LaidOPEN Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Join host Charna Cassell for a raw and eye opening conversation with Margaret Bronson, founder of Deconstruction Doulas. Margaret grew up inside a high control Christian cult and survived domestic violence, child abuse, excommunication, and the long psychological fallout of authoritarian religion. Now she guides others through the same dismantling of belief systems that once owned them.

In this episode, Margaret unpacks how she and her husband developed somatic practices to help survivors heal the trauma stored in the body after years of purity culture, spiritual coercion, and obedience enforced through shame and fear. She breaks down what truly happens inside high control religious communities and why so many people leaving them feel like they're stepping out of a parallel universe.

This conversation also dives into the political reality many of us are waking up to. Margaret explains how the same ideology that shaped her childhood is now embedded in Project 2025, Christian Reconstructionism, and the growing Trad Wife movement. She outlines the playbook of modern theocrats and shows how personal trauma and national policy are intertwined when religion is weaponized.

If you're feeling a visceral reaction to Project 2025, this episode will help you understand why. Margaret offers grounding tools, embodied healing practices, and a clear-eyed look at what we're facing as the country edges closer to an openly theocratic agenda.

Tune in for a fierce, validating, and deeply necessary conversation for anyone untangling from religious trauma or trying to make sense of this political moment.

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction and Content Warning

01:20 Meet Margaret Bronson: A Journey of Healing

03:17 Life in a Cult: Margaret's Early Years

04:03 Excommunication and Its Aftermath

06:07 Deconstruction Doulas: Birth of a Support System

06:30 Parental Vulnerability and Cult Recruitment

08:24 The Impact of Cult Ideology

13:43 Breaking Free: Personal and Collective Healing

18:02 Somatic Practices and Reclaiming the Body

19:31 Navigating Sexual Trauma and Rediscovery

25:42 Resources and Support for Survivors

26:35 Generational Trauma and Abuse

27:55 Challenges in Seeking Help

29:49 The Trad Wife Movement

33:17 Christian Reconstructionism and Theocracy

39:21 Embodied Freedom and Healing

46:25 Practical Exercises for Grounding

49:09 Conclusion and Resources

In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, Charna talks with Dr. Chelsey Hague-Zavaleta, an expert in applied educational neuroscience and social–emotional learning. Together, they explore what it really means to raise calm, connected kids — and how to do it without losing your mind (or yourself) in the process.

They unpack the science of co-regulation, discuss the difference between gentle and authoritative parenting, and share practical tools for managing stress behaviors and creating family balance.

Dr. Chelsey offers compassionate insights for parents, teachers, and caregivers looking to build calmer, more cooperative relationships with children, and with themselves. Charna also introduces her upcoming group program designed to help parents and individuals deepen their self-regulation and embodiment practices.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introduction and Personal Wish for Parenting

00:53 Introducing Dr. Chelsey and Her Expertise

02:41 Chelsey's Journey and Parenting Course

05:13 Parenting Challenges and Co-Regulation

07:45 Gentle Parenting vs. Authoritative Approach

15:54 Tone and Nonverbal Communication in Parenting

20:54 Handling Parental Preferences and Boundaries

30:17 The Ineffectiveness of Negative Commands

30:51 Positive Framing in Parenting

32:38 Intervening Before Explosions

34:04 Handling Stress Behaviors

35:21 Challenges of Co-Parenting and Transitions

37:57 Adoptive and Foster Parenting

45:09 Embodiment and Raising Self-Aware Children

53:22 The Power of Praise and Positive Reinforcement

56:11 Conclusion and Resources

✨ Subscribe to LaidOPEN for more conversations about intimacy, self-regulation, and the science of connection.

In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, I have an insightful conversation with activist and author Dean Spade about his extensive work in movements for queer and trans liberation, anti-militarism, and the abolition of police and prisons. 

Dean and I discuss his new book titled 'Love in a Fucked Up World: How to Build Relationships, Hook Up, and Raise Hell Together,' covering topics such as mindful practices for managing stress, the evolution of his book over nine years, and personal growth in relationships. 

We also delve into the romance myth, decentralizing romantic relationships, and the importance of community support. Dean shares valuable insights and practices for generating internal safety and the importance of collective care in social movements. 

This episode is an enriching dialogue aimed at anyone interested in social justice, personal growth, and transformative community practices.

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction and Course Announcement

00:55 Introducing Dean Spade

02:01 Dean Spade's Book Journey

02:28 Healing Modalities and Personal Growth

03:05 Non-Monogamous Relationships

03:34 Challenges in Writing the Book

05:15 Self-Help Literature Critique

06:45 Emotional Awareness in Movements

15:27 Decentralizing Romantic Relationships

23:49 Self-Generated Safety and Belonging

31:40 Therapy Misconceptions and Realities

32:38 The Overuse of Pathologizing Language

33:23 Forgiveness and Self-Inquiry in Relationships

36:05 The Impact of Alcoholism on Relationships

37:28 The Process of Forgiveness and Healing

41:34 Sexual Trauma and Cultural Narratives

44:18 Transformative Justice and Community Response

49:52 Decentralizing Romantic Relationships

You can watch this episode on my YouTube channel, just search LaidOPEN. Plus, I have free guided visualizations and a host of other tools and resources available to you there and on my website at CharnaCassell.com.