The Falwell Documentary: Our honest thoughts on the sexual behaviors of our neighbors

On Episode 7 we share our raw and honest thoughts on the new Hulu documentary: God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty. Not only do we live in the SAME TOWN as Jerry and Becki Falwell, Jerry Falwell, Sr, founder of Liberty University, married Lauren's parents. As we watched the almost 2-hour documentary, Lauren couldn't stop analyzing the content through her lived experiences and professional lenses, so Trey recommended they hop in their podcasting chairs a week early and get their thoughts on camera. 

For decades, Lauren would have brushed off a scandalous film, such as GOD FORBID, as an attempt to speak ill of an institution committed to "training champions for Christ." But over the past 5 years, Lauren has changed her mind. As a survivor of spiritual abuse, purity culture indoctrination, and religious trauma, who now works as a Professional Sexuality Educator, she has done extensive research on the longterm impacts of the type of sexual oppression students at Liberty University experience. On this episode, Lauren breaks down the harmful effects of pedestal paradigms, Freud's theory of Reaction Formation, The Cornerstones of Eroticism, the harmful effects of sexual splitting, and more. 

When sexuality fails to be integrated, we see what should be natural and joyous expressions of ourselves become harmful and destructive behaviors. In this revealing documentary, Giancarlo Granda, former pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel, shares the intimate details of his 7-year relationship with an older woman, who we come to discover is former Liberty First Lady, Becki Falwell, and her husband, and Liberty University President, Jerry Falwell Jr. You can watch the documentary here: https://www.hulu.com/movie/god-forbid-the-sex-scandal-that-brought-down-a-dynasty-d0c5802f-05ec-4826-9390-f9ceca67f3e0

As always, this podcast is not a proclamation of judgment or critique of the human experience, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow. For a more comprehensive look at the damage done by this institution, we encourage you to check out Season 3 of the Gangster Capitalism Podcast. To support students harmed by the school, follow @liberty_students_against_abuse on instagram.

Are YOU healing from religious trauma?  Lauren would love to help you unpack the origins of your pain and develop the tools necessary to not only heal but FLOURISH. Click here to book a Free 15-Minute Consult: https://sexedforyou.as.me/freeconsult  

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Reminder: The opinions expressed on this podcast are just that - opinions. We invite you to take what you like and leave the rest. This is not meant to be a “how-to” podcast but rather a “how they” podcast. Learn from our mistakes or give our techniques a try! It’s all up to you.

Looking to expand your own sexuality education? Check out Lauren's monthly membership program, HEMLOCK. At only $10 a month you'll have access to the tools you need to begin to reclaim your sexuality for yourself! https://sexedforyou.com/hemlock    

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