In this episode, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down for part two with Brooke Deanne, author, life coach, and survivor of a high-control religious environment. Picking up where their last conversation left off, Brooke opens up about the terror and uncertainty of leaving her marriage and faith community, and the brave journey she took to reclaim her life.

Together, they discuss the deep impact of trauma bonds, the struggle to overcome fear and financial insecurity, and the powerful process of healing from spiritual and emotional wounds.

Brooke shares how she rebuilt her sense of self after years of emotional abuse, learned to run toward her fears, and ultimately redefined her relationship with faith and God. She also delves into her calling to help others, her work with rapid transformational therapy, and her bestselling memoir, “Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful.” This honest, compassionate conversation is full of insight for anyone navigating faith transitions, trauma recovery, or the scary but transformative process of self-discovery. Tune in to hear Brooke’s inspiring story of resilience, restoration, and how she found peace, faith, and purpose on the other side of pain.

Key Moments:

01:21 Overcoming Trauma Bond Anxiety

04:01 Facing Fear: Run Into the Storm

08:55 Spiritual Crisis and Redemption Journey

09:57 Surviving Cancer: Embracing Faith

14:43 "Accepting Diverse Perspectives"

17:30 Transformation Through The Subconscious Mind

21:15 Entrepreneur's Big Dreams and Projects

24:24 Faith in the Unseen About the guest : Brooke Deanne is a Trauma Healing Mentor, Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTT), and NLP Practitioner empowering female survivors of abuse and trauma to reclaim their lives by rewriting their stories via a holistic approach to access new levels of mind, body, and spirit integration. After overcoming her history of abuse as an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, and toxic relationships, Brooke brings profound insight to her work and as an advocate against religious abuse and domestic violence. She is the author of The Grief Monster, a trusted resource in therapy offices and hospitals to help children process loss, and Shattered, Broken, & Beautiful - Losing My Religion and Finding Faith, a transformative memoir exploring her healing journey from a religious cult and abusive relationships. Brooke also hosts The Cult Diaries podcast. Discover more at https://www.lifecoachinggoddess.com/

How to connect Brooke :

https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachinggoddess

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this episode, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Brooke Deanne, an RTT therapist and trauma healing mentor, to unpack her powerful story of breaking free from the confines of a high-control religious environment.

Brooke opens up about being born and raised as a third-generation Jehovah’s Witness. She shares the painful realities of life inside what she identifies as a cult including the loss of community, fear-based control, and the shunning faced for questioning authority or stepping out of line. Together, Steve and Brooke discuss the psychological tactics used to enforce obedience, how trauma bonds are formed, and the challenges of redefining self-worth and authenticity after decades of indoctrination.

This episode is a candid exploration of grief, resilience, and ultimately learning to choose yourself, even when it means leaving behind family and community. Join us for a raw and inspiring conversation about trauma, healing, and the courage it takes to reclaim your inner authority.

Key Moments:

05:07 Cult Warnings: Historical Lessons

06:33 Cult Control Through Fear

12:52 Growing Up as a Jehovah’s Witness

15:01 Self-Love Over Parental Expectations

17:15 "Embracing Self-Love for Better Parenting"

20:40 "Understanding Trauma Bonds"

24:17 Journey from Trauma to Healing

About the guest : Brooke Deanne is a Trauma Healing Mentor, Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTT), and NLP Practitioner empowering female survivors of abuse and trauma to reclaim their lives by rewriting their stories via a holistic approach to access new levels of mind, body, and spirit integration. After overcoming her history of abuse as an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, and toxic relationships, Brooke brings profound insight to her work and as an advocate against religious abuse and domestic violence. She is the author of The Grief Monster, a trusted resource in therapy offices and hospitals to help children process loss, and Shattered, Broken, & Beautiful - Losing My Religion and Finding Faith, a transformative memoir exploring her healing journey from a religious cult and abusive relationships. Brooke also hosts The Cult Diaries podcast. Discover more at https://www.lifecoachinggoddess.com/

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachinggoddess

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this second part of two-part podcast, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Mallary Tarpley to explore the complex intersections of grief, identity, and recovery from eating disorders. Drawing on her personal journey and professional expertise, Mallary shares how the loss of her mother at a young age fueled her struggle with anorexia, offering honest reflections on how trauma and control can shape our relationship with food and ourselves.

Together, they break down outdated misconceptions about eating disorders, emphasizing the neurobiological changes that keep people trapped, and shedding light on the genetic and environmental factors at play. Mallary provides heartfelt advice for parents striving to raise children with healthy relationships to food and body image, candidly discussing the language, behaviors, and household culture that matter most.

As the conversation unfolds, Mallary talks about the power of writing - journaling and authoring her new book, Slip- as a means of therapy and self-compassion, sharing what she wishes her younger self could have known in the aftermath of loss. Whether you’ve experienced an eating disorder, are supporting someone who has, or are navigating your own “middle place” of growth and healing, this episode offers comfort, guidance, and the reminder that we are all works in progress.

Tune in for a compassionate, nuanced conversation that reminds us recovery isn’t about perfection—it's about gentleness, acceptance, and giving ourselves permission to be human.

Key Moments:

01:12 Rethinking Eating Disorder Blame

04:27 Redefining Food Morality for Kids

08:10 Evolving Strength Through Adversity

10:34 Reconnecting with Younger Self

15:14 Journey to Authentic Recovery

16:54 Embracing the Messiness of Recovery

22:18 Recognizing Eating Disorder Warning Signs

23:42 Embracing Self-Love and Inner Growth

About the guest :

Mallary Tarpley’s journey through recovery has shaped her into a resilient and insightful individual. One year after first finding herself in a hospital bed - sick with anorexia nervosa and unable to eat - Mallary began to recognize the deeply personal struggles underlying her illness. Her first hospitalization was a moment of realization: if she wanted to survive, she would have to seek recovery, though true change would take much longer.

Over time, with five hospitalizations and a year and a half in residential treatment, Mallary came to understand that her disorder had taken from her, rather than given her control or closeness she once hoped to find. This hard-won insight has informed her perspective and strengthened her resolve on the healing journey.

How to connect Mallary Tarpley :

Weekly newsletter: https://mallary.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-tarpley

Personal website: https://www.mallarytenoretarpley.com/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/