Bad ASSociations Podcast

Bad Associations Podcast

Bi-weekly Bad ASSociation hosts listen to guests as they dive into the feelings and steps of leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses Cult and share their stories on how it feels to actually be in “the truth”. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/support read less
Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality
ReligionReligion

Episodes

I'm Amber.
Feb 3 2024
I'm Amber.
In this episode Eva interviews Amber, who tells not only her own story, but also, with permission, shares some of her twin sister’s story as well. They both were raised as witnesses and left as adults, neither of them realizing they didn’t want to go back until after they had been out for a while. Amber talks about her relationship with her family, leaving her two abusive marriages, helping her sister, and finding a new partner and chosen family that accepts her just the way she is. In addition to the general triggers that often come up in the stories of Ex-JW life, Amber and her sister’s story also requires an additional content disclaimer as there is discussion throughout of ongoing child sexual abuse and suicide attempts. Please use discretion regarding if and when you choose to listen to this episode and as always, please utilize healthy support systems whenever appropriate, such as www.rainn.org and www.nami.org If you’d like to share your story you can send a voice memo by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, by emailing me at badassociationspodcast@yahoo.com, DMing me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram @badassociationspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or schedule time for us to chat by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The views expressed on the Bad Associations Podcast are solely from the recollections of the guest themselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/support
I'm Jacqueline.
Dec 2 2023
I'm Jacqueline.
Jacqueline grew up in California, where her parents owned a business in the San Francisco Bay area, but lived two hours away in a very rural town. What made her initially question the organization was her friendship with two gay teenagers in high school, ultimately leading her to take part in that school's Gay-Straight Alliance club unbeknownst to her parents or other witnesses in the congregation. She was baptized at 18, an disfellowshipped at 22. For several years, she was still a believer in the organization despite being disfellowshipped, but that all changed in 2020. We talk about all of that and more, so I hope you stick around. Please be advised, there are mentions of child sexual abuse and pets being killed in this episode. If that's something you might be sensitive about, keep that in mind before listening. If you’d like to share your story you can send a voice memo by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, by emailing me at badassociationspodcast@yahoo.com, DMing me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram @badassociationspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or schedule time for us to chat by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The views expressed on the Bad Associations Podcast are solely from the recollections of the guest themselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/support
I'm Isabelle.
Nov 4 2023
I'm Isabelle.
On this episode, Brian interviews Isabelle. Isabelle was born into the cult as a fourth-generation witness. Eventually, she broke down and began reading the ex-JW subreddit. Within a week, she had woken up totally. Brian and Isabelle talk about the difficulties she faced and still faces with her 'people pleaser' personality, how to deal with toxic people in your life, and much more. NOTE: Segments of this episode contain discussion of sexual exploitation and abuse of a minor, self-harm, and untreated mental illness. This segment begins at 1:04:29 and ends at 1:21:47. If you need help, the following resources are available to residents of the United States: The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-662-4357 If you are currently in crisis, call or text 988. If you’d like to share your story you can send a voice memo by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, by emailing me at badassociationspodcast@yahoo.com, DMing me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram @badassociationspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or schedule time for us to chat by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The views expressed on the Bad Associations Podcast are solely from the recollections of the guest themselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/support
Halloween.
Oct 31 2023
Halloween.
It’s our first Halloween Special! In this episode, Chev, Brian, and Eva talk about Halloween from our unique perspective as former Jehovah’s Witnesses. We share our experiences dressing up in costumes, going to Halloween parties, the paranormal, and many more of our “firsts.” We were fortunate to have some of our former and (hopefully) future guests join in the conversation as well, including: Troy - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/episodes/Im-Troy-e1no6l7 Brittany - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/episodes/Im-Brittany-e2107rn Annie - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/episodes/Im-Annie-e259aun Hannah -  https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/episodes/Im-Hannah-e26bvlf Cristina -  https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/episodes/Im-Cristina-e29faed Isabelle - Upcoming: To be released 11/4 Also joining in were Drake, Michael, Anna, Krystal, and Mo. Thanks everyone for contributing to the conversation! If you’d like to share your story you can send a voice memo by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, by emailing me at badassociationspodcast@yahoo.com, DMing me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram @badassociationspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , or schedule time for us to chat by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The views expressed on the Bad Associations Podcast are solely from the recollections of the guests themselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/support
