Podcast
Atonement: The John Paulk Story
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts · EN
John was an ex-gay, ex-drag queen and an evangelical Christian. He married an ex-lesbian, had three children and became the poster boy for “conversion therapy” for over 15 years, traveling across the world to preach the idea you can ‘pray away the gay’.
John Paulk was living proof that they could change, that God would love them, and that they could live a “normal” heterosexual life.
But John was living a lie: he was still gay.
Now, he’s ready to tell his story.
7episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
6. To Hell and Back
Feb 1700:44:54Tap to summarizeJohn comes out for the third - and final - time. In this final chapter, hear John’s journey from shame to accountability, and the hard-won freedom of living authentically. —Atonement: The John Paulk Story is a production of iHeart Podcasts and Goldhawk Productions in association with Marks Media Co.It was presented by John Paulk. The producer was Kate Holland. The Programme Consultant was Patrick Strudwick. Sound design and audio mix was by Femi Oriogun-Williams. The executive producer for Goldhawk was Alex Hollands. For Marks Media, the executive producer was Lyndal Marks. Thank you to Taylor Chicoine, Anna Stumpf and Kate Mansberger at iHeart.— If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in this series, you can find help and support at the following links:988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineThe Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Call or text 988 or chat online. Crisis Text LineIf you are in crisis, text CONVO to 741741 in the US for free, confidential, 24/7, support.The Trevor ProjectThe leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via the website or by texting START to 678678.RAINNRAINN - the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - provide free, confidential, 24/7 help. Call 1-800-656-4673 or the website to chat with a support specialist.If you’re in the UK, please find a range of helplines and support networks here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →5. A House of Cards
Feb 1000:48:56Tap to summarizeWhen John Paulk slips into a D.C. gay bar, everything he’s built looks set to collapse. Caught, exposed, and suffocated by shame, he clings to a lie that fools no one - not even himself. —Atonement: The John Paulk Story is a production of iHeart Podcasts and Goldhawk Productions in association with Marks Media Co.— If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in this series, you can find help and support at the following links:988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineThe Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Call or text 988 or chat online. Crisis Text LineIf you are in crisis, text CONVO to 741741 in the US for free, confidential, 24/7, support.The Trevor ProjectThe leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via the website or by texting START to 678678.RAINNRAINN - the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - provide free, confidential, 24/7 help. Call 1-800-656-4673 or the website to chat with a support specialist.If you’re in the UK, please find a range of helplines and support networks here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →4. The Gospel According to John
Feb 300:50:56Tap to summarizeJohn looks back at the spiritual wreckage the ex-gay movement leaves behind - and the lives it destroys. Publicly, he’s its polished poster boy. But behind the public halo, he’s drowning. —Atonement: The John Paulk Story is a production of iHeart Podcasts and Goldhawk Productions in association with Marks Media Co.— If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in this series, you can find help and support at the following links:988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineThe Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Call or text 988 or chat online. Crisis Text LineIf you are in crisis, text CONVO to 741741 in the US for free, confidential, 24/7, support.The Trevor ProjectThe leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via the website or by texting START to 678678.RAINNRAINN - the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - provide free, confidential, 24/7 help. Call 1-800-656-4673 or the website to chat with a support specialist.If you’re in the UK, please find a range of helplines and support networks here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →3. For Better or For Worse
Jan 2700:46:52Tap to summarizeJohn’s marriage becomes the jewel in the ex-gay movement’s crown.Soon the couple are everywhere: Oprah, national ad campaigns, even the cover of Newsweek. But beyond the spotlight, cracks are forming. —Atonement: The John Paulk Story is a production of iHeart Podcasts and Goldhawk Productions in association with Marks Media Co.— If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in this series, you can find help and support at the following links:988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineThe Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Call or text 988 or chat online. Crisis Text LineIf you are in crisis, text CONVO to 741741 in the US for free, confidential, 24/7, support.The Trevor ProjectThe leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via the website or by texting START to 678678.RAINNRAINN - the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - provide free, confidential, 24/7 help. Call 1-800-656-4673 or the website to chat with a support specialist.If you’re in the UK, please find a range of helplines and support networks here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →2. There’s No Place Like Home
Jan 2001:03:57Tap to summarizeJohn makes his way to the residential program that will shape his life forever. There, he meets John Smid, the former director of Love in Action. And the woman who would become his wife. —Atonement: The John Paulk Story is a production of iHeart Podcasts and Goldhawk Productions in association with Marks Media Co. — If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in this series, you can find help and support at the following links:988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineThe Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Call or text 988 or chat online. Crisis Text LineIf you are in crisis, text CONVO to 741741 in the US for free, confidential, 24/7, support.The Trevor ProjectThe leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via the website or by texting START to 678678.RAINNRAINN - the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - provide free, confidential, 24/7 help. Call 1-800-656-4673 or the website to chat with a support specialist.If you’re in the UK, please find a range of helplines and support networks here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →1. The Dancefloor
Jan 1300:59:20Tap to summarizeJohn steps back into the story he once tried to outrun. Alongside expert insights and survivors of “Conversion Therapy”, John begins peeling back the layers of how he became one of the most totemic figures of the ex-gay movement. — Atonement: The John Paulk Story is a production of iHeart Podcasts and Goldhawk Productions in association with Marks Media Co. —If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in this series, you can find help and support at the following links:988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineThe Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Call or text 988 or chat online. Crisis Text LineIf you are in crisis, text CONVO to 741741 in the US for free, confidential, 24/7, support.The Trevor ProjectThe leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via the website or by texting START to 678678.RAINNRAINN - the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - provide free, confidential, 24/7 help. Call 1-800-656-4673 or the website to chat with a support specialist.If you’re in the UK, please find a range of helplines and support networks here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Introducing: Atonement: The John Paulk Story
Jan 600:02:27Tap to summarizeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →