She Escaped A Cult . . . And Still Chose Church

What happens when someone grows up in a cult and still chooses the Church? In Episode 1 of Grown-Up Church Kids, Dwan Hill and Shama Mrema sit down with Franni Cash to talk about her story: growing up in a cult, finding freedom, and choosing faith again on the other side. They also dive into church culture, healing from spiritual harm, and one of the conversations many of us grew up around but didn’t always know how to process: women in ministry. If you grew up in church, this episode will feel familiar and maybe a little too real. CHAPTERS 00:00 Do You Remember Church? 00:35 Welcome to Grown-Up Church Kids 01:44 Church Announcements & Humor 04:10 Bible Bowl (Church Kid Game) 08:23 “That’ll Preach” Moment 12:59 Funny Church Announcements 14:03 Meet Franni Cash 18:56 Growing Up in a Cult 24:51 Escaping & Finding Freedom 27:02 Meeting the Real Jesus 31:23 Healing After Church Trauma 35:28 “Raised by Wolves” Story 37:54 Can You Trust Church Again? 43:02 How to Spot False Teaching 47:06 How God Confirms Truth 50:54 Why Community Matters 54:56 Women in Ministry Debate 01:06:16 Final Thoughts & Benediction ABOUT THE SHOW Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together. There are more of us than you think. 🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14) https://www.analognashville.com/event... 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube    / @grownupchurchkids   🎧 Listen on Audio https://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662 📚 Resources: Healing Spiritual Abuse: How to Break Free from Bad Church Experiences - https://amzn.to/3PISqfX FOLLOW More from Dwan Hill YouTube:    / @dwanhill   Instagram:   / dwanhill   Website: https://www.dwanhill.com/ More from Shama Mrema YouTube:    / afterschoolprogram   Instagram:   / shama4realz   Website: https://www.shamamrema.com/ More from Grown-Up Church Kids YouTube:    / @grownupchurchkids   Instagram:   / grownup.churchkids   Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/ More from Franni Cash YouTube:    / @frannicash   Instagram:   / frannicash   Website: https://www.frannicash.com/ More from The Choir Room YouTube:    / @thechoirroom   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirro... Website: https://www.choirisback.com/ CREDITS Director & Editor: Kyle Whittaker Producer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management) Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby Loomis Audio: Garrett Miller, Aaron Rochotte Video: Seth Scruggs Video, Photo & Social: Jordan Rubino Management: Annie Cunningham #grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #frannicash #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid