The Life After Leaving Podcast: An Ex-Christadelphian Podcast
A podcast by ex-Christadelphians for ex-Christadelphians. Together, we dive into the history of the Christadelphians, share stories of former members leaving the sect, and cultivate community among ex-members worldwide.
Listen on:
Episodes
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Today we’re chatting with (another) Vanessa! In this episode, we interview our first ex-Christadelphian raised in the “Old Paths” sub-group of the Christadelphian sect. Vanessa shares some stories from their community such as their caravan tent version of Bible School, the strict rules baptized members were required to agree to such as never going to the movies, and about how her family refused to fellowship with “Central” Christadelphians while visiting. However, Vanessa was always excited to learn and even startled her Sunday School teacher with the surprising facts she shared from reading Malcolm X. Despite her then-husband’s disapproval as a young woman, she continued to read and study outside of traditional domestic fields, eventually getting her PhD (and divorcing her Christadelphian husband). We also chat about wine so watered down that even thieves returned it, people pleasing and abusive relationships after being raised in high control religion, and the therapeutic creative project she undertook after leaving. Also, this episode is dedicated to our new podcast patron saint Keanu Reeves.
Please join us for another episode of fellowship among the Heathens!
Listener discretion advised.
If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com
Resources and References:
Speed (1994 Film):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111257/
Keanu Reeves:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keanu_Reeves
Goodreads- Cult Memoirs:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/cult-memoirs
Vanessa’s first book ‘Holy Bible:
https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Bible-Vanessa-Russell-ebook/dp/B085DLDJWF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12PM33O8KXBTM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.P2UQqnx3tzVC00lQZU8J1A.UwnyG3mR0ZIKtTEP206TUR3FytgSL6LAFRXG5D6N6jg&dib_tag=se&keywords=vanessa+russell+holy+bible&qid=1746401165&s=books&sprefix=vanessa+russell+holy+bible%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1
Vanessa's second book ‘The World is Not Big Enough’
https://www.amazon.com/World-Is-Not-Big-Enough/dp/1743796838
Netflix: American Murder: Gabby Petito (2025)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35590630/
Netflix: American Murder: Laci Peterson (2024)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33079160/
Gary Schaefer (1951-2023), Christadelphian Serial Killer:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Schaefer
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing):
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Today we’re chatting with Mako! In this episode, Mako shares his experience traveling the world as a (white, male) Christadelphian before spending the years following his baptism serving in Jamaica as a missionary. After marrying his (Jamaican) wife and settling in America, his eyes were opened to racism & sexism among the Christadelphians when it became directed towards his family and as Christadelphians grappled with the Black Lives Matter movement. Mako also shares the story of how his small ecclesia split, how white Christadelphians online refused to even acknowledge racism in the Christadelphian community, and how he struggled to get distance from the Christadelphian community when they held the memorial service in his house every week! We also learn about his epic baptism, that time a Sunday School teacher crushed his dreams, and about his enduring love for the beach and ocean. Towards the end of the episode we also get philosophical as we speculate about ghosts, the Kingdom of God, and on the impact on society if everyone simply decided to “let God fix it”.
Please join us for another episode of fellowship among the heathens!
If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com
Listener discretion advised.
White Savior Complex:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_savior
https://www.health.com/mind-body/health-diversity-inclusion/white-savior-complex
Microaggressions:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microaggression
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872371063/microaggressions-are-a-big-deal-how-to-talk-them-out-and-when-to-walk-away
Black Lives Matter Movement:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Lives_Matter
https://library.law.howard.edu/civilrightshistory/BLM
https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Pascal’s wager
Barbie Movie (2023)
Mako’s exhortation on Love:
Available on our Facebook Page (too long for the show notes!)
