The first episode of our newest project, Descent Into Light, is now available. Two years in the making, this project is dedicated to all survivors of abuse in spiritual settings, especially those within the Catholic Church.
We are deeply grateful to Nick and Corynne Staresinic for their help in producing this project; it would not be the same without their creative collaboration and technical expertise.
What happens when a spiritual leader you trust turns out to be someone very different from what you believed?
In Episode One of Descent Into Light, “Sacred Trust Shattered,” Sr. Theresa Aletheia takes listeners into the moment when her world cracked open. What began as admiration for a spiritual leader unraveled into a devastating shock.
This first episode explores:
The shock and disorientation that follows spiritual betrayal
How grooming can hide behind spiritual language and “holy” appearances
Why power and consent must be understood to protect adults from abuse in faith settings
Licensed mental health counselor, Regina Boyd, who has worked closely with survivors of clergy abuse, unpacks the grief and trauma that survivors of spiritual abuse often experience.
Theologian Dr. Julie Hanlon Rubio sheds light on clericalism as a structure of power—not just a few “bad apples.”
This isn’t just a story about darkness. It’s about taking steps toward hope and renewal.
Stay with us as we release a new episode each week, for eight weeks, as we move through the stages of grief toward hard-earned hope.