Robbed Of Her Childhood: Bek Condello On Escaping A Cult

What if leaving your faith meant losing everyone you'd ever loved?

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains themes of childhood abuse, physical punishment, sexual trauma and coercive control. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, call 000. For confidential 24/7 crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. Support is also available through Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at beyondblue.org.au.

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What if leaving your faith meant losing everyone you'd ever loved?

This week on You're Gonna Want To Hear This, Marie Claire Australia Editor Georgie McCourt speaks with author Bek Condello about her extraordinary journey out of one of Australia's most controlling Pentecostal churches.

Raised inside the Geelong Revival Centre, Bek grew up believing the outside world was dangerous. Every aspect of life, from education and friendships to marriage and work was dictated by church leaders. Curiosity was discouraged, obedience was demanded, and fear shaped almost every decision.

In this deeply personal conversation, Bek reflects on the childhood she now recognises as abusive, the lasting impact of religious trauma and the heartbreaking reality that leaving meant losing her family, community and identity.

She also opens up about purity culture, consent, body shame, marrying to escape one form of control only to enter another, and the years it took to trust herself and build a life on her own terms.

Today, Bek has transformed unimaginable loss into purpose. As the state of Victoria investigates high-control religious groups, she explains why sharing her story has become about much more than personal healing... it's about helping others recognise coercion, reclaim their autonomy and know they're not alone.

This episode covers:

• Growing up inside the Geelong Revival Centre

• How high-control religions shape identity

• Religious trauma and childhood abuse

• The psychological impact of fear-based faith

• Purity culture, consent and bodily autonomy

• Escaping a controlling church

• Rebuilding life after leaving a cult

• Learning to trust yourself again

• Why leaving is a process, not a single moment
• Bek's advocacy for survivors of coercive religious groups

Can You Handle a Girl Like Me? by Bek Condello is available from mid-July.

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Credits:

Host Georgie McCourt

Edited by Leah Porges

Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain

With thanks to our amazing team at Marie Claire

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