What Happens After Leaving Mormonism?
- Jul 17, 2026
- 1:23:15
- Full Episode
Check Out Audra's FREE Masterclass about navigating the grief, guilt, and identity crisis after leaving Mormonism: https://mamaaudra.com/training
What happens when your entire identity is built around a high-control religion, and you begin to question it? This week, I sit down with Audra Phelps, an educator, former member of the LDS Church, and coach who helps people navigate life after leaving high-control religions. We discuss the overlap between homeschooling and religious environments, why questioning your beliefs can feel terrifying, and the long process of rebuilding your identity after deconstruction. Whether you've left religion yourself or are simply curious about how people reclaim their lives after high-control systems, this conversation is full of empathy, nuance, and hope
*Connect with Audra* • Website: https://mamaaudra.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamaaudraofficial/ • YouTube: @Mama-Audra • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mamaaudra
*Resources Mentioned* • When Religion Hurts You: https://drlauraeanderson.com/book • Coalition for Responsible Home Education: https://crhe.org
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*Connect with me* • BuyMeACoffee: buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub • Email me at [email protected] • Listen on Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/exhsclub/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub • Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/ • Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.com
*Chapters* 00:00 Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club 00:58 Meet Audra Phelps 01:35 Audra's Teaching Journey 02:57 Homeschooling Pros and Cons 03:41 Teacher Training Respect 05:46 Homeschool Outcomes Seen 07:40 Teamwork With Schools 10:40 Why Move Overseas 13:14 Homeschool Bubble Effects 14:48 Jacob Leaving the Bubble 16:51 Growing Up in the Mormon Church 18:24 High Demand Religion Explained 20:36 Church Taught Me To Distrust Myself 24:03 How Mormonism Adds Prophets and Extra Scripture To The Bible 26:05 Comparing Faith Traditions 28:47 Deconstruction Starts Small 29:55 Exiting High-Controlled Religion 33:11 Anxiety And Panic From Gender Roles 35:13 Finding Independence Through Teaching 36:56 Going Overseas Changed My Perspective 39:06 Pandemic and Stepping Back 41:21 Are These Sacred Spaces Evil? 42:41 An Awakening In Sagrada Familia 44:09 Saying It Out Loud 44:53 Religious Trauma Resurfacing 46:42 Identity Loss and Mom Guilt 48:54 Leaving Leads To Loneliness and Family Fallout 51:33 Marriage Through Deconstruction 57:29 Grieving for the Unlived Life 01:00:47 How To Get Out Of The Confusion 01:05:02 Becoming A Coach For The Ex-Mormon Moms 01:11:37 Regulating the Nervous System 01:14:04 Body Based Belief Work 01:16:56 Finding Your Voice Again 01:19:17 Connect with Audra
Brief Summary
Audra Phelps discusses her journey from the LDS Church to coaching others in leaving high-control religions and reclaiming their identities.
Key points
- Exploring High-Control Religion. This week, the Ex-Homeschoolers Club dives into the topic of high-control religions and their impact on education.
- Audra Phelps Joins the Conversation. Audra Phelps, a coach for those exiting high-control religions, shares her insights and experiences.
- The Pressure of Perfection. Audra discusses the immense pressure she felt growing up in a strict religious environment.
- The Pressure of Conformity. Growing up in a high-control religion creates immense pressure to conform to external expectations.
- Questioning Beliefs. A journey of questioning begins with small doubts and leads to larger realizations about faith.
- Cultural Separation. Moving overseas provides a unique perspective, allowing for objective reflection on religious beliefs.
Episode highlights
- Exploring High-Control ReligionThis week, the Ex-Homeschoolers Club dives into the topic of high-control religions and their impact on education.“We're gonna talk to someone about high-control religion, exiting high-control religion.”0:15Jul 17, 2026
- Audra Phelps Joins the ConversationAudra Phelps, a coach for those exiting high-control religions, shares her insights and experiences.“I'm really happy to be here.”1:18Jul 17, 2026
- The Pressure of PerfectionAudra discusses the immense pressure she felt growing up in a strict religious environment.“I felt the pressure all the time.”20:11Jul 17, 2026
- The Pressure of ConformityGrowing up in a high-control religion creates immense pressure to conform to external expectations.“You learn to distrust yourself.”22:37Jul 17, 2026
- Questioning BeliefsA journey of questioning begins with small doubts and leads to larger realizations about faith.“I can't live like this anymore.”35:17Jul 17, 2026
- Cultural SeparationMoving overseas provides a unique perspective, allowing for objective reflection on religious beliefs.“I was always taught that Mormons were the most faithful.”38:38Jul 17, 2026
- A Spiritual AwakeningDiscovering a peaceful connection to spirituality after leaving the church.“This feels good. This doesn't feel bad.”42:40Jul 17, 2026
- Identity CrisisFacing the challenge of self-identity after leaving a religious upbringing.“I remember the day I literally looked in the mirror and I was like, 'I'm not a Christian anymore.'”44:20Jul 17, 2026
