The Life After Leaving Podcast: An Ex-Christadelphian Podcast

Ep. 20 Bible Prophecy with Rob and Steve

Today we’re chatting about Bible Prophecy! In this episode I’m joined by Rob, a Professor of Statistics & Statistical Forecasting, and Steve, a Professor of Biblical Studies to explore the prophecies they learned (and even taught!) from their time as Christadelphians. Now as ex-Christadelphians, we discuss what they’ve learned about history, statistics, and biblical literature to explore non-Christadelphian perspectives on some common prophecies related to the Bible and Christadelphian culture. We explore prophecies that were supported by a selective view of history, unfulfilled prophecies, and even prophecies that were wrong in the Bible! In this episode we also learn about Rob’s attempt to have his fortune told in India, Steve’s thoughts on satire in the Bible, and learn about the relationship between the Bible and Tarot Cards! 
Please enjoy another week of fellowship among the heathens!
Listener discretion is advised. 
 
Resources and References:
 
Unbelievable: A Journey from Faith Via Evidence. Why A University Professor Gave up Religion and Became an Unbeliever by Rob Hyndman
Excerpt from Rob’s Book: Chapter 8- The biblical crystal ball: https://robjhyndman.com/unbelievable/ch8.html
 
Eureka by John Thomas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka:_An_Exposition_of_the_Apocalypse
https://www.antipas.org/pdf_files/eureka_vol_1_lg.pdf
 
Revelation: A Biblical Approach by Harry Whittaker 1976
https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Biblical-Approach-H-Whittaker/dp/B007PYEBZY
 
The first book of Enoch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch
 
Fourth Book of Esdra/ 4 Ezra
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Esdras
 
The Second Book of Baruch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Baruch
 
The Bible, Ezekiel 26 A Prophecy Against Tyre
 
National Treasure (2004)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Treasure_(film)
 
The Anchor Bible Series:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_Bible_Series
 
The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary:
https://www.theologyandreligiononline.com/anchor-yale-bible-dictionary
 
The Anchor Bible Commentary:
https://www.theologyandreligiononline.com/anchor-yale-bible-commentaries
 
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:
https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/

Ep. 19 Religious Trauma with Brian

Today we’re chatting with Brian about religious trauma! After hearing so many guests discuss traumatizing events that they experienced within the Christadelphian community, we decided to bring in a licensed religious trauma therapist to explore what religious trauma is and what we can do about it. We started with discussing some key definitions and concepts to understand, exploring what modalities Brian uses with clients, and talking about some things to consider when trying to find a therapist to work with, including knowing the difference between searching for a therapist with a specialty in “spirituality” compared to “religious trauma”. We also ask some thought provoking questions such as, is pressuring minors to be baptized truly consensual? Why doesn’t the group have an exit plan for members and why is that important to have? And is holding Christadelphian beliefs a cure for mental health struggles? Let’s talk about it!
 
Please enjoy another week of fellowship among the heathens! If you enjoy this episode and would like us to have another episode on religious trauma, please submit your comments and questions to lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com
 
Listener discretion is advised. 
 
Resources and References:
Marlene Winell's website who coined "Religious Trauma Syndrome"
https://www.journeyfree.org/rts/
 
Reclamation Collective (religious trauma directory/support groups/trainings) - https://www.reclamationcollective.com
 
Spiritual Power Inventory Tool - https://www.reclamationcollective.com/spiritual-power-inventory-tool
 
Secular Therapy Project (directory) - https://www.seculartherapy.org/
 
Religious Trauma Institute (research/trainings, mostly for therapists) - www.religioustraumainstitute.com
 
IFS Institute (Internal Family Systems directory) - https://ifs-institute.com/practitioners
 
"No Bad Parts" by Richard Schwarz (Client-friendly intro book to IFS) - https://ifs-institute.com/nobadparts
 
Terror, Love, and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems by Alexandra Stein
 https://www.amazon.com/Terror-Love-Brainwashing-Attachment-Totalitarian/dp/1138677973
 
