Surviving The Shiny Happy People Cult (Part 6) - Recovery | Friends With Davey

[@EstherLTurner]

My Dad is a pastor and I was telling him the other day about all this stuff that has blown up over the IBLP. He told me that another pastor friend of his had introduced him to the program back in the 80's, but that he had felt that there was something not quite right. (Although he was impressed by some book about animals.) We discussed the abuses and then I brought up the "joyfully available" shite. His response was, "Why do these men not love their wives the way God loves the church?"

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

Your dad hit the nail on the head!

[@brynbailey7132]

The men in these cult groups always forget that Scripture about loving their wives in that way!

[@daveyjaxx]

Good for your dad seeing through the lies and manipulation 👏🏻👏🏻❤️

[@kimhatch7019]

I've watched all 6 podcast. As a mom of men, it breaks my heart. I'm sure to some degree my son's experienced some of the same things as you. My husband and I "tried " to home school and it was a disaster. We believed that we were following God's will. We, as a family never felt we fit in because we didn't follow all the rules. I worked full time, we went to movies. You get the idea. It's sad to see people falling into this trap. I'm still a Christian but I'm not accountable to a church or a man. I hope that such things as the documentaries and podcasts will bring healing to those who are in pain.

[@daveyjaxx]

You sound so self-aware and able to acknowledge missteps so I’m sure your sons are doing great or at least on the right path! 🙏🏻❤️

[@CarolChillsCasually]

We hear from women a lot in these types of groups. It’s good to hear from a man’s point of view. All y’all’s stories need to be heard. Thank you for sharing.

[@daveyjaxx]

Women experienced the “worst” of the trauma in this cult and I think men should feel a certain sense of obligation to speak out against it 🙏🏻❤️

[@quietday2]

Interesting. I lived in New Braunfels, Texas, in the early 1980s and Gothard’s program was really a big movement there. One friend ended up having 12 children. My husband and I did attend the huge, expensive, week-long Gothard conference in San Antonio, and got the red notebook. Yeah. But we never got entrenched in the whole thing because, guess what?, we had to live actual lives, earn a living, raise a family, etc., in the real world. I happened across Recovering Grace a few years ago and was so sad and disappointed to see what had been going on behind “the curtain” at IBLP when I was briefly interested in it. Thank you for doing this series.

[@daveyjaxx]

I’m a San Antonio liver and New Braunfels lover 🙏🏻❤️ it’s pretty crazy when you really think about how quickly Gothard built his empire and expanded it all over the world 🤯

[@mothersgauri4137]

To say "get over it" is like telling someone with a broken leg....."just get up and run...no big deal". Anyone who would say such a thing, has very little understanding of the human experience. Trauma definitely helps one learn some valuable life lessons ! Thank you for this beautiful sharing of your experiences !!! Love your hearts !!!❤👍

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank you so much and absolutely agree. Unless someone has been through this kind of trauma they really can’t understand how drastically it effects your psyche. 🙏🏻❤️

[@rteegar78]

This is so good! Brice’s story is so common! He should look into becoming a therapist for those that are coming out of this upbringing. It’s going to be needed more and more.

[@daveyjaxx]

Totally agree!! 🙏🏻❤️

[@ndisfoshiz]

When Bryce said “telling someone to just get over trauma is disingenuous” I nearly cried. This past week I was at the beach with family and my grandmother told my younger sister “you need to get over (ex husband)”. He was physically emotionally and mentally abusive towards her. Needless to say grandma was in trouble and my sister broke down. Thank you both for this series! It has helped me come to terms with some abuse I’ve experienced and helped me somewhat move on

[@daveyjaxx]

I’m so glad to hear this has been helpful for you and hope you continue to grow in your recovery 🙏🏻❤️

[@Doe808eoD]

I find it so interesting that cults, like this, develop young people into articulate public speakers in hopes that they will proselytize for the cult. Instead, they become well spoken advocates for change.

[@merricat3025]

Not all of them. I wonder what percentage protect the cult and/or stayed and what percentage are like Jamie and Brice

[@daveyjaxx]

The strategy definitely backfired in multiple cases 😂🙏🏻

[@JoannesWeb]

The level of growth and maturity it takes to share this with the world has been what all these life experiences have brought you. Thank You for sharing this. It kind of explains a lot about some bizarre behaviors I always wondered about Best wishes !

[@daveyjaxx]

I’m still pretty immature…some would even say bizarre 😂 but thank you so so much for all the support over the course of this series 🙏🏻❤️

[@StandFirmApologetics]

Dude. I feel behind as well. I didn’t move out until I was 27. Didn’t work full time (for any money) until I was 27. Before then I did opportunities with the IBLP - Taiwan and in the gap (character first education rebranded). I’m so glad to be out!!!

