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Many children born in the late 1970s to the present day have found themselves influenced by Dr James Dobson founder of Focus on the Family. James Dobson equated child rearing to training dogs, his harmful abusive training techniques raised a generation of children. We would like to speak up.
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The Cult I Left Behind

Amanda & Kyle Briggs

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Newly-ish married couple, Amanda and Kyle, discuss Amanda’s upbringing in the IBLP cult of Duggar infamy – a story Kyle learns about along with listeners. Through sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking stories, Amanda and Kyle explore the cult’s ideology, the strange rules that surrounded Amanda’s childhood, and the abuse she endured before leaving the cult. Through it all, they talk about what it takes to break free from a cult and what gets left behind.
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You'll find a mixed bag of Jesus, theology, Christian apologetics, and cultural topics from a Christian perspective here. I'm an ex-New Thoughter (with a little Ex New Ager sprinkled in) and a lot of my videos focus on topics related to this as well. My hope is to help Christians thoughtfully know what they believe and why they believe it.
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In a years worth of Powercasts we have examined 50 Commands and Teachings of Christ published by a ministry called the Institute of Basic Life Principles (iblp.org). To show how even the founder of this ministry, Bill Gothard, couldn’t live by the teachings of Christ and his own ministry, we reached into the archives to […] The post 240830 Survivin…
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Some Christians will say that for every counterfeit spiritual experience out there, there's an authentic version of it. This is how some odd and bizarre behaviors are explained to be not only biblical but also a display of spiritual power and favor from God. But what if that's not the case and there is more to this? I asked Dr. Berg, an expert on t…
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As Kyle puts it, this episode is all about "connecting with your spouse through abstinence." Join us as we talk about Bill Gothard's view on completeness in marriage and how not eating and not having sex play a big role. We also answer some listener questions about how to talk to people you know who are still in a cult, why the word "encouragement"…
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To celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Cult I Left Behind podcast, Amanda and Kyle share their favorite moments, favorite episodes, insights into the creation of episodes, and their deep appreciate for the community that has formed around this podcast. Send us text! Please note this platform only supports one-way communication. Support the sh…
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Let’s talk about sex…again! Amanda and Kyle talk through Bill Gothard’s teaching on pleasure in the marriage relationship. In a shocking turn of events (haha), everything revolves around the menstrual cycle. It turns out abstinence plays a big role in marriage pleasure, as well as in healing all manner of physical ailments. All of this wise relatio…
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Did you know companionship in marriage is really about the menstrual cycle? Did you also know you’re in a covenant relationships with everyone with whom you’ve shared a meal? And that abstinence is important in marriage? Neither did we. But this is what we learn about in the IBLP Advanced Seminar materials. We also learn more about Bill Gothard’s s…
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Daniel joins Michael in the “Room of Rooms” for this week’s Powercast. After another sneak peak at this years upcoming Fall Grace Conference, the duo works to destroy all authority structures. We travel back in time to understand the “authority mindset” of the disciples as they walked with Jesus, the rightful heir to the throne […] The post 240823 …
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Time to wrap up how to go about courting in the holiest manner possible. Amanda tells Kyle the final steps to a godly pre-marriage relationship. Kyle is confused. We learn why Ruth is way more chaste and holy than other female Bible characters, Amanda's Bible college and seminary training pays off, and Kyle issues a complaint with the way IBLP uses…
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Our explorers, who have been likened to Lewis and Clark, have set sail to explore more Gospel truth in this week’s Powercast. So buckle up and enjoy the ride! Two GRs write in with questions the help us clarify our recent discussions on the father-son-relationship between God and Jesus and the significance of the baptism […] The post 240816 Feed My…
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Amanda and Kyle embark on a perilous journey through more cult ideology around dating, sex, marriage, and purity. Bill's vision (for everyone except himself and his brothers) involves some pretty steep expectations of young men that are, dare we say, impossible in 2024. Young women fare much better under Bill's system in that they aren't supposed t…
