In this raw and deeply personal episode of "Shit You Should Know," host Fawn and guest Tim unpack their parallel journeys growing up under the shadow of religious fundamentalism. Both raised in strict evangelical Christian homes, they recount childhoods shaped by rigid doctrine, fear of damnation and the omnipresent threat of hell. Their stories reveal how fundamentalist teachings dictated everything from daily routines and gender roles to relationships with family and self-worth, often leaving lasting scars of anxiety, guilt and shame.

As adults, both Fawn and Tim navigated complex paths away from their faiths. They reflect on the trauma of being raised in environments where questioning was forbidden, love was conditional and conformity was enforced through psychological terror. The conversation draws striking parallels between religious and political authoritarianism, especially in the current American climate, and highlights the enduring impact of fundamentalist upbringing on mental health and family bonds.

Ultimately, the episode is a candid exploration of breaking free from dogma, the cost of that freedom and the ongoing work of healing and redefining identity outside the confines of religious extremism.