More Than Running Away

Tia’s story in and out of high control religion and church-sanctioned domestic abuse is a story of how she broke free. But the real journey to resist fundamentalism began after she got out, and its one everyone living in a culture under the influence of Christian Patriarchy faces. How can we avoid the frog’s fate in the slowly boiling pot? The answer is more colorful and creative than you might think. (Ties in her second book as well, The Soul of Healing.)

Why is America Aging Backwards?

The Christian Patriarchy wants to run America the way they run their homes. And through big initiatives like Project 25, patient and well-funded super PACs, a stacked conservative Supreme Court, and cultural movements like the “trad wives” they’re making strides. If it sounds like the world of the puritans and founding fathers, it is. This talk discusses what it’s really like to live behind closed doors in a patriarchal home, why it’s so threatened by science and progress, and what the average concerned citizen can do to keep our society moving forward.

Educating Girls Is Unnecessary

Tia’s background in the Quiverful Patriarchy glorified the practice of having as many children as possible, forbidding contraception, family planning, or arguments against the ideology. But unlimited children is a holistic burden on women. How can a woman possibly take care of so many children? The answer is a long list of ordinary parenting practices fundamentalists skip in order to raise an army for God. At the top of the list is the deliberate education neglect for girls, parentifying them as helpers and grooming the next generation of submissive wives. Why? To bring America back to traditional gender roles where women stay home and raise children, while the men vote, work, and lead. Understanding the strategy sheds light on changing legislation, culture wars online like the “trad wife” movement, and why there are a growing number of religious trauma survivors citing neglect and abuse in the evangelical Christian Patriarchy.

The Mother I Wanted to Be

Realizing that if Tia stayed in abusive fundamentalism she’d be raising the next generation of abusers and victims propelled her to leave, and when she did, she joined the ranks of parents hoping to break generational cycles and patterns to raise healthier children. Coercive high-control authoritarian parenting receives praise in our culture, despite the evidence of trauma and broken relationships. This talk explains some of the popular influences that make it hard for parents to make changes, and Tia share the practical steps she had to take to raise children outside of fundamentalism.

“Trad Wife Cults: How Tia Levings Escaped (Pt 1)”

“Wife reveals dark underbelly of being in a deeply conservative Christian marriage”

“A harrowing memoir that tradwife fans need to read”

“‘Tradwife’ Content Isn’t Really for Women. It’s for Men Who Want Submissive Wives.”

“Bondage, beatings and rage porn: My twisted life serving ‘My Lord’ husband’s Christian cult – and the sick moment I realized no savior was coming to rescue me”

“Fleeing Christian patriarchy: ‘They raise women who don’t even know the sound of their voices'”

“Tradwife Content Offers Fundamentalism Fit for Instagram”

“‘Fundie Baby Voice’ Seems To Be Everywhere Now. Here’s What You Should Know.”

Podcast Appearances

Videos on the inside of Christian Fundamentalism, organized by topic

Tia’s hope is to create content that educates, promotes trauma healing, and supports those who have loved ones in fundamentalism.

Find Tia on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook.

“I supported your work because you speak truth to power and I don’t want you silenced. I want you louder. Also you are a gifted speaker and I enjoy listening to your reels.”

“I am a mental health clinician and I see at times the fallout of women living under patriarchal/complementarian Christian teachings. I very much appreciate the work that you’re doing.”

“Your work is critically important and I hope that with support you can continue and expand your impact. Thank you so much for using your knowledge and experience to educate but to also overcome your trauma to speak up now when we desperately need your voice in this country.”

“Thank you for continuing to speak out. The voices of survivors are so important.”

“I support your work because I deeply admire your vocal and visible deconstruction of patriarchy. The times now and ahead are ominous. Your voice is invaluable. I’m an editor for ICSA Today, and we have plans to review your book for an upcoming issue of our magazine. I look forward to reading The Well-Trained Wife.”

Praise for The Well-Trained Wife

“Searing…Levings’s visceral prose holds nothing back, and her efforts to let go of the patriarchal beliefs of her youth fascinate. This stands out among the rising tide of memoirs from those who’ve left the evangelical church.”

“This book stands out among other narratives about overcoming religious trauma in that it peels back the layers of Christian fundamentalism, exposing why it’s so attractive to people hungry for assurance and certainty. A devastatingly triumphant story that will be a beacon for many women who suffer in silence.”

“Rebellious and riveting—A Well Trained Wife is a rare gem of a journey from horrific abuse to victorious healing. Not many survivors are willing to lift the veil of shame that shrouds most stories of domestic and cultic abuse. Private and painful, this important memoir will shine light on the darkest crimes within the religious patriarchy with hope for the future – A triumph for all survivors.”