PODCAST · society
The Plain People's Podcast
by The Plain People's Podcast
Underbelly survivor stories of abuse, struggle, and triumph told by Amish, Mennonite, and Anabaptist current and former members.
Episodes
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Meet Tamara Part Two
In part two of this powerful conversation, Tamera continues sharing her story of being brought into the Grandin, Missouri Nationwide Mennonite church and learning to survive within a high-control religious environment she did not choose. We explore coercive control, belonging, faith, gender…
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Meet Tamara
This week, we're shifting locations and perspective. Instead of Ohio, we're heading to Missouri, where I sit down with a former member of the Grandin church. Raised by a single mother, she shares her story of being brought into the church as a young girl—navigating a world she didn't choose, and...
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law enforcement weigh in on the amish restoration team
Picking back up where we left off in the last recording, I sat down with a law enforcement officer out of Ohio to hear his perspective on The Amish Restoration Team. You'll hear his real-time reactions to the answers the RT has been giving Amish women within their communities—and what that…
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The Amish Restoration Team
Last year, over 300 abuse cases were documented by what is known as the "Restoration Team" in Holmes and Wayne County, Ohio. Fewer than 10 of those cases ever made it to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. So what's happening in between? In this episode, Jasper brings you into the beginning of her...
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Meet K
In this episode of The Plain People's Podcast, we continue our look into Amish and Mennonite mental health systems—specifically, what are known as "the facilities," or residential treatment centers for those struggling within plain communities. This episode focuses on Hoffnung Heim, a facility...
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People Helpers and Plain Run Facilities
For years, Mennonite and Amish women have quietly spoken about "the facilities" — residential programs where church members are sent for restoration, discipline, or mental health support. But what exactly are these places? In this episode of The Plain People's Podcast, Jasper Hoffman begins...
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Why is Amish Crime Happening?
For years, conversations about abuse in Amish and other plain communities began with denial. Survivors, advocates, and researchers were forced to answer the same basic question again and again: is abuse actually happening? But something has shifted. In this episode, Jasper shares recordings that...
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WE ARE SO BACK
The Ruth Miller trial begins in Ohio this week, and I'm heading there for full bench trial coverage. Before we get into courtroom testimony, this episode lays some groundwork — the work happening quietly inside Amish and Mennonite (Plain) communities, the barriers women face when trying to seek...
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The Liberty Ridge Lawsuit
Renee Franchi and Nathanial Foote from Andreozzi & Foote are currently representing two former Mennonite men suing the Eastern PA Mennonite Church, Martin Nelson doing business as Liberty Ridge Farm. Together they sit down with Jasper to discuss labor trafficking, the Liberty Ridge case and how...
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Breaking Amish with Dawn Martin
From Groffdale Conference Mennonite to Black Bumper (Horning) to Breaking Amish season 5, Dawn has been on a momentous journey. We were fortunate to sit down and spend some time talking about what is real in the process of shooting reality tv and find out where she is today.
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Behind Blue Curtains with Lizzie Hershberger
Lizzie Hershberger is a former Swartzentruber Amish member , which is largest and most conservative subgroups of Old Order Amish. Her recent memoir titled Behind Blue Curtains was published this spring and she sits down with us to talk about what it is like to write, and walk within, your trauma...
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Deb's Story, Pt 2
Last week we introduced you to the incredible Deb....also known as Moxie. This week we pick back up in the story and learn how Deb hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and the fierce tenacity that drove her to finish.
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Deb's Story, Part 1
Deb, who fondly goes by Moxie, grew up in the Beachy Amish church, but never quite fit in. In this two part story series, she opens up about her great adventure of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, and who she became along the way. All music featured in these episodes are played for you by Deb.
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A Grooming Case with Stephanie Krehbiel
In February of this year Mennonite Abuse Prevention published an investigation into the ''ministerial sexual misconduct" of co-pastor at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, Tom Harder. Dr. Stephanie Krehbiel, executive director of IntoAccount.org prepared the analysis for MAP's post, and spoke with...
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I Was Never A Good Girl with Anna Mae
Following along from last week's conversation with Anna Mae, she and Jasper talk more about what it's like to be labeled a bad girl by the church, as well as the differences between their own church upbringings as ex-Amish and ex-Mennonite.
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Therapy, Trauma and Thriving with Anna Mae and Chris Hancock
Anna Mae grew up within the Old Order Amish community, where therapy was not even a concept. After leaving the church and wrestling with depression, she decided to Google for the "best therapist in Nashville", which lead her to Chris Hancock, LCSW, ACMHP. As the owner of Therapy Outside The Box,...
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But I Must Go.... Austin's Story
"This is where I spent most of my Sundays the past three years. This was my home. And I fully believed that I had to be here or I would go to hell. It was beautiful. It was spiritual. It was also misery. It was repressive. It was legalistic. And I am so proud to say that I am free now. Free to be...
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Gaslighter, Gaslighter, Send Audrey On Over
In early 2019, shortly after sharing what we then believed to be the entirely of Audrey's horrific abuse story, the floodgates opened when it was discovered that her ex husband had brutally sexually assaulted her children for years. Through yet another battle of unbelievable odds, Audrey was back...
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Wife Swapping, A Marital Pastime with DeLite
Tighten your Hushpuppies and lay out the Sunday Pfaltzgraft, because we are back with a bang for our first episode of Season Five. DeLite sits down with Jasper and Marc and opens a can of worms by sharing her first hand experience with "wife swapping".... better known as non consensual swinging....
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Meet Laura, Pt 2
Laura shares her experience adjusting to life outside of her family and where she is today.
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Meet Laura, Pt 1
Laura is a therapist specializing in trauma therapy that is inspired from her time within an independent Mennonite church. In this episode we discuss her family's struggle with mental health while fitting into the plain culture.
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Meet Michelle, Pt 2
Michelle shares her experience within the strict Elmo Stoll community, the struggles with a mentally ill father, spousal rape and life after the church.
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Meet Michelle, Pt 1
Michelle found herself at a young age suddenly joining into a Hutterite community when her parents decided to for-go the quiet suburban lifestyle. Not satisfied with the community, her family then continued to pursue various cults, finally ending up at the Elmo Stoll community in Cookeville, Tn.
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Meet Josh Pt 2
We pick up with Josh explaining the details behind the Mennonite and Amish facility, Fresh Start and find out where he is today.
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Meet Josh, Pt 1
Adopted into a Mennonite family after years in the foster care system, Josh shares his story of growing up and becoming a counselor at a men's facility known as Fresh Start in Indiana.
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Meet Misty Pt 2
Misty Griffin made national news in 2019 when her story of survival went viral. Her memoir, Tears of the Silenced, opens readers eyes to the amount of betrayal and abuse Misty and her sister endured at the hands of those who should have protected them. You can find Misty's book at...
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Meet Misty, Pt 1
Misty Griffin made national news in 2019 when her story of survival went viral. Her memoir, Tears of the Silenced, opens readers eyes to the amount of betrayal and abuse Misty and her sister endured at the hands of those who should have protected them. You can find Misty's book at...
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Meet Clara and Jimmy Pt 2
In 2011 Clara and Jimmy Hinton were struck with life altering news when they discovered Clara's husband and Jimmy's father was accused of sexually abusing two of Jimmy's sisters. Shockingly, this pastor later admitted to assaulting more than 20 children and is now serving life in prison - after…
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Meet Clara & Jimmy
In 2011 Clara and Jimmy Hinton were struck with life altering news when they discovered Clara's husband and Jimmy's father was accused of sexually abusing two of Jimmy's sisters. Shockingly, this pastor later admitted to assaulting more than 20 children and is now serving life in prison - after…
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Meet Peter Pt2
We pick back up with Peter and he discusses where he is today after leaving the Mennonite Church. Connect with us: [email protected] Facebook: The Plain People's Podcast Instagram: The Plain People's Podcast Support us: patreon.com/theplainpeoplespodcast
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Meet Peter, Pt 1
Peter is a former illustrator for Rod and Staff Publishing Co based out of Crockett KY. From non-Mennonite background origins, Peter shares his stories of finding difficulty conforming as his interests were not aligned with most Mennonite young men. Peter's illustrations touched almost every...
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Meet Elam Pt 2
We pick up with Elam Zook and discuss the bigger questions of how we can create change within the churches.
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Meet Elam Pt 1
Has recent Amish history created Amish identity, and is it closely tied to an extreme privilege bestowed on them by the US government? Elam opens up about engagement within the culture, or lack thereof.
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Meet Oriana
In this episode Oriana opens up about her family's trek from California and the cults they were in, to the Charity Christian Fellowship Church in PA.
