x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Beyond The Surface

Samantha Sellers

Welcome to Beyond the Surface, where being seen means being understood. Here, we explore the ups and downs of exploring and sometimes losing faith and community, and the healing power of shared stories. This is a safe space to connect, share, and find support in our common experiences of religious trauma and leaving fundamental communities. Join us as we build a community of understanding and connection. Host - Sam Sellers; Therapist specialising in Religious Trauma and the Queer

society & culture personal journals

All Episodes

01:19:32

The Sufi Cult Survivor

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/09/03

T shares their powerful story of spending over two decades in a coercive Sufi group and what it meant to finally walk away. We talk about the search for belonging that can draw people into high-control spaces, the manipulation and fear that keep them there, and the emotional cost of suppressing identity for the sake of faith.T reflects on cultic vows, spiritual betrayal, and the resilience it took to reclaim their truth and embracing their sexuality during the pandemic and navigating today’s hostile

en

01:05:38

The One Who Divorced Religion

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/08/27

Janice shares her story of growing up in religion, specifically a Pentecostal family in Canada, where vibrant expressions of faith like speaking in tongues were part of daily life. Raised by parents transformed by their beliefs, she navigated the tension between familial love, purity culture, and the pull of individual identity, a journey that would eventually inspire her to write Divorcing Religion. Janice reflects on pivotal moments, from high school relationships that sparked a crisis of faith to

en

55:11

The One Saved So Hard She Needed Therapy

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/08/20

In this episode, I sit down with Elise as she reflects on her experience growing up in a Pentecostal mega-church and the long, layered process of leaving a high-control religious community. She shares how fear and obedience were embedded in her early beliefs, and how that shaped her sense of self for years. As we talk through the pivotal moments that led to her deconstruction, Elise opens up about the inner conflict, grief, and eventual freedom that came with walking away from faith. We also explore

en

01:13:14

The One Moving From Shame To Self-Compassion

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/08/13

In this deeply moving episode, Erica shares her story of growing up in a religious household in Canada and then moving to Australia, a childhood shaped by fear, guilt, and shame. Her reflections offer insight into the painful journey of untangling self-worth from the expectations of family and faith. We talk about what it means to deconstruct beliefs that were never truly yours, the shame that purity culture breeds, and the disconnection from one’s own body and desires that can follow.Erica’s

en

01:28:48

The One Who Went From Mormonism To Writing Spicy Novels

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/08/06

Growing up in the Mormon church, Daisy was expected to follow the rules - and bring her siblings back into the fold. But beneath the surface of religious rituals and gender expectations was a deeper struggle with mental health, body image, and the pressure to be the “good girl.” In this episode, Daisy opens up about the impact of purity culture, the silence around emotional wellbeing, and the loneliness of living in a community that misreads pain as a spiritual flaw.Her story explores what happens

en

01:44:37

The One Who Went From Liberty To Liberation

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/07/30

Luke grew up as the youngest of five, navigating family dynamics and a complicated relationship with faith. His journey from rural Canada to a deeply evangelical college in the U.S. brought him face-to-face with teachings that clashed with his emerging queer identity. In this episode, Luke shares candid reflections on conversion therapy, the pressures of purity culture, and the emotional toll of trying to conform in high-control religious spaces.Through humour, honesty, and vulnerability, Luke tells

en

01:24:22

The One Who Challenged Purity Culture & Reclaimed...

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/07/23

This episode shares the powerful story of Grace, whose journey through religious trauma and identity is deeply intertwined with her experience of asexuality. Raised in a strict Calvinistic Baptist church, Grace was taught doctrines like total depravity and original sin, which left her believing she was fundamentally broken. These messages shaped her early understanding of self-worth, shame, and sexuality.Her story is a reminder of how difficult it can be to explore identity when your framework for

en

01:00:07

The One Raised In A Non-Traditional Southern Baptist...

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/07/16

In this episode, Michelle shares her story of growing up in a non-traditional Southern Baptist environment and how it shaped her sense of self. While her experience didn’t always match mainstream ideas of Southern Baptism, it still carried its own form of control and complexity. Through honest conversation, we explore how religious identity can look different for everyone and how stepping away from it can open the door to deeper self-understanding. This episode is a reminder that faith journeys are

en

01:19:20

The One Who Chose Holy Disobedience

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/07/09

This podcast episode delves into the complex journey of Melissa leaving the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church, who shares her personal narrative of deconstruction and recovery from high-control religious frameworks. We examine the intricate layers of her upbringing, including the strictures imposed by the church that shaped her identity and relationships. Throughout, we explore the psychological ramifications of such a rigid belief system, particularly how it influences one's autonomy and

en

01:16:51

The Ex-Mormon Stripper

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/07/02

This episode dives into the powerful story of a former Mormon who shares her journey from being a devoted member of the church to reclaiming her autonomy and identity.Elayna opens up about growing up in a tight-knit Mormon community, where strict rules around purity and behaviour made her feel isolated and controlled. She talks honestly about the fear, guilt, and loneliness she carried as a child, and how those feelings eventually pushed her to question and leave her faith.A really eye-opening part

en

01:07:03

The One Who Went From Conservative To Contemplative

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/06/25

In this episode, we hear Joel’s story of growing up queer within the weight of conservative evangelical beliefs while slowly finding refuge in contemplative forms of Christianity. He shares his journey from internal conflict and suppression to a life where both his faith and sexuality are fully embraced. We talk about the emotional and mental toll of hiding parts of yourself, the challenges of coming out in religious spaces, and the quiet power of being known. Joel’s reflections on authenticity,

en

01:30:08

The One Healing From Spiritual Abuse

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/06/18

Spiritual abuse is at the heart of this episode, as Tyler shares his powerful story of leaving a high-control evangelical ministry and the emotional fallout that followed. Raised in a conservative Christian environment, Tyler opens up about the deep impact of excommunication, shame, and the pressure to conform, especially as he began to embrace his queer identity. We dive into the complex layers of faith, sexuality, and recovery, exploring how authoritarian leadership and love bombing shaped his

en

01:10:32

The One Navigating The Intersection Of Faith,...

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/06/11

In a compelling and heartfelt discussion, the podcast explores the challenges of navigating faith alongside the complexities of queerness and personal identity. The conversation centres around Steff’s life experiences, marked by the duality of their upbringing in a conservative religious setting and their exploration of their queer identity. We unpack the societal pressures and inner conflicts that can arise when someone begins to question long-held norms, especially within faith communities. Steff

en

01:39:37

The One Who Stumbled Out Of Evangelicalism

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/06/04

In this episode, Brandon shares his experience of coming out of evangelicalism and navigating the complex intersections of faith, identity, and queerness. Raised in a non-denominational charismatic church, Brandon reflects on how that environment shaped his worldview and the deep tension he felt trying to reconcile his sexuality with what he was taught. We talk about the grief of coming out, the pain of rejection from family and community, and the long, messy process of reclaiming autonomy. This

en

01:08:36

The One Who Walked The Tightrope Of Belief And...

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/05/28

Josie’s journey from devout Anglican to questioning her faith is one of courage and introspection, a path familiar to many who’ve walked the tightrope between belief and doubt. Embraced by the Church at just 10 years old, her decades-long relationship with faith shaped her identity in profound ways. In this episode, Josie opens up about navigating evangelism, rigid gender roles during her college years, and the inner conflict between personal desires and religious conditioning. We also explore the

en

01:11:13

The One Who Went From Mormonism To Polyamory

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/05/21

AJ was just 15 when she was drawn into Mormonism, pulled in by the love-bombing and sense of belonging it offered. In this episode of Beyond the Surface, she shares what it was like to join the Church from a secular background, navigate strict rules and rituals through her teen years, and eventually face the slow, painful process of questioning everything. From avoiding certain rites as a “convert” to the metaphorical shelf of doubts finally breaking, AJ’s story is one of deep emotional complexity

en

01:29:50

The One Who Went From Conservative Baptist To...

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/05/14

Colby, a pastor, and author of Unclobber shares his journey of deconstructing his faith, particularly around LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church. Growing up in a conservative Baptist environment, he reflects on how deeply ingrained beliefs of exclusion shaped his views, and how he came to see the Bible’s so-called “clobber passages” as a message of love and acceptance. Colby discusses the challenges of reconciling his upbringing with his new affirming beliefs, emphasising the importance of staying true

en

01:10:16

Bonus - Deconstructing Monogamy & Exploring Polyamory...

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/05/11

This podcast episode delves into the intricate topic of deconstructing monogamy, wherein we engage in a profound exploration of diverse relationship structures. Our conversation centres on the societal norms surrounding monogamy, particularly within high-control faith contexts, and the implications these norms have on individual identity and relational dynamics. The episode not only illuminates the challenges faced by individuals questioning traditional relationship models but also highlights the

en

01:18:32

The One Who Chose Freedom Over Certainty

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/05/07

In this episode, Emily opens up about growing up in a high-control religious environment and the emotional toll it took on her sense of self. She reflects on how the rigid beliefs of her faith once felt grounding but eventually left her feeling anxious, stifled, and disconnected from her own identity. Her story captures the often messy and deeply personal journey of deconstructing long-held beliefs in search of freedom and authenticity.As we chat, Emily speaks to the power of community in healing,

en

01:18:15

The Ex-JW Creative

Beyond The Surface ·

2025/04/30

Ex-Jehovah’s Witness, musician, and filmmaker Scott takes us on a powerful journey of identity, creativity, and liberation. Growing up in a high-control religious environment, Scott found freedom through music, filmmaking, and ultimately, the act of walking away. His documentary Witness Underground is a moving tribute to artists who, like him, broke free from religious constraints and reclaimed their voices.In this episode, we explore the emotional cost of leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the

en

113 results

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger