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Dreams Helped her Escape a Spiritual Cult with Priya Hutner
Description
Author, chef, and literary arts advocate Priya Hutner joins The Dream Journal to share how a series of vivid nightmares helped her recognize that it was time to leave the spiritual cult she grew up in. In this powerful conversation with host Katherine Bell, Priya explores dreams, belonging, belief, spiritual entrapment, family allegiance, and the long path toward personal liberation.
Priya is the author of Chasing Nirvana: A Seeker’s Story of Love, Loss, and Liberation, a memoir about growing up in a spiritual community, becoming deeply devoted to a guru, and ultimately reclaiming her voice. She also discusses life after leaving, rebuilding identity through writing and food, co-founding the Tahoe Literary Festival, and the role dreams can play in awakening, healing, and change.
In this episode:
- How recurring nightmares helped Priya understand she needed to leave
- The human longing for meaning, spirituality, and belonging
- What happens when devotion becomes spiritual entrapment
- The symbolism of a dream about choking, secrets, and reclaiming voice
- Life after leaving a cult: therapy, writing, cooking, community, and rebuilding identity
- Priya’s memoir Chasing Nirvana and her work with the Tahoe Literary Festival
BIO: Priya Hutner is an author, private chef and co-founder of the Tahoe Literary Festival. She is a public speaker, workshop facilitator, and hosts several literary events. She is dedicated to building community, supporting emerging writers, advocating for the literary arts, and fostering authentic human connection. Her award-winning memoir, Chasing Nirvana: A Seeker’s Story of Love, Loss, and Liberation, chronicles her years in a spiritual cult and explores the complexities of belief, family allegiance, spiritual entrapment, and personal awakening.
Contact our guest: PriyaHutner.com
This show, episode number 371, was recorded during a live broadcast on July 11, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz.
SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com.
Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.
Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in:
Dreams After Coercive Control: Reclaiming Self-Trust with Gerette Buglion
Trauma is Universal but So Is Healing with Wendy Correa
Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the