S2 Ep. 11: Erika Bornman (P1) on her life, advocacy work, & memoir, "Mission of Malice. My Exodus from KwaSizabantu."
Release Date: 03/29/2023
S2 Ep. 33: Dr. Lily Dunn (P2) on “Sins of My Father: A Daughter, A Cult, A Wild Unraveling"
Project Hope Podcast
Dr Lily Dunn is an author, mentor, and academic. Her debut nonfiction, Sins of My Father: A Daughter, A Cult, A Wild Unravelling, a memoir about the legacy of her father’s addictions was The Spectator and The Guardian Best Nonfiction Book, 2022. Her forthcoming book: Into Being: The radical craft of memoir and its power to transform is due to be published by MUP in 2025. She is also author of a work of fiction, Shadowing the Sun (Portobello Books, 2007), and co-editor of A Wild and Precious Life (Unbound, 2021), an anthology of stories on recovery from mental illness and addiction. She...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 32: Dr. Lily Dunn (P1) on “Sins of My Father: A Daughter, A Cult, A Wild Unraveling”
Project Hope Podcast
Dr Lily Dunn is an author, mentor, and academic. Her debut nonfiction, Sins of My Father: A Daughter, A Cult, A Wild Unravelling, a memoir about the legacy of her father’s addictions was The Spectator and The Guardian Best Nonfiction Book, 2022. Her forthcoming book: Into Being: The radical craft of memoir and its power to transform is due to be published by MUP in 2025. She is also author of a work of fiction, Shadowing the Sun (Portobello Books, 2007), and co-editor of A Wild and Precious Life (Unbound, 2021), an anthology of stories on recovery from mental illness and addiction. She...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 31: Ryan Hernandez (P3) on his Catholic sect as an End Times Cult & “The Truth That Heals Podcast”.
Project Hope Podcast
In 2004, Ryan Hernandez joined a Catholic religious community to live a life of prayer, education, and charity. He was just 17 at the time that he left his life in Los Angeles to follow "The Call" and to follow Christ. Many years later, he would refer to this Catholic sect as an End Times Cult. While in the group he had been a devoted follower and loyal member but there was also abuse and brainwashing taking place and it was this abuse and growing shame that became an unbearable burden for him to bear. After years of bullying, physical abuse, humiliation, psychological abuse, and even...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 30: Ryan Hernandez (P2) on his Catholic sect as an End Times Cult & “The Truth That Heals Podcast”.
Project Hope Podcast
In 2004, Ryan Hernandez joined a Catholic religious community to live a life of prayer, education, and charity. He was just 17 at the time that he left his life in Los Angeles to follow "The Call" and to follow Christ. Many years later, he would refer to this Catholic sect as an End Times Cult. While in the group he had been a devoted follower and loyal member but there was also abuse and brainwashing taking place and it was this abuse and growing shame that became an unbearable burden for him to bear. After years of bullying, physical abuse, humiliation, psychological abuse, and even...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 29: Ryan Hernandez (P1) on his Catholic sect as an End Times Cult & “The Truth That Heals Podcast”.
Project Hope Podcast
In 2004, Ryan Hernandez joined a Catholic religious community to live a life of prayer, education, and charity. He was just 17 at the time that he left his life in Los Angeles to follow "The Call" and to follow Christ. Many years later, he would refer to this Catholic sect as an End Times Cult. While in the group he had been a devoted follower and loyal member but there was also abuse and brainwashing taking place and it was this abuse and growing shame that became an unbearable burden for him to bear. After years of bullying, physical abuse, humiliation, psychological abuse, and even...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 28: Jean Brown (P2) on her sister, Kirby Brown, James Arthur Ray, & SEEK Safely.
Project Hope Podcast
Jean Brown is a writer, podcaster, and mom to two young children. She has Bachelor's degrees in political science and writing from Loyola University Maryland, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University in Montreal. She is active in creating content for SEEK Safely Inc.’s website, social media, brand outreach, and legislative efforts. Jean lived in Thailand and has traveled extensively, including treasured memories of traveling with her sister Kirby. She now lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family. She loves dogs, karaoke, cooking, and ordering in...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 27: Jean Brown (P1) on her sister, Kirby Brown, James Arthur Ray, & SEEK Safely.
