My Toxic Father and Bahai: Jared Van Driessche’s Survival Story (Part 2)

2026-01-15

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In Part 2 of our conversation with Jared Van Driessche, we go even deeper into what happens when you start questioning the system you were raised in, especially when that system is built on family, faith, and authority. Jared continues to unpack his experience growing up in a high-control religious environment connected to the Bahá’í faith, and how parental power, spiritual obedience, and silence around harm collide in deeply damaging ways.We talk candidly about parental abuse, childhood emotional abuse, and family systems that pro...

We talk candidly about parental abuse, childhood emotional abuse, and family systems that protect belief over safety. Jared shares what it’s like to grow up when religious devotion overrides a child’s basic needs, how teachings were used to justify control and punishment, and the long road to healing after child abuse within his religious family. We also explore the grief, boundary-setting, and courage required to name harm, even when it means questioning a faith tradition you were taught was untouchable.

For more on Jared’s work in protective security, read his book, Public Figures, Private Lives, and follow him on LinkedIn.

Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of parental, child, and emotional abuse and family violence.

Also…let it be known that:

The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.

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CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames

Production Partner: Citizens of Sound

Co-Creator: Jess Tardy

Audio production: Will Retherford