[@daveyjaxx]

Congratulations on making it out and you’re right where you’re supposed to be! 🙏🏻❤️

[@Silver_Girl178]

Thank you Brice for talking about not telling people to move on. Just because someone thought they were doing the right thing, at the time, doesn't make the past any easier to live with in your own head.

[@gracepeterson7483]

Back in the late 1980s and early 90s, I was THE mom who grabbed onto the idea of "separating" from society. Although I never attended any Bill Gothard events, (I was too afraid to) I read books and immersed myself as much as I could in the lifestyle he touted. Having grown up in an abusive home (no religion, but a lot of violence) Gothard's ideas felt right. They helped me "fit in" and find a place to belong in this world. And they became the antidote for the extreme fear I felt for my children "out in the horrible, evil world." However, after the birth of my fourth child, postpartum became unbearable and I lost touch with reality, which led me down another dark road. The point I'm making is that cults always have a certain appeal. We who have little to no emotional intelligence are "the prey". And we go willingly because we hope for something better for ourselves and our family. We want to belong and rise above the pain of our past and sever the cycle of abuse. Being duped is devastating. The reality that we messed up so badly and hurt our kids is horrendous. It took me 10 years of recovery, (without all the resources available today) and today, my family is in a good place. I haven't watched the Prime documentary yet but I plan to. Thank you for sharing your experiences, guys. I'm positive you're helping a lot of people. 💚

[@ginadevaney5488]

Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for doing this series. I am still unpacking the damage done to me and my family by just being around and being influenced by people who were in the cult as a young homeschooling mom. I was branded as “rebellious “ for questioning a lot of the crap, but it still had a profound effect on my life and my children’s lives. Especially what was taught about male authority and divorce. Thank you for being genuine and telling it like it was and is!❤

[@Quantum_Idealism]

So greatful for you Davey! As a man, it's been amazing having a male voice in this space.

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank you so much for the love and support! It’s definitely taken a while to get comfortable with sharing this 🙏🏻❤️

[@Quantum_Idealism]

@@daveyjaxx i so badly need to start making videos, because my family's story out of iblp is pretty fucking crazy

[@JTfmOK]

Love how the two of you have remained friends for all this time!! Thank you both for sharing your stories!!❤❤

[@daveyjaxx]

Through thick and thin 🙏🏻❤️

[@mysideacc2770]

came here from the cult of consciousness interview. this series has been really entertaining as well as really enlightening, thank you for making and posting it. i gotta say though, the most surprising thing to me has been all the times where you guys talked about an experience in the cult or dealing with aftereffects and i thought "oh yeah, i've been through that/something similar too, i can relate". i'm a garden variety christian but i got, eh, not the best mom. i was going to joke about how if i was an american my parents would love iblp, but then i realized how terrifying that would be if it happened. anyway all that to say, i can appreciate how you guys are talking about your experiences.

[@daveyjaxx]

I think our experiences are all too common in “high demand groups” as shelise so accurately describes them. I also think that children who grow up in “high demand households” can also experience alot of the same symptoms regardless of religious background. Thank you so much for the support 🙏🏻❤️

[@katiestorment1867]

Hi Davey! I survived IBLP as well, ran from home at 18. I saw your high school picture during the last episode and I know I've seen you somewhere. I can't tell you how surreal it is to see how this has blown up with the release of the documentary. I have a dissociative disorder, memories are difficult for me, so I can't tell you how I know you, but I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this series. It's the best I've seen on the subject, and I've seen a lot lately. Hugs to you and Bryce, you both are amazing and strong, thank you SO MUCH for giving us all a voice!!! 💙

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻❤️ and from one ex-er to another, I’m so glad you made it out!! Feel free to DM me and we can probably figure out pretty quickly where our paths crossed…maybe Indianapolis??

[@mitochondria558]

Thanks for sharing, so great to see y'all thriving

[@daveyjaxx]

Thrive on!! 🙏🏻❤️

[@katwitanruna]

Break the silence. Break the cycle.

