shunned

In this episode, Ezzi details the intense familial and organizational pressure that led to her baptism at age 15, despite her not feeling ready or understanding the doctrine. A significant portion of the conversation addresses the abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics she endured, including physical abuse from her mother and the coercive environment within the organization that affected both her mother and herself. We closely examine the traumatic process of being disfellowshipped (shunned) and the detrimental effects this had on Ezzi's relationships and mental health, highlighting the narcissistic and controlling nature often present in JW culture and relationships. Ultimately, Ezzi discusses her deconstruction journey and the increased freedom, happiness, and healthy relationships she has found after leaving the faith. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned [http://patreon.com/shunned] http://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. [https://storyworkscoaching.com/] Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com [https://exjwhelp.com/] Leave us a review on iTunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shunned/id1278684468?mt=2] Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UJZdPiABipv9mESMjjdfA/videos?view_as=subscriber]. Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/shunnedpodcast?lang=en] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shunnedpodcast/]. The songs chosen by Ezzi to represent her journey are Pushing Daisies by Belmont [https://youtu.be/nuYUQr9e4IM?si=7-nhDEldsqer3tLy], Fighting Myself by Linkin Park [https://youtu.be/iKBCVZqqooY?si=0Zlt7LMcRTWQMxnr], and Heroes Get Remembered by Four Year Strong [https://youtu.be/6R5ysL36BGg?si=7KQxUbFqpa5dnuvK]. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MVvD4HmXuFOYxWVFRoF9c?fbclid=IwAR097VFK6CIM-Ws3OGVCzGek8gr3cngWbio87497LDOFUhamlwzjRiAsCSc] chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. [https://thisjwlife.com/] 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 [https://becomingjehovah.com/] An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

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 [http://patreon.com/shunned] http://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. [https://storyworkscoaching.com/] Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com [https://exjwhelp.com/] Leave us a review on iTunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shunned/id1278684468?mt=2] Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UJZdPiABipv9mESMjjdfA/videos?view_as=subscriber]. Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/shunnedpodcast?lang=en] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shunnedpodcast/]. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MVvD4HmXuFOYxWVFRoF9c?fbclid=IwAR097VFK6CIM-Ws3OGVCzGek8gr3cngWbio87497LDOFUhamlwzjRiAsCSc] chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. [https://thisjwlife.com/] 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 [https://becomingjehovah.com/] An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

Rather than a new episode this week of the Shunned Podcast, you can find me being interviewed by the one and only Chris Shelton over on the Speaking Of Cults podcast/channel at the link below: https://youtu.be/LqN4lP1e7Ms?si=Q3TrlOkcUpzMspf1 [https://youtu.be/LqN4lP1e7Ms?si=Q3TrlOkcUpzMspf1] 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 [https://storyworkscoaching.com] I also have an ExJW specific site here: https://exjwhelp.com [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 [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/ [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/ [https://becomingjehovah.com/] An ExJW podcast and an ExJW YouTube channel #exjw #jehovahswitnesses #cult

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 [http://patreon.com/shunned] http://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. [https://storyworkscoaching.com/] Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com [https://exjwhelp.com/] Leave us a review on iTunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shunned/id1278684468?mt=2] Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UJZdPiABipv9mESMjjdfA/videos?view_as=subscriber]. Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/shunnedpodcast?lang=en] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shunnedpodcast/]. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MVvD4HmXuFOYxWVFRoF9c?fbclid=IwAR097VFK6CIM-Ws3OGVCzGek8gr3cngWbio87497LDOFUhamlwzjRiAsCSc] chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. [https://thisjwlife.com/] 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 [https://becomingjehovah.com/] An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

In this episode you'll meet Vicki as she shares her deeply personal experiences growing up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and the profound impact it had on her life. Vicki recounts how her mother's fervent dedication to the faith led to Vicki's childhood being manipulated and controlled, including being hidden from her biological father and enduring physical and sexual abuse within the home, which was covered up by the organization. The narrative highlights the damaging effects of shunning and the difficult journey of deprogramming and finding her own path to healing, eventually leading to a reconciliation with her father and the creation of her own supportive "chosen family." Vicki's story provides a raw and deeply personal account of growing up within the Jehovah's Witness organization, experiencing severe abuse, and the long, difficult path to recovery and self-discovery. Her narrative highlights the profound impact of cult involvement on individuals and families, particularly concerning child custody, abuse cover-ups, and the psychological effects of shunning and indoctrination. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned [http://patreon.com/shunned] http://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. [https://storyworkscoaching.com/] Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com [https://exjwhelp.com/] Leave us a review on iTunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shunned/id1278684468?mt=2] Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UJZdPiABipv9mESMjjdfA/videos?view_as=subscriber]. Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/shunnedpodcast?lang=en] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shunnedpodcast/]. The song that Vicki chose to represent her story is Bad For Me by Meghan Trainor and Teddy Swims [https://youtu.be/SDZ3r8pG9QM?si=f7kD0NBqIn7CZTA1] You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MVvD4HmXuFOYxWVFRoF9c?fbclid=IwAR097VFK6CIM-Ws3OGVCzGek8gr3cngWbio87497LDOFUhamlwzjRiAsCSc] chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. [https://thisjwlife.com/] 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 [https://becomingjehovah.com/] An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel