shunned

Naomi was raised in one of those JW families that didn't have a tv and that limited books because they were reflective of Satan's world. Their lives, even their limited traveling, revolved around the Kingdom work. You're going to see how even in such a controlled environment a child still has their own mind and thoughts, and how that plays out. It was really interesting what woke Naomi up, and you're even going to find out how a Buzzfeed quiz can get a JW reprimanded. She chose two songs to represent her journey. The first is Cigarettes by Illy and the second is Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra. The resources mentioned included the books Crisis of Conscience and I'm Perfect You're Doomed. Also the forum jehovahs-witness.com. Support Naomi by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

James was a member of the Old Order Swiss Amish but James is gay and that obviously caused a lot of difficulty for him. Just this week he had his story shared in The New York Times. He's taken his life from a place that is closed off and drab and he's built a life of openness and color. The song that James chose to represent his journey is Here by the Pet Shop Boys. Resources Mentioned: Punatic – by James Schwartz The Literary Party – James Schwartz's Site James in The New York Times Follow James on Twitter/Instagram @queeraspoetry LGBT Amish.com Amish Heritage Foundation Support James by leaving him a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Today we have a story that's different than the norm. We're going to get to know Dave Warnock, former pastor and member of a charismatic evangelical Pentecostal church who is shunned by his children. But the story is bigger than that. Dave has been diagnosed in the last few months with ALS, sometimes commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and he knows that he only has a finite time left in his life. This is truly inspiring story and we talk about a subject that few want to talk about, death. More than that, we talk about life, as death isn't as scary as never truly living. For Dave's contact information, more information about him, ways to support him, please click HERE. Support Dave by leaving him a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Chloe's family was in the circuit work as Jehovah's Witnesses, but her family also had a lot of pressure in the house, pressure that she'll describe in a way that will put you right there, pressure that perhaps you felt in your home if you too had a particularly volatile parent. Chloe, like so many, lived a double life and ended up getting married young to another JW. Today she shares custody of her daughter with that JW and at my request she provides some really amazing advice for others in that situation. There are a lot of things here that I'm sure you'll relate to on some level. Special music by Secret Cigarettes and Cats To Whip. Resources mentioned include the book "I'm Perfect You're Doomed", the exjw reddit, and the podcast called This JW Life (particularly the episode about the FOG and cult tactics). Support Chloe by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Today we have Nico's story. Nico has actually already been on the podcast, at the end of episode 23 after Sherrie's interview. He told the story of his first Christmas in the Facebook group and it was such an amazing story that I had him call in and record it and played it on the show. Nico is one of the youngest guests that I've had. He was able to break free from the cult with so much life ahead of him, but the life that he left behind is still fresh and he lost a lot of people that he cared about in the process. In his story you'll see what kind of person he his, how he tried to live that dub life, and also how things happened that led to him waking up. In fact, there's a story at the end that involves another person, and I know that you like I will want an update on them. So I have an update for you to share after the interview. The song that Nico chose to represent his journey is Second Chance by Shinedown. Support Nico by leaving him a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

