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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 monthlyEpisodes243Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Episode Summary In this episode, 37-year-old Andrew shares his unique journey growing up within a strict Jehovah's Witness family in Western Colorado after his grandmother discovered Watchtower literature while using it as fire kindling. Raised in an... more

Episode Summary This compilation episode, built from three targeted short-form videos, dives deep into the emotional and psychological wounds left by high-control religious environments. The host breaks down how healthy parenting dynamics are complet... more

In this incredibly powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Ray, a 60-year-old former third-generation Jehovah's Witness who shares his dramatic journey out of a high-control system. Though he successfully faded from the religion in his... more

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After 9 years of interviews, it is time to add a new twist to the show. Listen to find out what the new format will be.

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Recent Guests

Ray Ramirez
Former Jehovah's Witness, cult survivor, and advocate for recovery
Independent (Ex-Jehovah's Witness)
Episode: 225 – I Spent $10,000 in Secret Just to Prove My Own Religion Was a Lie
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

Host

Jennifer (Jenny) [Lead Host]
Primary interview host facilitating survivor stories and recovery discussions; frequently guides conversations with guests who have left high-control groups.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 606 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 States10 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 States3 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.

Listeners praise the show's supportive tone and the depth of personal recovery journeys.
Episodes are described as healing, relatable, and essential for those leaving high-control groups.
The host brings compassionate, insightful interviewing that makes survivor stories feel heard and validated.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

224 – Lethal Hopes & Manila Envelopes – Surviving The Manipulation Of Jehovah's Witnesses & Thriving
Q: How has your perspective on community and self-worth evolved since leaving?
Evan describes rebuilding self-worth through autonomy, personal achievements, supportive non-WJW friends, and therapy, while recognizing the ongoing challenge of seeking self-love and guarding against falling into new controlling patterns.
224 – Lethal Hopes & Manila Envelopes – Surviving The Manipulation Of Jehovah's Witnesses & Thriving
Q: What were the pivotal moments that pushed you toward leaving, and what were the immediate challenges after exit?
The push came from a buildup of isolation, fear, and emotional heaviness; a key turning point was the realization that the outside world could offer real opportunities and genuine connections, followed by the fear and practical hurdles of independence, finance, housing, and relationships.
224 – Lethal Hopes & Manila Envelopes – Surviving The Manipulation Of Jehovah's Witnesses & Thriving
Q: What world view did growing up as a JW give you, and how did homeschooling shape your experience?
Growing up JW gave Evan a fear-based, salvation-focused worldview centered on Armageddon and the hope of the resurrection; homeschooling reinforced conformity and obedience but also protected him from some social pressures, though it limited peer interactions and contributed to later rebellion.
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.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About shunned

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

This show centers on real-life stories of people who were part of high-control groups or religious communities and faced shunning, manipulation, and coercive control. Episodes span Jehovah's Witnesses and other faith or cult contexts, detailing upbringing, family dynamics, discipline, and the long road to healing after exit. Hosts often guide guests through personal journeys—deconstructing belief systems, rebuilding autonomy, and finding supportive communities outside the faith. Notably, conversations frequently highlight trauma, empowerment, and practical steps for recovery, including therapy and peer networks. The format tends to be intimate, survivor-led, and focused on lived experience, making it a powerful resource for listeners seekin... more

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Which podcasts are similar to shunned?

These podcasts share a similar audience with shunned:

1. Surviving Paradise
2. Cults to Consciousness
3. Was I in a Cult?
4. Mormon Stories Podcast
5. Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse

How many episodes of shunned are there?

shunned launched 9 years ago and published 243 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. Ray Ramirez
2. Samantha Giles

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