How Jehovah’s Witnesses Psychologically Tortured Me for 30 Years
How Jehovah’s Witnesses Psychologically Tortured Me for 30 Years  
Podcast: Cults to Consciousness
Rating: Explicit Published On: Tue Aug 26 2025
Description: Bethany Leger was raised in the Jehovah’s Witnesses, only to realize she had been part of a cult for thirty years. The psychological pressure cooker exploded in her 20s with quickly deteriorating mental health. The faux perfectionism drove her into an eating d*sorder as a means to gain any form of control over her life. When she could no longer pretend anymore, questioning authority and pursuing her personal freedom cost her, her devout family.  She now has a YouTube channel where she discusses the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ h*rmful policies.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Bethany on social media:Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bethanylegerwebsite: www.bethanyleger.comYT: https://www.youtube.com/@stoptheshunningIG: https://www.instagram.com/bethanylegerwriterBethany’s book: Physically In, Mentally Out: Navigating Your Exit From WatchtowerThe best way to reach her is via email: bethanylegerwriter@gmail.comSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks:00:00:00 Intro00:04:25 Defining the Jehovah's Witness religion as a cult-like group00:06:02 What Bethany's family was like growing up00:11:08 Core beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses00:15:23 Bethany's gut feelings about the church and the obligation to fulfill duties00:23:20 CW: ED Developing h*rmful behaviors and realizing how being a JW makes Bethany really feel00:25:21 CW: ED Bethany's experience in high school that led her to evaluate the Jehovah's Witnesses00:38:45 What Bethany's mom did to keep her in the religion00:41:16 Bethany's parents' conflicting values and where that confusion ultimately led her00:46:26 How self policing kept Bethany as a Jehovah's Witness after high school00:49:30 The tension in Bethany reaches a breaking point CW: su*cid*l ideation00:51:54 The last time Bethany stepped foot in a Kingdom Hall00:58:29 The moment that changed Bethany's perspective forever01:02:02 CW: SA Jehovah's Witness SA cases in Australia01:03:12 CW: SA The two witness rule and how it allows rampant ab*se to fester for years01:06:10 Barbara Anderson's story01:13:59 New changes to how shunning works01:19:09 How Bethany is doing now01:22:51 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.