Converting from a Catholic cult: How the Founder of SmartCatholics converted from Radical Traditionalism into the Gospel
A podcast with Paul Fahey from Third Space, formerly the Pope Francis Generation
Hi friends, Dominic here. for three years, I’ve cohosted a podcast called Pope Francis Generation, a passion project of Paul Fahey seeking to reground catechesis in the love of God. It’s been intensely formative in my journey.
And, in finding my own courage to own my own story.
So here’s Paul and myself talking about cult dynamics, how I struggled to leave a cult and then find myself awash in many cult-minded spaces in the church, and my own loneliness in the last decade trying to figure all this out.
Deconstruction is real, and reconstruction is can be messy. Come along on this conversation for about an hour. Find out why I refuse to live by fear - fear of God, fear of hellfire, fear of judgement… fear of the rising fundamentalism in the church. Plus, how God ‘got’ to me through an unlikely avenue: archaeology.
For probably the first time, I share a decision I made that cost me my identity, community, and family support. We discuss my struggle to reconcile my faith, and the fear-based control of my past, with a more freeing understanding of God. We talk about the importance of "truth stacking"—acknowledging multiple truths, even when we don’t like them. How my relationship with my wife and daughter helped me rediscover a loving, merciful God, contrasting with the harsh, judgmental image I was raised with.
Check out Paul’s substack and his new show: Catholic Third Space. I’m honored to kick it off with him.
John 1:4. “Where there is love, there is No Fear.” Most common quote in both Old/ New Testament: “Be Not Afraid”, 365 times. Fear is Satan’s main weapon, FOMO, fear of missing out, fear of losing, fear of being poor, fear of not being attractive, fear of missing out on fun (?), etc. My Fear kept me from mission work for decades. Only prayer and Humility could overcome that Fear! Just think about that!