I Suspected a Cult at 11: Escaping Seventh-day Adventism | Kristi Williams (Ep. #139)
Kristi Williams spent 31 years as a practicing Seventh-day Adventist before beginning a life-changing journey of religious deconstruction. Raised in the church from birth, Kristi began questioning its teachings as early as age 11, when she noticed uncomfortable similarities between the religions she had been taught were cults and her own faith.
Kristi shares her experiences growing up in a conservative Adventist environment, attending an isolated boarding school in Montana, navigating purity culture, end-times teachings, Ellen G. White’s influence, and the fear surrounding salvation and the church’s investigative judgment doctrine. Those beliefs followed her into adulthood, marriage, and motherhood, eventually contributing to an intense period of fear and religious obsession during a mental-health crisis.
After years of questioning, Kristi and her husband ultimately left the Seventh-day Adventist Church together. She describes the painful reaction from family and church leadership, the relief of finally walking away, and the difficult process of rebuilding an identity outside of a belief system that had shaped nearly every part of her life.
Today, Kristi helps others navigate religious trauma and deconstruction, focusing on critical thinking, emotional healing, boundaries, autonomy, and learning to trust yourself again. Her advice to anyone beginning to question their own high-control belief system comes down to four powerful words: “Listen to your gut.”
Ep. #139
Please consider buying us a cup of coffee or two by clicking here. Your support helps fund our out of pocket expenses
Kristi's Contact Info:
Kristi's Website Link
Podcast Recognition: Cultimatum: The Cult & Human Trafficking Podcast was selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 35 Brainwash Podcasts on the web, recognizing its impact and contribution to awareness around cult dynamics and human trafficking. (We are #12)
FeedSpot Website
Cultimatum's Contact Info:
Email: cultimatumpodcast@gmail.com
Cultimatum Facebook Group
Cultimatum Instagram Link
Cultimatum TikTok Link
Cultimatum YouTube Channel
A Production of the Anonymous Andrew Podcast Studios:
Website: www.anonymousandrewpodcast.com
Disclaimer: Cultimatum is a documentary-style podcast that explores real events and personal experiences related to cults and coercive groups. The content reflects individual perspectives and reported accounts. For full legal disclaimers, visit our website.
