Burning Butterflies

Love Is More Than Just a Word...It's a Control Tactic

Chapter 5, Episode 4
Coming off the success of the Christmas play, Melissa is determined to make the church’s Valentine’s event unforgettable with a dinner theater experience. The Griswolds take charge of the meal, while Melissa reimagines The Glass Menagerie with her own twist. But the real question of the night—can Froggy pull off his sermon-style message and send couples home feeling encouraged in the Lord?
Meanwhile, Amanda is sidelined with pneumonia as the church gears up for the third annual Daddy-Daughter Dance. She leaves the event in others’ hands, but as tensions rise and women start walking out, she’s called in at the last minute. Will the night end in sweet memories or complete disaster?
Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!
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Go: A Conference to Prove Charlette Wrong

Chapter 5, Episode 3
In this episode of Burning Butterflies, Amanda recalls the tense and defining moment when she decided to challenge Charlette’s rigid approach to women's ministry at Come As You Are. For years, the women's events at the church were steeped in tradition—every gathering required a keepsake, a craft, and, of course, worship. It had become an adult version of VBS, and Amanda, along with Brandi, was growing increasingly frustrated with the formulaic approach. After attending a series of fresh, innovative conferences, the duo felt inspired to put on an event of their own—a simple, meaningful gathering for women, without all the unnecessary fluff.
But Charlette wasn’t one to take kindly to being proven wrong. In this episode, we dive into how Charlette responded to Amanda’s bold move, whether the women in the church were willing to show up for something new, was Brandi allowed to participate and what did Froggy have to do with a women's conference.
Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!
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Amanda Gets Played: But Also Gets a Ministry

Chapter 5, Episode 2
Amanda has always wanted to serve, to be useful, to prove her devotion to the church and to Tom. But in this episode, we unravel how Tom expertly manipulates her, turning her into a pawn in his mind games—this time, with Beth as his target. As tensions rise, Amanda is unknowingly used to push Beth over the edge, leading to her final breaking point and ultimate decision to leave the church for good.
And what is Amanda’s reward for her blind loyalty? A position in the sound booth—a ministry at last, after her humiliating "time out" punishment. But there’s just one problem: Amanda has no knowledge, no experience, and absolutely no business being there. Yet, in Tom’s world, qualifications don’t matter—only obedience does.

Divided Loyalties: You Must Choose a Pastor

Chapter 5, Episode 1
The premiere of Chapter 5 kicks off with a dramatic turning point as the subtle division within the church finally erupts into the open. For months, tensions have been brewing beneath the surface, with quiet alliances forming amongst the church body. Even Tom has acknowledged the split, referring to You Gun as "their pastor"—a comment that only fuels the divide.
Amanda recounts the shocking moment she walks into the church for a special service, only to be told she must choose a side. It has been decided to take the division to a vote, forcing the congregation to publicly declare their loyalties.
Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!
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Chapter 5 Trailer

Chapter 5 Mini-Sode
"It All Hits the Fan"

The Play Will Save Us All!

Chapter 4, Episode 14
The chapter finale delivers an explosive and emotional culmination as Melissa’s play turns out to be a resounding success. With stunning execution, the production dazzles the congregation, leaving no doubt about Melissa’s talents and leadership. But behind the scenes, the story is far more complex.
Amanda, forbidden from having anything to do with the play, secretly teams up with Brandi to ensure everything runs smoothly. Their covert collaboration is a quiet rebellion but thrives unnoticed, in part because Tom is laser-focused on what he believes will finally be the church's breakthrough moment.
Tom throws everything he has into the production, granting Brandi unlimited resources in the hope of doubling the church’s size—a dream he’s chased for years. Yet, instead of growth, Tom inadvertently unleashes something he never expected. By giving Brandi the freedom to act as a bridge between Amanda and Melissa, he creates a dynamic that challenges his control and plants the seeds of transformation.
Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!
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The Aftermath: Picking Up the Pieces After Time Out

Chapter 4, Episode 13
In this episode, Amanda and Melissa dive into the aftermath of Tom and Charlotte’s decision to put Amanda and Brandi on "time-out." The fallout reveals the tangled web of manipulation and control within the church, as everyone scrambles to maintain a façade of order.
Melissa finds herself knee-deep in planning the church play, juggling the demands of her role while navigating the tension created by Froggy trying to both be the lead of the play and the director. Tom, recognizing the need to keep Brandi occupied, assigns her to help Melissa with the play—a move that he doesn't fully think through the repercussions.
Meanwhile, Amanda buries herself in office work, using the tasks as a way to avoid the emotional toll, but still maintaining her friendship with Brandi in secret. And when Young Gun returns to find everything he put into place had been undone? Well, you're not going to want to miss when Amanda and Melissa unpack how these events exposed the toxic dynamics of the church and marked the beginning of a shift in their perspectives.
Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!
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When it All Falls Apart: Amanda Goes on Time Out

Chapter 4, Episode 12
Fall 2018 marks the unraveling of everything. Within days of Young Gun leaving for basic training, Tom attacks his Family Ministry. Amanda and Brandi are abruptly placed in "time out" and forbidden from speaking to one another, their friendship collateral damage in Tom's quest for control.
Meanwhile, Tom is riding high after the illusion of success from the church’s 20th anniversary celebration and he hands Melissa free rein to elevate the Christmas Eve service to unprecedented heights.
Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!
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The 20th Anniversary: A Family Reunion

Chapter 4, Episode 11
Despite growing tensions within the church, Amanda is determined to honor the 20th anniversary of Come As You Are’s presence in the community. Alongside a small group of dedicated members, she convinces Tom to celebrate the milestone.
As excitement builds within the congregation, Tom seizes the opportunity, expanding the event into a grand "Family Reunion" packed with additional festivities designed to showcase unity and success. On the surface, it appears to be a beautiful celebration of two decades of ministry. But was it truly as unifying as it seemed?
Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!
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Tom The Crooked Real Estate Mogul

Chapter 4, Episode 10
The church enters the summer of 2018 as they always have—Retreat and VBS—but the spirit of unity is gone, replaced by veiled arguments and dishonesty. Petty conflicts arise over trivial matters, like classroom posters, while deeper fractures begin to surface.
Pastor Young Gun announces his impending departure for the military. Meanwhile, Tom is consumed with the looming stress of maturing bonds used to finance the church’s building back in 2010. As tensions mount, his actions become increasingly desperate. In a shocking betrayal, he attempts to sell Melissa’s house without her knowledge, crossing a line that leaves lasting scars.
In this episode, Amanda and Melissa recount the season of deception, division, and power plays that left everyone questioning who they could trust—and revealed how far Tom was willing to go to maintain control.
Burning Butterflies is a listener supported podcast. Please check out our Patreon to learn more about how you too can support what we are doing!
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