The ShannyPants Show

Lyn Smith GregoryIn this conversation, Lynn Smith Gregory shares her profound journey of leaving the Mormon Church, exploring the impact of her upbringing, the challenges of navigating life outside a high-control group, and the complexities of maintaining family relationships. She discusses her spiritual awakening, the role of women in the church, and the ongoing struggles faced by those who leave. The conversation highlights the importance of communication, the crisis of faith among younger generations, and the need for healing and understanding in the aftermath of religious trauma.TakeawaysLynn's family has a long history with the Mormon Church.Leaving the church can lead to feelings of shame and isolation.Spiritual awakening can occur after leaving a high-control group.Maintaining family connections can be challenging after leaving.Women in the Mormon Church often face restrictive roles.Toxic positivity is prevalent in high-control religions.Younger generations are leaving the church in record numbers.Communication barriers exist between those who leave and their families.The church's teachings can lead to internalized sexism.Healing from religious trauma is a complex process.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Lynn's Journey03:10 The Impact of Leaving the Mormon Church05:46 Navigating Life After Leaving09:03 Spiritual Awakening and Exploration11:59 Family Dynamics and Relationships15:00 The Role of Women in Mormon Culture17:58 The Struggles of Leaving a High-Control Group21:00 The Challenge of Maintaining Family Connections24:07 The Hypocrisy of Mormon Culture26:45 The Impact of Toxic Positivity30:08 The Crisis of Faith in the Younger Generation32:50 The Role of Communication in Family Dynamics36:02 The Future of the Mormon Church39:04 Conclusion and Reflections on HealingFind LynWebsiteInstagram-Follow 〰️〰️Shanny 👖〰️〰️YouTubeFacebookInstagramTikTokwww.ShannyPantsShow.com-Subscribe to our podcast for more stories of hope and healingIf you or someone you know is struggling with similar experiences, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Healing is possible, and you are not alone. Visit Living Cult Free to find some amazing resources. I am so happy to be a board director of this wonderful non-profit.Thank you for listening! Your support helps us share these important stories with the world.

The Shanny Pants Show Podcast: Kacey Episode Title: Cults, Survivors, and Storytelling with KaceyGuest: Kacey- Background: Creator and host of *The Cult Vault* podcast- Podcast Origin: Launched during the COVID-19 lockdown- Initial Focus: Researching and presenting historical cult cases- Evolution: Transitioned to a platform for survivors to share their personal stories Podcast Overview: - Theme: Focuses on cults and the experiences of cult survivors - Interviews with survivors and experts in the field - Coverage of current events related to cults- Production: Kacey handles all aspects—planning, research, scripting, editing, and uploading- Mission: Raise awareness about cults and provide support to survivorsKacey's Vision- Financial Viability: Aims to make *The Cult Vault* sustainable to support survivor charities- Support for Cult Victims: Interested in developing more resources and initiatives for those affected by cults Key Discussion Points- The importance of storytelling in healing for survivors- How *The Cult Vault* has evolved since its inception- Challenges and triumphs in creating a survivor-centered platform- Current events that highlight the ongoing issues surrounding cults- Future plans for *The Cult Vault* and collaborations with survivor organizationsTakeaways- The significance of raising awareness about cults and their impact on individuals- Encouragement for survivors to share their stories and seek support- The potential of podcasts as a medium for education and advocacy Where to Find Kacey- Listen to *The Cult Vault* wherever you get your podcasts- Follow Kacey on social media for updates and insights I thank Kacey for her invaluable insights and contributions to the conversation on cults and survivor support.I encourage listeners to share the episode and support Kacey's mission.Find out more about Kacey and The Cult Vault

