Life After DevOUT with Wendi Renay

Wendi Renay
  • 5.0 (20)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Life After Devout is a podcast about what comes next—after the unraveling, after the silence, after the life you thought you had to live. Hosted by someone who left a high-control belief system, grieved a marriage, and disappeared for a year to rebuild from the inside out. Each episode explores healing, movement, identity, feminine energy, clarity, and emotional freedom. No gurus, no pressure—just honest, grounded conversations for anyone ready to return to themselves. If you’re in this with me, let’s live life after devout.

  1. JUN 5

    Spotify ONLY: The Return — A New Name, Falling In Love With Life Again

    After a year-long disappearance from social media and the podcast, I’m back—and not because I’ve figured it all out, but because I finally started living from a place of truth. In this first episode of Life After Devout, I share where I’ve been, what changed, and how I quietly rebuilt a life I love. From regular therapy to spontaneous walks in borrowed shoes, from falling in love with kickboxing to crossing the finish line of a Spartan Race—this is the real story of coming home to myself. This isn’t about who I used to be. It’s about the life I’m creating now—and inviting you into. If you’ve ever needed a soft return, a quiet comeback, or a reminder that joy can be rebuilt, this episode is for you. If you’re in this with me—let’s talk about and live life after devout. –––––––––– Mentioned in this episode: • How logging off gave me clarity• Why I turned to movement as medicine• Rebuilding identity outside performance• Creating rhythms of strength, rest, and joy• What this show will look like moving forward If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since the beginning—thank you. I didn’t walk away from you. I just turned inward for a while. And now, I’m ready to share what I’ve found. Let’s begin again. Have thoughts about the episode? I’d love to hear them. Leave a comment or send a message—and if this resonated, share it with someone who’s ready for their own quiet comeback. FIND ME HERE

    9 min

  2. JUN 5

    Spotify ONLY: Understanding Trauma: Types, Triggers & Holistic Healing with Joel Pieper, LCSW

    In this deeply insightful conversation, licensed clinical social worker Joel Pieper breaks down the different types of trauma—beyond the obvious and into the subtle, often overlooked patterns that shape our lives. We explore: The difference between Big T and little t traumaHow trauma shows up in your body, relationships, and behaviorWhy unresolved trauma often appears as anxiety, overthinking, emotional shutdown, or people-pleasingThe critical role of nervous system regulation in sustainable healingHolistic, compassionate approaches to trauma recovery you can begin today Whether you’re new to this conversation or have been walking your healing path for a while, Joel offers clarity, language, and actionable tools that help you reconnect to your body, your story, and your power. Want to share your thoughts or feedback? We’d love to hear what resonated most with you. Leave a comment, send us a message, or leave a rating. Your voice helps us keep creating meaningful content that meets you where you are. Connect with Joel Pieper: Email: ⁠counselingjoel@gmail.com⁠ Explore More: Looking for tools to support your own comeback? Download the Quiet Comeback Kit or check out our self-guided eBooks on resilience, feminine revival, and healing from burnout at ⁠Wendi's Library.⁠ Follow, share, and subscribe if this conversation moved you. It helps others find their way back to themselves too.

    50 min

  3. 12/30/2024

    IT ALL WORKS OUT!

    This year, I want us to explore the stories of those who have faced tough challenges, particularly those who’ve come out of cult environments. I believe these conversations are vital in helping others find hope and connection in their own lives. Each episode will feature guests who’ve navigated their journeys and learned powerful lessons along the way. I’ll also share my own insights from my time away—what I learned about myself, the importance of stepping back, and how we can all cultivate a sense of peace amid chaos. This podcast isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving and discovering that, ultimately, everything works out in the end. So whether you’ve faced similar challenges or just want to hear some inspiring stories, there’s something here for everyone.

