shunned

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 living. Sara describes an upbringing defined by the heavy influence of her grandfather, a prominent elder who provided a sense of "structure" and "safety" until his death when Sara was a young teenager. Following his passing, Sara witnessed her family's transition from "hero" status to "villains" in the eyes of the congregation after an uncle was jailed for child abuse, exposing the fickle nature of the "brotherhood" and the organization's priority of appearance over the well-being of its members. The conversation delves into the devastating trauma of institutional shunning and the systemic failures regarding child protection within the Watchtower. Sara recounts the harrowing experience of seeing a convicted predator reinstated while in jail to the applause of the congregation, while she was castigated for seeking her own identity. Now 17 years removed from the organization, Sara discusses her "miraculous" journey of reclaiming her life, earning a bachelor's degree at age 40, and utilizing professional therapy to heal from PTSD. This episode is a powerful testament to "changing the family tree" and finding unconditional love outside of a closed system. Key Takeaways The Utility of Members: Sara reflects on how her family was only valued as a "good example" as long as her grandfather was alive and serving the congregation's needs; once he died, the family felt "invisible" and abandoned. Paranoia and Control: The episode explores the extreme demonization of secular culture, including childhood phobias regarding "spirit-possessed" toys like troll dolls and posters of unicorns. Performance vs. Reality: Sara highlights the "double life" many Witnesses lead, noting that the persona required by the organization is often the "farce," while the "rebellious" actions are often a person's first attempts at authentic self-discovery. The Injustice of the Judicial System: A central theme is the disparity in discipline; Sara was disfellowshipped for normal human development (sex before marriage), while her abuser remained in good standing and in another case an abuser was quickly reinstated despite criminal convictions. Reclaiming Higher Education: Despite being told growing up that college was not important or "wicked," Sara emphasizes that secular education and professional mental health tools were the keys to her successful recovery. Direct Quotes "They care about their appearance… more than any of the group". "We're so damn hungry that we'll accept a crumb and make a meal out of it". "I changed the family tree in a way". Resources Mentioned ExJwHelp.com (Cult recovery coaching and resources). jehovahs-witness.net (Online forum for former members). shunnedpodcast.com (Merchandise and story submission). This JW Life (The host's original podcast). becomingjehovah.com (Free online book by the host). patreon.com/shunned (Bonus content and guest connections). Guest Bio Sara is a 40-year-old medical professional and a third-generation former Jehovah's Witness who successfully left the organization 17 years ago. A dedicated mother of two, she recently achieved a lifelong goal by earning her bachelor's degree in psychology and communications, and she now works to support others in their mental health journeys. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

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 Jehovah's Witnesses. After her mother joined the organization seeking stability at a low point, Samantha's world became "very small," defined by a "significant decline" in quality of life where gymnastics and holidays were replaced by a constant, pervasive fear of demons and Armageddon. Samantha explores the nuances of growing up as a "poor" Witness in a wealthy congregation, leading her to seek validity through baptism at just 15 years old—a decision that would later cost her everything. The heart of the episode details the "horror" of a judicial committee where Samantha was interrogated by three older men about her sexuality in front of her own mother. This violation was only the beginning; after being thrown out of her home at 17 and left to navigate the "real world" without any life skills, she faced a final, shocking betrayal involving a family inheritance. Samantha shares how her mother manipulated a family will to strip her of her grandfather's legacy, referring to her only as "the disfellowshipped one". It is a powerful story of reclaiming agency and building a new identity centered on unconditional love. Key Takeaways The Trap of Seeking Validity: Samantha reflects on how she felt "invalidated" as a fatherless child from a poor background, which pressured her into making a lifelong religious commitment at age 15 just to feel "accepted" within the congregation hierarchy. Obedience vs. Critical Thinking: The organization focuses on teaching children to "obey" rather than "how to think," leaving them vulnerable to whoever is the strongest presence in their life once they leave the sheltered environment. The "Violating" Judicial Process: Samantha describes the invasive and abusive nature of being questioned by elders regarding private sexual details, a process she notes felt like a violation and led her to push back rather than "repent". Shunning as Financial Manipulation: In a disturbing turn, Samantha's mother and brothers used the shunning protocol to justify rewriting a family will, effectively stealing Samantha's inheritance to purchase a home for themselves while she was caring for her dying grandparents. Reclaiming Identity through Motherhood: Now a mother herself, Samantha contrasts the "conditional love" of her past with the deep, protective bond she has with her daughters, vowing to never let a belief system dominate her ability to fight for their best interests. Direct Quotes "Demons were everywhere… we were just teaching children that like demons are walking among you". "What you call love does not resemble like any love I felt for my daughters. That's control". "Agency for me is always the biggest and most important thing. I think it's probably the crux of the ultimate of why I left". Resources Mentioned ExJwHelp.com (Cult recovery coaching and resources). FAFSA Form (Specifically the age requirements for filing without parental info). Patreon.com/shunned (Bonus content and guest connections). Shunnpodcast.com (Merch and podcast information). This JW Life (The host's original podcast story). Becoming Jehovah (Book by the host available at becomingjehovah.com). Guest Bio Samantha Giles is a 39-year-old former Jehovah's Witness and mother who has successfully built a life of independence and education after being cast out of her home as a teenager. She currently works with middle school students, helping them develop the sense of self and personal identity that she was denied during her upbringing in a high-control group. upport the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

