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shunnedAuthor: shunned
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, Mennonite, FLDS, the Moonies, and more, you will learn about the real lives of former members that have been shut out by their former communities. The host is an exJW himself, a professional cult recovery coach, and provides insight into the psychology of coercive control and the impacts on those subjected to it through these high control groups. Language: en Genres: Documentary, Personal Journals, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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218 – Robbed Of Her Inheritance – The Daughter Who Stayed While Mom Refused To Help Her Own Parents
Monday, 20 April, 2026
In this gripping episode, we speak with Samantha Giles, who recounts her journey from a childhood marked by family trauma to her eventual "escape" from the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. After her mother joined the organization seeking stability at a low point, Samantha's world became "very small," defined by a "significant decline" in quality of life where gymnastics and holidays were replaced by a constant, pervasive fear of demons and Armageddon. Samantha explores the nuances of growing up as a "poor" Witness in a wealthy congregation, leading her to seek validity through baptism at just 15 years old—a decision that would later cost her everything. The heart of the episode details the "horror" of a judicial committee where Samantha was interrogated by three older men about her sexuality in front of her own mother. This violation was only the beginning; after being thrown out of her home at 17 and left to navigate the "real world" without any life skills, she faced a final, shocking betrayal involving a family inheritance. Samantha shares how her mother manipulated a family will to strip her of her grandfather's legacy, referring to her only as "the disfellowshipped one". It is a powerful story of reclaiming agency and building a new identity centered on unconditional love. Key Takeaways The Trap of Seeking Validity: Samantha reflects on how she felt "invalidated" as a fatherless child from a poor background, which pressured her into making a lifelong religious commitment at age 15 just to feel "accepted" within the congregation hierarchy. Obedience vs. Critical Thinking: The organization focuses on teaching children to "obey" rather than "how to think," leaving them vulnerable to whoever is the strongest presence in their life once they leave the sheltered environment. The "Violating" Judicial Process: Samantha describes the invasive and abusive nature of being questioned by elders regarding private sexual details, a process she notes felt like a violation and led her to push back rather than "repent". Shunning as Financial Manipulation: In a disturbing turn, Samantha's mother and brothers used the shunning protocol to justify rewriting a family will, effectively stealing Samantha's inheritance to purchase a home for themselves while she was caring for her dying grandparents. Reclaiming Identity through Motherhood: Now a mother herself, Samantha contrasts the "conditional love" of her past with the deep, protective bond she has with her daughters, vowing to never let a belief system dominate her ability to fight for their best interests. Direct Quotes "Demons were everywhere… we were just teaching children that like demons are walking among you". "What you call love does not resemble like any love I felt for my daughters. That's control". "Agency for me is always the biggest and most important thing. I think it's probably the crux of the ultimate of why I left". Resources Mentioned ExJwHelp.com (Cult recovery coaching and resources). FAFSA Form (Specifically the age requirements for filing without parental info). Patreon.com/shunned (Bonus content and guest connections). Shunnpodcast.com (Merch and podcast information). This JW Life (The host's original podcast story). Becoming Jehovah (Book by the host available at becomingjehovah.com). Guest Bio Samantha Giles is a 39-year-old former Jehovah's Witness and mother who has successfully built a life of independence and education after being cast out of her home as a teenager. She currently works with middle school students, helping them develop the sense of self and personal identity that she was denied during her upbringing in a high-control group. upport the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel
