Get Leveraged

Bhawna Sharma Puri immigrated from India 18 years ago as a young girl, all by herself. She now lives in the Bay Area, California, with her loving husband and is a proud mom to two beautiful—yet mischievous—kids, ages 5 and 8.

She has built a successful career as a Cloud Marketing leader, bringing over 15 years of experience in various key roles in Silicon Valley. Bhawna serves as a board council member for the Customer Success program at California State University.

A dedicated philanthropist, she is passionate about giving back—whether through mentoring women in tech, supporting first-generation immigrant mothers, or sponsoring the education of homeless children in India.

She is also a self-proclaimed "mom-motivator" and shares her insights through her blog, Love Pray Laugh Slay. Beyond her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Bhawna enjoys modeling and dabbling in acting as a hobby.

Her mantra is simple: You can do it all and have it all—if you work for it. A Type-A go-getter, she is committed to giving 100% to every aspect of her life while uplifting those around her. Well-known in the Bay Area for her generosity, infectious positivity, and ability to make people smile, Bhawna radiates warmth and happy energy wherever she goes.

Connect with Bhawna: https://www.facebook.com/bhawnasharmapuri/

Eric Skwarczynski is the creator and host of the Preacher Boys Podcast, a platform dedicated to exposing abuse within religious institutions, particularly in Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches. With his podcast garnering millions of downloads, Eric has become a leading voice in advocating for survivors of religious trauma and abuse. His work has been featured in major outlets, including HBO's Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals, where he sheds light on systemic issues of abuse and cover-ups within faith-based organizations. Eric’s passion for justice and his unique ability to connect with survivors make him a compelling advocate for change.

On this episode we talk about:

– The widespread issue of abuse in religious institutions and why it often goes unreported or covered up.

– The psychological and societal factors that lead communities to protect abusers instead of victims.

– The personal stories that motivated Eric to start the Preacher Boys Podcast.

– How guilt, shame, and denial contribute to the ongoing cycle of abuse and silence.

– Practical advice for survivors seeking justice and healing.

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Abuse thrives in environments of secrecy, denial, and misplaced loyalty. Breaking the silence is crucial for justice and healing.

2. Institutions often prioritize reputation, power, or financial interests over protecting victims, underscoring the need for systemic reform.

3. Survivors are not alone—there are communities and resources available to support them in their journey toward healing.

Notable Quotes

– "You shouldn’t blame yourself for how good predators are at being bad." – Eric Skwarczynski

– "If you love your church or community, stand up against the bad actors running it." – Eric Skwarczynski

– "Honesty and love are the antidotes to guilt, shame, and denial." – Sam Newell

Connect with Eric Skwarczynski:

– YouTube: youtube.com/preacherboys

– Instagram: @preacherboyspod