[@daveyjaxx]

👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻❤️

[@juliachildress2943]

This series was excellent. I was born and raised Southern Baptist, and actually back in the 50s-60s, it was mostly a good experience. Women could not be pastors and we couldn't drink, dance, or play cards, but the SBC at that time did not interfere with people's family lives. Never did they condemn birth control, public education, women working, women wearing pants or anything like that. Over the years, I lost my faith, became agnostic, and eventually found my way back to the Christian faith when I came to understand that being a Christian is about living and loving like Jesus. That's it. These religious cults are so harmful to so many. I really appreciate you both for sharing your stories and for being respectful to people of faith in general. I know how much pain and harm so many have suffered, but it saddens me to see so many ex-Christian podcasters mocking and demeaning people who have been through deconstruction and have found peace and joy in a healthy reconstructed Christian faith. Brice, I hope that your family eventually experiences healing in their relationship with you. Blessings to you both.

[@daveyjaxx]

We’re all living by faith to one degree or another and I still have an immense respect for the christian community as well as anyone trying to live their lives in by a set of productive and positive spiritual principles. Thank you so much for the support 🙏🏻❤️

[@michellepratico]

​@@daveyjaxxI attended a Christian school 1981-83. The pastor/principal was a huge supporter of Bill Gothard! This is before Gothard wrote his homeschool curriculum. This Christian School was run like a juvenile detention center & substandard education. We were basically told everything was wrong unless you were reading KJV & memorizing scripture. And, being female, we were going to Hell if we wore pants. This guy tried to tell my Dad how to run his home (& me), LOL! Didn't work! It's cults & fundamental beliefs like this, that turn people away from Christianity! You can be a Christian & not be crazy! I don't call myself a Christian. I call myself a Jesus follower. If you say Christian, people automatically think hypervigilant, legalistic, crazy people, LOL! The documentary put me in a weird funk, because that's when I realized that this was the rhetoric we were being fed. I hope you haven't turned your back on God. This cult was not God! God bless you both!

[@annagaiser5186]

I just want to express my appreciation for the way you gentlemen exposed the toxicity of this particular movement without bashing Christians or Christianity as a whole. That would have been an easy road to take, and probably would have gotten a lot of laughs, but you both maintained a respectful attitude toward people of faith.

[@daveyjaxx]

Brice and I still have a significant respect and love for the Christian community. Religious “organizations” not so much 😂 I think it’s important to recognize that there are good people and evil people in every faith/ideology/lifestyle 🙏🏻❤️

[@Silver_Girl178]

For what it's worth, the Death card in tarot rarely means literal death. It usually just means that something is coming to a hard stop so you're forced to take the detour. Also, if the pictures are any indication, Davy is way hotter now than he was 10 years ago😊

[@daveyjaxx]

I highly doubt gothard was referencing tarot cards as those clearly satanic according to his beliefs 😂 but thank you for the kind words 🙏🏻❤️

[@Silver_Girl178]

@@daveyjaxx you're welcome! I was kidding about Tarot-- mostly😀 I've never read for Gothard...but hypocrites are usually hypocrites all the way around. You'd be surprised who comes looking for a "soothsayer."

[@BethP-pl9nc]

Thank you Davey and Bryce for being so forthright. Davey, I'm glad you connected again with your family and Bryce, I can see the sadness in your face. Peace and joy to you both!

[@daveyjaxx]

🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@sherrywallace2279]

Davie and Bryce, thank you once again for sharing your stories. They are inspiring and moving and will be helpful to so many people. Wow. I don’t know if you realize how this will positively impact others whom you may never know of…but they’re out there waiting for this kind of encouragement.

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank you so much for the kind words and support 🙏🏻❤️ I wish there had been someone to share their story with me when I left the cult and was struggling with addiction so I’m hoping this reaches the people that need to hear it!

[@andreaarias2085]

Thank you for sharing your stories. I was encouraged to attend the Institute of Basic Youth Conflicts by my mentor and took part with many single people from my church. The notebook was something that I referred to often in the past! Had a difficult time, living in the "real world". Got married and served in my church with my husband and family. Now that I am a widow, I am still learning how to live! Age 74! Brice and Davey, thank you for sharing!

[@SouthernYankee-32]

I truly enjoyed your pod cast series, My thanks to all who were a part of it.

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank for the support 🙏🏻❤️

[@rg5706]

“Drinking in the fabric section of Walmart “… I laughed OUT LOUD... thank you!

[@daveyjaxx]

That poor new braunfels Walmart was probably wondering where all the box wine was going 😂😂

[@LindsayPyle]

Thanks for sharing these hard stories!! You both seem like such great men and it’s nice to hear y’all’s perspective and how you both persevered. Congrats to you both!

[@daveyjaxx]

I have a couple ex’s that would probably disagree with the “great man” characterization 😂 but sincerely thank you so much 🙏🏻❤️

[@jamiemcvay130]

Living in these training centers sounds like being in prison. Many guys who get out of prison are in the same boat. They don’t know what to do in life so they do something to get back in prison.

[@JCScavage97]

Thank you for discussing the guy side of things. I appreciate hearing men open up about these items. It's still not an open conversation for many because of the triggers. I now believe that the spirit abuse we all underwent was extremely destruction for many of us. I am grateful to be on the outside of this world now. Your discussions helped me with my own disentanglment. Much appreciated.

[@daveyjaxx]

I’m so glad the series has been helpful for you! that was the primary goal in doing this. Wishing you all the best in your growth and recovery 🙏🏻❤️

[@christinagould9292]

I am so grateful for this video series and to all who shared their experiences. Now I know I am not alone… and I never was…not even and my lowest moments as an isolated, berated, young teenager when I felt so completely devoid of hope.

[@daveyjaxx]

There’s a whole community of people that know exactly what we went through and want to support and love us through recovery 🙏🏻❤️

[@amethystowl8821]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and educating us about this cult. As a therapist with a client who is currently trying to extricate herself from her evangelistic church and dealing with her trauma (and she is much more in the world that you were), I can only imagine what you all went through. Also, as a practicing Witch/Wiccan of 53-years, I am very interested in people’s spritual paths and meanderings into other religions. Best wishes to your continuing healing!

[@brynbailey7132]

This was a wonderful series. I know it brings up hard memories and trauma, and we appreciate that struggle to bring us the information. I wouldn't mind if you continued it on as you felt able. It was fascinating to hear a raw and real telling of it and not merely a fancy produced documentary (though I'm glad the doc brought awareness)

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻❤️ we’ll definitely coming back to it at some point after the live show in Austin. It’s been emotionally exhausting so definitely need to take some time to step back and process before we dive in again 😂

[@debrastrayer8600]

Thank you BOTH for sharing your stories here! Great job! Congratulations to both of you on your years of recovery! "Life on life's terms" takes on a whole new level when I consider your recovery from the cult & addiction. U r both so courageous!

[@shanmarielewis330]

Having loved addicts my entire life, I have an idea of how hard it was for you to revisit these photos. I know you're laughing to cope, because if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry, right? I totally get it. I just wanted to say thank you for going over some of the darkest points in your life to help yourself & others. Addiction is a terrible thing that is incredibly misunderstood. Having someone be the best person in your life while also being one of your biggest sources of trauma is a dichotomy many people don’t understand… Thank you for being vulnerable to help bring light to these topics.

[@debrastrayer8600]

Both of those pictures of Brice just ooze great sarcasm in the making!

[@Bageleth]

I remember a quote from Bill Gothard (which he said that God told him when he wanted to see a movie that his friends were seeing). It was “Others may, you may not”. This was quoted to me many times during my teen/young adult years

[@daveyjaxx]

I was just told “they’re on the path to tell” 😂😂

[@brittlebricks10]

Puke!!!

[@liseklerekoper2441]

I can’t thank you both enough for your willingness to be so vulnerable & honest w/ the religious trauma you both endured for years & survived. It takes so much willingness, trust, & courage to walk back thru your trauma, especially on such a public forum, & it was clear that your love & support for one another made this not just about your individual story, but also your collective experiences & ongoing connection w/ one another. Although I’m not a survivor of religious trauma, as a licensed psychotherapist, I work w/ all types of trauma experienced by my clients, mostly in their growing up years. I’ve worked w/ a number of clients who were raised in high demand/high control religions & were never taught self agency. That has made deconstruction & reconstruction particularly difficult. Healing includes taking control of the narrative of your story, & you both are such powerful examples of that w/ this entire series. I have no doubt you’ve helped many people just by speaking your truth out in the light. Shame can’t survive in the light, which is why there’s so much healing when survivors walk out of the shame hole by connecting & validating one another in forums such as Recovering Grace. Davey - Thank you for sharing your struggles in active addiction, the moment you surrendered to this disease, & the many gifts that you’ve found in recovery. I’m also a certified addictions counselor, an adult child of an alcoholic, & have been in recovery for 16 yrs w/ the continued help of a recovery fellowship. Your story is such an example of what I always tell my addiction/recovery clients; addiction may seem like the problem - & God knows it causes a lot of problems in our lives - but it’s actually the symptom, and in order to recover, we have to figure out what we were self-medicating. It’s so clear the direct connection b/w your religious trauma & your progressive addiction. You truly are a survivor & I’m grateful to have heard your story. 🫶

[@daveyjaxx]

Just now seeing your comment and thank you so much for all the work you do with recovering addicts. We desperately need your help and I can't imagine how many lives you've impacted for good!