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Get ready for another denomination destroying Powercast! We open the mailbag in the first half of this show to answer a couple questions and concerns. First we hear from Al Vitali in response to our comments about “evil having no power”. He explains that evil only has power when we give it power. Then we […] The post 240809 Drowning The False Doctr…
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Send us a Text Message. Support this podcast check out the PATREON You may be asking, why do we need a part three? My friend Dave who acted the character Jimmy Barclay on Focus on the Family's Adventure's In Odyssey has a lot to say. One of the very few children who grew up amongst the Christian Nationalist organization and propaganda machine to bl…
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A special guest joins us to discuss the case against Amanda's brother. Jennifer, an Assistant District Attorney and podcast listener, prosecutes sexual assault cases in her state and has some interesting thoughts on Amanda's experience as a witness, the politics that impacted the case against her brother, and the legal outcome of the case. Amanda, …
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You say you want a revolution? The Beatles asked that question in 1968 in their hit song. Here at the GR, we are still answering, “YES and AMEN!” The guys open-up the show with revolution very much on their minds, blown away by all that we’ve been learning. Michael and Daniel discuss the process we […] The post 240802 If You Love Me Keep My Command…
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Send us a Text Message. Support the podcast join the PATREON In this episode Dave and I discuss very sensitive information. Elements of self harm are self hate are brought up. Please listen with caution. Dave and I discuss the ALOHA episode of Adventures in Odyssey. For those that want to be on the podcast make sure to reach out—link in the show no…
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Amanda and Kyle discuss the IBLP Advanced Seminar seven-step chart about how a woman becomes immoral. Obviously, this is all “supported” by random verses from the King James Version of the Christian Bible. So, normal cult stuff. Amanda shares her childhood judgement of females who wore clothes that actually fit (so immoral) and her fear of becoming…
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The Gospel Revolution research ministry machine churns-out in overtime in this one. These two hours are aptly described as an advanced graduate class in what actually happened and what probably did not. “Right now, I am comfortable saying Jesus did not ascend back to Heaven…We are assaulting things that we held dear. Don’t say we’re […] The post 24…
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Send us a Text Message. To support the podcast please check out the PATREON This guest played Jimmy Barclay on Adventures in Odyssey. Please welcome Dave. It is truly an honor to have Dave on this show. We have become friends over the past year, and I am so thankful he is sharing his time and story with us all. Adventure in Odyssey is a children’s …
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The Ten Unchangeables make a reappearance in the courtship process. The IBLP Advanced Seminar Textbook lays out intense instructions for how to interrogate a potential romantic partner. Kyle is incredulous, Amanda is shocked he's still shocked by cult material, and much laughter ensues. Send us text! Please note this platform only supports one-way …
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There's a lot of strange stuff out there about the Bible. So I interviewed Bible scholar and historian Wesley Huff to give some clarity on this topic. Timestamps: 03:59- Myth #1: The Bible was put together at the Council of Nicaea, where books were taken out. 09:39- Myth #2: The Bible has changed over time, especially with books being taken out, te…
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Even though the guys commit to finishing the list of the “Commands of Christ”, this entire podcast could be the pinnacle of how and why we do things – all things. Far from an overbearing appeal about the Pledge Drive, Michael reminds us you receive all the Gospel for free. Then Daniel and Michael repent […] The post 240719 The Truth Revealed – “You…
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Send us a Text Message. Support the podcast check out the PATREON I am excited and honored to have my friend, author D.L. Mayfield, on the podcast today. D.L. spent many years in Christian publishing before escaping the evangelical movement, deconstructing, coming out, and becoming an atheist. D.L. and I share a creative space on social media and a…
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In the next installment of courtship in the cult, Amanda tells Kyle all about the IBLP Basic and Advanced Training Seminar's instruction regarding the four levels of friendship and how they govern dating or courtship relationships. Send us text! Please note this platform only supports one-way communication. Support the show…
