This podcast is what our generation needs to process, mourn, discern, laugh, cry, and work through our own story with the church. Some episodes I’ve listened to over and over just to process my own story and clarify my journey. Thank you, thank you for this. I appreciate your kindness and empathy through every episode. 🥰

Thoughtful and truthful. Among other teachings, you’ll learn mostly to listen. Love this podcast.

I only listened to season 2 about bethel and I enjoyed the variety of guests she had on but I feel like she very much tries to insert her own beliefs in this. Which is fine for some but not my cup of tea. It feels like she’s an ex Christian (not sure about that) trying to dig through her past trauma. I like to just hear facts and stories and come to my own conclusions. Which Bethel is crazy so at least we agree on that.

Such an engaging podcast. Really exceptional storytelling, narration, and interviewing! Really personal and human. Thank you!

I love everything about this pod! Your voice, the rawness, the given opportunity to let people come to their own conclusions. You’re not forcing anything on anyone, just researching and reporting. It’s so good!!

Interesting and accurate. Thank you.

Growing up in a Charismatic church and being exposed to the Vineyard Church, Toronto, IHOP and Bethel for most of my church life before I left about 7 years ago I appreciate anyone that investigates these environments that are cults. All of these environments are toxic and full of leaders who are impostors and prey on the youth and abuse them spiritually and in some cases sexually. When you leave these type of environments it takes years of healing to work though the anger and see that you were brainwashed but also had something in you that was attracted to these very authoritative and charismatic leaders. Keep up the great work on the Podcast and be a place and voice for the thousands and most likely millions of stories all around the world that have been taken advantage by these cults.

Thank you Tara Jean for your work in uncovering the dark side of spiritual life. You allow others to share their stories and educate your audience in the dangers of spiritual abuse. Thank you.

Heaven Bent has the timeliest message for our time. The stories are thoroughly researched and then narrated like a movie from which you can’t pull away. Also, Tara is a skilled and compassionate interviewer. I’ve never heard her interrupt anyone. Binge listen to all the seasons.

Thank you for shinning the light on the things we were told to hide, as not to diminish or hinder “the ministry”. People need to realize that many large, charismatic leaders and ministries leave a trail of bodies.

I was part of IHOPKC 2009 through late 2014. I don’t think Micah Prior covered Prisoners of Hope or what happened in their interviews with the victims of Tyler Deaton well enough. That’s it - my only complaint - totally based on what I’ve heard from my friends who were on that team. The interviewees otherwise of course have a specific bias, and I don’t necessarily disagree. I just think it’s important to remember that the majority of people there are innocent casualties of any nefarious intentions, which various people did state on the podcast. Having left and having realized a lot of things since then, I do and will always think it was a cult. I mean Mike literally had a seven-part sermon series on what a cult is and why we weren’t one. We weren’t a cult because Mike said we aren’t. I mean come on.

This is an amazing podcast for anyone involved in any way with any form of a ‘charismatic’ church. Tara Jean is balanced and faithful. Highly recommended.

I love this show. I have personal experience with the churches in seasons 2 and 4. Thank you Tara for truly doing the Lords work out here ❤️ 😉

I have direct, personal experience with the subjects of seasons 1, 2, and 4 and really appreciate the thoroughness and accuracy with which the Toronto Blessing, Bethel Church, and IHOPKC are covered!

I want to thank you for the deep level of care, empathy, professionalism, and the centering of voices of those who have been disregarded by IHOP that you’ve demonstrated in every episode of season 4. As a former IHOPPER, and survivor of abuse (unrelated to my time at IHOP) recent events have me reeling

Long overdue investigations into the mostly unexamined world of “create your own” evangelicalism. Stevens does her homework and deserves high praise for going where few dare. It is about time these “organizations” and charlatans were outed. We have seen the harm they do - to individuals - and now, to our nation.

Wow I am very unimpressed with how the Season 4 Bonus episode was handled!!! You spliced the conversation…how do we know what really happened? We didn’t hear the whole thing, only what you wanted us to hear. I was very impressed with your podcast before now and your objective reporting, but now, after this, it feels like you are out searching for something to fit your narrative instead of letting the narrative play out itself. I was truly grieved by Gracia’s story. You should have left it there. Instead you used this video to suit your purpose which, for me, has lost the strength of so much of what you were trying to do in your podcast.

I binged all seasons of this podcast and really enjoyed them. Also learned some new terms. I hope these leaders of churches/cults and other worship places find their peace with God; their sin/real crimes simply cannot be justified by calling it of Jesus. Jesus was not prideful or whatever other profound issues these people suffer from.

