In this episode, Amanda and Kyle are joined by Marian, a sexual health and pleasure educator, for a powerful conversation about breaking cycles of shame and stigma. Marian shares her positive experience growing up in a family where vulnerability, honesty, and support were the norm when it came to tough topics like sex.

Together, they explore the stark contrast between Marian’s upbringing and Amanda’s experience in the oppressive purity culture of the cult. They dive into what it means to pass down healing, not shame, to the next generation and how parents can foster openness and healthy communication about sexuality.

They also tackle a listener question about how to talk to kids and teens about sex in an approachable and affirming way, offering practical advice for creating safe spaces for these important conversations.

Plus, Amanda and Kyle share details about some exciting upcoming episodes, including the incredible guests and thought-provoking topics you won’t want to miss. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in promoting sexual health, breaking generational cycles, and embracing honest, healing conversations.

Resources:

https://thepleasureproject.org/the-pleasure-principles/

https://parentandteen.com/resources-about-sex/

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth-parent-resources/conversation-tips/index.html

https://parentandteen.com/help-parents-talk-comfortably-about-sex/

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Amanda and Kyle reflect on an incredible year of connection and growth and share their heartfelt gratitude for the listeners who’ve supported the show. From messages and comments to thoughtful questions, your voices have made this journey meaningful. Amanda and Kyle also drop some news about exciting episodes coming in January to kick off the new year! As the holiday season approaches, Amanda shares a gentle reminder to prioritize emotional safety, mental health, and self-compassion. The podcast will take a short two-week break, but Amanda and Kyle can’t wait to return in January, refreshed and ready for what’s next. Thanks for being part of this community, and happy holidays!

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Amanda shares a pivotal moment from her childhood: being made to apologize to the person who raped her. She and Kyle discuss the circumstances that led to this event, the family and cult factors at play, and how the experience continues to affect Amanda today. Together, they explore the long-term implications of spiritual manipulation and abuse.

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In this heartfelt and personal episode, Amanda opens up about the unexpected role the musical Wicked played in her journey of leaving the IBLP cult and rediscovering herself. From its powerful themes of challenging authority to embracing individuality, Amanda shares how the story of Elphaba’s courage and defiance resonated deeply during her deconstruction and healing process. With raw vulnerability, she recounts the moments when Wicked’s music and lyrics felt like a lifeline, inspiring her to “defy gravity” and chart a new path. Whether you’re a fan of Broadway or navigating your own personal struggles, this episode is a reminder that even the most unexpected things—like a stage musical—can be a source of hope and strength. Tune in to hear Amanda’s reflections, her favorite songs from the show, and why Wicked remains a meaningful part of her story.

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Amanda finally shares some of her dating history post-cult, pre-Kyle. Stories include the Taco Bell incident (Kyle's favorite), trad-wife-seeking encounters, insurance scammers, and that one time Amanda asked a guy out (see social media for the whole story). Also, as a public health professional, Amanda is very proud of how she handled the sexual aspect of her dating history. ;)

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Join us for a quick Thanksgiving episode and special announcement! Kyle shares his family's special Thanksgiving meal tradition and Amanda shares some memories of Thanksgivings from her childhood. For all of our listeners with tough family situations this holiday season, we send you love and a reminder that you are worthy, your boundaries are important, and you always have community here with us. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Amanda and Kyle respond to listener questions about head coverings, cult practices around the Sabbath, if Amanda thinks her boldness and intelligence caused her to be targeted for abuse as she grew up in the IBLP cult, and how Amanda thinks sexual abuse against one of her brothers would have been handled versus how it was handled for her as a girl.

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What do Cabbage Patch Kids and the 2024 election in the US have in common? A lot, as it turns out. This episode was recorded in response to a poll posted on social media asking listeners to share topics they would like to hear in an episode. Amanda and Kyle discuss correlations between Bill Gothard and Trump/Vance.

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