

Church Disrupted
Jeff Cochran
Taking on church hurt and spiritual abuse one conversation at a time. If you’ve been hurt by the church, you’re not alone. Together, we can heal. Together, we can bring about change. It’s time to take a stand!
*Church Disrupted is a production of the Spiritual Abuse Institute. Learn more about our work at: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/
*Church Disrupted is a production of the Spiritual Abuse Institute. Learn more about our work at: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 18, 2025 • 2h 13min
110: The Viral Social Experiment That Shook The Church (Part 2)
The second half of this experiment gets uncomfortably honest. After the initial reactions came the explanations, excuses, and spiritual justifications — and then the fallout. In the second part of this series, we break down why so many responses sounded “Christian” but weren’t actually biblical, and we explore what happens when our theology is tested in real-life ministry moments.Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 47min
109: The Viral Social Experiment That Shook the Church (Part 1)
A viral social experiment put Churches to the test, and the responses were… revealing to say the least. And some were straight-up embarrassing.In part 1 of this two-episode series, we walk through the call, the setup, and the real-time reactions from believers, pastors, and church leaders when confronted with a simple request for help. What does our first instinct say about the modern church, and what does Scripture expect of us in moments like this?Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

Nov 11, 2025 • 52min
108: Is Daystar's NDA About Confidentiality...Or Control?
Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

Nov 7, 2025 • 1h 54min
107: Police Interviews Reveal Stunning New Details About the Daystar Saga
Police interviews connected to the Daystar TV investigation reveal new information that changes how this story is understood. In this episode, Jeff Cochran unpacks what was said, what was left out, and what these details might mean for those seeking truth, accountability, and healing in the church.Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

Oct 21, 2025 • 53min
106: The Jesus Way: How Churches Stop Making Excuses And Start Protecting People
Too many churches talk about following Jesus while ignoring the way He actually lived. In this episode, Jeff explores what “The Jesus Way” really means — and how reclaiming it could stop the cycle of spiritual abuse, restore integrity, and protect the people Jesus died for. It’s time to move beyond excuses and rediscover the way of truth, humility, and accountability in the church.Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

Oct 16, 2025 • 38min
105: America’s Largest Church Reported To Use NDAs & Important Questions For The Church to Ask
The first church to hit the NDA Disclosure Database is a big one... the BIGGEST church in the United States. In this video, Jeff Cochran shares the first addition to the database and why it's important, and he shares their response, the potential impact of this report, and some important questions for Christians to chew on about its influence on the Church at large.Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 2min
104: Red Flags That Pave The Way For Church Scandals
Delve into the warning signs that often precede church scandals. The discussion covers how sin can quietly escalate within a congregation, highlighting the recent resignation of a pastor as a key case study. Issues such as governance gaps, financial opacity, and problematic messaging around giving are dissected. You'll also learn about the systemic risks tied to centralized leadership and how red flags in accountability can signal deeper problems. This thought-provoking analysis urges churches to embrace transparency to prevent future abuses.

Oct 2, 2025 • 57min
103: Mike Bickle Permanently Disqualified From Ministry — Why it Matters
The discussion centers on Mike Bickle's permanent disqualification from ministry due to serious misconduct. It explores the importance of accountability and the need for the church to prioritize protecting the community over leadership platforms. Insights include the role of trauma-informed care in church leadership and the necessity of genuine repentance. The conversation also challenges pastors to uphold biblical standards and provide transparent responses to misconduct, emphasizing that the healing of victims should take precedence.

Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 38min
102: How Celebrity Pastors Shut Down Questions — A Cautionary Tale from James River Church
When a member at James River Church raised questions and concerns about some troubling behaviors by the church’s pastor (John Lindell), the response wasn’t dialogue — it was a threat of arrest. In this episode, Jeff Cochran unpacks how celebrity pastors can misuse power to silence dissent, what this reveals about toxic church culture, and why accountability matters more than protecting reputations. If you’ve ever wondered how spiritual abuse gets covered up in megachurches, this cautionary tale will open your eyes.Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 3min
101: I Pressed this Pastor on NDAs in Church… His Response SHOCKED ME‼️
Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignJoin the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZLearn more about the Safe Church Pledge Here: https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/safechurchpledgeCheck out our Awareness Apparel HERE: https://church-disrupted.sellfy.storePlease Subscribe and Share!


