Sunday School Dropouts

This month we are talking about purity culture and its impact on individuals who grew up male in this system. We are thrilled to have Dr. Bradley Onishi on the podcast today as our professional who has done research on purity culture and client-facing work in this area as well as being a purity culture poster boy himself. Join Brad and Laura as they discuss the unique impacts of purity culture on men, shame, the expectations of being a “Godly man” and what happens when you don’t measure up to that, as well as the importance of men learning how to step out of of the prescribed roles and mentality that both purity culture and patriarchy prop up. 
Resources Mentioned: 
Fair Play (book and game) by Eve Rodsky 
Mild at Heart podcast series (can be found on the website below and using “Mild” in the search bar)
Guest: Brad Onishi
Website: https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com
Instagram/TT: @straightwhitejc
This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 
The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.
The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 
Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything 
To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here
Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 
To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here
Hosts: 
Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs
Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

In this episode, Reverend Brandan Robertson joins Sunday School Dropouts for a deeply honest conversation about growing up queer in the church, surviving purity culture, and finding a faith that no longer requires self-erasure. Brandan shares his journey from a fundamentalist Baptist background through Moody Bible Institute, including repeated discipline for asking hard questions and his experience with conversion therapy, and how those moments ultimately pushed him toward a more expansive and life-giving theology.
Together, we talk about the so-called “clobber passages,” why they’ve been misused to police LGBTQ+ people, how purity culture damages everyone it touches, and what it means to experience a kind of second adolescence after leaving religious shame behind. Brandan also reflects on digital ministry, TikTok theology, and the real hope he sees in inclusive faith communities that are thriving even in unlikely places.
Share your purity culture stories with us by leaving a voicemail or sending your story to us!
This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 
The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.
The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 
Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything 
To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here
Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 
To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here
Hosts: 
Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs
Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

In this episode of Sunday School Dropouts, licensed clinical mental health counselor Michelle Moseley joins Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs to explore the intersection of purity culture and neurodivergence. Michelle shares why rigid religious systems can initially feel safe for neurodivergent people while ultimately causing deep harm through shame, masking, and burnout. The conversation offers insight into why healing often looks less like fixing and more like rest, autonomy, and gently reconnecting with pleasure and self-trust.
Share your purity culture stories with us by leaving a voicemail or sending your story to us!
Find Michelle at MichelleFMoseley.com 
Educational Workshops and Seminars:  https://michellefmoseley.com/workshops-seminars/
This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 
The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.
The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 
Follow Andrew on Instagram @andrew_kerbs
Follow Andrew’s post-SDA account @lifeafteradventism
Follow Andrew’s account on neurodivergence and high control religion @divergent.faith 
Join Andrew’s Substack (Kerb Your Enthusiasm) www.andrewkerbs.substack.com 
To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here
Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 
Join Laura’s Substack (Therapy in the Headlines) www.drlauraeanderson.substack.com 
To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here
Hosts: 
Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs
Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

In this episode, Laura and Andrew sit down with Trisha Wilkerson to explore the powerful intersections between purity culture, diet culture, and body shame. Trisha shares her journey from 25 years in evangelical ministry at Mars Hill Church to becoming a trauma-informed nutrition coach helping people heal their relationship with food and their bodies.
Share your purity culture stories with us by leaving a voicemail or sending your story to us!
Guest Info: 
Website: Personal Website: www.trishawilkerson.com. Business: www.theaftermathagency.com
Social Media: IG: @trisharwilkerson
Book: Everyday Worship: Our Work, Heart and Jesus
This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 
The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.
The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything 
To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here
Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 
To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here
Hosts: 
Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs
Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Dan Miller is back, and this time we are talking about the side of purity culture that almost never gets center stage: how it messes with men. While purity culture is usually framed around controlling women’s bodies and desires, Dan helps us unpack how men and those socialized as male are shaped by shame, fear, and some wildly unhealthy expectations. From being taught they are inherently dangerous to being trapped in rigid ideas of masculinity, this conversation looks at how purity culture limits emotional range, intimacy, and even basic self understanding long after people have deconstructed the theology.
We get into everything from the predator versus protector binary to the loneliness epidemic among men, why anger becomes the only socially acceptable emotion, and how the “slippery slope” logic around touch wrecks healthy connection. Dan also walks through what healing can actually look like, including somatic awareness, parts work, and relearning how to experience pleasure and desire without shame. We wrap by talking about what it might look like to raise boys differently, with more room for emotions, curiosity, and care. Equal parts thoughtful, validating, and gently unhinged in the best way, this episode is for anyone trying to unlearn the damage purity culture did to their body, their relationships, or their sense of self.
Connect with Dan:
Website: CTRR Practitioner bio page
Social Media: Straight White American Jesus Podcast, Co-Host, Instagram: @straightwhitejc, Twitter: @straightwhitejc
Email: [email protected]
Resources discussed in this episode: 
Jesus and John Wayne by Kristen Kobes duMez 
This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery 
The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.
The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. 
Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything 
To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call here
Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com 
To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so here
Hosts: 
Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs
Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji