The Bodies Behind the Bus is a podcast centering on the voices of spiritual abuse survivors. We began with stories out of the Acts 29 network and have branched into many organizations since our launch. We are the discarded few. We have been abused, gaslit, ignored, slandered, deceived, intentionally hurt, and betrayed. Our stories were manipulated and our voices were stolen. We were left alone with all the confusion, grief, hurt, and pain but today we begin to reclaim our stories and find ou ...
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Bodies Behind The Bus Podcasts
Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives, thematic series, and thoughtful insights, Once Upon A Crime offers listeners a captivating blen ...
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Behind every serial predator in entertainment and sports, there are survivors who have been silenced for too long. From Now On is a powerful podcast giving those voices the platform they deserve. This is a journey of courage, where we tell our stories, educate on the tactics of grooming and coercion by powerful men, and empower others to speak out and heal. Hosted by Lisa Phillips, who courageously shares her own survival story about Jeffrey Epstein, From Now On dives deep into the complex d ...
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On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Autism, Neurodivergence, and Mental Health
Sonia Krishna Chand | Autism and Neurodivergent Mental Health Coaching Expert
Welcome to On the Spectrum—the essential podcast exploring autism, neurodivergence, and mental health with expert insights and heartfelt stories. Hosted by Sonia Krishna Chand, acclaimed autism advocate, speaker, and author of Dropped In The Maze, this podcast dives deep into autism, neurodivergent experiences, and mental health. Whether you're a parent, educator, clinician, or neurodivergent individual, On the Spectrum offers practical strategies, empowering conversations, and a supportive ...
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ATBS: "Escaping Theonomy’s Grip" w/ The Bronson's
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1:14:49In this episode of At the Bus Stop, we sit down with David and Margaret Bronson to uncover the dangers of Theonomy, Christian Reconstructionism, and the influence of leaders like Doug Wilson. The Bronsons share their personal experiences, explain how these teachings shape churches and politics, and discuss the lasting impact on survivors. They also…
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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Seven: The Last Woman
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37:30In this final installment of our seven-part series, we follow Ruth Ellis through her last days and hours at Holloway Prison. Convicted of the murder of her lover, David Blakely, Ruth became the last woman hanged in Britain. We trace the frantic efforts made by friends, family, and even members of the public to win her a reprieve—and the powerful vo…
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The Publisher Behind the Scenes with Dominick Domasky
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41:03Send us a text Dominick Domasky's story reads like a masterclass in resilience. From losing half a million dollars in a failed restaurant venture in his twenties to founding a publishing company that's helped hundreds of authors worldwide, his journey embodies the power of perseverance and reinvention. "I went bankrupt. I was broke. I was in my ear…
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When Everything Changed: From Speaker to Award-Winning Songwriter
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1:00:48Send us a text Who believes one story has the power to change someone's life? I know I certainly do, and you know who else does? No other than the Wendy Babcock, Founder of WHEN stories. As we all are well aware, 2020 changed the world. Many of our work schedules changed, as we had to make that transition from going to a workplace to having to use …
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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Six: An Eye for an Eye
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46:01In this episode, Ruth Ellis takes the stand in her own defense during her murder trial at the Old Bailey. What unfolds is one of the most disastrous testimonies in British legal history. Ruth answers questions with little emotion, even while recounting her tumultuous relationship with David Blakely, his violence, her miscarriage, and her decision t…
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ATBS: “Recovering from Purity Culture” w/ Dr. Camden Morgante
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48:51In this episode of Bodies Behind the Bus, we sit down with Dr. Camden Morgante, a licensed psychologist, author, and speaker. Dr. Camden is the author of Recovering from Purity Culture, a book that helps individuals move beyond harmful teachings and begin the journey of healing. She shares insights from her work with clients, her own experiences, a…
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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Five: Ruth’s Revenge
31:54
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31:54On Easter weekend 1955, Ruth Ellis reached her breaking point. After years of jealousy, violence, and betrayal, she spent a long, sleepless night replaying the wreckage of her life — and blaming one man: David Blakely. By Easter Sunday, her rage would boil over into an act that would shock Britain and seal her fate as the last woman hanged in the U…
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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion - Part Four: Deadly Obsession
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29:20This is Part Four of our 7-part series, Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion. We trace the true story of the last woman hanged in Britain, exploring the tangled mix of love, obsession, and violence that sealed her fate. In this episode of Once Upon a Crime, the destructive love affair between Ruth Ellis and David Blakely spirals further into…
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Escaping Toxic Love with Lindsay Abernathy
1:15:30
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1:15:30Send us a text Lindsay Abernathy shares her powerful journey through domestic abuse and offers practical guidance for survivors trying to rebuild their lives after toxic relationships. • Abuse can hide behind the appearance of a perfect life with fancy houses and cars • Many victims don't identify their situation as abuse because it doesn't match s…