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Today we’re chatting with Chloe! In this episode, Chloe shares her experience being raised to be homeschooled by Christadelphians and sent to a Canadian Christadelphian Heritage College before being discouraged from pursuing higher education and having to learn how to navigate the “outside world” once she hit adulthood. We also discuss mental health issues she experienced while she was a Christadelphian, how the Arranging Brothers refused to accept her resignation, and her method of using note taking to lure in a godly man. Chloe also shares her childhood ghost stories, discusses the anxious thoughts she had about the “Kingdom of God”, and opens up about the peer pressure around her baptism. We also ask, why would we ever want to be like the angels? Why is it so hard to develop close relationships as a Christadelphian? And how can we get the best roast dinner recipes now that we’ve left?
Please join us for another episode of fellowship among the Heathens!
*Please note that we had a technical difficulty about 58 minutes in which interrupted the conversation, whoops!
Listener discretion advised.
If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com
Resources and References:
Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
Thought Terminating Cliches:
https://psychology.org.au/about-us/news-and-media/aps-in-the-media/2024/explaining-thought-terminating-cliches-and-why-we
Cult Signs- Keeping Members Busy and Exhausted:
“#11 Time Domination- Members are kept constantly busy to prevent independent thinking”
https://blog.earkick.com/25-signs-youre-in-a-cult-how-cult-leaders-keep-you-hooked/
“If you experience pressure to take part in any (or all) services, rites or rituals, and feel it would be socially costly not to take part (i.e. you might be excluded from other things, disapproved of or left out of friendship groups), you should be concerned.”
https://secularliturgies.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/the-25-signs-youre-in-a-high-control-group-or-cult-by-anastasia-somerville-wong/
Neville Goddard
Harry Potter and Apparating:
History episode mentioning ‘being like the angels’: Episode 13: Hypnosis, Telepathy and Ghosts
Ex-Christadelphian website:
Ear Biscuits Podcast: Rhett’s Spiritual Deconstruction (2020):
Ear Biscuits Playlist on Spiritual Deconstruction:
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Today we’re chatting with Sylvia! In this episode, Sylvia tells us about growing up in a family that read (and debated) the Bible together every day as ‘a little hippie kid’. She discusses her ‘radical’ experience as a Christadelphian starting in the 1960’s and ‘70’s in Canada where she helped found a new ecclesia, create a new bible school, and push for women to teach. She also turned heads in her meeting when her parents approved her underage marriage to an unbaptized First Nations “outsider”. Zinnia and Sylvia also discuss how her ideas were plagiarized for exhortations, the beliefs of First Nations people, and how David is definitely the sexiest Bible character! We also speculate about what we would want to see at an Ex-Christadelphian event. Come join us for another fellowship among the heathens and to hear about the ecclesia that was created to be “just a lot more fun”!
Listener discretion is advised.
If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com
Resources and References:
Sylvia’s Website
Sylvia’s Blog
Sylvia’s Blog Post on being “The Zealot’s Daughter”
Christadelphian “Truth Corps” via the Christadelphian Bible Mission of the Americas and Canada
Wrested Scriptures by Ron Abel (1990)
Christendom Astray by Robert Roberts
Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
In today’s episode, Zinnia does a deep dive on the history of Christadelphian “prophecies” and apocalyptic predictions! She starts with the origins of the “prophetic arithmetic” methods by a rather infamous American in the 1840’s, follows the early prophecies by John Thomas and Robert Roberts, and leads into conversations around prophecies, high control groups, and cognitive dissonance in the modern era. Ready to learn some Christadelphian history? Let's get into it!
Listener Discretion Advised.
