Afleveringen
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In this episode of Clemenz With a Z, I open up about the fear-based faith I was raised inâspecifically within the International Churches of Christ (ICOC)âand how it shaped my view of God, love, obedience, and myself. From childhood memories of fearing hell, to moments of spiritual panic, guilt, and manipulation, this episode is a raw unpacking of what happens when fear becomes the foundation of belief.
But this isnât just about the ICOC. Iâm seeing the same fear-based messaging alive and well in churches todayâfrom pulpits to podcasts, just dressed up in nicer language and cooler branding.
I talk about the day everything shiftedâthe moment I realized it wasnât God I was afraid of, but peopleâs version of God. This is an episode about unlearning, about healing, and about daring to believe in a love that doesnât punish.
Whether youâve been part of the ICOC, another high-control church, or are just trying to untangle fear from faith, this one is for you.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. This one was personal. It was heavy. And it was necessary.
If youâve ever been made to feel like fear was love⊠Like obedience was the only way to be seen by God⊠I just want to sayâyouâre not alone.
This episode came out of my own story, but I know so many of you have lived through versions of this too. And if youâve got something to say, if youâve got a story of fear, faith, and figuring it outâ Iâd love to hear it.
If youâre a member, former member, or know someone connected to the ICOC or ICC, and you want to share what life was like insideâor outsideâ please reach out.
Together, weâre still asking the question: âWere we in a cult?â But more than that⊠weâre doing the work to heal from it.
You can email me at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
And heyâif this episode moved you, if it helped you name something, or even made you feel less alone⊠please rate and review the show. It really does help these conversations reach the people who need them most.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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In this episode of Clemenz With a "Z," I sit down with Sachiko to hear her story of life insideâand eventually, outsideâthe International Churches of Christ. With honesty, warmth, and depth, Sachiko shares what it was like to grow up in a high-control religious environment, the internal battles she faced, and how she began reclaiming her voice after years of being told who she was supposed to be.
This conversation is part of our âWe Were in a Cultâ seriesâan ongoing exploration of faith, fear, healing, and the long, complicated process of finding yourself again. Whether you're deconstructing, questioning, or just curious, Sachiko's story is one you wonât want to miss.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going.
If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was a member of the ICOC or ICC and would like to share your story about life in and out of the church, Iâd love to hear from you. Together, we can continue exploring the question, âWe were in a cult?ââand perhaps find some healing along the way. You can reach me via email at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and reviewâit helps more people find these stories. And donât forget: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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What happens when everything you once believed starts to fall apart?
In this episode of Clemenz With a Z, I dive into the difference between cynicism and skepticismâand why one keeps you stuck while the other helps you move forward. I share my personal journey through faith deconstruction, religious trauma, and healing, drawing from Richard Rohrâs Wisdom Pattern (Order â Disorder â Reorder) to explore how faith and life arenât meant to be static. Along the way, I reflect on how my lifelong struggle with ear infections and surgeries became a metaphor for my evolving faith, the risks I took to stay open, and why a growth mindset is essential for healing.
Whether youâve left a faith system, are questioning what youâve been taught, or are just trying to figure out whatâs next, this episode is about keeping the door open to growth. Because faith isnât about having all the answersâitâs about having the courage to keep moving.
If this episode resonated with you, or if youâve been wrestling with your own faith, healing, or the journey from Disorder to Reorder, Iâd love to hear your thoughts. You can reach me at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
And if youâve ever felt like you had to stay in something just because thatâs what you were taughtâwhether itâs faith, a belief system, or a way of thinkingâI hope you walk away from this episode knowing that you are free to ask, to search, and to knock on new doors.
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and reviewâit helps more people find these stories. And remember: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next timeâstay open, keep asking, and keep walking. Peace!
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Empathy and compassion should be the foundation of faith, right? So why are they suddenly treated like liabilities? In this episode, I break down the growing fear around "toxic empathy" and ask the bigger questions: Why are so many peopleâespecially in religious spacesâacting like caring too much is dangerous? Why does faith seem to be turning into a fortress instead of a bridge? And if following Jesus is supposed to make us more compassionate, more willing to see the humanity in others, why is so much of modern faith rooted in fear and control instead?
Weâll dive into the parable of the Good Samaritan, unpack why Jesus made the most hated person the hero of the story, and askâif he told this parable today, who would be the Samaritan? Immigrants? The LGBTQIA+ community? People from different faiths? And most importantly, if your faith is making you less willing to love, less willing to connect, and more focused on protecting yourself from the âwrong peopleââthen is it even faith at all? Buckle up for a deep, unfiltered conversation on what it really means to love your neighbor.