Alexandra Stein Talking About Cults - https://youtu.be/26ozOHPADSw?si=vH-OOqEV6M8OQlJ5
 
 
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents https://www.newharbinger.com/9781626251700/adult-children-of-emotionally-immature-parents/
 
Ex-christian subreddit (discussion, support, and tons of extra resources) - https://www.reddit.com/r/exchristian/wiki/faq/
 
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) Test:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean
 
ACE Aware:
https://www.acesaware.org/ace-fundamentals/
 
EFT Tapping:
What Is EFT Tapping? 5-Step Technique for Anxiety Relief
 
“How to Start Deconstructing your Christian Faith” with Kristi Burke 
https://youtu.be/G4ROPDr7Hgo?si=JIhSOT6WIU_E5w9K
 
“When a Relationship with God Turns Unhealthy” with Kristi Burke
https://youtu.be/0Nu8KIAQl50?si=HuEVR1Yc4oM8IqyQ
 
Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich
 
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing From Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
 
Escaping Twin Flames, Netflix
 
The 25 Signs you’re in a High-Control Group or Cult by Anastasia Somerville-Wong
https://secularliturgies.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/the-25-signs-youre-in-a-high-control-group-or-cult-by-anastasia-somerville-wong/
 
What is a High Control Group?
https://medium.com/@shariwoodbury/what-is-a-high-control-group-887839bd26c5
 
How to Recognize a High-Control Church
https://theglorioustable.wordpress.com/2022/03/21/how-to-recognize-a-high-control-church/
 

Ep. 18 Fellowship with Kelli

Today we’re chatting with Kelli! In this episode, Kelli shares her experience preparing for what she thought would be the hardest test in her life (the baptismal exam!), learning that playing hymns on guitars would qualify as “stumbling blocks” for some sisters in Christ, and sharing her experience as a woman who was able to have more of a role when growing up associated with the COGAF group. She also shares some funny stories of sleeping in a pool floaty at a Bible weekend, an unexpected insect encounter during a church service, and shares the joke that ended her involvement in her church newsletter! Zinnia and Kelli also reminisce on long denim skirts, reading Harry Potter as religious children (scandalous!), and on how gross the term “seed” is! (Bleh!)
 
Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!
 
Listener discretion is advised. 
 
Resources and References: 
 
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
 
The Joke That Got Taylor Tomlinson Fired From a Church Comedy Gig
Youtube: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pQVshDcE28
 
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
 
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg
 
Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife by Irene Spencer
 
Deconversion Therapy podcast (last episode aired 7/2024)
https://www.deconversiontherapypodcast.com/about
 
Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman
 
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
 
The United Nations: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
 
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts

Ep. 17 Fellowship with Vanessa

Today we’re chatting with Vanessa! Vanessa shares her experience of growing up feeling supported as a neurodivergent child in the Christadelphian community with her family. Over time though, she had a feminist awakening and found that her views on women's roles within the ecclesia didn’t quite fit. Eventually she began studying psychology and realized that she was in a high control religion! After pressure to bring her children in for instruction and hearing explicitly that they wanted to brainwash the children, she decided she wanted better for her family and left the group. Since leaving, Vanessa’s found a sense of purpose that she hadn’t experienced as a Christadelphian and she has finally embraced her authentic self. 
 
Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!  
 
Listener discretion advised.
Resources and References
 
What So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey
 
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
 
Religious Harm Recovery Newsletter: https://www.religiousharmrecovery.com/links
 
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
 
Podcast: It’s A Little Bit Culty Podcast with Sarah and Nippy
 
Podcast: Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation hosted by Lola and Meagan
 
Clementine Morgan on Instagram and host of the Fucking Cancelled Podcast
 
The Little Book of Attachment: Theory to Practice in Child Mental Health with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy by Daniel Hughes and Ben Gurney-Smith
 
Raising a Secure Child: How Circle of Security Parenting Can Help You Nurture Your Child's Attachment, Emotional Resilience, and Freedom to Explore by Kent Hoffman, Glenn Cooper, and Bert Powell

Ep. 16 Fellowship with Steve

Today we’re chatting with Steve! Steve’s story takes us from his childhood reading the works of Dr. Thomas and Robert Roberts through his slow departure from the Christadelphians and finally into his current position teaching Biblical Studies! Steve shares the important lessons his father taught him about character and standing up for your beliefs (even if that includes refusing to hide the Christmas tree), the punitive response of his former ecclesia when he asked questions about Revelation and ultimately joined another ecclesia, and his ultimate realization that some members of the Christadelphians “were prepared to lie in defense of The Truth”. Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!   
 
