Lead Us Not

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Latest Episodes:

The Letter That Changed Everything Apr 05, 2023

When prominent spiritual leaders are abusive, their victims are at the epicenter of the earthquake. But when the truth comes out, the rest of us still feel the aftershocks.
In this final episode, we turn to the wider community that was impacted by Jean Vanier’s abuse — people who didn’t know Vanier directly, but who read his books, were inspired by L’Arche’s model of community, or served as volunteers. What do we call the kind of harm these people experience? And how do we heal from it? You’ll hear from ethicist Karen Guth about different options for responding to tainted legacies and from spiritual abuse expert Rachael Clinton Chen about the “shrapnel” of spiritual abuse.

And you’ll hear the story of how Judy Farquharson — with the help of Donna Varnau and Cecilia McPherson — helped clear the path for other victims of Jean Vanier to come forward.

Listen and subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Lead Us Not is a podcast from Sojourners magazine. This episode was produced, written, and edited by, Jenna Barnett, with executive production and story editing by Betsy Shirley. Sound design and mixing by JP Keenan, fact checking by Mitchell Atencio. Tiarra Lucas designed our podcast cover. Our theme music is by Borrtex and by Yehezkel Raz. 

You can find transcripts for each show and related links at sojo.net/podcast. If you like our show, please rate us and leave a review. You can stay in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtag #LeadUsNot.

If you want to support this show, listeners can save $10 on a subscription to Sojourners magazine by visiting sojo.net/lun. In each issue, we explore current topics of faith, social justice, politics, and culture, with bold commentary, compelling reporting, and gorgeous original artwork. Thanks so much for your support.

Follow Sojourners on Facebook (@SojournersMagazine), Twitter (@sojourners), and Instagram (@sojogram), and share your thoughts about the podcast with #LeadUsNot or by emailing response@sojo.net.

Sojourners magazine is an independent, award-winning magazine of faith, culture, and politics. Our mission is to inspire hope and action by articulating the biblical call to racial and social justice, life and peace, and environmental stewardship.

'This Isn't Some Holy Moment' Mar 10, 2023

Donna knew something wasn’t right when Thomas Philippe came to her room. Cecilia hid the truth even from herself. Judy thought she just wasn’t “holy enough” to understand.
In this episode, three women who were sexually and spiritually abused at L’Arche by Jean Vanier and Thomas Philippe tell their stories. You’ll learn how each of them suffered, but also how they’ve worked together to find healing and justice. You’ll also hear from Rachael Clinton Chen, an expert who helps people recover from spiritual and sexual abuse.

Listen and subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Lead Us Not is a podcast from Sojourners magazine. This episode was produced, written, and edited by Jenna Barnett, with executive production and story editing by Betsy Shirley. Sound design and mixing by JP Keenan; fact-checking and additional producing by Mitchell Atencio. Tiarra Lucas designed our podcast cover. Our theme music is by Borrtex and by Yehezkel Raz.

If you want to support this show, listeners can save $10 on a subscription to Sojourners magazine by visiting sojo.net/lun. In each issue, we explore current topics of faith, social justice, politics, and culture, with bold commentary, compelling reporting, and gorgeous original artwork. Thanks so much for your support.

You can learn more about the podcast, sign up for email updates and bonus information about each episode, and get a transcript of each episode at sojo.net/podcast.

The Camouflage of Charisma Feb 21, 2023

There was an unnamable something about Jean Vanier that transformed an experience — or transformed you. For many people, Vanier’s captivating presence was evidence of his godly giftedness. But for victims of abuse, this saintly reputation had a dark side.

In this episode, host Jenna Barnett talks with Katelyn Beaty, author of Celebrities for Jesus, about the danger of charismatic leadership in Christian communities. You’ll also hear again from L’Arche USA leader Tina Bovermann, about the role of privilege in leveraging charisma, and author Carolyn Whitney-Brown, on why we should stop calling anyone a “living saint.”

Listen and subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

You can read Tanya Marlow’s 2021 essay “But his books are still good, right? – 5 things Christians must stop saying about sexual abusers” at tanyamarlow.com.

You can watch Roy Bonisteel’s 1972 interview with Jean Vanier and Mother Teresa on the CBC website, cbc.ca.

Credits: Lead Us Not was produced, written, and edited by Jenna Barnett, with executive production, story editing, and additional reporting by Betsy Shirley. Sound design and mixing by JP Keenan; factchecking by Mitchell Atencio. Tiarra Lucas designed our podcast cover. Our theme music is by Borrtex and by Yehezkel Raz. 

Special thanks to Amanda Zalken, Laura Hallman, Erin Greeno, and all the archivists at the United Church of Canada Archives for helping us find Peter Flemington’s documentary If You’re Not There, You’re Missed.

You can learn more about the podcast, sign up for email updates and bonus information about each episode, and get a transcript of each episode at sojo.net/podcast.

Origin Stories Feb 07, 2023

It was a powerful story that inspired a movement: Jean Vanier heard a call—from Jesus and people suffering in mental institutions—and decided to invite some men with intellectual disabilities to live with him. The only problem? It wasn’t true.