If youâve ever wrestled with questions about faith, about empathy, about what it really means to follow JesusâI see you. These conversations arenât always easy, but they matter. And if this episode made you think, challenged you, or maybe even unsettled you a bit, I encourage you to sit with that. Wrestle with it. Ask yourself, Who is the Samaritan today? And what does that mean for me?
If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was a member of the ICOC or ICC and would like to share your story about life in and out of the church, Iâd love to hear from you. Together, we can continue exploring the question, âWe were in a cult?ââand perhaps find some healing along the way. You can reach me via email at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and reviewâit helps more people find these stories. And donât forget: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, stay open, stay connected, and donât be afraid to ask the hard questions. Peace!
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Purity culture wasnât just a set of rulesâit was a full-blown system of fear, shame, and control that dictated everything from dating to what we wore to whether or not we could even think about smashing without disappointing God. In this episode, I take a deep dive into how purity culture shaped my childhood, warped my understanding of relationships, and made me legitimately believe I was going to hell for shucking the corn at 13. From forced confession sessions to the bizarre ways we were taught to see each other as âbrothers and sisters in Christ,â this episode unpacks the weird, uncomfortable, and straight-up damaging ways the church tried to keep us "pure."
But this isn't just about the pastâpurity cultureâs grip doesnât just disappear overnight. Even today, I catch myself fighting against the messages drilled into me as a kid, and I know Iâm not the only one. Whether you grew up in this world or youâre just here for the wild ride, this episode breaks down how purity culture ultimately benefits men, how it oversexualizes women, and how we can start to unlearn the shame we were never meant to carry. Buckle upâthis oneâs a doozy.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means everything to me and helps keep these conversations going.
Purity culture left so many of us with shame, guilt, and confusionâbut talking about it? Thatâs how we take our power back.
If you were a part of the ICOC, ICC, or any high-control religious group and purity culture shaped your experience in ways youâre still unpacking, Iâd love to hear from you. Youâre not alone in this, and together, we can continue exploring the question, âWe were in a cult?ââand maybe even start to heal from it.
You can reach me via email at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
And if this episode resonated with you, please rate and reviewâit helps more people find these stories.
And remember: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, trust your gut, and unlearn the shame you were never meant to carry. Peace!"
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"Everyone Wants the Lollipop" isnât just about churchâitâs about the deep human need for certainty, belonging, and reward. We all want to believe weâre on the right path. We want to feel like weâre doing life the right way. And when faith gives us a system, a structure, and a sweet little reward at the end? Itâs hard to walk away. In this episode, I dive into the church boom, the business of belief, and why we keep showing upâeven when things donât feel quite right. So, does anyone even care? Or are we all just here for the lollipop?
This episode wasnât about tearing downâit was about asking the hard questions. About looking at what weâve believed, what weâve built our lives around, and wondering: Does anyone even care? Maybe they do. Maybe they donât. But I know I do. And if youâve made it this far, Iâm guessing you do, too.
If youâre someone whoâs been in these churches, who has wrestled with these same questions, or just has a story to share, Iâd love to hear from you. You can reach me at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
And as always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and reviewâit helps more people find these stories. And donât forget: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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For the first time in the We Were In a Cult? series, Iâm sitting down with a married couple who both experienced the pressures of purity culture, mission work, and the relentless push toward marriage inside the International Churches of Christ. In this episode, they share how dating was never about personal connectionâit was about proving your spirituality and being deemed "worthy" to move forward. We dive into the concept of "weasel dates," the expectation to fast-track relationships toward marriage, and the exhaustion that came with constantly trying to meet the churchâs demands. From mission team burnout to the cult-like language of being "souled out," this conversation is a raw, unfiltered look at what happens when a church controls every aspect of your personal lifeâincluding who you love and when. Listen now to hear their powerful story.
If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was a member of the ICOC or the ICC and would like to share your story of your life in and out of the church and help us maybe get closer to answering the question "we were in a cult?", and maybe find some healing please contact me via email at [email protected] or you can DM via Instagram at the "Clemenz With a "Z" podcast" Instagram page.
As always, thank you for your continued support and if you like what you hear please rate and review! If you don't remember, I'm just a channel, I ain't the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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For generations, fathers were expected to provide, protect, and keep their emotions in check. Love was often shown, but rarely spoken. But does it have to be that way? In this episode of Clemenz With a Z, we dive into the generational expectations of fatherhood, the unspoken rules around masculinity, and why wordsâespecially words like "I love you"âcarry more weight than we realize.
