We are thrilled today to have back on our show April Ajoy! This is the third time April’s been on our podcast but the first time without her partner Beecher…and as much as we love Beecher, we are so glad to have April here today as she’ll be talking to us about her book that is coming out TODAY called “Star Spangled Jesus” which is available wherever you buy books and is also on Audible. The links for the book are in the show notes!

April is a content creator who uses humor to shine light on the harmful, toxic and sometimes just weird traits of American Christianity. She is the Co-host of The Non-Binary Marriage Podcast and Co-Host of Evangelicalish and also co-hosts a weekly episode on The New Evangelicals podcast feed focusing on what’s been happening in the culture and its connection to religion that week.

April is passionate about helping others overcome indoctrination and recognizes on a personal level just how difficult that can be. She knows that if she can do it, anyone can!

To find out more about the Religious Trauma and the Elections self-led course, click here. Use code SUNDAYSCHOOLDROPOUTS for $50 off!

Resources:

Jamarcus Tisby books

April’s book, “Star Spangled Jesus” can be purchased here

Follow April on Instagram and TikTok: @aprilajoy

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: www.drlauraeanderson.com

Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe

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 here!

Resources discussed today:

To be Loved by Frank Anderson, MD

Guest Info:

Jeremy Lehmann, LMFT, SEP

www.thrivery.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: www.drlauraeanderson.com

Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at www.kevincrowe.co

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 Fall Support Groups 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: www.drlauraeanderson.com

Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Editing by Kevin Crowe and can be found at www.kevincrowe.co

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, “Star Spangled Jesus” 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: www.drlauraeanderson.com

Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at kevincrowe.co

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 (@jesusunfollower 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 here 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: www.drlauraeanderson.com

Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at www.kevincrowe.co

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, God Has Not Given, 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: janicelagata.com

If you’re interested in the Religious Trauma and the Elections Course you can sign up here 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: www.drlauraeanderson.com

Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at www.kevincrowe.co

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: www.drlauraeanderson.com

Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at www.kevincrowe.co

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: www.drlauraeanderson.com

Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at www.kevincrowe.co