Listener discretion advised.
Resources and References:
 
Steve’s Biblical Studies Blog, Mikra:
 https://stephencook.com.au/
 
Biblical Humor on Steve’s Blog:
https://stephencook.com.au/category/biblical-humour/
 
Revelation: A Biblical Approach by Harry Whittaker
 
Life From Scratch: A memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness by Sasha Martin
http://sashamartin.com/book/

Ep. 15 Fellowship with Brian

Today we’re chatting with Brian! Brian is our first guest to come on the podcast from the Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith (COGAF). While they technically have a different name than Christadelphians, the groups were founded by former associates at about the same time. Members of COGAF hold the same beliefs as Christadelphians, fellowship with them, and even attend Christadelphian activities, camps, and bible schools! In today’s episode, we hear about Brian’s former ecclesia using pancakes to convince people to attend services, about that time he was brought to Jamaica for a school project to learn about the life of Christadelphian missionaries as a teenager, and about the “wave theory” of doubt and faith that eventually washed him ashore to solid ground without faith in God. We also chat about surprise ambushes by Christadelphians who create confrontations about faith and church attendance in the most unexpected times and places. Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!  
If you have any questions that you would like addressed in the upcoming episode on religious trauma, please email ⁠lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com⁠
Listener discretion advised.
 
Resources and References:
 
Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith (COGAF)/Church of the Blessed Hope: 
⁠https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Blessed_Hope⁠
 
Church of the Blessed Hope Beliefs:
https://www.cotbh.org/Our-Belief/our-belief.html
⁠https://www.cotbh.org/Who-Are-We/who-are-we.html⁠
 
John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray
Page 132, 153-154, 189, pages 197-207 “Chapter 21: Dr. Thomas, Marsh, and Wilson- Founders of COGAF”
 
Netflix: Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey
 
Terror, Love, and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems by Alexandra Stein  ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Terror-Love-Brainwashing-Attachment-Totalitarian/dp/1138677973⁠

Ep. 14 Fellowship with Zinnia

Today we’re flipping the script and Heather is chatting with Zinnia! Zinnia shares her story of growing up as an undiagnosed neurodivergent child and being bullied during her childhood inside and outside of the ecclesia. The first half of this episode is a bit heavy as Zinnia discusses how her environment contributed to severe depression and how growing up in a high control environment among other factors may have groomed her for domestic violence in her relationships. However, things took a turn for the better when Zinnia chose to leave the group, shut down their harassment, reported perpetrators to the police. She also reclaimed her life and her voice by changing her name, moving out on her own, creating a new environment where she could thrive in secular friendships and relationships, and connecting with other ex-Christadelphians in the Facebook community. She also shares her story of living in a haunted apartment, explains why she is skeptical of Christadelphians claiming that they’ll report the criminal activity of other Christadelphians, and about the circumstances that led her to create this podcast. 
This episode was also released alongside Episode 13 on Spiritualism due to some overlapping themes and topics. We hope you enjoy this podcast double feature! See you in 2025!
Thank you to Heather for editing this episode!
Listener Discretion Advised.
Resources:
Vibe Music: 
If I die young Pt 2 by Kimberly Perry
And
The Wolves by Madeline Edwards
 
On Leaving Cults & High Control Groups:
Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich
Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church by Megan Phelps-Roper
The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir by Ruth Wariner
Educated by Tara Westover
Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Women and How I Broke Free by Linda Kay Klein
Chocolat by Joanne Harris (Okay, this one is more of a role model for living outside religious influence & not bending to that pressure)
Quarter Life Crisis Netflix special, Taylor Tomlinson 
The Holy Bible: The Best Damned Version by Steve Ebling 
Instagram: religious.harm.recovery 
 
On Sexual Assault:
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
On Childhood Trauma & Relationships:
Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson (And Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents)
Running on Empty: Overcome your Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jonice Webb (Sequel: Running on Empty No More)
The Journey from Abandonment to Healing by Susan Anderson
Healing Your Aloneness: Finding Love and Wholeness Through Your Inner Child by Erika Chopich and Margaret Paul
Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
The Emotionally Absent Mother: A Guide to Self-Healing and Getting the Love You Missed by Jasmin Lee Cori 
Mothers Who Can’t Love: A Healing Guide for Daughters by Susan Forward
When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate
 
On Embracing Neurodivergence, Masking, and Susceptibility to Abuse:
Hayley Honeyman Ted Talk “Unmasking ADHD”
⁠https://youtu.be/fRUkPHnltuI?si=foRFIm5fEK2NumuO⁠
On the impact of growing up undiagnosed Neurodivergent:
⁠https://medium.com/@nikkibutler_autisticjoyologist/the-negative-narrative-and-the-impact-on-being-autistic-adhd-61ce7d4c1d6b⁠
And 
⁠https://medium.com/@nikkibutler_autisticjoyologist/bullying-and-autism-adhd-the-shocking-truth-dc9383d5d7b8⁠
 
Feminism & Politics: 
Rage becomes her: The Power of Women's Anger by Soraya Chemaly
 
On Healing through Humor:
⁠https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-humor-can-help-you-get-through-hard-times/⁠
 
On the Paranormal:
Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned About Ghosts by Amy Bruni 
Do Dead People Watch You Shower? By Concetta Bertoldi
 
“Ecclesia Safe” Initiative:
⁠https://tidings.ecclesiasafe.org/resources-for-elders/ecclesiasafe-consultation-group-engagement/⁠
⁠https://tidings.ecclesiasafe.org/⁠
⁠https://tidings.org/articles/caring-for-the-vulnerable/⁠

Ep. 13 Hypnosis, Telepathy, and Ghosts: The History of Spiritualism and the Christadelphians

