Category: Expert Interviews

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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Can I Gaslight Myself? Part Two

Can I Gaslight Myself? Part Two [Episode 321]

In this episode, I’m joined once again by my friend and fellow coach, Diana Swillinger. We’re diving into the second part of an important topic today: Can we gaslight ourselves?
Gaslighting is usually something done to us—manipulation that makes us question our reality. But what happens when we internalize it? When we start running the script on autopilot and doubting ourselves before anyone else even gets a chance? Buckle up, because our Kaleidoscope members had some thoughts on this, and we’re breaking it all down.

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Am I Gaslighting Myself? Part One

Can I Gaslight Myself? Part One [Episode 320]

In today’s episode, I am joined by life coach and fellow survivor advocate Diana Swillinger to explore a fascinating and often misunderstood topic: Can you gaslight yourself? We dive deep into what gaslighting is, how it manifests in relationships, and whether people unconsciously manipulate their own thoughts and emotions as a survival mechanism. This candid discussion sheds light on self-doubt, emotional survival, and the process of breaking free from harmful thought patterns.

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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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Parallel Parenting Part Two

Parallel Parenting Part Two [Episode 312]

In today’s episode, we’re continuing my conversation with life coach Diana Swillinger on parallel parenting. We’re diving into some of the tough questions you’ve sent in, like how to manage parallel parenting without falling into parental alienation, what to do when parenting styles and rules differ across homes, and how to handle situations where your kids prefer one parent and refuse to visit the other.
We also talk about creating emergency plans to keep your children safe—both emotionally and physically. Whether you’re separated, divorced, or just trying to navigate a difficult co-parenting situation, this episode is full of insights to help you create a healthy, stable parenting environment for your kids.

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