MindShift Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Picking up the Threads of Who We Are: Life After the Jehovah's Witnesses (with Stephen and Celine Mather) May 06, 2022

Show notes

This week's guest features a father-and-daughter combination, Stephen Mather and his daughter Celine, who are co-hosts of the "What Should I Think About...?" podcast.

As an ex-JW, Stephen is uniquely qualified to shed light on this cult--and although his daughter Celine was never a part of it, as a non-JW with many family members still involved in the religion, she has a fascinating perspective to offer also.

Enjoy this thought-provoking chat with Stephen and Celine!

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Contact Information

Follow Stephen on Twitter @SteEvilSheep

Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Inside RFR: Recovering From Religion (with Rachel Hunt) Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

This week's guest is Rachel Hunt, who is an ambassador for the RFR: the Recovering From Religion organization founded by our good friend (and former guest) Dr Darrel Ray.

Not only does Rachel share her own story of escaping from religion, she provides excellent information on what the RFR does, how you can be a part of it, and how you can support this tremendous work that is helping so many people literally worldwide.

Recovering From Religion website

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The Shock Troops of the Christian Right (with Katherine Stewart) Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

This week's episode features an alarming conversation with returning guest Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshipers and The Good News Club, as well as numerous articles in a variety of online sources.

In this chat, we discussed a January 2022 article Katherine wrote in The New Republic in which she not only identified some of the funding behind several Christian Right organizations in America, but also a more alarming trend: the support for Trump's "Big Lie" by these same outfits.

Not only are they pushing it, they are weaponizing this conspiracy theory to motivate both pastors and evangelicals alike to get out and vote in 2022 and 2024 in an effort to "reclaim America for God"--as in the allegedly Christian nation that America both was, and should be again.

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Contact Information

Follow Katherine on Twitter @kathsstewart

Follow me on Twitter @MIndShift2018

Escaping Utopia: Rebuilding Your Life After Growing up in a Cult (with Dr Janja Lalich) Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

This week's returning guest is ex-cult member, now sociologist and cult expert--Dr Janja Lalich, co-author along with fellow cult survivor Kala McLaren of the excellent book Escaping Utopia: Growing up in a Cult, Getting Out, and Starting Over.

In this episode, Dr Lalich and I take a deep dive into not just what makes a cult a cult, but more specifically her "bounded choice" model of cults, with its four major components. If you've come out of a cult, fundamentalist religion, or any other sort of high-demand group with undue influence, then you will benefit from this episode!

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Contact Information

Dr Janja Lalich's Website

Follow Dr Lalich on Twitter @janja_lalich

Follow me on Twitter @MIndShift2018

Bonus Episode - CORT2022: The Conference on Religious Trauma (with Janice Selbie) Mar 11, 2022

Show notes

We've got the first bonus episode of 2022!

I'm happy to welcome back returning guest, good friend Janice Selbie, to talk about the upcoming CORT2022--the Conference on Religious Trauma. We not only delve into which great presenters she has lined up for this important conference, we discuss the many and varied aspects of religious trauma. What is it, who is affected by it, and what can you do about it if you suffer from it?

Also listen in for an important code that will get you a discount to this event!

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CORT2022 Website

Contact Details

Follow Janice on Twitter @Wise_Counsellor

Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

No Longer a Professional Christian (with Dr David D'Andre) Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

This week's conversation is a fascinating one with American expat Dr David D'Andre, currently residing in Canada but who's lived in such places as Kiev and Brussels. Originally from the United States, David has a fascinating story of deconstruction of his former Christian beliefs from academic, theological and personal points of view combined.

David's story is a fascinating one--and one that you'll hopefully resonate with too. As a thoughtful person who takes an academic approach to the subject, David blends both the theoretical and the practical in his approach to the idea of deconverting from one's former religious belief system.

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Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

The Conference on Death, Grief & Belief (with Dr Terri Daniel) Feb 18, 2022

Show notes

This week's episode features returning guest, "Dr Death"--my good friend, Dr Terri Daniel. Terri is hosting a conference coming up in July of this year called "The Conference on Death, Grief and Belief." Not only do we discuss which guests will be at this year's conference--including yours truly--but we delve into its purpose and who should attend it. Beyond that, we have a fascinating chat about toxic theology, death and the so-called "theology of suffering"--which helps to explain why so many people turn to religion to answer many of life's Big Questions. But what happens when the answers aren't satisfactory? Listen in to find out more! The Death, Grief and Belief Conference Website and get an additional $25 off by using the code "MindShift" when you purchase tickets! Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Exploring Religious Addiction (with Michael of the Religious Addicts Anonymous) Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

This week's guest is Michael, who self-identifies as a recovering religious addict. But what exactly is "religious addiction," and how would you even know if you are one? Writing on the Religious Addicts Anonymous blog, Michael defines religious addiction as follows: "The religious addict has developed the capability to produce a spiritual high and/or trance-like state, the source of which the addict attributes to a HP [higher power], but in reality the cause is a pathological response in the mind of the addict to heavily ritualised behaviours." If you've left religion, a cult, or a high-control group behind, part of your potential recovery is to educate yourself and to identify the ways in which behaviors and actions from the past have stymied your further growth and development. I believe this episode will help you do exactly that! Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Religious Addicts Anonymous blog Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

When Family Hurts: Finding Wholeness and Healing (with Rebekah Drumsta) Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

This episode features returning guest, Rebekah Drumsta, author of a brand-new book entitled When Family Hurts: 30 Days to Finding Healing and Clarity.

Have you had to cut off relationships with family or friends because they were simply too toxic, abusive or hurtful? Maybe the "family secrets" came out and left you devastated, or abuses from the past became too painful to bear. Or perhaps cutting off relationships wasn't your choice--it was made for you by someone else who decided to cut you off.

Whatever your situation, the simple fact is: sometimes family hurts us the worst. So what can you do to find healing and clarity? Rebekah's 30-day guide book will help you to walk the path to find wholeness and healing.

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Contact Details

Rebekah Drumsta's Website

Follow Rebekah on Twitter @DrumstaRebekah

Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Beyond Belief: Inside the Rise of Global Pentecostalism (with Elle Hardy) Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

This inaugural episode of 2022 features a fascinating conversation with Australian-born author and investigative journalist, Elle Hardy. She's the author of a brand-new book entitled Beyond Belief: How Global Pentecostalism is Taking Over the World.

In addition to researching the history and the various sociological aspects of global Pentecostalism, Elle was able to conduct amazing field research worldwide, studying the movement in a number of countries. In addition to that, she also delves into the more political aspirations of the movement, tracing the so-called "7 Mountains Mandate" dominion theology particular to more of the charismatic movement.

I think you'll find this episode both challenging as well as potentially alarming, as we uncover the rise of global Pentecostalism.

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