This episode is sponsored by Better Help.

Is rock and roll an untapped conduit for healing after shunning? Filmmaker Scott Homan’s debut documentary feature “'Witness Underground”, sheds light on the experiences, creative expressions, and defection of ex-members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. The film delves into the journey of notable underground bands within the culty, culty JW organization, and chronicles their musical legacy comprising over 30 albums across multiple decades. Scott joins us today to talk about his experience coming of age as a second generation JW, and how he and other ex-JWs have harnessed the power of art for awakening and therapeutic purposes after escaping high-control religion.

Shownotes:

Filmmaker Scott Homan, was raised as a second generation Jehovah’s Witness in Wisconsin where his teenage music community recorded albums while being influenced by the cult. He studied photography and digital media in Minneapolis and now runs Banana Island Films, which was born in a music community during his years in Hanoi, Vietnam. His present projects focus on artists escaping cults, demonstrating that self-expression through art shortens the path to healing from shunning. “Witness Underground” is his debut feature documentary, and as a wider project, includes the Witness Underground YouTube channel and the series “XJW Coming Out.”

“Witness Underground” was just released on major streaming platforms, TUBI for free with ads, and on Amazon to rent or buy. Learn more at:

WitnessUnderground.com

TUBI: tubitv.com/movies/100018684/witness-underground

Amazon Prime Video: amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CVGPPFZ

To Rate and Review on IMDB: imdb.com/title/tt15215562

Also…let it be known that:

The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.

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CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames

Production Partner: Citizens of Sound

Producer: Will Retherford

Writer & Co-Creator: Jess Tardy

Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin