shunned

226 – How Starting A Fire Trapped A Family In A Cult And The Questions That Set Andrew Free

Episode Summary In this episode, 37-year-old Andrew shares his unique journey growing up within a strict Jehovah's Witness family in Western Colorado after his grandmothe

The Toxic Parent Trap, A Fatal Flaw Of JW Self-Worth, Comply Or Die (In Memoriam)

Episode Summary This compilation episode, built from three targeted short-form videos, dives deep into the emotional and psychological wounds left by high-control religio

225 – I Spent $10,000 in Secret Just to Prove My Own Religion Was a Lie

In this incredibly powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Ray, a 60-year-old former third-generation Jehovah's Witness who shares his dramatic journey out

The Shunned Podcast Is Changing

After 9 years of interviews, it is time to add a new twist to the show.  Listen to find out what the new format will be.

224 – Lethal Hopes & Manila Envelopes – Surviving The Manipulation Of Jehovah's Witnesses & Thriving

Episode Summary Evan shares his story as a third-generation Jehovah's Witness whose family joined the organization during a period of marital vulnerability. After his fat

223 - The Depressing Life Of Jehovah's Witnesses - Like Planting A Full Sun Plant In The Shade

In this episode, we meet Simon, a 51-year-old former Jehovah's Witness who was born into the organization during the height of the 1975 end-times hysteria. Growing up in

222 – How Rhett & Link Helped Me Wake Up From The Cult Of Jehovah's Witnesses & My Midnight Escape

In this episode, we hear from Morgan, a 28-year-old third-generation former Jehovah's Witness who describes his upbringing as part of the "weak sheep"—a family that belie

221 – The Exodus Of Genesis – Because Happiness Comes From Within, Not From Abusive Relationships

In this episode, we meet Genesis, a 31-year-old former Jehovah's Witness who shares her journey from a high-control upbringing to finding authentic peace. Born into the o

220 – Jehovah Is Slow To Protect Children – How JW Policies Protect Predators And Punish Victims

In this episode, we sit down with Sara, a 40-year-old third-generation former Jehovah's Witness who shares a raw and revealing look at the cost of high-control religious

219 – Shunned While Active – Treated Like A Leper For Reporting Elder Misconduct & Sexual Harassment

In this heart-wrenching episode, we hear from Carolyn, a 49-year-old former Jehovah's Witness who survived a lifetime of systemic trauma, from foster care and childhood m

218 – Robbed Of Her Inheritance – The Daughter Who Stayed While Mom Refused To Help Her Own Parents

In this gripping episode, we speak with Samantha Giles, who recounts her journey from a childhood marked by family trauma to her eventual "escape" from the cult of Jehova

217 – How Jehovah's Witnesses Pushed Me and My Non-JW Husband Away From Their Religion

In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth, a 31-year-old former Jehovah's Witness who shares her journey as a fifth-generation member of the organization. Raised in a s

Jehovah's Witnesses Will Still Die Refusing Blood Transfusions After The Update Allowing Blood

Since the mid 1900s Jehovah's Witnesses have had a ban on blood transfusions. They would take biblical commands to "abstain from blood" literally even though the commands

216 – How Star Trek Helped Me Leave A Cult – For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky

This episode documents the life of Hannah, a young woman who escaped the controlling environment of the Jehovah's Witnesses and the shadow of an abusive stepfather. The n

215 – All Gas, No Brakes – The Relentless Expectations Forced Upon Young Jehovah's Witnesses

In this episode Bernie, a 44-year-old former member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, provides a poignant account of growing up within a restrictive religious organization that

214 – A Harrowing Midnight Escape – Danny Checks Out Of The Hotel California – Leaving "The Move"

In this episode, Danny shares his harrowing journey of growing up in a high-control group known as "The Move." From being "autoshunned" alongside his mother to living on

213 - Do Jehovah's Witnesses Fail To Protect Children From CSA & Shun Those That Report It?

In this episode, Ashley shares her harrowing journey as a fifth-generation Jehovah's Witness and exposes the systemic lack of protection for children within the organizat

212 – What I DIDN'T Say On Jubilee – Ex-Scientologists & Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses – Behind The Scenes

When I got the chance to cast for the eventual October release of a video on Jubilee featuring former Jehovah's Witnesses and former Scientologists I was very excited. Ju

211 – "They Would Track Me": Why I Had to Run Away at 21 and Leave a Note on the Basement Door

This episode features the story of Darby, a 32-year-old former Jehovah's Witness, detailing a life shaped by generational indoctrination, intense familial and organizatio

210 – "I Was Petrified": Ex-Jehovah's Witness Experienced "Constant White Knuckle Paralytic Terror"

This episode is the personal testimony of Micah, a 42-year-old former Jehovah's Witness, detailing his life within the organization, his subsequent departure, and his jou