Untangled Faith: Recovering From Spiritual Abuse

Listen Again: 9. How We Realized We Were in An Unhealthy Organization, Part 2

This episode is part 2 of the conversation that Amy Fritz and Melissa Hogan started in the previous episode. Amy shares more of what she was seeing in Ramsey Solutions that felt very similar to news of scandal with other Christian ministries and leaders. In this conversation Melissa and Amy talk about over two dozen resources they found helpful in recognizing and processing abusive and/or unhealthy organizations, understanding the hurdles whistle-blowers have to telling the truth, and the voices that gave them courage to speak up.
You can find the full list of resources at the podcast website: Untangled Faith Podcast 
Links:
 Boz Tchividjian, Abuse Survivor Advocate/Attorney
 Julie Roys 
Diane Langberg: Narcissism and the System it Breeds
 
 Find us here:
Instagram: Amy Fritz Untangled Faith
Website: Untangled Faith

Listen Again: 8. How We Realized We Were In An Unhealthy Organization.

Amy Fritz is joined by Melissa J. Hogan for a conversation about how they realized they were connected to an unhealthy organization.
Amy and Melissa met when Melissa's husband at the time, and Nathan, Amy's husband, were working at Ramsey Solutions. In this episode they talk about how the events happening in the Evangelical world in 2018 and 2019, along with different strategic resources, helped to open their eyes to red flags in the organization.
Links: 
The Way of the Dragon of the Way of the Lamb 
PhD dissertation from Wade Mullen
 Bill Hybels abuse report
 James MacDonald reporting by Julie Roys
 Rachael Denhollander speaks up about abuse at Sovereign Grace
 Boz Tchividjian, Abuse Survivor Advocate/Attorney
 Julie Roys
 Diane Langberg: Narcissism and the System it Breeds
 The Body Keeps the Score
 Afraid of the Doctor 
Steve Hassan, cult expert
 Melissa J. Hogan
 
Find us here:
Instagram: Amy Fritz Untangled Faith
Website: Untangled Faith

Listen Again: 2. Pastoral Plagiarism and Part 2 of Colleen's Story. Guests: Dr. Gary Stratton, Colleen Reese, Mary DeMuth

On Episode 2 of the Untangled Faith Podcast, Dr. Gary David Stratton joins Amy Fritz to discuss  Zach Stewart's pastoral plagiarism. Mary DeMuth joins us again to talk about what healing looks like on the other side of spiritual abuse, and we hear the second part of Colleen's story of what happened after discovering that her pastor had plagiarized hundreds of sermons.
 
 Links: Episode 1: Recognizing Spiritual Abuse and Part 1 of Colleen's Story Honesty Matters: The Problem of Pastoral Plagiarism Ask Bob: What should I do about a pastor who is plagiarizing sermons? Gary Stratton Mary DeMuth We Too: How The Church can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis. Wade Mullen CH Spurgeon Lectures to my Students
Find us here:  Instagram: Amy Fritz Untangled Faith Website: Untangled Faith 

Listen Again: 1. How to Recognize Spiritual Abuse, Part 1. Guests: Mary DeMuth and Colleen Reese

We're no longer releasing new episodes of the Untangled Faith podcast. Instead, we'll be re-sharing some of the old classic episodes. Thanks for supporting the podcast!
 
On the first episode of The Untangled Faith Podcast, Amy has a conversation with author and speaker, Mary DeMuth about the characteristics of a spiritually abusive environment.  We also hear from the first in our series of wounded resisters as Colleen shares part 1 of her story of discovering her pastor was hiding a big secret from their congregation. Show links:
10 Ways to Spot Spiritual Abuse | Mary DeMuth
A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing
Amy and Heather go on the record for Bob Smietana in this article
Esau McCaulley, The Unsettling Power of Easter
Mary Demuth

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

110: Navigating Faith and Suffering. Guest: Kristen LaValley

Kristen LaValley joins Amy for a conversation about how suffering changes how we view God, religious cliches, being willing to see other's pain, and what she thinks about the recent influx of books decrying deconstruction.
 
Resources:
Kristen's new book: Even If He Doesn't
Follow Kristen here: (2) things i'm thinking about | Kristen LaValley | Substack
A master list of books, movies, videos, and podcasts that might help you with recovering from and making sense of spiritual abuse: Spiritual Abuse Recovery Starter Pack – Untangled Faith Podcast
 
Episodes you might enjoy:
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2023/03/01/72-unraveling-abuse-in-the-church-pete-singer-on-third-party-investigations-trauma-informed-practices/
https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/2022/11/16/61-deep-wide-finding-a-faith-thats-richer-better-than-you-hoped-guest-traci-rhoades/
 
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

109: Death of a Dream

What happens when your dream dies?
Amy shares about what that experience was like from their eager anticipation to join Ramsey Solutions to the point where it fell apart.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you're going to love these ones:
90: Historical & Cultural Influences on Evangelicalism. Guest: Karen Swallow Prior – Untangled Faith Podcast
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