I really had to think about how to describe this episode. A word kept popping out at me and that's "tough". Yolanda faced verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse inside the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses, but she comes through with this tough and resilient spirit. Yolanda isn't officially shunned and we've done things to protect her identity. She has become a haven for some shunned people in her local area. Her story needs to be told because it's indicative of a lot of what goes on behind closed doors inside the organization. They used to talk about a scripture that referred to whitewashed graves that looked nice but held dead men's bones inside. There is so much in this story that is going on that will show you inside just another JW family, and you'll see how some things like sexual abuse are perpetuated through the veil of secrecy in their hierarchy. The song that Yolanda chose to represent her journey is What About Us by Pink. The podcast that helped Yolanda to wake up mentally was This JW Life. Support Yolanda by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Georgia grew up in what Jehovah's Witnesses often refer to as a "divided household". Her mother was a faithful JW, her father violently opposed. In this episode you'll see how that opposition actually played into the hands of the Witnesses. You'll see how someone from an abusive situation ended up in another abusive situation after being raped. Georgia faces PTSD after a life of abuse, secret Bible study drills, and the doctrine of an imminent fiery destruction of the world, but she does so with a sense of humor and going for her dreams in life. The song that Georgia chose is World of Stone by Blackmore's Night Georgia referenced the book 1984 by George Orwell Support Georgia by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Nicholas was a member of an online ministry that seems to have some hallmarks of a cult called Is, Was, and Will Be. This is a really unique look into how what seems to be a cult can get its hooks in someone that is never even present physically. Imagine getting sucked into an online world where your fellowship is primarily through email chats and a website with information on it. There must be some profound mental games being played. This is a great look into some of them. In fact, I don't mention it during the interview, but the term gaslighting comes to mind at times. Teachings seemed to be somewhat misery and suffering based, Nicholas was wrestling with his own sexuality, and in the end the annihilation of the "self" was something that caused him to be lost for some time. After much trauma therapy Nicholas is on his way back to finding himself again. Resources Mentioned: If you are interested in the coaching/support group opportunity you can sign up HERE. The official site of Is, Was and Will Be A blog exposing the group The song that Nicholas chose is Here in the Vineyard by Anna & Elizabeth Support Nicholas by leaving him a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

PIMO – \pee-moe\ noun – short for Physically In, Mentally Out, a person held captive to the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses because although they are awake, to let others know would cost them everything they've ever known. They stay in physically to keep spouses, family, friends, the only social structure that they've ever been allowed to have. Sometimes they do this while plotting a "fade" where they gradually walk, sometimes even move, far away so as to escape. They know the truth but they cannot express it in an organization that refers to itself as "The Truth". Daniel is PIMO. This is his story. Identities have been changed to protect the innocent. Resources Mentioned: If you are interested in the coaching/support group opportunity you can sign up HERE. The following podcasts were referenced – The Joe Rogan Experience, Sam Harris Making Sense, The Bible Says What, The Prodigal Boys, This JW Life Exjw Subreddit Mike and Kim on Youtube Christian and Katja on Youtube The song that Daniel chose is Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol Support Daniel by leaving him a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Homeless at just 13 years of age, married at 16, raised by extended family that claimed him as their own to create the young Jehovah's Witness that they wanted, Silvers led a life that encompassed the whole toxic palette of cult life. His life was touched by abuse of every kind and he's been as low as a human can get mentally and emotionally, but yet here he stands. Today he tells his story to the world. Today Silvers takes that stand for himself and not only will you hear his story but you will get an inspiring update afterward. That's not to say that life is easy for him or that everything always turns up roses, but his story is a testament to the human spirit. He is one that keeps getting up over and over again and fights for something better. The song that Silvers chose is Love by Lana Del Rey. Support Silvers by leaving him a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Today we have a really cool live recording from my living room. A listener to the show from Australia named Sherrie came to the Unites States with her Auntie Bev and they took time out of their trip to come visit my wife and I. Sherrie is pretty freshly openly out of the Witnesses, and Beverley was never one of Jehovah's Witnesses despite her close ties to her family and hopes that one day she could see them leave the cult behind. So I had two mics and we passed them around and you'll hear Sherrie and Beverley and myself and my wife Jenny jumps in too. You will learn about Sherrie's exemplary JW life and what woke her up, how much it impacts other family members when people suddenly become Jehovah's Witnesses, and the beauty that unfolds when people wake up and families are able to live in freedom again. The song that Sherrie chose is Back Down by Bob Moses. Support Sherrie or Beverley by leaving them a comment HERE Sherrie recommended the site JWfacts.com and the book A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Sherrie referred to a video interview that she and her husband did HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

