High Demand Religion Round Table

What Lies Buried

In this powerful episode of 'What Lies Buried,' host Karly Latham and guests Kurstin and Tonya bravely share their personal stories of emotional and financial abuse within their former high-demand religious communities. As ex-Mormons and a former devout Catholic, they reveal the systemic pressures that facilitated mistreatment and perpetuated cycles of guilt and shame. The episode discusses their journeys of leaving their faiths, the complexities of managing household finances, and the trauma of financial mismanagement discovered post-separation. Challenges such as single parenting and finding self-worth are explored alongside the importance of building a supportive network. Trigger warnings for themes of emotional and religious abuse are provided.

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

https://www.thehotline.org/

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

00:00 Introduction to What Lies Buried 01:17 Special Episode: Ex-Mormon Round Table 02:43 Personal Stories of Emotional Abuse 05:10 The Pressure to Conform in Religious Communities 08:08 Sexual Expectations and Marital Struggles 10:36 The Burden of Religious Guilt 13:54 Breaking Free and Finding Support 17:27 Reflecting on Past Relationships 48:17 Cognitive Dissonance in High-Demand Religions 48:44 Recognizing Emotional Abuse 49:56 Gendered Expectations and Patriarchy 51:35 The Burden of Household Responsibilities 59:41 Struggles of Leaving a Toxic Marriage 01:12:46 Financial Abuse and Control 01:33:46 The Fear of Being Alone 01:35:28 Final Thoughts and Advice