Cult Diaries
Cult Diaries features brave individuals sharing their personal experiences of leaving cults and rebuilding their lives. The host, an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, brings firsthand understanding to conversations about control, liberation, and recovery. Each episode highlights raw and honest stories aimed at shedding light on hidden truths and empowering listeners who have faced similar journeys. The podcast emphasizes resilience, hope, and the process of reclaiming one’s identity after breaking free.
Episodes
When Loyalty Costs You Everything: Malia Calles Story of Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses
What happens when you've spent your entire life trying to prove your love for God... only to discover you've been serving a system that never allowed you to trust yourself?In this deeply moving episode of Cult Diaries, Brooke sits down with former Jehovah's Witness and former Circuit Overseer's wife Malia Calles, whose story challenges everything we think we know about devotion, id
HOLY DISOBEDIENCE: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows
What happens when the faith that was meant to bring you hope becomes the very thing that causes your deepest wounds?In this powerful episode of Cult Diaries, Brooke sits down with award-winning essayist, screenwriter, and religious trauma advocate Melissa Duge Spiers to explore her journey of breaking free from religious abuse, reclaiming her voice, and transforming pain into purpose. Melissa shar
Escaping an Abusive Marriage & the Family That Enabled It
Mae Scott, a woman whose story shines a light on a kind of abuse that often goes unseen—the kind that is protected, enabled, and reinforced by family systems themselves.Mae is the author of An Embarrassment of Pandas, a powerful and honest account of escaping not only an abusive marriage, but an entire family dynamic that functioned like a cult—one that protected her abuser and turned against her
Faith, Fear, and Finding Her Voice Again: Pentecostal Exit Story
In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Edna White, a survivor, truth-teller, and transformational leader who courageously shares her journey of leaving the Pentecostal church and confronting the deep-rooted patriarchy and suppression of women within it.Edna opens up about what it felt like to live inside a system where women’s voices were minimized, their roles confined, and th
Breaking The Silence On Patriarchal Harm: Evangelicalism Exit Story
Katherine Spearing, MA, CTRC — founder of Tears of Eden, certified trauma recovery practitioner, author, and host of the groundbreaking podcast Uncertain, one of the first platforms to boldly name and explore spiritual abuse.Katherine has spent years holding space for survivors navigating the devastating — and often invisible — impact of religious trauma and patriarchal harm. Through her nonprofi
You're Allowed To Question-A Jehovah's Witness Exit Story
In this deeply moving episode of Cult Diaries, I sit down with writer and storyteller Georgia Clare, whose life has been shaped by both profound rupture and breathtaking resilience.Raised in Wales and now living in the southwest of France, Georgia shares her journey of growing up within a high-control religious community, navigating childhood trauma, enduring personal loss, and ultimately finding
What Happens Inside a Secretive Cult Like SIST?
In this deeply powerful and possibly triggering episode, (trigger warning) we sit down with Martha Glory Kartaoui, a cult survivor who has transformed unimaginable experiences into a life devoted to healing, truth, and empowerment.Martha courageously shares her story of life inside Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology (SIST)—a secretive, fundamentalist group based in Shawano, Wisconsin.
Inside the Cult On The Cape
In this haunting and deeply powerful episode, I sit down with Bonnie Zampino, a domestic violence and cult survivor who shares the unimaginable reality of life inside the Community of Jesus.What Bonnie endured is almost impossible to comprehend. For three years, she was held in isolation—locked in a basement and only brought out for chants and rituals. Her world was controlled, her mind targeted t
Inside A Doomsday Cult: Escaping The House of Yaweh
Welcome to Season 2! I have finally been able to sit down and make space for some new interviews and this season is going to be a wild ride! I have some amazing guests that I have throughly enjoyed learning from, because their experience has opened my eyes to the common thread between all cult survivors. In this deeply powerful episode, I sit down with Melody Post, a survivor of the polygamist doo
Deconstructing Faith Without Losing Your Soul
In this episode, Brooke sits down with Bre Hamilton ( Religious Trauma Coach), who grew up deeply embedded in fundamentalist evangelical Christianity—where identity, belonging, and moral value were measured by submission and spotless rule-following. When their questions began, it wasn’t just beliefs that unraveled; it was an entire sense of self.What makes their story unique is what happened next:
Freedom From Australia MegaChurch
What happens when the church you dedicate your life to turns out to be a cult? In this episode of Cult Diaries, I sit down with Elise Heerde, who courageously shares her story of growing up in and ultimately escaping the grip of an Australian Mega Church cult.Elise opens up about the unraveling of belief, the painful process of uncovering the truth, and the courageous steps it took to finally brea
Escaping the Jehovah’s Witnesses & an Abusive Marriage: Jada’s Powerful Story of Freedom & Healing
Jada Bohmer is the host of Awaken to Freedom, a podcast dedicated to empowering women breaking free from cults, high-control religious environments, and abusive relationships. Today, Jada Bohmer shares her powerful story of awakening—breaking free from the control of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and surviving a deeply abusive marriage. Now, 30 years into her freedom, Jada’s journey is one of resilience
Breaking The Cycle: Giving My Kids the Freedom I Never Had