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Meet Michele, Pt 2
We pick up with Michele, a former Mennonite woman and hear how her family is divided today.
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Meet Michele, Pt 1
You can't spell piety without pie, and in this episode Michele opens up about her metamorphosis from being a homeschool mother into a member of the Nationwide Mennonite Church in northern CA.
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Wisconsin v Yoder, Pt 2
Torah Bontrager from the Amish Heritage Foundation sits down with Jasper and discusses the need for overturning Wisconsin V. Yoder to bring a fair education to The Plain People. Ways to donate and help: www.amishheritage.org Support us: patreon.com/theplainpeoplespodcast Connect:...
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Wisconsin V. Yoder with Torah B.
Torah Bontrager from the Amish Heritage Foundation sits down with Jasper and discusses the need for overturning Wisconsin V. Yoder to bring a fair education to The Plain People. Ways to donate and help: www.amishheritage.org Support us: patreon.com/theplainpeoplespodcast Connect:...
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Meet Harvey Pt2
Harvey shares with us a family secret in hopes of someone being able to help. Support Us: patreon.com/theplainpeoplespodcast Connect: [email protected] FB: The Plain Peoples Podcast IG: The Plain Peoples Podcast
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Meet Harvey, Pt 1
We sit down with Harvey in this series and talk candidly about his struggle as a missionary child in the jungles of Paraguay, and adaptation to "regular" life. Support us: patreon.com/theplainpeoplespodcast Connect: [email protected] FB: The Plain People's Podcast IG: The Plain...
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Meet James
James grew up Old Order Amish in the state of Michigan, and the youngest of his family. We sit down and talk about his path from growing up Amish and gay, and where James is at today. SUPPORT US: patreon.com/theplainpeoplespodcast CONNECT WITH US: FACEBOOK: The Plain People's Podcast INSTAGRAM…
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Sexual Abuse in Haiti: A Conversation with Hope Anne
We sat down with Hope Anne Dueck, co-founder of A Better Way Organization, to discuss Christian Aid Ministries and the Jeriah Mast sexual abuse case. CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK: The Plain People's Podcast CONNECT WITH US ON INSTAGRAM: The Plain People's Podcast SUPPORT US ON PATREON:...
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Sexual Abuse in Haiti: A Conversation with Hope Anne
We sat down with Hope Anne Dueck, co-founder of A Better Way Organization, to discuss Christian Aid Ministries and the Jeriah Mast sexual abuse case. CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK: The Plain People's Podcast CONNECT WITH US ON INSTAGRAM: The Plain People's Podcast SUPPORT US ON PATREON:...
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Meet Nikki
After experiencing a deep loss at a young age, Nikki went on to hide her sexuality as a teenager, struggling to make sense of who she was. Raised in a conservative Christian home, Nikki discusses how she kept her faith while embracing who she is. CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK: The Plain People's...
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Meet Kenneth, Pt 3
In our final installment of Kenneth's story, we discuss his journey from Amish to Atheism and his reflections on his path to where he is now today. Music credits belong to Dan Barker
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Meet Kenneth, Part 2
Let's talk about sex, baby! Part 2 picks up and we dive into the taboo topic of sex outside of procreation purposes and the ultimate price Kenneth paid for curiosity.
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Meet Kenneth, Pt 1
Part 1 of a 3 part series, Kenneth shares his experience of attending various plain churches, from Holdeman to the Tennessee sects, ultimately leading him to a horse and buggy lifestyle.
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Meet Joel, Pt 2
Joel grew up under the teachings of Bill Gothard known as the Institute of Basic Life Principles. Hear how those teachings have had a lingering effect on his life today.
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Meet Joel, Pt 1
This episode we discuss Bill Gothard's basic life principles teachings and how the effects of this upbringing have changed Joel's personal and professional life.
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Meet Lori, Pt 2
We pick back up with in Illinois where Lori shares her experiences after being institutionalized. Sadly, abuse was still in her future and we discuss her current state of mind after finally sharing her story.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Plain People's Podcast have?
The Plain People's Podcast currently has 73 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Plain People's Podcast about?
Underbelly survivor stories of abuse, struggle, and triumph told by Amish, Mennonite, and Anabaptist current and former members.
How often does The Plain People's Podcast release new episodes?
The Plain People's Podcast has 73 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Plain People's Podcast?
You can listen to The Plain People's Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Plain People's Podcast?
The Plain People's Podcast is created and hosted by The Plain People's Podcast.
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