2 PKs in a Pod

K-cults

In this episode of 2 PKs in a Pod, Annie and Sharon share stories about accidentally getting involved with groups they later realized were cults, discuss why high-control religious movements continue to thrive, and reflect on how growing up in church shaped the way they recognized (or failed to recognize) the warning signs. In this episode we cover: 02:15 — Annie shares how she accidentally attended Shekinah Church during a high school summer program. 09:42 — Discussion of why cults often appeal to people seeking community and certainty. 17:30 — Comparing Shincheonji, World Mission Society Church of God, and other Korean high-control groups. 26:08 — Growing up as PKs and how church culture affected our ability to recognize red flags. 35:11 — Why intelligent people still get drawn into cults. 43:20 — Lessons learned and practical warning signs listeners should watch for. Sharon Kwon, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, writer, and founder of Bodhi Aware Therapy [https://www.bodhiawaretherapy.com/]. Sharon specializes in working with Korean Americans who have struggled with overcoming religious trauma and spiritual abuse. She has worked in private and community mental health settings with immigrant families struggling with intergenerational trauma. Sharon’s writing has been published in Huff Post, SLATE Magazine, SELF Magazine, and Psychology Today. Sharon is an avid traveller and fan of all things “K”—dramas, food, soccer, etc. She is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Get to know her on Instagram @talkwithsharon [https://www.instagram.com/talkwithsharon] or via her website: www.sharonkwon.com [http://www.sharonkwon.com/]. Sion Lim (임시온) is a self-proclaimed “Koreanist” with a special passion to learn more about Korean Diaspora all over the world. She goes by her naturalized middle name, Annie. Her desire to connect with her K-side stems from her days as a graduate student at SOAS and as a former educator at Osaka Board of Education and Stanford University.  Before becoming a podcaster, Annie's latest career adventure was with Silicon Valley corporations (fun!) ranging from Samsung to video games before the AI takeover. She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and 3 kitties and would share more with you through her instagram, @sionannielim [https://www.instagram.com/sionannielim/].  If you enjoyed our podcast, please don't forget to rate us and leave a comment! Follow us on Instagram @2pkspod [https://www.instagram.com/2pkspod/] to connect with us. Episode Credits: Produced by Sharon Kwon and Annie Lim Mixed by Abdul Wasay Music: Risen by Gavin Luke [https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/72f3311e-1aa0-41b3-9366-29c0cbb7e127/] via Epidemic Sounds Links: Follow us on our website [https://2pkspod.com/] and on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/2pkspod]!

VBS and Bible Camps

In this episode of 2 PKs in a Pod, Annie and Sharon reminisce about their childhood summers spent at VBS (Vacation Bible School) and Bible Camps. They share their positive and negative experiences as both attendees and also organizers of these summer pastimes and what is considered a quintessential part of growing up in a Korean American, Christian household.  In this episode we cover: 04:26 - What's the difference between VBS and Bible camp? 05:09 - History of VBS 06:19 - Why Korean Americans adopted VBS 08:30 - Importance of summer activities for child development 11:15 - Annie's experience organizing VBS for her dad's children's ministry 18:25 - Sharon's experience attending white VBS 23:22 - Mafia, the universal camp game 24:40 - What did we like / what went well regarding VBS? 26:48 - What would we do differently? 30:57 - Next week, we're talking about K-cults! Sharon Kwon, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, writer, and founder of Bodhi Aware Therapy [https://www.bodhiawaretherapy.com/]. Sharon specializes in working with Korean Americans who have struggled with overcoming religious trauma and spiritual abuse. She has worked in private and community mental health settings with immigrant families struggling with intergenerational trauma. Sharon’s writing has been published in Huff Post, SLATE Magazine, SELF Magazine, and Psychology Today. Sharon is an avid traveller and fan of all things “K”—dramas, food, soccer, etc. She is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Get to know her on Instagram @talkwithsharon [https://www.instagram.com/talkwithsharon] or via her website: www.sharonkwon.com [http://www.sharonkwon.com/]. Sion Lim (임시온) is a self-proclaimed “Koreanist” with a special passion to learn more about Korean Diaspora all over the world. She goes by her naturalized middle name, Annie. Her desire to connect with her K-side stems from her days as a graduate student at SOAS and as a former educator at Osaka Board of Education and Stanford University.  Before becoming a podcaster, Annie's latest career adventure was with Silicon Valley corporations (fun!) ranging from Samsung to video games before the AI takeover. She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and 3 kitties and would share more with you through her instagram, @sionannielim [https://www.instagram.com/sionannielim/].  If you enjoyed our podcast, please don't forget to rate us and leave a comment! Follow us on Instagram @2pkspod [https://www.instagram.com/2pkspod/] to connect with us. Episode Credits: Produced by Sharon Kwon and Annie Lim Mixed by Abdul Wasay Music: Risen by Gavin Luke [https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/72f3311e-1aa0-41b3-9366-29c0cbb7e127/] via Epidemic Sounds Links: Follow us on our website [https://2pkspod.com/] and on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/2pkspod]!

