamentalist Christian home, Alice's book Wayward: A Memoir of Spiritual Warfare and Sexual Purity resonates especially with those who are recovering from relig...