Soul Bruises

Send us Fan Mail The Two Books mentioned in the interview: "Preserving the Truth: The Church without a Name and Its Founder, William Irvine" by Cherie Kropp-Ehrig "The Truth About The Truth" by Mary Ann Schoeff ********************************************************************************** A church that refuses a name can still demand your whole identity. Steve Hegyi joins me to describe what it’s like to grow up inside the Two by Two religion (also known as the 2x2s, th...

Send us Fan Mail SHOW NOTES: Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMjsVQIepZw Dark Truth Behind Netflix’s ‘Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story Law & Crime Network https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPipALF5glc Was Ruby Franke Brainwashed? - Jodi Hildebrandt's Tactics Dissected https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvvgHlPZFrM Some stories shock because they’re new; this one shocks because it feels familiar. We dig into how a therapist wrap...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode with our guest, Pastor & scholar Kayleigh Clark we explore how collective trauma reshapes churches, why language and listening matter, how sometimes the first step of finding healing a church is about asking the right questions, and how new shepherds can gather what harm scattered. She shares a path from lament to restoration with trauma-informed ministry, empathetic witness, and patient trust-building. Additional topics, references, website ...

Send us Fan Mail What parts of yourself have you cut off to fit into someone else's spiritual mold? In this raw and revealing conversation, Pastor Kristy Hodson shares her journey through a high-control religious environment where authenticity was often sacrificed on the altar of conformity. Drawing from Brené Brown's powerful distinction—"Fitting in is about becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are" Kris...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your loyalty to God becomes twisted into a weapon against your own soul? In this deeply insightful exploration of distorted loyalty, we unravel how spiritual abuse manipulates our noblest virtues into chains of obligation and fear. Distorted loyalty isn't just about misplacing your allegiance—it's about how that loyalty functions internally, creating an agonizing inner turmoil that makes you stay in harmful religious environments despite recognizing the dam...

Send us Fan Mail Show Note Links: Allender Center: https://theallendercenter.org/ Allender Center Podcast: https://theallendercenter.org/category/podcast/ Restore Conference: https://julieroys.com/restore/ "The Roys Report" Podcast: https://julieroys.com/podcast/ Steven Hassan's Influence Continuum: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/influence-continuum/ Steven Hassans BITE Model of Authoritarian Control: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model-pdf-download/ Dr. Janja ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores: * The troubling dynamics of indoctrination, thought suppression, and mind control within spiritual communities. * We emphasize the importance of nurturing critical thinking and personal autonomy to foster genuine spiritual growth. * Analysis of emotional and logical aspects of faith * The role of indoctrination in suppressing individual thought * Discussion on moral vs. spi...

Send us Fan Mail Spiritual abuse can shatter faith and trust in devastating ways. Imagine an environment where authority becomes a tool for manipulation rather than guidance. In this episode of Soul Bruises, we tackle the harrowing reality of spiritual abuse within religious settings, dissecting how authority and distorted loyalty can morph into instruments of harm. Learn how to differentiate between genuine spiritual authority and the misuse of power that leads to exploitation and suffering,...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt the discomfort of a conversation that doesn't seem right in a spiritual setting? I, Christie, pull back the curtain on the darker side of faith communities, spotlighting the fine line between spiritual guidance and coercive control. With an eye on those who twist faith for their own benefit, Soul Bruises attempts to peel back the layers to reveal behaviors and tactics that harm and control, rather than heal and guide. With insights from author Amanda Montell,...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever navigated a staircase, wary of that one perilous step you know to skip? That's the essence of the 'missing stair', an analogy we explore in a special bonus episode of Soul Bruises, which casts light on the often unseen perils within our spiritual communities. We delve into the metaphor's origin and its startling relevance to spiritual abuse, illuminating the dangers of ignoring harmful behaviors that, like a literal missing stair, threaten our collective wellbei...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt the heavy burden of spiritual abuse within a faith community? Our journey into the shadows of spiritual manipulation begins here, where I hope to guide you through the often-misunderstood realm of spiritual abuse. We're not just scratching the surface; we're exposing the deep-rooted patterns of control that have caused generational hurt across all faith traditions. With the expertise of thought leaders like Jeff VanVonderen and James Rochford,...

Send us Fan Mail This introductory episode of Soul Bruises sets the stage for the podcast's mission—to uncover the reality of spiritual abuse, understand its impact on individuals, and discuss ways to combat it. Your host, Christie emphasizes the importance of listener participation and involvement to this issue. Christie's personal motivation stems from witnessing far too many loved ones who have experienced spiritual abuse and feeling compelled to speak out against this harm. Inspire...

Send us Fan Mail The "Soul Bruises" podcast, hosted by Christie Hodson, delves into the often ugly and concealed realities of spiritual abuse. It addresses the weariness and sadness that arise from hearing stories of abuse at the hands of spiritual leaders and the troubling absence of accountability for these abusers. The podcast seeks to shed light on the damage hidden behind the veils of religion, faith, and dogma. Through candid conversations, powerful stories, and the wisdom of those who ...