[@liseklerekoper2441]

@@daveyjaxx - That’s so kind of you to say & I thank you. I’m grateful to have found recovery & I love working w/ fellow alcoholics & addicts struggling to get out of active addiction & the Hell that goes w/ this disease. We do recover!! Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.

[@aericks3000]

Something that struck me around the 30 minute mark as you talked about deflecting praise and shame for any and all small things is how much this can foster an environment of abuse that harms women and children directly. If you’re already wracked with guilt over the small stuff then doing some “big, bad” stuff might seem worth it. As humans, we seek out the comfort of others and if you pathologize the very small gestures of touch, attraction, desire for intimate connection, then you create an internal struggle that often can’t help but explode in an inappropriate way. Thus people will abuse those with less power in the hopes that their greatest sins will not be revealed. It’s creating the most toxic soup. Further, keeping women and children so subservient just creates a world of easy prey.

[@glendacox6540]

I hope you guys are submitted to receive some sort of award for this series! It has been amazing to hear your stories. Inspiring to say the very least. As an atheist I won’t send “prayers”, but as a Wiccan , I send hope that the power of the universe surrounds you both with serenity.❤☮️☮️❤️

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻❤️ the Christian in me recognizes the Wiccan in you and I’m so grateful that people of all different faiths can find hope and love in our commonality!

[@kristenbasta6496]

I've been following this whole series! Thanks so much for sharing. I grew up evangelical in the 90s and was homeschooled from 12-16 (until i was eligible to take classes at the community college.... Having no real world experience....). While my upbringing wasn't nearly as restricted as yours, i can definitely relate to what Brice said about feeling behind in life for a long time. I spent a lot of years struggling with feeling socially awkward and figuring out how to make decisions for myself as well. Sending love! ❤

[@marisamedlock9161]

Thank you so much for this series. You are both amazing and inspirational. I am glad this is all coming to light. I grew up in what I consider a very fundamentalist group, but not near what you all went through. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished and the men that you are today.

[@erpthompsonqueen9130]

Thank you. Watching from Alaska. My family was in since the 60s. I escaped at legal age in 70 and had to entirely disconnect. It's important to understand that as a Project this is Dominionism. Seven Mountains. Keep up the good work exposing all of this.

[@cled3600]

I'm going to have to watch the series again, at *least* one more time, because of all the parts I missed when my eyes filled with tears and that one part when I just broke down sobbing.

[@daveyjaxx]

It’s an emotional rollercoaster for sure ❤️ I hadn’t cried in probably 2-3 years before I watched the documentary and did this series and now it seems like it’s becoming a weekly occurrence 🥲 thank you for the support 🙏🏻❤️

[@hollywebster6844]

Thank you, Davey and Brice, for putting together this series. I hope that you will occasionally produce more videos about the IBLP and associated programs+practices. After the SHP interest dies down, I hope that reminders of the abuse inflicted by this organization continue to be posted. The topic needs to be kept in the public's attention so that more people might begin to find healing. I would be interested in hearing about any people of your age group who are raising children the way they were raised. It seems like this organization is probably more supported by proselytes rather than second generation followers. I also kinda don't want to know, because the thought of a new generation of children being ritually abused in the name of Jesus is beyond horrific.

[@January14q]

If anyone wants to learn more about authoritarian control / cults check out Steven Hassan’s BITE model. Behavior, Information, Thought, Emotional Control. This was so helpful in helping with 2 family members who went to a Christian counselor who was actually in a cult and abused his clients. I read Combating Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan and it explains cults excellently. Davey Jackson Thank You for this series. Your voice is helping to make a difference. 🌹

[@jessicaemghee]

Brice at the end kinda broke my heart. I'm so sorry. I hope your parents see the light.

[@daveyjaxx]

Never beyond hope 🙏🏻❤️

[@CWB102]

Omg. Y’all are making me laugh so hard. TCs had such a language and culture that you bring back 😂

[@karia814]

Davey, you totally look like an elf from Lord of the Rings with that long hair!😊 take that as a compliment. I'm so glad you're both on the other side of the hardest stuff. Thanks fir sharing your stories.❤

[@daveyjaxx]

😂😂 I was definitely a problematic elf. Thank you for the support 🙏🏻❤️

[@karia814]

@@daveyjaxx I got that impression! 😅

[@donnagwinn920]

Thank you for exposing your deepest heart

[@daveyjaxx]

🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@deliverancemusic7]

Can’t emphasize how important these podcasts were for my healing. Thanks guys. Y’all are awesome.

