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Listen to the Project Hope Podcast!
The Project Hope Podcast is for families and friends with a loved one in a group of high demand / high control. Our aim is to provide hope through the stories of people who have both left such groups, as well as families, partners and friends who have struggled with the loss or distance of a loved one to such a group. We interview experts on psychological and social patterns that are found within these dynamics. In both round table and interview discussions we explore and debate some of the baffling and challenging issues that arise for both those leaving these groups, and those on the outskirts, wondering what to do.
Listen To My Podcast Episode:
New podcast episodes are released on the first and 3rd Wednesday of each month
Jennifer French Tomasic is the host of the podcast and owner of Jennifer French. Jennifer also has first-hand experience having been in a cult for 11 years. This deeply affected her relationships outside of the organization. She hopes to help those who are suffering with the issues and considerations that arise from being distanced from loved ones through education and story sharing. You can also find her on facebook and instagram!
top 5 episodes
Welcome to the host’s corner
When I left the cult I had been a part of for 11 years, I felt shaken, manipulated, and after 11 years of what I had thought was deep spiritual and reflective personal work, I realized that I had entered into a false narrative within someone else’s created reality. There was something deeply disturbing about seeing a reality that I had accepted to the core of my being so suddenly become shallow so quickly. People wake out of their cult façade in different ways and at different paces.
My experience was a shock to my system, but I trusted it in all the feelings and sloppiness of the process. I could finally trust my autonomy. I reveled in the fact that all my mistakes would now be mine, I could choose things I wanted to change, I could be with myself in new ways, embracing unfettered explorations that were natural and joyful for me. My body began moving in different ways, years of repressed femininity and sensuality returned in a moment. It was strange to allow for the newness blooming in mind, body and heart. It felt amazing to trust my path in the return to myself.
My healing journey included incredible support from others who had left, we deconstructed together, we challenged, considered, and listened. We cried, a lot. I had moments of deep aloneness amidst the love and existential questions that felt as though they might break me. I faced the immense damage and harm I had created for others. I let their words and feelings wash my grief through me. It flowed into the cracks and crevices’ naturally, like a balm healing depths that had been invaded by unrecognized deception.
The most severe repercussion stemmed from years of the initial twisting of my mind to turn me against family. Cult leaders will systematically take anything once valued by their member and will twist it with tiny truths until the story around it becomes a new version that serves the cult leader’s agenda. This process is often part of a false memory implantation. While it sounds improbable, most cult members are carrying a plethora of false creations that never came from them, when they walk out of an unhealthy group.
In the year after I got out, I lived with my brother and we travelled to be with our parents during each break we had from work. We actively reviewed the eight years of no contact, and the 11 years of my time away.
I believe it was our only way back to the closeness, love and care we had all shared prior to my involvement with the cult. I found again, that receiving the stories of the deep pain I had caused was somehow healing. The pain of their grief and mine allowed for the tenderness and care to come in, to work its magic, to soften me out of the elevated perch I been handed. To receive their stories was heartbreaking, crushing and necessary. Years later, I watched a documentary that I was deeply affected by, “Jim. The James Folley Story”. If you check it out, you’ll likely recall the news of this beautiful human, a journalist and war correspondent devoted to his craft. It was the experience of his family that also struck me and these feelings lingered, bubbled and tugged at me.
I wanted to ‘do something’ and I realized that it was the pain of families and those on the outside, whose hearts I hoped to soothe. I needed to answer to the pain of those who have a loved one inside a cult, and the Project Hope Podcast was born. Parents or spouses especially (others too) are affected by this confusing experience where they are often left feeling that their person has passed but is still actually alive. They grapple with ‘doing’ versus ‘not doing’ something, there are many moments of hopelessness, exhaustion and despair. My hope was that this podcast might provide a ray of hope through the stories and insights of those who have been in and those who have waited. The scope of what’s shared reveals just how uncommon the cultic experience can be and being together amidst it all can be helpful.
What My Clients Say About Me
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Jennifer is a thoughtful and gracious podcast host. It was a delight being on her show. I love the work she’s doing with and for cult survivors and their families.
Alexandra Amor
March 28, 2024Loved guesting on the Project Hope podcast! Such a great experience. I felt it, and still feel it, in my heart.
Helen Zuman
March 28, 2024In my experience I found Jennifer to be a great communicator, a deep thinker and a friendly and warm person.
Stephen Mather
March 28, 2024 -
Jennifer's journey though her cultic experiences make her an excellent guide through a myriad of different cultic situations. Her personal knowledge and experience are an invaluable asset to both her practice... read more
robert andre
March 28, 2024Genuinely caring ~ JF is the real deal ♥️✨
John Tomasic
March 28, 2024Jennifer is one of the kindest, most compassionate humans I have ever met. What’s more, she’s a highly skilled professional working in the much-needed realm of cult recovery services. I... read more
Emilie Pryor
March 28, 2024 -
Jennifer is deeply sensitive and an incredible listener. Her grounded integrity is easy to lean in to and I’m grateful after every session. I recommend her without reservation.
Marialicia González (DARALUZ WISDOM)
March 28, 2024Jennifer's experience, education, and training make her a natural fit for those coming out of high-demand groups. She is compassionate and knowledgable. I highly recommend Jennifer.
Janice Selbie
March 28, 2024Jennifer has remarkable wisdom, energy, and compassion, especially for those recovering from traumas inflicted by high demand, coercive religious communities. I could not more highly recommend her services.
Kirt Lewis
March 28, 2024 -
Jennifer French is a brilliant & empathic podcaster! Her thoughtful prep shapes important conversations about coercive control, a fraught & painful topic. Her humor & compassion make for engaging ... read more
Esther Friedman
March 28, 2024I've had the honor be being interviewed by Jennifer for her Project Hope podcast and I'd like to share how impressed I am by her ease, grace, humility and clarity.... read more
Gerette Buglion
March 28, 2024Jennifer French is gaining acclaim as a leader in coercive control and cult abuse recovery. As a survivor herself, she brings both her experience and advanced educational credentials to her... read more
N
March 28, 2024 -
Jennifer has been a tremendous resource. Throughout the past two years of working with her, I've been able to understand and recover from my experience in a coercive control... read more
Jennifer Pacelli
March 28, 2024I highly recommend Jennifer. She has been a tremendously helpful to me as well also my daughter. Her wisdom is vast! Her kindness and care was felt every time we... read more
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May 28, 2024