Listen Now

Although she's not a CAJ alum, we knew that we HAD to have Chami Nagai on our pod. Chami is a global nomad, yoga teacher, musician, and now mother. Chami shares about her experience growing up as a Japanese missionary kid in Papua New Guinea, grappling with identity in Nagano, expanding and deconstructing and reconstructing her spirituality as she journeyed from Canada, to the slums of Cambodia, to Miyagi, and eventually to Yokohama. Chami’s Yoga Website; https://www.migiwayogaspace.com/ Mentioned on the podcast: On Being Podcast (Note: we recorded this episode  in 2021 and had shelved it to finish Season 2) Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts

“Being me is not a sin” We were so happy to talk to Natasha Takahashi, who attended CAJ from 2006 to 2019. Natasha shares about their experience attending CAJ as a dyslexic, queer person. We chat about how an 8th grade essay prompt to compare Mao and Jesus kickstarted Natasha’s questioning of Christianity, about their decision to leave CAJ and attend UWC in Wales, and their journey towards self-acceptance and self-care. (Note: we recorded this episode last year (July 2021) and had shelved it to finish Season 2) Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts

"Is it possible for Christians to hold their religious belief that God does not affirm same sex marriage and also support the rights, safety and dignity of LGBTQ people?" This is the critical question that Sofia Olson ('97) posed to her Christian friends on FB as a sort of experiment to see what responses would emerge. We unpack this and more in our first episode of Season 3. (Note: we recorded this episode last year (July 2021) and had shelved it to finish Season 2) We start off the conversation learning about Sofia's Seattle goats (!), and later on her transformations after leaving CAJ: coming out when she was 23, learning more about systemic racism and sexism via an interest in development work, and recognizing the particular brand of hubris-wrapped-in-humility that is so common in Evangelical Christian culture.  To learn more about Sofia's Internal Family Systems coaching work, check out her website: https://sofiaolsoncoaching.com Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts

In Season 2, we’re interviewing CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: child abuse. For more information about the investigation into abuse at CAJ, please see our website here. Happy Pride! (Episode recorded June 26th, two days before the the 53rd anniversary of the Stonewall Riots).In this episode we wrap up Season 2 with a reflection-- on what it was like to speak with those who lived through the time of historic abuse at CAJ in the 60-80s, on the Southern Baptist Convention abuse coverup, and on the scapegoating of abuse during the Satanic Panic of the 80s being mirrored by the anti-queer and anti-trans moral panic in the United States right now. Though it's a dark time in the world right now, we are encouraged by those who advocate for justice and who care for one another, just as the  the CAJ alumni advocates have done. Special thanks to the CAJ senpai alum that we got to interview this season: Debbie Rhoads, Brenda Seat, Janet Pape Oates, Simon Riis Christensen, Jan Engholm, Paul Corwin and Jon Rodgers. We also want to honor all survivor advocates, including the many that we did not speak with, as well as all those who survived abuse at CAJ. P.S Jeweliann had to leave towards the end of the episode so Erika finishes up on her own. Stay tuned for Season 3 and thanks for listening! Mentioned in this episode How the Southern Baptist Convention covered up its widespread sexual abuse scandal How Frank Peretti's Christian Horror Novels Shaped Today's Moral Panics CAJ News: Update on Historical Abuse Investigation Recommendations

In Season 2, we’re interviewing CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: we will be discussing various types of abuse experienced by children in these episodes. For more information about the investigation into abuse at CAJ, please see our website here. Note this episode was recorded in December 2021. Apologies for the poor audio quality! In this episode, we discuss All God's Children, a documentary by Scott Solary and Luci Westphal about Mamou Alliance Academy in Guinea and the stories of the children who were abused there. As adults, the Mamou abuse survivors called on the Christian and Missionary Alliance for years until finally the CMNA acknowledged the abuse and Mamou became the first boarding school for children of protestant missionaries to be publicly investigated for abuse. The investigation of the Mamou Alliance Academy was the first of its kind but has since inspired investigations at other Christian schools, including CAJ. We summarize the documentary, discuss the connections to the work of CAJ abuse survivor advocates, and talk about the risk factors for abuse in Christian communities.  The documentary can be watched on Youtube here. Relevant Resources: Learn more about the documentary here. Missionary Kids Safety Net How White Rule Ended in Missions - Christianity Today White Supremacist Ideas Have Historical Roots In U.S. Christianity - NPR White American Christianity Needs to Be Honest About Its History of White Supremacy - Time Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner: American Missionaries, Racism, and Decolonization in the Congo - Organization of American Historians

In Season 2, we’re interviewing CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: we will be discussing various types of abuse experienced by children in these episodes. For more information about the investigation into abuse at CAJ, please see our website here. In this episode, Jon Rodgers, class of 1971 shares his story. Jon talks about how the corporal punishment and abuse at CAJ was an extension of the home culture of many missionary families at the time and the toxicity of patriarchy and of placing ministry above all else in the missionary world. We chat about Jon’s love of Japan, CAJ highschooler hijinks, and end with a tribute to his mother.  Episode transcript and photos available here. Mentioned in this episode: Fellow CAJ alum Paul Boardman’s interview on the “And then everything changed” podcast Episode 1: A Living Person Among the Dead ft. Paul Boardman

