Sunday School Dropouts
Sunday School Dropouts is a podcast hosted by trained therapists Dr. Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs. Both Andrew and Laura grew up in high control religion and spent years trying to live up to the rules and standards until one day, they couldn’t do it anymore. They spent our lives aspiring to be true followers of God and all they got from it was religious trauma. So now, they’re taking our lived experiences along with their education, training, and work with clients to create this podcast–a podcast that goes beyond deconstruction and focuses on the unique aspects healing and recovery for folks coming out of high control religions, cults, fundamentalism, purity culture and those with religious trauma. Each episode they will be talking with other experts, mental health practitioners, coaches, advocates, therapists and folks who have survived fundamentalist systems, to learn from their experiences and offer resources and support for healing.
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Healing Religious Trauma through the Nervous System
09/24/2024
Healing Religious Trauma through the Nervous System
Want to heal from religious trauma? Then you’re listening to the right podcast! Today we are talking with licensed therapist, coach, and Somatic Experiencing practitioner, Jeremy Lehmann. Jeremy talks to us about what the nervous system is, it’s roll in trauma, and why it’s essential to the process of healing from trauma. We also get into a fascinating discussion regarding how the absence of safe and stable connection can also result in trauma through the topic of lack of sex education in high control religion. We’ll also be bringing to you our first vocabulary lesson of the season, discussing the term ‘trauma response’. Do Andrew and Laura think that it’s a term worth using or has social media co-opted yet another term to make it mean something entirely different? Tune in to hear their thoughts! Sign ups are still happening for a couple of the Fall Support Groups at the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery! Check them out ! Resources discussed today: To be Loved by Frank Anderson, MD Guest Info: Jeremy Lehmann, LMFT, SEP This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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We’re Back Baby! Welcome to Season 2 of Sunday School Dropouts!
09/17/2024
We’re Back Baby! Welcome to Season 2 of Sunday School Dropouts!
We’re back! After a summer filled with Vacation Bible School and all of the adventures that go along with it, we are back for another season of Sunday School Dropouts! In this episode Andrew and Laura talk about some of the amazing guests and topics that will be coming on season 2 and are excited about bringing back our “touchstone topics”, a mini-series on religious trauma and the elections, sharing survivor stories of leaving and healing from religious trauma, and focusing on various aspects of medical and financial trauma and how they intersect with religious trauma. This week we’ll begin our touchstone topic series with a discussion about what religious trauma is! Our touchstone topic series is one where we talk about some of the foundations of religious trauma, the nervous system, the difference between deconstruction and deconversion, and adverse religious experiences. And we’re also bringing back some of your favorite segments! In this episode we have Flannelgraph Storytime where we have a fascinating discussion on the impact of James Dobson and the Strong Willed Child propaganda. And, we can’t forget prayer requests! This week we’re lifting up …the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu and the bizarre case out of Aurora, CO where a faith based therapist is accused of abuse of her clients as she tried to reunify them with their criminally charged father. Resources that are discussed during this episode: When Religion Hurts You by Laura Anderson In an Unspoken Voice by Peter Levine Healing Trauma by Peter Levine No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz Sign up for at the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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The Ark Encounter w/ April Ajoy and Beecher Reuning
08/29/2024
The Ark Encounter w/ April Ajoy and Beecher Reuning
This month the Sunday School Dropouts did some field-reporting…that is, we went on a field trip to the Ark Encounter and we took our friends April and Beecher with us. In today’s episode we share more about our experience at the Ark, what it was like to venture back into fundamentalist Christianity, listening to a live-lecture by Ken Hamm, and go through the story of Noah in Genesis as we look at it from a different perspective than when we were in VBS the first time around! To lighten the mood you’ll also be able to listen in on our sanctified gossip session as we talk about all things Christian persecution at the Olympics and the weirdness of JD Vance. And we have a few other segments too, to round out another great episode of Vacation Bible School–Sunday School Dropouts edition! We are thrilled to be joined again on this episode by the incredible April Ajoy and Beecher Reuning. April and Beecher are the co-hosts of the Non-Binary Marriage podcast which you can find wherever you listen to podcasts. April can be found across all social media platforms at @aprilajoy and Beecher can be found across all social media platforms at @hellobeecher. And, if you’re looking for a place to spend that extra tithe money, make sure to grab a copy of April’s forthcoming book, “” which is available for pre-order wherever you buy books! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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The Abuser’s Playbook (aka the Story of Job)
