Episodes
When a Predator Shapes How You Pastor: A Chat with Bryan Holt (Part 2)
April 7, 2021
It can often feel to survivors that pastors who truly care about sexual abuse are mere legends. Sure, we've heard they're out there, but has anyone ever actually seen one up close? As it turns out, yes. And while we aren't a…
When a Predator Shapes How You Pastor: A Chat with Bryan Holt (Part I)
March 31, 2021
It can often feel to survivors that pastors who truly care about sexual abuse are mere legends. Sure, we've heard they're out there, but has anyone ever actually seen one up close? As it turns out, yes. And while we aren't a…
[In]Competent to Counsel: How "Biblical" Counseling Can Harm Sexual Abuse Survivors
March 24, 2021
Evangelical Christianity has its own music, movies, books and catch phrases, so it stands to reason that we need our own therapists as well. Right? Well, maybe not. While Christian movies may only make you cringe and despera…
Is Your Cardiologist A Christian? (How the Church Discourages Survivor Healing)
March 17, 2021
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse know all too well that churches often miss the mark (by a lot) when it comes to supporting survivors. But what pours salt into their deep wounds is that these same churches often demonize …
Life Without Parole: When Predators Offend and Victims Serve Their Sentence
March 10, 2021
While experts and offenders debate whether child predators should be rehabilitated or imprisoned, victims of sexual abuse receive an automatic life sentence. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/survivorsanctuary…
Is My Podcast Sending People To Hell? And Other Questions About Speaking Out On Sexual Abuse
Feb. 24, 2021
You're ruining the reputation of the Church. You're hurting the cause of Christ. You're turning people away from Christianity and sending them to hell. If you're a survivor of sexual abuse, you've likely had all of these acc…
How Protectors Help Us Heal from Sexual Abuse
Feb. 10, 2021
I lost my brother last month, and as a result, my fiercest protector. In his honor, this episode of Survivor Sanctuary is dedicated to "protectors" like him, and their role in helping us heal from sexual abuse. Support Survi…
From Surviving to Advocating: Four Things You Should Know
Jan. 13, 2021
For many survivors of sexual abuse, finding their voice leads to speaking out and advocating for victims of abuse. But before you dive head-first into the world of advocacy, there are four things Kelly would like you to know…
Lessons on Sexual Abuse Prevention from a Covid-19 Scare
Dec. 2, 2020
Sometimes life throws curveballs that teach unexpected lessons. The last three weeks have been crazy, scary and riddled with anxiety, but the silver lining is a lesson in protecting the vulnerable that is invaluable for pare…
What an Oversized Fish Can Teach the Church About Dealing with Sex Offenders
Nov. 4, 2020
I read two articles this week about institutions dealing with "offenders" in their midst. One was about a church in Florida that hosts a ministry of love and acceptance to sex offenders. The other was about how an aquarium i…
Speaking Out on Sex Abuse: A Chat With Jimmy Hinton (Part 2)
Oct. 28, 2020
On today's episode, I continue my chat with advocate and predator expert Jimmy Hinton. After turning in his own father for sexually abusing children more than a decade ago, Jimmy has dedicated much of his time to speaking ou…
Speaking Out on Sex Abuse: A Chat With Jimmy Hinton (Part 1)
Oct. 21, 2020
On today's episode of Survivor Sanctuary, I'm chatting with advocate and predator expert Jimmy Hinton. After turning in his own father for sexually abusing children more than a decade ago, Jimmy has dedicated much of his tim…
Shining Light on Sexual Abuse Within Your Church: A Beginner's Guide
Oct. 14, 2020
We talk a lot about what churches are doing wrong when it comes to preventing and responding to sexual abuse (and with good reason). But there are actually several ways that you can begin to open your church's eyes about abu…
Sexual Abuse Actually Does Leave A Mark
Oct. 8, 2020
You may have heard it said that the effects of sexual abuse can't be physically seen. We focus a lot, and rightfully so, on the mental, emotional and psychological effects of abuse. But while there are many "unseen" effects …
The Damage Done By "Grooming"
Sept. 23, 2020
Whatever you call it--grooming, testing, preparing--the process by which a predator selects and readies his victims for abuse can be just as damaging as the acts of abuse themselves. Today on the podcast we talk about the da…
When Our Theology Protects Predators Over Victims
Sept. 16, 2020
On episode 47 of the podcast, we'll take a look at why it is so difficult for victims of sexual abuse to find healing from their trauma within the church. When a church's theology preaches freedom for the predator while pili…
When Church is a Trauma Trigger
Sept. 2, 2020
Sitting in a church service watching a worship pastor with skinny jeans and perfectly disheveled hair croon the latest Hillsong chorus might seem perfectly peaceful to many churchgoers. To a survivor of abuse, though, it can…
Do You *Really* Want to #SavetheChildren?
Aug. 26, 2020
The SavetheChildren hashtag has become mighty popular on social media over the last few months. Awesome news for abused and trafficked children, right?! Not really, as it turns out. On this episode of Survivor Sanctuary, we'…
Happy Anniversary, Survivor Sanctuary!
Aug. 19, 2020
Today on the podcast we're celebrating Survivor Sanctuary's one year podcastversary (totally a word, right?). We'll take a look back at the past year, and chat about what's in store for season two of the podcast. Grab your p…
Megan and Dom Benninger: Cancelling the Culture of Silence
Aug. 12, 2020
On today's episode of Survivor Sanctuary we're chatting with Dom and Megan Benninger, the founders of BaptistAccountability.org, about their journey into advocacy for the vulnerable in churches. When they learned that a conv…
Exposing An Abuser: How Do You Know If You've Done Enough?
July 29, 2020
You've found your voice and reported your abuser. So why is there a niggling feeling in the back of your head that your work isn't done? On episode 42 of the podcast, we'll chat about the instinct to protect that drives many…
Confronting Your Abuser: Expectation vs. Reality
July 15, 2020
Maybe you've thought about it a million times--the exact words you would say to the person who abused you. Maybe you've written them out, word for word, or rehearsed them in front of a mirror. While the opportunity to actual…
The Only Thing More Dangerous Than A Predator
July 2, 2020
Predators are going to prey; it's what they do. But the truth is that predators need help from an even more dangerous animal in order to successfully produce victims for the long haul. On this episode of Survivor Sanctuary, …
Dear Churches: How About We Stop Funding Molestionaries? Thanks.
June 24, 2020
Yet another infuriating story in the news this week sparked this episode of Survivor Sanctuary. What is the deal with churches financially supporting credibly accused child molesters who "feel led" to travel to foreign land…