In this episode, we examine the origin stories of L’Arche: the one Vanier told for decades and the stranger, more devastating story revealed in a recent 900-page report. Host Jenna Barnett talks with L’Arche USA leader Tina Bovermann about why it took the organization so long to identify Vanier’s abuse and how they’re now trying to untangle L’Arche's mission from Vanier's lies.

You’ll also hear from Carolyn Whitney-Brown, an author who spent a decade of her life interviewing L'Arche leaders whose stories rarely get the spotlight.

Listen and subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Credits: Lead Us Not was produced, written, and edited by me, Jenna Barnett, with executive production, story editing, and additional reporting by Betsy Shirley. Sound design and mixing and additional story editing by JP Keenan, factchecking and additional reporting by Mitchell Atencio. Tiarra Lucas designed our podcast cover. Our theme music is by Borrtex and by Yehezkel Raz 

You can learn more about the podcast, sign up for email updates and bonus information about each episode, and get a transcript of each episode at sojo.net/podcast.

Follow Sojourners on Facebook (@SojournersMagazine), Twitter (@sojourners), and Instagram (@sojogram), and share your thoughts about the podcast with #LeadUsNot or by emailing response@sojo.net.

Update: It's Worse Than We Thought Jan 31, 2023

A just-released 900-page report has revealed that the scope of Jean Vanier's abuse was far more extensive — and insidious — than previously known. Host Jenna Barnett talks with Sojourners' Mitchell Atencio, who reported on this news for sojo.net. You'll hear a short summary of what we learned, plus tips for processing news that is upsetting.

We'll be back next week with a full episode. Meanwhile you can read Mitchell's reporting on the new revelations about Jean Vanier at sojo.net/larche-report-2023 and check out his tips on “How To Read the News Without Sacrificing Your Mental Health.”

To learn more about the podcast, sign up for email updates and bonus information about each episode, or get a transcript of each episode, visit sojo.net/podcast.

Follow Sojourners on Facebook (@SojournersMagazine), Twitter (@sojourners), and Instagram (@sojogram), and share your thoughts about the podcast with #LeadUsNot or by emailing response@sojo.net.

The Second Death of Jean Vanier Jan 24, 2023

Jean Vanier died in May 2019, a beloved spiritual leader, celebrated for his work with people with intellectual disabilities. But in February 2020, he died again when a report published by L’Arche, the organization Vanier founded, revealed that he had been credibly accused of spiritual and sexual abuse by six women.

In this episode you’ll hear from people who were deeply influenced by Vanier’s work – and equally shaken by the report from L’Arche. You’ll meet Charles Clark, a core member of a L’Arche community in Virginia who was “mad as heck” when he learned about Vanier’s abuse, and Tim Moore, a L’Arche leader in Atlanta who had to break the terrible news to his community. Plus, host Jenna Barnett opens up about the role of L’Arche and Jean Vanier in her own faith journey.

Listen and subscribe today, wherever you get your podcasts.

Produced, written, and edited by Jenna Barnett
Executive production and story editing by Betsy Shirley
Sound design and mixing by JP Keenan
Factchecking by Joey Thurmond
Graphic design by Tiarra Lucas
Our theme music is by Borrtex and other music in this episode is by Yehezkel Raz

You can learn more about the podcast, sign up for email updates and bonus information about each episode, and get a transcript of each episode at sojo.net/podcast.

Follow Sojourners on Facebook (@SojournersMagazine), Twitter (@sojourners), and Instagram (@sojogram), and share your thoughts about the podcast with #LeadUsNot or by emailing response@sojo.net.

Introducing: Lead Us Not Jan 12, 2023

It’s an all-too-familiar story: A charismatic Christian leader, revered for his work and teaching. Then, explosive allegations he engaged in manipulative sexual and spiritual practices. But this isn’t a podcast about another good guy who turned out to be a bad guy; it’s about the rest of us who are left to wrestle with the aftermath—and ensure abuse like this doesn’t happen again.

Hosted by Jenna Barnett, Lead Us Not is a new miniseries from Sojourners magazine. The series explores the legacy of Jean Vanier, a Christian leader once regarded as a “living saint” for starting L’Arche, a global network of communities promoting the dignity of people with intellectual disabilities. But nine months after Vanier’s death, a different story emerged.
You’ll hear from past and present L’Arche members, scholars, theologians, and activists all trying to understand: When trusted leaders commit sexual and spiritual abuse, how do our communities move forward? And if an abusive person shapes our faith, how does that distort our understanding of God?

Listen to the trailer and subscribe today, wherever you get your podcasts.

Produced, written, and edited by Jenna Barnett
Sound design and mixing by JP Keenan
Graphic design by Tiarra Lucas
Music in the trailer is by Yehezkel Raz and Borrtex
Executive production by Betsy Shirley

You can learn more about the podcast, sign up for email updates and bonus information about each episode, and get a transcript of each episode at sojo.net/podcast.

Follow Sojourners on Facebook (@SojournersMagazine), Twitter (@sojourners), and Instagram (@sojogram), and share your thoughts about the podcast with #LeadUsNot or by emailing response@sojo.net.

Sojourners is an independent, award-winning magazine of faith, culture, and politics. Our mission is to inspire hope and action by articulating the biblical call to racial and social justice, life and peace, and environmental stewardship.

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