A fascinating look at various congregations and their problematic histories. As someone raised in one such congregation, I really value hearing this sort of deconstruction and analysis.

I’ve walked through a lot of personal healing since my time at ihop, which was a definite mixture of good and bad. I found season 4 to be really fair and a balanced, despite current ihop people not being willing to share their perspective. I hope you’re following the recent breaking news as of 10/28/23 of the sa allegations against Mike Bickle. Many of us are concerned by the historic lack of transparency demonstrated by ihop executive leadership, that this current crisis will not be handled appropriately. I could say more, but that would end up being a book.

Maybe needed a trigger warning? Lol. Hearing all of this again was rough. I was in KC MO at ihop in 2012-14ish. Fresh outta college— 17 years old and malleable.

I spent a few years (2009-2013) at the teen awakenings, summer camps, 2 internships, and an IHOPU student-I later dropped out due to spiritual abuse from a few different leaders. That place left me with a damaged view of the church, but not of the Lord. I know the truth about who He is and His goodness, and my experience thankfully never caused me to stray from Him. But many of the leaders there and the bubble within the place is spiritually damaging to the nth degree. Thank you for this podcast!

Just a group of jaded people who want to tell everyone all the negative things about each of these ministries. I spent a few seasons at IHOP-KC and it was the most beautiful, transformational time of my LIFE! I encountered the love of God for the first time in my life and had experienced nothing but authentic, Jesus-loving people! Why don’t you interview ALL the people who had positive experiences as well and have gone on to have a long lasting relationship with God and people around them too? Your podcast is not credible!

I really really had high hopes for these series since I have a similar background to Tara. I feel the need for well researched and truthful material that actually brings clarity and reform. These series were unfortunately just pieces of entertainment that lacked journalistic integrity and skill. Testimonies were not verified or fact checked which left the series full of half truths and misinformation. I personally knew many of the people in these stories and know that the producer couldn’t have made much effort to find stories from legit sources and instead picked the low hanging fruit which made for very skewed perspectives and therefore lacked the punch it really could have had.

For former evangelicals this is mandatory listening. For those who are friends with former evangelicals and want to understand where we come from, even more so!! Even handed, but direct. I appreciate the quality of the production. My only criticism is, please learn to pronounce Asbury. Asbury only has one “s” in it. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I am a former IHOPPER, and still loosely in the community here in KC. My time on staff overlapped both Rachael and Austin, from 2005-2011, as an intern and singer on different worship teams. I find it very interesting that there are no other positive voices, not because people feel the need to defend the ministry, but because I know that there have been those who have reached out to give their perspectives and it seems you aren’t interested in hearing what they have to say. I hope that changes as the season progresses.

Waiting with bated breath for season 4 to drop. I’ve been wondering when some of us would start telling our stories.

I can’t get enough of this show, so much so that I’ve listened to all the seasons multiple times. My great grandfather was a deacon and occasional preacher in the southern baptist church in the Atlanta area. His son, my grandfather has pastored southern baptist churches most of his adult life. Therefore I am the daughter of a preachers kid. We never attended church when my parents were married, I occasionally went to Sunday school with an older woman that babysat us and with my Dad’s parents but that was it. Fast forward to sometime around my 13th birthday and I visited what I would call a small mega church that was COG. I was “saved” and then brought my Dad into that same church when he was really struggling with his divorce. For about a year it was exactly what he needed and it served me as well, church camps, youth choir, adult choir for my Dad, all sorts of groups and things for us both to feel that church’s core goal of “Love, Acceptance, Forgiveness.” But as so often happens things seemed to sour quickly, my Dad was a phone man for 35 years he always wore a suit and tie to church and is literal the most empathetic caring man you’d ever want to meet. However we weren’t part of the “in” crowd at this church so time and time again we were dismissed and treated like just another butt in the seats at every turn. There was so much drama amongst the people there and as my Dad struggled financially we watched as the pastors wore designer suits and drove expensive cars and lived in the expensive parts of the Atlanta suburbs. It began to feel less love, acceptance, forgiveness and more Joel Osteen give me your money. I don’t remember what finally made us stop going but I do remember the pressure to “perform” the rejection when you didn’t fit the mold, and the utter nonsense of speaking in tongues and falling out in the spirit (which I definitely did). I have been agnostic or atheist (I can’t decide which fits me best) for about 8 years now. I had some other experiences trying different “spirit filled” churches in my young adulthood and always ended up with the same feelings of rejection and greed. Every episode of every season has offered me the opportunity to either laugh, cry, or shout amen! Lol! Pods like this one are so important to help unpack all those feelings I and others stuck in a closet when we decided we’d had enough “church.” Please keep telling these stories!!!!

