Going First with Amy Fritz

Boz Tchividjian Discusses NDAs, Abuse in Churches, and Support for Abuse Survivors

Boz Tchividjian, attorney and advocate for abuse survivors joins Amy Fritz on the Untangled Faith podcast to answer your questions.
What’s his origin story as an attorney?
The origins of GRACE.
Thoughts on the Us v Them messaging from many churches.
NDAs
Who is the Ronan Farrow or Jody Kantor of  #churchtoo reporting?
Who did Billy Graham vote for? (Just kidding. Boz didn’t completely clear this one up for us!)
Links:
Sexual Abuse Attorney For Victims | Boz Tchividjian Sexual Abuse Lawyer (bozlawpa.com)
GRACE:
GRACE (netgrace.org)
Diane Langberg at the Caring Well Conference:
Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores – Diane Langberg on Vimeo
Boz at the Caring Well Conference:
Winter Inside the Church and Hope for Spring – Boz Tchividjian on Vimeo
Support the show:
Newsletter signup
Paypal Donation
Come chat with me!
Twitter: Amy Fritz 
Instagram: Amy Fritz Untangled Faith
Website: Untangled Faith
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz

114: Untangled Faith Podcast: The Last Episode

Amy shares her decision regarding the future of the Untangled Faith podcast.
Thanks so much for your support over the last three years.
 
How to reach Amy:
Email: amy@untangledfaithpodcast.com
 
 

113: Self Awareness Isn't Enough. Guest: Chuck DeGroat

Chuck DeGroat returns to the Untangled Faith podcast with host Amy Fritz to explore the transformative work of moving from self-awareness to self-regulation and how our response to shame changes everything.
“I call the work that I do sometimes excavation work, because we're removing rubble. . .There's a lot of rubble that has kept me inwardly oriented and not as merciful or more prone to bitterness than prone to justice as I do my own work. And as I identify these parts of me that are self-protective, and befriend them and bless them and offer peace to them, there is a sense in which we all can live from that deep heart God created us for in love, goodness, faith, gentleness, meekness. . .And so I often say in the work that I do, the greatest asset is that I'm working with image bearers.” - Chuck DeGroat
 
In this episode we:
- Address the repercussions of the Calvin University president's resignation and its ripple effect on community leaders.
- Discuss the need for self-awareness in understanding one's actions as incomplete without self-regulation
- Discuss the delicate balance between speaking out on issues and exercising prudence in engagement.
- Unpack the concept of shame, its link to narcissism, and the importance of having strategies to work through it.
- Share personal stories that highlight our relationship with shame in relationship dynamics.
Other Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2022/07/13/46-when-narcissism-comes-to-church-guest-chuck-degroat/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2022/08/10/51-celebrities-for-jesus-guest-katelyn-beaty/
Support the Show:
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Where you can find me:
Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith
 https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz

112: Leaving the IFB and Finding the Real Jesus. Guest: Ryan George

Content Note: There is discussion regarding abuse in this episode. Please take care when listening.
Author, Ryan George, joins Amy to share his personal experience of leaving a high-control religious community, and what it was like to realize, while listening to a podcast, that his dad was a serial abuser. He also shares what pulled him out of the IFB world and what that means when it comes to helping others.
 
Buy Ryan's book: Hurt and Healed by the Church: Redemption and Reconstruction After Spiritual Abuse
Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/09/27/97-when-mlms-come-to-church-guest-chris-staron/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/08/16/91-navigating-the-intersection-of-faith-politics-guest-kaitlyn-schiess/
 
Support the show:
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Where you can find me:
Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith
 https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz
 

111: How To Know Who to Trust in the Religion World. Guest: Becky Castle Miller

Becky Castle Miller joins Amy to discuss strategies for assessing the character of church leaders, the importance of being informed, and how to navigate the often-discomforting process of learning about and responding to accusations against those in power. 
You'll also get to listen in on some of our personal experiences—the struggle of having to reconcile conflicting information about individuals we once admired and our responsibility to inform others, while remaining sensitive to those at different places of being able to receive that information.
You'll hear about the responsibility individuals have to speak out within their communities and organizations, responsibly handling these issues, and why it's crucial to believe and act upon allegations, even when they first emerge in less formal settings.
Where you can find Becky:
Website: beckycastlemiller.com
Substack: beckycastlemiller.substack.com
Instagram: @wholeemotion
Threads: @wholeemotion
TikTok: @beckycastlemiller
X: @bcastlemiller 
 
Links to reports/reporters mentioned in this episode:
Ravi Zacharias
Teen Mania
Recovering Grace
Chris Rice
Mark Driscoll
ACNA
Sovereign Grace
Larry Nassar
Northern Seminary
John Crist
Duggars
 
Reporters/News Sources to follow:
RNS
Dee- Wartburg Watch
Ministry Watch
Roys Report
 
 
Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2022/08/03/50-dr-scot-mcknight-and-laura-barringer-share-what-they-have-learned-from-publishing-a-church-called-tov/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/01/25/67-the-secret-to-being-courageous-guest-kj-ramsey/
 
Support the show:
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Where you can find me:
Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith
 https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz
Producers:
Michele Pjanic
Phil and Susan Perdue
Pam Forsythe
Chelle Taylor

108:To Belong or Not: Unpacking the Dilemma of Church Membership

Welcome to Untangled Faith, where we navigate the complex journey of faith and the challenges we face in our spiritual communities. In this episode we're diving deep into the world of church affiliation and the personal implications it carries for believers.
Guests Nathan Fritz, Amanda Turnbull, and Melissa Anne share their comfort (or discomfort) with the idea of church membership as well as some of their backstories that have informed how they approach this topic.
 