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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion - Part Three: Love Triangle
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34:00In Part Three of “Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion”, we delve into the turbulent 1954 relationship between Ruth Ellis, David Blakely, and Desmond Cussen. Discover how Ruth’s guarded heart, David’s infatuation, and a dangerous rivalry set the stage for obsession, jealousy, and ultimately, tragedy. Sources: A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ru…
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THE TRUTH ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Today’s Modern Slavery & What Everyone Needs to Know
1:03:48
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1:03:48Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of grooming, coercive control, and sex trafficking. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. This episode is dedicated to Virginia Giuffre. And all survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and human trafficking. When survivors of sex trafficking bravely step forward to share their…
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ATBS: “Debriefing The Stone’s Statement” w/ Robert & Eric
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55:46https://julieroys.com/alleged-victim-worship-pastor-aaron-ivey-speaks-out-megachurchs-prior-statement/ Support the showBy Bodies Behind The Bus
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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion - Part Two: Into the Night
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31:40In this gripping second installment of “Hanged,” we delve into Ruth Ellis’s tumultuous journey through London’s shadowy nightlife, her relationship with the infamous Morris “Morrie” Conley, and her turbulent romance with George Ellis. Discover how Ruth’s ambition and desire for stability drew her deeper into a world of glamour, vice, and violence. …
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THE TOUR BUS TRAP: How Teen Girls Get Groomed at Concerts
1:13:34
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1:13:34Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of grooming of a minor, sexual assault, and coercive control. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What really happens when the spotlight fades and the show is over? For years, iconic rock musician Marilyn Manson cultivated an image of rebellion and shock, but behi…
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In this episode of the Bodies Behind the Bus podcast, Kenny shares his experience in the worship residency program at The Austin Stone. He recounts his initial passion for ministry, his transition from law school ambitions to church work, and the realities of support-raising, manual labor, and lack of mentorship during his time in the program. Kenn…
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Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion - Part One: Becoming Ruth
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33:16Step into the haunting and captivating story of Ruth Neilson Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. This Once Upon a Crime original series traces Ruth’s tragic life—from her fragile childhood amid the chaos of World War II, through her rise as a nightclub hostess caught in London’s glamorous yet dangerous underworld, to her dev…
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Discover the haunting story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in the UK. This Once Upon a Crime series follows Ruth’s journey from a troubled wartime childhood to the smoky nightclubs of London’s underworld—and finally, to the crime that sealed her fate in 1955. Blending history and storytelling, we explore how love, violence, and society’s ha…
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THE BOY: 1 in 6 – Groomed, Abused & the Cycle of Violence in Male Childhood Trauma
1:12:29
1:12:29
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1:12:29Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of child sexual assault, grooming, violence, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What happens when a boy is forced to carry a secret so heavy it shapes every part of his life? How do we respond when male survivors of childho…
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James shares his experience with the Austin Stone church, including his early motivations for moving to Austin, the challenges he faced as a Mexican American in a predominantly white evangelical institution, and the barriers to leadership he encountered despite his qualifications. He discusses his experience raising support, internal cultural tensi…
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Why Gen Z's Struggle Isn't Just About Social Media
1:03:24
1:03:24
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1:03:24Send us a text Trigger Warning: Suicide and SA was discussed. What if everything we think we know about the Gen Z mental health crisis is incomplete? In this eye-opening conversation, suicide survivor, author, and mental health advocate Aly Vredenberg challenges conventional wisdom by revealing four interconnected factors driving declining mental h…
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THE BOUNDARIES: How to Teach Kids and Teens Consent, Body Autonomy, and Prevent Sexual Abuse
1:27:26
1:27:26
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1:27:26Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault and coercive control. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. How do we equip kids and teens with the tools they need to protect themselves and build healthy relationships? What happens when we break the silence around consent, body autonomy, and sex…
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Kelley joins the podcast to share her experience as both a former member of the Austin Stone church and staff member of its affiliated nonprofit, For the City. She discusses the church’s culture, internal power dynamics, financial mismanagement, and the challenges of working within a complementarian system. Kelley reflects on her personal story of …
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THE MILITARY DISCHARGE: Surviving Sexual Assault & Healing PTSD with a Service Dog
1:01:31
1:01:31
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1:01:31Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, initmate partner violence, substance abuse and PTSD. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What happens when a survivor of military sexual assault is not only silenced but discarded by the very institution they gave an oath to? How do we respond w…
