Surviving the Black Church Podcast

For Black LGBTQ+ people, the church is often the first place they learn that who they are is wrong. And the harm that follows can last a lifetime.

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Nikiya Pruitt — licensed clinical social worker — for an honest conversation about queerness, QTBIPOC identity, and the Black church. Drawing on her clinical work with some of the most marginalized communities at ...

In many Black church spaces, holiness isn't just a doctrine — it's a culture of control. And the psychological toll it takes on Black people runs deeper than most are willing to admit.

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Dr. Desiree Robinson — therapist and integrative practitioner specializing in faith, trauma, and intimate wellness — for an honest clinical conversation about what sanct...

What does it cost Black people to stop believing — in a community where faith is woven into identity, family, and belonging?

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Mandisa Thomas — founder and president of Black Nonbelievers, Inc. and co-recipient of the 2020 Harvard Humanist of the Year award — for a frank conversation about non-belief in the Black community. From the stigma of leaving fai...

Some stories need to be told because someone else is living them in silence right now.

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, Ebony Brice steps forward to share her experience as a Black religious trauma survivor — from growing up in the Black church, to enduring spiritual abuse at the hands of church leadership, to finding her voice on the other side of it all.

No credentials. No platform. Just a survivor telling her t...

What do you do when the family that introduced you to God is the same family that caused your deepest wounds? And what does faith look like when the trauma is that close to home?

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Carolyn J. Murphy — survivor, Mindshift Coach, and Founder of Firm Foundations Community Outreach, LLC — for an honest conversation about holding onto faith after familial trauma. C...

What does spirituality look like for Black people on the other side of religious trauma? And what happens when the tools that bring you healing are the same ones the church told you to fear?

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Brooke "Bee" Sanders — intuitive reader, self-published author, and Black empowerment advocate — for a real conversation about reclaiming your spiritual life outside of ...

What does Black religious trauma actually cost us — mentally, emotionally, spiritually? And what happens when a Black psychiatrist who studies race-based trauma turns her clinical eye toward the Black church?

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Isom, MD, MPH — board-certified psychiatrist, racial justice advocate, and founder of Vision for Equity LLC — for an honest, clinical...

The Black church has long been the heartbeat of Black community life. But what happens when the institution built to protect and uplift becomes a source of harm — and what responsibility do Black leaders carry when the community is watching?

This week, hosts of Surviving the Black Church sit down with Rev. Dr. Darrell D. Cummings, presiding bishop of The Vine Covenant Ministerial Fellowship, for an honest conversation about Bl...

Most Black folks have unknowingly been caught in a generational trauma bond with Christian nationalism—an invisible leash rooted in centuries of systemic oppression. But what if understanding its origins could free us from its grip? This powerful episode dives deep into how faith, history, and politics intertwine to shape the ongoing trauma within our communities and explores concrete pathways to healing and liberation.

You'll...

Summary

The Surviving the Black Church Podcast sheds light on religious trauma and dismantles oppressive systems within the Black Church. The urgency of the conversation is highlighted by the personal experiences of the hosts and the need to address the impact of Christian nationalism. The historical origins of Christian nationalism are explored, tracing back to the Roman Empire, colonialism, and the Puritans, and its impact...

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh and Nikki are Recapping Season 1!

This episode will conclude the first season of Surviving the Black Church Podcast.

The crew discusses how the topics from season one has personally impacted them and we also give a big shout out to the listeners both domestic and international!

Please join us for the season finale of Surviving the Blac...

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh and Nikki embark on a journey of navigating through a very monumental topic within our community - Mental Health Stigma & The Black Church

This topic is so vast and so needed within our communities that the crew took a shot at covering some important themes that are necessary when discussing the state of our mental health.

All of the info...

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki discuss "Coping mechanisms after religious trauma".

The crew delves into what maladaptive and adaptive coping mechanisms look like within the Black Church after experiencing religious abuse and trauma.

Please join us for this important discussion!

If you are a part of the Black Community and would like support, feel free to join our...

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki continue the conversation - Has religious abuse become the norm within the Black Church? - Part 2

The normalization of religious abuse is insidious at it's core and many are suffering in silence and fear being ostracized if they speak up.

This episode goes deeper and highlights an overlooked population of religious abuse survivors ...

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki reveal one of their most important episodes yet! The episode is entitled "Has religious abuse become the norm within the Black Church - Part 1"?

In this episode the crew doesn't hold back their sentiments regarding the normalization of abuse and religious abuse within our community and the Black Church at large.

Normalization of re...

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki continue the conversation of Similarities of Narcissistic Families and Narcissistic Religious Leaders.

The crew goes even deeper, describing what narcissism looks like when it manifests in the church system.
The various roles within a narcissistic family system are expounded on and we take a deeper look at how those roles compare to va...

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki discuss the "Similarities of Narcissistic Families and Narcissistic Religious Leaders Part 1"

The crew delves into what a Narcissistic Family System looks like and sheds light on how Narcissistic Religious Leaders lead their churches in similar fashion.

The SBC Podcast also elaborated on the impact of being in relationship with a ...

On this week's episode of Surviving the Black Church Podcast, Jonathon, Hugh, and Nikki breakdown the characteristics of abusive religious leaders within the Black Church.

The crew not only discussed these characteristics but also some of the things that attracted them to religious abusive leaders and their churches.

Some of the topics that are covered on this week's episode include:
-The love-bombing and discardin...