Breaking Free from Family Fundamentalism // Tara Westover's "Educated"

How can we continue to learn and grow?

The extraordinary journey of Tara Westover from isolated survivalist compound to prestigious academic institutions forms the heart of our discussion about her bestselling memoir "Educated." This raw, powerful book chronicles how a young woman who never attended school until age 17 eventually earned a PhD from Cambridge University, but the path demanded sacrifices few could imagine.

Growing up in rural Idaho under the shadow of a father with likely untreated bipolar disorder who preached religious extremism, Westover's childhood was defined by physical labor, preparation for the apocalypse, and dangerous isolation from mainstream society. Her mother's herbal remedies substituted for medical care, and formal education was dismissed as government brainwashing. Most devastating was the violent physical and emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of her older brother – trauma her family would later deny and reframe as her own manipulation.

My friend, Jaime, and I explore the complex dynamics that kept Westover tethered to her family despite the abuse, and how education became both her escape route and the wedge that would ultimately separate her from most of her family members. We examine the weaponization of religion, particularly how misogyny disguised as religious fundamentalism shaped Westover's understanding of womanhood and her own worth. The memoir's most heartbreaking revelation may be how Westover's attempt to confront her family about the abuse led to further gaslighting and rejection.

What makes Westover's story so compelling is not just her academic achievements against impossible odds, but her courage to question everything she'd been taught about herself and the world. Through education, she gained not just knowledge but the critical thinking skills to reexamine her past and forge her own identity – even when it meant losing family connections. Her journey reminds us that sometimes the most profound education happens not in classrooms but in the painful process of reclaiming our own narratives.

Subscribe to hear more thought-provoking conversations about memoirs that challenge, inspire, and transform our understanding of the human experience. What book has changed how you see yourself or the world around you?

Listener discretion advised: this episode contains adult language, discussion about abuse

Support the show:
On Patreon
Buy us a book
Buy cute merch

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
Educated by Tara Westover

Other ways to support/connect with Tara Westover
Instagram

Link to Food Stamp Statistics

Transcripts are auto-generated through Apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know. 

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Theme song by Devin Kennedy

Special thanks (again!) t