Are All Religious Cults the Same? Anthony Forte, Former Deacon, World Mission Society Church of God

After a year-long disappearance from social media and the podcast, I’m back—and not because I’ve figured it all out, but because I finally started living from a place of truth.In this first episode of Life After Devout, I share where I’ve been, what changed, and how I quietly rebuilt a life I love. From regular therapy to spontaneous walks in borrowed shoes, from falling in love with kickboxing to crossing the finish line of a Spartan Race—this is the real story of coming home to myself.This isn’t about who I used to be. It’s about the life I’m creating now—and inviting you into. If you’ve ever needed a soft return, a quiet comeback, or a reminder that joy can be rebuilt, this episode is for you.If you’re in this with me—let’s talk about and live life after devout.––––––––––Mentioned in this episode:• How logging off gave me clarity• Why I turned to movement as medicine• Rebuilding identity outside performance• Creating rhythms of strength, rest, and joy• What this show will look like moving forwardIf you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since the beginning—thank you. I didn’t walk away from you. I just turned inward for a while. And now, I’m ready to share what I’ve found.Let’s begin again.Have thoughts about the episode? I’d love to hear them. Leave a comment or send a message—and if this resonated, share it with someone who’s ready for their own quiet comeback.FIND ME HERE

In this deeply insightful conversation, licensed clinical social worker Joel Pieper breaks down the different types of trauma—beyond the obvious and into the subtle, often overlooked patterns that shape our lives. We explore:The difference between Big T and little t traumaHow trauma shows up in your body, relationships, and behaviorWhy unresolved trauma often appears as anxiety, overthinking, emotional shutdown, or people-pleasingThe critical role of nervous system regulation in sustainable healingHolistic, compassionate approaches to trauma recovery you can begin todayWhether you’re new to this conversation or have been walking your healing path for a while, Joel offers clarity, language, and actionable tools that help you reconnect to your body, your story, and your power.Want to share your thoughts or feedback?We’d love to hear what resonated most with you. Leave a comment, send us a message, or leave a rating. Your voice helps us keep creating meaningful content that meets you where you are.Connect with Joel Pieper:Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠Explore More:Looking for tools to support your own comeback? Download the Quiet Comeback Kit or check out our self-guided eBooks on resilience, feminine revival, and healing from burnout at ⁠Wendi's Library.⁠Follow, share, and subscribe if this conversation moved you. It helps others find their way back to themselves too.

This year, I want us to explore the stories of those who have faced tough challenges, particularly those who’ve come out of cult environments. I believe these conversations are vital in helping others find hope and connection in their own lives. Each episode will feature guests who’ve navigated their journeys and learned powerful lessons along the way.I’ll also share my own insights from my time away—what I learned about myself, the importance of stepping back, and how we can all cultivate a sense of peace amid chaos.This podcast isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving and discovering that, ultimately, everything works out in the end. So whether you’ve faced similar challenges or just want to hear some inspiring stories, there’s something here for everyone.

Hello there! It's good to be back, I am excited about this new series. Are you ready for some stories about growth? Health and wellness? Healthy mindsets? Unraveled indoctrination? LET'S DO IT!! --------------------------------------------------------------- For Candace's first interview: https://youtu.be/rE_mP0aTEyY Born and raised in Brooklyn NYC to a former JW mom turned reinstated and non-JW dad, Candice grew up around the organization and was mentally in for most of her life, baptized at 26 years old, and woke up at 34 years old due to in her words the governing body "not staying in their lane" referring to their over-reach of encouraging certain personal decisions upon the congregants, rather than just sticking to "spiritual food". Candice's self-care journey helped her break free from the indoctrination and she shares her story to help others do the same. ------------------- To contact Candice: Instagram @candi_cee_

To contact Dr. Ryan: www.drryanlee.com "I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness from birth until the age of 18, when I realized that there was more to the world than I had been taught. The following years, while exciting in some respects, were also challenging as I set out to rebuild my identity, world view and community from the ground up. I found my own time in therapy to be immensely helpful in this endeavor, however therapists I worked with had little familiarity with the depth to which this kind of religious conditioning penetrates the mind and soul. I often wished for someone who not only understood, but was equipped to help rewrite that unique brand of programming. After earning my doctorate in clinical psychology and accumulating over ten years' experience as a therapist, I am so happy to be able to make good use of my religious background in the service of supporting others who have made the courageous decision to listen to their heart and seek independence. I feel so blessed to have found an occupation that I feel so passionately about. My enthusiasm is based both in a love for the work itself and the joy of seeing the positive, life changing results this process has on those who engage with it. I am currently living in/working from Peru with my two whippets (who hold a very special place in my heart), and have an active interest in plant medicine (primarily ayahuasca), meditation, reading and creating stained glass art. #exjwsthink #jehovahswitnesses #psychology #cults #therapy #narcissism #exjw To contact Ryan: www.drryanlee.com

