JW Podcast

Listen to the latest Podcast where Neil and I engage in some witty banter while discussing the class action in Canada, the loving blessing from Jehovah of the simplified version of the Watchtower and what that might look like. We also touch on some exciting activism Neil will be participating in at Warwick.

Listen to the fascinating story of Rachel, the only activist in New Zealand. Find out how she woke up, and how she made a complicated system in her skirt for hiding leaflets and distributing them at a convention. Also how she turned her car into a mobile billboard and how Jehovahs Witnesses still failed to identify her as an apostate!This gentle humourous incredibly brave woman shares her story to myself and Lara Kaput in our 'Antipodean Series' of JWPodcast.

Listen to all the latest news; from Canada where the very first class action against Watchtower Society has been filed, and from Australia where the Australian Royal Commission has made its mark on changes in the law which will compel Jehovahs Witnesses to comply at last with child safeguarding legislation.We also discuss to weak response from Watchtower in the form of an elders letter dealinging with how to handle child abuse cases.

In this second episode of season 4, Louise, Bill, and Jaymes interview Jon Atack, the published author who wrote A Piece of Blue Sky and Opening Minds. Jon was a Scientologist, and so the gang takes a look at the parallels between the Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientology with Jaymes reading a 3 minute elevator pitch on what Jehovah's Witnesses believe. The team also takes a look at Russia's decision to ban Jehovah's Witnesses, which sparks a debate on whether the government is wrong or right in taking this action. Jaymes also announces a new website, JWSoapbox.com, and tells Louise what colour stockings she should wear to a party she's about to go to. All in all, a fun show!

Jaymes brings back the original gang for a show! Jaymes, Louise and Lloyd are back are back for this one episode only, and take a look at the Australian Royal Commission, March 2017's JW Broadcasting Show, and delve deep into the 2017 Yearbook. 

In this episode listen to John Redwood tell you what happened from right inside the court room in the Fessler v Watchtower Society case. John took extensive notes and recordings and was able to interview the jury after the case settled. This was only the second jury trial against Watchtower, and the whole 5 days were a damning indictment on the policies and procedures of Watchtower society, with two whole days dedicated to arguing about whether elders were 'ministers' or not. John tells us the surprising outcome along with other fascinating details about how Watchtower try to stall and obfuscate in child abuse cases.

Listen to Bill, Neil and I duscuss the end of year figures from the year book, and find out if the Jehovahs Witnesses are increasing or decreasing. We also discuss the strange situation of the Faithful and Discreet Slave who partake of the emblems each year, and how this is figures rises inexplicably every year. Bill also explains the detective work he has been doing to find out where all the money goes that is donated to WTS in Australia and why he thinks the WTS may not be making plans to satisfy the AUS$200 million + reparation bill any time soon.

Listen to the absolutely fascinating interview with Howie Rutledge Tran, who served as a Personal Assistant to several members of the Governing Body at Brooklyn Bethel for 11 years.As well as personal insights about the behaviour and perculiarities of members of the Governing Body and the Bethel family, Howie relates how 'new light' was created.Howie also relates his own heartbreaking personal journey, and how he fought for over a decade to deny who he was, before finding freedom, at a great cost.If you don't listen to any other JWPodcast, listen to this one.

Happy Christmas to all our listeners. Thank you so much for being there. Without you, the Podcast is nothing. Love from the whole team: Bill Hahn, Neil Gardener, Betsy Jael, Ruben Ortiz, Heather Squad and Ste Rikhardsson and Louise Goode.

The team at JW Podcast have united the hemispheres and battled one particularly pesky Skype demon in order to bring you this episode. Patricia, Lloyd, and guest host Gordon are joined by Pierre Burmester from Australia, creator of the All Along The Watchtower web series, for a panel discussion about the importance of education in the post-JW landscape. The team also listens to and discusses some excellent voicemails, and they discuss the Slippery Slope fallacy. 

For this episode, JW Podcast hosts Patricia, Lloyd, and Louise discuss the Jehovah’s Witness judicial process with special guest Gordon, aka Toledo Squad. Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that their disciplinary system is fair, loving, and reasonable, but Gordon’s riveting story reveals what all too often happens when elders decide that a member of their congregation needs “spiritual help.”

This episode sees Patricia, Louise, and Lloyd joined by the brilliant Ryan Bell, who transitioned from Seventh Day Adventist pastor to atheist and Founder of Life After God during last few years. They discuss the process of finding one's way in the world after making a break from the religion that defined them, and they compare and contrast some central JW and SDA beliefs, practices, and common origins.   Afterwards, the hosts delve into some phenomenal listener voicemails. Finally, Lloyd provides an update on his endeavors with the UK Charity Commission, and Louise gives details on a new public pressure group starting in Canada.

Patricia, Lloyd, and Louise are joined by Brett Griffin-Young for a discussion about parenting: how it is approached by Jehovah's Witnesses, the way a JW upbringing affects people born into the religion, and the challenges and rewards of raising children as ex-Jehovah's Witnesses.   Afterwards, in the newest Fun with Fallacies segment, the hosts examine the "argument from ignorance/God of the gaps" fallacy, including how to spot it in JW rhetoric and how to move past it toward a more productive debate. Finally, Louise updates us on her recent foray into peaceful activism on the local Kingdom Hall level, and Lloyd shares some news on a letter he submitted to the UK Charities Commission.  

Patricia, Louise, and Lloyd are in a discussion of the findings released earlier this month for the Australian Royal Commission. We break down the Senior Counsel's conclusions and analyze the infuriating rebuttals by Watchtower's slick lawyers. We also talk about a bombshell news piece on Jehovah's Witnesses released in Portugal, and GB member David Splane's baffling attempt to discredit the reporter at the helm. Finally, we answer assorted questions from listeners.   You can find downloadable PDFs of the Australian Royal Commission findings here: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/636f01a5-50db-4b59-a35e-a24ae07fb0ad/case-study-29,-july-2015,-sydney.aspx   You can find the Friday Column about the Portuguese news documentary here, with links to the videos:   http://jwsurvey.org/governing-body-2/the-friday-column-portuguese-documentary-overshadows-governing-body-visit   Pierre Burmester's All Along the Watchtower video playlist is available here:   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4M9V52NoBW8Ec2-hq39Cf1yvT84zEv_r   Any exJWs in Australia or New Zealand who have recently woken up as a result of the Australian Royal Commission and who are seeking support can send an email to: contact@jwhelp.me

Patricia, Lloyd, and Louise discuss the massive leaked document that came down from Bethel about a week ago. We debate the purpose of head coverings and try to determine why you can be censored for giving your pet a blood transfusion, but if you want to celebrate your birthday, the most you will get is some gentle Biblical counsel. We also listen to several voicemails and weigh in on each.