I'm Hope.
Sep 23 2023
I'm Hope.
In this episode, Eva interviews Hope. Hope grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness and talks about the toll that experience has taken on her mental health and relationships over the years. They discuss her marriage and its demise, an inappropriate intervention, and Hope’s struggle to accept that she didn’t actually want to get reinstated. Hope also shares some resources (links below) that she found helpful in the process of leaving and getting where she is today - a happy, educated, well-traveled, and fulfilled ex-JW in a healthy relationship. Shiny Happy People Documentary: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0B8TR2QV5/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Bible Brother Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5b4PHVqAj8XAtkH0FSy7Zd?si=3fc6529ef7654f54 Release & Reclaim Support Group: https://open.spotify.com/show/5b4PHVqAj8XAtkH0FSy7Zd?si=3fc6529ef7654f54 Cultish Book (from Hether’s episode): Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism: Montell, Amanda: 9780062993151: Amazon.com: Books If you’d like to share your story you can send a voice memo by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, by emailing me at badassociationspodcast@yahoo.com, DMing me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram @badassociationspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or schedule time for us to chat by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The views expressed on the Bad Associations Podcast are solely from the recollections of the guest themselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/support
I'm Annie.
Jul 15 2023
I'm Annie.
On this episode of Bad Associations Podcast Brian speaks to Annie who is physically out, mentally out and has been for about 3 years now.Throughout our conversation, Annie shares her experiences growing up in a household where her mother took the spiritual "lead" since her father was not a Witness. Due to their achievements in the congregation--pioneering, the ministry school--her family was often held up as a shining example within the congregation.From an early age, Annie realized she was not attracted to men. In addition to that, she didn't see herself continuing as a Jehovah's Witness, and at just 13 years old, she presented a formal case--an actual written list--to her mother, explaining why she needed to leave.Annie also opens up about the pressure she faced when her grandfather's death pushed her towards baptism, but at the age of eighteen, she saw the future that awaited her as a Witness and made the decision to pursue higher education as her first step out of the cult. When her grandmother left the country to pursue missionary work, she moved into the vacated apartment to house-sit. It was at this point, she began truly living a double life.We talk about the strict view of disfellowshipping within her family and the profound impact it had on her relationships with non-JW relatives.As Annie adjusted to "worldly" customs and traditions like holidays, birthdays, and even gambling, she discovered the toll that her upbringing had taken on her mental health. ***Trigger Warnings: We briefly discuss a 2-year-old child she used to babysit who was murdered. We talk about JW memorial service awfulness and don't go into detail about the actual murder. If you’d like to share your story you can send a voice memo by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠, by emailing me at badassociationspodcast@yahoo.com, DMing me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram @badassociationspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ or schedule time for us to chat by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ The views expressed on the Bad Associations Podcast are solely from the recollections of the guest themselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/support
I'm Jane.
Jul 1 2023
I'm Jane.
On this episode of Bad Associations Podcast Brian is speaking with one of his closest friends, Jane. Jane and Brian grew up together in the cult, attending the same congregation for the majority of our teen years. Jane is the younger sister of Matt and Angie from the previous two episodes, so some of this might sound a little familiar. We talk about what it was like growing up with witness and non-witness parents and the differences between the two households, what it was like for her to hit puberty and suddenly have a target on her back, being falsely accused of promiscuous behavior by older women in the congregation despite only being 12 years old. We cover the circumstances leading her to leave home at 17, start her life and career before the age of 20, coming to grips with the abuse she suffered as a child, and ultimately meeting her husband, who has been a very positive aspect of her life for the past 15 years now. I really enjoyed this interview, as it helped me better understand my friend as well as helped her get some things out in the open, and I hope you enjoy it and get something out of it as well. If you’d like to share your story you can send a voice memo by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠, by emailing me at badassociationspodcast@yahoo.com, DMing me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram @badassociationspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ or schedule time for us to chat by clicking ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ The views expressed on the Bad Associations Podcast are solely from the recollections of the guest themselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/badassociationspod/support