Finding truth with Michael
A coming-of-age memoir about growing up Jehovah’s Witness in 1970s LA—and forging a tender and unexpected teenage friendship with Michael Jackson.
Darls was my first and only friend outside the family, and I treasured the time we spent together. One of the few girls in our school not in awe of Michael, she treated him as just another kid, which he really appreciated.
–La Toya Jackson: Growing up in the Jackson Family
MEET THE AUTHOR
A powerful voice in the growing conversation around faith deconstruction and recovery
Darls Centola, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, educator, and EMDR consultant—a career directly inspired by the experiences chronicled in “Finding Truth with Michael”.
She holds an MSW from the University of Hawaii and lives in Los Angeles, where she continues her work focusing on the impact of spiritual abuse and high control systems.
Finding Truth with Michael: A Memoir of Friendship, Faith, and First Love is her debut book.
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL ABUSE?
Spiritual abuse happens when a person, leader, or religious system uses faith, scripture, or “God’s will” to control, shame, or silence someone.
It can look like:
• Demanding unquestioning obedience “in the name of God”
• Using fear of punishment or shunning to keep people in line
• Telling someone their doubts, trauma, or questions are “a lack of faith”
• Isolating people from family, friends, or the outside world
Finding Truth With Michael is Darls’ story of waking up inside a closed religious world—and how a teenage friendship with Michael Jackson helped her find her own truth.
Reclaim Your Truth
A Companion Workbook
Alongside the memoir, Darls has created a short companion workbook for anyone who has:
> Questioned the religion they were raised in
> Felt pressured to stay silent “for the sake of the family”
> Wondered if what they lived through “really counts” as abuse
Inside you’ll find:
> Reflective prompts
> Space to name what was lost—and what you’re reclaiming
If This Story Hits Home, You’re Not Alone
A growing list of resources for people untangling from spiritual abuse.
TAKE A PEEK
Read, listen and learn more about “Finding Truth With Michael”
Q&A WITH DARLS
Contact us
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Literary & media inquires
Kim Dower
323-655-6023
kimfromla@earthlink.net
Speaking & marketing inquiries
Zuzanna Wilson
415-425-8926
zuzanna@fattypontoon.com