I share personal stories, explore the impact of silence, and unpack how simple words can change everything. Weâll talk about why dads often find it easier to express love to their daughters than their sons, and how cultural norms have shaped the way men navigate emotional connection.
But this isnât just about reflectionâitâs about action. Iâll offer practical ways for dads to start breaking the cycle, to show up differently, and to create a new legacy where love isnât just assumed, but heard.
Because love ainât gonna say itself.
đ§ Listen now and join the conversation.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going.
If youâre a dad, if you had a dad, or if youâre thinking about what fatherhood really meansâIâd love to hear from you. Whether itâs about breaking cycles, figuring out how to show up for your kids, or just sharing your experience, this space is open. Letâs talk about what it means to raise the next generation, to challenge old patterns, and to redefine what being a father looks like. You can reach me via email at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
If you would like to read or purchase "Raising Cain", you can purchase it here: https://a.co/d/giLLqpX
Here is the link to the Raising Cain documentary: https://youtu.be/y9k0vKL5jJI?si=7inlpkFLzGtZLNhn
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and reviewâit helps more people find these stories. And donât forget: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, tell your kids you love them, and keep growing. Peace
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Leaving isnât always a clean breakâsometimes, it takes a few tries. In this deeply personal episode of Clemenz With a Z, I share my journey of walking away from the ICOC... three times. From the pressure-packed Bible studies to the weight of guilt, shame, and trying to fit into a mold that never felt like me, this is the story of what it took to finally say enough. I talk about the fear of leaving, the hope that maybe things would change, and how stepping away felt like wandering into the wildernessâterrifying, but ultimately freeing. Whether youâve wrestled with leaving a community, questioned your place in something you thought would be home, or just want to hear an honest journey of self-discovery, this episode is for you. Sometimes walking away isnât quittingâitâs the start of something real.
If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was part of the ICOC or ICC and would like to share your journey in and out of the church, Iâd love to hear from you. Together, we can keep exploring that question, âWe were in a cult?ââand maybe, in sharing these stories, weâll find some healing along the way. You can reach me at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
If this episode spoke to you, please consider leaving a rating or reviewâit really does help more people find these conversations. And donât forget: Iâm just a channelâI ainât the source.
When did worship music start to feel more like a concert than a connection? In this episode of Clemenz With a "Z," I dig into the weird, wild world of modern worship and Christian musicâwhere flashing lights, fog machines, and booming bass lines often take center stage. Iâm not here to tell you whatâs right or wrongâI donât have the answers. I just know something about it makes me uncomfortable, and I wanted to talk about it. From childhood memories of reverent hymns led by my dad to walking into churches that look more like concert arenas, Iâm exploring how we got here... and what it supposed to be. Tune in, sit with the questions, and maybe even laugh a little as we unpack the line between heartfelt praise and full-blown production.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going.
If this episode resonated with you, challenged you, or just made you think differently about worship and Christian music, Iâd love to hear your thoughts. Conversations like these arenât about being ârightââtheyâre about being honest.
You can reach me via email at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider rating and reviewingâit helps more people find these stories and join the conversation. And remember:
Iâm just a channel... I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Walking away can be scary. Trusting yourself can be terrifying. But it can also be the beginning of something honest. So until next timeâtake care of yourself, stay grateful, and keep growing.
Peace.
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When did worship music start to feel more like a concert than a connection? In this episode of Clemenz With a "Z," I dig into the weird, wild world of modern worship and Christian musicâwhere flashing lights, fog machines, and booming bass lines often take center stage. Iâm not here to tell you whatâs right or wrongâI donât have the answers. I just know something about it makes me uncomfortable, and I wanted to talk about it. From childhood memories of reverent hymns led by my dad to walking into churches that look more like concert arenas, Iâm exploring how we got here... and what it supposed to be. Tune in, sit with the questions, and maybe even laugh a little as we unpack the line between heartfelt praise and full-blown production.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going.
If this episode resonated with you, challenged you, or just made you think differently about worship and Christian music, Iâd love to hear your thoughts. Conversations like these arenât about being ârightââtheyâre about being honest.
You can reach me via email at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider rating and reviewingâit helps more people find these stories and join the conversation. And remember:
Iâm just a channel... I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Every bit helps me keep bringing you these conversations.
Until next timeâtake care of yourself, be kind to your story, and keep asking the hard questions.
Peace.
