In Part 2 of our conversation with Bailey Krawczyk, we move from the experience of life inside Hillsong to the harrowing process of getting out. Bailey opens up about the aftermath of leaving, the emotional toll of speaking out in the Hillsong documentary, and the backlash from those still inside the movement.

We also explore the broader systems that allowed abuse and control to flourish unchecked—and why naming these systems is the first step toward healing.

• The trauma of leaving a high-control religious group
• Psychological aftermath: shame, guilt, grief, and recovery
• The media spotlight and what it didn’t show
• How systems of power protect abusive leadership
• Deconstructing your faith after spiritual betrayal

Bailey Krawczyk continues to advocate for survivors of spiritual and institutional abuse. Her story has resonated with thousands of others who have walked away from toxic faith environments in search of something more whole, more honest, and more human.

• Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed [Discovery+ / Hulu]
• https://www.instagram.com/baileykrawczyk/
• Film: https://vimeo.com/1088719956
• [Book recommendation] When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat
• [Podcast] Leaving Hillsong
• [Resource] ICSA: International Cultic Studies Association – www.icsahome.com

If this conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review The Deconstructionists wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who might be ready to hear it.

Special music by Forrest Clay from the Recover E.P.

In this first of a two-part conversation, we sit down with Bailey Krawczyk, a former Hillsong member who bravely spoke out in the Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed documentary. Bailey shares what initially drew her to the movement—its music, its energy, its promises of purpose—and how that promise slowly unraveled.

From inside the worship team to behind-the-scenes control tactics, Bailey gives us a raw, unfiltered look at life inside one of the most influential—and controversial—church brands in the world.

If you’ve ever felt conflicted about your time in a megachurch, or questioned how power and performance intersect with faith, this episode is for you.

• How Hillsong built an emotionally immersive culture
• The fine line between community and control
• The spiritual cost of performance-based faith
• Early red flags that often go unnoticed
• What “high control” church culture really looks like

Bailey Krawczyk is a former Hillsong member and whistleblower featured in the Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed documentary. Her advocacy work now focuses on empowering survivors of spiritual abuse and raising awareness about high-control religious environments.

• Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed [Discovery+ / Hulu]
• https://www.instagram.com/baileykrawczyk/
• Film: https://vimeo.com/1088719956
• [Book recommendation] When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat
• [Podcast] Leaving Hillsong
• [Resource] ICSA: International Cultic Studies Association – www.icsahome.com

If this conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review The Deconstructionists Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who might be ready to hear it.

Special Music by Forrest Clay from the Recover E.P.

In this episode, we step into one of the most emotionally and politically charged issues in modern history—the war in Gaza and the roots of Zionism. With so much confusion around the history, theology, and current events, we take a step back to examine how we got here and why it matters.

We trace the origins of modern Zionism, the rise of the state of Israel, and how Western Christianity—particularly American evangelicalism—has shaped both the theology and the politics that continue to impact real people on the ground. This episode isn’t about taking easy sides. It’s about understanding the deeper story beneath the headlines.

• What is Zionism and where did it come from?
• The Balfour Declaration and British colonial influence
• The founding of the state of Israel in 1948
• The Nakba and its lasting impact on Palestinian people
• How American evangelicalism helped shape U.S. foreign policy toward Israel
• The role of Dispensationalism and the Scofield Bible
• Christian Zionism vs. ethical Christian responsibility
• The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza
• Why understanding this history matters for people of faith today

Books & Articles

• “The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine” by Ilan Pappé
• “A Wall in Palestine” by René Backmann
• “Zionism: The Real Enemy of the Jews” by Alan Hart
• “Blood Brothers” by Elias Chacour
• “The Bible and Zionism” by Nur Masalha
• “The Iron Cage: The Story of the Palestinian Struggle for Statehood” by Rashid Khalidi
• “Christian Zionism: Road-map to Armageddon?” by Stephen Sizer
• “The Bible, The Jews, and the Death of Jesus” by Adele Reinhartz

Documentaries & Media

• The Law in These Parts (documentary)
• Al Nakba (Al Jazeera English documentary series)
• Occupation 101 (2006 documentary on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict)
• With God On Our Side (Christian Zionism documentary by Porter Speakman Jr.)

Other Resources

• B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
• Jewish Voice for Peace
• IfNotNow Movement
• Kairos Palestine Document (2009)

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