What does healing look like after childhood sexual abuse, especially within systems that have long minimized, moralized, or silenced it? In this episode, we hear from LCSW Malia Burgess, alongside Dr. Julie Hanks and LMFT Natasha Helfer, as well as constitutional law professor, Marci Hamilton, as they unpack the messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal process of healing. From therapy access and cultural shame to Church-imposed repentance and systemic betrayal, this episode names the barriers survivors face, and the hope and power found in reclaiming your story. Hosted by Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff.
⚠️ This podcast contains discussions about child sexual abuse. Please listen with care.
Episode Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D8KnbLOe2GaofaaFQJrR6bRg76_6U1TM/view
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
Learn more about Encircle at https://encircletogether.orgLearn more about Malia Burgess at https://encircletogether.org/therapy/therapistsLearn more about Natasha Helfer at https://www.natashahelfer.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/natashahelfermft
Contribute to the conversation by:
➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast➡️ Leaving a review/rating➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers

This candid Deep Dive with therapist and Encircle’s Director of Clinical Operations, Malia Burgess, takes us on a three-part journey: into the past that shaped us, the present we must reckon with, and the future we’re responsible for building. She begins by unpacking the generational trauma rooted in LDS pioneer mythology and how it impacts the behavior of children and youth in a culture that rewards long-suffering silence. For the present, she offers trauma-informed guidance for parents navigating conversations about bodies, boundaries, and what to do if a child discloses abuse or discomfort. Looking to the future, Malia shares advice on raising resilient children who trust their instincts and know how to say no when it matters. And for both survivors and their caregivers, she discusses what healing can look like across different therapeutic modalities.
 
Episode Transcript:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7KO9o_N3masu9PQF9cMfIPmGUrWTuUj/view
 
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
 
Learn more about Encircle at https://encircletogether.org
Learn more about Malia at https://encircletogether.org/therapy/therapists
 
Contribute to the conversation by:
➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast
➡️ Leaving a review/rating
➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse
➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
 
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
 
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers

Episode 5 of Architecture of Abuse discusses how the LDS Church’s teachings around sexuality create a perfect storm for silence and abuse. Hosts Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff are joined by sex therapist Natasha Helfer, and expert on undue influence, Dr. Steven Hassan, to examine how members are conditioned from childhood to ignore internal discomfort, how spiritual  hierarchy undermines personal revelation, and how the church often reframes criminal acts as “sins,” blurring the lines between repentance and justice.
 
Episode Transcript:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lkh9pKHao7S0N_zjj7ryfxGDMKYYi49j/view
 
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
 
Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan at https://freedomofmind.com/ and follow him on Instagram https://.instagram.com/cultexpert
Learn more about Natasha Helfer at https://www.natashahelfer.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/natashahelfermft
 
Contribute to the conversation by:
➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast
➡️ Leaving a review/rating
➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse
➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
 
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
 
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers

The influence of the LDS Church in Utah can be traced through its methodical rise throughout history: from desert-settling pioneers to modern-day corporate powzerhouse. Attorney Tim Kosnoff, and author and content creator Alyssa Grenfell unpack why the Church’s financial, political, and legal power makes accountability for abuse so elusive in the state of Utah. From the “accident” of their establishment in the wilderness of the West, to the “design” of the Church’s parallel systems of establishment, Tim and Alyssa detail the undeniable influence of the “Mormon Corridor” within the USA.
Episode Transcript:https://drive.google.com/file/d/12NnVxXT_DePCZiWvGseCEa-1cyBBh6tI/view
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
Contribute to the conversation by:
➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast➡️ Leaving a review/rating➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers

In this exploration of Utah and Church history, co-hosts Alyssa Grenfell and veteran attorney Tim Kosnoff are joined by historian and executive producer Lindsay Hansen Park to trace the LDS Church’s origins through a stark and unflinching lens that reveals how romanticized origins can obscure systemic harm. Together, they examine how secrecy, outlaw theology, and institutional power became woven into the very foundation of the LDS Church and the state of Utah, establishing a blueprint that still shapes the Church’s response to abuse today.
From Joseph Smith’s secret plural marriages to the systemic use of “sacredness” as a shield for silence, Park offers a powerful historical critique, connecting early practices to modern consequences. The episode dissects polygamy, theocratic control, and cultural myths of martyrdom, while exploring how patriarchal reverence and the suppression of discomfort have enabled a long-standing architecture of abuse.
 
Episode Transcript:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NjOXgop_4F3Nl0CLx2EOIhY9NWzx7HMt/view
 
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
 
Listen to Lindsay Hansen Park’s podcast, Year of Polygamy: https://www.yearofpolygamy.com/Listen to Lindsay Hansen Park’s podcast, Sunstone History Podcast: https://sunstone.org/sunstone-history-podcast/
 
Contribute to the conversation by:
➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast
➡️ Leaving a review/rating
➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse
➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
 
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim Kosnoff
Executive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. Phillips
Producer | Lizzy Bean
Researcher | Emily Sellers

Co-host Alyssa Grenfell explores how the LDS Church's obsession with outward righteousness creates a culture that silences victims, enables abuse, and even erodes mental health. From standards for clothing and appearances, to the pressure of being “worthy”, this conversation confronts the Church’s behavioral theology head-on. Featuring insights from therapist Dr. Julie Hanks, sex therapist Natasha Helfer, and expert on undue influence, Dr. Steven Hassan, this deep dive unpacks how scrupulosity, image control, and “thought-stopping” tactics keep members obedient—and how that shapes a community's response to trauma.
 
Episode Transcript:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J0ohjeX10z-XcijwjOzIThLo_gG3Yes0/view?usp=sharing
 
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
 
Learn more about Dr. Julie Hanks’ work at https://www.drjuliehanks.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/drjuliehanks
Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan at https://freedomofmind.com/ and follow him on Instagram https://.instagram.com/cultexpert
Learn more about Natasha Helfer at https://www.natashahelfer.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/natashahelfermft
 
Contribute to the conversation by:
> Following/subscribing to the podcast
> Leaving a review/rating
> Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse
> Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
 
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
 
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers

Co-host Tim Kosnoff reconnects with therapist and author Dr. Julie Hanks, who shares an emotional update: after years of faithful participation she has stepped away from activity in the LDS Church. In her own words, Dr. Hanks explains how increasing scrutiny from Church leadership and coordinated complaints from the public made her feel unsafe, unsupported, and ultimately pushed out. Diving into the power dynamics at play when institutions resist critique, Julie reflects on the cost of being “ahead” of the institution, the pain of losing community, the resolve it takes to walk away, and that her work continues with or without institutional approval.
 
Episode Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XJB5bi7ZItLRpC47FNs5XM0U-Fc1xAAI/view?usp=sharing
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
Learn more about Dr. Julie Hanks’ work at https://www.drjuliehanks.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/drjuliehanks
 
Contribute to the conversation by:
> Following/subscribing to the podcast
> Leaving a review/rating
> Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse
> Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
 
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
 
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers

Co-hosts Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff examine how LDS Church culture or the invisible behavioral structures that exist beyond official doctrine, shapes beliefs, silences dissent, and leaves children at risk. Therapist Dr. Julie Hanks brings over 30 years of experience working with LDS families, offering acute insight into the emotional and developmental toll of rigid gender roles, spiritual bypassing, and trauma misdiagnosed as “sin.” Dr. Steven Hassan, a mental health professional, expert on undue influence, and former member of the Moonies, explains how high-control religious groups use behavioral and emotional tactics to reinforce the group identity. Together, they expose a system where obedience is praised, questions are punished, and abuse hides in plain sight. ⚠️ This podcast contains discussions about child sexual abuse. Please listen with care.
 
Episode Transcript:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZffsHUu6_uRIFOkjV_pwd6XmaI4OMD-G/view?usp=sharing
 
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
 
Learn more about Dr. Julie Hanks’ work and follow her on Instagram
https://www.drjuliehanks.com/  
https://instagram.com/drjuliehanks
Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan and follow him on Instagram
https://freedomofmind.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cultexpert/
BITE Model: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model-pdf-download/
Influence Continuum: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/influence-continuum/
Contribute to the conversation by:
> Following/subscribing to the podcast> Leaving a review/rating> Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse> Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
 
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
 
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers