Kevin Franke on Healing, Self-Trust, and Life After Ruby Franke, Jodi Hildebrandt, and 8 Passengersode

In this special episode of the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks Podcast I sit down with Kevin Franke, former husband of Ruby Franke from the 8 Passengers family vlog, as he shares his lived experience inside a high-control marriage and cult-like system connected to therapist Jodi Hildebrandt. During our conversation, Kevin speaks openly about how emotional vulnerability, religious culture, and misplaced trust created the conditions for manipulation, gaslighting, and isolation. Listen to understand how cult dynamics develop inside families, relationships, and belief systems, and why even intelligent, capable people can become trapped in these environments. Kevin Franke reflects on the rise and fall of 8 Passengers, his marriage to Ruby Franke, the psychological control exerted by Jodi Hildebrandt, and the devastating personal consequences that followed, including loss of identity, faith confusion, PTSD symptoms, and public scrutiny. He also shares what healing has looked like since leaving the system, rebuilding self-trust, reconnecting with safe relationships, and creating a life grounded in agency and emotional health. Have you ever thought, “I want to ask Dr. Julie Hanks a question”? Well, now’s your chance! I want to have you on my podcast! Click here to fill out this form and tell me your question. I might just pick you to be on the podcast and receive a free coaching session. Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast. Please click here to leave me a review . And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcasts and Spotify . If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses. Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks and find out how to work with me on my website at drjuliehanks.com/coaching . For therapy in Utah visit wasatchfamilytherapy.com . Have you ever thought, “I want to ask Dr. Julie Hanks a question”? Well, now’s your chance! I want to have you on my podcast! Click here to fill out this form and tell me your question. I might just pick you to be on the podcast and receive a free coaching session. Thank you for listening to the Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast. Please click here to leave me a review . And make sure you don’t miss an episode by following me on Apple Podcast and Spotify . If you have found this information helpful, you can find additional resources on this topic in my podcast and my online courses . Connect with me on social media @drjuliehanks and work with me through joining DJH membership at drjuliehanks.com . For therapy in Utah visit wasatchfamilytherapy.com .

You can listen to Kevin Franke on Healing, Self-Trust, and Life After Ruby Franke, Jodi Hildebrandt, and 8 Passengersode online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Kevin Franke on Healing, Self-Trust, and Life After Ruby Franke, Jodi Hildebrandt, and 8 Passengersode is an episode from Ask Dr. Julie Hanks by Dr. Julie Hanks.

This episode is 120:40 long.

This episode was published on Dec 15, 2025.

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