In this episode of The Shanny Pants Show, Shanny Payton engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jerald, who shares his journey from growing up in a strict Baptist church to navigating life after leaving the ministry. They discuss the challenges of childhood experiences in a cult, the impact of religious trauma, and the importance of breaking the cycle for their children. The conversation also touches on evolving beliefs, the complexities of family relationships, and the journey towards personal growth and healing.TakeawaysJerald's upbringing in a strict Baptist church influenced his life choices.Leaving the church led to a significant personal transformation for Jerald.The importance of addressing childhood trauma in adulthood.Parenting styles have evolved to break the cycle of trauma.The significance of open communication in family relationships.Navigating the complexities of in-law relationships post-cult.The struggle of reconciling past beliefs with current values.The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and necessary.Spirituality can evolve and change over time.Connect with Us:〰️〰️Shanny 👖〰️〰️YouTubeFacebookInstagramTikTokwww.ShannyPantsShow.com-Subscribe to our podcast for more stories of hope and healingIf you or someone you know is struggling with similar experiences, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Healing is possible, and you are not alone. Visit Living Cult Free to find some amazing resources. I am so happy to be a board director of this wonderful non-profit.Thank you for listening! Your support helps us share these important stories with the world.The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the host. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The Shanny Pants Show name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this engaging podcast episode, Shanny Payton interviews Shelly Snow Pordea, a novelist and screenwriter, about her journey of writing a new book that explores themes of abuse, control, and the role of the church in personal narratives. They discuss the emotional process of writing, the importance of storytelling in healing, and the target audience for the book. Shelly shares insights on the complexities of her characters and the societal issues they represent, while also providing resources for cult survivors. The conversation highlights the significance of asking questions and sparking discussions around difficult topics.Shelly's book aims to empower women who have experienced manipulation and control.The church plays a significant role in shaping societal views on women and relationships.Writing can be a therapeutic process that aids in personal healing.It's important to address the complexities of abuse and not oversimplify the narrative.Shelly hopes her book will spark conversations about difficult topics.The target audience for the book includes women in conservative circles who have faced abuse.Validation from others can help in recognizing past trauma and abuse.Exploring different therapeutic methods can aid in healing from cult experiences.The importance of storytelling in processing personal experiences and trauma.Shelly emphasizes the need for open discussions about the impact of cults and abusive relationships.Connect with Shelly:InstagramFacebookThe Cheating WifeWebsiteConnect with Us:- Follow 〰️〰️Shanny 👖〰️〰️YouTubeFacebookInstagramTikTokwww.ShannyPantsShow.com-Subscribe to our podcast for more stories of hope and healingIf you or someone you know is struggling with similar experiences, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Healing is possible, and you are not alone. Visit Living Cult Free to find some amazing resources. I am so happy to be a board member of this wonderful non-profit.Thank you for listening! Your support helps us share these important stories with the world.

Episode with Ryan GeorgeHost: Shanny  Guest:Ryan George  Episode Title: Hurt and healed by the Church: Ryan George's Journey of HopeIn this powerful episode, host Shanny sits down with Ryan George, author and survivor of an abusive childhood rooted in religious trauma. Ryan shares his deeply personal story of resilience after facing unimaginable challenges, including the shocking revelation of his father's predatory behavior as a pastor.What would you do if you learned from a podcast that your dad—a pastor—was a serial sexual abuser? For Ryan, this wasn’t a hypothetical scenario; it was a painful reality that forced him to confront the faces behind the stories he had heard. As he delved into the dysfunction and abuse within the cult of his youth, Ryan recognized that such predatory behavior was often woven into the very fabric of his former faith.Rather than allowing this trauma to destroy his spirit, Ryan found solace in a different understanding of Jesus—one that is tender and redemptive. In his new book, *Hurt and Healed by the Church*, he recounts how he separated his faith from the harmful doctrines of American fundamentalism. Through candid reflections, Ryan illustrates the mental shifts and restorative relationships that guided him toward healing from church trauma and spiritual manipulation.If you've experienced church hurt or are grappling with your faith in light of past abuse, Ryan’s insights offer a path to rebuild your faith without feeling like you’re abandoning it. His story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that unorthodox redemption is possible.Key Takeaways:- Understanding the reality of abuse within religious institutions- The journey of separating faith from harmful beliefs- Finding healing and restoration after church trauma- The importance of community and supportive relationships in recovery- How rebuilding faith can lead to a more compassionate and loving understanding of spiritualityResources Mentioned:- Ryan George’s new book: *Hurt and Healed by the Church*See Book HereFind out more about Ryan HereConnect with Us:- Follow 〰️〰️Shanny 👖〰️〰️YouTubeFacebookInstagramTikTokwww.ShannyPantsShow.com-Subscribe to our podcast for more stories of hope and healingCall to Action:If you or someone you know is struggling with similar experiences, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Healing is possible, and you are not alone. Visit Living Cult Free to find some amazing resources. I am so happy to be a board member of this wonderful non-profit.Thank you for listening! Your support helps us share these important stories with the world.YouTube audio codes: WKUPCL5WQNESFGSW RXVBMJG5WCAJUYES

Katherine Spearing MA, CTRC is the founder of Tears of Eden, a nonprofit supporting survivors of spiritual abuse, and the host of Tears' affiliate podcast Uncertain. She also hosts the podcast Trauma & Pop Culture and is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach working primarily with clients who have survived cults, high-control environments, spiritual abuse, and sexual abuse. She also provides specialized trauma informed career coaching, as folks with trauma often need extra support for interviewing and networking. Katherine is the author of a historical romantic comedy, Hartfords, a novel that challenges gender roles in a patriarchal society that will appeal to fans of Jane Austen. She has been a guest on a number of podcasts, including IndoctriNation and That’s So Fcked Up, is the author of several nonfiction articles, and writes regularly at katherinespearing.com and tearsofeden.org-〰️〰️Shanny 👖〰️〰️YouTubeFacebookInstagramTikTokwww.ShannyPantsShow.com

