Leaving Eden Podcast

Ep. 187: Dancing for the Devil: The 7M Tiktok Cult

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we react to Dancing for the Devil: The 7M Tiktok Cult, which is now streaming on Netflix. This documentary covers the exploitation of...

Ep. 186: Drag Brunch 2024 with Dinah House-Fire

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In one of our favorite yearly traditions, Dinah House-Fire returns and this time, delivers her drag origin story!WE HAVE NEW MERCH AVAILABLE, AND A NE...

Ep. 185: Pride Stories 2024

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we read listener stories for pride month! We discuss topics including microlabels, staying alive out of spite, churches that pretend ...

Ep. 184: Gay Jesus???

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we continue our pride month coverage by asking, was Jesus a member of the LGBTQIA+ community? We ask this question both seriou...

Ep. 183: Interview with Andrew Pledger of "Surviving Bob Jones University"

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We begin oWE HAVE NEW MERCH AVAILABLE, AND A NEW MERCH SHOP, at https://leavingedenpodcast.threadless.comStream the Leaving Eden Podcast theme song, R...

Ep. 182: Revelation, The Rapture, and the End Times (Part 5)

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we continue deconstructing the book of revelation and the rapture. We discuss the origin of some of these beliefs as well as some alt...

Ep. 181: Revelation, The Rapture, and the End Times (Part 4)

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we get through the end of the book of revelation and discuss the futurist, preterist, and historicist interpretations of the mark of ...

Ep. 180: Casa Bonita

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sadie's thought that her friend Laura joined a cult but it turned out to just be a Mexican restaurant in Colorado.WE HAVE NEW MERCH AVAILABLE, AND A N...

Ep. 179: Revelation, The Rapture, and the End Times (Part 3)

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we continue our deconstruction of revelation and finally get to the seven seals and the seven trumpet judgements. Sadie realizes that...

Chad Harris on Growing Up as an IFB/IBLP Missionary

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Chad Harris (AKA Archraddish) discusses growing up as an IFB/IBLP missionary in Belgium and The Netherlands, and traveling around ...

Ep. 178: Revelation, The Rapture, and the End Times (Part 2)

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we continue our discussion of Revelation, the rapture and the end times. This episode covers the topics of literalism, futurism vs. p...

Olivia Plath Speaks Out in Teen Vogue (Feat. Eric Skwarczynski)

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Eric Skwarczynski of the Preacher Boys Podcast joins Gavi to discuss Olivia Plath's recent interview in Teen Vogue, The Matrix, and g...

Ep. 177: Revelation, The Rapture, and the End Times (Part 1)

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we begin our multi-part series exploring the book of revelation, the rapture, and the end times. In this first part, we cover just th...

Ep. 176: Christian Hoaxes (April Fools Special)

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, in honor of April Fools Day, we discuss three christian hoaxes. These hoaxes include the urban legend of Hitchhiker Jesus, the Chr...

Ep. 175: The Cult of Consumerism

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we discuss cult-like tendencies that surround consumer behavior in luxury market segments and loyalty around certain name-brand produ...

Ep. 174: Reactions to "I Kissed Dating Goodbye"

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we read through our listeners' experiences with the book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris, and purity culture in general...

Ep. 173: Dav and Bethany Deconstructing (Feat. Chad Harris) (Girl Defined / Fundie Snark)

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dav Beal, husband of Bethany (of Girl Defined fame) is no longer a christian. In fact, over the course of many years, Dav has deconstructed his faith ...

Ep. 172: Mary Cosby Cult Leader? (Real Housewives of Salt Lake City / RHOSLC)

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we discuss Mary Cosby, her husband and step-grandfather (yes you read that right) Robert Cosby Sr, and Faith Temple Pentecostal. M...

Ep. 171: The Woman They Wanted by Shannon Harris

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we review "The Woman They Wanted," by Shannon Harris. The ex-wife of megachurch pastor and author of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" Jos...

Ep. 170: I Kissed Dating Goodbye

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we discuss "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," by Joshua Harris. This book, published in 1997, became the definitive guide to dating within purity cultur...

Ep. 169: Amish Romance

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's Valentine's Day special, we will be discussing Amish romance novels, and why the fundies love them so much!Gavi reads "The Shunning" By Bev...

Ep. 168: Russell Anderson

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we discuss Russell Anderson, the richest man in the IFB. Anderson provided the funding to start Hyles Anderson College in 1972. Hi...

