Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
ICSA International Conference 2025 - Montreal, QC
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Cheryl Bawtinheimer, Ben Woodbury, Richard Marsh
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Abstract:
Segment 1
Who we are, what we do and why– the history of Get-a-Life - Presented by Cheryl Bawtinheimer The Get-a-Life Podcast, launched in October 2022, was created by four former members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) as a platform for ex-members to share their stories and experiences. The podcast emerged in the wake of the church's ongoing “propaganda war” with its critics, which has included legal action to shut down anti-PBCC websites and blogs. The rise of social media in the 2010s provided a safer space for PBCC critics, with platforms like Facebook offering greater legal protection. Inspired by the success of media coverage, such as the Klondike Papers scandal, the podcast allows former members to speak out publicly. The podcast is recorded on Zoom, edited in Canada, and published on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, with episodes ranging from interviews with former PBCC members to discussions with cult experts. The format is informal, often emotional, and incorporates humor and satire. The podcast has grown beyond personal testimonies, now covering documentary-style episodes about specific issues, and has become a vital resource for those seeking to expose abuse and connect with others who have left high-demand groups like the PBCC.
Segment 2
Opening doors and lighting up dark places – the surprising reach of Get-a-Life - Presented by Ben Woodbury The Get-a-Life Podcast has gone further than its founders anticipated, reaching three key audiences:
1. Current Members: Despite strict monitoring of social media use within the PBCC, the podcast has found a way to reach current members, often through Dropbox links. These members access the content covertly, and some have cited the podcast as a catalyst for leaving the church.
2. Former Members: The podcast is primarily aimed at former PBCC members, providing a platform for shared experiences. It has been especially supportive for LGBTQ+ former members excommunicated for their sexual orientation and survivors of sexual abuse within the church, helping them find validation and community.
3. The Media: Public interest in the PBCC and other cultic groups has grown, leading journalists and documentary makers to approach the Get-a-Life team for insights and information. The podcast has become a valuable resource for media outlets covering the church and its controversial practices. Overall, the podcast has fostered connection, healing, and greater public awareness about the PBCC and its impact on individuals.
Segment 3
Information, vindication, joy and pain, – the impact of Get-a-Life Podcast - Presented by Richard Marsh The Get-a-Life Podcast has had a profound impact on its audiences, far beyond mere education. For former members, it provides therapeutic value, helping them process trauma and challenge false narratives spread by the church. Many use it as a platform to counter the PBCC's smear campaigns, offering a form of self-vindication. The podcast also connects former members, fostering support groups for those with shared experiences, such as survivors of sexual abuse or LGBTQ+ ex-members facing rejection. For current PBCC members, the podcast challenges the church's controlling narrative by showcasing the successes and happiness of exmembers, undermining the church's claims that leaving leads to failure. Additionally, the podcast exposes the hypocrisy and scandals of the PBCC leadership, such as financial misconduct and abusive incidents, which are often hidden from current members. The podcast's impact extends to the PBCC itself, enforcing an unprecedented level of accountability. Journalists and documentary makers use the podcast as a critical source of information, helping to shed light on the church’s practices. By offering a platform for confidential whistleblowing, the podcast ensures that abuses are publicly exposed, making it a powerful tool for both healing and activism.
ICSA International Conference 2025 - Montreal, QC
-
Cheryl Bawtinheimer, Ben Woodbury, Richard Marsh
-
Abstract:
Segment 1
Who we are, what we do and why– the history of Get-a-Life - Presented by Cheryl Bawtinheimer The Get-a-Life Podcast, launched in October 2022, was created by four former members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) as a platform for ex-members to share their stories and experiences. The podcast emerged in the wake of the church's ongoing “propaganda war” with its critics, which has included legal action to shut down anti-PBCC websites and blogs. The rise of social media in the 2010s provided a safer space for PBCC critics, with platforms like Facebook offering greater legal protection. Inspired by the success of media coverage, such as the Klondike Papers scandal, the podcast allows former members to speak out publicly. The podcast is recorded on Zoom, edited in Canada, and published on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, with episodes ranging from interviews with former PBCC members to discussions with cult experts. The format is informal, often emotional, and incorporates humor and satire. The podcast has grown beyond personal testimonies, now covering documentary-style episodes about specific issues, and has become a vital resource for those seeking to expose abuse and connect with others who have left high-demand groups like the PBCC.
Segment 2
Opening doors and lighting up dark places – the surprising reach of Get-a-Life - Presented by Ben Woodbury The Get-a-Life Podcast has gone further than its founders anticipated, reaching three key audiences:
1. Current Members: Despite strict monitoring of social media use within the PBCC, the podcast has found a way to reach current members, often through Dropbox links. These members access the content covertly, and some have cited the podcast as a catalyst for leaving the church.
2. Former Members: The podcast is primarily aimed at former PBCC members, providing a platform for shared experiences. It has been especially supportive for LGBTQ+ former members excommunicated for their sexual orientation and survivors of sexual abuse within the church, helping them find validation and community.
3. The Media: Public interest in the PBCC and other cultic groups has grown, leading journalists and documentary makers to approach the Get-a-Life team for insights and information. The podcast has become a valuable resource for media outlets covering the church and its controversial practices. Overall, the podcast has fostered connection, healing, and greater public awareness about the PBCC and its impact on individuals.
Segment 3
Information, vindication, joy and pain, – the impact of Get-a-Life Podcast - Presented by Richard Marsh The Get-a-Life Podcast has had a profound impact on its audiences, far beyond mere education. For former members, it provides therapeutic value, helping them process trauma and challenge false narratives spread by the church. Many use it as a platform to counter the PBCC's smear campaigns, offering a form of self-vindication. The podcast also connects former members, fostering support groups for those with shared experiences, such as survivors of sexual abuse or LGBTQ+ ex-members facing rejection. For current PBCC members, the podcast challenges the church's controlling narrative by showcasing the successes and happiness of exmembers, undermining the church's claims that leaving leads to failure. Additionally, the podcast exposes the hypocrisy and scandals of the PBCC leadership, such as financial misconduct and abusive incidents, which are often hidden from current members. The podcast's impact extends to the PBCC itself, enforcing an unprecedented level of accountability. Journalists and documentary makers use the podcast as a critical source of information, helping to shed light on the church’s practices. By offering a platform for confidential whistleblowing, the podcast ensures that abuses are publicly exposed, making it a powerful tool for both healing and activism.
