That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs Episode 419: Dr. Diane Langberg on Spiritual Abuse, Identifying Our Own Power, and Hope
11 snips
Oct 17, 2022 
Dr. Diane Langberg, psychologist and trauma counselor who co-founded the Global Trauma Recovery Institute and wrote Redeeming Power, speaks on authority and harm in faith communities. She explores how spiritual language can be misused, how everyone holds power, and practical steps to expose and heal abusive systems. The conversation centers on recognizing abuse, accountability, and paths toward redeemed power.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Inventory Your Gifts To Find Your Power
- Identify where your power lies by noticing your gifts and the arenas you influence, because gifts (IQ, strength, verbal skill) become sites of power.
- Regularly inventory those gifts and ask others to speak into blind spots to avoid misusing them.
Desire For Missing Power Drives Misuse
- People often crave power where they lack it, and pursuing that can lead to misuse; both having power and lacking it shape behavior.
- Misuse can come from feeding oneself (status, position) instead of serving others, especially in churches.
Seek Care First Before Reporting Abuse
- If you've been abused, don't make decisions alone; seek a safe, experienced helper to walk with you and help weigh choices like reporting.
- Prioritize care and healing for yourself first before deciding on exposing others or pursuing public action.