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The respective imaginary lands which Christianity and Mysticism live are at the same time both remarkable and lies. Their “original sin” and “original perfection” belief systems are not in the Hebrew Scriptures. However, God’s “original process” is very much evident in the Scriptures AND can be proven! What a ride this show is! It all […] The post …
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Send us a Text Message. Support the podcast join the PATREON Please Welcome Dr Jamie (they/them)! I am so thankful they are here today. Dr Jamie socializes in Dissociative Identity Disorder and is the author of TEN books. Their knowledge on DID specifically stemming from high control regions is vast, please enjoy this discussion on their upcoming b…
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Amanda shares her own courtship experience and the ill-fated romance that followed. She explains purity culture concepts such as "giving away your heart," being a "chewed up piece of gum," and being a "trampled garden." Amanda and Kyle discuss how Amanda's ex found out about her childhood abuse and how that information impacted their relationship, …
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We're digging deeper into the world of MLMs (Multi-Level Marketing). In this interview, I talk with two former MLM leaders, Kathy and Noble Gibbens, who are absolutely delightful. They were in a well-known MLM for over 20 years and were very successful. So why'd they leave it all? This is a follow-up to my initial MLM video. With as long as this in…
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Among the historic moments this Powercast and Room of Rooms video teachings, which may be noted in the future, one big one may be that it was the death knell of mysticism. “Stop judging God…Until you stop judging God, you will not be able to stop judging people.” After a unique opening where Michael compares […] The post 240705 Waiting For Jesus’ R…
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A conversation Amanda has put off for a long time plays out amid trauma laughs, real laughs, and incredulity (on Kyle's part). Join us for a conversation about an IBLP cult staple: courtship. Presented as an alternative to "secular dating," courtship is Bill Gothard's highly controlled and supposedly impeccable standard for relationships. Amanda an…
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Back in the day, the late great Don Beres Bartlett would speak of the value to you of the content the Gospel Revolution produces. Then our Aussie would suggest if you find value here, you could respond with the value of your finances.We are reminded of this by Daniel as he Michael commenced this amazing […] The post 240628 Love vs Love first appear…
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Send us a Text Message. Support the podcast check out the PATREON Joanna Whaley has been a guest on the pod previously, she and I get together for this bonus episode. Carl Lentz and Laura Lentz launched a podcast about his side. Joanna and I are former mega church leaders who break down his language nuances. Check out Joanna's socials. For those th…
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Amanda and Kyle are reunited for another episode! They answer some listener questions, then Kyle asks Amanda about something she mentioned in passing that startled him and required further investigation. Send us text! Please note this platform only supports one-way communication. Support the showVon Amanda & Kyle Briggs
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Send us a Text Message. Support the podcast, check out the PATREON Pastor Paul is back for a part two. In this second half we discuss how important it is to discover love of self inside relationships. The church teaches that in order to be loved by God we need to completely die to ourselves. Paul and I talk about how the church uses this to control…
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What do Celine Dion and Wisdom Booklet #1 have in common? Well, it's all coming back to me now as Amanda and Kyle go down the rabbit hole (or up the mountain?) into the world of ATI where male supremacy makes an immediate appearance. Listen along as Kyle reacquaints Amanda with the concepts of the cult's flagship homeschooling curriculum. And if yo…
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Send us a Text Message. Please support this podcast by checking out the PATREON This was recorded the day before the Trump verdict was read- Earlier this season I had Pastor Paul on, I knew I wanted to have them back on for Pride month. During this podcast I deviated from the normal format and let the conversation go where it wanted to go. Paul and…
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In the most vulnerable episode to date, Amanda shares her songwriting diary and describes how the music helped her cope with reporting her brother, losing her biological family, going through a divorce, struggling with her mental health, and, ultimately, finding hope, love, and joy in life. Send us text! Please note this platform only supports one-…
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Send us a Text Message. Support this podcast check out the PATREON Please welcome my friend Noah (He/him/they/them). Noah is a transgender male and his story is about mending himself. Raised inside fundamentalist evangelicalism and under the strict parenting styles of James Dobson, Noah is reparenting himself through learning how to love himself. J…
