top of page
Search


Reclaiming Authentic Voice – An Invitation to Free Speech
Many former cult members hesitate before sharing their experiences. I get it—there are good reasons! That said, I’m writing to encourage you if you are feeling the need to share and are constrained for whatever reason.
Esther Ruth Friedman
Jun 152 min read
Â
Â
Â


The Gentle Art of Celebrating on Your Own Terms: Value Your Time and Safeguard Your Energy
Value your time and safeguard your energy.
Esther Ruth Friedman
May 241 min read
Â
Â
Â


How Did I Let This Happen? Distinguishing Between Self-Reflection and Self-Blame
Victim blame seems embedded into human psychology and society. So, relational trauma survivors struggle with questions like, “how did I...
Esther Ruth Friedman
May 154 min read
Â
Â
Â


Healing Through Creativity: Songwriting as my Therapy
Sometimes I wonder why I keep writing songs. But the songs show up.
Esther Ruth Friedman
Apr 243 min read
Â
Â
Â


The Neuroscience of Empathy: What Elon Musk Gets So Wrong
Dear Gentle Souls, It’s interesting that—like Hitler—Elon Musk is afraid of empathy. Musk recently called empathy “the fundamental...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Apr 13 min read
Â
Â
Â


Digital Detox: Why Unplugging Can Make You Happier and More Productive
Struggling to unplug? A simple digital detox can boost calm and focus. Try screen breaks, tech-free spaces, and mindful unplugging.
Esther Ruth Friedman
Mar 113 min read
Â
Â
Â


What is a Gentle Soul?
At some point in my life, I started noticing a pattern of behaviors, beliefs, and traits that I shared with certain people. Over time, I...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Feb 253 min read
Â
Â
Â


Love, Cults, and Self-Worth: My Journey to a Healthy Relationship
In 2007, my now husband (then fiancé) and I celebrated our first Valentine’s Day. I wrote (probably) my worst song ever. It was called...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Feb 134 min read
Â
Â
Â


Calming Your Nervous System: Don’t Give Them What They Don’t Deserve
Well, folks, 2025 is already a firehose of bad news. So, I am returning to a message that I posted in November on my website’s blog. The...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Jan 242 min read
Â
Â
Â


My Review of Cult Trip by Anke Richter—A Must-Read on Vulnerability, Influence, and Resilience
I've read too many books about cults, narcissistic abuse, con artists, and other selfish pathologies: memoirs, recovery guides, academic...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Jan 133 min read
Â
Â
Â


Gentle Souls, Trust Yourself: A New Year’s Resolution for Calm, Clarity, and Energy
A New Year's Resolution for Gentle Souls
Esther Ruth Friedman
Dec 30, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Â


Mastering Holiday Survival: The 'Less is More' Strategy for Gentle Souls
Dear Gentle Souls, Recently I had a great time talking to Gretchen Bostrom  on her fantastic brand-new pod, Notable New England ! She...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Dec 6, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Â


Protecting Your Gentle Soul: How to Stay Resilient in a Harsh World
Here’s something that I’ve been pondering lately as news and politics look increasingly bleak and brutal. How do we maintain our faith in...
gretchenbostrom
Nov 14, 20243 min read
Â
Â
Â


GSR takes a break: Burnout/Overload/Politics and Social Media
In October I planned to reflect on the Reclaiming Autonomy Writing Symposium . I didn’t. Something in me stepped in front of ALL social...
gretchenbostrom
Nov 4, 20243 min read
Â
Â
Â


Zoom Event: The Writing Symposium, 9/28, 1PM-4PM. Reclaiming voice, life, and self through writing and creative expression
Zoom Event: The Writing Symposium. Reclaiming voice, life, and self through writing and creative expression.
Esther Ruth Friedman
Sep 14, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Â


A Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings: Infuriating, Hopeful
I just finished listening to this beautifully written memoir on Audible. It depicts the not-so Christian underbelly of the extreme...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Sep 6, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Â


Take Back Your Time—Holiday Weekends
About time, YOUR time, and the revolution of taking it back. Happy Labor Day weekend! I’m enjoying what feels like...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Aug 30, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Â


The Betrayal Trauma of 7M: "Church", entertainment "management", cult
I recently caved & watched the Netflix docu-series, Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult .  I figured, it's about a Tik Tok thing....
Esther Ruth Friedman
Aug 12, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Â


Anti-Cult Tools, Tricks and Tips from the ICSA Conference
Early this month I went to Barcelona, Spain to present at the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) Â Conference . Near the end...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Jul 22, 20243 min read
Â
Â
Â


Sorry, Not Sorry--Some People Don't Deserve You
Last October, A Little Bit Culty , hosts Sarah Edmondson and Anthony "Nippy" Ames spoke with me about my culty misadventure in "School"...
Esther Ruth Friedman
Jun 14, 20243 min read
Â
Â
Â
bottom of page