{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/293c3043-0316-4f41-80cf-037ced3466c1/6a17c857029c20a5f6bae289?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Coercive Control in Charismatic Evangelical Churches with the RTC","description":"<p>When we talk about cults, we tend to picture the ones that make headlines: isolated compounds, charismatic leaders, dramatic exits. But what about the church down the street? The one with the worship band and the small groups and the Instagram presence? In this episode, Sam Sellers and Elise Heerde, co-founders of the <a href=\"https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Religious Trauma Collective</a>, talk about what happens when coercive control operates inside institutions that look, from the outside, like ordinary community. We also touch on evangelical support for Trump in the USA, and how Australia is not immune from those who would like to see a theocracy here.</p><p><br></p><p>Links</p><ul><li><a href=\"https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Religious Trauma Collective</a> — official website</li><li><a href=\"https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/annual-event\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">RTC Annual Online Event</a> — running 19-21 June 2026</li><li><a href=\"https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/meet-sam-new/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sam Sellers</a> — Anchored Counselling Services</li><li><a href=\"https://www.eliseheerde.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Elise Heerde</a> — official website</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Credits:</p><p>Produced by <a href=\"http://ltaspod.com/host\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sarah Steel</a></p><p>Music by <a href=\"http://www.joegouldmusic.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Gould</a></p><p><br></p><p>You can support Let's Talk About Sects <a href=\"https://www.ltaspod.com/supporters\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via <a href=\"http://www.cifs.org.au/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.cifs.org.au</strong></a>), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via <a href=\"http://www.icsahome.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.icsahome.com</strong></a>). Find Sarah's audiobook Do As I Say <a href=\"https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761263187\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.</p>","author_name":"Sarah Steel"}