091: A Survivor's Guide to Recovery and Hope After Religious Trauma with Tia Levings

What does it mean to own yourself after years of being told your body, voice, and choices belonged to someone else? Join us for a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Tia Levings as she unpacks the concept of autonomy as both a psychological milestone and a direct act of resistance against cult control.We talk about reclaiming autonomy in our minds, hearts, and bodies, how “should” is one of the most dangerous words in the recovery space, and how fundamentalism is a structure of thought that can show up along any spectrum. We explore the tension between silence as both safety and complicity, and how survivors can learn to wield their voice (and their quiet) with intention and autonomy.You’ll also hear about:What fundamentalism actually is at its coreHow to identify when a religious environment has become harmfulHow pressure to share your story can replicate religious coercionHow religious indoctrination interrupts natural psychological developmentWhy belonging should never require surrendering your individualityGuest Spotlight ✨  Tia Levings is the New York Times Bestselling author of A Well-Trained Wife, her memoir of escape from Christian Patriarchy. She writes about the realities of Christian fundamentalism, evangelical patriarchy, and religious trauma. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Salon, the Huffington Post, and Newsweek. She also appeared in the hit Amazon docu-series, Shiny Happy People. Based in North Carolina, she is mom to four incredible adults and likes to travel, hike, paint, and daydream.Links & Resources 🔗 Website | Instagram | SubstackI Belong to Me by Tia Levings | Amazon | BookshopA Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings | Amazon | Bookshop—————We need your help. Your gift of just $25 will make a big difference and help us continue this work. Donate today.—————Sign up to receive our weekly Podcast Newsletter with new episodes, updates, exclusive discounts, and more!Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTubeLeave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. This all helps us to grow and continue providing quality content for you and our community of listeners.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.