The Grace Awakening: Reckoning with Abuse in the Church

Ep 16. SPECIAL Truth, Bias, & Independent Investigations: Common Questions About GRACE Investigations

Guests: Laura Thien & Wade Mullen. In this special release podcast, Robert sits down with GRACE Executive Director Laura Thien and Executive Editor Wade Mullen to pull back the curtain on our Independent Investigations. Tune in to learn how the GRACE team handles bias, what it means to be trauma-informed, and common questions we get asked by churches and indviduals about the investigative process. Resources Mentioned: * The Safe Church Training Center: ⁠netgrace.org/training-center [https://www.netgrace.org/training-center] * GRACE Independent Investigations: netgrace.org/independent-investigations [https://www.netgrace.org/independent-investigations] If you enjoy the GRACE Awakening please consider subscribing and donating at ⁠⁠Netgrace.org/donate⁠ ⁠ [Netgrace.org/donate] Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.

Ep 15. Turning the Page: Whats Next for GRACE

Guest: Laura Thien That's a wrap! In the final episode of Season 1, we speak with the new GRACE Executive Director, Laura Thien, about her journey in abuse and trauma work and what she sees coming for GRACE in 2026. Plus, Robert, Zane, Hannah, and Laura talk about the tension of holding hope and accountability for the Church, resilience in the face of trauma, and the limited edition Selena Gomez Oreos. Resources Mentioned: * GRACE Live Conversation on Lament [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9SeKmDRfyI] * The Safe Church Training Center: netgrace.org/training-center [https://www.netgrace.org/training-center] If you enjoy the GRACE Awakening please consider subscribing and donating at ⁠Netgrace.org/donate⁠ [Netgrace.org/donate] Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.

Ep 14. It’s Not An Affair: Let’s Talk Adult CSA

Guests: Amy Stier and Emily Petrie In this episode, Robert has attorneys Amy Stier and Emily Petrie back to recap a GRACE Live Conversation they had over the summer on adult clergy sexual abuse and answer the many questions you asked during the live webinar. You won't want to miss it! Resources Mentioned: * Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church [https://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Power-Understanding-Authority-Church/dp/1587434385]by Diane Langberg * Research by Dr. Diana Garland * Consultations [https://www.netgrace.org/consultations] with GRACE If you enjoy the GRACE Awakening please consider subscribing and donating at Netgrace.org/donate [netgrace.org/donate] Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.

Ep 13. Silence is Deadly: Image Management & The 4 Walls of Defense

Guest: Wade Mullen. In this episode, we have a NEW interview with author and GRACE Editor in Chief of Institutional Response, Wade Mullen. Join Robert, Hannah, and Zane as we talk with Wade about image management, the slippery slope of self-promotion, and the 4 walls of defense used by institutions and offenders when confronted with allegations of abuse/misconduct. Plus, why Wade hates acronyms but uses them anyway, and the antidote to the 4 walls of defense. Resources Mentioned: * Something's Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse—And Freeing Yourself Its Power [https://www.amazon.com/Somethings-Not-Right-Decoding-Abuse/dp/1496444701/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.I4xEuqdW9veFKq22YsWU0avq_dIZV-w3umGraNGggLKf1_MfnWITXGz_i1xP22TE5XheDatgvhFPEnqN2nhrdxZsRok7Nw8K9RBI8MxbC6waFwNuQqEsYqCsjBICMrpyis0B4ad-AYdeE5FyJ76SYF8_bOeBQ1wxuQz2BDI0UwXffbYY0hwP2GgtCsgpVik6MuJXKTOuW7gaCDPbBSJDEDPC8rG3_0tTiDCgL9689N0.KAHIgJibEexXthe6mZwwUrgDN3_jJ8P1aY6_DijJ6vY&dib_tag=se&hvadid=695021926063&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=1019713&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=466258023613008193--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=466258023613008193&hvtargid=kwd-1387839655336&hydadcr=22162_13541064&keywords=something%27s+not+right+book&mcid=7f80c76806a43f94b930920ae162ae3b&qid=1762284467&sr=8-1] by Wade Mullen. * ⁠The Weaponization of Perceptions: Part I⁠ [https://wademullen.substack.com/p/the-weaponization-of-perceptions] by Wade Mullen. To support the ongoing work of GRACE, visit NetGrace.org/donate [netgrace.org/donate] Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.

Ep 12. SPECIAL: Theological Engagement on Child Abuse & the ELCA's Special Message on Child Protection

Guest: Victor Vieth. In this special release podcast, Robert speaks with GRACE Board Member and Chief Program Officer for Education & Research for Zero Abuse Project, Victor Vieth, live at the 16th annual Virginia Crimes Against Children Conference. Victor and Robert discuss what the Bible has to say about corporal punishment, the necessity of theological engagement on the issue of child abuse, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's (ELCA) groundbreaking social message on child protection that was adopted in November of 2025. And as an added bonus, hear about Victor's encounter with Johnny Cash. Resources Mentioned: * ELCA Social Message on Child Protection [https://resources.elca.org/faith-and-society/child-protection-sm-adopted-prerelease/?_ga=2.229571676.115848644.1763654389-1297582444.1763654389] * On This Rock [https://www.amazon.com/This-Rock-Center-Christian-Response/dp/1532649991] by Victor Vieth * Here We Stand: A Lutheran Response to Child Abuse [https://www.amazon.com/Here-We-Stand-Lutheran-Response-ebook/dp/B0FHYQM8VC/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.__7rZP3NDhIc5lz7JsfNoPyzSF7r4GbMNs6ojEEAITBqRPQx3T_Yx011vT7WQHlviOa-B_KrJsREZOeqBBG4NsgdHpCnioH2J0C2epGz27YbKopOWjb5YyJ_VKa32_eH8iBKZGofgw_s7d4lR5V7Dqjef3dtrkUEl24j19GGdtQ.G2KOHDNlYYRuUlnPIuwjEZWbzFkVLFSZS4N6UiIB2O0&dib_tag=se&qid=1763655906&refinements=p_27%3AVictor+I.+Vieth&s=books&sr=1-3&text=Victor+I.+Vieth]edited by Craig Nessan and Victor Vieth Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.