Show Notes
In part 1 of this two part episode we tackle everything related to the experience of losing our JW community and rebuilding our social circle from scratch, including how to navigate trust issues and rewriting some of our core beliefs around human connection
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I've mentioned before on the program how unusually high the rate of personality disorders is among Jehovah's Witnesses, which always begs the question: Why? Well today's guest, in addition to being an ex-JW, also happens to be a counselor with a special interest in personality disorders, so after spending a little time hearing her story, we're gonna dive in and talk some shop on pds within the Jehovah's Witnesses. Along the way, we'll explore the chicken or egg question of whether the organization attracts narcissists, or creates them "collective narcissism" (a concept describing how an organization can function as a narcissistic entity) And how the narcissistic entity + individual reinforce the needs of each other
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After working with over a thousand ex-cult members, I thought I'd heard it all. I was wrong... On today's episode, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to "Manon"—a ferocious, badass mother (literally & figuratively) and the owner of the best cult-quitting story I've ever heard. We also go deep on what it means to have parents who are still in the cult. Parents who don't see you. Maybe never have. Probably never will. And yet, somehow, we still hold onto the fantasy that one day they might. You're not gonna wanna skip this one. It does not disappoint.
If you're reading this, chances are you're already fairly certain that the cult you escaped from was a flaming pile of fecal matter.
In this episode, I explore the strange social vertigo that can follow life in a high-control group, why authentic connection often feels riskier than performance, and how we can shift from to less theater, more improv. Along the way, I share a few stories from my own attempts to navigate life without a script—some insightful, some awkward, and at least one involving psychedelics and questionable decision-making. If you've ever wondered whether you're doing relationships correctly, this episode is for you.