Cait was such a lovely guest! We have so much in common and I had to edit our talk down a ton because we chatted for such a long time. If you were a part of my cult/group, you will see lots of similarities in Cait's story. From Cait:When I left home at the age of twenty-five, I had no idea what my path would look like. I had no story to tell. I had spent my entire life in the Christian Patriarchy and Stay-at-Home-Daughter Movements, only to realize that I didn’t belong. My story had always been written for me, and now I was taking over the pen for the first time.In the words of Maya Angelou, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”I used to think I could rewrite my whole life, come clean somehow, and pretend I never had a past of oppression and abuse. I didn’t want to be the victim, the pitied, the weak. But the years have taught me that there is no easy way to delete bitter memories or old scars. I can’t separate the good from the bad. So, I’m moving forward, not chained to the past, but liberated from it, carrying with me the old stories, if only as a preface to the new.After I got out, I studied creative writing and publishing at Michigan State University and served on the editorial team for Fourth Genre: Explorations in Nonfiction. My work has been featured in 3288 Review, Dunes Review, Fourth Genre, Hawai`i Pacific Review, The Revealer, and Religion Dispatches.I work full time as a book editor, and I also serve on the editorial board for Tears of Eden, a nonprofit providing resources for survivors of spiritual abuse, and cohost the podcast Survivors Discuss.My debut memoir, Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy, will be available on April 30, 2024.www.caitwest.com〰️〰️Shanny 👖〰️〰️YouTubeFacebookInstagramTikTokwww.ShannyPantsShow.com

Eric Skwarczynski Featured in Let us Prey Documentary Host, Preacher Boys PodcastEXPOSINGThe Preacher Boys podcast exists to shed a bright spotlight on the very real subject of mental, physical, and sexual abuse within Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches.While IFB churches do not have a monopoly on abuse – it is an undeniable problem within the movement and must be addressed.ENGAGINGThe Preacher Boys podcast exists to engage thoughtfully on the subject of abuse.The Preacher Boys podcast is not a satire site, nor is it a reflection of a personal vendetta against all who identify with the movement.We must look objectively at the issues at hand, using relevant data and dialoguing with survivors to better understand and deconstruct the religious sub-cultures that lend themselves to abuse.Every survivor's story is worthy to be told, and every survivor has equal value, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, current religious affiliation, sexual orientation, age, or any other factor.EQUIPPINGThe Preacher Boys Podcast exists not only to rally not only survivors and advocates now outside the movement, but also to spark a fire of change within – leading current congregants, leaders, and pastors to effect change in their own churches.Through interviews and contributed resources from trauma therapists, mental health experts, law enforcement, clergy, and other specialists, the Preacher Boys podcast should be a growing library of information for the pastor hoping to strengthen the security of their church, their capacity to minister to the hurting, and their ability to be what the church should have been – a place of refuge and safety.Find Eric HereInstagramFacebookPodcast〰️〰️Shanny 👖〰️〰️YouTubeFacebookInstagramTikTokwww.ShannyPantsShow.com

ABOUT Jon Jon Snow is an actor and writer, but he is first and foremost the survivor of both a cult, and of sexual abuse. Raised primarily in St. Louis, Missouri, Jon ran away from home and the cult when he was just 17 years old, between his junior and senior year of high school. The cult, the sexual assault, and the physical abuse endured from his mother, left Jon feeling powerless. A young man without a voice. Not long after running away, acting came calling in the form of a mostly paid for tuition at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. But even that was no walk in the park. He promptly failed out of college during his freshman year, after which he sheepishly returned to St. Louis.  Through hustle and hard work, Jon was able to find a coveted position as a reader for multiple casting offices around Los Angeles. And now, having been a participant in over 10,000 auditions to date, he has started teaching other actors the insights he has gleaned during his time as a reader.​Today, Jon's larger mission is to continue to find ways to deepen the connection to his voice, and to reach back out to those who feel powerless, voiceless, alone and afraid. Having walked that path, Jon can think of no better way than to shine a light in the darkness for others to follow. Even if it's just a single person, he knows it's all well worth the effort. ALL ABOUT JONAbout ShellyShelly Snow Pordea is a dynamic figure, renowned as a speaker, publishing consultant, and author of the captivating Tracing Time trilogy. This trilogy, a compelling narrative of women navigating the complexities of life while endeavoring to protect themselves and their loved ones, has consistently ranked among the top one hundred Time Travel Romance books on Amazon Kindle, attesting to its widespread popularity.​Beyond her literary achievements, Shelly is a courageous advocate for survivors of spiritual, sexual, and institutional abuse. Drawing from her own experiences as a cult survivor and victim of childhood sexual abuse, she utilizes the power of storytelling to effect change. Her forthcoming memoir and screenplay shed light on her journey, amplifying the voices of those who have faced similar challenges.​As a screenwriter, Shelly collaborates with her brother, actor Jon Snow, in the production of a fictional adaptation for a series drama based on her personal story. Shelly Snow Pordea invites you to join her journey on social media, where she shares her insights and creative endeavors. Follow her @shellysnowpordea for a glimpse into the world of a multifaceted storyteller and advocate. ALL ABOUT SHELLY〰️〰️Shanny 👖〰️〰️Instagram TikTokYouTube www.ShannyPantsShow.com