The team are back for Season 2 of the friendly discussion about all things high control, Jehovah's Witness and cult. In this episode Steph and Louise wildly overshare and Adam maintains the decorum you have come to expect from the podcast. We discuss the extreme control around relationships and sex, why Jehovah's Witnesses marry so young, the consequences of committing 'sins' and some of the damage this does to peoples' long term prospects for healthy relationships in the future.

Steph, Adam and Louise are pissed, and not in the Rutherford sense. In this episode we discuss the shocking 'clarification of understanding' that now allows Jehovah's Witnesses to get an education beyond basic compulsory schooling. After decades of young JWs having to scratch a living with bare minimum jobs that do not require any additional education, suddenly the Governing Body has discovered that Galatians 6:5 means people can go to college and university. We discuss the implications, reasons and ruined lives.

Louise, Steph and Adam discuss the life and influences of Joseph Rutherford, second president of the Watchtower Society. We discuss his simmering anger and the things he banned, the four women he summoned with a whistle, his relationship with his personal assistant Berta, his wealth and alcoholism that led him to move away from Bethel to his vanity project Beth Sarim. We also learn about his hatred of the Jews and his love of Hitler which turned sour and led to the death of over 1000 faithful Jehovah's Witnesses. We also manage to fit in some discussion of his hatred of beards, women, Mother's Day and prohibition.

Adam Steph and Louise discuss the JW presence at Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession through Birmingham, the role of the sisters, and a walk down memory lane discussing the Thursday meeting.

Steph Adam and Louise take a deep dive into the childhood, life, business, finances, affairs and influences that made the man who made a modern day cult. We also discuss the history and geography of the times that made him the man he was with ambitions to match the age. This is a fascinating discussion that goes deeper than the usual narratives of a 'pious young man'.

What do 'Watching the World' articles from the Awake and 'The Disgusting thing that causes desolation' in Daniel 11:31 have in common? In this weeks episode Louise, Adam and Steph discuss that time the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society accidentally joined the United Nations as a Non Governmental Organisation for 10 years and submitted an annual report listing how they supported the aims and objectives of the UN. Until the day they got found out and reported on in The Guardian newspaper, and then they disaffiliated exactly one day later. Listen to the email discussion between the Guardian reporter, Stephen Bates, and the Watchtower spokesman, Paul Gillies. A truly fascinating piece of Watchtower history.

Have you ever wondered why things have changed? Was the light really getting brighter or were there other more practical reasons for changes? Louise, Adam and Stephanie each take one change to the doctrine or practice of Jehovah's Witnesses and discuss what the real reasons behind the changes might have been. The sound is not great, but the subject matter is fascinating.

Adam and Louise interview Steph who was born into the Jehovah's Witnesses but knew she was gay from the age of 4. Steph lays out the most personal and intimate details of her life, her abuse and her coming out in this raw podcast. This interview also discusses domestic violence within Jehovah's Witnesses, emotional and physical abuse, and safeguarding issues. In this podcast we also learn that Adam may well have been an insufferable elder if he had remained. And we find out that Louise's Youtube videos made people think she was a bad bitch. Its possible that only Steph comes out of this interview unscathed.

Louise and Adam discuss the latest government to announce an Inquiry into child sexual abuse and also review the previous Inquiries in several countries. We discuss the remit of the inquiries, the recommendations of the Inquiries that have published final reports and the response from Governments and the Jehovah's Witness organisation. Please contact us on askingforafriendquestions@outlook.com We will respect your anonymity.

Adam and Louise interview their first guest, Lara Kaput and discuss whether the free work provided by Jehovah's Witnesses meets the legal definition of Modern Slavery. This incredibly interesting topic should be of interest to all Jehovah's Witnesses who may not realise that they are compelling people through the threat of disfellowshipping and shunning to provide significant amounts of free labour that turn into enormous financial benefit for the society.

For this episode Adam has studied the data table in the 2024 Yearbook and talks us all the highlights in numbers of the Jehovah's Witness year. He has some interesting facts and great surprises. He also talks us through the latest letter to the congregations.

All things Christmas for people who have left a high control group that forbids Christmas.

Louise and Adam discuss the impact of the internet on Watchtower Society, including the use of I-pads in meetings, how Covid affected the witnesses and whether young Jehovah's Witnesses will be able to resist typing 'Jehovah's Witnesses' into the google bar.

Louise and Adam discuss in a respectful and balanced way some of the questions people in high control groups might wonder about but not dare ask. In this first episode they introduce themselves, discuss the genesis of the show, and discuss the question that first got Adam thinking, why did the music change?