This episode is the audio from my latest VIDcast that I do on my Youtube channel called shunnedpodcast. In it I outline where this podcast is headed, what I plan on introducing to it, dreams I have for even bigger things, as well as new things that I'm working on currently or have recently achieved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UHGzT8J9M4&t=309s

This episode features a fascinating interview with someone that was raised in a racist family cult. It was very small, just 14 people or so in actuality, but the teachings of the leader were found online and attracted a lot of alt-right and neo-nazi supporters that were drawn to it. This is a look into the literal life cycle of a cult. It shows how it began, how it eventually came to an end, but how even then the beliefs still linger, which is the power of a cult. Last month's episode really shined a light on the narcissism present in Jehovah's Witnesses, and this episode shows how one narcissist can impact so many people's lives, and how narcissism breeds narcissism among the group. We will not be using this guest's name. She picked a letter to go by so we'll call her V. I will also not be releasing the name of the cult or the website that was used. We live in a world right now that is more concerned with hunting people down based on what a person said years ago than they are looking at who a person is now. My guest has been impacted in this current climate, where employment can be affected based on affiliation with a thing at one point in a person's life simply because they were raised in it. I'm not a proponent of outrage culture and I'm not here to cause problems for people. V should be applauded for her present and not punished for her past. She showed bravery and the willingness to be vulnerable in telling us all about her life. Support V by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Narcissism is a trait that is both attracted to the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses as well as a byproduct of their culture. One begins to see others as objects to be controlled, and often becomes tone deaf to the feelings of others around them. Tamara's story is one that highlights these qualities in those around her. You will learn of her extremely isolated JW upbringing, you'll see once again that the elders fall short when it comes to dealing with sexual assault, and the pure lack of humanity exhibited by Witnesses when people are in need. Ultimately you'll see a strong person that escapes all of this, and when I did this interview it had only been months since the end of all of this. So she wasn't just strong enough to emerge from it all, she was strong enough to speak up so soon and to tell her story. Support Tamara by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

A young girl finds herself in a new life, with new exciting hopes and dreams as part of the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses, but with very real fears of doom with a looming Armageddon. This story develops into a young JW marriage fraught with issues that often happen in such relationships. Added to that is a pregnancy followed by postpartum depression, and a spiral that leads into new relationships that ultimately help her wake up to the realities of a life that she was given at such a young age. Lyndi has a Youtube Channel dedicated to helping her JW daughter understand what happened someday. It is called To Shay, and it is a touching tribute to her daughter from a mom that just happens to see things differently now. Here is a link. The song that she chose to represent her journey is "Be Like That" by 3 Doors Down. A movie that impacted her is called "The Village". She was helped by the website JWfacts.com And of course, she was helped by the book Crisis of Conscience, a must read for anyone associated with Jehovah's Witnesses. Support Lyndi by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

In this episode I was able to interview Torah Bontrager, a non-practicing Amish that is the founder of the Amish Heritage Foundation. Torah has been on MTV True Life, the Tim Ferriss Blog, Forbes.com, and the Huffington Post. Her desire is to reclaim the narrative and help tell a more accurate Amish story while working to help those that escape the church. With that said, Torah has her own intense story of escape and she's managed to create a life that she loves on the other side of that escape. So listen to Torah's story, learn about Amish culture, and understand more about the experiences of others around you. The song that Torah chose to represent her journey is Heroes by David Bowie, specifically the cover by Iva Davies and Icehouse. You can learn more about Torah Bontrager on her personal website here. You can learn more about the Amish Heritage Foundation here. Support Torah by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Sadly no, there is not necessarily any pasta and an Apostafest. What there is constitutes a group of people that have all been shunned by everyone that they ever knew for no longer believing what they once did. How did we get to this place? Listen and see. An apostate is simply a person that no longer follows a particular faith. However, cults like Jehovah's Witnesses use the term "apostate" in conjunction with such wonderful terms as "mentally diseased" in order to brand anyone that disagrees with them unfavorably. So listen to the episode, and if you ever get a chance to attend such an event I'd encourage you to do so. I hope that listening to the stories here help you to see how you would fit in. Leave a comment for the many guests of this special episode HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

