We keep getting hit with the docuseries about cults: new cults, past cults, both in and out of the religious arena. It’s a big area of interest for a mass number of people, and there are pros to this, but how does consuming lots of content of this nature affect you? In this conversation with Cat Morgan of Fierce Freedom, we discuss the benefits and the disadvantages of binging cult content and some tips we can apply to ensure we’re okay when we finish the last...

In this episode of the Reclamation Podcast, we are honored to speak with Melodie Bissell, founder of Plan To Protect (@plantoprotect), about the importance of having proper policies in church and parachurch organizations for addressing and preventing spiritual abuse. Content Warning: Sexual Abuse and Abuse. Today's video discusses information about sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and other forms of mistreatment. Prioritizing your mental well-being and exercising self-care while watching this...

"I learned it, I practiced it, and then I passed it on to others." This simple line from Dr. Scot McKnight's book “A Church Called Tov” describes how culture happens in any group or organization. Sometimes individuals stick around in hopes of changing a toxic culture into a healthy one, but that’s rarely what actually happens. Why? Listen in to find out! ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation (formerly Naomi...

The Enneagram has gained tremendous popularity, even within many churches. Some love it, while others condemn it. So, is the Enneagram something to be afraid of or is there a silver lining? In this episode of Reclamation Podcast, we invite Jay Medenwaldt (who is currently writing a book about this topic) to have a conversation. ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation (formerly Naomi Wright Ministries / NWM).

In today's podcast, Natalie Edmonson from Berean Holiness is joining us to talk about her experience growing up in a Holiness Movement. Her journey to finding the actual teachings of the Bible that eventually led to leaving the group brings vital insights into the danger of adding teachings to the Bible. To learn more about Berean Holiness, click here: https://bereanholiness.com Join us in the Called to freedom Conference: https://bereanholiness.com/conference/ ---------------- Support...

In this Podcast, Naomi was pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Kruger to talk about his latest book, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of spiritual abuse in the church. This book was primarily written for leadership, but it is proving helpful from every angle of the issue. In this conversation, Dr. Kruger shares his insightful perspective, comments, and even recommendations for Church leadership in regards to spiritual abuse. Please don’t miss it! ---------------- Support this work by...

This week Dulce and Derek from "The Honest Messy Life" return to tell us about the impact spiritual abuse had on their family and the personal challenges of leaving their toxic group. In this episode, they also tell us how they have dealt with those challenges and where they are today in their healing journeys. Click here if you missed part 1 of this conversation: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/tB5ZzXJElzb

In this week's episode, Dulce and Derek of "The Honest Messy Life" join us for the first in a two-part series to share their personal stories. In Part 1, they open up about their lives within the cult and the painful impact on relationships, from family to close friends. Don’t miss this beautiful couple’s vulnerability and transparency–we think you’ll relate. ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation (formerly Naomi...

Tracy Brown is a Somatic Nutrition Therapist, a registered Licensed Dietitian, and an Attuned Eating Coach. Today she is joining us to talk about the relationship between trauma and food: How does the first influence the second? What about within spiritual abuse? Naomi lived this struggle herself, and she knows she wasn’t the only one. In this conversation, Tracy will give us key information to understand this complex topic. ---------------- Support this work by...

In this episode, Joshua Stringer, one of bE’s mentors, shares his history with spiritual abuse. He vulnerably talks about his challenges in the aftermath and how it has shaped his life in many ways, including in his role as a bE mentor. Listen in and hear where your stories overlap! ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation (formerly Naomi Wright Ministries / NWM).

In this episode, Naomi and Anna, a bE mentor, discuss beEmboldened’s mentoring services and the nuances of the religious abuse context. Whether you are a professional in the field or a person who has experienced spiritual abuse, you don't want to miss this conversation! ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation (formerly Naomi Wright Ministries / NWM).

Religious abuse and twisted-up doctrine go hand-in-hand. This leaves us confused, discouraged, and sometimes angry. It also leaves us vulnerable to re-victimization. In this episode, Rebecca Davis, author of the "Untwisting Scriptures" book series, joins us to provide helpful tools and insights on the road to biblically sound doctrine. ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation (formerly Naomi Wright Ministries / NWM).

After suffering spiritual abuse, being part of a community–whether religious or not–can cause a lot of anxiety and confusion. I mean…it didn’t go well the last time, right? Is it really necessary and beneficial to be part of a community? What does it even mean for a community to be healthy? In this episode, Naomi welcomed Mary Jo Sharp, who has experienced firsthand the imperfection of the Church. Listen in as she brings valuable insights and ideas to consider for your own...

Grief is a primary emotion when healing from religious abuse. When we walk away from a damaging community, we are faced with many different forms of loss that demand our attention. They either get our attention, or they fester and come out in all sorts of less productive ways. In this episode, Naomi invited Ryan Ramsey to share about the great value of allowing ourselves to feel grief and to incorporate rituals as a tool in this complex process. ---------------- Support this work by...

In this episode, Naomi talks with Holly Pivec and Doug Geivett about the New Apostolic Reformation, known as NAR. Even if NAR doesn’t sound familiar, you do not want to miss this conversation. As we get into some signs of the movement, you’re likely to realize you’ve encountered some of them already. This is a big one for victimization prevention–Please don’t miss it! ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation...

In unhealthy religious communities, emotional health is not a topic of conversation. This concept is disregarded and ignored in the abusive religious groups we engage with here at bE. Join Roger Sharp and Naomi as they have a conversation about the importance of emotional health and spiritual maturity. You don't want to miss this meaningful conversation. ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation (formerly Naomi...

“Spare the rod; spoil the child.” What does this mean? The topic of discipline and discipleship can be complex, especially for those who have been through religious abuse. So naturally, when discussing discipline in our children, many can find theirselves hesitant and confused about healthy and God-honoring ways to approach it. In this episode, Naomi invited Elizabeth Urbanowicz, who has great experience, to join us and discuss this emotionally-charged topic. ---------------- Support this...

Whether you are new to Christianity, have come out of an abusive religious group, or simply haven't thought a lot about it, understanding Jesus' ordinances of baptism and communion from a biblical perspective is vital to your Christian life. In this episode with Kevin Santiago, we will unpack different aspects to understand better what these ordinances look like for healthy spirituality. ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a...

After Crystal decided to leave the team she was involved with, she couldn't pick up a Bible. This cultish group magnified suffering in unhealthy ways, and brought confusion and chaos to her life. Happily, she has come to know that God isn't confusing or chaotic. In this episode, Crystal shares her story about how her later involvement in a Church community, along with a proper understanding of the Bible, helped her break free from the manipulation she’d experienced. ---------------- Support...

Harmful religious groups use God as an excuse to be abusive and support it with the Old Testament. As many of you know, Naomi has experienced this in her own life. Today, she can make a distinction between what is actually God and what is humanity, and she can go to God as the safe place He is. It has been a journey of untwisting and figuring out the truth about God’s nature, though. This is why she invited Dr. Paul Copan to join her in a conversation that will bring context, perspective, and...

We see teaching about repentance throughout the New and Old Testament. This practice is shown as an essential aspect of conversion and continued growth. How has this important and beautiful teaching been twisted in abusive and unbiblical ways? This week, Teasi Cannon joined us to discuss what repentance actually looks like versus what it doesn’t. ---------------- Support this work by visiting https://www.beemboldened.com/donate to make a tax-deductible donation (formerly Naomi Wright...

The doctrine of the Trinity gets brought up weekly in our conversations with people who have suffered religious trauma. A better understanding of this topic will help us get a sound and biblically-based faith, as well as help us to better understand the concerns of the groups our mentees have left. With the questions we’ve been asked in mind, Naomi invited Dr. Roger Olson to join us to talk about this important doctrine of the Christian faith. What does the Bible actually teach about...

Christians are not necessarily taught how dramatically, and tragically spiritual warfare can impact their journey. Many times, they don’t have clarity on what’s truly happening or what it means to “discern.” Add in spiritual abuse, and things can get so much messier. Welcome back for the third and final part in our series with Sharon Beekmann on The Spiritual Realm and The Power of Christ. If you’ve missed Parts 1 and 2, in which we discussed Sharon’s story and the most common questions we...

There is a lot of misinformation about the spiritual realm, including that it doesn't really exist in ways anymore. Because of this, we have countless individuals come to us at bE who don't know how to think about different experiences they've had. Was that dream their own? Or from God? Or elsewhere? Sharon Beekmann shares her thoughts on these and other questions in part two of our spiritual warfare series, as she reaffirms the importance of speaking about Christ's victory over evil. Visit...

When leaving abusive religious situations, many continue to be attacked in various ways. This can be a very confusing time as they usually don't know what to do. Sharon Beekmann find herself in this situation when she decided to step out of the New Age practices. In this two-part series, Sharon, who today is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and a retired Associated Faculty member at Denver Seminary, shares with us her fascinating story. ---------------- Support...