24 | Leaving a Religious Cult, Emotions as Sins, and Spiritual Bypassing
Christy grew up homeschooled and was part of a cult for a large part of her childhood. The cult, founded by Bill Gothard, is known as the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). Gothard stepped down as leader when multiple sexual abuse allegations were made against him. The teachings and culture of the cult deeply influenced the way Christy saw her faith, the world, and her own identity.
In this episode, Christy shares how negative and uncomfortable emotions are weaponized within a cult. She explains how cults use power and control to prevent suspicion within the community. She discusses how strict standards are placed on women in particular and how freeing it felt to finally allowed herself to express her true personality after leaving IBLP.
We discuss the practice of "spiritual bypassing" and how damaging it is to suppress our emotions with religious platitudes. Christy also gives advice on how to interact with a friend who is in a cult or is spiritually bypassing.
Topics We Cover:
Volunteering with baby goats
Why uncomfortable emotions are not sins
History of Bill Gothard, IBLP, and Advanced Training Institute (ATI)
How cults use fear to control people
Treatment of women within cults
Finding your voice
Spiritual bypassing
Permission to feel and express emotions
How to love someone who is trapped in a cult
Doubt is not a sin
Guest Links:
Christy's Substack: https://substack.com/@christylynnewood
Christy's book detailing her journey out of the cult: https://christylynnewood.com/religious-rebels-book/
References:
A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and His Cultish Teachings
A book by Don Veinot exploring IBLP and its cultish characteristics
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Follow this podcast on Instagram: @iusedtothinkpodcast
Pat's Email: patricktlee7@gmail.com
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iusedtothinkpodcast
24 Jun 2026
23 | From Tech Executive to Therapist, Ethical Technology, and Dungeons & Dragons
In 2012, Jerry joined the video game company Riot Games as their Chief HR Officer. During his time there, the company grew tremendously, and so did the video game industry as a whole. Jerry observed as video game companies went from creating fun products to addicting products. He saw the ways in which games evolved from being enjoyable pastimes into monetization machines.
After witnessing the effects of technology on society and mental health, Jerry decided to become a licensed therapist to make a meaningful impact on his community. Jerry warns against ignorance over the potential of AI and how to properly engage with AI. We discuss the somber reality of companies choosing profits over ethical practices and how we can counteract those negative affects through simple community gatherings - maybe even a game of Dungeons & Dragons.
Topics we cover:
Evolution of the video game industry
Profit vs. Ethics
Social media and technology bans in China and Australia
Becoming a licensed mental health counselor
Board games and roleplaying games
Technology free spaces
Using AI wisely
Guest Links:
Jerry's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ProchazkaPontificates/
Jerry's AI consulting services for small businesses: Strategy & The Machine
References:
Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation (a book about technology and its affects on Gen Z's mental health)
Tristan Harris' nonprofit: Center for Humane Technology
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Follow this podcast on Instagram: @iusedtothinkpodcast
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iusedtothinkpodcast
17 Mar 2026
22 | Leaving White American Evangelicalism, Christian Nationalism, Church in the South
Memphis, Tennessee is often considered the focal point for Christian Nationalism and conservative evangelicalism. My guest, Mark Hackett, grew up in this environment and refers to it as "white American evangelicalism." In our conversation, we discuss the characteristics of this type of Christianity and how it is unique to the South.
According to Mark, the moralism, patriarchy, and strict authoritarian structures found in white American evangelicalism are not aligned with the Gospel and true Christianity. Mark shares candidly about how him and his family painfully left their church due to corruption and toxic political discourse.
Mark shares how authentic Christianity is less about the afterlife and more about following the pattern that Jesus presents for how we live our lives and interact with others.
Sign up for Mark's newsletter: https://www.markhackett.com/newsletter
Check out Mark's website: https://www.markhackett.com/about-me
Mark's Article about his story: https://www.markhackett.com/writings/escaping-white-american-evangelicalism
References:
Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Du Mez
The Flag and the Cross by Philip Gorski
Things we discuss:
Church culture in the South compared to California
Tolkien
What is Christian Nationalism?
Individualism in the church
The effects of Trumpism in Southern churches
Church abuse and corruption
Searching for a new church
What is true Christianity? What is the Gospel?
Why Mark shares his story via blogging and podcasting
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Follow on Instagram: @iusedtothinkpodcast
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iusedtothinkpodcast
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