Unpacking Youtuber Ruby Franke's child abuse case

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Modern Divorce podcast, host Billie Tarascio delves into the controversial Ruby Franke case with guests Beth Griffith, a true crime podcaster, and Jennie Gage, a social media influencer. Both guests bring unique perspectives as former members of the Mormon church. They explore the intersection of religion, parenting, and the extreme measures that led to Ruby Franke's arrest. The conversation highlights the influence of Mormon doctrines and cultural practices on the case, offering listeners a deep dive into the complexities of faith and family dynamics.Beth Griffith and Jennie Gage discuss their backgrounds and howtheir upbringing in the Mormon church has shaped their understanding of theRuby Franke case. Jennie, who left the church amidst domestic violencestruggles, and Beth, who turned to true crime content after her volatileupbringing, provide insights into the cultural and doctrinal aspects that mayhave influenced Franke's parenting methods. They emphasize that while Ruby'sactions were extreme, they reflect certain teachings and cultural norms withinthe church.The discussion also covers the specific disciplinary actionstaken by Ruby Franke, such as removing her child's bed and withholding food,and how these practices might be influenced by Mormon teachings on obedienceand discipline. Beth and Jennie delve into the concept of "milk beforemeat" in Mormonism, where members are gradually introduced to deeper,sometimes more radical, doctrines. They argue that Ruby's actions were notisolated incidents but were deeply rooted in her religious beliefs and thepressure to achieve "perfect obedience."Lastly, the podcast touches on the role of mental health andsupport within the Mormon community. Both guests express concern about the lackof adequate mental health resources and the emphasis on religious solutions topersonal struggles. They suggest that Ruby Franke's extreme actions might havebeen exacerbated by a lack of proper mental health support and the intensepressure to conform to religious standards. Overall, this episode of ModernDivorce offers a compelling examination of the Ruby Franke case through thelens of former Mormon members, shedding light on the intricate ties betweenreligion, parenting, and personal well-being.