Walking Away From Life As "Father God" With Andrew-Ryan Profaci
What leads someone into a cult—and more importantly, what allows them to leave? In this riveting episode of the Let’s Get Naked Podcast, Anne sits down with Andrew-Ryan Profaci, a man who once lived under the identity of “Father God” in the notorious Love Has Won movement. His story is raw, unsettling, and ultimately redemptive—a journey from vulnerability and manipulation to truth, freedom, and self-reclamation.
A Childhood Marked by Loss and Longing
Andrew’s path began long before Love Has Won. He opens up about a turbulent childhood, marked by instability and the devastating trauma of losing a close friend in a car accident. That pain planted seeds of disconnection and longing—longing for meaning, belonging, and answers to life’s deepest questions.
Like so many who find themselves in destructive systems, Andrew’s search for truth left him vulnerable to influence. It was this vulnerability, combined with a deep need for connection, that eventually pulled him into the orbit of Love Has Won, one of the most controversial modern-day spiritual cults.
Inside the Love Has Won Movement
As Andrew recounts, the cult was built on a potent mix of manipulation, false promises, and control. At its core was the exploitation of very human needs: love, community, and a sense of purpose.
In becoming “Father God,” Andrew found himself not just a follower but a central figure in perpetuating the movement’s distorted ideals. The experience reveals how psychology, trauma, and the desire for belonging intersect to create powerful, and often destructive, dynamics.
His reflections illuminate why intelligent, capable people can be drawn into such movements—not because they are weak, but because they are searching. And when those searches meet manipulation, the results can be devastating.
Walking Away and Reclaiming Identity
Leaving Love Has Won was not a single decision but a difficult, layered process of awakening. Andrew shares how moments of clarity—small glimpses of truth breaking through the fog—ultimately gave him the strength to walk away.
The process of rebuilding life after leaving the cult was equally challenging. He had to face not only the external world’s perception of him but also the internal work of reclaiming his identity beyond “Father God.”
For Andrew, that reclamation came through writing. His book, The War on Love, became a vehicle for processing his experiences and sharing the lessons he learned along the way.
Cult Psychology and the Human Desire for Belonging
One of the most powerful aspects of this episode is its exploration of cult psychology. Andrew and Anne discuss how movements like Love Has Won prey on universal human desires—belonging, purpose, connection—and weaponize them into systems of control.
The conversation doesn’t just highlight danger; it offers hope. By understanding how these dynamics work, we can:
Recognize when manipulation is at play
Develop compassion for those caught in these systems
Encourage awareness and dialogue that can prevent others from falling prey
Freedom on the Other Side
Andrew’s story is one of pain, courage, and liberation. His willingness to share openly about his past provides a roadmap for anyone rebuilding after trauma, shame, or control.
His message is clear:
Vulnerability is not weakness—it’s human.
Belonging can be found without manipulation—in authentic connection and truth.
Healing is possible, no matter how far gone life may feel.
This episode is not just about one man’s story—it’s about the universal search for meaning and the resilience of the human spirit to find freedom after even the darkest chapters.