Welcome to 2PKs in a Pod

In the first episode of 2 PKs in a Pod, Annie and Sharon explore the historical and sociological context of why Korean Americans are so Christian. They’ll take you back to the Japanese annexation times and through their immigration journeys to the U.S. in the early 90’s. They also share their personal stories of growing up and leaving the Korean church. In this episode we cover :: 00:00 - Introducing Annie and Sharon 00:31 - What is a PK? 4:11 - Annie’s background in Korean history and living in Japan 4:30 - Sharon’s background in mental health and specialization working with Korean Americans with religious trauma 4:59 - Why did we make a podcast about the PK immigrant life? 5:59 - How did Koreans become so Christian? 8:00 - How churches impacted Korean immigration to the U.S. 8:58 - Confucianism and Christianity  9:40 - Filial piety and collectivism can cause shame and guilt in Korean families 10:15 - Talking about taboo topics destigmatizes shame 12:44 - Annie’s immigration story and strict, Christian upbringing, and how she left the church 18:06 - Sharon’s immigration story and spiritual journey coming back to herself and culture 24:54 - Sharon’s first time in therapy and how she came out to her parents about not being Christian anymore 27:59 - Annie’s current relationship with her parents - “don’t ask, don’t tell” 31:26 - Next episode preview - VBS and Bible camps Sharon Kwon, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, writer, and founder of Bodhi Aware Therapy [https://www.bodhiawaretherapy.com/]. Sharon specializes in working with Korean Americans who have struggled with overcoming religious trauma and spiritual abuse. She has worked in private and community mental health settings with immigrant families struggling with intergenerational trauma. Sharon’s writing has been published in Huff Post, SLATE Magazine, SELF Magazine, and Psychology Today. Sharon is an avid traveller and fan of all things “K”—dramas, food, soccer, etc. She is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Get to know her on Instagram @talkwithsharon [https://www.instagram.com/talkwithsharon] or via her website: www.sharonkwon.com [http://www.sharonkwon.com/]. Sion Lim (임시온) is a self-proclaimed “Koreanist” with a special passion to learn more about Korean Diaspora all over the world. She goes by her naturalized middle name, Annie. Her desire to connect with her K-side stems from her days as a graduate student at SOAS and as a former educator at Osaka Board of Education and Stanford University.  Before becoming a podcaster, Annie's latest career adventure was with Silicon Valley corporations (fun!) ranging from Samsung to video games before the AI takeover. She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and 3 kitties and would share more with you through her instagram, @sionannielim [https://www.instagram.com/sionannielim/].  If you enjoyed our podcast, please don't forget to rate us and leave a comment! Follow us on Instagram @2pkspod [https://www.instagram.com/2pkspod/] to connect with us. Episode Credits: Produced by Sharon Kwon and Annie Lim Mixed by Abdul Wasay Music: Risen by Gavin Luke [https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/72f3311e-1aa0-41b3-9366-29c0cbb7e127/] via Epidemic Sounds Links: Follow us on our website [https://2pkspod.com/] and on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/2pkspod]!

Trailer

Follow us at 2pkspod.com [https://2pkspod.com/] and on Instagram @2pkspod [https://www.instagram.com/2pkspod] Episode Credits: Produced by Sharon Kwon and Annie Lim Mixed by Abdul Wasay Music: Risen by Gavin Luke [https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/72f3311e-1aa0-41b3-9366-29c0cbb7e127/] via Epidemic Sounds Links: Follow us on our website [https://2pkspod.com/] and on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/2pkspod]!