STRONGWILLED

The hosts dive into the complex dynamics of growing up in religious authoritarian families. They explore how childhood trauma influences personal relationships and even today's political landscape. Personal anecdotes reveal the emotional challenges of navigating familial dysfunction while setting healthy boundaries. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and support networks in breaking free from toxic patterns. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and advocate for healthier relationships.

TW: child abuse, corporal punishmentDL interviewed Talia Lavin, author of the phenomenal book Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America. You can follow Talia on bluesky and buy her book here. You can read about religious authoritarian parenting and also find the transcript for this podcast at strongwilled.substack.com.You can join our patreon comamunity or join our substack to support this podcast and join our discord community. You can follow STRONGWILED on Instagram. You can follow Krispin on Instagram here.

Delve into the emotional complexities of estrangement, linking past narratives from women in Nazi Germany with contemporary familial divides. Discover personal stories that highlight generational disagreements rooted in historical context. Explore the struggles of setting boundaries amid differing values, like homophobia and religious beliefs. Music serves as a healing tool, connecting personal growth with community support. Plus, learn about the importance of balancing creative pursuits for mental wellbeing during challenging times.

DL shares a heartfelt journey of estrangement from their parents, revealing how oppressive ideologies like authoritarianism can fracture familial bonds. The conversation touches on navigating identity after leaving Christianity and the emotional toll of conflicting beliefs, particularly around gender and identity. Amidst heavier themes, light-hearted moments emerge, centering on self-care and joy in daily life. The discussion calls for open communication to bridge divides, offering a deeper understanding of the complexities in family dynamics.

TW/CW: physical abuse, corporal punishment, emotionally abusive caretakerKrispin & DL discuss the second part of the the Adventures in Odyssey episode, a follow up to our podcast episode Spanking on Christian Radio released last fall.This Adventure's in Odyssey episode focuses on Mr. Whitaker’s troubled relationship with his adult daughter. Honestly, we couldn’t have written an episode that is so perfect at describing what it is like to try and be in relationship with religious authoritarian parents if we tried.You can check out show notes and more STRONGWILLED content at strongwilled.substack.com You can join our patreon comamunity to support this podcast and gain access extra episodes, our discord community, as well as the backlog of patreon-only episodes covering evangelical media, spiritual abuse, and more.You can follow STRONGWILED Instagram. You can follow Krispin on Instagram here.

Join a heartfelt journey as Krispin bravely shares his experiences of estrangement from authoritarian parents influenced by religious trauma. The discussion dives into the heavy emotional complexities of navigating toxic family dynamics and the cyclical nature of abuse. Listeners will resonate with the struggles of seeking validation and healing while prioritizing self-well-being. Confronting familial pressures and the importance of setting boundaries emphasize the need for healthier relationships. Ultimately, it’s a story of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

TW/CW: corporal punishment, spanking, mention of sexual abuseKrispin & DL discuss the factors that make setting boundary in religious authoritarian families so difficult. We talk about how trauma responses make it difficult for us to speak up, the negative responses to setting boundaries, and more. D.L. mentions the Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents series by Lindsay Gibson. You can register for Krispin's workshop for therapists & helping professionals at his website: https://www.krispinmayfield.com/You can read about religious authoritarian parenting and also find the transcript for this podcast at strongwilled.substack.com.You can join our patreon comamunity to support this podcast and gain access extra episodes, our facebook community, as well as the backlog of patreon-only episodes covering evangelical media, spiritual abuse, and more.You can follow STRONGWILED Instagram. You can follow Krispin on Instagram here and DL on Instagram here.

Tori Williams Douglass, a neuroscience researcher focused on the effects of corporal punishment, joins to discuss its significant impact on brain development and child psychology. The conversation delves into the emotional suppression and long-term mental health issues stemming from such disciplinary practices. Tori critiques the historical justifications for spanking and emphasizes the need for open dialogue about parenting. They also address the disconnect between societal norms and children's actual needs, advocating for healthier, more compassionate parenting techniques.

Dive into a nostalgic look at a 1988 Christian radio drama that defended spanking. The hosts unravel the impact of authoritarian parenting portrayed in 'Adventures in Odyssey' and reflect on personal experiences with corporal punishment. They also critique the character Mr. Whitaker's role in shaping community dynamics through control and indoctrination. Emotional discussions reveal how traditional discipline can harm family relationships, illustrating the complex ties between love, control, and personal trauma.

DL shares their poignant journey through childhood trauma, faced with a parent who predicted impending doom. They open up about navigating life with late-diagnosed autism, dealing with family tragedies, and challenging gender norms in a rigidly binary world. The conversation touches on the emotional impact of growing up in an authoritarian environment, exploring themes of grief, identity, and self-acceptance. DL’s candid reflections provide insights into the complexities of reconciling past traumas with a vibrant, non-conforming identity.