6 days ago
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- Time Business News
Church Hurt: The 6-Part Series by Meosha Bean – A Raw Journey of Pain, Faith, and Healing
In the heart of every community lies a sacred space — the church. It's where people seek hope, guidance, and spiritual connection. But what happens when the very place meant to heal becomes the source of deep emotional pain? Church Hurt: The 6-Part Series , created by award-winning filmmaker Meosha Bean, tackles this rarely spoken but widely felt issue. Drawing from her personal experience with the tragic loss of a loved one to the silent suffering caused by institutionalized religion, Bean turns the camera on a topic that has lived too long in the shadows.
Through powerful storytelling, real testimonies, and expert commentary, Church Hurt becomes more than a docuseries — it's a movement. It invites viewers to question, reflect, and, most importantly, begin to heal. Whether you're deeply religious or exploring spirituality, this series speaks to the heart, addressing the pain that sometimes grows in the very soil of faith.
Every meaningful project has a spark. For Meosha Bean, that spark was a loss so painful it demanded attention. Losing someone close due to the emotional aftermath of religious trauma forced Bean to confront hard truths — not only about her loved one's experience but also about the faith communities that often fail to address emotional and spiritual pain.
'Church Hurt' is more than a film — it's a cry for help, a platform for truth-telling, and an attempt to bridge the gap between faith and emotional health. Bean's bold choice to expose this vulnerable subject speaks to her strength as a filmmaker and her compassion as a human being. It's not just about pointing fingers — it's about starting conversations and creating safe spaces for healing.
In her own words during a press interview, Meosha explains, 'This series is not an attack on faith. It's a call to look inward, to understand how sometimes good intentions can still lead to harmful outcomes. And it's a chance for us all to grow.'
'Church hurt' refers to the emotional, mental, or spiritual pain caused by individuals or systems within a religious institution. This could include judgmental behavior, abuse of power by church leaders, exclusion, or manipulation in the name of scripture. For many, the result is deep-rooted trauma that can lead to depression, anxiety, or a complete loss of faith.
In Church Hurt: The 6-Part Series , viewers hear firsthand from individuals who've been silenced, dismissed, or emotionally crushed by the very communities they once trusted. These are not just stories — they are lived experiences, shared with raw honesty.
The series uses a docudrama format, blending real interviews with scripted reenactments to make the emotional stakes unmistakable. Through this structure, viewers see both the visible and invisible scars carried by victims of church hurt. It's a chilling reminder that spiritual trauma is real, and that the church, like any institution, must be accountable for the emotional well-being of its members.
The six episodes of Church Hurt each address a different layer of religious trauma. Although each installment stands on its own, together they weave a powerful narrative of broken trust, survival, and the path toward healing. Episode 1: The Breaking Point
This introductory episode sets the emotional tone. We meet survivors whose stories echo the silent screams of many others. From emotional manipulation to toxic leadership, the episode lays out the landscape of church hurt and invites viewers into the conversation.
This introductory episode sets the emotional tone. We meet survivors whose stories echo the silent screams of many others. From emotional manipulation to toxic leadership, the episode lays out the landscape of church hurt and invites viewers into the conversation. Episode 2: Shamed in Silence
Here, the focus is on how shame is used as a tool for control. Victims speak about being publicly humiliated or privately coerced under the guise of 'godly correction.' The emotional damage left by such practices is profound.
Here, the focus is on how shame is used as a tool for control. Victims speak about being publicly humiliated or privately coerced under the guise of 'godly correction.' The emotional damage left by such practices is profound. Episode 3: When Faith Becomes Fear
For some, religious teachings can become a source of anxiety and fear rather than peace. This episode explores how doctrines, when misapplied, lead to mental health struggles like panic attacks, obsessive guilt, and spiritual confusion.
For some, religious teachings can become a source of anxiety and fear rather than peace. This episode explores how doctrines, when misapplied, lead to mental health struggles like panic attacks, obsessive guilt, and spiritual confusion. Episode 4: The Leaders Who Failed Us
Not all church leaders are abusers — but the series doesn't shy away from confronting those who misused their influence. This episode dives into stories of pastors, elders, and mentors whose actions crossed ethical lines, leaving lasting harm.
Not all church leaders are abusers — but the series doesn't shy away from confronting those who misused their influence. This episode dives into stories of pastors, elders, and mentors whose actions crossed ethical lines, leaving lasting harm. Episode 5: Losing My Religion, Finding Myself
Some survivors choose to walk away from the church entirely. This installment is about rediscovery — of self, of purpose, and of a new way to relate to spirituality. For many, leaving the church was not the end of faith, but the beginning of freedom.
Some survivors choose to walk away from the church entirely. This installment is about rediscovery — of self, of purpose, and of a new way to relate to spirituality. For many, leaving the church was not the end of faith, but the beginning of freedom. Episode 6: The Healing Circle
The final episode is a message of hope. Through group therapy, community dialogue, and personal growth stories, we see how healing is possible. Viewers leave with tools and encouragement to begin their own journey toward recovery.
Meosha Bean is no stranger to using film as a mirror to society. As the founder of MVB Films, Bean has consistently pushed boundaries with projects that blend art, social justice, and raw emotion. With Church Hurt , she steps into even deeper waters — unafraid to tackle a subject many avoid.
Her filmmaking is more than a career — it's a mission. Bean's work has been featured on platforms such as Spotify and iHeartRadio, where she expands the conversation through in-depth podcast episodes tied to the series. You can listen to the full series on Spotify or iHeartRadio.
Beyond the screen, she connects with audiences through interviews, live talks, and social media. With trailers available online and a full soundtrack on Bandcamp, the series is reaching viewers across multiple platforms and changing hearts along the way.
Why should we care about church hurt? Because silence allows cycles of abuse and shame to continue. Because people are walking away from their faith — not because they don't believe in God, but because they were wounded by those claiming to represent Him.
Church Hurt: The 6-Part Series is timely in an era where mental health and spiritual health are finally being talked about in the same breath. It reminds us that religious trauma is real and deserves real attention. It also emphasizes that healing is possible when truth is spoken, and wounds are acknowledged.
This series opens up space for faith leaders, parents, and communities to ask hard questions: Are we truly listening to the hurting?
Are we prioritizing image over integrity?
Are we willing to change outdated, harmful systems in the name of love and justice?
By highlighting these issues, Meosha Bean is helping not only individuals but institutions grow in accountability and compassion.
Church Hurt: The 6-Part Series is more than a documentary — it's a lifeline for those who've felt abandoned, judged, or wounded by religious institutions. Through Meosha Bean's courageous storytelling, a light is shining on the pain that too often gets buried under rituals and tradition.
But with truth comes freedom. With empathy comes transformation. This series is a call to action — for churches to do better, for survivors to find their voices, and for communities to embrace healing over hiding.
As the series proves, church hurt doesn't have to be the end of the story. It can be the beginning of something beautiful — a deeper faith, a renewed sense of self, and a community rooted in genuine love.
Watch the trailers:
🎬 Trailer 1
🎬 Trailer 2
Listen to the full podcast series:
🎧 Spotify
🎧 iHeartRadio
Hear the official soundtrack:
🎵 Bandcamp
Director Interview with Meosha Bean:
🎙️ Watch here
Let this series be the beginning of a conversation we can no longer avoid. Let's heal — together.
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