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 were about how to handle blood from something that was dead, not about using blood to save something that was alive. And when they needed a potentially live saving blood transfusion they would deny it. We all carried around "No Blood" cards in our wallets and purses, little legal documents to speak for us if we were unable to do so. No Blood meant NO BLOOD. People died for their stance. Elders (leading men) in congregations were appointed to Hospital Liaison Committees to come in as enforcers when you were in the hospital to make sure that you did what you were told under the penalty of social death (shunning) if you didn't do as you were commanded. In the year 2000 Jehovah's Witnesses were given permission by their leaders, a small group of men in New York known as the Governing Body, to take minor blood fractions derived from four major blood components. So they were told that if other people gave blood, something that Jehovah's Witnesses would never do to help anyone else, they could take those fractions derived from the generous donations of outsiders. I was 23 years old then and I didn't understand where it ever said in the bible that blood fractions were allowed, but I wanted to live like anyone else would want to, so I gladly checked boxes on my little No Blood but kinda blood if it's fractional card so that I would indeed receive more help. I knew it wasn't biblical because if we were fundamentally going to apply what was written in such a literal way, then I could no more have blood fractions than I could have fornication fractions or adultery fractions or commit some murder fractions, but hey, I wanted to live. It's now 26 years later. Today in a historic moment that was published in a 16 minute video that focused on other things, the last 5 minutes had an announcement. Right before their annual "Special Talk" that is to be held this Sunday, and just two weeks or so before their annual "Memorial" celebration that is the biggest event on the JW calendar, they snuck in an announcement that autologous blood transfusions, or transfusions of your own stored blood, would now be allowed. Now, they never said the word transfusion because they're manipulative cunts in a death cult, but they gave their members permission to use their own minds to decide how they used their own blood. No, they still can't take blood from anyone else. So if a JW is in a car wreck and needs blood, they still can't take a blood transfusion from someone else if needed. But if they have some sort of odd preplanned event, they could potentially store some of their own blood, likely at great financial cost, to be used in their own care. Of course, they'd never donate to help anyone else. Help is for me, not for thee. It took 26 years for them to STILL NOT MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. They are telling members now that they can take a transfusion, of their own blood. So whereas it was previously stated that transfusions were like "eating blood" by ingesting it intravenously and therefore the transfusing itself was wrong, they are now allowed to essentially eat their own blood, just not someone else's. Yeah, that's a gross way of thinking about it, but that's Jehovah's Witnesses theology. They can now take fractions from outsiders and whole blood from themselves. I'm sure that they're trying to wait out the old timers and create change over generations to eventually get rid of this policy. They know it's evil. They know that countless people have died. Mom's after or during childbirth. People that need heart surgery. People with cancer that need surgery. Those that are in bad car accidents or other emergent situations. The Governing Body would therefore be bloodguilty for the lives lost at the hand of their evil policies and their refusal to do the right thing. Instead of making the change that we all know they're going to eventually make, to just allow transfusions, they will drag this out for more decades to put the older folks in a position where due to sunk cost they feel they cannot leave and to throw a bone to younger folks to keep them from leaving due to their insane policies. But HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE????? And where was the apology in the announcement for getting it wrong and costing more lives? "We are not embarrassed about 'adjustments' that are made; nor is an apology needed for not getting it 'exactly right' previously. We understand: this is how Jehovah operates." -Jeffrey Winder, annual meeting October 2023 Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

