P.I.M.O. (Physically in, mentally out.) It's a phrase not many outside of the JW organization know but is one that within the Jehovah's Witness community many secretly identify with. Including Geoffrey Wallis.  

Geoffrey is an active Jehovah’s Witness who uses his unique position as a critical insider to provide commentary on the social psychology of the organization and raise awareness of how coercion in the group leads to Religious Trauma Syndrome in disillusioned members.

As Wallis puts it in A Voice From Inside, he was “heavily involved in both attending and instructing specialized schools and training programs sponsored by the Watch Tower Society”. Upon disillusionment, he suffered some of the worst symptoms of Religious Trauma PTSD including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation. Now in full recovery, Wallis puts his family and community relationships in jeopardy to bring awareness to those suffering from Religious Trauma and the challenges of Physically-In-Mentally-Out (PIMO) Jehovah’s Witnesses who feel trapped by the captive policies of the organization.

On part 1 of our conversation with Geoffrey we dive deep into the doctrinal beliefs of JW's, the history of the organization, JW's beliefs on shunning, Geoffrey's new book and why he, though still an elder, has decided to stay after "waking up". 

You can find more of his work at: https://www.wallisbooks.com/

How does multi faith engagement promote our own personal spiritual growth? 

On today's episode we're talking with Dr. Paul Louis Metzger (Ph.D.) about the concept of holy envy, the importance of multi faith engagement and leaning into the differences of various faith traditions and beliefs. Paul is the Founder and Director of The Institute for Cultural Engagement: New Wine, New Wineskins and Professor of Christian Theology & Theology of Culture at Multnomah University and Seminary. He is also the author of Beatitudes, Not Platitudes: Jesus' Invitation to the Good Life; Evangelical Zen: A Christian’s Spiritual Travels With a Buddhist Friend; Connecting Christ: How to Discuss Jesus in a World of Diverse Paths. 

If you enjoy Paul's insights and thoughts, we also invite you to learn more about his son's recent traumatic brain injury. Paul has become a dear friend to us and we continue to send prayers, wishes and hope for his son's full recovery. Here is a link to learn more and other ways to support Paul's family if you feel so inclined: https://www.gofundme.com/f/christopher-metzgers-healing-and-recovery?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet+chico96v&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Spiritual growth only happens when we create space for true connection and accepted vulnerability.

On today's episode, we talk with Elizabeth Hagan, author of "Brave Church: Tackling Tough Topics Together".  Elizabeth is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and has been a pastor for 15 years most recently at the Palisades Community Church in Washington, DC. She saw and personally experienced the isolation, loneliness, and shame that remains unspoken when Christians shy away from difficult conversations. She knew that the church could do better to foster a sense of acceptance and belonging. So, she wrote Brave Church to open the door to the presence of God in difficult conversations.

NOTE: This podcast covers topics of sexual abuse, suicide, and other topics that might be triggering for some. 

Religious abuse is no walk in the park. And we know many of our listeners are currently in their recovery journey or want to know more about what's really going on in the body of someone who has experienced religious abuse. So for today's episode we wanted to bring in Connie A. Baker.  

Connie is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Trauma recovery specialist, Trained Life Coach and focuses her practice on those who are recovering from religious abuse and trauma. In this episode, we dive into Connie's own story of shifting faith, what lead her to starting her own practice and some of the ways we can begin to better understand what is going on in the brain, body and soul for those who are currently struggling with PTSD after leaving a religious structure. 

If you would like to check out any of Connie's work, her recent book or connect with her you can do so at: https://connieabaker.com/

What does it look like to reconstruct your faith? For Bonnie, that journey is one she knows quite well. 

On today's episode we talk with Bonnie Lang Rambob. Bonnie grew up a 4th generation Seventh-day Adventist. She started her own family in the faith, taught in the SDA parochial school system, and dreamed of changing her church for the better. Then, little by little, faith and God began to unravel until it was all dust. After a period of profound depression, Bonnie found the light of a new day. These days, she's a pastor, activist, student of theology, and mom of young adult sons. She loves climbing trees, knitting, and hiking while conversing with friends about smashing the patriarchy. We dive into the entire process of deconstruction, reconstruction and finding freedom in leaving a little room for the "mystery" of faith. 

This episode is the audio version of our April "Why Multi Faith Matters" event.

If you missed it or would like to rehear the discussion, here's your chance! And be sure to stay up to date on all of our upcoming events. They are always interactive panel discussions and a great opportunity for you to learn, ask questions and connect with others in the WTF community. 

Be sure to join our email list at: www.whatthefaith.space 

We've yet to cover Scientology on the podcast and this week we change that. 

On today's episode we talk with Chris Shelton, a former Scientologist and Sea Org member.

Born and raised in California, Chris grew up in a Scientology household and learned about its principles at a young age. While he was exposed to some children’s courses and materials at a young age, he started formally doing services at 15 years old while still attending high school. Upon graduation, he was recruited to join Scientology staff at the Santa Barbara Church of Scientology. He worked there for eight years and then joined the Sea Organization, Scientology’s elite core group of dedicated and fanatical followers who work 24/7 to forward Scientology’s ends under the leadership of David Miscavige.

We dive into the core beliefs of Scientology, the experience of a Sea Org member and how Chris has moved on since leaving Scientology. 

We're back! On today's episode we talk with Amy Logan. 

Amy is the host of the Exmormonology Podcast and a Certified Life Coach. Amy left the Mormon faith after 37 years of devout membership. Her faith crisis began in 2006. After a few of years of study and soul searching, Amy walked away from it all.

Amy knows that churches can be wrong, outcasts can be right and life is rarely black and white. She offers soft landings for those falling wide awake. Through inspiring podcasts, provocative questions, and one on one coaching, she opens space for healing conversations to take place with "been there, survived that" truisms to soften the fall. We hope you enjoy the conversation. 

We live in a melting pot of spiritual beliefs. So how the hell do we begin to navigate and learn about all types of faiths, beliefs and practices? 

How do we engage with our neighbors that don't think like us? How do followers of various faiths build meaningful relationships while staying true to their own beliefs? How can we respect one another and learn from other spiritual practices? In this episode, we talk with Chris, a Christian pastor who loves his multi faith neighbors. We dive into his best friendship with an Atheist, how multi faith dialogue impacts his own faith and some of the key steps followers of faiths can take to begin navigating multi faith dialogue. 

Does suffering go beyond just our experience of grief and death? Or are we actually experiencing the truth of suffering all around us? 

In this episode we dive into the First Noble Truth of Buddhism and how we might better understand suffering within our world. We also explore how we can understand concepts of spirituality beyond just our written and verbal communication. Could spiritual language be something bigger than our verbage? Something bigger than anything we can even conceptualize?