I’ve only listened to season two on the topic of Bethel because someone recommended it. I used to be very into bethel and their music, along with ihop (international house of prayer). I’ve been deconstructing now but what is leading me to believe that it is cult-like is not because they believe and practice signs and wonders, speak in tongues, believe in miracles, but more so on their allegiance to trump and Christian nationalism, how people in the LGBTQ community have been hurt by Bethel, racism, and wanting to take rights away. It makes me wonder how bethel got so political. Even in 2013 Kris Vallaton was upset that there was going to be bathrooms for transgender individuals. Other things that make me believe bethel may be a cult or cult-like is it was mentioned in this series students attending BSSM stopped talking to their family or if members left, they were shunned by bethel community. To me if this is isolation from family and you are shunned by members after leaving, that screams cult. The last episode was my favorite. Although I felt like it wasn’t biased like other videos about Bethel, to be honest, I wish the episodes were longer. She would interview people and then it was already the end. I felt like the episodes could’ve been longer and in more depth. I understand it was during Covid so she couldn’t actually go to bethel and I’m bummed she didn’t get an interview with Bill Johnson because she seemed truly curious. But it seems like none of the leadership wanted to talk to her. Maybe she can do another segment in the future where she goes to Redding area and get more interviews from students, businesses, or talk to people that were shunned or were isolated from family and friends. Maybe talk about how bethel became so political over the years, their stance on female pastors, the gold dust and grave soaking (without a biased leaning on either side). I don’t know what I believe about satan, demonic possession, signs and miracles now. I don’t like that bethel seems to be anti medication for mental health and blame it on demons. Many evangelical churches have called so many things demonic and therefore has been weaponized. I also wonder if the stories students told are real or are they making it up when it comes to miraculous healing. I think maybe God can still heal supernaturally but he also can heal through doctors and medication. But I have been disappointed how bethel handled Covid, using the excuse God will protect them instead of thinking of those vulnerable. I’m disappointed in their support for trump and infiltrating everywhere instead of separation of church and state. I’m disappointed on how they have outed and treating members of the LGBTQ community and instead of just saying they have to remain celibate (I don’t agree with that) they believe their sexuality has to change to straight. And it’s so disappointing how they are taking rights away from those on the margins including the LGBTQ community. I also hope they are using their money to help others and there is no criminal acts going on, including molestation, assault, physical abuse, sexual abuse. Especially with this culture of honor I can see how dangerous it can be. It’s sad BSSM students have to pay money and do labor for free. Bethel seems to have a lot of money so why don’t they pay their students or cover their schooling? So in short, it was enjoyable but wish the episodes were longer and went more in-depth. It is not extremely biased in that bethel is a cult because they believe in signs, miracles, laugh in the spirit but talked about other topics that have bothered me for some time that seem cult-like to me.

Interesting! Podcast is written from a clear perspective it I like the different components and information. Stays on track and keeps me interested.

As someone who grew up in evangelicalism I have loved the approach to this podcast. Each season has shared both the humanity and the trauma inflicted by fundamentalist thinking. Thank you for working so hard to get it right.

Christians & their denominational quirks, are super easy targets, especially for numbers-hungry podcasters. Tolerance only seems to apply to a select few groups of belief systems. I’m waiting for the sensational “expose’” on the Sufi and the crooked phonies peddling their magic religions which I will not mention. Again, your bias is showing. Not attractive.

I’ve listened to this podcast from season 1. While not every episode or storyline (for lack of a better word) captivates me, I thoroughly enjoy TJS research and methodology. Particularly love S3E6 since the historical context of how denominations and practices come about is generally not discussed. The guests were great and provided much needed perspectives. Overall I think heaven bent is a great starting point for those looking to learn more about the Pentecostal churches as a whole

I enjoyed season 1 especially when facts were given and scientific studies. I couldn’t tell until the last episode if Tara Jean was pro Christianity or not, which I liked. I liked that it challenges beliefs and gave history on her denomination. Season 2 was ok but it went down hill from there. Season 3 felt like I was listening to teenage girls gossip about what was happening at their church. It comes across as shallow although I don’t think it was meant to be that way.