Anthony is a former deacon and a 10.5 year member of the World Mission Society Church of God, a cult group that believes Jesus’ second coming already happened (and this Jesus died in 1985) and worships an elderly lady in Korea as “God the Mother.” Through the pandemic, personal research, and family support, Anthony was able to escape the mind control this group had over him as well as the arranged marriage they coerced him into. MORE INFO ABOUT WORLD MISSION SOCIETY OF GOD: https://open.spotify.com/show/28S9Lh2CvCtRJ8ByAXxUP1?si=DlXRt1r8TEepXdfTfhYCSghttps://youtube.com/@UCfi2w6gJGj1jHdEk-e_b7pA https://youtube.com/@UCQ03ecl0cI962vrOWOuN6dg https://www.examiningthewmscog.com/

Mr. Podos is a life -long resident of Utica New York. In his early professional career, he worked for a number of non-for-profit entities as Executive Director. In 2000 Podos was part of the faculty of a private business college located in Utica and held the position of Adjunct Instructor. He furthered his teaching career in 2005 when he became a faculty member at Mohawk Valley Community College, (also located in Utica New York), where he taught economics, marketing, and labor law till 2015. Podos is a former writer for Campus News- the country’s largest community college newspaper. Presently he writes for Mohawk Valley in Good Health newspaper and is one of their senior writers for the past 7 plus years. Contact information- Cell- 315-292-0589 E mail- [email protected] or- [email protected]

Dre is a 35 year young Mexican/Irish fellow from Southern California. His was raised as Jehovah’s Witness his entire life, but consistently struggled with his faith a majority of the time. He left the religion by way of being disfellowshipped at 31. He’s passionate about music, his love for animals and personal growth. He likes to spend his time creating beautiful memories with the ones he loves.  www.instagram.com/wilderhazemusicOne love 💚

About Marti: "I was born and raised in Sacramento California. I am a certified Life Coach, Reiki Practitioner, Sound Bowl Healer, and I have done many other healing modalities.  I was born a Jehovah's Witness in 1973. I was baptized when I was 11 in 1985. During that time I was severely physically abused by both of my parents. My dad is out of the religion. My mom is in her 90s is still healthy and active Witness. I faded out of being a Witness in Aug. 2004 because I kept seeing the cycle of abuse not getting better but worse in the various congratulations. Shunning real.Your are not alone in your struggle.. There is hope, and life can get better.  MyFBb is Marti Ries  my IG is @crystalvibration_. Please message me and tell me you heard my story from Wendi's show.."🙏😊

Wesley David has lived 2 very different lives, and the only thing that’s held them - and himself - together has been an obsession with music.  Growing up in the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Singer-Songwriter has relied on a love of all things Rock ‘n’ Roll since a young age as an escape - one which would eventually lead him to become a touring musician in LA, Arizona and the Southwest.  Influenced at a young age by the alt-rock and pop of the 90s/2000s like Oasis , Nirvana and Radiohead, plus classic and prog rock from the Beatles to Rush, his whimsical, tongue-in-cheek songwriting style was both identity and escape from the often dreary and frightening world of an expectation of the Apocalypse (delayed).  His new EP 'Satori' is a 6-song collection produced by Thom Flowers (Steve Perry, The Ataris, Toad the Wet Sprocket) and features 'Easy for You' 'Seesaw', and 'I'll be damned'.  Website - https://wesleydavidmusic.comNew EP 'Satori' Signed Cassette - https://wesleydavid.bandcamp.comSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/0dOLLFslUryvWSwipjbksB?si=1QXqmrb3SoC62qnxIjJ1iwApple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/wesley-david/1526621390'Easy for You' Music Video - https://youtu.be/N81koVD1f6E@wesleydavidmusichttps://instagram.com/wesleydavidmusic