Episode Summary: Betrayal: Weekly - EP 18 "Sara"

Host: Andrea Gunning
Episode Title: Sara
Podcast: Betrayal: Weekly
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts

Introduction

In Episode 18 of Betrayal: Weekly, host Andrea Gunning delves into the harrowing story of Sarah, a resilient organic farmer from Vermont, whose life was upended by deceit within a seemingly supportive online parenting community. This episode explores themes of trust, manipulation, and personal recovery, highlighting how betrayal can infiltrate even the most nurturing environments.

Sarah's Early Life and Involvement with a Cult

Sarah's journey begins in her childhood in the Northeast, where she faced familial struggles and her father's battle with addiction. At age ten, her family became entangled in a fundamentalist Christian movement called Quiverful, which emphasizes large families and strict gender roles.

Sarah [03:42]: "Less than a year later, we were completely embroiled in a cult."

As Sarah grew older, the oppressive environment of the cult stifled her natural curiosity and rebellious spirit, leading to strained family relationships and harsh disciplinary measures.

Sarah [08:21]: "I'm also a kid, and no matter how much indoctrination there was, I just could not bring myself to do that."

Escape and New Beginnings

At fourteen, punishments within the cult led Sarah to seek refuge outside her home, resulting in her moving in with a supportive foster family. This shift allowed her to rediscover her identity, embrace Judaism, and pursue her passion for body piercing.

Sarah [10:17]: "She wanted me to have good role models and got me involved in the community and a Jewish community."

Despite these positive changes, Sarah struggled with her education due to years of schooling absence, eventually leaving her foster family's home and facing homelessness for a year. Her perseverance led her to stable employment and a budding relationship with Paul, whom she later discovered she was pregnant with during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Joining the Parenting Community and Meeting Becky

Seeking support for her impending motherhood, Sarah joined a large Facebook group focused on gentle parenting. It was here that she met Becky, an admin of the group, who presented herself as a devoted Jewish parent overcoming significant personal tragedies.

Sarah [22:16]: "She was like she is a catfish. She's been stealing people's pictures of their children, pretending that they're her kids and giving them these crazy backstories."

Becky's seemingly authentic presence and shared experiences with Sarah created a strong bond, or so Sarah believed. Becky became a role model, sharing her experiences of overcoming adversity, including the tragic loss of her toddler and her oldest child being a victim of an anti-gay hate crime.

Sarah [23:44]: "She had just a really difficult upbringing. I mean, the odds were completely stacked against her."

Unraveling the Deception

Over three years, Sarah increasingly relied on Becky's guidance, especially during her postpartum struggles. However, inconsistencies in Becky's stories and unresponsiveness when Sarah sought deeper connections began to sow doubts.

Sarah [28:01]: "I'm being weird."

The truth shattered when Sarah discovered that Becky had fabricated her entire family, using stolen images and fictitious backstories. This revelation not only exposed Becky's deceit but also left the entire parenting community grappling with the betrayal.

Sarah [44:35]: "She was talking to children, pretending to be children."

Impact on Sarah and the Community

Becky's manipulation extended beyond personal relationships, undermining the trust within the parenting group. Sarah and other members faced emotional turmoil, struggling to reconcile their grief and trust in the community.

Sarah [49:58]: "This whole experience just really made me doubt my abilities as a parent and myself as a person."

The community's discovery of Becky's fraud led to a collective healing process, with members banding together to support one another and rebuild trust.

Sarah [52:37]: "A lot of us have the way that we were able to show up for each other."

Sarah's Recovery and New Beginnings

Despite the deep wounds inflicted by Becky's betrayal, Sarah found strength through her faith and the supportive community she rebuilt. As she prepares to welcome her second child, Sarah reflects on her journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Sarah [55:59]: "I'm feeling really confident and excited in my abilities, in Paul's abilities, and in my son's abilities to be a big brother."

Sarah's story serves as a testament to resilience, illustrating how betrayal can lead to profound personal growth and stronger community bonds.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sarah [00:02:08]: "This whole experience really made me doubt my abilities as a parent and myself as a person."

• Sarah [06:00]: "I just turned 11 at this time, so this was an improvement. It seemed like when people said, like, this is the right path, it seemed believable to me."

• Sarah [28:01]: "I'm being weird."

• Sarah [43:02]: "She was talking to children, pretending to be children."

• Sarah [49:58]: "This whole experience just really made me doubt my abilities as a parent and myself as a person."

• Sarah [55:59]: "I'm feeling really confident and excited in my abilities, in Paul's abilities, and in my son's abilities to be a big brother."

Conclusion

Episode 18 of Betrayal: Weekly masterfully intertwines Sarah's personal narrative with broader themes of trust and deception. Through detailed storytelling and poignant quotes, the episode underscores the profound impact of betrayal and the strength required to overcome it. Sarah's journey from manipulation to empowerment offers listeners both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope.

Join Us Next Week:
Stay tuned for the next episode of Betrayal: Weekly, where we continue to explore real-life stories of broken trust and the enduring spirit of those who overcome betrayal.

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