Ep. 167: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Religious Deconstruction

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we discuss deconstruction on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. We mainly cover Heather Gay's decision to take her family out of morm...

Ep. 166: The IFB Responds to "Let Us Prey"

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Now that two months have passed since the release of the Investigation Discovery/HBO Max docuseries "Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals," we are read...

Ep. 165: Bethany Beal Sex Influencer and the Ethics of the Snark

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we discuss the latest developments from Bethany Beal (of Girl Defined) as she positions herself as a Christian Sex Influencer. In ...

Ep. 164: Tokyo Sarin Gas Attack of 1995, Aum Shinrikyo, and Shoko Asahara

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we discuss the shadowy and dangerous cult, Aum Shinrikyo. Founded as a yoga school in 1987 by conman and self-styled guru Shoko As...

Ep. 163: 2023 in Review With Dinah House-Fire

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dinah Hous-Fire returns to the Leaving Eden Podcast, and we review everything that happened in 2023! We then embark in a Festivus Airing of Grievances...

Ep. 162: The War On Christmas

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss the history of the war on christmas and also why you should always be nice to retail employees but especially during the h...

Clip for TikTok: Ep. 161: Elora Dodd Speaks About Growing Up Neurodivergent In Fundamentalism (Segment 2)

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

THIS IS A CLIP/EXCERPT FOR TIKTOKIn this episode, we interview disability rights advocate and online content creator Elora Dodd, AKA @Online1RoomSchoo...

Ep. 161: Elora Dodd Speaks About Growing Up Neurodivergent In Fundamentalism

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we interview disability rights advocate and online content creator Elora Dodd, AKA @Online1RoomSchoolhouse about her experiences grow...

Ep. 160: Let Us Prey: Interview with Rachel Peach and Eric Skwarczynski

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals contributors Rachel Peach and Eric Skwarczynski of the Preacher Boys Podcast who discuss their ex...

"Let Us Prey" Reactions

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sadie and Gavi give initial reactions to the new IFB documentary, "Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals," which premiered last week on HBO Max and Inve...

Ep. 159: IFB Modesty Rules

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Sadie goes through the list of IFB modesty rules, including rules for skirts, blouses, shoes, pins, hosiery, and wrists, their rel...

What is the IFB, and Who Are We?

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you are new to this podcast, welcome! If you are coming to this podcast after viewing Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals on Investigation Discover...

Ep. 158: Hobby Lobby and the Museum of the Bible

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss Hobby Lobby, the crafts store founded by billionaire David Green in Oklahoma. Hobby Lobby as a company is very involved in...

Ep. 157: Hell

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we discuss the IFB's conception of Hell, the scriptural backing (or lack thereof) and some deconstruction-friendly hell-alternative b...

Ep. 156: Heaven

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we discuss the concept of Heaven. We cover depictions of heaven in scripture, how heaven is conceptualized in the IFB, other forms...

Ep. 155: The Well To Hell Hoax (Halloween Special)

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode, we discuss the urban legend of the "Well To Hell." This claim gained popularity after Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) broadcas...

Ep. 154: A Thief In The Night (Halloween Special)

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we review "A Thief In The Night," a 1973 evangelical horror film depicting the rapture. TW: In general we talk about a lot of po...

Ep. 153: Created To Be His Helpmeet by Debi and Michael Pearl

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we review "Created To Be His Helpmeet," by Debi and Michael Pearl. From the authors of "To Train Up A Child," This book is a popular ...

Bonus Episode: Liberty University Investigation/Kanye West's Coercive Control

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the latest scandal on the Liberty University campus, as well as the allegations of cult-like controlling behavior from Kanye West. htt...

Ep. 152: Which Duggar Should Be On The Bachelor? What Are Fundie Vacations Like? And Other Listener Questions

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we answer more listener questions!TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not...

Ep. 151: Will Anna Duggar Stay With Josh? What Do We Think Of "Sound of Freedom?" And Other Listener Questions

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we answer listener questions on a variety of topics! TW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this s...

Ep. 150: Keep Your Word And Obey Your Father: Deconstructing The Story of Jepthah

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we deconstruct the story of Jepthah and his daughter. This is a bible story that was used to great effect during Sadie's fundamentali...

Ep. 149: Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard Book Review and Analysis

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we review Jill Duggar Dillard's new book, Counting the Cost, co-authored by her husband Derick Dillard and Craig Borlase. "For the fi...

