send us an email to myhiddenstruggles@gmail.com

In her first interview on our sister channel EXJW Critical Thinker, Gail shared the heartbreaking story of her father’s deathbed confession after serving as a Jehovah’s Witness elder for decades.

In this Hidden Struggles follow-up, Gail returns to reveal what happened next — how her mother cut her off from seeing her father before he died, and how no one in her Jehovah’s Witness family told her when her mother passed away. Gail only learned about her mom’s death by stumbling across her obituary on Facebook.

This is the devastating reality of being shunned until death — where Watchtower loyalty and the Governing Body’s Paradise promise can destroy family bonds forever.

📌 Watch Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/1D59WhdbKzs
💬 Share your story or connect with us: ladyceepodcast@gmail.com

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome Gail
00:57 Deathbed Confession Recap
07:48 Branded an Apostate for reading Crisis of Conscience
26:39 Learning about Mom's Death on Facebook
33:51 The Cost of Watchtower loyalty

Support the show

send us an email to myhiddenstruggles@gmail.com

Contact Joe & Fran:
YouTube channel Joe and Fran every Wednesday, 7 pm est.
https://www.youtube.com/@UCVJ8KInz-MesI345Frv_aqw
Phone: 315-221-0130
Email jandfguerino@gmail.com

Fran and Joe left the Jehovah’s Witness organization in their 70s — proving that courage has no age limit. Nearly four years after waking up to “the truth about the truth” and two and a half years after officially disassociating, they’ve built a new life centered on freedom, connection, and helping others.

In this conversation on Hidden Struggles, we talk about:

What life looks like after leaving in your 70s

How they’ve built community and connection post-organization

The importance of courage and hope at any age

Fran and Joe’s story is a powerful reminder that you are not alone — and it’s never too late to reclaim your freedom.

💬 Join the conversation:
If you’re an ExJW, PIMO, or just starting your journey out, share your thoughts in the comments. Your story matters, and your voice can encourage someone else.

🔔 Subscribe for more discussions, interviews, and resources for life after high-control religion: [https://www.youtube.com/@ladyceehiddenstruggles]

Support the show

send us an email to myhiddenstruggles@gmail.com

Follow Daria on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/daria.l.ross?igsh=MWQ4cHFrN3Z3bzVseg==

In this powerful final part of my 3‑part conversation with Daria, we talk about what happens when you stop letting the Governing Body control your choices—and start taking ownership of your health and your life.

Daria, a former Jehovah’s Witness and breast cancer survivor, opens up about:
• The life‑saving medical decisions she was free to make after leaving the Jehovah's Witness faith
• How Watchtower policies keep members trapped in fear and silence
• The hidden costs—financial, emotional, and physical—of following harmful doctrines
• Her advocacy work helping women navigate the healthcare system and claim their rights

If you’ve ever wondered what freedom looks like outside the control of the Governing Nobodies, this is an episode you need to watch.

📌 Watch Part 1 here → https://youtu.be/0j33mFdhCvA
📌 Watch Part 2 here → https://youtu.be/ENq9eJCSRFk

🔗 Catch Parts 1 to 3 in the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_ykTLA0AaRTCu8RdouOwixpVLUjZIIW1

📩 Want to share your story? Email me at podcast@hiddenstruggles.com

Support the show