With Adam Beatty

Adam shares what it was like to grow up inside The Living Word Fellowship, a high-control religious movement that later collapsed under widespread allegations of abuse. As a Black man, he speaks candidly about race, power, and tokenism, both within the church and in the aftermath of its collapse.

This is a long-form conversation. Please listen at your own pace, and take care of yourself as needed. This episode includes discussions of spiritual abuse, sexual abuse, racism, and high-control religious systems.

In this episode:

1. Introduction and Content Warning [00:00]
2. Adam's Early Life in the Living Word Fellowship [01:01]
3. Experiences and Reflections on Shiloh [04:22]
4. Understanding Cult Dynamics [07:58]
5. Historical Context and Personal Reflections [17:11]
6. Race and Identity in the Cult [38:33]
7. The Moving Goalposts of Whiteness [52:23]
8. Experiences of Racism in the Church [54:50]
9. Racism and Leadership in the Church [57:57]
10. Designated Relationships and Control [01:04:08]
11. Leaving the Church and Its Aftermath [01:07:10]
12. The Fall of Living Word Fellowship [01:17:15]
13. Widespread Abuse and Cover-Up [01:22:29]
14. Healing and Processing Trauma [01:38:26]
15. Handling Rule Violations and Group Dynamics [01:41:24]
16. Generational Perspectives and Church Hierarchy [01:43:16]
17. Challenges and Stress in Managing the Group [01:47:17]
18. Therapy and Healing from Trauma [01:51:54]
19. Reflecting on the Podcast and Personal Growth [01:55:26]
20. Addressing Systemic Issues and Seeking Justice [02:05:08]
21. Final Thoughts and Moving Forward [02:22:54]

Why it matters:

Having real conversations and giving people space to share their stories that shaped them is crucial to keeping the HUMAN in humanity.

Resources + Links:

1. Oops I'm in a Cult! Podcast

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, experiencing distress, or needs mental health support, help is available.

1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) — call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org
2. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — resources for finding mental health support and information

Connect with Adam Further:

Adam Beatty is a lyricist, audio engineer and photographer from Los Angeles, California. He grew up in The Living Word Fellowship, once considered a non-denominational church that was revealed to be a high pressure cult in 2018, when an open letter was published online by a former member alleging years of sexual and emotional abuse that was actively covered up by leadership. He currently lives in Iowa City, Iowa.

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