iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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tamara @milquetoast7.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

i look forward to being equally enlightened & triggered by this book 😟🙃😭😭🙃😟

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Zach Malm @muzach.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Imagine all our parents short-circuiting from a conversation about this book.

static.klipy.com

Ash's Painful Demise: That Probably Hurt

Alt: Ash from Alien, after sputtering around the room, leaking robot fluid.

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Ben Emerson @jbemerson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Anyone remotely curious about what the hell is going in with this country absolutely needs to check out D.L. and Krispin’s work.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

big news for the autistic non-binary exvangelical crowd! We got a book deal baby (and it's at an academic-minded press!!!!)

screen shot of publishers marketplace deal report for Raised to Obey by D.L. Mayfield and Krispin Mayfield

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Zach the Autumn Lord @maximumrider217.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Christians really need to be more willing to talk about stuff like this. Avoiding it or acting like it’s not that big of a deal has done real damage.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Interesting anecdotal evidence: I posted on threads + instagram about how we were recording an episode on the religious terrorization of children (focusing on hell, the rapture, demons, and the crucifixion). I got over 1,000 comments from people sharing their own stories of being terrified as kids.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

If you want to hear me talk about the process of shopping a book (demoralizing) and finally signing a contract (exciting) we talk about it all on our newest STRONGWILLED patreon only episode! www.patreon.com/strongwilled...

patreon.com

Book News, Failed Series Ideas and More! | STRONGWILLED

Book News, Failed Series Ideas and More! by STRONGWILLED on Patreon. Join STRONGWILLED's community for exclusive content and updates.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

What are the developmental impacts of being born in a high-control religion? My partner is a therapist currently obsessed with this question, and this is turning out to be one of our most-downloaded episodes, so I think others are wondering too: www.strongwilledproject.com/growing-up-i...

strongwilledproject.com

Growing Up in the Fold: Being Born into a High Control Religion

Growing Up in the Fold0:00/3950.05387755102041× What’s the difference between experiencing religious trauma in the church — and being born into it? This episode, we begin to explore what kinds of lon...

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Patrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

That scene where the comic book villain addresses the United Nations has finally come true.

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🏳️‍⚧️ valissa @valisdheart.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

ooof i just wrote an album about growing up in that world, including a little jab at focus music.apple.com/us/album/foc...

music.apple.com

Focus on the Family by valissa on Apple Music

Song · 2026 · Duration 3:38

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

If you want to unpack what it's like to be born into a high control religion and the developmental impacts that can occur - plus listen to someone periodically yell "fuck you, Augustine" - then boy do I have the podcast episode for you: www.strongwilledproject.com/growing-up-i...

strongwilledproject.com

Growing Up in the Fold: Being Born into a High Control Religion

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Krispin turns 40 this week and in a few months the podcast we co-host together turns 10 . . . this means he spent his entire 30s making content with MEEEEEEEEEEE and I have loved every second of it.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Who gets to decide if parenting methods are abusive or not? The person who utilized those methods or the child who bore the brunt of them?

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

If you don't have the capacity to financially support us (and get this extra-nerdy deep dive) don't worry, I wrote about Popenoe in 2024 and you can read/share it here: www.strongwilledproject.com/chapter-9-ch...

strongwilledproject.com

Chapter 9: Children of the Positive Eugenics Movement

The hidden roots of white evangelical parenting manuals

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of James Dobson's death, I recorded a podcast all about his mentor and boss, Paul Popenoe. Shit gets real deep and real weird -- and it's like Project 2025, but in 1930s American Klan style. Support my work and listen in here: www.patreon.com/strongwilled...

patreon.com

A Deep Dive on James Dobson's Mentor, Eugenicist Paul Popenoe | STRONGWILLED

A Deep Dive on James Dobson's Mentor, Eugenicist Paul Popenoe by STRONGWILLED on Patreon. Join STRONGWILLED's community for exclusive content and updates.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

patreon.com

A Deep Dive on James Dobson's Mentor, Eugenicist Paul Popenoe | STRONGWILLED

A Deep Dive on James Dobson's Mentor, Eugenicist Paul Popenoe by STRONGWILLED on Patreon. Join STRONGWILLED's community for exclusive content and updates.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Azariah was the person who helped bring to light the horrific abuses by Michael Tait of the Newsboys. This is a really grim timeline y'all.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

the weirdest part about growing up evangelical was being given the image and words of Jesus but the principles and actions of eugenics for decades -- and being told the cognitive dissonance was YOUR fault.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I am finally, finally completely financially divested from Substack. Wow that took way more work and stress than I anticipated.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

OMG the James Dobson family institute made a Facebook post mourning Dolly and saying she was such a great Christian and the comments are hilariously terrible. So many people are mad bc she wasn't a real Christian since she was pro LGBTQIA and BLM. Truly the most miserable people on the planet.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Sliman Mansour, Dolly Parton, Tim Curry. All the wrong ones this week 😩

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Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

A reminder that when evangelicals say “parental rights” they mean they want to be allowed to beat their children.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of James Dobson's death and to celebrate I will be recording a podcast episode allllllll about his wretched eugencist boss/mentor of ten years, Paul Popenoe. There are too many weird things to include in my book and I just have to get some of this out of my head!

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I've said it before and I will say it again, going low or no contact with Christian fascist parents is an extremely effective form of direct action (and it's happening a lot!!!!)

