It’s so much better outside.

Falon and I grew up together, and our parents loved us deeply, always wanting the best for us. They were good, caring people, and they still are. Also they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. The name DiffiCULT Childhood isn’t a dig on our parents, whom we still love, despite their participation in the abusive practice of “shunning.” Growing up as JWs just made life more difficult.

Here’s how I see it: I can have a good day or a challenging day. This morning, I noticed my water heater started leaking—big mess, and it damaged my floors. I’ve spent most of the morning trying to find a plumber and deal with all this water, and now I’m staring down the possibility of this costing thousands of dollars. But here’s the thing: that’s what happened today. I could have had that happen and still been stuck in a high-control religion. Being free of the JW organization makes even the rough days so much better.

The governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses shames its members, tries to control every aspect of their lives, and uses abusive tactics without considering the welfare of even the children under their control. Thousands of JW kids have been abused in horrific ways, and JW leadership sticks to policies that have kept perpetrators out of the hands of police and safely hidden in congregations around the world. Many adults and children have died needlessly because of the “No Blood” policy, which forbids certain life-saving medical treatments. And thousands more have committed suicide after being shunned by their JW families.

With this podcast, we hope to help those trying to break free from that control. Life is so much better on the outside, and you’re not alone.

—Jason