Sister Wives #22 - Former Cult Member Speaks (Chapter 1)

Dr Kirk Honda interviews Christine Pirir about her experiences in the polygamist Mormon cult depicted in Sister Wives (a reality TV show).

The Psychology In Seattle Podcast ®

Trigger Warning: This episode may include topics such as assault, trauma, and discrimination. If necessary, listeners are encouraged to refrain from listening and care for their safety and well-being.

[joshuathompson]

I'm one of Christine's brothers from another mother. I wish you all could have known Christine 10 or so years ago. So much confidence and growth she's acquired since then. We had a hard father figure and I feel like we all have had to cope with that to one degree or another, and she's really come out on top! Way to go sis!

[ChroniclesofaFatChick]

Dr Honda, you are slaying your bearded era

[trembletea]

Christine is so well-spoken and has clearly thought deeply about the culture she grew up in. Even when she is asked an unexpected question, she comes up with an insightful answer immediately.

[ImAllisonWonderland]

My first marriage was spent in a black identity extremist polygamist cult. I've been divorced for several years now and it took a great deal of effort to unpack and heal from the damage that was done. I'm so happy for this young lady and her husband. I'm happy for all of us! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏽

[victoriah]

This young woman is remarkable. Her maturity and understanding of the world, of the culture she grew up in, i really admire her and how emotionally mature she is.

[sundog]

"...they see someone who is willing to help over and over and over again, and course everyone needs help so..." Kindest way to describe feeling taken advantage of. As someone who has been taken advantage of a lot and has sensitivity around that, I appreciate reframing it in such a kind way. Helps to not feel so victimized by everyone. There are several true predators in my life story, but some people probably just wanted help and found someone willing to help them.

[ShipFantastic]

I feel like I had an epiphany as to why I watch cult content during this interview. When she discussed being a people pleaser and the cult lifestyle. It really resonated.

You don't have to be in a cult to be put through the same brainwashing cycle. I was raised in a very abusive environment, emotionally/sexually/physically, and you are indoctrinated into the lifestyle.
You have no needs, no wants and no voice. You are here to raise the other kids, be a slave to the parents desires and to be submissive or face dire consequences. It was somewhat triggering to hear her talk about the family meetings and the humiliation.

I was also isolated in the very populated city of Indianapolis but no help was coming and you don't want any help because it's terrifying to think of the what ifs.
This interview is very eye opening and thought pervoking in finding new resources in getting passed the trauma of my childhood.

Thanks again Dr H and Christine.

[andedom]

It’s so cool that Dr H is interviewing someone from our little community!

[Tcon]

Dr Honda, I'd recommend interviewing Benjamin Brown, Kody 's nephew. His perspective is so insightful. His accounts are called the fresh king Benjamin. I think you'll get a lot out of watching his recap of season 1 now that you've seen it

[punkitten]

What an incredible interview!

Christine has clearly worked hard to understand how her environment growing up impacted her and done the work to create a more healthy environment for her own child. Her kindness shone through brightly. From the way she viewed her mother’s role to the way she framed the dynamic of people pleasing. People need help and if someone is willing to help… I am so proud of her and the healing she has worked hard to gain. I have no doubt she helped many with what she openly shared in this interview. I was giddy with her as she offered the closing line, “Because they deserve it. They really, really do.”

And of course, thank you Dr. Honda for your excellent insight and interviewing skills!

[veronicaguyader]

Bring her back after every few seasons to give additional insight on what you cover here about those episodes.

[FishareFriendsNotFood]

1:20:30 I LOVE the term 'thought stopping cliches', that is the best term for so many of the catch phrases used to shut down all my questions about religion growing up

[skibnmope]

I wasn’t raised in a cult(or I guess maybe just not the same one 😂), but I have a fundamentalist father and over 10 siblings. I can really relate to Christine’s comment about admiring her mother despite the tensions growing up. My mom is my hero for leaving too. Thanks, Christine and Kirk! ♥️

[ktsb]

Christine is so strong for protecting her child from people and systems that would them harm. It was very interesting to hear about the branching off of the two different sects -- the AUB and FLDS -- admittedly I thought that the Browns were almost outliers in the plural marriage community and that the vast majority were FLDS including those just outside of the Browns' family.

[basteed]

Wow, this was such a great conversation. Thank you, Christine, for sharing such a thoughtful and insightful reflection on your experience in the AUB, and thank you, Dr. Honda for asking such great questions to examine what we've seen through the show and consider what else these women may have been experiencing behind the scenes. I really appreciated, Christine, how kind and judgement-free your reflections were, despite recalling what sounded like extremely difficult and painful experiences growing up. I think you both hit on a really important point in how hard it can be to say anything that would get through to someone immersed in a similar situation--a cult or a toxic relationship--and how quickly a judgemental comment--even when shared in a supportive way--can alienate someone. I know after I was out of a previous emotionally abusive relationship, my mom said, "I never liked him anyway. You deserved so much better." Which like, yes, I did deserve better, but dang, that feels like such a criticism of my own judgement or taste in men...immediately put my walls up! Your kindness is so amazing and I appreciate that framing so much. Also, have never smashed a like button so fast as when you delivered that outro. ;-) Thank you both!

[FishareFriendsNotFood]

1:14:00 Fascinating, the overlap between the plural marriage experience and the experience of women in s work, both groups feel they cannot possibly report or ever get help from the system, so they are especially targeted.

[Alayhoo]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Christine! As an ex-Mormon a lot of what you talked about really resonated with me and felt validating to hear. I wish you all the best!

[bebemaluca]

this is why i love this channel. thank you for taking the time to learn more about this community and sharing it so we can learn too

[mipsan]

I think she is referring to Amanda Rae and maybe Growing up in Polygamy. They are both excellent channels to get into the topic of cults. Also Cults to Consciousness is an amazing channel with a wide range of ex-member guests from different cults.

[siriusthecat]

incredible conversation, thank you Dr. Honda and Christine!!