Burning Butterflies

Worlds Collide: The End of Chapter One

In the final episode of Chapter One, Melissa and Amanda recap how their worlds have collided at "Come As You Are."

So, the Nightmare Begins: Froggy's True Colors Are Revealed

As it turns out, Melissa's wedding to Froggy was the beginning of a nightmarish journey. Little did she know that behind the charming facade lurked a narcissistic and abusive partner, whose actions would unravel her life in ways she could never have imagined.
 
As we trace the unsettling timeline of events post-wedding, the true colors of Froggy's nature are exposed. Melissa's world unravels as manipulation and chaos become the new normal and her family is thrown into disarray. To make matters worse, the people of the church have an unflattering picture of Melissa painted by Tom and Charlotte; all while Froggy is made out to be the victim of a new bride in the midst of a mental breakdown.
 
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!
 
Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!

Sacred Vows: Melissa Marries Froggy

Melissa was devoted to "doing things right" this time in her marriage to Froggy, a man she thought she knew. In this episode, we uncover the elaborate web of deceit spun by Tom and Charlotte, who exploit the goodwill of church members to orchestrate a wedding for Melissa and Froggy. As Melissa navigates the pressure to conform to Froggy's expectations, tensions rise, and the true colors of her supposed Prince Charming begin to emerge. 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!Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!

Unholy Foundations: Come As You Are Builds a Building

In this episode of Burning Butterflies, Melissa and Amanda delve deep into the unsettling tale of a church community torn apart by the very structure meant to bring them together. Join us as we unravel the web of manipulation that shrouds this seemingly holy endeavor.  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!Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!

In the Pulpit’s Shadow: The Toxic Culture of Pulpit Shaming

Every week, nearly 8 million Americans sit in a church service and listen to a sermon. Most are there to hear a message of hope, connection and faith. But what happens when the pastor leverages the pulpit to publicly shame and humiliate those who dare to rock the boat? Join Melissa and Amanda as they discuss their experiences being pulpit shamed and how it became a regular part of the toxic culture of spiritual abuse at "Come As You Are." 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!Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!

Amanda Drinks the Kool-Aid: Living in Delusion

"Those were the good-ole days!" That is what Amanda used to tell people when referring to her early years in serving at "Come As You Are."  In this episode, Amanda shares her personal experiences of indoctrination, where the fervor of serving and doing all she could to honor God was masked the shadows of control and depression.  Amanda Drinks the Kool-Aid is the 11th episode of Chapter 1. NOTE: The audio of this episode is not the quality we hope to put out there for you all. We appreciate your understanding as we were faced with challenges of echoes and rowdy dogs! 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!Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!

Get On Board: Steps, Studies and the Church System

Anywhere you go has an onboarding system; school, work and yes, even church. You are welcomed in and taught about what to expect at that organization. But what happens when that onboarding system is set up to condition you to be loyal to just one person and one place. And what happens when the information you share is used to take advantage of you and exploit your hopes, your skills and your faith? In this episode, Melissa and Amanda share the steps and studies that were a part of the onboarding system at "Come As You Are" and how it was used to keep them under 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!Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!

Melissa Gets Love Bombed

Melissa arrived at "Come As You Are" as a single mother ready to "do things right!" But now we all know how "Come As You Are" operates. She needs to be all in. She's invited to attend Bible studies and begins serving on teams. But her life gets turned upside down when a chance encounter with a man whose broad shoulders captivate her turns into him asking , "Can I keep you forever?" "Melissa Gets Love Bombed" is the 9th episode of Chapter One.  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!Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!

Sit Down & Obey. This is Your Lot in Life: Marriage in the Evangelical Movement

Women are called to be a helper; silent and submissive. There is an entire offshoot of Christian books dedicated to teaching women how to be a Godly wife. So why is this problematic? Melissa and Amanda sit down and discuss the expectations that were placed on them as wives at "Come As You Are," some of the popular books and studies that were used to teach them how to be good wives and how it all caused chaos in their lives. Sit Down & Obey. This is Your Lot in Life: Marriage in the Evangelical Movement is Episode 8 of Chapter 1 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!Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!

Becoming the Perfect Poster Child

How does someone become the poster child the the perfect church lady that others will eventually be expected to live up to and that you will eventually use to destroy her confidence and character? In this week's episode of Burning Butterflies, Amanda shares her story of indoctrination at "Come As You Are" and how love bombing lead to full on dedication.  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!Please help us share our story with others! Follow us on FB, Insta or TikTok. Subscribe so you won't miss new episodes and don't forget to leave us a rating!