07/30/2024
The Abuser’s Playbook (aka the Story of Job)
We’re excited to bring you another episode of Vacation Bible School–Sunday School Dropouts edition! This month we are joined by our favorite podcast editor, Kevin Crowe ( on social media) to talk about the story of Job. And let us tell ya, this is *not* the story you heard in VBS! We’ll also be talking about some of the latest things going on in the world during our “Sanctified Gossip” segment and you won’t want to miss our Silly Songs and Arts & Crafts time either! If you’re looking for support to help with the increased stress and anxiety of the election cycle, we are offering a self-led course that is filled with resources, lectures, skills and practices to help you navigate this chaotic time. Find out more information and use the code ELECTIONS to get $15 off! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Vacation Bible School featuring the Apostle Paul, the OG Grifter
06/28/2024
Vacation Bible School featuring the Apostle Paul, the OG Grifter
It’s summer and that means it’s time for Vacation Bible School–Sunday School Dropouts Edition! This month we’re letting you in on all the church-sanctified gossip that all the moms are talking about as their kiddos are doing arts and crafts like Carl Lenz’s new podcast, Robert Morris’ “affair, and more. And during our Bible story time we’ll be talking about the Apostle Paul–the OG Grifter. It’s definitely not the stories you heard when you were at VBS, but you’ll surely learn something! And this month we are joined by the fabulous Janice Lagata, otherwise known as @godhasnotgiven on Instagram. Janice brings to us her knowledge, humor, and passion for all things deconstruction, and reminding others that they can believe better things–that your thoughts about God are just as valid as anyone from the Bible. Make sure to give Janice a follow on socials and check out her podcast, , wherever you stream podcasts! To find out more about Janice’s work, to support her, read her substack, or sign up for her workshop, head to her website: If you’re interested in the Religious Trauma and the Elections Course you can sign up and use the code ELECTIONS for $15 off! Resources discussed in this episode: Zealot by Reza Aslan The Politics of Jesus by Obrey Hendricks Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman and Rev. Dr. Kelly Douglas This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Wrapping Up Season One!
05/14/2024
Wrapping Up Season One!
This is our final episode of season one and Andrew and Laura are back to talk about men and bears, lift up John MacArthur in prayer, to quite literally celebrate the United Methodist church’s repeal of their declaration that did not allow LGBTQ+ clergy members and more. We’ll also be reflecting on some of our favorite moments from the season and sharing about our summer episodes because you can’t have Sunday School Dropouts without Vacation Bible School! We’re dropping some hints about what’s to come in those episodes and talking a little bit about Season 2 which will start in the fall! More than anything, we just want to say a big thank you to all of our fellow dropouts for supporting us! We have loved doing this podcast and are so excited for Vacation Bible School this summer and Season 2! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Purity Culture Poster Child to Pastor to Black Sheep w/ Josh Harris
04/23/2024
Purity Culture Poster Child to Pastor to Black Sheep w/ Josh Harris
This week we will be talking to a notorious former pastor about their experience growing up inside high control religion, becoming a poster child for purity culture, being set up to take over for a large church and ultimately giving it all up, deconstructing his faith and leaving the church. If you grew up in evangelicalism, and likely even if you didn’t, you’re sure to be familiar with Joshua Harris, author of the wildly popular Christian dating, ahem, courting, book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye. He’s here to share with us about his time inside of high control religion, what opened his eyes to the unhealthy dynamics inside the church and his process of healing after leaving. It’s an episode that all of our younger selves never saw coming and definitely one you won’t want to miss! We’ll also be squeezing in some prayer requests as Andrew is back to lift up those “unspokens” and you may have heard Laura say a couple weeks ago that our last episode of season 1 would be after this episode, but fear not, we’ll be back in a couple weeks with a new episode and are excited to share the fun things we have coming in store for you this summer…because what’s a Sunday School Dropout without Vacation Bible School? This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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How to Heal when You’re the Victim and Perpetrator
04/09/2024
How to Heal when You’re the Victim and Perpetrator