[@AndreacardonaDauntlessandre]

This was a great series , thanks 😊 So happy to know you find the way to smile 😊

[@daveyjaxx]

Life is pretty amazing these days 🙏🏻❤️

[@susanbarackman-artist7670]

you deserve a great big thank you and award for what you have done in helping bring this cult to the forefront. it is not over. there are still wolves in the church and as long as there is patriarchy (as oppses to mutualiity) as the underlying method by which the christian chruch is run there will be wolves taking advantage. patriarchy gives abusers a biblical excuse for how they act towards those who are under theiir authority but under mutuality --the door is shut where both genders are equal and no man is in headship over wives or women--- what is tragic is those who have lost their faith in god due to the horrendous abuse and misogeny they grew up under.

[@angela_eric]

I wasn't in a cult that I know of, but deflecting praise is something I can be really bad with to this day for other reasons. I need to learn how to take credit for what I know and try to learn something I can use to do more in life. However, I have finally stabilized in life, which I am proud of.

[@CarolineInTheMoment]

You guys are inspiring, amazing journeys and growth. Peace and freedom are everything.

[@lilyduvenick2139]

I’ve watched all of your previous episodes of this story and this one is by far my favorite. Davy, you are incredibly inspiring

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank you so much for the love and support 🙏🏻❤️

[@dgb2001]

I know I am late to listening to these but wow, how moving. I am bawling listening to you talk about your experiences.

[@marnavanloo7302]

Family members might be inside the rabbit hole. Thanks for sharing your stories. My first podcast episode was the one before this. I’ll start from the first.

[@LykaFoxbriar]

Oooof man, I related so hard to Brice this episode like, esp about feeling like I'm behind on my life. I'm not a survivor of IBLP but I am a survivor of an evangelical mega church with parents who are still firmly locked into their own personal doctrines. I had to single handedly at the age of 28 basically escape from them because I was a traumatized disabled adult who did a church internship that I spent all my college money on because I was told College would corrupt me. So all I have is a High school education and I might as well had been homeschool with how out of touch my parents kept me, but man the end there, Brice I feel that pain too re: wishing you could have your parents but them being still in the midst. My father is deeply entrenched in his own personal conspiracy theories fed into by QAnon, and I like to joke about it sometimes but man you know. I wish I had a dad I could go to for strength and support. I wish my mom would wake up and see that they need help. I wish I could have a good relationship with them. I would sneakily watch the pokemon movies as a kid and wish that I could be in them, go off on my own and through my own power fix everything. And well I guess I have in a way as I'm on the other side of the country away from my parents, but man it's been rough and I'm still working on finding that hope.

[@daveyjaxx]

I feel for you and I’m so sorry for what you’ve had to go through ❤️ hold fast, work hard and know that the universe is conspiring in your favor!

[@bevrichardson4900]

Well done on your journey. I was not in your cult but was in another one I ran from at age 20 in 1973. From then on I lost my home, job, friends and family as they practise a form of shunning. It was only in 2006 in a short phone call across two states my mother told me “ she thought she was doing the right thing all those years. Meanwhile she missed her only child’s wedding, the birth of her only grandchildren. People tell me I should move on as well but we all deal with stuff differently. I took the therapy route, my ex husband the addictions route.

[@JuliaJewels7]

I grew up Pentecostal and can relate to some aspects. My parents were controlling narcissists and I’m an only child. Although my upbringing was much easier than IBLP and a lot less restrictive, bc of my upbringing where all my decisions were made for me and my parents prevented me from keeping up with my friends in terms of social growth, I’m an adult who doesn’t know what to do. I have no interests. No talents. Things I do try, I suck at. Just uuuugh 😩

[@daveyjaxx]

Glad you made it out! There are so many people all over the world that have had similar experiences-find your people and you’ll find your passion 🙏🏻❤️

[@ruthcrites]

I love these guys they are honest about the journey

[@daveyjaxx]

Honesty is one of the required elements for true personal growth. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@CarolChillsCasually]

Dr Pepper slaps so hard. Team bryce drink the DP

[@daveyjaxx]

It really do be slappin 😂

[@shellybelly4477]

I agree, phenomenal picture!!!

[@daveyjaxx]

Blue steel 👀🔥

[@debbiescott6836]

Bryce was a nice looking fella!!

[@sarasolano7747]

DAVEY you said "Shmammered" 😂😂😂 I literally thought I made this word up! Never heard anyone else say it 😅 Love this, and you 💜

[@daveyjaxx]

😂😂 my other favorite is “sh*t housed”

[@sarasolano7747]

@daveyjaxx lol never heard that one! 🤣 My brother and I always used to say shmammered, though, and it was so funny to hear you say it. Proud of you for no more shmammering! 👏👏👏

[@lindasoderberg9477]

Unfortunately IBLP "answers" felt needs. As they are met grooming takes place in much the same way it does in domestic violence situations.

