Cult Awareness Activist - 2022-2026

Andrew Pledger is a cult survivor, podcaster, writer, and freelance social media manager. Raised in the Independent Fundamental Baptist cult, he discovered his queer identity and was determined to leave the group. He eventually escaped the cult after being expelled from Bob Jones University, an insular fundamentalist college. He graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a BA in General Studies/Psychology, intending to help other survivors.

To understand and recover from his cult upbringing, Andrew immersed himself in cult education. He now uses his experiences and knowledge to raise awareness. His podcasts, Surviving Bob Jones University and Beyond BJU: Exposing Fundamentalism, shed light on the harms of Christian fundamentalism. Andrew believes in the power of survivors’ stories to bring awareness and spark change. His work has been featured in MSN, Yahoo News, and the Religion News Service.

Andrew did work in digital media that made an impact. In the past, He worked with the NYT-featured podcast, IndoctriNation, with Rachel Bernstein LMFT, Cult Specialist. He also did previous work with the non-profit organization, The Lalich Center, led by renowned cult expert, Dr. Janja Lalich.