A former Jehovah’s Witness pioneer joins us to share her story of leaving the faith. She opens up about the exhausting demands of life as a pioneer, the emotional cost of door-to-door evangelism, and the trauma of being part of a system that mishandles abuse and enforces shunning. We also explore her experience navigating dating and family expectations after leaving the faith, how other religions like Mormonism approach growth, and what it means to reclaim your identity. 

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

Leave your shoes – and sanctity – at the door and join us for this conversation with Vishakha (Vi), who grew up in India and moved to the United States at age 19. Raised in Hindu traditions, she talks about what happens when religion and culture intermingle, especially on the journey to love. We explore how societal and gender roles engrained in her Hindu upbringing impacted her biracial, interfaith relationship, wedding and – ultimately – divorce.

Plus, we dig into the caste system, the concept of “twin flames” and the power that comes from opting out of certain beliefs, even when they come from those who raised you. This episode reminds us that, even outside traditional high-demand religions, strict principles that guide our cultural upbringing can shape us – and set us free – all the same.

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

How can you show up in your family relationships when you’re not able to express your truest self? That’s exactly the question we explore in this episode. We’re joined by Bianca, who opted out of some core beliefs of her Catholic upbringing as a young adult, leaving behind a rift in her family relationships. She talks about balancing faith and science, finding love outside of her religion and the uninvited guest at the family dinner table: Catholic guilt.

Her journey is a relatable one about untangling expectations, redefining the definition of success, and the role her family – and her faith – played in the process. The pilgrimage away from the holy water for this daughter is one you won’t want to miss. Leave your judgments at the altar and come along for the ride!

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

On this episode, Melissa Frey joins the show to share her firsthand experience with the Christian church and its chase for chastity, especially in young women. She talks about the overwhelming guilt she felt when she had sex before marriage, casting off the patriarchal purity culture indoctrinated in her by faith and family. It was a decision that cost her dearly, but taught her valuable lessons about how the ideas of purity – common in high-demand religions – can hold us back.

From the holy trinity to losing her virginity, Melissa’s story is one about pushing through shame, expectations and loss to find the priceless gift of self-confidence on the other side. If you’ve ever struggled with the dichotomy of your dreams and others’ doctrines, this one's for you!

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

Caitlin Torres Graham regularly works with people who are grieving, whether that’s coming out, loss, death or, you guessed it, leaving a high-demand religion. As a trauma-informed art therapist, Caitlin works particularly with those grappling with their queer identity for the first time. Leaving behind a conservative religion has a lot of parallels and can leave behind a lot of trauma and fear. 

On this episode, Caitlin joins the show to talk about how art expression can be a tool to go from survive to thrive, helping foster a sense of identity and psychological safety along the way. Plus, what can dill pickles and painting teach us about our boundaries and ourselves? Listen in to find out!

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

What happens when your faith and sexuality collide? In this powerful episode, Jordan shares his journey of embracing his queer identity while navigating a high-demand Mormon upbringing. Discover how he grappled with a mixed-orientation marriage, confronted religious expectations, and ultimately chose authenticity over doctrine. From the suffocating closet of secrecy to the liberating process of leaving the LDS Church, Jordon’s story is a raw exploration of self-acceptance, resilience, and rewriting life’s script.

Join us at the intersection of sect and sexuality as we unpack the challenges of unlearning religious conditioning, reclaiming authenticity, and finding the courage to say goodbye to a belief system that no longer fits. If you've ever wrestled with faith, identity, or the fear of starting over, this episode is for you.

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

What does it take to rebuild your identity after leaving a high-demand religion? Austin and Jessa sit down with Alleia Davila, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at See the Wonder LLC, to explore the messy, empowering journey of rediscovering who you are. They dive into navigating relationships, breaking free from ingrained beliefs, finding authentic self-expression, and overcoming shame tied to religious upbringing.

Jessa also explains why “navel gazing” might just be the key to understanding yourself better—turns out, humans love homeostasis, even when it holds us back.

Whether you’re rebuilding your identity, supporting someone who is, or just curious about life after high-demand religion, this episode is packed with heartfelt stories, expert insights, and a few laughs to lighten the load.

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

Austin and Jessa dive into the complexities of dating across faith lines, sharing personal experiences and challenges faced when navigating relationships with differing beliefs. Austin discusses the importance of communication, respect, and setting boundaries in interfaith relationships, while offering insights on maintaining a healthy partnership despite cultural or religious differences. Jessalyn relates this to her current relationship and reflects on how it's been a true blessing in her life.

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

Cupid has no creed—and no remorse for those flying solo on Valentine’s Day. But what happens when you’re not just single, but also navigating life after leaving a high-demand religion? 

In this special episode, Jessa and Austin unpack the unique challenges of facing the "Day of Love" without the built-in community, expectations, and pressures of faith. From tackling loneliness and hyper-independence to redefining love on your own terms, they explore the power of self-acceptance, personal growth, and learning to actually enjoy your own company. Whether you're single, taken, or somewhere in between, this episode is a love letter to the one person who truly deserves it: you.

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show

What do “birth control shorts,” septum piercings, and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives have in common? They’re all part of the messy, liberating journey of leaving high-demand religions and facing the ever-terrifying “s” word: stigma.

In this episode, Jessa and Austin dive into the social stigmas faced by individuals who step away from high-demand faiths. Jessa shares her personal experiences, unpacking how religious expectations shape dating, self-expression, and relationships. From navigating judgment to rebuilding community, they explore what it means to pivot from “no no” to “go go” and reclaim your identity.

Whether you’re deconstructing your own beliefs, supporting someone who is, or just curious about the challenges of leaving high-demand religions, this episode is your guide to chucking shame in the “fuck it” bucket and embracing authenticity.

Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/excommunidatepod

YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExcommuniDate

Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/excommunidate/

TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@cupidhasnocreed

Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565386854823

Support the show