Ep. 148: (Brain In The Jar Part 2) J Frank Norris' Murder Trial And Brain In The Jar Story

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On Today's episode, we delve into both J. Frank Norris' infamous 1926-1927 murder trial, and the physical and historical evidence surrounding his "Bra...

Ep. 147: (Brain in the Jar Part 1) J. Frank Norris Was A Klansman Who Burned Down His Church For Insurance Money

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We have finally, after 3 years, tracked down the ORIGINAL "Brain In A Jar" story that appeared in both Episode 1 of our podcast, and Episode 57, our p...

Ep. 146: Brittany Dawn Megaepisode

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we discuss fitness influencer-turned christian womanhood influencer Brittany Dawn, as well as all of her cons, grifts, flimflams, fra...

Ep. 145: Barbie Is Satanic

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of our "Summer of Satan" series, Sadie and Gavi discuss banned toys in fundamentalism including Cabbage Patch Kids, He-Man and th...

Ep. 144: 3rd Anniversary Special!

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavi celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the podcast with a retrospective look at their favorite moments from the past year...

Ep. 143: Alberto Rivera (Part 2)

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On Today's second part of a two-part episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss Alberto Rivera, one of Jack Chick's most trusted sources for the conspiracy theor...

Ep. 142: Alberto Rivera (Part 1)

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On Today's first part of two-part episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss Alberto Rivera, one of Jack Chick's most trusted sources for the conspiracy theories...

Ep. 141: Rock And Roll Is Satanic According To Professional Exorcist Bob Larson

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavi review Larson's Book of Rock: For Those Who Listen to the Words and Don't Like What They Hear by Bob Larson. This b...

Ep. 140: Jack Chick and Chick Publications (The Summer of Satan)

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gavi and Sadie begin their SUMMER OF SATAN special episode series discussing the satanic panic! On today's episode, they discuss the life, art, and mi...

Ep. 139: Through Gates Of Splendor: The Leaving Eden Drag Brunch (feat. Dinah House-Fire) (Pride Month / Purity Culture / LGBTQ)

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, friend of the pod and drag performer extraordinaire Dinah House-Fire joins Sadie and Gavi to talk about Jim and Elizabeth Elliot. ...

Ep. 138: Bisexual Pride Interview with Meghan Crozier of Thereafter Podcast

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Meghan Crozier of Thereafter Podcast sits down with Sadie and Gavi to talk about her experience of discovering bisexuality later i...

Ep. 137: Queer Eye's Pastor Noah Hepler (Pride Month Special) (Netflix / Deconstruction / Theology / LGBTQ Affirming / Tan / Karamo / JVN / Bobby / Antoni)

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sadie and Gavi are joined by Pastor Noah Hepler, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Philadelphia. Pastor Noah was...

"Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets" Miniseries Analysis

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shiny Happy People contributors and IBLP survivors Lindsey Williams and Chad Harris join Sadie and Gavi to give analysis and insight into their review...

Ep. 136: The Westboro Baptist Church (Pride Month Special) (Fred Phelps / Hate / TULIP / Calvinism / Shirley Phelps-Roper)

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

F*** Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist ChurchTW: In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering topics on this show, including but not li...

Ep. 135: The Wizard Of God (Scandal / Affair / Fundamentalism / Jack Hyles / Vic Nischik / Battle of 1989 / IFB / First Baptist Church of Hammond)

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sadie has finally gotten her hands on a copy of the rare fundamentalism memoir, "The Wizard of God, My Life With Jack Hyles," by Vic Nischik. This boo...

Ep. 134: The Scopes Monkey Trial (True Crime / Evolution vs. Creationism / Fundamentalism / Social Darwinism / History)

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sadie and Gavri'el as they discuss the Scopes Monkey Trial, a pivotal moment in American history that affected the right to teach science in publ...

Ep. 133: Jerry Falwell And Liberty University Part 2: The Pool Boy Strikes Back

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Sadie and Gavri'el discuss various scandals surrounding Jerry Falwell's ministry and Liberty University, as well as the pool boy scan...

Ep. 132: Jerry Falwell, The Moral Majority, and Liberty University (Part 1)

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Gavi and Sadie discuss the history of Jerry Falwell's ministry at Thomas Road Baptist Church, his political activism with The Mora...

Ep. 131: To Train Up A Child (Michael and Debi Pearl / No Greater Joy Ministries / Child Abuse / Parenting)

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Sadie and Gavi are once again joined by Dr. Shoshana Fagen, who lends her considerable expertise to the discussion of the ubiquitous ...

