Breaking Free From Religious Control to Empowered Healing with Brooke Kekos

In this episode, Laura is joined by Brooke Kekos, a Trauma Healing Coach, Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTT), and NLP Practitioner who specializes in empowering survivors to rewrite their stories. Her path, a testament to overcoming indoctrination, abuse, and toxic bonds, ignites her profound insight and unshakeable dedication.

Today, Brooke shares her journey of breaking free from the Jehovah's Witnesses organization after 36 years and healing from religious trauma and an abusive marriage. She discusses the parallels between high-control religious systems and narcissistic relationships, the challenges of losing community support, and her path to spiritual awakening. Through her work as a trauma healing coach, Brooke helps others process complex PTSD, rebuild their sense of self, and find authentic connections with their spirituality.

As a sought-after speaker, author, and advocate against religious abuse and domestic violence, Brooke's voice resonates far beyond the confines of her coaching practice. 

Are you ready for this? Step into an existence where authenticity thrives!

Timestamps: 

[02:52] Brooke's background in Jehovah's Witnesses and struggles with questioning beliefs

[04:27] Brooke’s experience with restrictions on holidays and celebrations

[07:15] How Brooke discovered abuse cover-ups and left the church

[08:05] How high-control religions and narcissistic abuse mirror each other

[10:23] How being excommunicated at 16 left Brooke feeling alone and devalued

[13:09] Why you should always question beliefs and seek truth for yourself

[17:08] The challenge of leaving support systems behind 

[25:09] Experiencing a spiritual awakening and discovering a high-power connection

[34:28] Brooke's approach to trauma healing work 

[40:55] Why self-acceptance is crucial for a fulfilling life

[43:21] How to connect with Brooke

Key Quotes: 

• I lost my entire community. I was all alone. So I lost family that was still in the religion, and I lost all of my friendships that I thought were forever friends.
• Being in a high-control religion or a cult-like system is abusive. And so you only know abuse. So it's no wonder why you recreate the pattern in your relationship.
• What you're struggling with now in life always comes from childhood. There's a belief system, and there are experiences that you had in childhood.
• Healing the past helps us embrace and empower ourselves now.
• Inner child work changed my life. It’s about going back, healing past wounds, and rewriting the story of who you are.

RESOURCES:

MARRIED TO A “NICE” GUY: GETTING OVER NARCISSISTIC ABUSE: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}