In Season 2, we’re interviewing CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: we will be discussing various types of abuse experienced by children in these episodes. For more information about the investigation into abuse at CAJ, please see our website here. In this episode, Paul Corwin (class of 1970) shares about his experience being at CAJ during the Vietnam War, registering as a conscientious objector and reading Betty Friedan as a high-schooler, the psychological difficulties of leaving the faith of one's parents, life in New Zealand and more.   Note: We recorded this episode in January, 2022 Recommended in this episode: God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens Expatriate Heart by Janet James Sasaki (CAJ alum) Ghosts of the Tsunami by Richard Lloyd Parry

In Season 2, we’re interviewing CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: we will be discussing various types of abuse experienced by children in these episodes. For more information about the investigation into abuse at CAJ, please see our website here.  In this episode, Jan Engholm, a CAJ abuse survivor and advocate, shares her story. We also discuss issues with the Telios investigation, reflect on healing, and more. See here for the CAJ Survivor Resource LIst mentioned by Jan.  Also mentioned in this episode: Sent: Reflections on Missions, Boarding Schools and Childhood The Blood of the Martyrs and Legal Liability by Theresa Sidebotham Since we recorded the episode, CAJ and Telios Law have posted progress updates on the Action Steps listed in the Summary Report. They can be found here on the CAJ website. Note: We will be gradually wrapping up Season 2 of this podcast. If you are a CAJ abuse survivor and/or survivor advocate and would like to be interviewed on the podcast, please reach out to us at radicalhealingpod@gmail.com

In Season 2, we’re interviewing CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. For more information about the investigation into abuse at CAJ, please see our website here. PART 2/2 Content warning: description of sexual assault of a minor. In this two part episode, we hear from Simon Riis Christensen, one of the first survivors to speak out about his abuse at CAJ. We had technical difficulties during the interview, so we cut out at the end of Part 1 and resume the conversation in Part 2. P.S At the time that we recorded the episode, the Final Report of the Telios Law Investigation into abuse at CAJ had not been uploaded to the CAJ website. Since then, it has been added to the "CAJ News" section, under "Alumni" https://caj.ac.jp/news/chronicle/index.php

In Season 2, we’re interviewing CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: we will be discussing various types of abuse experienced by children in these episodes. For more information about the investigation into abuse at CAJ, please see our website here.  PART 1/2 In this two part episode, we hear from Simon Riis Christensen, one of the first survivors to speak out about his abuse at CAJ. We had technical difficulties during the interview, so we cut out at the end of Part 1 and resume the conversation in Part 2. 

In Season 2, we’re interviewing some members of a group of CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: we will be discussing various types of abuse experienced by children in these episodes. In this episode, we spoke with Janet Pape Oates ('63) who has spent the last several years reaching out to survivors, helping share their stories and advocating on their behalf. In our conversations with Janet, she shared that a tangible way for alumni to show support for CAJ abuse survivors is to write emails to CAJ and to the founding missions, encouraging them to take seriously the recommendations of the Telios investigative report. While the report has not yet been released, it's a great time to start mobilizing and showing support for the survivors by sending emails now. We've drafted an example letter, with guidance from Janet, which can be used as a template. Read the example email here and start writing! 

PART 2/2 In Season 2, we are doing something a little different. We’re interviewing some members of a group of CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: we will be discussing various types of abuse experienced by children in these episodes Here’s a quote from a 2019 statement from the CAJ Concerned Alumni Committee: "On February 6, 2019, a steering committee representing concerned alumni sent a letter to CAJ and its six founding missions (SEND, Resonate Global Mission, Serve Globally, TEAM, World Venture, OMS) calling for resolution of an alleged history of sexual, physical and psychological abuse that occurred at the school as well as in its dorms and hostels. They asked for an investigation into the alleged abuse via a reputable, independent and mutually agreed-upon agency." We will be hearing from survivors and supporters about where this investigation is at today, what we can expect from it, and how they’ve been building a community focused on truth telling and healing. If you’d like to learn more about the investigation or context surrounding it, we have more information on our website here. To start things off, we spoke with Debbie Rhoads ('72) and Brenda Seat ('76). Debbie and Brenda, who are admins of the CAJ Abuse Survivors Support FB group, have been instrumental in the investigation and are working hard to advocate for the many alumni who experienced abuse.

PART 1/2 In Season 2, we are doing something a little different. We’re interviewing some members of a group of CAJ alumni who are working on bringing to light abuse that occurred some decades ago at CAJ. Content warning: we will be discussing various types of abuse experienced by children in these episodes Here’s a quote from a 2019 statement from the CAJ Concerned Alumni Committee: "On February 6, 2019, a steering committee representing concerned alumni sent a letter to CAJ and its six founding missions (SEND, Resonate Global Mission, Serve Globally, TEAM, World Venture, OMS) calling for resolution of an alleged history of sexual, physical and psychological abuse that occurred at the school as well as in its dorms and hostels. They asked for an investigation into the alleged abuse via a reputable, independent and mutually agreed-upon agency." We will be hearing from survivors and supporters about where this investigation is at today, what we can expect from it, and how they’ve been building a community focused on truth telling and healing. If you’d like to learn more about the investigation or context surrounding it, we have more information on our website here. To start things off, we spoke with Debbie Rhoads ('72) and Brenda Seat ('76). Debbie and Brenda, who are admins of the CAJ Abuse Survivors Support FB group, have been instrumental in the investigation and are working hard to advocate for the many alumni who experienced abuse.  

