Category: Healing from Spiritual Abuse

What Does a Safe Church Really Look Like?

What Does a Safe Church Really Look Like? [Episode 324]

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with someone who’s not here to play nice with toxic church culture—Dr. Andrew Bauman. He’s a licensed mental health counselor, a truth-teller, and the author of Safe Church: How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities.
If you’ve ever sat in a church pew feeling invisible… silenced… or like it was your job to hold everything together, this conversation was made for you.
Dr. Bauman gets it. He grew up as a pastor’s kid tangled in trauma, became a pastor himself while battling hidden struggles, and eventually found his way to becoming an outspoken advocate for women in faith spaces.

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Narcissistic Abuse in Christian Relationships

Narcissistic Abuse in Christian Relationships [Episode 322]

Ever been told you’re too sensitive? That you just need to forgive more? Or that if you were a better Christian wife, everything would magically get better?
Yeah. Me too. And Dr. Ramani Durvasula’s book It’s Not You is here to throw a holy wrench into that narrative.
In this week’s episode of the Flying Free Podcast, I’m unpacking the powerful truths in this book and showing you exactly how it validates the lived reality of women in emotionally and spiritually abusive relationships.

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Broken Trust: When Church Hurts You

Broken Trust: When Church Hurts You [Episode 315]

In this eye-opening episode, Natalie shares her personal story of spiritual abuse and excommunication, offering a powerful backdrop for her conversation with author and spiritual consultant, Remy Diedrich. Together, they delve into the dynamics of toxic faith, spiritual abuse, and how unhealthy church cultures can harm individuals and families.
Remy, the author of Broken Trust, shares insights from his decades of ministry experience and his passion for helping people heal from spiritual abuse. Whether you’re grappling with toxic religious environments or recovering from years of harmful teachings, this episode offers hope, practical advice, and a fresh perspective.

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Reading the Bible as a Survivor

Reading the Bible as a Survivor [Episode 313]

In this thought-provoking episode of the Flying Free Podcast, I sit down with author and essayist Liz Charlotte Grant to explore the complexities of faith, scripture, and healing after spiritual trauma. Liz’s debut book, Knock at the Sky, delves into the questions many of us grapple with during deconstruction and offers an artistic, fresh approach to reading the Bible.
If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by literal interpretations of scripture or struggled to reconcile the Bible with the harm inflicted by its misuse, this episode is for you.

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What if My Abusive Husband Has Mental Health Issues?

What if My Abusive Husband Has Mental Health Issues? [Episode 310]

What if my abusive husband has mental health issues? Drawing on listener input, I tackle the complexities of abuse intertwined with mental health diagnoses such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. I want to help you navigate the tricky waters of understanding biblical interpretations around staying in abusive relationships “in sickness and in health.” This episode is a lifeline for women seeking clarity and peace while healing and growing within difficult circumstances.

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