Sitting at a meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses, during the circuit overseer’s visit, a young Dylan was facing a crisis of disconnection. As he realized that he did not belong there once again, and as he felt this darkness in the Kingdom Hall, Dylan would do something that would change the course of his life. On the congregation’s wifi while the meeting was going on, Dylan took a chance on Dylan for the first time. He took a chance to open a door that would lead him to eventual freedom even while sitting in a mental prison with everyone else. Listen to his story to learn about his family that was a constant in the congregation, his mother that married an ex-Scientologist and ended up in Africa, and what pushed him to have the courage on that fateful day to do something unthinkable for most in the cult of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The song that Dylan chose to represent his journey is I’m Not Okay But I Know I’m Going To Be by Raleigh Ritchie.
Dylan has his own music single on Spotify as Gem Fresh, entitled Bluefin, found HERE
Support Dylan by leaving him a comment HERE
Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned
Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let’s talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach. Click HERE for more information.
Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com
Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook Support Group HERE
Leave us a review on iTunes
Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show.
This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app or on YouTube. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah’s Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment.
Music provided by Jane and the Boy, entitled Save Myself.
Hello Dylan
Welcome to club of both survivors of the cult and Mikes interviewing skills
🤣🤣🤣
I enjoyed your life story.
Not familiar with your families name, maybe just a bit to far north.
I knew some families in the Sebec Maine area and Bangor Maine area.
Steve Kelman was pretty well known. I knew his brother Jeff pretty well.
Steves daughter Kirsten married a local to my area.
Jeffs daughter would be near your age, and in now in Vegas.
Love that you surfed apostate material and also gave a bible reading all in the same 5 minutes.
Best wishes
Dino
Hey Dylan, I’m an ex-JW from NH too! Glad you found your true path.
Hi Dylan,
Just happened upon your name on Facebook via another ex JW’s Facebook page and I recognized your last name. Pretty sure your grandfather was one of my congregation’s circuit overseers in Toledo, Ohio. He was a heavy set man from what I remember of him. Anyway, I am so glad you got out and can live your life authentically. I know it wasn’t without a hefty price though. I wish you all the happiness in the world. ❤️