In this special episode of the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks Podcast I sit down with Kevin Franke, former husband of Ruby Franke from the 8 Passengers family vlog, as he shares his lived experience inside a high-control marriage and cult-like system connected to therapist Jodi Hildebrandt.

During our conversation, Kevin speaks openly about how emotional vulnerability, religious culture, and misplaced trust created the conditions for manipulation, gaslighting, and isolation. Listen to understand how cult dynamics develop inside families, relationships, and belief systems, and why even intelligent, capable people can become trapped in these environments.

Kevin Franke reflects on the rise and fall of 8 Passengers, his marriage to Ruby Franke, the psychological control exerted by Jodi Hildebrandt, and the devastating personal consequences that followed, including loss of identity, faith confusion, PTSD symptoms, and public scrutiny. He also shares what healing has looked like since leaving the system, rebuilding self-trust, reconnecting with safe relationships, and creating a life grounded in agency and emotional health.

Have you ever thought, “I want to ask Dr. Julie Hanks a question”? Well, now’s your chance! I want to have you on my podcast! Click here to fill out this form and tell me your question. I might just pick you to be on the podcast and receive a free coaching session.

Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast. Please click here to leave me a review. And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses. Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks and find out how to work with me on my website at drjuliehanks.com/coaching. For therapy in Utah visit wasatchfamilytherapy.com.

Have you ever thought, “I want to ask Dr. Julie Hanks a question”? Well, now’s your chance! I want to have you on my podcast! Click here to fill out this form and tell me your question. I might just pick you to be on the podcast and receive a free coaching session.

Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast. Please click here to leave me a review. And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses. Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks and work with me through joining DJH membership at drjuliehanks.com. For therapy in Utah visit wasatchfamilytherapy.com.

In this episode, I sit down with David Matheson, a former LDS conversion therapist who is now openly gay. You may recognize David from episode 1 of Bravo’s Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay.

In our conversation, David opens up about his own experience as a client in conversion therapy, the harmful assumptions that shaped that world, and the moment he realized that no amount of effort would change his sexual orientation. We also talk about the tender complexity of mixed-orientation marriages, his personal coming-out process, and what he would say today to the clients he once tried to help in ways he now knows were damaging.

If you’re navigating your own faith expansion, supporting a loved one who has come out, or simply wanting to understand these experiences with more compassion, this episode offers a gentle, grounded space to listen and learn.

Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast. Please click here to leave me a review. And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses. Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks and work with me through joining The Dr. Julie Hanks Gorup Coaching Community at drjuliehanks.com/community. For therapy in Utah visit wasatchfamilytherapy.com.

Have you ever thought, “I want to ask Dr. Julie Hanks a question”? Well, now’s your chance! I want to have you on my podcast! Click here to fill out this form and tell me your question. I might just pick you to be on the podcast and receive a free coaching session.

Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast. Please click here to leave me a review. And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses. Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks and work with me through joining DJH membership at drjuliehanks.com. For therapy in Utah visit wasatchfamilytherapy.com.

This bonus episode is for anyone who is looking to better understand their personal relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen as Ask Dr. Julie Hanks combines with the Latter-day Struggles podcast for a special episode all about moving forward with the LDS Church in the healthiest way for you.

If you aren’t sure how to move forward in your relationship with the LDS Church, Valerie and I are hosting a discussion series just for you. This 4-week Q&A series will help you better understand what you want your relationship with the Church to look like. We will show you how differentiation of self can help you develop a healthy relationship with the Church regardless of if you choose to stay or leave.

Listen for a taste of what you'll get when you sign up for this 4-week discussion series all about supporting those who are perplexed about how to relate to the LDS Church.

The sessions will include a Q&A and instruction on practical ways to develop differentiation skills in your life, which can improve all your relationships--not just your relationship with the Church.

Each one-hour session is held remotely via Zoom. Spots are limited, so don’t wait to sign up. First session held October 8th.

Four one-hour sessions with two therapists is an absolute steal of a deal. While this series is valued at $2,000, you can sign up today for only $169

Secure your spot (limited availability) today at https://drjuliehanks.as.me/decide

Join my Patreon DJH Insiders https://www.patreon.com/drjuliehanks/

Have you ever thought, “I want to ask Dr. Julie Hanks a question”? Well, now’s your chance! I want to have you on my podcast! Click here to fill out this form and tell me your question. I might just pick you to be on the podcast and receive a free coaching session.

Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast. Please click here to leave me a review. And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses. Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks and work with me through joining DJH membership at drjuliehanks.com. For therapy in Utah visit wasatchfamilytherapy.com.