27. Surviving Spiritual Abuse with Cait West: A Journey from Christian Patriarchy to Self-Discovery

In this compelling episode, Teisha sits down with Cait West, author of the powerful new memoir, Rift, which details her experiences growing up among religious trauma and Christian patriarchy. We dive into her childhood, including the impact of intentional isolation, frequent relocations and a homeschooling lifestyle; her authoritarian upbringing and the stringent rules that guided her every move; and her “stay-at-home daughter” grooming, which required her to remain under her father’s authority while practicing to become a submissive wife and mother–a role she assumed far beyond the age of 18. Then, we explore the emotional complexities of Cait’s relationship with her father, who despite being the source of many restrictions, was also someone she sought approval from; discuss the cult-like courtship ritual she was subjected to and the brainwashing about intimacy and emotions embedded into her; dive into the events that shaped her path to eventual self-discovery; and highlight the journey of bringing her story to life through her new memoir and the power she hopes it has for illuminating female oppression in the Christian patriarchy. Throughout, Cait’s journey illustrates that while religious trauma can take a psychological and emotional toll on you, it’s possible to realize freedom and discover your individuality. Please consider supporting us by subscribing to the show, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and becoming a patron on Patreon by visiting https://www.patreon.com/notyouraveragegoat Resources: Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy In Rift, Cait West tells a harrowing story of chaos and control hidden beneath the facade of a happy family. Weaving together lyrical meditations on the geology of the places her family lived with her story of spiritual and emotional manipulation as a stay-at-home daughter, Cait creates a stirring portrait of one young woman’s growing awareness that she is experiencing abuse. With the ground shifting beneath her feet, Cait mustered the courage to break free from all she’d ever known and choose a future of her own making. ⁠Tears of Eden At Tears of Eden, we seek to empower survivors to connect with their own agency to pursue the healing process from Spiritual Abuse. Tears facilitates connection to other survivors and provides language and resources to name the experience of Spiritual Abuse.