Cult Diaries

Breaking The Silence On Patriarchal Harm: Evangelicalism Exit Story

Katherine Spearing, MA, CTRC — founder of Tears of Eden, certified trauma recovery practitioner, author,  and host of the groundbreaking podcast Uncertain, one of the first platforms to boldly name and explore spiritual abuse. Katherine has spent years holding space for survivors navigating the devastating — and often invisible — impact of religious trauma and patriarchal harm. Through her nonprofit work, clinical training, and advocacy, she supports women and artists rebuilding their lives after systems that demanded silence, submission, and self-abandonment. In this episode, we explore: • What spiritual abuse actually is — and why it’s so often misunderstood • How patriarchy shapes trauma inside high-control faith systems • The grief of losing belief — and the courage it takes to reclaim identity • Why art, storytelling, and even improv theater can be powerful tools in recovery We also talk about Katherine’s book, A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts, which tenderly captures the spiritual abuse survivor’s healing journey — the slow unraveling, the invisible wounds, and the quiet rebuilding of self-trust. Katherine has been featured on influential podcasts including IndoctriNation and A Little Bit Culty, and continues to write and advocate for survivors through tearsofeden.org [http://tearsofeden.org/] and katherinespearing.com [http://katherinespearing.com/]. This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned their faith, untangled themselves from patriarchy, or felt the invisible paper cuts of spiritual harm.

You're Allowed To Question-A Jehovah's Witness Exit Story

In this deeply moving episode of Cult Diaries, I sit down with writer and storyteller Georgia Clare, whose life has been shaped by both profound rupture and breathtaking resilience. Raised in Wales and now living in the southwest of France, Georgia shares her journey of growing up within a high-control religious community, navigating childhood trauma, enduring personal loss, and ultimately finding the courage to leave the belief system that once defined her identity. What follows is not just a story of deconstruction — but of reconstruction. Georgia speaks with tenderness and clarity about what it means to lose a worldview, a community, and a sense of certainty — and how writing became her lifeline through it all. Through words, reflection, and radical honesty, she slowly rebuilt trust in herself and discovered meaning beyond indoctrination. We also explore her guided journal, You’re Allowed to Question, a resource she created for those walking the path she once did — the kind of companion she wishes she had eight years ago. Designed for individuals healing after high-control religion, this journal offers meditations, prompts, and space to untangle belief from identity. It’s available in both full-size and pocket editions. This conversation is about grief. It’s about autonomy. It’s about the terrifying and liberating act of questioning everything you were taught — and choosing yourself anyway. If you’ve ever had to begin again after belief, this episode will meet you gently and remind you that you are not alone. Links: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Allowed-Question-Meditations-High-Control/dp/2959698185 [https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Allowed-Question-Meditations-High-Control/dp/2959698185] https://www.georgiaclare.com/ [https://www.georgiaclare.com/] https://georgiaclare.substack.com/ [https://georgiaclare.substack.com/]

What Happens Inside a Secretive Cult Like SIST?

In this deeply powerful and possibly triggering episode, (trigger warning) we sit down with Martha Glory Kartaoui, a cult survivor who has transformed unimaginable experiences into a life devoted to healing, truth, and empowerment. Martha courageously shares her story of life inside Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology (SIST)—a secretive, fundamentalist group based in Shawano, Wisconsin. Led by Avraham Cohen (formerly R.C. Samanta Roy or Rama Behera), the group has been described by former members and media as a cult, with allegations including emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and severe physical torture. This conversation goes beyond headlines and into the lived reality of what it means to be inside a high-control environment—and what it takes to break free from it. Martha’s journey didn’t end with escape. After more than 14 years of deep, intentional healing, she has become a powerful leader in the trauma-healing space. She is the creator of Unbound, an immersive experience designed to help individuals release the past and reclaim their power, and the founder of Unbound: The Collective, a global community of “battle angels” rising into wholeness. She is also an international bestselling author, speaker, trauma-informed coach, and host of Let Glory Shine, using her voice to awaken, empower, and guide others back to themselves. In this episode, we explore:– What it really takes to break free from cult programming– The long and layered process of healing the mind, body, and nervous system– Reclaiming identity after control, fear, and conditioning– And how to rise into purpose after surviving the unimaginable This is more than a story—it’s a reclamation. If you’ve ever felt controlled, silenced, or disconnected from your truth, this episode will meet you there—and gently guide you forward. Because healing isn’t just about surviving what happened it’s about becoming who you were always meant to be. Grab her book or listen to her show below: https://lnk.bio/MarthaGloryKartaoui [https://lnk.bio/MarthaGloryKartaoui]

Inside the Cult On The Cape

In this haunting and deeply powerful episode, I sit down with Bonnie Zampino, a domestic violence and cult survivor who shares the unimaginable reality of life inside the Community of Jesus. What Bonnie endured is almost impossible to comprehend. For three years, she was held in isolation—locked in a basement and only brought out for chants and rituals. Her world was controlled, her mind targeted through repetitive recordings designed to condition and break her. But in the darkest place, she found something that would ultimately help her survive, a small music recorder filled with musicals. That became her lifeline. A quiet act of resistance. A way to protect her mind from the psychological programming she was subjected to daily. This episode is not just about survival, it’s about the resilience of the human spirit. Today, Bonnie has rebuilt a powerful and purpose-driven life. She is the voice behind the podcast The Cult on the Cape, where she sheds light on cult dynamics and gives others the courage to question, speak out, and heal. Beyond her story, Bonnie brings a wealth of experience in human resources, nonprofit leadership, and workforce development, especially supporting individuals facing barriers to employment. She has written for Huffington Post, contributed extensively to autism awareness, and played a role in advancing anti-stalking laws and protections under the Violence Against Women Act. She is also a relentless researcher with a gift for uncovering truth through public records, and in 2024, she co-founded Rock Harbor Truth with Shawn DeLude. She has created a survivor led space to help others heal and deconstruct from religious trauma. This conversation is raw, eye-opening, and deeply moving. It’s about control, survival, truth, and ultimately-freedom. If you’ve ever questioned your reality, your past, or the systems you were raised in… this episode will speak directly to your soul. Non- Profit for Cult Survivors http://www.rockharbortruth.org/ [http://www.rockharbortruth.org/] Cult On The Cape Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6JnIrHq9MiKi6DNxsXdRUs?si=79268051ca604793 [https://open.spotify.com/show/6JnIrHq9MiKi6DNxsXdRUs?si=79268051ca604793]

Inside A Doomsday Cult: Escaping The House of Yaweh

Welcome to Season 2! I have finally been able to sit down and make space for some new interviews and this season is going to be a wild ride! I have some amazing guests that I have throughly enjoyed learning from, because their experience has opened my eyes to the common thread between all cult survivors. In this deeply powerful episode, I sit down with Melody Post, a survivor of the polygamist doomsday cult known as House of Yahweh, a high-control religious group rooted in extreme beliefs and rigid control. Melody’s story is one of lost innocence, survival, and profound resilience. She was pulled into the cult at just 15 years old, engaged by 16, married at 18 to the leader’s son, and a mother by 19. By 20, she was excommunicated and cast out of the only world she had known. Inside the cult, life was dictated by fear, control, and deeply disturbing teachings, where underage marriages were normalized, women were treated as “unclean,” medical care was forbidden, and families were separated both physically and psychologically. But this episode isn’t just about what Melody endured it’s about what she rebuilt. Today, Melody is the co-host and producer of the Cultimatum Podcast, and the founder of a thriving support community for survivors. Through her work, she gives voice to those who have been silenced, helping others break free from coercive control and reclaim their lives. This conversation is raw, eye-opening, and deeply human. If you’ve ever questioned belief systems, navigated trauma, or are on a journey of healing this episode will stay with you. Cult Escape & Recovery Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2575419069406501 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2575419069406501] Cultimatum Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1910498486077283 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1910498486077283]