Some stories need to be told because someone else is living them in silence right now.

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, Ebony Brice steps forward to share her experience as a Black religious trauma survivor — from growing up in the Black church, to enduring spiritual abuse at the hands of church leadership, to finding her voice on the other side of it all.

No credentials. No platform. Just a survivor telling her truth — and in doing so, giving language to what so many others have been carrying alone.

This one is for everyone who knew something was wrong but was told to pray through it and keep quiet.

Surviving the Black Church — because your story doesn't end there.

What do you do when the family that introduced you to God is the same family that caused your deepest wounds? And what does faith look like when the trauma is that close to home?

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Carolyn J. Murphy — survivor, Mindshift Coach, and Founder of Firm Foundations Community Outreach, LLC — for an honest conversation about holding onto faith after familial trauma. Carolyn's journey from wounded to whole inspired her book God, Why Did You Save Me? and a mission to help others unshackle from their past and step into freedom.

This one is for anyone still carrying wounds from the family they were born into — and still reaching for faith anyway.

Surviving the Black Church — because your story doesn't end there.

What does spirituality look like for Black people on the other side of religious trauma? And what happens when the tools that bring you healing are the same ones the church told you to fear?

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Brooke "Bee" Sanders — intuitive reader, self-published author, and Black empowerment advocate — for a real conversation about reclaiming your spiritual life outside of institutional religion. Drawing on Tarot, Dream Interpretation, and Ancestral Channeling, Brooke has helped countless people reconnect with themselves and their ancestors after the church told them that door was closed.

This one is for the spiritually curious, the religiously wounded, and everyone still figuring out what healing looks like on their own terms.

Surviving the Black Church — because your story doesn't end there.

What does Black religious trauma actually cost us — mentally, emotionally, spiritually? And what happens when a Black psychiatrist who studies race-based trauma turns her clinical eye toward the Black church?

In this episode of Surviving the Black Church, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Isom, MD, MPH — board-certified psychiatrist, racial justice advocate, and founder of Vision for Equity LLC — for an honest, clinical conversation about the psychological toll of Black church culture, the failure of Black leadership, and what healing actually requires.

This one is for the survivors, the still-questioning, and everyone who deserves a name for what happened to them.

Surviving the Black Church — because your story doesn't end there.

The Black church has long been the heartbeat of Black community life. But what happens when the institution built to protect and uplift becomes a source of harm — and what responsibility do Black leaders carry when the community is watching?

This week, hosts of Surviving the Black Church sit down with Rev. Dr. Darrell D. Cummings, presiding bishop of The Vine Covenant Ministerial Fellowship, for an honest conversation about Black church culture, Black leadership, and the community it was always meant to serve. Dr. Cummings speaks candidly about prophetic leadership, accountability in faith spaces, and what it means to build something new when old structures fail the people inside them.

This episode is for the survivors, the disillusioned, and everyone still figuring out what faith looks like on the other side of hurt.

Summary

The Surviving the Black Church Podcast sheds light on religious trauma and dismantles oppressive systems within the Black Church. The urgency of the conversation is highlighted by the personal experiences of the hosts and the need to address the impact of Christian nationalism. The historical origins of Christian nationalism are explored, tracing back to the Roman Empire, colonialism, and the Puritans, and its impact on American society is discussed in detail. The conversation delves into the impetus of separation of church and state, the characteristics and traits of Christian nationalism, the Seven Mountain Mandate, and the impact of Christian nationalism on society. It explores the historical threads weaving into present-day reality and the dangerous ideologies that undermine pluralism and threaten democracy. The conversation delves into the impact of Christian nationalism on the Black church, highlighting the historical significance and the tension within the relationship. It also explores the recruitment of Black church leaders by Christian nationalists, shedding light on the intersectionality between the two and the historical context of this alliance.

Takeaways

* Religious trauma and Christian nationalism
* The historical origins of Christian nationalism Separation of church and state
* Christian nationalism and its impact on society Impact of Christian Nationalism on the Black Church
* Recruitment of Black Church Leaders by Christian Nationalists

Chapters

* 00:00 Introduction to Surviving the Black Church Podcast
* 04:57 The Origins of Christian Nationalism
* 31:56 The Impetus of Separation of Church and State
* 39:48 The Seven Mountain Mandate
* 59:39 Impact of Christian Nationalism on Society
* 01:06:43 The Impact of Christian Nationalism on the Black Church

Most Black folks have unknowingly been caught in a generational trauma bond with Christian nationalism—an invisible leash rooted in centuries of systemic oppression. But what if understanding its origins could free us from its grip? This powerful episode dives deep into how faith, history, and politics intertwine to shape the ongoing trauma within our communities and explores concrete pathways to healing and liberation.

You'll discover how Christian nationalism became a tool of control starting from slavery, how it fostered a psychological and spiritual dependency, and why this trauma bond persists today in our churches, politics, and collective psyche. Nikki G. and Jonathon unpack the insidious ways this alliance has redefined faith—using scripture as a weapon, promoting respectability politics, and diverting our focus from systemic justice to individual salvation. They break down the history of religious manipulation from the plantation era, through Jim Crow, to modern political movements, revealing how these forces have suppressed our collective voice and perpetuated inequality.

We explore the duality of the Black church as both a sanctuary of resilience and a perpetuator of trauma—shaped by idealized narratives of obedience and survival. Understand the psychological toll of linking faith with oppression, from internalized shame to addiction, and learn how to recognize the signs of this toxic attachment. Most importantly, this episode provides practical tools to untangle this deeply embedded trauma bond: reclaim your spirituality, challenge harmful ideologies, and foster a community rooted in justice, love, and self-care.

This is essential listening for Black individuals craving liberation, faith leaders seeking to heal their communities, and anyone committed to truth and transformation. By confronting the roots of our pain, we can break free from the cycles of control and step into a future where faith uplifts and empowers—not oppresses. Join the conversation—because healing begins when we finally see the full picture. Reclaim your power, restore your faith, and rewrite the story of our collective freedom.