Beyond BJU: Exposing Fundamentalism

Latest Episodes:

Uncovering The Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement (IFB) - Eric Skwarczynski May 13, 2024

Show notes

Eric Skwarczynski is a versatile media professional with a passion for storytelling. Over the past 7 years, he has held various roles, including videographer, photographer, writer, and graphic designer, leading him to explore over 20 states and 13 countries.

His mission revolves around shedding light on the significant issue of mental, physical, and sexual abuse within Independent Baptist Churches. Eric hosts the Preacher Boys podcast, which debuted in January 2020 and has garnered 3 million downloads to date. Content from the podcast has been showcased on Peacock and CBC, along with his accompanying YouTube channel, approaching 2 million views.

He is part of a docuseries titled, “LET US PREY: A MINISTRY OF SCANDALS”, which recently premiered as a four-part event on Investigation Discovery. Following its premiere on ID, all four parts of “Let Us Prey” are now available to stream on HBO Max

Eric Skwarczynski's Links

Preacher Boys Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/preacher-boys-podcast/id1493726980

Let Us Prey docuseries: https://play.max.com/show/ca01f963-90fe-4028-9d3c-deb127d48f34

Leaving Eden Podcast Appearance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-166-the-ifb-responds-to-let-us-prey/id1525971285?i=1000642463136

IndoctriNation Podcast Appearace: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-us-prey-w-eric-skwarczynski/id1373939526?i=1000636914661

Andrew Pledger's Links

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

My Substack: https://speakingupandrewpledger.substack.com/

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

-Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BJU's Sixth President Is... May 07, 2024

Show notes

On May 7, 2024, Bob Jones University declared the appointment of their sixth president.

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

My Substack: https://speakingupandrewpledger.substack.com/

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

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Escaping The Grips of Coercive Control - Leah Worley May 06, 2024

Show notes

Leah Worley’s time at BJU was marked by an invasive surveillance regime and a suffocating culture of authoritarianism. Targeted for her appearance, she found herself under constant scrutiny, with every aspect of her identity dissected and judged under the unforgiving lens of the university's rigid moral compass. Leah recounts chilling episodes of being stalked, publicly shamed, sexually harassed, and subjected to relentless intimidation by authority figures determined to break her down. Yet, amidst this turmoil, Leah’s narrative is also one of awakening and empowerment. She describes the turning point when she decided to take control of her life, employing strategies to evade undue surveillance and reclaim her autonomy. This episode is a rallying cry for all those who have felt the weight of coercive control, a testament to the power of personal agency, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, hope and renewal are possible.

Andrew Pledger's Links

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

My Substack: https://speakingupandrewpledger.substack.com/

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

-Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Betrayed Trust - Joshua Bellis Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we delve into the experiences of Joshua Bellis, whose family was intricately entwined with Bob Jones University (BJU). He shares his experiences of growing up as a missionary kid in Canada. His parents were missionaries with the Gospel Fellowship Association, a mission agency operated by BJU.

Joshua also shares the story of his grandfather (James Bellis) who, despite his dedicated service to BJU, was neglected in his time of need, leading to a serious injury. Shockingly, it took a lawsuit threat for the institution to take responsibility. He also recounts a disturbing incident involving his uncle, a high-ranking BJU member, and the university's mishandling of a scandal, revealing the institution's prioritization of image over moral responsibility.

Finally, Joshua opens up about his father's fall from leadership. Join us as we explore these stories of betrayal, disillusionment, and the struggle for justice.

Andrew's Links

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Missions Teams, Mount Calvary Baptist in Greenville - Erin Burchwell Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Erin Burchwell shares stories about her travels with BJU's missions teams. She also discusses her upbringing in Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville. Erin Burchwell is a Columbus, Ohio-based florist, designer and illustrator. She grew up as a faculty kid on the campus of Bob Jones University. In 2014, Erin interviewed with GRACE, an independent ombudsman who reviewed the University’s mishandling of sexual assault reports. She and others chose to break their anonymity in the report when the school fired the GRACE team.

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reading the GRACE Report - Andrew Pledger Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

CONTENT WARNING: sexual abuse and victim blaming - Read the full GRACE Report here: https://www.netgrace.org/bju

In this episode, I read some highlights of the GRACE Report of BJU. In this updated episode, I add some of the recommendations section. The GRACE report is a 301-page report on the mishandling of sex abuse allegations at Bob Jones University. The report shows Bob Jones University responding to rape and abuse claims with woeful ignorance of state law, a near-complete lack of training in psychology and trauma counseling best practices, and an overarching campus culture that blames women and girls for any abuse they suffer, and which paints all sexuality-from rape to consensual sex-as equivalent misdeeds.

Andrew Pledger's Links

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

My Substack: https://speakingupandrewpledger.substack.com/

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

-Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing Up at BJU, GRACE Report - Erin Burchwell Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Erin Burchwell is a Columbus, Ohio-based florist, designer and illustrator. She grew up as a faculty kid on the campus of Bob Jones University. In 2014, Erin interviewed with GRACE, an independent ombudsman who reviewed the University’s mishandling of sexual assault reports. She and others chose to break their anonymity in the report when the school fired the GRACE team.

Andrew's Links

Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Family Relationships, BJU's Control - Andrew Pledger - IndoctriNation Podcast Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

This is an episode I did with the IndoctriNation Podcast which is hosted by Rachel Bernstein LMFT, Cult Specialist. Listen to the IndoctriNation Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.

Andrew Pledger is a content creator, activist, and writer who uses social media to share his story and inspire others. He is a religious trauma survivor who was homeschooled K-12 and raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult (Independent Fundamental Baptist movement). He brings awareness to spiritual and religious abuse. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and experiencing religious trauma has inspired him to pursue psychology to help survivors. After being homeschooled, he found his way to Bob Jones University. He attended the fundamentalist Christian college for over three years until he was expelled in his last semester for sharing his story and denouncing fundamentalist teachings. Andrew comes on the show to share his experiences of the level of control and mental abuse he experienced at Bob Jones University.

Andrew opens up to Rachel about his complicated relationship with his 2nd generation IFB parents, he compares the high-control culture he grew up within his family with the complete authoritarian control of Bob Jones University. Together Andrew and Rachel discuss the psychological impacts on adolescents living under the constant surveillance and harsh judgment of fundamentalism.

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 - Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star - Rich Merritt Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

Rich Merritt is an author, attorney, and LGBTQ+ activist who has led a remarkable life. He was born in Greenville, South Carolina, to fundamentalist Christian parents. He was in the Bob Jones school system from first grade through the university. He attended Bob Jones University for two years and in 1988 transferred to Clemson University. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as a sergeant and an officer, while also appearing in adult films. He graduated from the University of Southern California Law School and worked as a lawyer in California, Georgia, and New York. He wrote his memoir, Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star, in 2005. He has been featured on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, The Advocate, and Washington Post

You can order an ebook copy of Rich Merritt's Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star, from Kensington Books at this link. Also available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bISmitF

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 1 - Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star - Rich Merritt Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

You can order an ebook copy of Rich Merritt's Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star, from Kensington Books at this link. Also available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bISmitF

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.