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Rewiring the Brain: The Power of Neurofeedback
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30:34Send us a text By now, everybody has heard of traditional going to therapy and taking medications, if necessary. However, what role does neurofeedback play in treating mental health? Meet Meg Stuppy, founder of the Los Angeles Neurofeedback Center and co-founder of Clarity Direct Neurofeedback, who joins us to illuminate how neurofeedback technolog…
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Ben joins the Bodies Behind the Bus podcast to share his experience at Austin Stone Church, a large SBC-affiliated church in Austin, Texas. He reflects on his decade-long involvement, including leadership roles and the creation of a ministry for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The conversation explores church culture, leadership dynamics, personal transforma…
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THE FATHER’S SECRET: When Your Protector Turns Into Your Predator
1:23:31
1:23:31
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1:23:31Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of familial sexual assault, grooming, psychological abuse and physical abuse. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. How do we recognize the signs of childhood abuse—especially when it’s hidden behind a mask of love and trust? What can we do to educate and empower ch…
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In this episode of Bodies Behind the Bus, B shares her deeply personal story about the emotional toll of navigating immigration, identity, and faith. B recounts her years at the Austin Stone Church in Austin, Texas, where she joined a residency program to serve the local Latino community, only to face institutional racism, cultural insensitivity, a…
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In this episode, Johnna & Jay introduce a new four-part series investigating The Austin Stone Church in Austin, Texas. Joined by Board member Emily, they discuss the church’s influential role in evangelical culture, its connections to Acts 29 and the SBC, and a troubling pattern of abuse, cover-ups, and systemic harm within its leadership and progr…
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Jonathan Joss (1965–2025) was a Native American actor and musician renowned for his roles as John Redcorn in King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. His tragic death on June 1, 2025, has brought attention to issues of hate crimes and the underrepresentation of Native American victims in media coverage. Native activists emphas…
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ATBS - The SBC Is Still Failing Survivors
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1:00:59In this episode, Jay and Johnna debrief the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. They discuss why Johnna chose to attend alone, the deaths of two high-profile survivors—Jennifer Lyell and Duane Rollins—and the emotional and physical toll survivor advocacy has taken. They reflect on the SBC’s failure to follow through on promised reforms…
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We’re Going to Mexico City — and You’re Invited! 🇲🇽🌮
5:42
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5:42Pack your bags and grab your passport — we’re taking the Once Upon a Crime community on the road! In this special episode, we’re officially announcing our upcoming group trip to Mexico City, and trust us, you’re going to want in on this. From March 27–30, 2025, we’ll be exploring one of the world’s most vibrant cities together — filled with amazing…
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THE SECRET RELATIONSHIP: Surviving Abuse When He Denies You Ever Existed
1:38:39
1:38:39
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1:38:39Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of grooming, coercive control, and physical abuse. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What happens when the person who hurt you most insists you were never even together? When survivors come forward with stories of hidden relationships and abuse, they’re often me…
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From Masking to Leading: Navigating the World as a Neurodivergent Woman
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34:23Send us a text What if neurodivergence isn't just something to be accommodated, but a powerful gift that can transform leadership? Rita Ramakrishnan, a person with Autism Spectrum and ADHD, found strengths behind her diagnosis, and she used it to excel in executive leadership. Amongst the strengths Rita found was her remarkable hunger for knowledge…
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On this week’s episode we’re going international! You’ll travel to London with Esther for a behind-the-scenes listen to the Once Upon a Crime live show recorded at CrimeCon UK on June 8th. Esther emceed a game show called “Killer Knowledge” where she challenged fellow true crime podcasters Neil and Megan from Mortal Musings on their true crime triv…
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This episode examines the legacy of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and draws a clear line from that policy to other moments of systemic injustice in American history—slavery, Japanese internment, discriminatory policing, and modern ICE raids. Through historical analysis and personal reflection, Jay challenges the narrative of American exceptionalis…
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THE DORM ROOM: Assaulted by 13 athletes and the university that covers it up
48:55
48:55
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48:55Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of physical, emotional, psychological abuse and sexual assault. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What happens when the place meant to launch your future becomes the site of your worst nightmare—and the very institution meant to protect you chooses to protect it…
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Murder in My Hometown: Six Weeks of Terror - The San Jose Murders
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35:26In the fall of 1984, fear took hold of San Jose, California. In just six weeks, six young women vanished or were found murdered — their lives cut short under brutal and mysterious circumstances. As residents watched the headlines mount, few could imagine the horror hiding in plain sight. Six Weeks of Terror is a gripping true crime story that unrav…
