Brett Harper (@brettharper.bsky.social)

Surviving Both Sides of Agape James was sent to Agape Boarding School as a teenager — a decision that would change the trajectory of his life.In this episode, James shares what it felt like to be sent away and subjected to the physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse that defined the culture of Agape. He opens up about the fear-based environment, the punishments, and the trauma he and so many other boys endured.But James’ story takes a complicated turn.After aging out, he remained at Agape and was hired as a staff member. For six months, he saw the system from the inside — not just as a student, but as someone expected to enforce the very structure that once harmed him.And then he was fired.Not for misconduct.Not for breaking rules.But because he “wasn’t mean enough.”James discusses what that experience revealed about the inner workings of Agape, the expectations placed on staff, and the culture of control that thrived behind closed doors. He also shares insight into the filming of Teen Torture Inc., the legislative process surrounding the bill that was eventually signed, and his thoughts on the closure of the school.We talk about what it means to survive something that was designed to break you — and what he would say today to those who once tried.This episode sheds light on the systemic nature of abuse at Agape and why closing a building does not close the wounds left behind. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vxDIGtR7tIUKEZrqknHzS