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 recoveryWe 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 and 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.