Surviving the Black Church Podcast

What do you do when the family that introduced you to God is the same family that caused your deepest wounds? And what does faith look like when the trauma is that close to home?In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Carolyn J. Murphy — survivor, Mindshift Coach, and Founder of Firm Foundations Community Outreach, LLC — for an honest conversation about holding onto faith after familial trauma. Carolyn's journey from wounded to whole inspired her book God, Why Did You Save Me? and a mission to help others unshackle from their past and step into freedom.This one is for anyone still carrying wounds from the family they were born into — and still reaching for faith anyway.Surviving the Black Church — because your story doesn't end there.

What does spirituality look like for Black people on the other side of religious trauma? And what happens when the tools that bring you healing are the same ones the church told you to fear?In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Brooke "Bee" Sanders — intuitive reader, self-published author, and Black empowerment advocate — for a real conversation about reclaiming your spiritual life outside of institutional religion. Drawing on Tarot, Dream Interpretation, and Ancestral Channeling, Brooke has helped countless people reconnect with themselves and their ancestors after the church told them that door was closed.This one is for the spiritually curious, the religiously wounded, and everyone still figuring out what healing looks like on their own terms.Surviving the Black Church — because your story doesn't end there.

What does Black religious trauma actually cost us — mentally, emotionally, spiritually? And what happens when a Black psychiatrist who studies race-based trauma turns her clinical eye toward the Black church?In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Isom, MD, MPH — board-certified psychiatrist, racial justice advocate, and founder of Vision for Equity LLC — for an honest, clinical conversation about the psychological toll of Black church culture, the failure of Black leadership, and what healing actually requires.This one is for the survivors, the still-questioning, and everyone who deserves a name for what happened to them.Surviving the Black Church — because your story doesn't end there.

The Black church has long been the heartbeat of Black community life. But what happens when the institution built to protect and uplift becomes a source of harm — and what responsibility do Black leaders carry when the community is watching?This week, hosts of Surviving the Black Church sit down with Rev. Dr. Darrell D. Cummings, presiding bishop of The Vine Covenant Ministerial Fellowship, for an honest conversation about Black church culture, Black leadership, and the community it was always meant to serve. Dr. Cummings speaks candidly about prophetic leadership, accountability in faith spaces, and what it means to build something new when old structures fail the people inside them.This episode is for the survivors, the disillusioned, and everyone still figuring out what faith looks like on the other side of hurt.

SummaryThe Surviving the Black Church Podcast sheds light on religious trauma and dismantles oppressive systems within the Black Church. The urgency of the conversation is highlighted by the personal experiences of the hosts and the need to address the impact of Christian nationalism. The historical origins of Christian nationalism are explored, tracing back to the Roman Empire, colonialism, and the Puritans, and its impact on American society is discussed in detail. The conversation delves into the impetus of separation of church and state, the characteristics and traits of Christian nationalism, the Seven Mountain Mandate, and the impact of Christian nationalism on society. It explores the historical threads weaving into present-day reality and the dangerous ideologies that undermine pluralism and threaten democracy. The conversation delves into the impact of Christian nationalism on the Black church, highlighting the historical significance and the tension within the relationship. It also explores the recruitment of Black church leaders by Christian nationalists, shedding light on the intersectionality between the two and the historical context of this alliance.Takeaways* Religious trauma and Christian nationalism* The historical origins of Christian nationalism Separation of church and state* Christian nationalism and its impact on society Impact of Christian Nationalism on the Black Church* Recruitment of Black Church Leaders by Christian NationalistsChapters* 00:00 Introduction to Surviving the Black Church Podcast* 04:57 The Origins of Christian Nationalism* 31:56 The Impetus of Separation of Church and State* 39:48 The Seven Mountain Mandate* 59:39 Impact of Christian Nationalism on Society* 01:06:43 The Impact of Christian Nationalism on the Black Church

Most Black folks have unknowingly been caught in a generational trauma bond with Christian nationalism—an invisible leash rooted in centuries of systemic oppression. But what if understanding its origins could free us from its grip? This powerful episode dives deep into how faith, history, and politics intertwine to shape the ongoing trauma within our communities and explores concrete pathways to healing and liberation.You'll discover how Christian nationalism became a tool of control starting from slavery, how it fostered a psychological and spiritual dependency, and why this trauma bond persists today in our churches, politics, and collective psyche. Nikki G. and Jonathon unpack the insidious ways this alliance has redefined faith—using scripture as a weapon, promoting respectability politics, and diverting our focus from systemic justice to individual salvation. They break down the history of religious manipulation from the plantation era, through Jim Crow, to modern political movements, revealing how these forces have suppressed our collective voice and perpetuated inequality.We explore the duality of the Black church as both a sanctuary of resilience and a perpetuator of trauma—shaped by idealized narratives of obedience and survival. Understand the psychological toll of linking faith with oppression, from internalized shame to addiction, and learn how to recognize the signs of this toxic attachment. Most importantly, this episode provides practical tools to untangle this deeply embedded trauma bond: reclaim your spirituality, challenge harmful ideologies, and foster a community rooted in justice, love, and self-care.This is essential listening for Black individuals craving liberation, faith leaders seeking to heal their communities, and anyone committed to truth and transformation. By confronting the roots of our pain, we can break free from the cycles of control and step into a future where faith uplifts and empowers—not oppresses. Join the conversation—because healing begins when we finally see the full picture. Reclaim your power, restore your faith, and rewrite the story of our collective freedom.

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh and Nikki are Recapping Season 1!This episode will conclude the first season of Surviving the Black Church Podcast.The crew discusses how the topics from season one has personally impacted them and we also give a big shout out to the listeners both domestic and international!Please join us for the season finale of Surviving the Black Church Podcast!If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our private Facebook group -https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch To stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D  Also follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurc

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh and Nikki embark on a journey of navigating through a very monumental topic within our community - Mental Health Stigma & The Black ChurchThis topic is so vast and so needed within our communities that the crew took a shot at covering some important themes that are necessary when discussing the state of our mental health.All of the information shared in this episode is so relevant that we decided to keep it as a whole episode. It is our longest episode to date!We encourage you to pause and reflect as much as possible as you navigate through this challenging topic with us.It is also our hope that this episode would encourage many within our community to take action to improve the quality of their mental health.Please join us now for this important discussion - Mental Health Stigma & The Black Church.If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our private Facebook group -https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch To stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D  Also follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki discuss "Coping mechanisms after religious trauma".The crew delves into what maladaptive and adaptive coping mechanisms look like within the Black Church after experiencing religious abuse and trauma.Please join us for this important discussion!If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our private Facebook group -https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch To stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D  Also follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki continue the conversation - Has religious abuse become the norm within the Black Church? - Part 2The normalization of religious abuse is insidious at it's core and many are suffering in silence and fear being ostracized if they speak up.This episode goes deeper and highlights an overlooked population of religious abuse survivors within the black community - adolescents. We discuss how religious abuse has impacted then and difficult it is for them to navigate the traumatic effects.This episode also discusses the negative effects of religious abuse on a survivor.Please join us for the remaining portion of "Has religious abuse become the norm within the Black Church? - Part 2If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our private Facebook group -https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch To stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D  Also follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki reveal one of their most important episodes yet! The episode is entitled "Has religious abuse become the norm within the Black Church - Part 1"?In this episode the crew doesn't hold back their sentiments regarding the normalization of abuse and religious abuse within our community and the Black Church at large.Normalization of religious abuse is insidious at it's core and many are suffering in silence and fear being ostracized if they speak up.This episode sounds the alarm on how religious abuse has become the norm  and how it has negatively impacted survivors.Please join us for this very important discussion! Stay tuned for the continuation of this topic next week!If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our private Facebook group -https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch To stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D  Also follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki continue the conversation of Similarities of Narcissistic Families and Narcissistic Religious Leaders.The crew goes even deeper, describing what narcissism looks like when it manifests in the church system.The various roles within a narcissistic family system are expounded on and we take a deeper look at how those roles compare to various roles within the Black Church.Check out the remaining portion of the topic Similarities of Narcissistic Families and Narcissistic Religious Leaders.If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our private Facebook group -https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurchTo stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3DAlso follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki discuss the "Similarities of Narcissistic Families and Narcissistic Religious Leaders Part 1"The crew delves into what a Narcissistic Family System looks like and sheds light on how Narcissistic Religious Leaders lead their churches in similar fashion. The SBC Podcast also elaborated on the impact of being in relationship with a Narcissistic Religious Leader and this type of Family System as a whole.You don't want to miss the first part of "Similarities of Narcissistic Families and Narcissistic Religious Leaders Part 1". Stay tuned for next week's episode where we continue the conversation and discuss the specific roles within the Narcissistic Family System and what those roles look like manifesting within the Black Church.If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch/To stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch?igshid=MjkzY2Y1YTY=Also follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki breakdown the characteristics of abusive religious leaders within the Black Church.The crew not only discussed these characteristics but also some of the things that attracted them to religious abusive leaders and their churches.Some of the topics that are covered on this week's episode include:-The love-bombing and discarding phase - Respectability and playing nice-Learning to recognize abusive religious leader's patterns of behavior-Tips on how to move forward after these experiences with abusive leadershipGet ready to dive into today's discussion! Don't forget to like, share & subscribe to our podcast!If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurchTo stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Also, follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church, Jonathon, Hugh, & Nikki dig deeper into the continuation of Church Hurt vs Religious Trauma conversation.This episode is packed with great dialogue around themes such as abuse vs denial, defying the lie, coming to terms with the truth, religious trauma and Black grief, tips for moving forward with this new awareness and so much more!You don't want to miss the final portion of the Church Hurt vs Religious Trauma. So, come hang out with the Surviving the Black Church crew and dive in to the conversation with us!Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to our Podcast!If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to follow us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch/membersTo stay up to date with our Podcast and more resources pertaining to religious trauma within the Black Church, follow us on Instagram -https://instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Also, follow us on Twitter- @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki discuss a very important topic - Church Hurt vs Religious Trauma Part 1.Within the Black Church community, the phrase "Church Hurt" is often associated with spiritual abuse and traumatic events experienced by a survivor within the church."Church Hurt" is often used interchangeably with religious trauma or spiritual abuse. On this week's episode, the Surviving the Black Church Crew makes a clear distinction that "Church Hurt" is not the same thing as religious trauma.Is this something that you've wondered about? Have you had trouble determining if what you are experiencing may actually be religious trauma within the Black Church or church at large?If so, you don't want to miss this week's episode! It's packed with great conversation and validation for survivors who have been on this journey alone. Stay tuned for part 2 next week!Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast!Books: https://www.joydegruy.com/product-page/copy-of-post-traumatic-slave-syndrome-softcoverIf you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel, free to follow us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurchTo stay up to date with our podcast and more resources pertaining to the Black Church, follow us on instagram - https://instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch?igshid=MjkzY2Y1YTY=Also, follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church podcast, Jonathon, Hugh and Nikki, continued the conversation from last week - "Let's talk about Religious Trauma - Part 1".In part 2, we began an in-depth conversation describing what religious abuse and Religious trauma looks like. We also identified symptoms of trauma and soul loss within ourselves, as well as the short and long term effects of Religious Trauma.Most importantly, we encouraged and uplifted survivors of the Black Church recovering from Religious abuse and trauma.Please join us for the continuation of this important conversation "Let's talk about Religious Trauma - Part 2".Don't forget to like, share and subscribe to our Podcast!If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to follow us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch.To stay up to date with our Podcast follow us on - https://instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Also, Follow us on Twitter - @survivingtheblackchurch

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church podcast, entitled "Let's talk about religious trauma - Part 1", we begin to tackle this very complex subject.We discuss the positive and negative impact that religion can have on our lives. We also discuss the strong religious and Christian orientation that many in the Black Community hold.We get personal on what it's like to become aware of religious abuse and trauma within the Black Church.  We also take a deep dive on confronting various lies that hinder our ability to become aware of religious trauma within the Black Church.All of this and so much more is covered in part 1 of "Let's talk about religious trauma".Tune in to episode 1 and stay tuned for part  2 next week!Like, Share and Subscribe to our Podcast!Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/groups/survivingtheblackchurch/Follow us on https://instagram.com/survivingtheblackchurch?igshid=MjkzY2Y1YTY=Follow us on Twitter: @survivingtheblackchurch

In this week’s episode, we are introducing The Surviving the Black Church Podcast. We discussed the importance of bringing awareness to issues occurring in Black churches. We also talked about why we decided to create a podcast of this nature.  Tune in to our first episode and learn more about the content of our future episodes.Like, Share, and Subscribe to our PodcastFollow us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram: @survivingtheblackchurchFollow us on Twitter: @survivingtheblackchurch