Ep. 130: Peter Ruckman (Steven Anderson / NIFB / Racism / White Supremacy / Fundamentalism / Prophecy)

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Sadie and Gavi take a deep dive into fundamentalist hate preacher Peter Ruckman, his bizarre autobiography, his multiple marriages, a...

Ep. 129: Q&A (Sadie's Faith Journey / Environmentalism / Science / Fundamentalism / Adoption / Fundie Snark / Cult Stories)

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavi answer listener questions about a variety of subjects! In general we talk about a lot of potentially triggering top...

Ep. 128: Fundies Being "Woke" By Accident (He Gets Us / Paul and Morgan / Girl Defined / Zsusanna Anderson / Lori Alexander / The Transformed Wife / IFB / NIFB / Fundie Snark / Culture War / Racism / Transphobia / Homophobial)

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On Today's episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss instances in which prominent fundies have given accidentally "woke" takes, from Girl Defined's sex work sem...

Ep. 127: Fundie Pastors Wives (deconstruction / burnout / fundamentalism / cult stories / Jesus / christianity / church)

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss the multitude of responsibilities that are taken on by pastors wives in christian fundamentalism. TW: In ge...

Ep. 126: Mike Warnke The Satan Seller (Part 2) (Satanic Panic / Fundamentalism / Conspiracy Theory / Illuminati / New World Order / Witchcraft / Occult / Grifters / John Todd)

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is the 2nd part of a 2-part episode exploring and debunking the claims make by Mike Warnke in his 1972 book, "The Satan Seller." In th...

Ep. 125: Mike Warnke The Satan Seller (Part 1) (Satanic Panic / Fundamentalism / Conspiracy Theory / Illuminati / New World Order / Witchcraft / Occult / Grifters / John Todd)

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is the first part of a 2-part episode exploring and debunking the claims make by Mike Warnke in his 1972 book, "The Satan Seller." In ...

Ep. 124: Pastors School (IFB / Jack Hyles / Jack Schaap / David Hyles / First Baptist Church of Hammond / FBCH / Fundamentalism / Grooming / Deconstruction / Purity Culture / Christianity / Evangelical)

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss Pastors School, the massive IFB pastors convention held at First Baptist Church of Hammond every spring. Sa...

Ep. 123: Lori Alexander The Transformed Wife With Jen From Fundie Fridays (Fundie Snark / Fundamentalism / J-Rod / Jill Rodrigues / Michael and Debi Pearl / Misogyny )

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's amazing crossover, Sadie and Gavi are joined by the reverend Jen of the YouTube channel Fundie Fridays to discuss Lori Alexander, AKA The T...

Ep. 122: Is Toxic Masculinity A Cult? (Manosphere Deep Dive) ( Incels / Misogyny / Andrew Tate / Jordan Peterson / Self Help Guru / Anti-Woke / Gender Critical / Reactionary / Fundamentalism)

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Gavi presents an overview of what he has learned over the past 5 months during his deep dive into the manosphere. He and Sadie dis...

Ep. 121: Jinger Duggar's Book: Listener Responses/Calvinism (Duggars / Fundie Snark / TLC / 19 Kids And Counting / Counting On / IBLP / IFB / Reformed Doctrine / John MacArthur / Jeremy Vuolo)

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss a few additional details of Jinger Duggar Vuolo's book, Becoming Free Indeed. They then read and react to list...

Ep. 120: Why Heathens Have Better Sex Than Christians (Paul and Morgan / Girl Defined / Fundie Sex Influencers / Purity Culture / Dating / Relationships / Valentine's Day )

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this Valentine's Day special, Sadie and Gavi discuss sex advice from notorious fundie sex influencers Paul & Morgan and Girl Defined. Later, th...

Ep. 119: Becoming Free Indeed: We Read Jinger Duggar Vuolo's New Book So That You Don't Have To (Fundie Snark / IBLP / Fundamentalism / Cult Stories / Calvinism / Theology / Religion / Jesus / Christianity / Bill Gothard / Sex Pest Josh Duggar)

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sadie and Gavri'el review Jinger Duggar Vuolo's new book, Becoming Free Indeed.Related Episodes:Calvinism: Episode 117Bill Gothard and the IBLP: Ep...