Donovan Johnson left the Jehovah's Witnesses over 8 years ago, after losing his mother. She had confessed that she had questioned things for years, and told him before she passed. He then took that and began to awaken himself to the reality of the religion that he had been taught to believe. In today’s deeply personal episode of Cult Diaries, we’re talking about one of the most powerful forms of r
The Truth About Armageddon: Reclaiming Power From Apocalyptic Fear
In this episode of Cult Diaries, we’re diving headfirst into one of the most emotionally loaded and deeply misunderstood doctrines in the Bible—Armageddon. If you grew up in a high-control religion or under the weight of end-times fear, this conversation is for you.We’ll trace the historical origins of the Armageddon narrative—from its Jewish apocalyptic roots in books like Daniel and Enoch, to ho
The Cost of Leaving Jehovah’s Witnesses
Born into a fourth-generation Jehovah’s Witness family, today's guest grew up deeply entrenched in the faith, striving to be the perfect believer while secretly battling feelings of inadequacy and doubt. Like many, she followed the path laid out for her—getting baptized at 13, pioneering, and building a life by Jehovah’s Witness standards.But when her husband voiced his doubts, everything chan
Breaking Free From The Jehovah's Witness Religion Part 2
Leaving a high-control religion is more than just walking away—it’s unraveling years of subconscious programming, fear-based conditioning, and deep psychological ties that still shape your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. In this episode, I share Part 2 of my journey—the moment I finally left Jehovah’s Witnesses for good, the devastating loss of my marriage and identity, and the painful truth I
When Faith Becomes a Weapon: Surviving Spiritual Manipulation & Domestic Abuse
What happens when faith is weaponized against you? When the very institution meant to protect and guide you becomes the foundation of your abuse?In this gripping and raw podcast, Anna Marie Lopes shares her journey of surviving the dangerous intersection of spiritual manipulation and domestic violence within the church. At just 18, she was drawn into a world where biblical principles were twisted
The Devastating Reality of Religious Betrayal
What happens when the place someone thought was safe—the place where faith, identity, and trust were built—turns out to be a lie?Since 2018, Laura Richards has been unraveling the layers of their belief system, peeling back the illusions one painful revelation at a time. Deeply involved in her church, she trusted its leaders, its teachings, and the promises of divine guidance. Then, the truth shat
From Cult Control to Toxic Love
Trigger WarningIn this compelling episode, we dive into how growing up in a high-control religious cult, Jehovah's Witnesses, created the perfect storm for entering an abusive relationship. Lorel Stevens shares how the rigid rules, fear-based teachings, and lack of autonomy within the cult shaped her beliefs about herself, relationships, and her worth. Conditioned to submit and suppress her v
Find Your Passion After Religious Trauma
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Sally Lotz, a writing coach, mentor, and author, to hear her remarkable journey of resilience and self-discovery. Sally shares her experience growing up in a home shaped by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a faith her mother joined when Sally was just six years old. After enduring abuse, isolation, and being forced to leave home at 16 for being deemed a “bad influ
Shunning isn't Love- Told by an Ex Jehovah's Witness
Shunning isn’t love—it’s control, punishment, and one of the most devastating forms of psychological abuse. In this episode, I dive deep into the painful reality of shunning, a tactic used by high-control religions and toxic family systems to silence and isolate those who dare to think for themselves. I share my own experience of being shunned, the grief of losing family, and the heartbreaking imp
Transcending Religious Trauma
Description: This is the inspiring journey of Lynetta Avery, an Ex Jehovah's Witness. Now she is a Soulmate Coach & Author who is a beacon of hope for those seeking to heal and reclaim their lives. Author of her transformative book, Do The Work: 5 Steps to Transcend Trauma, this podcast dives deep into her personal story of resilience. At just 17, Lynetta endured the harrowing experience o
Healing After Intimate Partner Trauma
Beth Brunk is a Sexual Betrayal Trauma Coach, and was a part of the Baptist Brethren Church. She broke free in 2007, and has been on a different path of healing. After enduring 23 years of intimate partner betrayal, including abuse, pornography addiction, and devastating trauma, Beth longed for peace. The pain she carried from her wedding night and throughout her marriage left her desperate for re
Rewriting a Pre-Written Life
In this powerful episode of Cult Diaries, we hear the story of Hannah Marie Sol who grew up homeschooled in a Christian religious community, where faith dictated every aspect of her life. By 19, she was engaged to a church leader, but a moment of panic made her realize her entire life path had been decided for her. Breaking off the engagement, leaving the church, and walking away from her friends,
How To Spot A Cult
In this eye-opening episode, we explore the subtle yet powerful tactics cults and high-control groups use to manipulate and trap individuals. Drawing from my personal experience as an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, I shed light on how these strategies show up within religious systems and beyond. From love bombing and isolation to emotional control and thought manipulation, we unpack the red flags that reve
Breaking Free from the Jehovah's Witness Religion
In this debut episode of Cult Diaries, I share my deeply personal journey of growing up as a Jehovah's Witness and the life-altering decision to break free from its constraints. From the fear-driven teachings to the strict rules that governed every aspect of my life, I’ll take you behind the scenes of what it truly means to live within the Jehovah's Witness faith. I’ll reveal the emotional
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