Project Hope Podcast
Jean Brown is a writer, podcaster, and mom to two young children. She has Bachelor's degrees in political science and writing from Loyola University Maryland, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University in Montreal. She is active in creating content for SEEK Safely Inc.’s website, social media, brand outreach, and legislative efforts. Jean lived in Thailand and has traveled extensively, including treasured memories of traveling with her sister Kirby. She now lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family. She loves dogs, karaoke, cooking, and ordering in...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 26: Dr. Tamara MC (P2) on the Sufi based cult she grew up in which has led her to advocacy work & writing on child marriage, & human trafficking.
Project Hope Podcast
Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking survivor. She advocates worldwide for girls and women to live free from gender-based violence. Her Ph.D. is in Applied Linguistics, and she researches how language manipulates vulnerable populations. She's published in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Salon. She’s currently revising her debut memoir, “Child Bride: My Marriage at 12”. Tamara’s website: Follow Tamara on: Twitter: Instagram: Links to Tamara’s articles mentioned in the pod:Article in Ms. Magazine:...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 25: Dr. Tamara MC (P1) on the Sufi based cult she grew up in which has led her to advocacy work & writing on child marriage, & human trafficking.
Project Hope Podcast
Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking survivor. She advocates worldwide for girls and women to live free from gender-based violence. Her Ph.D. is in Applied Linguistics, and she researches how language manipulates vulnerable populations. She's published in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Salon. She’s currently revising her debut memoir, “Child Bride: My Marriage at 12”. Tamara’s website: Follow Tamara on: Twitter: Instagram: Links to Tamara’s articles mentioned in the pod:Article in Ms. Magazine:...
info_outline
S2 Ep. 24: Esther Friedman (P2) on her book, “The Gentle Souls Revolution”, both memoir & healing guide for recovery.
Project Hope Podcast
Esther Friedman is a licensed mental health counselor, expressive art therapist, songwriter, author, and ex-cult member. In 2006, a “new friend” introduced her to an "esoteric school." In 2011, she left a secret cult. Afterwards, she researched, obsessively, and recognized “school” as a cult. She posted a blog. Soon, Cult Confessions, a CD of ten original songs, followed. Every time she spoke or sang out, she felt calmer and clearer. She started an “edu-tainment campaign” presenting her misadventure to private audiences. Releasing secrets freed her voice and mind. The...
info_outline When Erika Bornman was nine years old, her family joined and ultimately moved to, KwaSizabantu, a Christian mission in South Africa—a place touted as a multiracial nirvana, founded on egalitarian values. But life at KwaSizabantu was hard, especially because Christianity was used to justify harsh punishments and physical abuse. KwaSizabantu exerted emotional, psychological, and sexual control over her, until, finally, she escaped at the age of 21.
Escaping a restrictive religious community is difficult, but rehabilitation into ‘normal’ life after a decade of ritual humiliation, brainwashing, and abuse was much more painful. Erika could not ignore her knowledge of the grievous human-rights abuses being committed at KwaSizabantu, and so she embarked on a quest to expose the atrocities. With her help, News24 launched a seven-month investigation, culminating in a podcast that would go on to win the internationally renowned One World Media Award for Radio and Podcast in 2021.
In Mission of Malice: My Exodus from KwaSizabantu, Erika chronicles her journey from a fearful young girl to a fierce activist determined to do whatever it takes to save future generations and find personal redemption and self-acceptance. Erika has also carved a career for herself in magazine publishing as a writer and editor. Mission of Malice, her memoir, is her first book and an important element in her quest to make the world a safer place for children. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with her two cats.
This podcast contains explicit content as well as sexual abuse and child abuse trigger warning.
Click here for Erika’s book: Mission of Malice: My Exodus from KwaSizabantu,
Click here for the News24 seven month investigation
Click here for the award winning podcast produced by News24
Click here for the YouTube video of Erika’s niece
Click here for information on the Cult & Religious Recovery Group Program that begins April 2023.
Our podcast features a beautiful song by Jaia Suri called, “Leaving the Cult”. Subscribe to Jaia Suri on Spotify and access the song here.
If you feel moved to support Jaia’s music, please join her at Patreon.
Jennifer is a cult and religious recovery counselor. She is certified in a specialized approach working with survivors that is research based and rooted in the work of Dr. Gillie Jenkinson. She has a Masters in the Psychology of Coercive Control and functions as an expert witness in such cases. Jennifer is also a research associate at Salford University. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.
Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, [email protected].