Escaping Cults with The Glory Whole

What Lies Buried

Join host Karly Latham in this compelling episode of "What Lies Buried," where we delve into the real and raw stories of emotional abuse survivors. This week, Karly welcomes Melissa Doogie Spires, a former Seventh-day Adventist, who shares her journey of leaving the church and dealing with the long-lasting effects of religious control.

Melissa recounts her experiences growing up in a high-demand religion, the church's imposed behavioral controls, and her challenges in breaking free. Together, Karly and Melissa explore the striking similarities between Seventh-day Adventists and Mormons, highlighting the mind control and social pressures that shape their followers' lives.

As they discuss the parallels between religious indoctrination and emotional abuse, listeners will gain insights into the struggles of deconstructing one's faith and rebuilding a life of personal empowerment. This episode sheds light on the hidden truths of religious control and offers a safe space for survivors to share their stories.

Don't miss this eye-opening conversation, which will uncover the truth buried beneath the lies and inspire a path toward healing and self-discovery.

Stay involved with Melissa's advocacy efforts: https://www.instagram.com/the.glory.whole/

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please seek help:

https://www.thehotline.org/

Please subscribe to get a new episode every Thursday and uncover the stories that need to be told.

If you would like to be involved with the show as a guest, please schedule with this link: https://calendly.com/thevillagetarotwitch/what-lies-buried-podcast-interview?preview_source=et_card&month=2024-10

For in-depth articles on emotional abuse and mental health, https://medium.com/@karly-latham

00:00 Introduction to What Lies Buried 01:21 Exploring Religious Abuse 01:42 Guest Introduction: Melissa Doogie Spires 02:02 Leaving the Church: Personal Experiences 02:40 Behavioral Controls in Religious Upbringings 04:25 Comparing Mormonism and Seventh-day Adventism 04:46 The Origins and History of Seventh-day Adventism 09:09 The Impact of Dietary Rules and Lifestyle Controls 11:53 Navigating Life Outside the Church 23:43 The Role of Women in High-Demand Religions 39:22 Navigating Family Discomfort with PTSD 40:38 Exploring Financial Abuse and Cognitive Dissonance 42:08 Impact of Religious Upbringing on Emotional Expression 43:14 Struggles with Eating Disorders and Seeking Help 44:28 Normalizing Toxic Relationships 46:48 The Pressure to Maintain a Perfect Appearance 50:59 Exhaustion as a Control Tactic in Religion and Relationships 53:10 Escaping and Deconstructing Abusive Relationships 01:07:24 Writing and Sharing Stories of Religious Trauma 01:15:08 Conclusion and Call to Action