Today we’re chatting about ghosts! More specifically, about how the Christadelphians have historically tried to disprove the existence of ghosts and the beliefs of Spiritualists to their followers! It’s time for science class with John Thomas as he explains the (now considered pseudoscience) "science" of odology, explains how Jesus Christ (electric medium) used hypnosis on his disciples, speculates on whether followers will be able to be invisible and teleport when they’re resurrected (sorry, you can only hold eyeballs), and how God’s Holy Spirit is actually… electricity. We discover the story of a Christadelphian with psychic abilities and end the episode with the most legendary ghost story to ever be told in Christadelphia! It’s going to get spoooooooky!
This episode was also released alongside Episode 14, Fellowship with Zinnia, due to some overlapping themes and topics. We hope you enjoy this podcast double feature! See you in 2025!
Resources and References 
“Other Powers: The Age of Suffrage, Spiritualism, and the Scandalous Victoria Woodhull” by Barbara Goldsmith, Page 78
Some background information on Spiritualism in the Britannica:
⁠https://www.britannica.com/topic/spiritualism-religion⁠
Dr. Thomas: His Life and His Work by Robert Roberts
Popular Figures who were Spiritualists:
⁠https://www.history.com/news/spiritualism-communication-dead-figures⁠
The First Woman to Run for President in the US, Victoria Woodhull:
⁠https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-first-woman-to-run-for-president-victoria-woodhull.htm⁠
Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of Spiritualism by Barbara Weisberg
The Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith:
⁠https://christadelphianvideo.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BASF.pdf⁠
The Oprah Winfrey Show
Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, July 1852
⁠https://antipas.org/library/Magazines/The%20Herald%20of%20the%20Kingdom%20and%20Age%20to%20Come%20(JT)/Herald52.PDF⁠
2023 Pew Research:
⁠https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/12/07/spiritual-beliefs/⁠
2024 Article:
⁠https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4400922-americans-ghosts-aliens-devil-survey/⁠
Last Week Tonight: Psychics
⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhMGcp9xIhY⁠
Harry Houdini:
⁠https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/for-harry-houdini-seances-and-spiritualism-were-just-an-illusion-180978944/⁠
The Ambassador of the Coming Age:
July 1868, Aug1868 and Sept 1868
The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas, July and August 1852
A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
The Princess Bride Movie, 1987
Prosopagnosia, medical condition
Jim Jones Healings
⁠https://people.com/crime/jim-jones-jonestown-massacre-demagogue-biography-jeff-guinn/⁠
Rapidash Pokemon
⁠https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/rapidash⁠
The Bible:
1 Kings 19
2 Corinthians 12
Habakkuk 2:2-3
Joel 2:28
Job 33 
Acts 10
Revelation 1
Matthew 22
1 Samuel 28
Odology: ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odic_force⁠
Louis Cahagnet’s “Celestial Telegraph, or Secrets of the Life to Come revealed through Magnestism” 
Robert Roberts: A Study of Life And Character by Islip Collyer
The Christadelphian: 
April 1869
February 1895
February 1888
May 1887
June 1876
January 1877
May 1955
November 1919
August 1913
November 1926
Spiritualists’ Association Bookstore:
⁠https://nsac.org/bookstore/⁠
The Girl with Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts
The Wizard of Oz (movie), 1939
Spiritualism by Michael Ashton
Read Online at: ⁠https://thisisyourbible.com/library/show/175⁠
The Christadelphian, Nov1871
The Christadelphian, January 1872
Medium and Daybreak, Nov 24 1871 edition
Full article provided from the University of Oxford Bodleian Library and from the Hamilton College.
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Lily Dale: The True Story of the Town That Talks to the Dead by Christine Wicker
Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I learned about Ghosts by Amy Bruni
Other Resources:
If you want to learn more about Spiritualism, check out the Dig Podcast:
⁠https://digpodcast.org/category/spiritualism/⁠

Ep. 12 Fellowship with Paul

Today we’re chatting with Paul! In this episode, Paul shares his story of joining the Christadelphians with his parents as a young convert, to stirring up trouble in the capital city as a young man handing out pamphlets on the Holy Spirit, to eventually not only leaving the Christadelphians, but eventually becoming an atheist studying theology! Paul also shares his controversial experience giving his one and only public lecture as a Christadelphian, his time as part of a group of Christadelphians nicknamed “the four horsemen of the apocalypse”, and about his thesis project on the roots of Christianity which he started after going back to school *again*. There’s no box big enough to fit Paul into as he’s explored careers, countries, and theology throughout his lifetime. I hope you enjoy this episode and hearing about the twists and turns of his fascinating life!  
Resources and References
 
Harry Whittaker, Author
List of Books here: https://bibliabooks.org.uk/harry-whittaker-books/
 
Carl Sagan; astronomer, scientist, author, and science educator: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan
 
Richard Dawkins; biologist, author, prominent atheist:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawkins
 
Christopher Hitchens, Author
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Hitchens
 
Paul’s website, “Religion Free World”:
https://religionfreeworld.org/
 
A link to Paul’s Book “On Christian Origins”:
https://religionfreeworld.org/books/

Ep. 11 Fellowship with Luke

Today we’re chatting with Luke! Luke shares his experience growing up in a small, insular ecclesia disconnected from the wider community of Christadelphians and singing the same hymns every week. In this episode, we’ll hear about his process of trying to fit into the wider Christadelphian world after growing up in isolation, about his first experience attending an ecclesia that drank Christ’s blood from a shared cup (ew), and on the pressure to leave his new ecclesia and to end his relationship with a non-Christadelphian. We also speculate on his prospects of an American speaking tour, argue for Australia to have its own major winter holiday, and wonder if Christadelphian music will ever be a topic for a pub trivia night at last!? And remember… watch out because the “Christadelphian Police” can be anywhere!
Please join us for yet another fun episode of fellowship among the heathens!  
Listener discretion is advised. 
Resources and References:
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Movie)