Tweet According to Jeff Sharlet’s 2008  book The Family: the Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of America’s Power, as well as the recent Netflix documentary series entitled The Family, there is a secretive organization at the heart of not just American political power, but one that has a global reach too: The Family, or The Fellowship (as they refer to themselves). Begun in 1935 by one Dr Abraham Vereide in Seattle, Washington, the organization has grown in both scope and scale since then. The only public event The Family hosts is the National Prayer Breakfast, held in Washington DC every February, an event that every single President since Eisenhower has attended. But what is The Family all about? And more importantly, are there links to what is referred to as “dominion theology?” In this special  bonus episode, I’ll explore both the history of The Family as well as begin to unpack what dominion theology is all about. Patreon Support Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Tweet This week’s episode features a strong woman with a truly unbelievable story to tell–Briell Decker Blanchart, who grew up in the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints) cult, led by “prophet” Warren Jeffs. Now in prison for life on multiple charges of child abuse, Jeffs was the undisputed leader of the cult during the time Briell was born and raised in the cult. Her story of life in the cult, how she came to be his 65th wife, and her unbelievable escape, are truly nothing short of amazing. Now she makes it her life’s goal to help those who have escaped the cult and integrate into the real world. Find out more of Briell’s inspirational story in this episode! Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon! http://patreon.com/mindshiftpodcast Contact Information  Briell Decker’s Blog Follow Me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Tweet This week’s discussion features a wide-ranging conversation with ex-pastor (and now atheist) Tim Sledge, out of Texas. A former megachurch pastor in the Houston area, Tim underwent a significant change of both heart and of faith, culminating in him walking away not just from the church, but from the faith altogether.  Now an atheist, Tim has chronicled his journey in his book Goodbye Jesus –and he is also is a prolific Twitter personality who regularly tweets about very thought-provoking and challenging issues around deconstructing Christianity and religion. Tim and I discuss, among other things, not only his journey, but the phenomenon of the 81% white evangelical Donald Trump supporters. Where is all of this leading? As a former pastor himself, Tim provides a unique insight into this situation of American evangelicalism today. Support independent media like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! http://patreon.com/mindshiftpodcast Tim Sledge Contact Information Follow Tim on Twitter @goodbye_jesus http://timsledge.com Goodbye Jesus on Amazon Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Tweet Is there a place for religion in the world today? History demonstrates that humanity is incurably religious…we can’t seem to separate humans from their beliefs. But it is a demonstrable fact that religion, and religionism, have done tremendous amounts of damage over the centuries–from religious wars, terrorism in the name of God, religious trauma, cults, and all sorts of religious trauma and sexual abuse. So many people need to recover from the harmful effects of religion that Dr Ray has started two organizations to help people do just that–Recovering from Religion Foundation, as well as the Secular Therapy Project. Find out more about Darrel’s work, as well as what might be in your future should you too need to recover from religion. Support Independent Media like MindShift Podcast: MindShift Patreon Page Contact Info for Dr Darrel Ray Recovering From Religion Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Darrel Ray on Twitter @drdray132

Tweet This week’s guest is author, speaker and podcaster Natalie Hoffman, survivor of not just an emotionally abusive marriage, but also of religious trauma. Oftentimes it’s religion itself that causes in the first place–or mightily contributes to–emotionally abusive or dysfunctional marriages and relationships. In the case of Christian evangelicalism, add in the inbuilt patriarchy and misogyny of the system itself, based on literalistic readings of the Bible, and you have a recipe for disaster. Not only did Natalie escape to find freedom, she is now in a position to assist others who are working their way out of emotionally abusive relationships. Support Independent Media like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! http://patreon.com/mindshiftpodcast Contact Information for Natalie Hoffman Flying Free website Follow Natalie on Twitter @FlyFreeNatalie Follow Me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Tweet This episode features a hugely informative and insightful information with two of my personal heroes, Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman out of New York City. Authors of the massively influential books Snapping and Holy Terror, Conway & Siegelman have for decades been recognized as two of the foremost experts and investigators on the world of both the cults and Christian fundamentalism.  Specifically, we discuss the phenomenon of “snapping” and “information disease” and find out how Christian fundamentalism’s current bid for political power started back in the late 1970s and continues on today using, and abusing, information and communication techniques–just like the cults! Support Independent Media like MindShift Podcast on Patreon!http://patreon.com/mindshiftpodcast Contact Information for Conway & Siegelman StillPoint Press Follow Me on Twitter @MindShift2018

Tweet After many months of anxious waiting, I finally re-connected with this week’s guest: Dassi Erlich, survivor of both sexual abuse and a very cultic, controlling Jewish fundamentalist sect in Melbourne, Australia. Not only is this amazing woman surviving, she’s leading the fight for justice–to bring her abuser to trial, to answer for her many abuses of children both in Israel and Australia. Listen in to hear Dassi’s amazing journey away from this Jewish sect, and her continuing battle for justice for her and the many victims of this abuser. Support Independent Media on Patreon! http://patreon.com/mindshiftpodcast Dassi Erlich: Beyond a Survivor on Facebook Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This week's episode features returning guest, Canadian therapist Janice Selbie! Fresh off a conference in San Fransisco, CA., led by Dr Marlene Winell, Janice returned home full of ideas for discussion. Fortunately, the guest I'd had lined up had to cancel--so Janice gracefully stepped up at the last minute as a replacement! And we had a phenomenal discussion about sex, and specifically how religion can seriously mess up people when it comes to this subject. Join myself and Janice for this helpful and frank discussion on the topic of...sex!

After publishing my article "Rapture Anxiety" on Medium several weeks ago, many who read it asked if I could do a special episode on not just the topic of the movie itself, but also critically assess its theology. In this bonus episode, not only do I delve into the theological interpretation of its creator, I further get into various interpretative issues around biblical prophetic and apocalyptic literature--and the problems that poses for those who would portray those events in book or movie form. If you were forced to watch these traumatic movies as a child, then this episode will help you to process through some of the trauma you may have experienced that, for many of us, lingers well into adulthood. 

This week's episode features a great conversation with Bethany Carter, who became an atheist after confronting a lot of issues around the subject of...spanking her children? Find out how this particular issue started Bethany off on the road of deconstruction of her former evangelical beliefs, including questioning God, the Bible and its many issues, and why she no longer counts herself as a believer.