Trying to figure out the best way to say what I want to say has been difficult. I would describe my church experience as evangelical, Anglican, maybe a bit charismatic. I believe some, not all are gifted with speaking in tongues. Season one was an interesting start. I have no personal experience with the Pentecostal church(es), but have seen how they have wrecked friends. I think Tara Jean did an excellent job tackling her own pain and curiosity about her past experience. I greatly dislike that her experience caused her pain and to turn completely away from the saving grace offered by a personal relationship with Jesus. There’s no hurt like a church hurt. Season two was another good season, but season three became something else. Cultural appropriation? Why can we no longer be inspired by or incorporate parts of another culture? Overall I think this is a good listen, especially if you have had a similar experience or are wanting to understand how the people in a church can twist the Gospel. Let it serve as a warning to read and seek the truth in the Bible.

Ugh, another journalist trying to perpetuate the CRT theory. I liked this podcast until you pulled this crazy theory. Ridiculous woke, woke. Ugh!

I grew up in the First Assembly of God church in Hot Springs, AR. I had no clue of it’s ties to the larger Pentecostal movement. The racism tracks…. So now I get to add that to the deconstruction journey.

I randomly came across this podcast and binged the entire podcast in 2 days. It’s a help in trying to deconstruct my own pentecostal experience and involvement.

I got so involved listening that I skipped my normal early bedtime and listened most of the night into the next morning. Regret it? Nope.

I really enjoyed seasons 1 & 2 and especially 2 because of how personal it was to Tara Jean. I liked that this wasn’t an anti-church hit piece but more of a reflective journey where she just asked questions. I thought she was fair in that the church wasn’t just all bad or all good (as are most things in the world) but more importantly the church may not be looking at itself under the same lens. Really interesting stuff and I was disappointed when both seasons were over. Worth a listen for sure!!

I was riding on the back of my husband’s bike yesterday watching the scenery zoom by. We crossed into Smith Co., TN (I live an hour or so away) and low and behold we passed the Emmanuel Church!! I squealed like I’d just seen Elvis! Love this podcast!

This podcast is addicting but more importantly educational!

All the well done true crime podcasts are addictive, bingeworthy & thought provoking. I'm going to listen to the two previous seasons.

Very insightful, lowkey addictive (I say that in the healthiest way possible)

Heaven bent has really changed my perspective. I had grown up going to charasmaric churches, But didn’t realize this as I had never heard that term before listening to this and had never knew it wasn’t the norm for Christianity. I’ve been to churches in several different denominations of christian churches and speaking in tongues and faith healing/laying hands was prevalent in all. for example, I had primarily gone to the Pentecostal charismatic churches mentioned but also more traditional Christian churches that did this and so I didn’t know it was something that wasn’t practiced throughout all Christianity .. learning that it isn’t really opened my eyes. Even though I no longer attend church I wonder what affect being in that environment that is not the same for all Christian kids during my childhood had on my critical developmental years and on my psyche and how it may be affected my decisions as an adult. Thank you for this podcast! Great job, very informative unbiased and very respectful to the people of faith that you interviewed.

It’s refreshing to hear someone disagree with a religion without being judgmental or snarky. I am thoroughly enjoying listening to the podcast. It is informative and thought provoking. And to top it off, Tara is adorable. Keep up the good work!

I really enjoyed season 1. Season 2 was ok. Season 3 has been my least favorite. Sharon just sounds bitter and angry. I miss the unbiased reported facts. This season just sounds like a venting session 🤷🏼‍♀️.

Interesting podcast up until the point of walk politics being woven into the story. Seriously? Can we not enjoy anything without modern day woke politics?

This podcast is stretched longer than it needs to be, the episodes are so slow and add almost nothing new. This is obviously so they can have more episodes and put the later episodes behind a paywall forcing you to pay to finish the story. The whole story could be told in 2 episodes. I ended up just looking up the case and saved myself a bunch a lot of time.

I’m one of those people who say they don’t usually leave reviews. And I don’t! But, I have to say: I don’t think I can continue listening due to the woman who Tara discusses the case with (I didn’t catch her name). Her hysterical, sardonic laughter is obnoxious and she’s just so shallow! For one example on the episode I heard today, she actually has a good laugh over someone who “never got over the trauma” that afflicted her until she died. Tara doesn’t participate in that which I’m grateful for, but it’s not enough relief. I don’t know if she’s affecting her Southern accent, but in combination with her constant cackling it’s more than I can take. It’s too bad because the podcast is interesting and Tara is excellent!