[@daveyjaxx]

We talked about that exact concept in one of the earlier episodes. It’s simple supply and demand, unfortunately.

[@iw9338]

That last picture brings me to tears. Looks like my brother the last time i saw him before he took his life 😢

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

Great podcast gents. Bryce is a cool dude.

[@daveyjaxx]

My guy 🙏🏻 thank you brother

[@TibiSum]

Brice looks handsome in his weird get up and pouting. I was a bad ass punk, so I wouldn't have been looking at this type of person, but we are around the same age, based on references made along the way in this series. Throw a ripped Poison Ivy shirt on him, trade the lanyard for a chain, and I might have been into this dude. I think it must have been hard for you folks to know what you looked like. I got into punk partly because we were poor and I had to be creative with hand me downs and partly to hide that we had long stretches of no TV or music as kids, so I fit in precisely nowhere. Being punk made the whole thing more intentional looking. I just pretended to know punk music at the beginning and was around people who never knew at that time that I didn't know anything and wasn't actually just into more obscure stuff than them. My face didn't look real to me, so I drew another face over it with harsh make up. We weren't allowed to individuate as children, whatever long term traumas we came from. For a lot of survivors, our bodies not belonging to us meant we had little relationship to them. I can see not knowing I was handsome in a pic like this. Brice, you were.

[@hollywebster6844]

Your statement about survivors and relationship with our bodies is so right on. For decades I have been actively working on developing a "normal", loving, "realistic" relationship with my body. I still don't value my physical self as much as I want to, but remaining a work in progress is ok.

[@TibiSum]

@@hollywebster6844 Yes, we are ok to be a work in progress. We don't have to be perfect.

[@barbarasparling6181]

I love your friendship. ❤❤

[@cindyj.powell8138]

"We've had 8 Dr. Peppers!" 😂

[@upshitcreek998]

Haha the beginning neighbor comment… me and my neighbors were both Pentecostals but the neighbors daughters told my daughters that we were going to hell because we women wore pants, we cut our hair, and we mixed two races…and they were not because they didn’t do those things. Same faith… two different churches. And I now liken my one church (assemblies of god) to a cult now. Not all of us in our church homeschooled but that those that did… used the Gothard method. Dancing was strictly forbidden. Etc. I’ve decided tonight that I’m gonna go ahead and do a TikTok video tonight to do a story time on why I left the church.. but still believed, then began to question is there a God etc… because I found some overlap in the Shiny happy people documentary. I also have some memories going to a Baptist church and things I recall from that.

[@mynwmuse]

During one of your episodes I remember you mentioning a song ... I'm guessing 'when we see Christ '. Life's trials will see so small...

[@daveyjaxx]

That was a classic hymn in the church I grew up on. I can’t remember what I was referencing so I’ll have to go back and watch again 😂🙏🏻❤️

[@judieevanssalverda6867]

I was hoping you would say you were happy and content and have peace because you have Christ in your heart!

[@jamiemcvay130]

Bryce looks like Elvis in that young picture, the one that they said was smoldering.

[@daveyjaxx]

Such a stud 🕺

[@PrudenceBudgets]

Hearing Brice’s story, I relate to it. He is definitely one hot man too

[@barbarasparling6181]

The blank spaces in your brain not remembering can also be caused by trauma. It might not just be your past drug use. ❤

[@sewcellosusan8664]

I play in a community orchestra founded by Vision Questers...but we dared to play music from Star Wars, so the founders took their bows and quiverfulls of violinist kids and left.

[@debrastrayer8600]

Hello again from Tennessee

[@outlawviking2057]

So im 38, i remember the Alert guys, i remember the ATIA blue binders, when the song book got pulled out it took me right back. I remember the Nashville or bust van trips. My parents got a divorce in 1999 and we were kicked out. I know i didnt have the same experience as you. But man this cult has really fu@ked up my family and me as an adult. Been through 1 divorce myself. I didnt even know it was a cult until shinny happy people came out. I have a pic of myself and ol bill. My dad was a financial guy over the greater Detroit area. My mom and sister are pictured in the documentary. I could go on, but yt will take it down. Who can i get in touch with?

[@debbiescott6836]

Bryce was plum pretty when he was younger!!

[@daveyjaxx]

Is* plum pretty 😂❤️

[@lesleymoses7852]

Man I had no idea that there are IBLP training centres here in New Zealand. Or is there just 1 maybe?..