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Kyle teaches Amanda about the experience of growing up in public school. It all started over a dinner date conversation that resulted in running back to the Airbnb to record Amanda's questions/shock/terror about "evil public school." The IBLP cult taught that public school was immoral, so Amanda had a lot to learn about the concept of public educat…
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We're delving into the world of MLMs (Multi-Level Marketing Companies) and exploring their allure and controversy. And let me tell you... MLMs can be one of the strangest and most intriguing phenomena in the business world. I never intended this video to be as long as it did. But the more research I did, the more I decided that I needed to cover. I…
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Coming to you live from the middle of a cross-country move, Amanda and Kyle answer more listener questions. They discuss the impact of cults/trauma/sexual assault/sin on health, and Amanda shares how she overcame her IBLP cult-induced beliefs that her medical struggles were punishment from God. Amanda also recommends some books written by people wh…
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Thanks to some help from a listener, Amanda and Kyle finally tackle their long-awaited topic: Bill Gothard's teachings on sex rules in marriage! To absolutely nobody's surprise, the IBLP cult has a lot to say (ahem, dictate) about how married people go about their sexual relationship -- including days they should not have sex. Amanda and Kyle also …
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In an angsty and emotional conversation, Amanda tells Kyle about the complexity of Mother's Day with an abusive mother. Amanda shares how the IBLP cult enabled parental abuse and what it’s like to cut ties with abusive parents. Send us text! Please note this platform only supports one-way communication. Support the show…
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Amanda tells Kyle about Bill Gothard's teachings on adoption. It turns out adoption is considered a medical situation. It also turns out couples who can't have biological children shouldn't adopt because, according to Bill, God doesn't think they should be parents. Amanda explains the concept of "sins of the father" and how Bill taught adopted kids…
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Send us a Text Message. Support the podcast by checking out the PATREON Today I have the honor of interviewing Jason Kirk. Jason is a NYT sports editor and he took time in-between the draft to have this conversation. Aside from Jason's job at the NYT, he and his wife co-host the VBS podcast, and he authored "Hell is a world without you." This book …
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UFOs and aliens can be a fringe topic that many Christians don't know how to navigate. Surprisingly, there are many academics and theologians that have seriously looked into this from a Christian worldview. In this fascinating interview, I talk to Dr. Brian Huffling about this topic and his surprising conclusions. 👀WATCH👀: ● Subscribe to Dr. Huffli…
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Amanda and Kyle discuss what it's like to leave a cult and be that "weird" person trying to navigate the real world. Amanda shares the hurdles she faced as a weird person after leaving the IBLP cult, the process of recognizing she was different than those around her, and how she made non-cult friends. Amanda and Kyle talk through the challenges of …
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Amanda and Kyle respond to many listener questions about reaching a healthy sex life after experiencing sexual trauma in or outside a cult. They discuss different therapy modalities that helped Amanda heal, why females in the IBLP cult dissociated from their bodies, and why distance from harmful people helps the healing process. Amanda mentions Ros…
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Send us a Text Message. Support the podcast- Join the Patreon Cait West and I had an opportunity to sit down and discuss her upcoming book "Rift" A memoir of breaking away from Christian Patriarchy. Cait West demonstrates why it is so important for survivors to both tell their stories and connect with others who survived the evangelical movement. H…
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Amanda tells Kyle about Bill Gothard's made up "Law of Crying Out" which - surprise, surprise - places equal blame on victims and perpetrators. Amanda grew up being taught this ideology as part of ATI's educational curriculum and bought into it for much of her life until adulthood. She tells Kyle about the different responses humans have to crisis …
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Send us a Text Message. Support the podcast check out the patreon I had the privilege of sitting down and talking with Sarah McCammon, New York Times best-selling author of "The Evangelicals". Sarah and I discuss the book and some similarities from growing up evangelical. Sarah is a national political correspondent for NPR, this was truly an honor …
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