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.

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Disclaimer:

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.