This week, Meg and Sarai sit down with Cult Slayer, Mica Ringo, whose Recovering Alumni blog played a key role in exposing the abuses of Teen Mania Ministries and giving survivors a voice as shown in the Prime Docuseries, Shiny, Happy People Season 2. Mica didn’t just tell stories—zir work helped bring lasting attention and pressure that contributed to Teen Mania’s collapse Blavity News & Entertainment https://blavity.com/entertainment/mica-ringo-shiny-happy-people ChurchLeaders https://churchleaders.com/news/515515-shiny-happy-people-returns-to-examine-the-christian-culture-war-pioneer-teen-mania-rns.html But our conversation isn’t about the docuseries, and it’s not about the past. It’s about the present and the future. We know that together we can dismantle cultic systems, reclaim autonomy, and discover that living well in the afterlife (after church) is not just possible—it’s the point. We talk cult takedowns, freedom, joy, and what happens when you ghost your old beliefs for good. Spoiler: there’s more laughter than you’d expect. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/holy-ghosting/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's empowering episode, we're joined by wellness guide and advocate Brit Koch, who introduces us to the transformative concept of rest as a form of resistance plus 49 other Actionable Ways to Resist. Our conversation redefines self-care and explores how small, personal actions can lead to significant societal change. Whether you're new to activism or looking for sustainable ways to continue your engagement without burnout, this episode offers valuable insights into balancing action with self-preservation. Brit's approach encourages us to rethink how everyday choices like resting, spending, and connecting can be potent forms of resistance. Download the resource I mention in this episode: 50 Actionable Ways to Resist Guide https://britkoch.com/ She's offering it for free but if you're able to, I highly encourage you to make a donation. And while you're there check out her daily wellness book -- Rooted Rituals: Meaningful Wellness Practices from Ancient Native Wisdom https://britkoch.com/shop/c5eba28e-7dc6-4d27-872d-00ca25e56345?pageViewSource=lib_view&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fbritkoch.com%2F&show_back_button=true Threads: @BritLKoch TikTok: @Brit.Koch Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/holy-ghosting/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this soulful episode of Holy Ghosting, Meg and Sarai delve into the deeply personal journey of embodiment and the common struggle of feeling disconnected from our own bodies—something many of us face, especially if we grew up in high-control religious settings. They unwrap how cultural and religious scripts have shaped our views on body image and why it’s crucial to cultivate self-care and self-love. Together, they tackle the tough stuff: the impacts of purity culture and diet culture, and why intuitive eating can be a game-changer. They champion the idea of radical self-care, urging everyone to weave together the pieces of self and body to reclaim their personal power and agency. In this first episode of their "In This Body" Series, Meg and Sarai share some practical tips on embracing change and making yourself a priority because sometimes, the most revolutionary act is choosing to love yourself. Episode CW: we talk about our bodies, restrictive eating, diet culture, sexual repression Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/holy-ghosting/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome, Ghosties! This episode, "It's Good To Feel Good," brings the amazing duo of Julia and Jeremiah from the Sexvangelicals podcast to talk with Meg & Sarai about the journey from sexual repression to liberation, shedding light on how purity culture has shaped our views on intimacy and desire. We get INTO IT today, sharing personal stories and things we've learned about reclaiming bodily autonomy, exploring pleasures beyond shame, and challenging conventional norms like monogamy. From Repression to Expression: Join us as we navigate the choppy waters of deconstructing religious beliefs around sex. Our guests share their transformative journeys from sexual repression to embracing full, joyful expression. Shedding the Shame: We'll unravel the threads of shame and outdated gender scripts that high control religions often weave around our desires and relationships. Rediscovering Pleasure: Discover how therapies like sensate focus can help us explore touch and intimacy without the pressure of performance, paving the way for a healthier connection with our bodies. Challenging Norms: Why is monogamy the default? We’re discussing how expanding perspectives on relationships can lead to a more fulfilling sexual life. Embodiment and Healing: We wrap up with powerful insights on embodying pleasure, the therapeutic power of yoga, and making our bodies a safe haven for our souls. Sexual liberation and healing from trauma are not just topics; they’re pathways to deeper self-discovery and healthier relationships. Whether you're navigating these waters yourself or just curious about the conversation, there’s something in this episode for everyone. Find the Sexvangelicals, Julia & Jeremiah, at https://www.sexvangelicals.