Making Sense of an Abnormal Normal: Life in the Children of God

Riley is an ex Jehovah's Witness and activist. He talks about his experience leaving the organisation, the changes he has seen in himself and the excitement of being able to make decisions about politics. He talks about the people who were there for him and his newly found passion for martial arts. Riley's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTJ2YmTMxtqdhYpdrVtwWGQ

21 Apr 202157min

High control groups normally have a lot to say about how you should raise your children. First we look at child-rearing using the Bible as guide. Stephen remembers listening to the sound of corporal punishment at the Kingdom Hall and then we look at what psychological research has to say - particularly around attachment theory.   Example of the Strange Situation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqlbvpXp74k   Mentally Deseased YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y0TIdjeqKQ

18 Apr 20211h 17min

As a partner to the Episode 26. 'The Supernatural', Celine and Stephen review Red Lights, a movie starring Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro and Cillian Murphy, about a team of professional investigators into psychic phenomena.  Celine suggests an alternative but intriguing alternative reading to the film.

14 Apr 202142min

Celine and Stephen explore the question of whether the supernatural exists. What about faith healers and Spirit Mediums? Stephen remembers some of the weird and wonderful beliefs he was taught and the strong cultural tropes Jehovah's Witnesses and Ex JW's will recognise about 'The Demons'. There are stories about demonic possessed return visits and demons inhabiting second hand furniture!    Reading and links James Randi Debunks Peter Popoff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7BQKu0YP8Y   Tricks of the Mind, Derren Brown. Publisher : Channel 4; New Ed edition (8 Oct. 2007) Language : English Paperback : 416 pages ISBN-10 : 1905026358 ISBN-13 : 978-1905026357

11 Apr 20211h 28min

Today Celine and Stephen look at at the challenge of being more assertive. High control groups often encourage a submissive attitude. Upon leaving this can make assertively getting more of what you want and need difficult. Stephen talks about his turn to aggressive behaviour and how this got in his way and subsequently how an honest manager and a training course turned his thinking around. This podcast is also a resource to the free online Assertiveness programmes Stephen has developed, with a particular interest in how people in the creative industries deal with unequal power dynamics. You can access the learning portal for free here https://www.evilsheep.co.uk/learning at 3:00 minutes - Stephen's assertiveness story. at 35:00 minutes - Learners questions  Other resources https://www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-bullying-and-harassment

4 Apr 20211h 15min

"Pride and Prejudice without the fun". Celine and Stephen talk about the role of women in many high control Christian groups, including Jehovah's Witnesses. What impact does this have on the way a woman raised this way, thinks about herself, whilst a member and upon leaving? Also how does this colour the way men within these groups see their role? How do they relate to women? And how does this change as they leave? Finally Celine and her dad talk about wider societal questions about women, sexuality and how we raise girls.

2 Apr 20211h 9min

Many High Control Groups claim a monopoly on truth. Jehovah's Witnesses for example in casual conversation label their religion "The Truth". For someone who leaves such a group, coming to terms with how to recognise truth can be difficult. This week Celine and Stephen begin to explore theories of truth and why it can be a slippery concept. They also ask questions about the future of Truth and why social media seems to threaten its very essence.

28 Mars 202156min

What happens when we die? What makes for a good life? How do you decide what you believe about life after death after you've left a high control group?

21 Mars 20211h 9min