WE DIDI IT! WE FINISHED 10 EPISODES!  P.S Be sure to subscribe to the podcast if you don't want to miss future episodes. For more of Radical Healing, follow us on Instagram, @radicalhealingpod Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts

The one where we interview Trace, who was in the grade above us at CAJ. Although Trace was at CAJ for only two years, he made a lasting impression on both of us. Trace talks about navigating different cultures as a mixed Japanese+Brooklyn Jewish American kid, about the impact of Christian homophobia, in both casual comments and direct attacks, and healing from toxic beliefs. We unpack the paternalism of evangelicals in Japan (drawing from first-hand experience with HiBA Gospel Team!) and also talk about mutual aid and attachment theory.  Recommended resources from Trace: How to Be an Adult: A Handbook on Psychological and Spiritual Integration by David Richo https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/978759.How_to_Be_an_Adult Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/964147.Leaving_the_Fold Attachment in Psychotherapy by David J. Wallin https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/224832.Attachment_in_Psychotherapy Mutual Aid by Dean Spade http://www.deanspade.net/mutual-aid-building-solidarity-during-this-crisis-and-the-next/ P.S Be sure to subscribe to the podcast if you don't want to miss future episodes. For more of Radical Healing, follow us on Instagram, @radicalhealingpod Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts

A special episode because we got to talk with two of our very own classmates from the CAJ class of 2010, George and Ryosuke! We chat about Chicago and activism, cultural identity, American competitiveness, the benefits of Biblical literacy in studying western civilization, unlearning toxic beliefs, Ryosuke's love for Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series (and how they were a no-no at CAJ) and more...! Listen onApple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherGoogle Podcasts

The one where we talk about PURITY CULTURE! In this episode we interview Krysta Carrick Byrnes, a nurse practitioner and our friend who also attended the Christian Academy in Japan. Krysta shares about the gradual evolution of her worldview and self-understanding  after leaving CAJ. In our conversation we focus on purity culture in particular, unpacking its harmfulness, and also brainstorm what things we'd like to emphasize if we were to talk about sex-ed at CAJ today. We were so happy to be able to have this conversation with Krysta, who brought a lot of great insights from her experiences as a medical professional. For more resources, here are a couple book recommendations:“Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life” by Emily Nagoski (Note from Krysta: “This book's target audience is cisgendered women so it is not fully inclusive, but I found it very interesting and helpful.) "Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free"by Linda Kay Klein Listen onApple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherGoogle Podcasts

Content warning: The episode includes mention of death by suicide of a loved one (timestamp 1:11:15-1:12:40)The one where we talk about college campus ministries. Shifting our focus from the CAJ/Japan missionary community experience, in this episode we interview Keren WuRohe, Jeweliann’s friend from college. Keren shares about her spiritual journey post-college and unpacks her complicated experiences with CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) and HCFA (Harvard College Faith and Action).   Topics include  Keren’s passion for equity in education being suffocated by “Biblical femininity” Christian elites being #fancyforGod the sacred beauty of Yosemite+the freedom of embracing our insignificance.  And here are Keren's recommendations! @yourfavoriteheretics@dirtyrottenchurchkids Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church by Rachel Held Evans Listen onApple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherGoogle Podcasts

In this episode, we talk to Makoto Seely, an alum from the CAJ class of 2008. Makoto went to CAJ from kindergarten through 12th grade. Both their parents were CAJ staff members and they are a third generation missionary kid. Makoto’s parents had a very positive influence in the CAJ community and played a role in both of our lives personally. Sadly Mrs. Seely passed away in 2018 from brain cancer. Her legacy lives on and she is remembered fondly by many. Makoto shares about their experience struggling with faith as a teenager, moving away from Christianity and unapologetically embracing happiness. Listen onApple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherGoogle Podcasts

The one where we talk with Mary Somers-Harris about disability in the church, charismatic evangelicalism, and the abuse problem at Youth with a Mission (YWAM). Mary shares about her experience growing up as a missionary kid in YWAM Japan, her experience at YWAM’s discipleship training school (DTS) and the ableist and spiritual abuse she experienced here.  YWAM is a major missions organization with 25,000 young people participating each year globally. Sadly, abuse is rampant at YWAM schools all over the world and as an institution has not addressed the problem or come up with prevention guidelines.  If you’ve experienced abuse at YWAM, know that you’re not alone and that there are supportive resources available. On Facebook, you can join the private group “Spiritual Abuse in YWAM”. On Twitter, search for the hashtag #ywamtoo, and on YouTube, you can listen to many survivors sharing their stories.  Listen onApple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherGoogle Podcasts