How do you heal from religious trauma when you were both the victim and perpetrator of high control religion? Dan Miller joins us today to discuss his work with clients who are healing from religious trauma and adverse religious experiences that were in positions of ministry leadership, including the unpaid labor of volunteers (which many of us called: servants). In this episode we talk about some of the unique aspects of healing that former ministry leaders face, steps to re-build your life after leaving ministry positions, feeling burned out after volunteering, and building self-compassion. Guest: Dan Miller Website: Work with Dan: This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Choosing Relationship over Doctrine
03/26/2024
Choosing Relationship over Doctrine
We are excited to be talking today with April Ajoy and Beecher Reuning! They are sharing with the Sunday School Dropouts crew their story of growing up in fundamentalism and purity culture, meeting and getting married under those systems and then navigating their way through discarding those doctrines and theology to find their way into the relationship they have today. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss! - use code ELECTIONS for $15 off Guests: April Ajoy can be found on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @aprilajoy and on X at @aprilajoyr Beecher Reuning can be found Instagram, TikTok and X @hellobeecher and on Facebook @beecher Their podcast "The Non-Binary Marriage" can be found . Buzzfeed article about April can be found This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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…when you don’t get what you’re promised from purity culture…
03/12/2024
…when you don’t get what you’re promised from purity culture…
Today we are excited to have the Sexvangelicals, that is Julia Postema and Jeremiah Gibson, on our podcast! Julia and Jeremiah are licensed and AASECT certified psychotherapists who use their personal and professional lives and experience to work with relationships where at least one partner has been a part of high control religion, fundamentalism or purity culture. Resources Developmental Model - Ellen Bater AASECT.org - finding a sex therapist Six Steps for a structured question Decide on specific topic - key word SPECIFIC! (Ex: what are my favorite places to be touched, to be kissed, preferences around initiation) Agenda - (not rigid) what is the purpose of this conversation? Eg. understanding each other better, resolving conflict Choose a time and location that will set you up for success (beginning and end) - try to make it outside the house Set a timer based on the topic, level of vulnerability and your level of experience in these conversations Stay on topic! Once you’ve decided what the topic is, write it on a sticky note or card what the topic is so you can refer to it later to help you stay on topic! Aftercare - sometimes these conversations can be going or vulnerable so how can you come back together with your partner *(e.g. a game, going out to eat, cuddling) This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Growing Up as a Woman in Purity Culture
02/27/2024
Growing Up as a Woman in Purity Culture
We are thrilled today to be talking with Rachel Overvoll! Rachel herself grew up in purity culture and high control religion. We discuss her experiences inside purity culture, the impact of it and her healing journey. We then get into how Rachel has used her personal story to inspire her professional life as a Somatic Sex Coach who works with clients focusing on finding sexual freedom after purity culture. We’ll also be answering a listener question and a special prayer partner guest will be joining us for this episode’s segment of prayer requests! The Religious Trauma + Elections course is now available for sign up! Find out more information and register for the course ! Resources from today The Purity Myth by Jessica Valenti Better Sex Through Mindfulness by Lori Brotto Pleasure Activism by Adrian Maree Brown She Comes First by Ian Kerner Rachel Overvoll Somatic Sex Coach @rachelovervoll on IG and TikTok Find out more about the work Rachel does or book a session with her at: This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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The Impact of Purity Culture on Women
02/13/2024
The Impact of Purity Culture on Women
We are thrilled to have with us today Dr. Tina Schermer Seller who is an author, researcher, professor, and psychotherapist specializing in the impacts of purity culture, shame resilience, gender, and sexuality. In this episode, Dr. Tina shares her research and how she came to realize the psychological and physiological impact of purity culture and how that shaped the direction of her work with clients, students, and her writing. In the episode, Dr. Tina shares an incredible definition of sexual shame (see below) that can help us understand the felt sense experience of purity culture! But before we talk to Dr. Tina, we have a vocabulary lesson on what are porn and sex addictions really and why religion is so quick to diagnoses people with them, and we’ll also be taking some prayer requests! This is an episode you won’t want to miss! Dr. Tina’s definition of sexual shame (taken from the dissertation of Noel Clarke): Sexual shame is a visceral feeling of humiliation and disgust toward one’s own body and identity as a sexual being and a belief of being abnormal, inferior and unworthy. this feeling can be internalized but also manifests in interpersonal relationships having a negative impact on trust, communication, and physical and emotional intimacy. Sexual shame develops across the lifespan in interactions with interpersonal relationships, one’s culture and society, and subsequent critical self-appraisal (a continuous feedback loop). There is also a fear and uncertainty related to one’s power or right to make decisions, including safety decisions, related to sexual encounters, along with an internalized judgement toward one’s own sexual desire. You can find Dr. Tina at: Instagram: @drtinashameless Facebook: @TinaSSellers Twitter: @TinaSSellers Website: Psychedelic assisted psychotherapy: www.Inannarising.org Dr. Tina’s Books: Sex, God, and the Conservative Church Shameless Parenting – Everything You Need to Raise Shame-free, Confident, Kids and Heal Your Shame Too This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Growing Up Male in Purity Culture
01/23/2024
Growing Up Male in Purity Culture
We’re back with another episode from our purity culture mini-series! This week’s guest is RC Curtwright (@deconstructing_exjw on Instagram) who grew up in the Jehovah’s Witness organization and was a poster child of purity culture. In our conversation RC shares some of the long term impacts, mental health issues and shame that he and many other men experienced as a result of purity culture. Before we get into our conversation, Laura answers a listener question and shares a little bit about being a church leader and teaching adolescents about purity culture, thereby having a front row seat to the lived experiences of men and boys. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! Resources mentioned by RC Healing CPTSD by Pete Walker Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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It’s Time to Talk about Men Healing from Purity Culture
01/09/2024
It’s Time to Talk about Men Healing from Purity Culture
The holidays are over and we are back into our purity culture mini-series! This month we are talking about purity culture and it’s impact on individuals who grew up male in this system. We are thrilled to have Dr. Bradley Onishi on the podcast today as our professional who has done research and client-facing work in this area as well as being a purity culture poster boy himself. Join Brad and Laura as they discuss the unique impacts of purity culture on men, shame, the expectations of being a “Godly man” and what happens when you don’t measure up to that, as well as the importance of men learning how to step out of of the prescribed roles and mentality that both purity culture and patriarchy prop up. Resources Mentioned: Fair Play (book and game) by Eve Rodsky Mild at Heart podcast series (can be found on the website below and using “Mild” in the search bar) Guest: Brad Onishi Website: Instagram/TT: @straightwhitejc This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Holiday Q&A Part Two with Cindy Wang Brandt
12/19/2023
Holiday Q&A Part Two with Cindy Wang Brandt
You better watch out…you better not cry… Celebrating the holidays can be difficult when you’re deconstructing from your faith or healing from religious trauma. That’s why we’re using today’s episode to take your questions about various aspects of religious trauma and the holidays! Today Laura is joined by guest-host, Cindy Wang Brandt, to answer the questions you’ve submitted about parenting, families, creating new traditions and more! Cindy Wang Brandt Facebook and Instagram: @parentingforward X/Twitter: @cindywangbrandt Substack: cindywangbrandt.substack.com This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Inside a Somatic Experiencing Session
12/12/2023
Inside a Somatic Experiencing Session
We have a special episode for you today! Throughout our podcast episodes we’ve talked about various forms of trauma resolution but today we want to let you peek into what a trauma resolution session actually is! Laura is joined with her friends and colleagues, Jeremy Lehmann (who’s been on our podcast before!) and Jessica Hyne. The three of them have all gone through the Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training and use this with their clients. Join us for a brief discussion about various aspects of trauma resolution and then witnessing an actual session and debriefing it afterwards! Both Jeremy and Jessica are practitioners at the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery and are taking clients! Head to the website (info below) and schedule your free inquiry call with them today! Jeremy and Jessica will be back in future episodes to continue letting us peak into Somatic Experiencing sessions so that you can learn these practices and and try them yourself! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Holiday Q&A Part One with Matthias Roberts
12/05/2023
Holiday Q&A Part One with Matthias Roberts
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or is it? Celebrating the holidays can be difficult when you’re deconstructing from your faith or healing from religious trauma. That’s why we’re using today’s episode to take your questions about various aspects of religious trauma and the holidays! Today Laura is joined by guest-host, Matthias Roberts, to answer the questions you’ve submitted! Matthias Roberts Social Media (all platforms): @matthiasroberts Book: Holy Runaways (released October 2023) Photo Credit: John Keatley This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby!
11/28/2023
Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby!