[@lizalou-thisoldtroll9354]

Unicorns all the way. Fond memories ❤

[@coltonkobe24]

That Brice guy pic is kinda cute 👀

[@daveyjaxx]

He’s a babe lowkey!

[@PinkPosy1]

Ironic that the Duggar scandals helped take down IBLP rather than enhance it. Anyone who believes you can totally prevent bad things from happening mocks God IMO. Human nature is undefeated.

[@naomidehaan1589]

Oh wow. I joined the military - but yes, i honestly waited until i felt that i heard from God that it was ok (I'm female). Talking about being paralyzed in decision making until you've heard from God - i had wanted to join the military since i was 13, but it wasn't until age 26 (when i was twice as old then lol) that i actually joined up. Best decision i ever made. Only regret - not doing it sooner.

[@amy2weiss3]

Would u do an episode on the Joshua ( Christian influencer) generation and correlation to cults

[@merricat3025]

I found that frightening. Good idea

[@daveyjaxx]

There are a few topics that need their own episodes! Joshua Generation, Quiverfull, Courtship, Train Up A Child…all very dangerous mindsets.

[@leannedietrich7884]

Oh damn.... That hair

[@daveyjaxx]

😂😂 long haired Davey was a problem!

[@iw9338]

Oh my goodness, is that veggie tales?

[@MrBrunoUSA]

an amaziing and occasionally harrowing story. thankyou for sharing your story. oh and there is an old Catholic joke that says that if you want to make God llaugh, telll him yoour plans". congrats on your exccape and sobriety.

[@daveyjaxx]

Thank you so much! And yes, my mom says that frequently 😂 so apparently that saying made its way around the evangelical circles!

[@Dulcimertunes]

In between the legalism/abuse and prosperity gospel/speaking jibberish in tongues are us ordinary Christians. We may or may not have homeschooled and are normal members of churches and communities. We are sickened by these people bringing shame on the Name of Christ.

[@debrastrayer8600]

You should interview ex-Amish kids. Or Mormons or Islam. As I think about it why would anybody be glad to be free from Buddhism??

[@brookenicole7209]

I second that 👆 Any chance Shalice could facilitate contact with Mormon Stories? I would LOVE to see Davey & Brice do a long session with John Dehlin. Would expose those two to a new audience as well. You never know what it could lead to....

[@TimothyRessler]

He looks like a budding Elvis

[@ASLLover666]

her name was amy. unfortunately Anna is Josh's wife

[@daveyjaxx]

I knew as soon as I said it that I didn’t have the right name 😂 thank you for clarifying 🙏🏻❤️

[@ASLLover666]

@@daveyjaxx 😂 no problem

[@d.awdreygore]

Brice has some smoulder in that 2nd photo.

[@daveyjaxx]

Absolutely!

[@debrastrayer8600]

Did Gothard ever ASK FOR FORGIVENESS???

[@daveyjaxx]

Noooo that statement was all he’s really said about it publicly.

[@hnybee113]

Lol

[@hnybee113]

This was in reaction to something you Said in the live chat. THERE IS NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT RECOVERY.

[@daveyjaxx]

Actually I’ve found recovery to be pretty hilarious at times 😂😂 but thank you for clarifying 🙏🏻❤️

[@ConstantCompanion]

Are you a Christian?

[@daveyjaxx]

I identify as a Christian, yes.

[@ConstantCompanion]

Okay, well, I don't know if identifying as and being is the same but the reason I ask is because my son is about your age. He went through some experiences that tipped him on his ear. He started drinking and acted out much like you did. He has it in his head he wants to be a comedian as well. I was wondering if you could tell me where you went for the alcoholism? You've mentioned that you have a place you went a couple of times? He's struggling with that now. Anything you could offer would be helpful.

[@daveyjaxx]

@@ConstantCompanion I highly recommend Alcoholics Anonymous but in my experience a person has to be at the point of absolute desperation before they can truly commit to recovery. It’s a sad fact of the disease.

[@ConstantCompanion]

@@daveyjaxx he tried that. He would leave so depressed, he'd end up drinking. It got serious. He spent a few days in the hospital in May. He's got a handle on it but it's not in the past yet. Nearly dying was a pretty decent deterrent but we're not there yet. I thought maybe you had found a program that might be a little more effective than AA was for him. I feel so bad because he took such a spill with religion and other things. It was rough.

[@Silver_Girl178]

Feet?!?

[@daveyjaxx]

😂😂

[@judieevanssalverda6867]

What is wrong with fundamentalism, isn't it believing the basic truth about Jesus being God's Son who came to set us free from si