223 - The Depressing Life Of Jehovah's Witnesses - Like Planting A Full Sun Plant In The Shade

Go to https://exjwhelp.com/professional-one... and fill out the form if you'd like help moving forward toward recovery while making peace with your past. If you've left a cult but find that the doctrine, mentality, culture or other parts of involvement are preventing you from getting where you want to be in life and being as happy as you could be, I have affordable programs to help as a Cult Recovery Coach. I work with those that have left, and those that are hoping to leave. I've worked with those that still believe, and those that have moved on. I've also worked with the partners and relatives of those that have left and want to be a better support to their loved one. If you feel stuck, struggle with perfectionism, have trouble making friends or in other relationships, feel like you're not enough, or don't know who you are, you're in good company. Everyone I work with deals with these things and more. The bad news is that it takes work to move on. Nobody just finds themselves there, and leaving the group is only the beginning of your path to healing. The good news is that these things are common among those that leave high control groups, so it's not you, it was your environment, and that means that you can make changes. I also work with survivors from other groups, those that grew up in narcissistic family environments, and more. Find out more at https://storyworkscoaching.com In this episode, we meet Simon, a 51-year-old former Jehovah’s Witness who was born into the organization during the height of the 1975 end-times hysteria. Growing up in a “biosphere of fear” in Quebec, Simon recounts a childhood defined by apocalyptic imagery, Holocaust-themed propaganda, and the intense pressure to conform to a “misfit” family dynamic that prioritized religious survival over individual identity. He takes us through his formative years—from his baptism at 17 to a 25-year marriage that ultimately dissolved when his pursuit of truth collided with the organization’s rigid demand for loyalty. The narrative reaches a turning point when Simon confronts the systemic rot within the organization, including the discovery of an elder who had assaulted 22 women in a single congregation, only to be reinstated and sent to Simon’s home. Simon discusses the specific mental health toll on men within the Watchtower, describing a “treadmill” of performance that leads to chronic depression and emasculation. Now living authentically after a pivotal sabbatical in Mexico, Simon shares how reclaiming his voice and listening to his “inner voice” led to a life of peace, clarity, and deep connection with his daughter, who also escaped the group. Key Takeaways The “North Star” of Truth: Simon explains that the very tools the organization gave him—a high respect for “The Truth”—eventually became his way out once he began to apply critical thinking and honest research to the group’s own history and policies. Institutional Betrayal and Safety: A major catalyst for Simon’s exit was the organization’s failure to protect its members, highlighted by the “prolific” scandal of a predatory elder whose crimes were overlooked while the victims remained unprotected. The Psychological Treadmill for Men: Simon highlights the unique burden on men to be “beta males” who are compliant and self-sacrificing, which often results in a chronic loss of agency and deep-seated depression. The Body Knows: Simon encourages those in high-control groups to pay attention to physical symptoms—such as anxiety, depression, or a “lack of peace”—as these are often the body’s way of demanding to be heard when the mind is being gaslit. “Who’s on My Bench?”: Through his disassociation letter, Simon found clarity by forcing his social circle to take a stand, allowing him to distinguish between superficial, conditional connections and real, solid relationships. If you'd like to know even more about today's guest please consider supporting the show's Patreon and you'll also be supporting the time that goes into producing these stories, and get yourself some exclusive bonuses, at:   / 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/ If you'd like to follow this up with another video that shows another side of this channel, I'll highly recommend Episode 100 - 100 Things You Need To Know To Heal From Jehovah's Witnesses, found here:    • Episode 100 - 100 Things You Need To Know ...   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/ An ExJW podcast and an ExJW YouTube channel #exjw #jehovahswitnesses #cult