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In this episode of How to Leave a Cult, I sit down with Lane Kamp — the son of Trina Kamp, one of the founders of the cult I was raised in. This is the beginning of a multi-part interview, and we start not with the cult itself, but with the woman at the center of it.

Lane takes us through his mother’s early life: her childhood, her first marriage, and the moment she met spiritualist Richard Ireland — a meeting that would deeply influence her path. Together, we begin to unpack the experiences, trauma, and ideologies that shaped Trina Kamp before she became a leader.

This is the origin story — as told by her son — of how one woman’s past became the foundation for a belief system that would change lives forever.

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The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

Find us here:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookewalker9118
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_leave_a_cult

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In this episode, I share a harrowing experience where my minister crossed the line, touching me inappropriately and making suggestive advances. I talk about the overwhelming guilt and shame I felt, believing it was my fault, and how this abuse affected my emotional well-being for years. What made it even harder was the fear that no one would believe me—after all, he was a trusted figure.

The trauma of this experience is just one piece of the bigger picture. Growing up in a cult, I was constantly navigating an environment of control, manipulation, and confusion. The shame and guilt I carried, both from this abuse and my upbringing, shaped how I viewed myself and the world for years. This episode reflects on how deep-rooted trauma can affect every aspect of life, making it incredibly difficult to shift from merely surviving to thriving. Healing from this kind of trauma isn’t linear, and the emotional weight of it can feel suffocating, especially when you’re left questioning your worth and struggling to break free from the lasting effects of a lifetime of control.

Support the show

The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

Find us here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoleaveacult
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookewalker9118
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_leave_a_cult

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In this deeply personal episode, I open up about the emotional journey I navigated after my divorce and the search for stability in the aftermath. I discuss how going back to school played a crucial role in creating a future for myself and my children, giving me the confidence and direction to move forward. Along the way, I explore the powerful emotion of shame, how it can hold us back, and how understanding and processing it is essential for healing. I also touch on the core values that have helped me build resilience, empowering me to avoid falling prey to cults and toxic environments. This episode offers valuable insights on how to reclaim your life, develop a strong sense of self, and protect your future by nurturing personal growth and self-awareness.

Support the show

The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

Find us here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoleaveacult
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookewalker9118
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_leave_a_cult

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Kicking off Season 2 of How to Leave a Cult, I open up about the emotional aftermath of my divorce and the deep sense of failure I felt. I share insights into the cult's prestigious school, which boasted renowned teachers in basketball, chess with Igor Ivanov, and ballet with Yen Li Chen, gaining recognition statewide and nationally. We delve into the evolving expectations placed on cult children across generations and the pervasive issue in religion of blaming individuals rather than flawed systems.

This episode also guides you through identifying and diffusing triggers—those emotional landmines that can impact not only you but also those around you. Join me as we explore these challenges and learn how to reclaim personal power in the face of systemic control and emotional turmoil.

Support the show

The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

Find us here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoleaveacult
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookewalker9118
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_leave_a_cult

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In this heart-wrenching episode of How to Leave a Cult, I share the unraveling of my marriage amidst the powerful grip of cult influence. After the birth of our second child, my husband told me he couldn’t bear the people in the group anymore and decided to leave. I reflect on the pain of this loss, amplified by cult members’ gaslighting—insisting that he was a liar and had never truly loved me. Together, we’ll examine how cults use manipulation to isolate us from genuine love and support, and how I began to piece my life back together while facing profound betrayal and grief. This episode offers insight into the harsh realities of escaping cult influence, even in the deepest parts of personal relationships.

Support the show

The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

Find us here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoleaveacult
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookewalker9118
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_leave_a_cult

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In this episode of How to Leave a Cult, I take you inside the intense and often toxic dynamics of life as a young couple in the cult. From attending trance circles and processes to learning the cult's harsh, down-and-dirty communication methods, I share how venomous words became a way of life. We explore the damage that such negative patterns can cause in relationships and personal well-being.

But there’s hope—healing is possible. I discuss how practicing gratitude helped me transform those harmful habits and the health benefits of embracing this positive mindset. Join me as I share how gratitude can be a powerful tool in breaking free from a toxic past and fostering genuine emotional healing.

Support the show

The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

Find us here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoleaveacult
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookewalker9118
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_leave_a_cult

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In this episode of How to Leave a Cult, we dive deep into how living under a cult’s control affects us long after we’ve left. We start by exploring the 80/20 iceberg theory, which reveals how explicit rules and hidden expectations from cult life shape our recovery from trauma. I share the emotional journey of my child's birth, where the pressure to meet cult standards—like having a home birth—led to feelings of failure when I needed to go to the hospital.

Through personal experiences, we explore how healing is like peeling layers off an onion, addressing each painful emotion—grief, anger, and hurt—without judgment. This episode helps us see the importance of sitting with these emotions and finding the hidden gifts that come from facing our trauma. Whether you're in the process of leaving a controlling group or working through past wounds, this episode offers insight into how to break free and heal.

Support the show

The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

Find us here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoleaveacult
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookewalker9118
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_leave_a_cult

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In this deeply personal episode, I open up about two major life events—my wedding and baby shower—that were entirely decided for me. From the guest list to the location, nothing was truly mine. I share how these moments, which should have been joyful and celebratory, were orchestrated by the controlling hands of the group I was part of. Join me as I reflect on the emotional toll of having such meaningful life experiences taken over by others and how I began the journey of reclaiming my autonomy.

Support the show

The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

Find us here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoleaveacult
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookewalker9118
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_leave_a_cult