A Thousand Tiny Papercuts: Purity Culture and Spiritual Abuse
This week, Andrew and Laura welcome the brilliant and hilarious Katherine Spearing—author, practitioner, and founder of Tears of Eden—to talk about everyone’s favorite church obsession: purity culture. You know, that special brand of shame that told you your worth was tied to your virginity and your shoulders were a stumbling block. Katherine unpacks how that messaging messed with an entire generation’s view of sex, self-worth, and spirituality—and how she’s helping survivors heal from it.
They dive into Katherine’s upcoming book, A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts, the “stay-at-home daughter” movement, and the ways spiritual abuse hides in plain sight inside churches that claim to protect you. From purity rings to trauma responses, it’s a wild ride through the weird intersections of religion, control, and patriarchy.
If you’ve ever been told your body was a “temple” but weren’t allowed to use the front door, this episode’s for you.
Social Media: IG: @katherinespearing, @tearsofedenofficial; Email list at Katherinespearing.com, Tears of Eden's email list tearsofeden.org
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
Follow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com
Hosts:
Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs
Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji
Editing and Production by Kevin Crowe and can be found at www.kevincrowe.co.