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March 7, 2025 48 mins

In this enlightening episode of 'Hey, Man, It's Ok' hosts Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy kick off the new season with a special guest, Dr. Ryan Lee. Specializing in helping individuals recover from high-control religions and cults, Dr. Ryan shares his personal journey and professional insights into religious trauma.

The conversation delves into the BITE model of authoritarian control, the intense emotional and social challenges faced by those leaving these groups, and the ultimate potential for personal rebirth and growth. A must-watch for anyone seeking to understand or recover from the grips of restrictive religious environments. 00:00 Welcome to Hey, Man, It's Okay!

00:26 Introducing Dr. Ryan: A Journey Through Religious Trauma

01:03 Understanding High Control Religions and Cults

04:51 The BITE Model: Breaking Down Control Mechanisms

11:06 Personal Stories of Religious Trauma

15:42 The Emotional Toll of Leaving a High Control Group

22:09 The Power of Shame and Social Connections

25:47 The Reluctance to Return

26:46 Comparing High Control Groups to Abusive Relationships

28:10 The Impact of Isolation

28:36 The Journey of Self-Discovery

29:54 Manipulative Tactics in High Control Groups

30:59 Narcissism and High Control Groups

32:41 The Spectrum of Control 35:43 Embracing Emotional Freedom

41:47 The Therapeutic Journey

44:02 The Role of Information in Breaking Free

45:57 Final Thoughts and Resources

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