This episode is a great look into the narcissism and authoritarianism that can be displayed by some inside the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. You will see how a young person can get caught between different worlds, and ultimately find their way out of toxic family and cult situations and into a world of freedom. The song that Sydney chose to represent her journey is "Playing God" by Paramore. Support Sydney by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet". This episode is a great look into the narcissism and authoritarianism that can be displayed by some inside the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. You will see how a young person can get caught between different worlds, and ultimately find their way out of toxic family and cult situations and into a world of freedom. The song that Sydney chose to represent her journey is "Playing God" by Paramore. Support Sydney by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet". This episode is a great look into the narcissism and authoritarianism that can be displayed by some inside the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. You will see how a young person can get caught between different worlds, and ultimately find their way out of toxic family and cult situations and into a world of freedom. The song that Sydney chose to represent her journey is "Playing God" by Paramore. Support Sydney by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet". This episode is a great look into the narcissism and authoritarianism that can be displayed by some inside the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. You will see how a young person can get caught between different worlds, and ultimately find their way out of toxic family and cult situations and into a world of freedom. The song that Sydney chose to represent her journey is "Playing God" by Paramore. Support Sydney by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet". This episode is a great look into the narcissism and authoritarianism that can be displayed by some inside the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. You will see how a young person can get caught between different worlds, and ultimately find their way out of toxic family and cult situations and into a world of freedom. The song that Sydney chose to represent her journey is "Playing God" by Paramore. Support Sydney by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet". This episode is a great look into the narcissism and authoritarianism that can be displayed by some inside the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. You will see how a young person can get caught between different worlds, and ultimately find their way out of toxic family and cult situations and into a world of freedom. The song that Sydney chose to represent her journey is "Playing God" by Paramore. Support Sydney by leaving her a comment HERE Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Jason grew up in Amish Country but was raised in the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. This story has cars hidden in the woods for a getaway, living on boats, time spent in rehab, a JW group of "lost boys" that were dealing drugs, just your average story of leaving a cult. You can see that Jason is an explorer, a person driven to learn and try new things, and how stifling it would be growing up in a cult where that is discouraged. He made mistakes after leaving the cult and wants to help others to avoid doing the same. In fact, he's written a book about his experiences that goes into greater depth than we can do here. You can find his book entitled "Worldly – How NOT To Leave A Cult" on Amazon HERE. The song that Jason chose to represent his journey is Green Day – When I Come Around, a song that was the first he listened to that sparked an interest in secular music and that led to a short punk career. Support Jason by leaving her a comment HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

Kacey grew up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in the same Kingdom Hall as I did, so this episode is personal for me too. In this episode you're going to hear what it can be like to grow up in a "divided household", what it feels like to never fit in with the one community that you're supposed to have in life, and how childhood sexual abuse can create a perfect storm that results in so much damage to a person. You'll also hear how a person can rise above the damage and find happiness in life. Resources mentioned: About "The Four Tendencies" Quiz Take "The Four Tendencies" Quiz This JW Life Podcast Ex-JW Critical Thinker John Cedars Channel Apostate Chick Vast Apostate Army The song that Kacey chose to represent her journey is Suggestions by System Of A Down. Support Kacey by leaving her a comment HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled "No Hell Yet".

One of the hallmarks of growing up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is that feeling that you're never "good enough". It drives a lot of the depression seen in the cult, and is often something that people that leave take with them. Imagine if instead of just feeling less than because maybe you aren't hitting some goal of hours spent knocking on doors or taking care of responsibilities in the congregation that are expected of you the problem was something as personal and natural as your sexuality. In this episode we get an intimate look into what it's like to be gay growing up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and it's impact on Fernando, which I'm sure reflects at least parts of the experiences of many others. Follow Fernando's artistic life on Instagram here. Learn more about the wonderful charity called Free Mom Hugs here. The song that Fernando chose to represent his journey, a song that he would listen to after arguing with his family about JW topics while he drove away, is Ride by Lana Del Ray. Support Fernando by leaving him a comment HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned All music performed by Podington Bear.

