Episode 39

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Published on:

14th Jan 2026

[039] Life Inside and After a Cult: Race, Control, and The Living Word Fellowship

With Adam Beatty

Adam shares what it was like to grow up inside The Living Word Fellowship, a high-control religious movement that later collapsed under widespread allegations of abuse. As a Black man, he speaks candidly about race, power, and tokenism, both within the church and in the aftermath of its collapse.

This is a long-form conversation. Please listen at your own pace, and take care of yourself as needed. This episode includes discussions of spiritual abuse, sexual abuse, racism, and high-control religious systems.

In this episode:

  1. Introduction and Content Warning [00:00]
  2. Adam's Early Life in the Living Word Fellowship [01:01]
  3. Experiences and Reflections on Shiloh [04:22]
  4. Understanding Cult Dynamics [07:58]
  5. Historical Context and Personal Reflections [17:11]
  6. Race and Identity in the Cult [38:33]
  7. The Moving Goalposts of Whiteness [52:23]
  8. Experiences of Racism in the Church [54:50]
  9. Racism and Leadership in the Church [57:57]
  10. Designated Relationships and Control [01:04:08]
  11. Leaving the Church and Its Aftermath [01:07:10]
  12. The Fall of Living Word Fellowship [01:17:15]
  13. Widespread Abuse and Cover-Up [01:22:29]
  14. Healing and Processing Trauma [01:38:26]
  15. Handling Rule Violations and Group Dynamics [01:41:24]
  16. Generational Perspectives and Church Hierarchy [01:43:16]
  17. Challenges and Stress in Managing the Group [01:47:17]
  18. Therapy and Healing from Trauma [01:51:54]
  19. Reflecting on the Podcast and Personal Growth [01:55:26]
  20. Addressing Systemic Issues and Seeking Justice [02:05:08]
  21. Final Thoughts and Moving Forward [02:22:54]

Why it matters:

Having real conversations and giving people space to share their stories that shaped them is crucial to keeping the HUMAN in humanity.

Resources + Links:

  1. Oops I'm in a Cult! Podcast

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, experiencing distress, or needs mental health support, help is available.

  1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) — call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org
  2. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — resources for finding mental health support and information

Connect with Adam Further:

Adam Beatty is a lyricist, audio engineer and photographer from Los Angeles, California. He grew up in The Living Word Fellowship, once considered a non-denominational church that was revealed to be a high pressure cult in 2018, when an open letter was published online by a former member alleging years of sexual and emotional abuse that was actively covered up by leadership. He currently lives in Iowa City, Iowa.

Connect with Mandy:

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  4. Visit wildlyintentional.com

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Wildly Intentional
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Mandy Webber

I’m Mandy—a mother, maker, mentor, and unapologetically wild thinker. I’m known for my magnetic energy, practical wisdom, and fierce curiosity—and for helping others unlearn the noise and reclaim the rhythms that actually matter.

I’m the one people call when they’re ready to do life differently—not just talk about it. Whether it’s rethinking school, reclaiming seasonal rhythms, starting a business, healing family cycles, or figuring out how to preserve 50 pounds of tomatoes and their sanity... I help people find their own way—deeply, honestly, and without the fluff.

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