The Beginning of New Things

Shunning: The Weapon of Silence

Jehovah’s Witnesses call it “loving discipline.” But forthose who’ve lived it, shunning is anything but love. In this episode of Apostate: JW, we take a deep dive into one of the most painful practices in the organization — the weaponization of silence. From the Governing Body’sjustifications to the lived reality of families torn apart, to the 2024 “new light” changes, we unpack how shunning works, why it persists, and the devastating impact it leaves behind. Whether you’ve experienced it firsthand or are seeking to understand, this conversation brings clarity, truth, and hope. Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/FierroMediaWorks Follow me on socials: facebook.com/apostatejw Instagram: @fierromediaworks

Blood Doctrine and Medical Control: When Faith Costs Lives

In this episode of Apostate: JW, we uncover one of the most sobering aspects of Jehovah’s Witness life — the blood doctrine and the Governing Body’s wider medical control. From refusing transfusions to banning organ transplants, from stigmatizing mental health to flip-flopping on vaccines, the Watchtower has repeatedly put obedience above survival. Along the way, countless lives have been lost,families have been fractured, and tragedies have been paraded as “victories of faith.” I’ll trace the history, share personal connections from my own family, expose the contradictions, and contrast these teachings with the mercy and life Jesus himself offered. This is not just about doctrine. It’s about control. And it’s about finding freedom beyond it. 🔗 Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/FierroMediaWorks 📲 Follow me on socials: facebook.com/apostatejw Instagram: @fierromediaworks

When Prophecy Fails: A History of Jehovah’s Witness Predictions

After a short hiatus, Apostate: JW is back. And what better way to return than by exploring one of the most defining — and devastating — themes in Jehovah’s Witness history: failed prophecies. From Charles Taze Russell’s claims of Christ’s invisible return in 1874, to Rutherford’s bold promises about 1925, to the worldwide disappointment of 1975, the Watchtower has built its identity on declaring “the end is near” — only to move the goalposts again and again. Along the way, real people have paid the price: lost education, careers put on hold, families broken, retirements sacrificed, and futures stolen. In this episode, we trace over a century of failed predictions, explore how the Governing Body has redefined and excused each one, and ask what these patterns reveal about spiritual authority, truth, and hope. If you’ve ever wondered, “How could I have believed this?” or “Why didn’t I see it sooner?” — this episode is for you.

The Beginning of New Things

Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Thank you so much to those who have listened and shared this in-depth look at the truths behind the Jehovah's Witnesses. I hope you will join me in the next chapter, Truth Over Tradition as we will explore what the Bible says as opposed to the traditions that have been so deeply engrained in us as Christians. Thank you all.

Should a Christian Wear a Beard?

For decades, Jehovah's Witnesses have held a prohibition on men having facial hair, more specifically beards. There has been a calling from some of the branch offices of Jehovah's Witnesses for clarification on whether or not men should be allowed to have beards in the organization. On December 15, the Governing Body finally gave this clarification. Is this what you were expecting?