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THE BOXER: My Coach Controlled Everything—Even Me
1:38:12
1:38:12
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1:38:12Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of intimate partner violence and coercive control, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What happens when the fight for your life takes place outside the ring? In this episode, we expose the hidden world of abuse, coer…
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You're Not a Body with a Soul, You're a Soul with a Body with Aaron Ash
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41:16Send us a text As many may know, May is mental health awareness month. However, what still needs more conversation about mental health is the fact that men too have mental health challenges. Men too deserve to share their stories and be heard. Men too deserve to be vulnerable without being told to "man up" or "suck it up." Aaron Ash bravely shares …
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ATBS “Church Discipline” w/ Mollie Callahan
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45:37
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45:37Mollie Callahan, spiritual director and seminary student, joins to discuss the misuse of church discipline, its harmful impact, and how scripture has often been misapplied in these situations. She examines 1 Corinthians 5, Matthew 18, and stories like the woman caught in adultery, Zacchaeus, and the woman at the well to reframe church discipline th…
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THE CYCLE BREAKER: Breaking generational trauma and becoming the hero she needed
1:19:15
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1:19:15Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of coercion, child sexual assault by a parent, intimate partner violence, and addiction recovery. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What does it mean to shatter the silence that has trapped generations? Today, we confront the hidden epidemic of child sexual abus…
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THE BREAKTHROUGH: Finding courage and self-love after 26 years of abuse
1:25:03
1:25:03
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1:25:03Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of emotional, verbal, psychological and sexual abuse. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What does it take to walk away from a life you’ve known for decades—especially when that life has been shaped by abuse? Today, we’re exploring the moment of breakthrough: the…
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In this episode, Joyce shares her story of involvement in a PCA church in Florida and how her experience of marriage, faith, and community unfolded over more than a decade. She describes the early support her family received, her deep investment in church life, and how that shifted when she began raising concerns about her marriage. Joyce outlines …
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BTK Blunders - The Bumbling Serial Killer Dennis Rader
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49:35Dennis Rader, the self-proclaimed "BTK" killer—short for "Bind, Torture, Kill"—terrified Wichita and Park City, Kansas, for nearly two decades. But behind the mask of a monstrous mastermind was a man whose crimes were riddled with laughable mistakes, sloppy execution, and a bizarre craving for attention. In this episode, we dismantle the myth of BT…
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When Your Inner Child Drives Your Success Bus with Andrea Andree
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51:50Send us a text Andrea Andree takes us on a transformative journey from being a corporate Engineer to becoming a leadership and embodiment coach for high-achieving women who want to get out of their heads and into their bodies. • Former project manager with two engineering degrees who felt unfulfilled despite checking all the boxes of success • High…
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THE MINDSET: Transforming Trauma into Purpose
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1:08:50Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of healing after trauma. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. Today, we’re exploring the powerful connection between mindset, healing, and purpose. Too often, survivors are told to “move on” or “just be positive,” but real transformation requires more than empty pl…
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ATBS: “Holy Paranoia” W/ Jared Stacy
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1:07:05In this “At the Bus Stop” episode, Dr. Jared Stacy, a theologian and ethicist, joins Johnna and Jay to unpack the link between conspiracy theories, Christian nationalism, and the culture of abuse within white evangelical spaces. Drawing from his personal experience and academic research, Jared explores how storytelling shapes power, how conspiracy …
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In 1968, the quiet streets of Scotswood, England, were shattered by a chilling discovery: two young boys, just three and four years old, had been murdered—and the killer was an eleven-year-old girl. Mary Flora Bell's name would soon become synonymous with one of Britain’s most disturbing criminal cases. In this episode, we explore the harrowing det…
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THE MARTIAL ARTIST: Surviving a cult of control to teaching TRUE self-defense
1:43:54
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1:43:54Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of grooming, coercion, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and predatory behavior. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. What happens when the very place meant to empower you becomes a site of control and abuse? Today, we step into the martial arts world, a s…
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Buried Alive - The Chowchilla School Bus Kidnapping
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40:22In the summer of 1976, a small town in California was shaken to its core when 26 schoolchildren and their bus driver were abducted in broad daylight. The hijackers drove them to a remote rock quarry, where they were forced into a buried moving van—essentially a mass grave beneath six feet of earth. But an extraordinary act of bravery and resilience…
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