What a great conversation!
Dana brings such wonderful insight into her life experiences. It was a pleasure hearing her fascinating story.
We discuss some difficult, but important topics today. Child abuse, mental illness, substance abuse, abusive relationships and the fixation on sex by male church authorities.
Dana was raised in a evangelical baptist church and home in California. She was homeschooled from Kindergarten though 6th grade and survived child abuse until she left her hometown to pursue academic training for missionary work. She completed several mission trips in preparation for full time ministry before concluding she could not participate in the field. She de-converted from Christianity in her 20’s and began working to help others do the same by hosting a support group in Chicago and being outspoken about her experiences on social media and in an interview with the Chicago Tribune in 2013. Dana has a Biblical Studies degree from New Tribes Bible Institute and a B.A. in Applied Linguistics from Moody Bible Institute. She received her Masters in Special Education from University of Illinois Chicago. She is a political activist in her community and a teacher, tutor and therapist to children with diverse needs. She actively seeks to help abolish white supremacy and misogyny. She is currently writing a book on de-conversion, specifically from the view of intersectional feminism.
@somestarstuff on twitter
dana.m.smith85@gmail.com
029 Vennie Kocsis - Part 1: Cult and Abuse Survivor. The Family Moved to a Compound When She Was a Little Girl. She Witnessed Rituals and Animal Sacrifice. In Her Teen Years Her Family is Banished.
027 David Ames - Part 2: Tells His Christian Wife He's Not a Christian. A History of Doubt. The Basis for Atheist Morality. Forming Community.
027 David Ames - Part 1: Jesus Tells His Mother to Stop Drinking. Her Dramatic Conversion Impacts David. Grace Was Foundational as a Christian. He Became a Youth Minister. He Now Calls Himself the Gr
026 Dr. Irene Haralabatos - Greek Orthodox Father & German Lutheran Mother. She Thought Rationally from a Young Age. She Was Skeptical of Noah's Ark. A Childhood Search for Chocolate Leads to a Discov
025 Gerardo Romero - Part 2: Surprises His Catholic Parents-Tells Them He's Agnostic. They Respond in an Unexpected Way. Catholic Gerardo vs. Skeptic Gerardo. It's Awesome Raising Kids as a Skeptic!
025 Gerardo Romero - Part 1: Raised a Liberal Catholic and Now a Libertarian Atheist. He Discusses His Unique Deconversion Journey and the Changing Religious Landscape of Mexico. He Hosts the Masa Cri
024 Naked Pastor-David Hayward - Part 2: The Perfect Storm Happens. David is Numb After Leaving the Church. Searching for Purpose After Faith. Learning to Have Compassion for Our Former Selves & Other
024 Naked Pastor-David Hayward - Part 1: Drifting in Seminary. A Vineyard Pastor for 30 Yrs. A Dream Brings Clarity. Congregants Stop Supporting Him. He's Done & It's the Perfect Storm.
023 Darren Garvin - Part 2: Atheists & Christians Come Together. Darren Preaches a Sermon as an Atheist! Reaching out to Religious Leaders Changes Him.
023 Darren Garvin - Part 1: Sings in Front of the Church as a Kid, Enjoys His 20's before Committing to Christ, Teaches Sunday School, Feels Ashamed When Doubts Begin, Chooses to NOT Lead Students to
022 Anthos of The Brighter Light Podcast - As a Child Went Door to Door for Jehovah. Disfellowshipped in Adulthood, He Decides to Get His Life Together. Later in Life He Looks Into JW Teachings-It's B
021 Krissy - Part 2: Trust in God. Problems Providing for Her Children. Did She Marry the Wrong Man? Empathy for Others Leads Her to Atheism
021 Krissy - My Wife Shares How She Felt Vulnerable and Lonely in Childhood. She Turned to God to Find Purpose in Her Suffering. She Trusted God in Every Area of Life. She is Now an Atheist
020 Gerardo Rivera - Raised in Puerto Rico by a Jehovah's Witness Father & Catholic Mother. Wafers Turn into God, Questions Begin. High School Teachers Help Organize Worship Activities on Campus. His
019 Sarah Brennan - Part 2: Rebuilding Life After Divorce. Her Mom Reacts to the News. Goes Before a Panel of Pastors & Uses the Bible to Argue in Favor of Being Gay
019 Sarah Brennan - Part 1: Aware She Was Gay Since Childhood. Grew to Hate it & Planned to Live Straight. Marries a Man, But Later Encouraged By Her Dad & Best Friend to Embrace Her True Self. She Le
018 Stephen Barry - Part 2: Frustration with God Grows, Praying His Last Prayer, Coming Out, Owning Your Truth.
018 Stephen Barry - Part 1: Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Growing Up, Homeschooled in a Military Family. His Parents Divorced When He Was a Child. After attending a SDA College, He Decides to Run Away.
017 Steve - Part 2: Re-Thinking the Bible, My Denial Ends & Crisis Begins. I Tell My Devout Christian Mother I'm An Atheist
017 Steve - Part 1: Childhood Dreams Fade, Trust in God Deepens. Life-Altering Decisions Are Made, Then Later Challenged
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