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

hiiiiiiiii I am hard at work on my book but if you miss me I have been putting out some podcasts lately! First up on the main feed of Strongwilled we are tackling the issue of "prodigal" adult children who are leaving Christianity/ their parents behind: www.strongwilledproject.com/the-prodigal...

strongwilledproject.com

The Prodigal Summer Series Part 1: Prodigal Children

Welcome to our new series on estrangement! This episode we discuss what Focus on the Family and the James Dobson Institute are saying about estranged adult children. This episode focus on the reasons ...

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Would you believe me if I told you that the same organizations that convinced Christian parents to spank and hit their kids every time they showed "willful" disobedience in toddlerhood and beyond are now selling courses on how to heal the "epidemic" of estrangement within these same families?

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

hello autistic nerds I need help tracking down a book that is from 1970 that is co-authored by James Dobson and I can only find copies of it for $100 used. I am wondering if anyone who is a part of an academic institution could help me find it on interlibrary loan or JSTOR perhaps?

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A.R. Moxon @juliusgoat.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

It's very important to understand, fascists don't just see hypocrisy as a necessary evil. It's not that it's an unintended side-effect. It's the purpose. The ability to enjoy for yourself the exact thing you're able to deny others, because you dominate, is the whole point.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

there is some news coming out from my corner of the world (writers/advocates who speak about the issue of child abuse in Christian spaces) that is truly devastating . . . I just want people to check in on your own mental health before proceeding with social media right now.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Any time you hear a news story about how a pastor or youth pastor was caught abusing children I want you to remember that the parenting methods they encouraged from the pulpit were training children to always comply with authority (and to equate pain and punishment with god's love).

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lowercase d @destinyvolition.blacksky.app · 29/06/2026

Timely thread in light of a video I saw today: www.reddit.com/r/PublicFrea... TW: Gun execution (demonstration) and bizarre child grooming to encourage state violence under the guise of punishing "sin."

reddit.com

From the PublicFreakout community on Reddit: Mt Olivet Baptist church in Kentucky; this is their vacation Bible school. Incredibly disturbing.

Explore this post and more from the PublicFreakout community

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

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Erin Tinsman @erinjoy.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Listening in small digestible chunks, and, wow. I'm estranged from my parents (fully no contact, after years of trying to maintain a relationship) and, as always, your work is so resonant for me. Thank you for making me feel less alone.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Looking for book or journal article recommendations on how fascism has always targeted queer and gender-non conforming people. Please and thank you!

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danisoto.bsky.social @danisoto.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

This is exactly right. When churches have to rely on new converts instead of multi-generational religious families, they're in trouble. And for good reason.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

They are losing the war where it counts -- their children and grandchildren want nothing to do with Christian nationalism and the horrific lack of humanity and morality being displayed in their politics. Seriously, check out Focus on the Family's FB page if you don't believe me!

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

You can talk about how so young men are converting to Christianity all you want but explain to me then why every single conservative Christian organization is posting think pieces about why all the kids are leaving and how to help estranged parents and why so many adult children are "prodigals".

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Good morning, the people who really really want you to follow Jesus are also totally OK with for-profit concentration camps, neighbors being kidnapped off the street by masked agents, children being ripped away from their parents — and people who protest this being sentenced to 50 years in prison.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Can someone PLEASE do some actual qualified research on this because I have a hunch that the rates of estrangement in MAGA/religious authoritarian communities is way higher than we know.

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

We know that estrangement is on the rise in religious authoritarian communities -- think white evangelicals, Mormons, etc -- but how are these communities explaining away the estrangement?

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Why are Christian conservative communities so upset about the "trend" of their adult children turning away from the faith/setting boundaries with their parents? Today on the STRONGWILLED podcast we tackle this issue -- and the real reasons why so many people are walking away from toxic systems.

cartoon image of a black sheep surrounded by purple daisies. text reads episode 1 the prodigal children strongwilledproject dot com

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

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Prof Katherine Schofield 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇪🇺 @katherineschof8.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Heartbroken for the girls he abused. What courage they have shown. One missing thing needs to be highlighted here: Donaldson's conservative evangelical Christianity. CW: evangelical purity culture cultivates and protects pedophiles @dlmayfield.bsky.social www.strongwilledproject.com/purity-cultu...

strongwilledproject.com

Purity Culture is Pedophile Culture

Part 1: It's Not the Man in the Trench Coat you Should Be Worried About

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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

holy shit????? ICE is getting rid of seven of the 11 would-be concentration camp warehouses they purchased and sec. mullin indicates new mass detention centers are not priority. huge!

nytimes.com

ICE Spent $700 Million on 7 Warehouses. Now It Wants to Get Rid of Them.

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clsqb38.bsky.social @clsqb38.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

It still absolutely boggles my mind that yet eugenics was a core factor in my upbringing. As an eXvangelical PK, Dobson had an overwhelming influence on my parents’ child rearing philosophy. FotF played a big role in my childhood. When I learned about Popenoe a few months ago my mind was blown

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D.L. Mayfield (they/them) @dlmayfield.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Two years ago I published my chapter on James Dobson's mentor and boss of ten years, Paul Popenoe. Dobson has worked very, very hard to erase this chapter of his history from the record and I think it's because eugenics has always been a core part of his work and he doesn't want that exposed.

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Julia Husar @juliahusar.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

100%. when I came out in high school, FOTF were the first people my mom went to for advice because they had such a strong grip on the sort of christian media she consumed via radio. their whole operation is insanely harmful and emotionally abusive/manipulative.

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Miranda Miller (fastest Mario) @randymiller.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

It is very appropriate that the organization that built their brand around the value beating your children into submission and breaking their will like a dog (Dobson's metaphor) now has a crisis of estranged parents they can continue to milk for cash. I wish hell was real specifically for him.

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