    3 min

  4. 06/24/2024

    Where Are They Now? Candice Ficalora

    Hello there! It's good to be back, I am excited about this new series. Are you ready for some stories about growth? Health and wellness? Healthy mindsets? Unraveled indoctrination? LET'S DO IT!! --------------------------------------------------------------- For Candace's first interview: https://youtu.be/rE_mP0aTEyY Born and raised in Brooklyn NYC to a former JW mom turned reinstated and non-JW dad, Candice grew up around the organization and was mentally in for most of her life, baptized at 26 years old, and woke up at 34 years old due to in her words the governing body "not staying in their lane" referring to their over-reach of encouraging certain personal decisions upon the congregants, rather than just sticking to "spiritual food". Candice's self-care journey helped her break free from the indoctrination and she shares her story to help others do the same. ------------------- To contact Candice: Instagram @candi_cee_

    51 min

  5. 12/17/2023

    Social Anxiety, Sadness, Depression, and Other Feelings - with Ryan Lee, PsyD

    To contact Dr. Ryan: www.drryanlee.com "I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness from birth until the age of 18, when I realized that there was more to the world than I had been taught. The following years, while exciting in some respects, were also challenging as I set out to rebuild my identity, world view and community from the ground up. I found my own time in therapy to be immensely helpful in this endeavor, however therapists I worked with had little familiarity with the depth to which this kind of religious conditioning penetrates the mind and soul. I often wished for someone who not only understood, but was equipped to help rewrite that unique brand of programming. After earning my doctorate in clinical psychology and accumulating over ten years' experience as a therapist, I am so happy to be able to make good use of my religious background in the service of supporting others who have made the courageous decision to listen to their heart and seek independence. I feel so blessed to have found an occupation that I feel so passionately about. My enthusiasm is based both in a love for the work itself and the joy of seeing the positive, life changing results this process has on those who engage with it. I am currently living in/working from Peru with my two whippets (who hold a very special place in my heart), and have an active interest in plant medicine (primarily ayahuasca), meditation, reading and creating stained glass art. #exjwsthink #jehovahswitnesses #psychology #cults #therapy #narcissism #exjw To contact Ryan: www.drryanlee.com

    1h 38m

  6. 04/01/2023

    Are All Religious Cults the Same? Anthony Forte, Former Deacon, World Mission Society Church of God

    Anthony is a former deacon and a 10.5 year member of the World Mission Society Church of God, a cult group that believes Jesus’ second coming already happened (and this Jesus died in 1985) and worships an elderly lady in Korea as “God the Mother.” Through the pandemic, personal research, and family support, Anthony was able to escape the mind control this group had over him as well as the arranged marriage they coerced him into. MORE INFO ABOUT WORLD MISSION SOCIETY OF GOD: https://open.spotify.com/show/28S9Lh2CvCtRJ8ByAXxUP1?si=DlXRt1r8TEepXdfTfhYCSghttps://youtube.com/@UCfi2w6gJGj1jHdEk-e_b7pA https://youtube.com/@UCQ03ecl0cI962vrOWOuN6dg https://www.examiningthewmscog.com/

    1h 4m
  7. David Podos: Tips for reaching out to journalists

    03/12/2023

    David Podos: Tips for reaching out to journalists

    Mr. Podos is a life -long resident of Utica New York. In his early professional career, he worked for a number of non-for-profit entities as Executive Director. In 2000 Podos was part of the faculty of a private business college located in Utica and held the position of Adjunct Instructor. He furthered his teaching career in 2005 when he became a faculty member at Mohawk Valley Community College, (also located in Utica New York), where he taught economics, marketing, and labor law till 2015. Podos is a former writer for Campus News- the country’s largest community college newspaper. Presently he writes for Mohawk Valley in Good Health newspaper and is one of their senior writers for the past 7 plus years. Contact information- Cell- 315-292-0589 E mail- podosdavid3@gmail.com or- podosdavid52@gmail.com

    1h 5m
  8. Dre: "Disfellowshipping, Divorce, & The "Perfect" JW Family Dynamic"

    01/13/2023

    Dre: "Disfellowshipping, Divorce, & The "Perfect" JW Family Dynamic"

    Dre is a 35 year young Mexican/Irish fellow from Southern California. His was raised as Jehovah’s Witness his entire life, but consistently struggled with his faith a majority of the time. He left the religion by way of being disfellowshipped at 31. He’s passionate about music, his love for animals and personal growth. He likes to spend his time creating beautiful memories with the ones he loves.   www.instagram.com/wilderhazemusic One love 💚

    57 min
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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Life After Devout is a podcast about what comes next—after the unraveling, after the silence, after the life you thought you had to live. Hosted by someone who left a high-control belief system, grieved a marriage, and disappeared for a year to rebuild from the inside out. Each episode explores healing, movement, identity, feminine energy, clarity, and emotional freedom. No gurus, no pressure—just honest, grounded conversations for anyone ready to return to themselves. If you’re in this with me, let’s live life after devout.

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