Épisodes

  • Ep 5. Toxic Church: Is There Hope for the Institution of the Church?
    Jul 24 2025

    Guest: Karen Swallow Prior

    In this episode, we have a NEW interview with speaker, author, and literature professor Dr. Karen Swallow Prior around post-institutionalism, the loss of virtue in leadership, and whether the failure of the Westernized Church spells out the death of Christianity or an opportunity for reformation. Plus, Robert, Hannah, and Zane discuss classic literature, the difference between a mob and a movement, and how a new Star Wars show demonstrates various dimensions of moral courage when it comes to staying or leaving a toxic system.


    Resources Mentioned:

    • On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books by Karen Swallow Prior
    • You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful by Karen Swallow Prior
    • Something's Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse--and Freeing Yourself from Its Power by Wade Mullen
    • Toward a More Trauma-Informed Church by Pete Singer


    Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 7 min
  • Ep 4. Toxic Church: I'm Trapped in an Abusive Church System... Now What?
    Jul 10 2025

    Guest: Scot McKnight.

    Interviewer: Boz Tchividjian.

    Tune in as Robert, Zane, and Hannah break down a previous GRACE Live Conversation with our former Executive Director, Boz Tchividijian, and author Scot McKnight, about finding peace despite being caught in a toxic church system. In addition, the team tackles common fears that keep people trapped in toxic church systems, the cost of leaving, and grassroots methods of cultural change.


    Resources Mentioned:

    • GRACE Live Conversation with Scot McKnight & Boz Tchividjian
    • A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing by Scot McKnight
    • Shattered Sanctuary: The Many Losses of Church Betrayal by Katherine B. Wiens
    • GRACE Resources for Survivors


    If you find these conversations and resources helpful, please consider supporting GRACE!


    Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 1 min
  • Ep 3. Toxic Church: Understanding the Cycle of Abuse in Church Systems
    Jul 10 2025

    Guests: Wade Mullen & Chuck DeGroat.

    Interviewer: Pete Singer

    In this episode, Robert, Zane, and Hannah discuss a previous GRACE Live Conversation with Wade Mullen & Chuck DeGroat about how toxic church systems are formed and maintained. Plus, the small cultural norms we find bothersome, the culpability of leaders in culture formation, and three stages of reckoning with toxic church systems.


    Resources Mentioned:

    • GRACE Live Conversation with Wade Mullen & Chuck DeGroat.
    • Something's Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse - and Freeing Yourself from Its Power by Wade Mullen
    • Walls of Silence: Protecting the Institution Over the Individual by Boz Tchividjian
    • Consultations with GRACE

    Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 7 min
  • Ep 2. Toxic Church: What is Power and How is it Abused in Faith Settings?
    Jul 10 2025

    Guests: Diane Langberg & Phil Monroe.

    Interviewer: Pete Singer

    Join Robert, Hannah, and Zane as they listen to and break down a previous GRACE Live Conversation with Diane Langberg and Phil Monroe about what power is, the forms it takes, and how it can be misused in faith settings. Plus, the wisdom (or lack thereof) of bringing back Dire Wolves, the temptation to take shortcuts to power, and prioritizing legal obligations versus caring for the vulnerable.


    Resources Mentioned:

    • GRACE Live Conversation with Diane Langberg and Phil Monroe
    • Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church by Diane Langberg


    Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and may not represent the views of GRACE as an organization. Similarly, the presence of a guest on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement of them, their work, or any organization they represent. This podcast is also not a forum for GRACE to discuss past, present, or future investigations or engagements but rather to draw out broader themes, principles, and research around abuse in faith contexts.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    54 min
  • Ep 1. Welcome to the GRACE Awakening
    Jul 10 2025

    Welcome to The GRACE Awakening Podcast! Get to know the GRACE team (including Robert Peters, Zane Hart, and Hannah Fordice) and why a podcast may just be the right place to have complex conversations around reckoning with abuse in the Church today.


    Excited about what GRACE is up to? Get connected!

    • Sign up for the GRACE Newsletter
    • Attend an upcoming GRACE Live Conversation
    • Donate to GRACE


    Voir plus Voir moins
    11 min