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/holy-ghosting/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ahoy, Ghosties! Set sail with us on the turbulent waters of YWAM's Mercy Ships as Karen Alea, from the Deconversion Therapy podcast, joins us for a deep-sea adventure into religious deconstruction. From the highs of missionary zeal to the lows of financial strain and the choppy waves of communal living, Karen shares her journey of finding land after leaving the evangelical archipelago. In this episode: 🌍 Travel Bugs and Belonging: Karen dives into why YWAM's promise of adventure lured her in. 💸 Financial Storms: Unpack the dicey ethics of fundraising in missionary work. 🙏 Deconstruction Lifelines: How humor can be your life jacket when navigating the heavy currents of faith questioning. Grab your life vests and join our crew as we explore how to keep your head above water in the sea of spiritual uncertainty. 👻 Support the Journey: Like what you hear? Show your support by subscribing, sharing this episode, and dropping us a review. Every bit helps us keep the conversation flowing and the community growing. Find Karen on the Deconversion Therapy Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deconversion-therapy/id1438032991 In this episode Karen shared about a 10-step prayer ritual she had to go through every time she prayed. The same person who came up with the Plumb Line made this gem. Enjoy! https://ywam.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/PrinciplesForEffectiveIntercession-JoyDawson.pdf?lang=en Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/holy-ghosting/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Protect your peace: CW: Suicide, Depression, dark thoughts, religious ocd Anna Gazmarian shares her spiritual and mental health journey with Lindsay and Meg. Get Anna's book out now! Devout: A Memoir of Doubt https://bookshop.org/p/books/devout-a-memoir-of-doubt-anna-gazmarian/20165565?ean=9781668004036 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/holy-ghosting/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we dive into the not-so-wonderful world of Youth With a Mission, aka YWAM. We chat with our pal (and Lindsay’s sister), D.L. Mayfield about the history and horrors of the cult-like organization that began with one white guy's vision of young people sweeping the globe for Jesus. (Totally not creepy, right?) Fast forward a few decades and YWAM is one of the largest missions organizations on the planet, with 1100 locations in 180+ countries and over 18,000 (unpaid!) staff. It should come as no surprise to our listeners that YWAM is super problematic.. We get into all the cultiest aspects of this organization - from their Discipleship Training School to the forced trauma bonding that they call “Plumbline”. YWAM’s entire model is recruiting young people - before their prefrontal cortexes are fully formed - and they make it VERY hard to leave. If you do manage to escape the cult of YWAM, chances are you’ll be left with zero real-life skills with a side of religious trauma. We’ll be back in a few weeks with a part 2 where we hear from friends and listeners about their about their firsthand encounters with YWAM. (Spoiler alert: the reviews aren't exactly glowing.) Links -Check out DL and Krispin Mayfield’s brand new project, Strong Willed (all about recovering from religious authoritarian parenting) - https://strongwilled.substack.com/ -DL Mayfield on Instagram - @d_l_mayfield -Tiktok - @dlmayfield Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/holy-ghosting/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What happens when a homeschooled horse girl feels “god put Africa on her heart?” Well. It could be a lot of things. In fact, your own fave Ghostie Hostie, Lindsay, was exactly this kind of girlie. And yet! Just as two paths diverge in a yellow wood, so do our choices take us to different places. Lindsay, for one, went on a medical mission to Uganda, wore scrubs, and - shockingly - didn’t perform a single medical intervention that would require training, certification, or licensure. For Renee Bach, the white missionary who is the subject of Savior Complex an HBO Original Documentary Series, she chose a path (hopefully) less taken and went full speed ahead providing services that were way beyond her training and competency - with dire results. Join your thrilling throuple, Lindsay, Meg, and Sarai, as they discuss the second half of the Max docuseries, Savior Complex. Listen to Part One of our Recap Here https://open.spotify.com/episode/70ycXZYsU72AtCR4Lv6q8t?si=3724aa0d27c542f6 They get down and dirty into the accusations surrounding Renee as No White Saviors picks up momentum online, talk a whole load of shit about Renee’s doting mother, Laurie Bach, and wrestle with the centering of white voices and behaviors that are rife within this story (including ours!) While it’s useful, at times, to wrap our minds around something by defaulting to narratives with good guys and bad guys (or…good homeschool horse girls vs bad ones?), real life is much more complicated than all that. What we end up with is a very gray story with a lot of problematic white women centering themselves in it. Which you can hear more of while your ghostie hosts do a little of that too, hopefully in a helpful way. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/holy-ghosting/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy