Unspun

Jaya Mangalam Gibson and Alisa Woodruff
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Unravelling cult narratives thread by thread. A survivor-led podcast focused on recovery, rebuilding, and reclaiming life after high-control environments. What happens after you walk away from a world that told you what to think, how to feel, and who to be? Unspun explores the messy, courageous, and deeply human process of reclaiming one’s autonomy. Each episode dives into the intricate “threads” of high-control groups – from the initial pull to the eventual breaking point – and offers practical insights for those navigating the long road to recovery.

Episodes

  1. 5 MAY

    EP 5 - Jennie Burt - ExJW

    Jennie Burt was born into the Jehovah’s Witness faith, a world that shaped every aspect of her childhood. Raised within a strict and insular belief system, she was baptized at just 12 years old and quickly became a door-to-door Pioneer, dedicating her young life to the teachings she had been raised to believe without question. But by the age of 15 or 16, Jennie’s life took a dramatic turn when she was disfellowshipped—cut off from the only community she had ever known and subjected to the painful practice of shunning. Her early years were marked by intense control, coercion, and abuse. Being cast out so young left Jennie vulnerable, and the decades that followed were spent in another deeply controlling and abusive relationship and marriage that lasted from the age of 16 until she was 49. Yet Jennie’s story is not defined by what was done to her—it is defined by how she survived it. At 50, Jennie began rebuilding her life on her own terms. Now 66, she is a proud mother of two incredible children and a loving grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren. Supported by loyal friends, caring family, and the guidance of an exceptional psychologist, Jennie has reclaimed her voice, her identity, and her future. Today, she shares her story to show others that life after a cult is possible. Her journey is one of resilience, healing, and rediscovery—a powerful reminder that no matter how long you’ve been controlled or silenced, it is never too late to find yourself and create a new life.

    55 min

  2. 21 APR

    EP 4 - Scott Homan - 21 April 2025

    Scott is a first time filmmaker. He was raised in the Northwoods of Wisconsin in the heart of the Great Lakes region, where the culture is fiercely DIY. His dad joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses when he was child. Taught by eccentric parents to defy cultural norms, Scott created his first two student documentaries at 17 in a high school program. He worked at Channel 7 News running camera and sound in Wausau, WI and then went to photography school in Minneapolis during the transition from film to digital. In his late 20s, Scott came to the conclusion he didn’t believe in their God, Jehovah, and realised he was an atheist. For this, he was completely cut off by his family that remained in the religion.  He later lived abroad for seven years in Ecuador and Vietnam where he primarily focused on developing the skills to run a boutique documentary production studio. He and two friends in Hanoi created Banana Island Films, a music video and documentary production company that he runs to this day. scott@bananaislandfilms.com

    56 min

  3. 6 APR

    EP 3 - Laura Muir - 7 Apr 2026

    Laura was recruited into Shincheonji, a Korean Christian cult, in Auckland at the age of 27 and was a member for 5 years, giving up her job, savings and distancing herself from friends and family. She has been out for over 5 years now and has slowly rebuilt her life, rediscovering who she is, from running a marathon to taking hip hop classes, dipping her toes into the world of dating apps, travelling and moving back to her hometown of Christchurch. She has spoken out about her experience over the past few years including the Decult Conference in 2024 in the hope that others can avoid being recruited, and so current members know there is life after leaving.

    47 min

  4. 24 MAR

    Unspun - Episode 2 - Alisa Woodruff

    An incredible conversation with Alisa Woodruff and Jaya Mangalam Gibson. We’re really excited for you to hear this one. Alisa Woodruff is a counsellor, artist, based in Christchurch, New Zealand. She recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy and is interested in how creativity, storytelling, and reflection can help people make sense of complex life experiences. As a second-generation cult member of Subud herself, Alisa brings both personal insight and professional curiosity to conversations about leaving high-control groups. On Unspun, she helps create thoughtful spaces where people can share their stories and explore what rebuilding life beyond those systems can look like. Having grown up within high-control environments, including Subud, Alisa brings lived experience to the conversations Unspun exists for — life after, recovery, and rebuilding on the outside. Unravelling cult narratives, thread by thread.

    55 min

  5. 9 MAR

    Episode 1 – ex-Falun Gong Survivor – Jaya Mangalam Gibson

    A survivor of both the Fourth Way and Falun Gong, Jaya Mangalam Gibson has spent over a decade deconstructing the complexities of high-control environments. As a volunteer organiser for Uncult Ōtautahi survivors group and a key member of the Decult team, Jaya is dedicated to building peer-led support systems for those navigating the aftermath of spiritual and psychological abuse. Through Unspun, he brings a blend of raw lived experience and a passion for helping others reclaim their autonomy. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Jaya is committed to untangling the threads of the past to help survivors weave a future defined by their own voices.

    44 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

Unravelling cult narratives thread by thread. A survivor-led podcast focused on recovery, rebuilding, and reclaiming life after high-control environments. What happens after you walk away from a world that told you what to think, how to feel, and who to be? Unspun explores the messy, courageous, and deeply human process of reclaiming one’s autonomy. Each episode dives into the intricate “threads” of high-control groups – from the initial pull to the eventual breaking point – and offers practical insights for those navigating the long road to recovery.

Information

  • Creator
    Jaya Mangalam Gibson and Alisa Woodruff
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jaya Mangalam Gibson and Alisa Woodruff
  • Show Website
    Unspun