S3 Ep. 25 Fellowship with Vanessa R

Today we’re chatting with (another) Vanessa! In this episode, we interview our first ex-Christadelphian raised in the “Old Paths” sub-group of the Christadelphian sect. Vanessa shares some stories from their community such as their caravan tent version of Bible School, the strict rules baptized members were required to agree to such as never going to the movies, and about how her family refused to fellowship with “Central” Christadelphians while visiting. However, Vanessa was always excited to learn and even startled her Sunday School teacher with the surprising facts she shared from reading Malcolm X. Despite her then-husband’s disapproval as a young woman, she continued to read and study outside of traditional domestic fields, eventually getting her PhD (and divorcing her Christadelphian husband). We also chat about wine so watered down that even thieves returned it, people pleasing and abusive relationships after being raised in high control religion, and the therapeutic creative project she undertook after leaving. Also, this episode is dedicated to our new podcast patron saint Keanu Reeves.  Please join us for another episode of fellowship among the Heathens! Listener discretion advised.    If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Speed (1994 Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111257/   Keanu Reeves: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keanu_Reeves   Goodreads- Cult Memoirs: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/cult-memoirs   Vanessa’s first book ‘Holy Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Bible-Vanessa-Russell-ebook/dp/B085DLDJWF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12PM33O8KXBTM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.P2UQqnx3tzVC00lQZU8J1A.UwnyG3mR0ZIKtTEP206TUR3FytgSL6LAFRXG5D6N6jg&dib_tag=se&keywords=vanessa+russell+holy+bible&qid=1746401165&s=books&sprefix=vanessa+russell+holy+bible%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1   Vanessa's second book ‘The World is Not Big Enough’ https://www.amazon.com/World-Is-Not-Big-Enough/dp/1743796838   Netflix: American Murder: Gabby Petito (2025) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35590630/   Netflix: American Murder: Laci Peterson (2024) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33079160/   Gary Schaefer (1951-2023), Christadelphian Serial Killer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Schaefer   EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing):  https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing