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shunned

shunned
Jehovah's Witnesses
Mental Health
Cult Recovery
Shunning
Child Abuse
Covid-19
Trauma
Family Dynamics
Religious Trauma
Coming Out
LGBTQ+ Issues
Identity Crisis
Cult Dynamics
Psychological Abuse
Holocaust
Depression
Social Isolation
Narcissism
Trauma Recovery
Substance Abuse

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 monthlyEpisodes220Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for shunned

Latest Episodes

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: youtu.be/LqN4lP1e7Ms?si=Q3TrlOkcUpzMspf1

Are yo... more

YouTube

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 exp... more

YouTube

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 childh... more

YouTube

In this episode Dennise recounts her upbringing with a strong-willed mother who rigorously enforced cult doctrines, leading to a childhood filled with anxiety, emotional, and physical abuse. She details her early disbelief in the dogma, her forced ba... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Host

Cora
Cora is a host of this show and has a background that includes guiding conversations with guests sharing their cult experiences. She provides insights into the personal stories of those affected by shunning.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 585 ratings
  • 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 States10 months 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 States2 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 States2 years ago
  • Amazing

    What a wonderful way to give voices to the voiceless and resources for those still in. I’ve been binging since I found you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xtal reviews
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the profound personal stories shared, which provide validation and insights into the struggles faced by individuals who have exited high-control groups.
The compassionate approach of the host in allowing guests to share their truths is often commended, showcasing the emotional depth and necessary discussions surrounding cult recovery.
Some users express a desire for deeper exploration of certain topics, highlighting a need for more thorough investigation into the impacts of cult dynamics.
Many find the content healing and relatable, especially in processing the complex emotions tied to the experiences of shunning.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
207 – How One Bullsh*t Comment Freed A Young Man From A Cult & The Extreme Response From Family
Q: What was it like being in such a strict and controlling environment growing up?
Jake describes his upbringing among Jehovah's Witnesses as limited and marked by a sense of self-superiority, which later turned into inner conflict as he grew older.
195 – Seventh Day Adventists & Jehovah’s Witnesses – Looking In The Mirror With Cass, A Former SDA
Q: What happened to turn that around?
Cass describes how her mother pulled her out of the Seventh Day Adventist school to a public school, which became a pivotal moment of change for her.
195 – Seventh Day Adventists & Jehovah’s Witnesses – Looking In The Mirror With Cass, A Former SDA
Q: Did you have any good times? Did your mom able to show up for you? Did you go to therapy?
Cass explains that she and her sister agreed not to burden their mother with their feelings, but when she found Cass crying, her mother took action to change her schooling situation.
Episode 157 - CSA, Trauma and Jehovah's Witnesses - Caressa's Story
Q: What do you enjoy about post-JW life?
Just being able to live my life and be my own person and not get judged for absolutely every single thing about me is just beautiful.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About shunned

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

Focused on the experiences of individuals who have been shunned by their religious communities, this podcast provides a platform for personal stories and reflections on the impact of cultic ideologies. The content often covers a range of groups including Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientology, and others, examining the psychological effects of shunning and the journeys toward recovery and self-acceptance by former members. The narratives are deeply personal, highlighting themes of trauma, family dynamics, mental health, and resilience in the face of emotional and societal isolation. With the host being an ex-member himself and a professional in cult recovery, listeners can expect insightful commentary that combines lived experience with expert un... more

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Which podcasts are similar to shunned?

These podcasts share a similar audience with shunned:

1. Surviving Paradise
2. Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses-Critical Thinkers » Critical Thought Podcast
3. Betrayal: Weekly
4. Cults to Consciousness
5. The Turning - Seasons 1, 2 & 3

How many episodes of shunned are there?

shunned launched 8 years ago and published 220 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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