Escaping Hellfire! From Mean Girls to Mensch — A Journey of Faith with actress Tassja Cadoch: S2E4

🎙️ In this powerful episode, Jeramiah Giehl sits down with Jewish convert, content creator, and former actress Tassja Cadoch (@JewGreekanMama) for an honest, thought-provoking exploration of religious trauma, spiritual liberation, and theological transformation.

Tassja’s story begins in an Anglican Christian household but takes a radical turn after a fear-based encounter with born-again Christianity. Grappling with intense anxiety, scrupulosity, and a fear of hell, she eventually discovers the work of Rabbi Michael Skobac and the Seven Noahide Laws—sparking a journey toward Jewish thought that offered peace, clarity, and purpose.

Together, Jeramiah and Tassja—both converts to Judaism—discuss their paths out of rigid dogma and into a tradition that values questioning, truth-seeking, and community. From childhood indoctrination and anxiety to the joy and intellectual depth of Jewish learning, this episode tackles the raw and redemptive process of spiritual rebirth.

🕊️ Key Topics Covered:

Overcoming Religious Trauma:

Tassja shares her early religious trauma and the toll it took on her mental health. A born-again friend's warnings about hell created spiritual panic that shaped her youth. Jeramiah draws parallels to his own departure from Jehovah’s Witnesses, reflecting on how both found emotional freedom in Judaism’s non-dogmatic approach.

Conversion to Judaism:

From volunteer work with Jews for Judaism to Hebrew classes and rabbinical review panels, Tassja recounts the slow, intentional process of Conservative conversion. Jeramiah reflects on his past in Messianic circles and his final transition to Rabbinic Judaism in 2014. Their shared commitment to rigorous inquiry over blind faith stands in sharp contrast to their previous religious lives.

Universal Righteousness & Parenting:

The duo unpacks Judaism’s view that righteousness is not exclusive to Jews—a refreshing shift from exclusionary salvation doctrines. Tassja beautifully links Torah observance to parenting, describing mitzvot as divine boundaries grounded in love. They also discuss Gehenna not as eternal hell, but as a temporary place of purification, generally lasting no more than 12 months, offering a more compassionate theology of the afterlife.

Paul & Early Christianity:

In one of the most intellectually engaging parts of the conversation, Jeramiah and Tassja scrutinize Paul’s influence on the New Testament and the evolution of Christianity into a pro-Roman faith. They question Pauline authorship, explore Marcion’s role in canon formation, and contrast it with the Torah-faithful Jesus of history. Tassja speaks candidly about the emotional work involved in separating Jesus the Jewish man from the Christian deity she once worshiped.

🔥 Why Watch This Episode?

• You’ve experienced religious trauma and are searching for healing.
• You’re curious about Judaism, conversion, or the historical Jesus.
• You’re done with fear-based theology and want to explore ethical, universal spirituality.
• You enjoy open, intellectual conversations that blend history, faith, and personal growth.

This episode is a journey—from fear to freedom, from confusion to clarity. If you’ve ever questioned your faith, wrestled with doctrine, or longed for a more grounded spiritual path, this one’s for you.

📌 Action Steps:

✅ Subscribe to the Pulling the Threads Podcast

✅ Follow @JewGreekanMama on Instagram

✅ Like & Share this episode to support honest conversations about faith

✅ Join the Discussion in the comments—your voice matters!

#JewishConversion #ReligiousTrauma #PaulineChristianity #PullingTheThreads #JudaismExplained #JewGreekanMama #HistoricalJesus #Gehenna #JewishAfterlife #FaithDeconstruction #FromChristianityToJudaism