Welcome to Life After Church Podcast 2.0—the space where faith, freedom, and leadership converge. Hosted by Dr. Vanessa R. Brooks, Leadership Scientist and scholar of religion, mental health, and human behavior, this podcast amplifies the voices and stories of those who’ve dared to step beyond the pews and rebuild their lives on their own terms.
Each episode blends lived experience with academic depth—exploring how religious trauma shapes our identity, decision-making, and leadership, and how we can recover power, voice, and vision on the other side of church systems. From unpacking cultural
In this episode of Life After Church, Dr. Vanessa R. Brooks sits down with Gen Z and Millennial guests to unpack why so many young adults are walking away from traditional church—and what they’re finding instead. From spiritual identity to church trauma, this honest conversation explores how faith is evolving across generations.
If this conversation resonates with your story, it’s time to take the next step.Dr. Vanessa R. Brooks created Religious Trauma Recovery: Reclaiming Your Mind, Voice, and Inner Truth to help you heal from toxic religious experiences, release guilt and fear, and rediscover your authentic self.
💡 Start your healing journey here → https://dr-vanessa-r-brooks.mykajabi.com/joinus-88119a85-a750-4608-bbd4-75f2e987617e
15 Sept 2025
Deconstructing, Leaving Church, Finding Faith — A Conversation with Rev. Karl
What happens when a pastor walks away from the very system that shaped her?In this powerful conversation, Rev. Karla shares her deeply personal journey of deconstructing from Christianity, leaving church leadership, and learning to trust her inner truth again. Together, we explore what it really means to disentangle from religious trauma, redefine spiritual identity, and move from survival to integration.Whether you’re questioning your beliefs, grieving the loss of community, or rebuilding life after church — this episode will remind you that you’re not alone, and your healing is holy.📖 Get Rev. Karla’s book: Deconstructing: Leaving Church, Finding Faith on Amazon and explore her work:https://revkarla.com/links/learnmore?fbclid=IwVERDUAM1Fd5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHoThyX_q7zadpKO_GOvXJ1jB-NFdxnT6RG6ooESvadzNrRS-ndOvBSOfxqYr_aem_jSyjLr-UdS67gSUdKeJoZA📝 Take the Religious Trauma Assessment — start understanding your journeyhttps://ladyceo1.typeform.com/to/lefdL1kj📚 Explore the Religious Trauma Recovery Course — reclaim your mind, voice, and inner truthhttps://dr-vanessa-r-brooks.mykajabi.com/offers/tQvbEAHd🎙️ Life After Church 2.0 Podcast — The conversation for those rebuilding life after church.
13 Apr 2023
The Lived Experience of Laura Forehand's Experience With Trauma & Serving As A Pastor's Wife
Laura was raised in church and ended up married to a Pastor. She shares her lived experience with the church, being the wife of a pastor, and religious and childhood traumas!
Welcome to Life After Church the Podcast
21 Dec 2022
His First Same Gender Loving Experience Happened at Church!!
Enjoy this beautiful and pure conversation with Tie Davidson who shares some personal yet powerful experiences with religion and his journey to freedom!
20 Dec 2022
Traumatized By Hell Doctrine
I had an amazing time chatting with Andrew Pledger. He says he was raised in a cult and tells his story of religious trauma.
https://4ndrewpledger.mypixieset.com/press-kit/ (https://4ndrewpledger.mypixieset.com/press-kit/)
Show notes Links
Resources: https://4ndrewpledger.mypixieset.com/resources/ (https://4ndrewpledger.mypixieset.com/resources/)
Linktree: https://www.liinks.co/4ndrewpledger (https://www.liinks.co/4ndrewpledger)
IG: https://www.instagram.com/4ndrewpledger/ (https://www.instagram.com/4ndrewpledger/)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@4ndrewpledger?_t=8WhKzmbcJMh&_r=1 (https://www.tiktok.com/@4ndrewpledger?_t=8WhKzmbcJMh&_r=1)
Contact Me: https://4ndrewpledger.mypixieset.com/connect/
9 Dec 2022
From Christianity to Ifa: Arianna's Story
Arianna Scott is a PK and was committed to service to the church and God. She is a beautiful soul who I have the privilege of knowing and mentoring for years. She is a kind, empathethetic and brilliant soul. In this conversation she shares a candid and transparent journey of her personal lived experiences of the pain of deconstructing and rebuilding her faith and spirituality.
Be sure to follow Life After Church on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZOToCFf-AaOnUaetwzuHFQ)
2 Dec 2022
Chronicles of a Christian Witch--Rev. Valerie Love
Rev. Valerie Love gifted me with a soul-stirring interview and brilliantly enlightens and educates on the Christian Witchcraft phenomenon. She is a wise woman indeed. In you are interested in connecting with Rev. Valerie Love you can find her on the following platforms:
Christian Witches Website
Rev. Valerie Love Website
Christian Witches YouTube
Rev. Valerie Love YouTube
29 Nov 2022
Deconstructing Religion & Spirituality
I had an amazing time conversating with Kamai Curry as she talks about how her life went full circle from Spirituality to Christianity to Atheism to back to Spirituality. She talks about the need in her life to not only examine and deconstruct Christianity but her need to do the same with Spirituality. This was a fascinating conversation.
Be sure to follow Kam on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@sunflowershaman?_t=8XlNpCu6Sdu&_r=1)
16 Nov 2022
I Left Church & My Faith But I Didn't Leave God
Aubrielle Raymond tells her story of deconstructing her faith and finding her self!!!
7 Nov 2022
Heretic Pastor
Gideon Brown was a preacher/pastor in the Pentecostal church, chaplain in the U.S. Army and a hospice chaplain. His story is raw, pure, and heartfelt!
Enjoy.
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28 Oct 2022
Normalizing Nicodemus
Jermaine Thomas is a Divergent Thought Leader/Vlogger/Christian Philosopher/Mental Health Professional/Present Truth Teacher and Professor at WBSU.
Jermaine is holds a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling and a Batchelor's Degree in Social Work with over 18 years in social services and a certificate in Biblical Studies from Welton Academy. He is a loving Husband, Navy Vet, and Father of 6 amazing children, 2 of which are Sish Tzus.
Follow him on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCKuNV0vDc14maa-fw6mODqg (https://youtube.com/channel/UCKuNV0vDc14maa-fw6mODqg)
Follow his Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10224968497512053&id=1604821819&sfnsn=mo (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10224968497512053&id=1604821819&sfnsn=mo)
Follow his podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5emSriltVFIK78Q5X8tDlf (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5emSriltVFIK78Q5X8tDlf)
21 Oct 2022
Deconstructing Christianity Reconstructing Christ
Tametra Tracey, Mental Health Professional & Therapeutic Coach shares her story of deconstructing Christianity and her spiritual awakening journey. Tracy is a powerful orator of truth and her message will inspire you to open up the scripture with fresh insight.
To connect with Tracy and the remarkable work she does please visit her website www.TracyLifeWellness.com (//www.TracyLifeWellness.com)
Connect to her via social media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracylifewellness (https://www.facebook.com/tracylifewellness )
Instagram: Tracy_Life_Wellness (//Tracy_Life_Wellness),
TikTok: tlwcoacht (//tlwcoacht)
29 Oct 2020
Your Mind is A Powerhouse
Have you ever experienced recurring patterns and cycles of negative experiences thoughts, emotions, and behaviors? Tune in learn the importance of getting control of your mental system: the mind and brain.
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