Let’s talk about sex, baby! Today sex educator and creator of the Purity Culture Dropout brand and services, Erica Smith, joins us to talk about sex, comprehensive sex education and resources if you’re needing some remedial sex education after abstinence only or purity culture “sex education”. We’ll also be sharing some prayer requests, answering listener questions and generally having a holy time! Resources mentioned on the podcast: Holy Hurt Podcast series by Dr. Hillary McBride Erica Smith Website: purityculturedropout.com IG: @ericasmith.sex.ed This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Purity Culture 101
11/14/2023
Purity Culture 101
It’s time to talk about purity culture! Join Andrew and Laura as they begin a mini-series on all things purity culture. In today’s episode we discuss the history of purity culture, our own experiences in it, the long term impacts it’s had on their clients and some of the ways they work with clients when it comes to recovering from purity culture. This is the first episode in a 6-episode series where we will be discussing the impact of purity culture, some of the specific implications for individuals socialized male and female (since in purity culture there is a very rigid, binary gender concept) as well as talk to people about their lived experiences of healing from purity culture. And, you won’t want to miss today’s vocabulary lesson where we ask…what is an Inner Child? Do we actually have a tiny child living within us? Resources mentioned in the podcast episode: Homecoming by John Bradshaw No Bad Parts by Richard C. Schwartz Our Whole Lives (comprehensive sex education) Polysecure by Jessica Fern The Care and Keeping of You 1 & 2 by American Girl Library This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Becoming a Better Body Together
10/24/2023
Becoming a Better Body Together
We are thrilled this week to be talking to Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza about their work in embodiment! Dr. Roberto is passionate about the politics of radical difference and the ways that our collective differences might shed light on how we become a better body together. This ‘better body together’ concept is something our conversation focuses on, as well as some meaningful and tangible ways that we can practice embodiment and embodied justice in our own lives in the here and now. Before we get into our conversation with Roberto, Laura uses the Prayer Request time to talk a little bit about the intersections of what is happening in the Middle East and the End Times teachings that many of us grew up hearing about. After the conversation with Dr. Roberto, Andrew and Laura share their thoughts on the interview and answer listener questions. Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza (he/they/dr) can be found on: Instagram: @DrRobertoChe Twitter: @iRobyn Facebook: @DrRobertoCheEspinoza Website: This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Your Body is a Revolution
10/10/2023
Your Body is a Revolution
Today’s guest is Tara Teng. Tara is an Embodiment Coach who works in the intersections of spirituality and sexuality. She helps people find their way back to their bodies, overcome shame, heal trauma and dismantle purity culture in a way that is in alignment with their values and beliefs so that they can build a healthy, sexual ethic and thrive in freedom and wholeness. But before we get to the interview with Tara, we’ll have a little vocabulary lesson as we discuss what a trigger is (and isn’t!) and how to navigate. And don’t worry, we’ll also be having some “prayer time”! Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe to our podcast and follow us on social media. Instagram: @sundayschooldropoutspod Website: Tara’s book: “Your Body is a Revolution” is on sale and can be purchased wherever you like to buy books! Website: Instagram: @misstarateng Facebook: www.facebook.com/TaraTeng Twitter: @misstarateng This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Transitioning out of Purity Culture
09/26/2023
Transitioning out of Purity Culture
On today’s episode of Sunday School Dropouts we will be talking to Cody Harman, a certified fitness coach and nutritionist! Cody shares his story of growing up within evangelicalism and purity culture being socialized female, coming out and transitioning. Cody’s lets us in on his process of healing from the shame and harm that was caused by high control religion and offers encouragement and hope on the journey of healing. You can find Cody at the following places: • Instagram: • TikTok: • Facebook: Cody Harman • Twitter: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Codytalks11/featured • Website: This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe
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Religious Trauma for Queer Folks
09/12/2023
Religious Trauma for Queer Folks
Today we are excited to be joined by Jeremy Lehmann–Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Trauma Coach and Assistant Director for the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Jeremy joins us today to talk about some of the aspects of working with queer folks coming out of high control religion, fundamentalism, and cults–sharing the unique pieces of religious trauma recovery including shame, embodiment, internalized hatred, and more. To find out more about Jeremy, you can go to his website: . Jeremy is taking therapy clients in the state of Tennessee through is website. If you would like to work with him but do not live in Tennessee, he is taking clients at the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Books that Jeremy Recommends: Radical Self-Acceptance by Tara Brach Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Trauma Bonding, Bypassing, Narcissism, and Gaslighting–what do they actually mean?
08/22/2023
Trauma Bonding, Bypassing, Narcissism, and Gaslighting–what do they actually mean?
