Finding Truth With Michael is 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. Written by Darls Centola, LCSW.
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.
Logo courtesy of Michael Jackson Facebook Book Club
“A fascinating, can’t-put-it-down page-turner.”
“A powerful memoir for MJ fans, former members of high-control religions, and lovers of memoir.”
“I found myself rooting for both you and Michael.”
“I watched the Soul Train performance in an entirely new light after reading your story.”
“An honest look at the Jehovah’s Witness religion and a deeply human portrayal of Michael.”
“She’s Out of My Life’ finally made sense to me.”
TAKE A PEEK
Provide your email to get a FREE sample chapter (immediate download).
READ EXCERPTS
LISTEN TO AUDIOBOOK EXCERPTS
Q&A WITH DARLS
EVENTS & APPEARANCES
ABC TV - AM NORTHWEST Interview
Aired March 27, 2026
An Audible Original Docuseries
Episodes 4 & 6
THINK TWICE: MICHAEL JACKSON
PROLIFIC PULSE PRESS PODCAST
GETTING TO WORK PODCAST
LIGHTS, CAMERA, AUTHOR (JIM JUNOT)
ALABAMA MORNING NEWS PODCAST
Darls Centola, in conversation with Tony DuShane, discusses & signs Finding Truth with Michael: A Memoir of Friendship, Faith and First Love
APRIL 7, 2026
7pm PT
BOOK LAUNCH AT BOOKSOUP
FEBRUARY 24, 2026
1pm ET
SPIRIT OF STORY
WAS I IN A CULT?
DRINKS WITH TONY PODCAST
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
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
A Complimentary Companion Workbook
Inside you’ll find:
> Reflective prompts
> Space to name what was lost—and what you’re reclaiming
Get a FREE Companion Workbook.
If This Story Hits Home, You’re Not Alone
Click the button below for a growing list of resources for people untangling from spiritual abuse.
Contact us
Have questions? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Literary & media inquires
Kim Dower
323-655-6023
kimfromla@earthlink.net
Speaking & marketing inquiries
Zuzanna Wilson
415-425-8926
zuzanna@fattypontoon.com