We have an opportunity here to help more people, but I need some assistance in two different ways. Listen to find out more. Find us online at shunnedpodcast.com Support the show at patreon.com/shunned

This is my first international interview for the podcast. Growing up poor in Liverpool, Mark and his family were Jehovah's Witnesses. This interview is a great conversation about his life growing up, what he went through, and the really unique way that he was outed that shook up his life. We talk about beliefs and his studies of the books that were left out of the Bible as most know it. At the end there's a pleasant surprise about someone in his family. Mark has a great attitude about everything that happened and he's now trying to help others. Support Mark by leaving a comment here. Mark has his own YouTube channel here. He is also quite active on Quora. Mark chose the song Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye to represent his journey. Here are some resources that were mentioned in this episode: jehovahs-witness.com is a great forum to for those that are doubting, leaving, or have left. Both Mark and I are members. Crisis of Conscience by Ray Franz is THE book for anyone leaving. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. JWFacts.com is an amazing resource that highlights the truth about "The Truth" from their own written word. John Cedars channel on YouTube has great videos on the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses The Book of Thomas (among others) can be found here. Oh, and below is my favorite verse from the Book of Thomas. I told you I'd include it, and I also promised that it was amazing, so I hope you enjoy. Remember, Thomas, like the other Gospel writers, was writing about the life and experiences that he had with Jesus. I wonder why this one wasn't included in the finished Bible….. "(114) Simon Peter said to him, "Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life." Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven.""

At the border of the states of Utah and Arizona lies another world, a community known as Short Creek. A patriarchal world of polygamy with sister wives, where women have few rights, and where certain men have all of the power. This episode is a fascinating look into a world that most will never enter, a world led by a man (Warren Jeffs) that now is serving a life sentence plus twenty years for child sexual assault. A brave woman named Brenda escaped from this community and gives us a detailed view into the life and feelings of those that live in the cult of the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, a Mormon denomination). This is an intense story of being completely captive to a concept and the struggle for freedom by a woman with a big heart that overcame the lack of freedom over her own body and mind. In addition to this in depth interview, Brenda also has a documentary called "If This Is Heaven, Then Give Me Hell" on Youtube: Brenda also has a blog where you can learn more about her and her journey and another blog here. Brenda chose two songs to represent her journey. The first one that she mentioned is the theme song to Enterprise, a song that has a great message that resonates with her journey, but also a show that they enjoyed when they first left the cult. The second song that she chose is Brave by Sara Bareilles. Support Brenda by leaving her a comment HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned All music performed by Podington Bear.

Yet another person has their life impacted by the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. Listen as DJ recounts his life growing up in the cult as well as his awakening and eventual path out. There are so many things going on behind closed doors, so many things that don't appear to be what they are, and so many arbitrary rules and the accompanying shame that comes along with them throughout a life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. DJ has some unique aspects of his family story regarding substance abuse and substance use, an interesting dichotomy in how things are viewed and regulated based on the opinions of men. Here are some resources that helped DJ in his path out: The Joe Rogan Experience - Joe interviews fascinating characters and thought leaders to bring their perspectives on living to life. Lloyd Evans' book The Reluctant Apostate and his Youtube channel called John Cedars. And last, but certainly not least, the book that every ex-JW should read, from a former leader of the cult himself (Ray Franz), the book Crisis of Conscience. This book has just recently been re-released to great fanfare in the ex-JW community. To leave a comment for DJ, please go here: http://shunnedpodcast.com/episode-ten-dj-is-shunned-by-jehovahs-witnesses/

In this episode we hear the audio of David's Kingdom Hall Crash and discuss the aftermath. The original video is below, but my commentary and some additional updates are found in the podcast.

