In this episode of Untidy, Matilda and Hannah speak with Theophila Pratt, a Gloriavale cult survivor, qualified paediatric occupational therapist, author, and fierce advocate for freedom and healing. Theo, formerly known as Honey Faithful, grew up in Gloriavale, an isolated and highly controlled Christian community on the West Coast. At 18, she was cast out after challenging the regime, with nothing but a suitcase, a ticket to Auckland, and little understanding of how the outside world worked.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of religious trauma, psychological abuse, coercive control, childhood neglect, and sexual abuse. While we approach these topics with care and sensitivity, some content may be distressing for listeners. Please take care while listening and prioritise your wellbeing.

Theo shares what life inside Gloriavale was really like — from the oppressive rules that haunted every moment, to the calculated psychological control that deprived people of their individual identities, especially for girls and women. Theo talks about the subtle acts of rebellion that sparked her path to freedom, what it took to start again from scratch, and how she’s now helping others do the same.

Theo reflects on trauma, therapy, rage, spirituality, and walking a determined road to self-trust and reclaiming her voice and identity. Her memoir, ‘Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale’ exposes the realities of life inside the cult and offers hope to those seeking freedom from high-control environments.

Links as mentioned in the show:
Buy Unveiled by Theophila Pratt from https://www.theopratt.com/
Gloriavale Leavers’ Trust: https://gloriavaleleavers.org.nz/
Follow Theo on Instagram @lifeischoicenz
Watch TVNZ documentary, Escaping Utopia

If you’re enjoying Untidy, the best way to show your support is by tapping the ‘+ follow’ button in your podcast app and subscribing on YouTube! That way, fresh episodes will always be ready and waiting for you. Help us to keep building this supportive community — share an episode with a mate, and chuck us a 5-star review — it helps more people find our Untidy, unfiltered, and relatable chats. Thank you for listening, contributing and supporting this independent production! We’re grateful to have you here! — Hannah & Matty xx

Don’t forget! Untidy is made for YOU — the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess! Follow the show and DM us on Instagram @untidypodcast or email hello@untidypodcast.com. Your stories and ideas to help shape the show! Find us online at Untidy podcast. Find Matilda at @matootles and get your copy of The Feel Good Guide. Find Hannah at @hannahedavison and her My Big Moments children’s books at @mybigmoments. Enter code UNTIDY at checkout for 10% off your order.

In this episode of Untidy, Matilda and Hannah speak with Theophila Pratt, a Gloriavale cult survivor, qualified paediatric occupational therapist, author, and fierce advocate for freedom and healing. Theo, formerly known as Honey Faithful, grew up in Gloriavale, an isolated and highly controlled Christian community on the West Coast. At 18, she was cast out after challenging the regime, with nothing but a suitcase, a ticket to Auckland, and little understanding of how the outside world worked. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of religious trauma, psychological abuse, coercive control, childhood neglect, and sexual abuse. While we approach these topics with care and sensitivity, some content may be distressing for listeners. Please take care while listening and prioritise your wellbeing.
Theo shares what life inside Gloriavale was really like &mdash; from the oppressive rules that haunted every moment, to the calculated psychological control that deprived people of their individual identities, especially for girls and women. Theo talks about the subtle acts of rebellion that sparked her path to freedom, what it took to start again from scratch, and how she&rsquo;s now helping others do the same.
Theo reflects on trauma, therapy, rage, spirituality, and walking a determined road to self-trust and reclaiming her voice and identity. Her memoir, &lsquo;Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale&rsquo; exposes the realities of life inside the cult and offers hope to those seeking freedom from high-control environments.
Links as mentioned in the show:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Buy Unveiled by Theophila Pratt from <a href="https://www.theopratt.com/">https://www.theopratt.com/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Gloriavale Leavers&rsquo; Trust:<a href="https://gloriavaleleavers.org.nz/"> https://gloriavaleleavers.org.nz/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow Theo on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lifeischoicenz/">@lifeischoicenz</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Watch TVNZ documentary, <a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/escaping-utopia">Escaping Utopia</a></li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re enjoying Untidy, the best way to show your support is by tapping the &lsquo;+ follow&rsquo; button in your podcast app and subscribing on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Untidypodcast">YouTube</a>! That way, fresh episodes will always be ready and waiting for you. Help us to keep building this supportive community &mdash; share an episode with a mate, and chuck us a 5-star review &mdash; it helps more people find our Untidy, unfiltered, and relatable chats. Thank you for listening, contributing and supporting this independent production! We&rsquo;re grateful to have you here! &mdash; Hannah &amp; Matty xx
Don&rsquo;t forget! Untidy is made for YOU &mdash; the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess! Follow the show and DM us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/untidypodcast/">@untidypodcast</a> or email <a href="mailto:hello@untidypodcast.com">hello@untidypodcast.com</a>. Your stories and ideas to help shape the show! Find us online at <a href="https://www.untidypodcast.com/">Untidy podcast</a>. Find Matilda at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matootles/">@matootles</a> and get your copy of <a href="https://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/the-feel-good-guide-6481627">The Feel Good Guide</a>. Find Hannah at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hannahedavison/">@hannahedavison</a> and her <a href="https://mybigmoments.com/">My Big Moments</a> children&rsquo;s books at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mybigmoments/">@mybigmoments</a>. Enter code UNTIDY at checkout for 10% off your order.

Untidy podcast honours the person within the parent. Hosts, Matilda Green and Hannah Davison dive into the undergrowth of sex and relationships, mental health, healing, body issues, identity questions, and more with a range of guests. Connect, laugh, learn, and keep moving forward. 

Follow the show and get in touch on Instagram @untidypodcast. Follow Matilda at @matootles and Hannah’s work at My Big Moments and @mybigmoments.

Untidy podcast honours the person within the parent. Hosts, Matilda Green and Hannah Davison dive into the undergrowth of sex and relationships, mental health, healing, body issues, identity questions, and more with a range of guests. Connect, laugh, learn, and keep moving forward. Follow the show and get in touch on Instagram @untidypodcast. Follow Matilda at @matootles and Hannah’s work at My Big Moments and @mybigmoments.

Untidy

Made for you, the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess! Untidy podcast honours the person within the parent. Hosts Matilda Green and Hannah Davison dive into the undergrowth of sex and relationships, mental health, healing, body issues, identity questions, parenting, and much more with a range of incredible guests. Come along to connect, laugh, learn, and keep moving forward. 

Follow the show and get in touch on Instagram @untidypodcast, watch us on YouTube, and TikTok. Follow Matilda at @matootles, Hannah at @hannahedavison, and My Big Moments kids' books at @mybigmoments. Check out the website at Untidy podcast. Get in touch!

Made for you, the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess! Untidy podcast honours the person within the parent. Hosts Matilda Green and Hannah Davison dive into the undergrowth of sex and relationships, mental health, healing, body issues, identity questions, parenting, and much more with a range of incredible guests. Come along to connect, laugh, learn, and keep moving forward.&nbsp; Follow the show and get in touch on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/untidypodcast/">@untidypodcast</a>, watch us on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Untidypodcast">YouTube</a>, and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@untidypodcast">TikTok</a>. Follow Matilda at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matootles">@matootles</a>, Hannah at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hannahedavison">@hannahedavison</a>, and My Big Moments kids' books at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mybigmoments">@mybigmoments</a>. Check out the website at <a href="https://www.untidypodcast.com/">Untidy podcast</a>. Get in touch!