Resources and References: Toy Story (1995) “The Claw”
William Miller and the Great Disappointment
The Great Disappointment of William Miller
Millerism
The Seekers
The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance and the book “When Prophecy Fails”
Wikipedia: History of the Seventh-day Adventists Church
More Millerite History:
https://st.network/analysis/top/the-second-coming-files-a-2000-year-investigation-part-vii-adventism-after-the-great-disappointment-adventist.html
https://lineagejourney.com/read/the-advent-movement-beyond-the-great-disappointment/
The Disappointed: Millerite Adventists and Their “New World”
The Advent Movement Beyond the Great Disappointment
The Christadelphian Magazine/ The Ambassador of the Coming Age:
January 1866, October 1893, May 1893, October 1897
John Thomas: His Friends & His Faith by Peter Hemingray
Joseph Marsh
Eureka: An Exposition of the Apocalypse by John Thomas
https://www.antipas.org/pdf_files/eureka_vol_1_lg.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka:_An_Exposition_of_the_Apocalypse
Elpis Israel, 7th edition 1897
Elpis Israel with Publishers Comments (2000)
“My Days and My Ways” by Robert Roberts
“Robert Roberts: A Study of Life and Character” by Islip Collyer
Whose line is it anyways “The show where everything’s made up and the points don’t matter”
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
Christendom Astray by Robert Roberts (including Chapter 16 and the prophecy on page 271)
Wikipedia: ‘Christendom Astray from the Bible”
“In the 1951 edition published by The Christadelphian Office, chapter 16 entitled 'Evidence that the End is Near' was deleted because the start of the millennium age did not start as predicted by 1910.”
“What They Said Would Happen: A Review of Christadelphians Predictions” by John Hutchinson, January 2000
Emperor Nicholas I
The Crimean War
A Timeline of the Crimean War
The Life of John Thomas (1985)
The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, September 1861. Quote recorded in “The Life of John Thomas”
The Princess Bride (1987) “Have fun storming the castle!”
World War I Timeline
Scooby Doo
Godzilla
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (Netflix)
Clifford the Big Red Dog
The Bible, Matthew 24:34:
"Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled"
Willy Wonka Golden Ticket
Finding Nemo (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ1KDf3O-qU
Dictionary.com definition of a Christadelphian: a member of a Christian millenarian sect founded in the US about 1848, holding that only the just will enter eternal life, that the wicked will be annihilated, and that the ignorant, the unconverted, and infants will not be raised from the dead
Millenarianism: “Millenarianism is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming fundamental transformation of society, after which "all things will be changed"
Apocalypticism: “Apocalypticism is the religious belief that the end of the world is imminent, even within one's own lifetime”
Doomsday Cult: “A doomsday cult is a cult that believes in apocalypticism and millenarianism”
Instagram: video by abbiesr
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
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
Eureka by John Thomas
Eurkea PDF
Revelation: A Biblical Approach by Harry Whittaker 1976
The first book of Enoch
Fourth Book of Esdra/ 4 Ezra
The Second Book of Baruch
The Bible, Ezekiel 26 A Prophecy Against Tyre
The Anchor Bible Series
The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary
The Anchor Bible Commentary
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
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"
Reclamation Collective (religious trauma directory/support groups/trainings) -
Spiritual Power Inventory Tool
Secular Therapy Project (directory)
Religious Trauma Institute (research/trainings, mostly for therapists)
Religious Trauma Providers in Australia
IFS Institute (Internal Family Systems directory)
"No Bad Parts" by Richard Schwarz (Client-friendly intro book to IFS)
Terror, Love, and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems by Alexandra Stein
Alexandra Stein Talking About Cults
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
Ex-christian subreddit (discussion, support, and tons of extra resources)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) Test
ACE Aware
EFT Tapping
“How to Start Deconstructing your Christian Faith” with Kristi Burke
“When a Relationship with God Turns Unhealthy” with Kristi Burke
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
What is a High Control Group?
How to Recognize a High-Control Church
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
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.
If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com
Resources and References:
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
The Joke That Got Taylor Tomlinson Fired From a Church Comedy Gig (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)
The Golden Compass by Philip 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)
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.
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts
Sunday Feb 09, 2025
Sunday Feb 09, 2025
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.
If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com
Resources and References
What So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
Religious Harm Recovery Newsletter
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 Morrigan 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
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
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.
TW: Child abuse and suicide in last 10 minutes of episode
If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com
Resources and References:
Steve’s Biblical Studies Blog, Mikra
Biblical Humor on Steve’s Blog
Revelation: A Biblical Approach by Harry Whittaker
Life From Scratch: A memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness by Sasha Martin