This episode is taken from the pre-interview process, before we got deep into David's story. In it we talk about the abuse, the way abuse is often overlooked within the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses, and lots of other topics relating to the organization. I think that there are nuggets here that can help victims of abuse as well as victims of the cult in general and that it was worth making something of the pre-interview to put out. I hope you feel the same.

(see Part 1 for full notes) Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse Discussion In Part 2 you will learn more about Steve B. and his interactions with David. You will see how relationships impacted David, both for the good and the bad as years went by. You will see how the "loving spiritual shepherds", the elders in the congregations, treat those that are shunned and trying to come back to their flock. You will learn about David's eventual path out of the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses and his new life as he is shunned.

In Episode 6 – Part 1, you will get to know David a bit. This episode builds and will take you through David's upbringing and right up into the beginnings of adulthood. You will learn a lot about him and if you aren't familiar with the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses you will learn about it as well through this process. There is no mention of the abuse in this first part, so no trigger warning is necessary. That will come in Part 2 and the way these things are handled in the cult will be discussed there. For episode information and resources, or to leave a comment of support for David, visit: http://shunnedpodcast.com/episode-6-part-1-sexual-abuse-and-jehovahs-witnesses-davids-story/

Sometimes young people have to make very difficult decisions in order to stand up for what is right. We normally think about it terms of peer pressure, but what if it was the pressure of pretty much everyone that means anything to you? What if you woke up and realized that most of what you were taught was a lie and that by merely saying something about it everything could come crashing down on you. Would you be strong enough at 18 years old to take a stand even if it meant losing your family and all of the people that you thought were your friends, potentially forever? This is Caleb's story. The song that Caleb chose to represent his journey is "A Little More" by Machine Gun Kelly. Click the song info to see the lyric video. Download

In this episode we explore Mike's story of being shunned at an early age while still living at home, and how even today although he isn't officially "shunned" he's still treated that way as an inactive Jehovah's Witness. Not all who are "shunned" are disfellowshipped or disassociated from the organization. Shunning is in the DNA of Jehovah's Witnesses, something that really marks them as a high control religion, also known as a cult. The song chosen by Mike to represent his journey is "Addiction" by Kanye West, in particular the hook: "Why everything that's supposed to bad make me feel so good? Everything they told me not to is exactly what I would" [podcast src="https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/6029739/height/90/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f40a0a/" height="90" width="100%" placement="bottom" theme="custom" Download

There are many ways to be shunned as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Emily's story highlights a path that many take, a path of personal growth with stumbles along the way that result in ostracism, a path that deviates from the prescribed path of a cult that requires everyone to walk the same or face the consequences. This story shines a light on the spectrum of the JW experience. Download The song that Emily said signified her journey is Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson:

Download Imagine growing up in a very tight knit community where everyone is sheltered from the outside world. Your personal business is the business of the community and they feel that it reflects upon them. What if your mistakes were brought to the light in front of everyone that you knew and they had to vote right in front of you on whether you would be shunned or not. What if you tried so hard to be "good enough" but just couldn't make it no matter how hard you tried, no matter how much you relied on your faith. This is Jerry's life story, a story of struggle and eventual freedom. Jerry's chosen song is This Is The Time by Superchick: Other Resources Mentioned: John Eldredge - Wild At Heart John Eldredge - The Journey Of Desire Michael John Cusick - Surfing For God Henry Cloud - Boundaries Song: JJ Heller - What Love Really Means Song: Jesus Culture - Your Love Never Fails Podcast: The Mental Illness Happy Hour

Download Follow Jenny's story from being raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, the only thing she had ever known, to her awakening to the realities of the cult and eventual shunning. Jenny's song that helped her through the process is by Rise Against - I Don't Want To Be Here Anymore