Ep. 118: The King James Bible Code (Numerology / Theology / KJVO / Conspiracy / Solving Puzzles / Easter Eggs / Fundamentalism / Proof / Cypher / Da Vinci Code / National Treasure / Religion / IFB)

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Sadie explains the numerological "evidence" that fundamentalists use to prove that the King James Version of the Bible is the full...

Ep. 117: Calvinism (Christianity / Protestant Reformation / Theology / TULIP / Predestination / Salvation / Religion / Jesus / God / Holy Spirit / Baptist / IFB / Arminianism / Evangelical)

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavri'el give a broad overview of Calvinism, including its history, its main doctrinal points, (TULIP) and why it has re...

Ep. 116: Let's All Get Triggered By Fundie Children's Music (NIGHTMARE FUEL) (IFB / Fundamentalism / Religion / Christianity / Songs / Church / React / Theology / Racism / Jeopardy / Jesus)

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sadie and Gavri'el play a jeopardy-inspired game show in which they react to various IFB children's songs. These songs are categorized from "mostly OK...

Ep. 115: What Did Jesus Look Like? (Christianity / Judaism / Religion / Moses / Israelites / Hebrew / IFB / Fundamentalism / Heaven / Theology / King David / Solomon / Art History / Judea)

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Sadie describes the IFB's rules about depictions of Jesus and Gavi examines multiple theories of what Jesus and other biblical fig...

Ep. 114: Jonestown, Jim Jones, and The People's Temple (Cult Stories / True Crime / Guyana / Commune / Compound / Kool Aid / Flavor Aid / Mass Suicide / Revolution / Communism / Death )

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In what is quite possibly Leaving Eden Podcast's most requested episode ever, Sadie and Gavi discuss Jonestown, The People’s Temple, and the massacr...

Ep. 113: Gavi Visits First Baptist Church of Hammond / Hebrew Hammer (Exfundie / Deconstruction / Christmas / Hanukkah / Chanukah / Jack Hyles / Jack Schaap / Jesus / Andy Dick / Religion / Film)

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For the final episode of 2022, Sadie and Gavi discuss the film "The Hebrew Hammer." Gavi recounts his impressions of First Baptist Church of Hammond a...

Ep. 112: Sadie Explains Why The King James Version Is(n't) The Only Valid Bible Translation (Fundamentalism / Theology / History / Documentary / Religion / Christianity / Baptist / KJVO / IFB / Hyles)

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Sadie recounts the history of various bible translations into Greek, Latin, and finally English, and why the Fundamentalists are s...

Ep. 111: Potato Salad, Potlucks Dinners, and Pimento Cheese: We Talk About Food (Again) (Church / IFB / Fundamentalism / Ambrosia / Mayonnaise Cake / Cheeseburger Soup / Tater Tot Casserole)

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sadie and Gavri'el talk about food, potluck dinners, and Sadie's happiest childhood memories. Gavi's opinions on food have evolved fr...

Ep. 110: Is Hillsong A Cult? (Pentacostal / Megachurch / Assebmblies of God / Charismatic / Contemporary Christian Music / Abuse / Control / Justin Bieber / Carl Lentz / Brian Houston / Christianity)

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On Today's episode, Sadie and Gavir'el discuss the International Hillsong Megachurch. They discuss contemporary christian music, the Hillsong brand, t...

Ep. 109: Is It A Cult? Kanye West's Donda Academy and Sunday Service (Personality Cult / Music / Religion / Christianity / Hillsong / Bieber / Kardashian / Ye / Education / Fashion / Hip Hop / Rap)

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sadie and Gavi take what they learned about personality cults and apply the concepts to Kanye West. Specifically, they examine Kanye'...

Ep. 108: Cult of Personality (Fundamentalism / Religion / Celebrity / Politics / Psychology / Manipulation / Gaslighting / Kanye West / Elon Musk / Beyonce / Taylor Swift / Donald Trump / BITE Model)

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we discuss personality cults, also known as micro-cults. Sadie and Gavi discuss how these cults function, how they are similar or ...

Ep. 107: (True Crime) The Return of Paul Sand AKA Edward Wayne Farris (Duty 2: The Deuce) (Murder / Texas / Jack Hyles / IFB / Fundamentalism / Sermon Illustration / Cult / Brainwashing / Christian)

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today is a great day in the world of the Leaving Eden Podcast, because it marks the return of Sadielock Holmes and Nancy Jew. Sadie and Gavi revisit t...

Ep. 106: The Demon Test (Bob Larson Exorcist Extrordinaire) (Occult / Satanic Panic / Fundamentalism / Religion / Christianity / Jesus / Exorcism / Generational Sin / Curse / Racism / Fundie Snark)

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss the extrordinary exploits of exorcist Bob Larson. From his humble roots to his *interesting* theology to hi...

Ep. 105: The Burning Hell (Spooky / HELLoween / Halloween / Theology / Bad Movie / Film Review / Fundamentalism / Exploitation / Grindhouse Gospel / Baptist / Sin / Bible / 1970s / Genre / B-Movie)

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Sadie introduces Gavi to this terribly entertaining entry in fundamentalist filmmaking, "The Burning Hell." (1974) This entire fil...

Ep. 104: Agape Boarding School (Troubled Teen Industry / TTI / Abuse / Fundamentalism / Christianity / Physical / Sexual / Emotional / True Crime / Kidnapping / Legal Case / Justice / IFB / Roloff)

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sadie and Gavi discuss the abusive Agape boarding school in Missouri, and the looming threat that it posed to fundamentalist kids gro...

Ep. 103: Leaving Springfield (Christianity On The Simpsons) (Exfundie / TV / Religion / Cartoons / Comedy / Censorship / Exvangelical / Animation / Homer / Marge / Bart / Lisa / Maggie)

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We thought we'd take a break from the heavier topics we've been covering to talk about the portrayal of religion and Christianity on our favorite cart...

Ep. 102: Why Do People Become Fundie? (Deconstruction / Mental Health / High Pressure Tactics / Love Bombing / Trauma / Adverse Life Experiences / Cult Stories / Fundamentalism / Jesus)

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sadie takes us through the four main ways in which people get sucked into fundamentalismIn general we talk about a lot of potentially...

Ep. 101: Fundie Influencers (Paul and Morgan Oliges / Kelly Havens Stickle) (Fundie Snark / Pregnancy / Instagram / YouTube / Flickr / Tumblr / Mental Health / Homestead / Cosplay / Culture War)

01 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Sadie and Gavi look at two Christian fundie influencer channels. Specifically, those belonging to Paul and Morgan Oliges, and Kell...

Ep. 100: EPISODE 100/2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! (How To Listener Questions and Other Fun Stuff) (LGBTQ / Personal Finance / Exfundie / Introvert / Extrovert / Future / Past / Dave Ramsey)

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sadie and Gavri'el celebrate two years of podcasting and 100 episodes by answering YOUR listener questions! They cover topics ranging from coming out ...

Ep. 99: Cult Leader Jack Schaap Is Out Of Prison (and hasn't registered as a sex offender) (Fundamentalism / FBCH / Jesus / Christianity / Religion / Church Abuse / Scandal / Legal Update)

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Schaap has been out of prison all summer. Within days of his release, he is required by law to register as a sex offender. He has not done this. ...

Ep. 98: Bob Jones University (BJU) (Cult College / Fundamentalism / Abuse Scandal / Victim Blaming / Racism / KKK / Strom Thurmond / Ku Klux Klan / Ex-fundie / Exvangelical / Christian Education)

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At BJU they'll have you on your knees until you're filled with the holy spirit, and when Jesus comes, you'll be prepared. This week, Sadie takes Gavi ...

Ep. 97: How To Enjoy Live Music And Dancing (Sinning / Fun / Purity Culture / Theology / Exfundie / Exvangelical / IFB / Exifb / Fundamentalism / Cult Stories)

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sadie discusses how she learned to be comfortable moving in her own body without being afraid of attracting attention. Then, Sadie an...

Ep. 96: Sadie Goes to Jesus Camp (Cry Night) (Fun / Pain / Trauma / Deconstruction / Salvation Doubt / IFB / Fundamentalism / Ex-Fundie / Exvangelical / Summer / Childhood Memories / Cult Stories)

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever seen the move Jesus Camp? Well the summer camp Sadie went to made Jesus Camp look like a vacation to Jamaica with Micah and Moriah. Sadi...

Ep. 95: How To: Alcohol (Drinking / Fundie Snark / IFB / Ex Fundie / Exvangelical / Theology / Sinning / Fun / Beer / Gin / Wine / Vodka / Tequila / Whiskey / Martini / Sex On The Beach)

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did you come out of fundamentalism terrified of alcohol? Did you start drinking and make horrible mistakes? Do you wish you had somebody to point you ...