The Dismantling Doctrine Podcast

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

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

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. Join the MindShift Patreon Community! Contact Details Rebekah Drumsta's Website Follow Rebekah on Twitter @DrumstaRebekah Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

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. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Follow Elle Hardy on Twitter @ellehardy Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This final episode of 2021 features another returning guest and good friend from Canada--David Hayward, "The Naked Pastor." A former evangelical pastor like me, David and I go way back and share a lot in common since we both left both our ministries and our former faiths behind. I wanted to reconnect with him after we were on a panel last year's CORT 2020 conference on religious trauma.  In addition to some live deconstructing, we get into the subject of David's artwork--the messages and themes that are so prevalent in his work. I think you will find this final episode of the year both insightful and helpful along your journey. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Follow David on Twitter @nakedpastor Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This week's guest is another returning friend--Dr Josie McSkimming from Sydney, Australia.  I reached out to her recently because I was interested in speaking with her about not only her backstory in Christian fundamentalism, and how she got out of that system, but also about her work as a psychotherapist who specializes in helping clients recover from such afflictions as religious trauma syndrome. As she views it, our authentic or preferred self is the one we need to recover, rebuild and reconstruct after leaving religion or a cult group behind. How do we do it? Listen in to find out more information and helpful resources. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Follow Josie on Twitter @josiemcskimming Follow me @MindShift2018

This episode is something I've wanted to do for a very long time--a re-release of an old recording I did with my sister Valerie way back in 2017 when she came to visit me in North Wales. We sat down and shared stories of what it was like to grow up in not just a fundamentalist home, but actually a cult--the Bill Gothard Bible cult. Hearing Valerie's story will move you...perhaps even to tears.  I hope you get a lot out of this re-released episode. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Details Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This week's episode couldn't be more timely--discussing the draconian and hugely controversial Texas abortion law, Senate Bill 8 (SB8). Now that it is finally being argued at the Supreme Court, we have to ask: will the Christian  dominionists who have played the long game in terms of appointing conservative and anti-abortion judges finally succeed in overturning Roe v Wade? This has been their strategy and they have been working at this for literally decades. That Texas even attempted to pass this law in 2021 is merely testament to not only the 3 conservative judges appointed during the Trump era--with the assistance of the Christian Right--it is a landmark case that is highly unconstitutional and threatens the rights of not just women, but the LGBTQ community also. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Follow Peter on Twitter @PeteMont Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This special bonus episode features a conversation with my very good friend, Religious Recovery Consultant Janice Selbie! Starting the 7th of November, she is running another one of her amazing "Divorcing Religion" workshops.   We've talked about this before, but I wanted to touch base with Janice to give her a chance not only to promote the workshop, but to explain why such a thing is so needed for those of us who have left religion or high-control groups behind.   In addition to this chat, we also get into CORT 2022--the Conference on Religious Trauma she is putting together for next year. Stay tuned for more information about this excellent conference as well!   For more information about the Divorcing Religion, click https://www.divorcing-religion.com/   Follow Janice on Twitter @Wise_Counsellor Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community!

This week's guest is Jonathan Larsen, managing editor over at The Young Turks (TYT) Network.  Ever since he and his colleagues obtained the formerly-secret invitation list to the yearly National Prayer Breakfast that The Family--otherwise known as "The Fellowship Foundation"--wanted desperately to keep a secret, Jonathan has been doing some great investigative reporting on this uber-secretive, dominionist Christian organization. First reported on by Jeff Sharlet in his book, and later Netflix series "The Family," this clandestine evangelical organization has been actively working the corridors of power worldwide for decades, building relationships and seeking out "key men" to win to Christ--in the hopes that they will influence their nations and spheres of influence for the Kingdom of God.  Find out more by listening in! Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Details Follow Jonathan on Twitter @jtlarsen Follow me at MindShift2018