It’s time to go to school! Pull out your paper and pencil because today we’re going to have a vocabulary lesson! Join Laura and Andrew on today’s episode where they discuss some of the most commonly misunderstood and mis-defined words that people throw around conversationally and in social media spaces! Trauma bonding is when you bond over shared traumatic experiences…right? Doesn’t persistent selfishness equal narcissism? And surely you’re being gaslit if you feel confused by someone else’s memory or experience of something, right? In this episode Laura and Andrew define what these terms and concepts mean and why it’s important to the healing process to know what various terms mean–even if large social media accounts say otherwise! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Therapy vs. Coaching vs. Psychiatry
08/08/2023
Therapy vs. Coaching vs. Psychiatry
Nowadays there are more resources available than ever before if you’re looking for support on your healing journey–but which type of person is the best fit for you? A therapist? Coach? Psychiatrist? Join Andrew and Laura to discuss the differences and similarities between these professionals, why they practice as coaches (even though they have academic backgrounds as therapists), and help you figure out which type of person would be the most meaningful to you. Additionally, they discuss religion’s view of medicine, therapy, and why it can feel so difficult to engage in support services after leaving high control religion, cults, and fundamentalist systems. This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Deconstruction vs. Deconversion vs. Dechurched
07/25/2023
Deconstruction vs. Deconversion vs. Dechurched
Many people in deconstruction and post-religious communities use the term ‘deconstruction’ to describe their experience coming out of high control religion as well as the religious trauma that may have resulted. But are deconstruction and religious trauma the same? On today’s episode of Sunday School Dropouts we will be talking about deconstruction vs. deconversion vs. dechurched–how they are different and where they overlap. Laura and Andrew will also discuss the difference between these three experiences and religious trauma as well as offering up prayer requests and having some flannelgraph storytime! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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Spiritual Abuse + Adverse Religious Experiences
07/11/2023
Spiritual Abuse + Adverse Religious Experiences
What are Adverse Religious Experiences (AREs) and spiritual abuse? Aren’t they the same thing as religious trauma? Join Andrew and Laura on this week’s episode to discuss AREs, spiritual abuse, dynamics of power and control, how this relates to fundamentalism and how all of this…isn’t religious trauma? You heard us correctly! Andrew and Laura discuss all of this AND how these things can result in religious trauma on this episode of Sunday School Dropouts! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe
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What is the Nervous System (and how does it impact religious trauma)?
06/27/2023
What is the Nervous System (and how does it impact religious trauma)?
On this episode of Sunday School Dropouts, Laura and Andrew discuss the nervous system–what is it and how it is essential in healing trauma, including religious trauma. They discuss why you can’t think trauma away as well as how high control religions, cults, and fundamentalist systems encourage us to bypass the nervous system as a way of gaining additional control over people. This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok or on her website: Hosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs Music by Benjamin Faye Music Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at
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What is Religious Trauma?
06/13/2023
What is Religious Trauma?
For our first episode we will be discussing one of the questions we get asked the most: what is religious trauma? But before that, we’ll be taking “prayer requests”, have flannelgraph storytime and Andrew and Laura will share a bit of their own story! Sunday School Dropouts is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Music is by Benjamin Faye and you can find him on Instagram at Editing and production by Kevin Crowe If you like what you’ve heard today we would love for you to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts You can find us on Instagram @sundayschooldropoutspod or subscribe to our email list at If you’re interested in finding a trauma-informed practitioner, go to to schedule your free inquiry call with a practitioner of your choice or follow us on Instagram at @traumaresolutionandrecovery You can find Andrew on Instagram and TikTok And you can find me Laura across all platforms or on my website:
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Welcome to Sunday School Dropouts!
05/23/2023
Welcome to Sunday School Dropouts!
There are many podcasts that focus on deconstructing from religion, cults, and fundamentalism–and podcasts that focus on mental health and trauma. But there aren’t any podcasts that focus specifically on resolving and recovering from trauma and other adverse impacts that may result from these settings. That’s where Sunday School Dropouts comes in! Hosts Dr. Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs are using their academic background and training in therapy, their work with clients, and their own experiences to create this podcast–a podcast that goes beyond deconstruction and focuses on the unique aspects healing and recovery for folks coming out of high control religions, cults, fundamentalism, purity culture and those with religious trauma. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and join us on June 13, 2023 when the first episode of Sunday School Dropouts is released! And until then…be blessed! This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions. The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok or on her website:
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