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Home > A Little Bit Culty > My Toxic Father and Bahai: Jared Van Driessche’s Survival Story (Part 1)


	Podcast:		A Little Bit Culty
	Episode:		My Toxic Father and Bahai: Jared Van Driessche’s Survival Story (Part 1)
	Category:		Society & Culture
	Duration:		00:44:09
	Publish Date:		2026-01-12 10:00:00
	Description:		In Part 1 of our conversation, security specialist Jared Van Driessche shares the story behind his polished “protector” persona: growing up in a Bahá’í family with a controlling and volatile father, and how a faith that preached unity, justice, and service coexisted with secrecy, fear, and emotional and physical abuse at home. He talks about being parentified from a young age, trying to manage his dad’s rage, and the confusing double bind of having a spiritual community that outwardly looked loving while he and his siblings learned to walk on eggshells, hide bruises, and normalize coercive control as just “family dynamics.” Jared also unpacks how those early experiences with authoritarian parenting, religious idealism, and blurred boundaries around obedience and sacrifice shaped his adult relationships, his sensitivity to child abuse and domestic violence, and his ongoing work to break intergenerational patterns and build a safer, more honest life for his own kids. For more on Jared’s work in protective security, read his book, Public Figures, Private Lives, and follow him on LinkedIn. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of violence, stalking and harassment, and child abuse. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. *PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here Check out our amazing sponsors Join A Little Bit Culty* on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Make this Valentine's Day one to remember with matching underwear from MeUndies. To get exclusive deals up to 50% off, go to MeUndies.com/culty and enter promo code culty. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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