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After everything I have heard, after recounting my own life and the lives of others, I can finally say itâyes, this was and is a cult. Itâs hard to say, and for some, itâs hard to hear. But naming it gives me power over it. It makes healing possible. This is just the beginning. In Clemenz With a Z, I will continue unpacking my experiences in the ICOC through a new series of episodes titled This Was Supposed to Be the Place. In these, Iâll dive deep into purity culture, fear-based control, and the lasting impact on identity, faith, and trust. If you have a story to share, Iâd love to hear from you. Youâre not alone. Letâs keep this conversation going.
I reference Steve Hassan's BITE model in this episode. If you would like to learn more, you can check out a couple of his books here:
https://a.co/d/5RQ3Vbl
or here:
https://a.co/d/7kFVPXs
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going.
I know that for some, this was hard to hear. It was hard to say. But the truth matters, and naming our experiences matters. Healing doesnât happen overnight, and it doesnât happen alone.
If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was a member of the ICOC or ICC and would like to share your story about life in and out of the church, Iâd love to hear from you. Together, we can continue exploring the question, âWe were in a cult?ââand perhaps find some healing along the way. You can reach me via email at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and reviewâit helps more people find these stories. And donât forget: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, be kind to your story, and keep growing. Peace!
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Was I in a cult? Thatâs the question Iâm exploring in this episode of Clemenz With a 'Z', but this time, Iâm not answering it alone.
For this conversation, Iâm sitting down with someone who has had a front-row seat to my entire journeyâmy wife, Carly. Unlike me, Carly didnât grow up in a high-control religious group. She never had to question whether leaving a church meant leaving God. But she did witness me navigate that journey. In this episode, we talk about those first couple of years in our relationshipâwhen I was fresh out of the ICOC, still carrying the weight of my past, still sorting through what I believed, and still surrounded by friends who were very much still in the church.
Beyond my own story, we also discuss the role that partners play in supporting their loved ones through deconstruction, healing, and rebuilding a life outside of a controlling religious group. Carlyâs perspective as someone who wasnât indoctrinated but walked alongside me as I untangled my beliefs adds a whole new layer to the conversation. What does it look like to be there for someone without fully understanding what theyâve been through? How can partners provide space, validation, and support while also maintaining their own perspectives?
What was it like for Carly to watch me process all of this in real time? What did she notice that I couldnât see for myself? And from her perspective⊠was I in a cult?
Letâs talk about it.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going.
If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was a member of the ICOC or ICC and would like to share your story about life in and out of the church, Iâd love to hear from you. Together, we can continue exploring the question, âWe were in a cult?ââand perhaps find some healing along the way. You can reach me via email at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and reviewâit helps more people find these stories. And donât forget: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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For most of my life, I believed I was a calm personâuntil a therapist told me otherwise. This episode is about my journey with anger: from growing up in an environment where anger was seen as a sin, to suppressing it until it exploded, to finally learning how to sit with it, listen to it, and find healthier outlets. I talk about childhood, therapy, teaching boys about emotional space, and the things that help me process anger todayâwhether itâs working out, cold plunges, or mosh pits. If youâve ever struggled with anger or felt like you werenât allowed to express it, this episode is for you. Maybe anger isnât the enemy. Maybe it just wants to be heard.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going.
If this episode resonated with you, if youâve wrestled with anger, or if youâve found your own way to navigate it, Iâd love to hear from you. You can reach me via email at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page.
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and reviewâit really helps more people find these stories and be part of this journey.
And remember: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, take care of your emotionsâanger includedâand keep growing. Peace!
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In this episode of Clemenz With a Z, I dive into the powerful metaphor of glass and rubber balls to explore how we prioritize what matters most in life. I share personal reflections on how my passion for teaching, rigid routines, and inability to say âNOâ left my family as the forgotten rubber ballsâwhen they should have been my top priorities.
Through hard conversations, emotional wake-up calls, and the painful realization that I was spreading myself too thin, I learned that intentionality and honest reflection are key to protecting the fragile, irreplaceable parts of life. Join me as we discuss how to identify your own glass balls, reframe âNOâ as a tool for protection, and continuously realign your life with what you truly value.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and reviewâit really helps more people find these stories and be part of this journey.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
And remember: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
Until next time, take care of yourself, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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Gratitude isnât always easy, and itâs definitely not always obvious. Life moves fast, responsibilities pile up, and before we know it, we forget the small miracles holding us up every day. In this episode of Clemenz With a Z, I reflect on a poem by James A. Pearson (The Wilderness That Bears Your Name) that reminded me to pause and see whatâs been there all along: the rising sun, the steady ground beneath my feet, and the strength we gain when we let ourselves be held by lifeâs quiet gifts. Join me as I explore what it means to slow down, stay grateful, and find light even when the world feels overwhelming
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Clemenz With a Z. Your support means the world to me and helps keep these important conversations going. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and reviewâit really helps more people find these stories and be part of this journey.
And remember: Iâm just a channel, I ainât the source.
If you liked the poem I read today, itâs by James A. Pearson and comes from the book The Wilderness That Bears Your Name. If you would like to purchase it, here's a link: https://a.co/d/2nF8Djr
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care of yourself, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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In this latest episode of Clemenz With a "Z": "Black Coffee, Camo Bibles, and Sissy Sticks: Faith, Fragile Manhood, and the Things That Shouldnât Matter", I dive into the unspoken (and often ridiculous) rules about masculinity that churches and culture push on men. From black coffee and camo Bibles to the fear of looking "soft," I explore how these narrow definitions shape our identities and why they fall apart under real scrutiny. Through personal stories, faith, and a search for a fuller, healthier masculinity, this episode challenges what it really means to be a manâand asks: what if we let go of the performance and embraced something real?
As always, thank you for your continued support and if you like what you hear please rate and review! If you don't remember, I'm just a channel, I ain't the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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In this latest episode of Clemenz With a "Z", part of our ongoing We Were In a Cult? series, we sit down with Ann to explore her remarkable story. Born in Northern China and later moving to Singapore, Annâs path eventually led her to the ICOC, a church she believed would offer community and purpose but instead brought manipulation and control. Through courage and vulnerability, Ann shares the emotional and spiritual journey of her life within the ICOC and the pivotal moments that helped her break free. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding your voice. Whether youâre seeking understanding, connection, or healing, Annâs story will leave a lasting impression.
If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was a member of the ICOC or the ICC and would like to share your story of your life in and out of the church and help us maybe get closer to answering the question "we were in a cult?", and maybe find some healing please contact me via email at [email protected] or you can DM via Instagram at the "Clemenz With a "Z" podcast" Instagram page.
As always, thank you for your continued support and if you like what you hear please rate and review! If you don't remember, I'm just a channel, I ain't the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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In this episode of Clemenz With a 'Z', I dive into a subject that sparks heated discussions and deep reflections: the relationship between churches and money. From the high production value of Sunday services to the tax-exempt status that many churches enjoy, this episode peels back the layers to examine how finances influence the modern church experience. Drawing from my personal visits to various churches over the past year, I share insights and ask tough questions about how money shapes the way faith is practiced and presented. Tune in as we explore whether these financial practices uplift communitiesâor cross ethical boundaries.
As always, thank you for your continued support and if you like what you hear please rate and review! If you don't remember, I'm just a channel, I ain't the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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In the latest episode of Clemenz With a Z, we continue our series, We Were in a Cult?, with a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation featuring Liz, a former member of the International Church of Christ (ICOC).
Liz shares her journey of being drawn into the church as a college student and the lasting impact it had on her life. This episode delves into the ICOCâs influence on marriage dynamics, including rigid roles and expectations that shaped her relationships and personal growth. With honesty and resilience, Liz reflects on her path to healing and self-discovery after leaving the church. Tune in for a compelling exploration of faith, control, and the courage it takes to reclaim your identity.
If you are a member, were a member, or know someone who was a member of the ICOC or the ICC and would like to share your story of your life in and out of the church and help us maybe get closer to answering the question "we were in a cult?", and maybe find some healing please contact me via email at [email protected] or you can DM via Instagram at the "Clemenz With a "Z" podcast" Instagram page.
As always, thank you for your continued support and if you like what you hear please rate and review! If you don't remember, I'm just a channel, I ain't the source.
If you would like to support the podcast financially please follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524
Until next time, take care, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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In this latest episode of Clemenz With a 'Z', I dive deep into the evolving practice of baptism in modern churches and ask some hard questions: Has something sacred turned into a spectacle? Drawing from my own baptism experience, which was meant to be transformative but left me feeling exposed and disconnected, I explore how baptisms are often presented as high-production events with promotional t-shirts, branded backdrops, and curated social media moments. Together, weâll reflect on how these trends may overshadow the intimate, spiritual essence of baptism and discuss ways to bring back the focus on personal faith and transformation. Letâs start a conversation about honoring the sacredness of these moments in a way that truly uplifts the individual and their journey.
As always, thank you for your continued support and if you like what you hear please rate and review! If you don't remember, I'm just a channel, I ain't the source.
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Until next time, take care, stay grateful, and keep growing. Peace!
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