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 demanded total performance-based loyalty. The narrative traces her journey from an anxious childhood defined by social isolation and harsh discipline to her eventual shunning at age sixteen for normal adolescent behavior. Central to the story is the theme of conditional love, where communal and familial acceptance is strictly predicated on adherence to church doctrine and "spiritual" productivity. Ultimately, Bernie's story serves as a powerful testament to resilience and self-actualization, documenting how she escaped a culture of fear to find genuine peace and authentic connection outside the faith. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

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 organization. From "grizzly" bedtime stories to the betrayal of elders during active child abuse investigations, this story highlights the high cost of religious loyalty over child safety. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. The song that Ashley chose to represent her story is Gives You Hell by The All-American Rejects You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

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 organizational control, and the profound personal and emotional consequences of leaving the faith. Born into a multi-generational Witness family, Darby's entire worldview was dictated by the organization's teachings. The narrative traces a path from a childhood marked by performance-based spirituality and corporal punishment to a young adulthood of pioneering under parental pressure. Key catalysts for Darby's departure include a fundamental inability to reconcile the doctrine of mass destruction at Armageddon with empathy for non-Witness peers, the realization of widespread hypocrisy within the congregation, and the immense conflict between the organization's homophobic stance and Darby's own sexual identity. A traumatic experience involving the cold, detached reaction of the congregation to a close friend's death served as a final breaking point. At age 21, Darby executed a planned escape, leaving home abruptly to avoid parental interference. This led to being disfellowshipped and subsequently shunned for a decade. The testimony concludes with an overview of Darby's current life, which includes marriage, homeownership, the exploration of personal identity through gender transition, and reconnection with another shunned family member, illustrating a journey toward authenticity and freedom despite the lasting trauma of the experience. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. The songs that Darby chose to represent their story are Bullet With Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins and Killing In The Name by Rage Against The Machine. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

I was very fortunate to be able to travel and record an episode of Jubilee along with other ExJWs and Ex-Scientologists as we discussed our lives and the groups we came from. Their YouTube channel was kind enough to give us a platform on which to share. I took not just my own experiences, but all of the stories I've heard through the Shunned Podcast here, and everyone that I've been fortunate to work with in my cult recovery coaching practice. There's so much to talk about, so much to share, so much that we can learn from one another. I'm grateful for the opportunity and encouraging you to go participate by watching and liking and commenting on their channel for this episode. You can find the episode of Jubilee here: https://youtu.be/592sOIePWpc?si=kyAEteMN4kd4itm2 Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Struggling with perfectionism, building a social network, codependency, or feeling like you're not enough? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a Cult Recovery Coach. I work with many ex-JWs, along with ex-other groups, and your average person that has never been in a cult that wants better things in their life. Find out more here: https://storyworkscoaching.com I also have an ExJW specific site here: https://exjwhelp.com Please consider supporting the show's Patreon if you appreciate the time that goes into producing these stories, and get yourself some exclusive bonuses, at: https://www.patreon.com/shunned Show notes and information on how to be a guest or find other resources for the podcast can be found here: https://shunnedpodcast.com/episodes/ Read my free online book, based on my original podcast This JW Life (still available on podcast apps), called Becoming Jehovah (in English and Spanish) at: https://becomingjehovah.com/ An ExJW podcast and an ExJW YouTube channel #exjw #jehovahswitnesses #cult

In this episode we meet Lori, a 68-year-old woman who spent her formative years as a member of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her family was converted when she was five, immediately thrusting her into a high-control environment that abruptly ended a normal childhood. From the outset, Lori harbored an innate skepticism towards the group's doctrines, which manifested as a lifelong, escalating resistance to its demands. Her narrative details significant psychological and emotional abuse, including a cold and detached home life, constant threats of divine annihilation (Armageddon), and severe punishments for non-compliance. Faced with an ultimatum at age 18, Lori strategically executed a pre-planned departure, an event she describes as a profound liberation. The subsequent decades involved a difficult but ultimately successful journey of recovery, overcoming relationship challenges, severe health crises, and periods of deep despair to build a life defined by freedom, authentic connection, and the breaking of a multi-generational cycle of family trauma. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

Today we meet Jake, a 26-year-old former Jehovah's Witness. Jake discusses his upbringing in the religion, being a fourth-generation member on his mother's side and third-generation on his father's side, and the pressure to conform. He shares his experiences with a limited worldview, internal conflict about "worldly" people, and the impact of his father's alcoholism and abuse on his family life, leading to his own depression. The conversation covers his eventual "waking up" to the organization's flaws, the realization and acceptance of his identity as a gay man, and the subsequent shunning by his family and the organization. Finally, Jake talks about his journey of healing, self-discovery, and pursuit of education and future political aspirations after leaving the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

