Content Note: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma and abuse, child sexual abuse, religious trauma and harm, dissociation, and other sensitive trauma-related topics. Please listen with care, take care of yourself, and stop or come back later if you need to. Resources for support are included at the bottom of these show notes.

Okay, we’re going DEEPER into Meetings/The Truth/the 2x2s. 👀

I start this episode by sharing parts of what resonated with me from a former 2x2 member’s podcast- LeNora Faye’s episode—especially the nuance of holding the good alongside the harm, and what happens when you start looking back at things that were completely “normal” to you growing up…with very different eyes.

As I tell my story, I want to share all of it—the good, the bad, AND the ugly.

And there’s a lot of nuance in there.

If you haven’t listened to Episodes 1 & 2 yet, I definitely recommend starting there! I do a quick review of some of the terminology from Episode 2, but this episode builds on everything we’ve talked about so far. (Click HERE.)

First, we’re talking more “Meetings 101”—some of the more universal terms, beliefs, and practices within the 2x2s: Meetings, testimony, Workers, Friends, the Bible, etc.

And then we get into some of the more nuanced, unwritten expectations that shaped what it meant to live as someone who was “professing.”

These weren’t necessarily written-down, universally enforced “rules”—and experiences could vary depending on family, location, Workers, generation, and other factors. But there were still very real expectations around things like hair, clothing and appearance, lifestyle, careers, entertainment, and how you were generally expected to live and present yourself.

And as I go through them, I share pieces of my own experience growing up within those expectations—including some pictures from that time in my life.

For that reason, I highly recommend WATCHING this episode on YouTube or Substack! 🎥 I included several pictures of me growing up in Meetings as I talk through these different expectations, so you’ll get a little more out of the episode if you can actually see them.

I also finally answer a question that comes up ALL THE TIME:

So…is the 2x2 religion actually a cult?

Some people very strongly say yes. Others very strongly say no.

I share my take on that—and some of the nuance I think gets lost when we try to answer that question with a simple yes or no.

And THEN I was finally going to start getting into my actual childhood…

…and I ran out of time. 😂

Somehow this episode is already about 45 minutes long! (With the caveats and explaining the Golden Egg at the beginning.)

SO. Next episode- we’ve built the foundation. Now we can actually start getting into what it was like for little Sonja growing up inside of all of this.

🥚 Find the Golden Egg!

There’s another Golden Egg hidden somewhere in this episode! ✨🥚

I explain it in the episode, so listen/watch for this week’s Golden Egg and instructions.

To enter this episode’s drawing:

1. Like/subscribe/follow The Magic in You on whichever platform you’re listening or watching—YouTube, Substack, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

2. Find this episode’s Golden Egg.

3. Email me at sonja@holisticwizardry.com OR DM me on any of my social platforms and tell me what it is!

Golden Egg Giveaway Rules: No purchase necessary. Entrants must be 18+. One entry per person per episode Golden Egg unless otherwise stated. Each eligible episode entry adds one entry to the ongoing Golden Egg prize pool, and your entries stay in the pool until you win. Enter each episode to increase your chances. One winner will be selected at random approximately once a month and contacted directly. Once someone wins, all of their entries will be removed from the pool, and each person may only win once.

The winner will receive one complimentary 30-minute Holistic Wizardry session of their choice. The winner may choose to use the session for themselves, their child, or their pet, subject to service eligibility and availability. Parent or legal guardian consent is required for services provided to a minor.

Prize has no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash. This giveaway is sponsored solely by Holistic Wizardry, LLC and is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Substack, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other platform on which it is promoted.

Survivor Resources & Support

If this episode brought something up for you, please take care of yourself and reach out for support if you need it.

RAINN — National Sexual Assault Hotline
Free, confidential support is available 24/7.
Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or Text HOPE to 64673
Or connect with a trained support specialist online.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Resources for survivors of sexual violence, including information about healing, survivors’ rights and options, and help finding local sexual assault services and advocates.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you are in emotional distress, experiencing a mental health crisis, or need immediate support, call or text 988 in the United States.

For survivors connected to the 2x2s / “The Truth” / Meetings:
2x2 Church Accountability provides resources and support specifically for survivors of sexual abuse within the 2x2 church community, including options for reporting abuse and pursuing accountability.

And if my story or approach to healing resonates with you, you can learn more about me and the holistic mind-body-spirit work I offer through Holistic Wizardry.

Remember your magic. 💜