Subscribe to the Gentle Souls Newsletter

Struggling to unplug? A simple digital detox can boost calm and focus. Try screen breaks, tech-free spaces, and mindful unplugging.

At some point in my life, I started noticing a pattern of behaviors, beliefs, and traits that I shared with certain people. Over time, I...

In 2007, my now husband (then fiancé) and I celebrated our first Valentine’s Day. I wrote (probably) my worst song ever. It was called...

Well, folks, 2025 is already a firehose of bad news. So, I am returning to a message that I posted in November on my website’s blog. The...

I've read too many books about cults, narcissistic abuse, con artists, and other selfish pathologies: memoirs, recovery guides, academic...

A New Year's Resolution for Gentle Souls

Dear Gentle Souls, Recently I had a great time talking to Gretchen Bostrom  on her fantastic brand-new pod, Notable New England ! She...

Here’s something that I’ve been pondering lately as news and politics look increasingly bleak and brutal. How do we maintain our faith in...

In October I planned to reflect on the Reclaiming Autonomy Writing Symposium . I didn’t. Something in me stepped in front of ALL social...

Zoom Event: The Writing Symposium. Reclaiming voice, life, and self through writing and creative expression.

I just finished listening to this beautifully written memoir on Audible. It depicts the not-so Christian underbelly of the extreme...

About time, YOUR time, and the revolution of taking it back. Happy Labor Day weekend! I’m enjoying what feels like...

I recently caved & watched the Netflix docu-series,  Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult .  I figured, it's about a Tik Tok thing....

Early this month I went to Barcelona, Spain to present at the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)   Conference . Near the end...

Last October, A Little Bit Culty , hosts Sarah Edmondson and Anthony "Nippy" Ames spoke with me about my culty misadventure in "School"...

Hi Everyone, It's been a minute but this podcast is now live! Click Gentle Souls: Esther Friedman on 'School' to listen. I'm going to...

1) The Gentle Souls Revolution audiobook is now available: Libro.FM ; Storytel ; NOOK Audiobooks & Chirp. Thank you, Kim Niemi & Jess...

Hey Everyone, A few things... 1) Live in the Boston area? If yes, please celebrate with me and my fellow authors at a book-release party...

Hi Everyone, Thanks all, for supporting the crowdfund! Thanks, to generous contributors who chose to send me $$$ directly, we did make...

Hi Gentle Souls – The audiobook files for our Revolution are complete, YAY! Once it's paid for, it's available. Here's the funding...