Renee Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, while also being a tattoo artist and human rights activist. She was born and raised in the Unification Church as a 2nd generation “blessed child". A decade after leaving and processing life outside the cult, she now speaks about the experience publicly with the hashtag #exmoonie. Renee is also the host of "Blessed Child", a podcast where people can come together and speak frankly on their vast range of experiences, within the moon cult and other systems of control. Blessed Child is a place for survivors to find community, deconstruct old belief systems, and share personal stories. In this emotional and informative conversation, Renee offers Rachel her personal insights as a "Blessed Child" born into the Unification Church. She expertly encapsulates the sprawling authoritarian power and reach of the church as well as its narcissistic and destructive leaders. Together Renee and Rachel unpack the difficulties that are all too commonly experienced by second-generation members of high-control groups. Renee explains how she grounds herself through art and family and highlights the ways she works toward healing. Before You Go: Rachel points out the importance of integrating into a connective and safe community in order to see yourself in the truest light, beyond the prejudices of the group's dogma, and examines Renee's powerful concept of leaving a thousand times. More info on Renee's artwork and her Blessed Child podcast here: linktr.ee/renrobot Follow the link below for more information on Christiane Coste, the murdered missionary that Renee mentioned, who helped establish "The News World" which helped lay the foundation for the Washington Times: howwelldoyouknowyourmoon.tumblr.com/post/18…-martyr You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Lynn Dorsett, Michelle Miller, Mary Wimberley, Clinton Bench, Jacob Richard!! To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: http://www.paypal.me/indoctrination You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!