To follow more the Amanda and Melissa's story, check it out here: Burning Butterflies (pod.link)
If you enjoyed this episode, you're going to love this one:
96: The Reshaping of the American Church. Guest: Bob Smietana – Untangled Faith Podcast
 
Support the show:
Subscribe to my newsletter:https://untangledfaith.substack.com
Join us on Patreon:https://patreon.com/untangledfaith
This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled
Where you can find me:
Youtube channel-https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
https://instagram.com/untangledfaith
https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz
 
Host/Creator: Amy Fritz
Producers:
Michele Pjanic
Phil and Susan Perdue
Pam Forsythe
Chelle Taylor

97: When MLMs Come to Church. Guest: Chris Staron

  Have you ever had a long-lost friend reach out to connect with you on social media only to discover they really just wanted to sell you something connected to the Multi Level Marketing business they were a part of?   Or maybe you’re one of those folks who has been pulled into an MLM and you’re drowning. Or maybe you’re worried about a friend who has quit their  J O B to do direct sales and you’re concerned that they aren’t able to pay their bills. And what in the world does this have to do with Christianity? I can’t wait for you to listen! In this episode, you will be able to: Unlock the harmful impacts of MLMs on Christian communities and their faith practices. Deconstruct the cunning methods and marketing lures of MLMs especially crafted for Christians. Gain insight about the financial risk and losses commonly faced by individuals drawn into MLMs. Probe the link between MLMs and the prosperity gospel belief widely accepted in Christian contexts. Highlight the necessity for cultivated thought and vigilance in fending off MLM scheming. Say hello to Chris Staron, renowned for being unafraid to tackle controversial topics within the church. He brings his thoughtful and fair approach to this discussion as the host of the Truce podcast. Going from historical Christian issues to present-day conundrums such as MLMs, he engenders a deep understanding of the church's dynamics. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:03 - The Influence of MLMs in the Church, 00:06:32 - MLMs as Schemes, 00:08:12 - MLMs Targeting Christians, 00:10:48 - MLMs and Faith, 00:12:44 - The Math of MLMs, 00:13:58 - The Structure of Multilevel Marketing, 00:15:33 - Challenges and Inconveniences of MLM, 00:16:49 - MLM and False Promises, 00:19:16 - Limited Market and Financial Challenges, 00:21:37 - MLM Company Profits and Fees, 00:28:51 - The Problem with Disclosures and Fine Print, 00:29:51 - The Responsibility of Believers in Direct Sales, 00:31:46 - The Prosperity Gospel and Financial Curriculums, 00:36:23 - Tying Christianity to Extra Pursuits, 00:39:57 - Understanding and Admitting MLM Involvement, 00:43:00 - Making Bad Financial Decisions, 00:43:46 - Supporting Friends in Financial Distress, 00:45:13 - Helping Others with Budgeting, 00:46:07 - Where to Find More Information, 00:46:51 - Wrapping Up and Future Conversations, Resources: Check out the Truce podcast: https://trucepodcast.com Listen to The Dream podcast about MLMs: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-dream Episodes you might enjoy: https://untangledfaithpodcast.com//2023/08/16/91-navigating-the-intersection-of-faith-politics-guest-kaitlyn-schiess/ https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/09/20/96-the-reshaping-of-the-american-church-guest-bob-smietana/   Support the show: Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled Where you can find me: Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg https://untangledfaithpodcast.com https://instagram.com/untangledfaith  https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz https://twitter.com/faithuntangled https://twitter.com/amyfritz Host/Creator: Amy Fritz Producers: Michele Pjanic Phil and Susan Perdue Pam Forsythe Chelle Taylor

94: Lawsuit Update: Hypocrisy and Double Standards at Ramsey Solutions

Lawsuit Update: Hypocrisy and Double Standards at Ramsey Solutions Explicit content and language warning. ** This is a conversation that was recorded for the Untangled Faith Patreon community in December of 2022. Since it has been about a year since there was much movement in the O'Connor lawsuit, I decided to share this audio publicly. If you hear any mention of "upcoming" dates, keep in mind that this was recorded almost a year ago.** In this episode of the Untangled Faith podcast, host Amy Fritz is joined by attorney, Melissa Hogan, to discuss the ongoing lawsuits that involve Dave Ramsey's company, Ramsey Solutions (The Lampo Group), and the hypocrisy and double standards within the organization. Melissa shares from her perspective as an attorney and from her personal experience with Ramsey Solutions in regard to the O'Connor lawsuit. Melissa and Amy also discuss the inadequate investigation conducted by Ramsey Solutions and shed light on the power dynamics within the organization and the intimidation faced by individuals who challenge the status quo. This episode serves as a wake-up call to listeners, reminding them of the need for ethical and responsible behavior within organizations. We should all be living in a way that if a camera was following us around, our goal is to be able to stand by whatever we've said or done. - Melissa Hogan Resources: Court documents from the O'Connor Lawsuit https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17372107/oconnor-v-the-lampo-group-llc/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc RNS reporting on O'Connor Lawsuit https://religionnews.com/2022/09/02/at-dave-ramseys-company-some--outside-marriage-was-ok-court-documents-show-righteous-living-oral--hogan/ Partial timeline of events, and O'Connor Lawsuit document map. https://untangledfaith.substack.com/p/hypocrisy-and-double-standards-at Episodes you might enjoy: https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2021/11/03/20-our-ramsey-story-part-4-the-got-your-six-meeting-1-of-2-episodes/ https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2021/11/03/21-our-ramsey-story-part-5-the-got-your-six-meeting-2-of-2-episodes/ Support the show: Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled Where you can find me: Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg https://untangledfaithpodcast.com https://instagram.com/untangledfaith  https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz https://twitter.com/faithuntangled https://twitter.com/amyfritz Host/Creator: Amy Fritz Producers: Michele Pjanic Phil and Susan Perdue Pam Forsythe Chelle Taylor

91: Navigating the Intersection of Faith & Politics. Guest: Kaitlyn Schiess

"Read widely and in diverse communities. Challenge your biases and seek out perspectives that differ from your own. This will lead to a better understanding of Scripture and its application to our lives." - Kaitlyn Schiess While an undergrad at Liberty University, Kaitlyn Schiess detoured from her plan to go to law school after the ideas involved in the intersection of religion and politics captured her attention. That detour led to Dallas Seminary and Duke Divinity School instead of law school and it has lead to two books on the subjects we're not supposed to talk about in polite company: Religion and Politics. And that's a lucky break for us because Kaitlyn is the perfect person to join the Untangled Faith podcast to talk about this in a way that feels more like an invitation to something better than a challenge to enter a boxing ring. Key moments from this episode: Excitement for the New Book, Kaitlyn's Unexpected Path into Religion and Politics, Co-opting the Phrase "City on a Hill", The Importance of Reading Widely and in Community, Exploring Diverse Perspectives through Commentaries, Navigating Political Differences in Christian Community, The History of Cherry Picking Verses, Moving Beyond Cherry Picking, The Bible's Relevance to Political Questions, Seeking Christ-likeness, Resources: Purchase Kaitlyn's new book: The Ballot and the Bible. https://amzn.to/3DNVy0L Follow Kaitlyn: https://kaitlynschiess.com Episodes you might enjoy: https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/08/09/90-historical-cultural-influences-on-evangelicalism-guest-karen-swallow-prior/ https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/06/14/84-boz-tchividjian-on-fighting-against-abuse-in-the-church/ Support the show: Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled Where you can find me: Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg https://untangledfaithpodcast.com https://instagram.com/untangledfaith  https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz https://twitter.com/faithuntangled https://twitter.com/amyfritz Host/Creator: Amy Fritz Producers: Michele Pjanic Phil and Susan Perdue Pam Forsythe Chelle Taylor

90: Historical & Cultural Influences on Evangelicalism. Guest: Karen Swallow Prior

Dr. Karen Swallow Prior joins Amy Fritz on the Untangled Faith podcast to talk about how Stories, Metaphors, and Images have influenced the Evangelical imagination. We should always be trying to be aware of cultural influences and think about how they shape us as humans. - Karen Swallow Prior In this episode we: Discuss the cultural forces that drive evangelical norms. Learn some context and origin and development of the evangelical faith. Contend with sentimentality issues complicating the evangelical landscape. Grapple with the issues of incongruence between the message and the messenger. Episodes you might enjoy: https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/06/28/86-part-1-shiny-happy-people-the-impact-of-iblp-and-bill-gothard-on-the-evangelical-church-guests-kristina-kallman-and-jj-merrick/ https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2022/10/26/58-untwisting-scriptures-guest-rebecca-davis/   Resources: Find Dr. Karen Swallow Prior here: https://substack.com/@karenswallowprior Buy Karen's book: https://amzn.to/3YqW666 Support the show: Subscribe to my newsletter: https://untangledfaith.substack.com Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/untangledfaith This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For more information and for 10% off your first month, visit Faithful Counseling- https://faithfulcounseling.com/untangled Where you can find me: Youtube channel- https://youtube.com/channel/UCPfFk-I6QShXXvEpSFaJOvg https://untangledfaithpodcast.com https://instagram.com/untangledfaith  https://instagram.com/amyhenningfritz https://twitter.com/faithuntangled https://twitter.com/amyfritz Host/Creator: Amy Fritz Producers: Michele Pjanic Phil and Susan Perdue Pam Forsythe Chelle Taylor