The cult.ture podcast

Smooth Operator to the New Personality: A solo chat with Mitch

Derek sits down for a solo chat with Mitch (@exjdub) an elder’s kid who spent decades performing inside Jehovah’s Witnesses to talk about abuse, denial, power, and the long work of becoming real. For the first time publicly, Mitch shares the abuse he endured, the moment his abuser said “I don’t remember it never happened,” the night he numbed out with a bottle of rum, and why therapy finally helped him name the patterns: chasing control, emotional entanglements, ghosting with the “high of the hunt.”
We also get candid about ego and authority in the org (wanting the mic, telling a coordinator “I want to be COBE”), race and belonging across Chicago/Houston → rural Georgia/Atlanta, being an elder’s child, self-reporting/shame cycles, and the ever-moving “generations” goalpost. Mitch shares the grief of losing his sister, choosing not to destabilize his aging parents’ faith, fading on his own terms in Dec 2024 after years of being PIMO, and why accountability not shame changed him.
In the back half, Mitch and Derek sit with uncertainty: afterlife, agnostic hope, and Jung’s individuation—the hard work of stripping off programming to find the authentic self. “Sometimes it’s a step forward, two back…but we keep moving.”
Find Mitch: @exjdub everywhere 
Raw, unpolished, and hopeful—an episode about breaking silence, naming power, and choosing real life.
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.

Vibration & Curiosity: Beyond the Kingdom Hall to the 5th Dimension

Derek reconnects with Erika for a solo chat to trace a complicated path through and beyond the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Loved at home yet the “black sheep” in the Kingdom Hall, Erika was baptized at 17 to ease expectations, married at 18, and soon found herself in a life that never fit. She opens up about anxiety and meds, disfellowshipping, the pull of shunning, and the return for reinstatement.
Derek shares his “scriptural freedom” saga, months of ever-shifting demands under one elder, then owning his later apology to Erika after leaving himself. Together they unpack cognitive dissonance (saying the script while doubting inside), grooming rules as tipping points, and how “policy” can depend on who’s in the room.
From marital betrayal and forgiveness-as-catalyst to a spirituality rooted in love (not fear), Erika describes how meditation, Michael Singer’s The Untethered Soul, and Joe Dispenza helped her rewire anxiety and build a daily practice (ritual baths, guides/higher self, “highest timeline”). In the closing stretch, they explore “vibration” (fear vs. love states you can feel), why music/frequencies move us, curiosity over certainty (double-slit, anyone?), and Erika’s view of a broader human awakening/new earth.
Find Erika: IG @eri.kat.rose . She’s launching energy healing + spiritual mentorship soon.
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.

From Anger to Appreciation: Josh Morton’s Healing Path

When COVID moved meetings to Zoom, Josh Morton finally had room to breathe and realized he’d been drowning. In this intimate conversation with Derek and Trinity, Josh traces his path from teenage baptism to early marriage, double-life betrayals, and devastating family loss. He opens up about navigating guilt, anger, and shame and the moment an EXJW content cracked his certainty.
Josh also unpacks running a JW-themed business that woke him up to hypocrisy, reconciling with his disfellowshipped dad before a life-threatening accident, and the choice to fade quietly to protect relationships. Through humor, humility, and raw honesty, he shows how anger can be a stopover, not a permanent address and why appreciation is the foundation of his healing.
Josh B. Morton — author of Jehovah’s F**ing Witnesses: A Book for Adults About Religious Trauma, Mental Health, and How to Move On* (Amazon). Find him on Instagram and TikTok @JoshBMorton.
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities. You are not alone.

Privileges, Reproval, and a Quiet Fade: Ben at 25

Ben walked away from the fear and into his actual life. Raised fourth-generation JW between California, Phoenix, and now Seattle, Ben talks about growing up in the JW Library era, carrying constant Armageddon anxiety, getting publicly reproved, and what it took to quietly disappear. We get into dating after high-control beliefs, rebuilding community, reclaiming holidays and heritage, and why “putting Jehovah last” ironically made everything click.
 
Ben’s takeaway for anyone on the fence: sometimes things just work out but yes, you still have to jump.
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.

Cierra: Truth in Grief, Generational Echoes, and Finding Peace

At 25, Cierra sits with us to talk about growing through anxiety, depression, and the long tail of generational and religious trauma while still choosing love for the people in her life. She describes a transformative season with grounding in nature, and learning to protect her peace alongside the complicated grief of losing her father (Jan 2020) just months after a cousin’s death.
We also unpack how belief shapes grief. We talk about logical breaks (yes, including Trinity’s beard lore 😂), experiences in high-control settings, and how Cierra while never baptized in the JW faith but affiliated has chosen an open-hearted spirituality, creating and protecting her own peace.
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys — including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.
 
 
 
 

The Inspired Hustler: Speaking Up, Breaking Free, and Living Fully

In this heartfelt and unfiltered episode, Trinity and Derek sit down with Derek's sister Jessica from The Inspired Hustler to explore the emotional terrain of growing up in a controlling religious environment, navigating step-family dynamics and being under care by controlling and abusive parents and the courage it takes to break free even at a young age.
From the raw realities of being a young outlier to the empowering reminder of self-worth and divine love, Jess shares advice she wishes she’d heard as a teenager:“Know who you are. Know who God created you to be. And get out as quickly as you can.”
Whether you’re navigating identity or a someone rebuilding your worldview, this episode offers validation, guidance, and hope. Plus, Jess shares about her own podcast, The Inspired Hustler, where she uplifts entrepreneurs and community voices.
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys — including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.
 
 

Unwinding the Narrative: Chad on Vulnerability, Loss, Creativity, and Leaving Bethel

In this deeply personal and refreshingly candid episode of cult.ture pod, Chad joins Derek and Trent to share his journey of self-discovery, creative exploration, and the emotional complexities of leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith. From confronting self-critical patterns through personal pursuits to embracing vulnerability in public conversations, Chad opens up about the challenges and triumphs of reclaiming his identity and the personal loss along the way.
The hosts reflect on the courage it takes to speak authentically, especially when every word might be scrutinized, and the importance of creating space for disagreement, growth, and genuine connection. Whether you’re freshly navigating life after leaving a high-control group or decades into your journey, this episode offers solidarity, warmth, and a reminder that your story matters.
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys, including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.

Listener Questions Answered: Freedom on the Other Side

Life after leaving a high-control group can feel uncertain but it’s also full of possibility. In this listener-driven Q&A episode, Trent and Derek share their answers to questions like the most meaningful support they've received, the turning points that shaped their journeys, and the message they would give to anyone who feels trapped but longs for a new life. 
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys — including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.

From Disassociated to Free: Dustin's New Path

They said his name from the platform. They told the congregation he was no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
To them, it was a warning.
To him, it was the first public step into freedom.
In this upcoming episode of cult.ture, Dustin shares what it’s like to go from being part of a community that claimed to love him, to recently disassociating and choosing to leave the Jehovah’s Witness faith becoming someone they can no longer even speak to.
We talk about the fear, the grief, the shock, and the hope that comes when you realize their silence can’t stop your voice.
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys — including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.

Pieces of Jenn: Her Side of the Story

This episode contains discussions of suicide, sexual assault, and abuse. Please listen with care and prioritize your mental health.
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Derek and Trent sit down with Derek’s sister, Jenn, for a raw conversation about survival, identity, and healing.
Jenn opens up about growing up under the shadow of a controlling, ego-driven father and the silent wounds of early abuse. She shares the emotional and physical toll of dissociation, a devastating car accident at 15, and years spent searching for love through pain, addiction, and escape.
But this isn’t just a story of what broke her — it’s also a story of what healed her. Through therapy, motherhood, and a supportive partner, Jenn has begun to reclaim her voice, her story, and her peace.
This is a conversation about resilience, about the complexity of family, and about finding your way home — even if you have to build it from scratch.
 
 
Support cult.ture pod over on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram and thanks for rating us 5 stars 🫶
 
 
Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared on cult.ture are personal and based on the lived experiences of the hosts and guests. This podcast is not intended to attack or defame any individual or religious organization or provide therapy.
Our aim is to foster honest, empathetic conversations about high-control environments, belief systems, and personal journeys — including the long road of healing, questioning, and reclaiming identity.
Please be advised that some episodes may contain content that touches on religious trauma, coercive control, emotional or physical abuse, or other potentially triggering topics. We strive to approach these conversations with care, but we acknowledge that certain themes may be difficult to hear.
Listener discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress related to these topics, we encourage seeking support from qualified mental health professionals, spiritual trauma-informed therapists, or trusted recovery communities.
You are not alone.