In this episode Dennise recounts her upbringing with a strong-willed mother who rigorously enforced cult doctrines, leading to a childhood filled with anxiety, emotional, and physical abuse. She details her early disbelief in the dogma, her forced baptism and pioneering, and the isolating effects of her family's strict adherence. She also explores her disfellowshipping after seeking freedom in another state, a subsequent brain tumor during pregnancy, and her parents' attempt to deny her life-saving blood transfusions due to religious beliefs. Ultimately, Dennise shares her journey to healing and finding happiness after leaving Jehovah's Witnesses and relocating, highlighting the lasting psychological impacts but also the joy of authenticity and forming healthy relationships. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

This episode is an interview with Alex, formerly one of Jehovah's Witnesses, who shares his deeply personal experience of being raised in the organization and the profound impact it had on his life. He details his family's multi-generational involvement, highlighting the emphasis on being "God's chosen people" and the resulting feelings of being "special" yet also judgmental and isolated from the "worldly" people outside due to the black and white thinking and discouragement of those outside relationships. The core of his story revolves around his struggle to reconcile his inner desires and the forced external appearance of a loyal Witness, ultimately leading to being "shunned" after a seemingly minor infraction, a traumatic event that triggered severe depression, alcoholism, and a long period of self-destructive behavior, before finding a path toward self-discovery, genuine connection, and challenging the destructive beliefs he was raised with. Alex's story provides a powerful and deeply personal account of the profound and lasting impact of growing up in and eventually leaving the Jehovah's Witness organization. It highlights the psychological toll of strict doctrines, manipulative practices, and the trauma of shunning. His journey underscores the difficulty of navigating the outside world without the necessary social and emotional tools and the importance of self-discovery and building authentic connections in the healing process. The inclusion of a song reflecting on his relationship with his father adds a poignant layer to the narrative, emphasizing the enduring pain and complex emotions associated with familial separation due to religious beliefs. Alex's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of finding happiness and purpose after leaving a high-control religious group. The song featured at the end is "Sometimes Your Best Still Hurts" by Mrs. London's Butler and the song and his channel can be found on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/iq_RoSyYoig?si=1XDKPNrRT9eIcw9C Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

Johanna was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her story encompasses a childhood marked by secret abuse, a home environment with a dangerous and alcoholic father, and what could be considered a shocking and early marriage, ultimately leading to her being shunned by the Jehovah's Witnesses. • Secret Abuse: Johanna was molested by an older cousin for about a year and a half when she was around 8 or 9 years old. This was kept a family secret, and she was told not to tell anyone, not even her father. Her mother, upon finding out, questioned Johanna in a blaming way, asking "Why did you let him do that to you?". This incident highlights a significant secret abuse that Johanna endured without adequate support or protection from her family. • A Dangerous Dad: Johanna's father is described as an alcoholic who became increasingly violent as she got older. There were instances where he would smash things, break into the house after being locked out, and Johanna would overhear him threatening to kill the entire family. The family would sometimes leave for short periods due to his violence, but were discouraged from permanently leaving by elders in the congregation. Ultimately, her father died by suicide using a homemade gun, and Johanna believed his plan involved killing the entire family as he had six bullets for six family members. This paints a picture of a dangerous father who created a volatile and fear-filled home environment. • A Shocking Marriage: Johanna got engaged at 15 or 16 and married at 17 to a 22-year-old fellow Jehovah's Witness. This occurred partly as an escape from her difficult home life, as her mother and stepfather did not want her there. The circumstances surrounding the engagement, where her mother suggested marriage as a solution to them being forbidden to talk, and the young age of Johanna, particularly within a non-Witness context, could be considered shocking. Johanna herself acknowledges her naivety about relationships due to her sheltered upbringing. • But Johanna is shunned by Jehovah's Witnesses. Today she shares her story for herself and for her son that was featured on a previous episode. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. The song that Johanna chose to represent her journey is Surface Pressure from Encanto. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

Life for Chelynn didn't exactly get off to an auspicious start when her parents were marked as bad association in the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses as they had her. While is is hard enough to grow up exposed to a cult, further losses only compounded the tough path that she would have to walk. Facing the loss of more than one man that she loved, and addiction to various substances beginning with meth in high school, Chelynn has had to fight for everything that she's had. Today she fights, not just for herself, but for her little boy as well. The prize? A happy life for herself, a loving environment for her little boy, and to give him things that she never had. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel