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shunned

shunned
Jehovah's Witnesses
Mental Health
Shunning
Cult Recovery
Family Dynamics
Child Abuse
Disfellowshipping
Religious Trauma
Trauma
Abuse
Cults
Gaslighting
Emotional Abuse
Suicide
Family Relationships
Cult Dynamics
Divorce
Childhood Trauma
Self-Discovery
Community Support

Religious and cult ideologies often use the practice of shunning to silence their critics and to control their members through fear. This podcast sheds light on shunning through real life stories as told by the people that have lived through it. Learn what their lives were like and where they have ended up in life after being shunned. Featuring stories from Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientology, Amish,... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes237Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for shunned

Latest Episodes

In this episode, we hear from Morgan, a 28-year-old third-generation former Jehovah's Witness who describes his upbringing as part of the "weak sheep"—a family that believed the doctrine but often struggled with the rigid spiritual routine. Morgan op... more

In this episode, we meet Genesis, a 31-year-old former Jehovah's Witness who shares her journey from a high-control upbringing to finding authentic peace. Born into the organization after her grandmother was recruited during a time of extreme grief i... more

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 grand... more

YouTube

In this heart-wrenching episode, we hear from Carolyn, a 49-year-old former Jehovah's Witness who survived a lifetime of systemic trauma, from foster care and childhood molestation to a high-control religious environment that "eats its members alive"... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Samantha Giles
A former Jehovah's Witness who was shunned and later rebuilt her life as a mother, partner, and advocate for cult-recovery.
Former Jehovah's Witness
Episode: 218 – Robbed Of Her Inheritance – The Daughter Who Stayed While Mom Refused To Help Her Own Parents

Hosts

Michael
Host of the podcast; provides guiding perspective on cult recovery and shunning.
Caleb Altworldy
Co-host; associated with Shunned podcast and broader interviews.
The Host
Contributor discussing experiences in cults and the impact of shunning.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 601 ratings
  • Micah

    This is my favorite interview so far. Micah is well spoken and intelligent. He said out loud what we all wanted to when Elders abused him.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    teerob 1977
    United States7 months ago
  • Huge Fan since Day 1

    I love this podcast. I especially love seeing how the podcast host has grown himself over the years.

    He is thoughtful and truly cares about the people suffering from this awful practice of shunning. I know he has changed lives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ktdidnt8
    United States2 years ago
  • Exactly what I needed

    I love the in-depth stories. This is exactly what I need to not feel like the only one loving life post JW. I regret wasting a decade of my life feeling small & unworthy as a JW. Life is beautiful, people are beautiful, life is GREAT away from this destructive cult.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jilly in Indy
    United States2 years ago
  • Just what I needed!

    I can’t even begin to say how much this podcast has helped me. I’m an ex JW and the relatability I have found here has been amazing! I hope to tell my story on the podcast one day!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nursennylehc
    United States3 years ago
  • Personal truth

    Often tragic, and heart breaking- but more often encouraging. The host does an excellent job bringing out the damage that Jehovah’s Witness shunning policy has on innocent members. The host is compassionate while he allows the guests to freely share their truths some times for the first time.

    Highly recommended to all in hopes to heal, help, or maybe change the minds of those whom participate in the deadly and as practiced today the unscriptural practice of disfellowshipping

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    br hunt
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are credible and stories feel impactful and hopeful.
Listeners value the host's empathy and ability to draw out personal stories.
The show is praised for validating survivors and offering practical healing resources.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

219 – Shunned While Active – Treated Like A Leper For Reporting Elder Misconduct & Sexual Harassment
Q: What happened after you reported the misconduct, and how did the congregation respond?
She details the intense backlash, including shunning, the formation of judicial committees, gaslighting, and ongoing harassment that followed her attempts to seek accountability.
219 – Shunned While Active – Treated Like A Leper For Reporting Elder Misconduct & Sexual Harassment
Q: How did you become one of Jehovah's Witnesses in the first place? Is it something you were born into?
Carolyn explains she was born into the faith, raised in it, and describes a childhood marked by control and eventual disillusionment that led to her study and eventual exit.
215 – All Gas, No Brakes – The Relentless Expectations Forced Upon Young Jehovah's Witnesses
Q: What are some of the good things that you love about your life today?
I have such a good life now. I'm happily married and I hit the step-kid lotto with my husband's son. We travel the world and have a happy home.
214 – A Harrowing Midnight Escape – Danny Checks Out Of The Hotel California – Leaving "The Move"
Q: What do you enjoy about your life today?
My daughters and my hobbies, such as barbecue projects and learning new skills like tattooing and welding.
207 – How One Bullsh*t Comment Freed A Young Man From A Cult & The Extreme Response From Family
Q: How did you come to accept your identity as a gay man?
Jake came to realize and accept his sexuality over a period of time and acknowledged that being gay would have significant consequences in his religious environment.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About shunned

What is shunned about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on first-person accounts of leaving high-control religious groups and the social fallout of shunning. Episodes explore coercive control, family dynamics, trauma, healing, and paths to autonomy, with a strong emphasis on education, therapy, and rebuilding life after exit. Noteworthy is the host's background as a cult-recovery coach and an emphasis on practical coping strategies and resources for listeners navigating similar journeys. The format combines intimate storytelling with empathetic interviewing, often weaving in broader discussions about multiple groups beyond Jehovah's Witnesses, including Scientology and other high-control communities. This makes it a valuable listen for those seeking validation, community, or ins... more

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shunned launched 9 years ago and published 237 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on shunned?

Recent guests on shunned include:

1. Samantha Giles

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