Bethany Leger was raised in the Jehovah’s Witnesses, only to discover she had been part of a cult for thirty years. As a consequence for defying authority and reclaiming her freedom, she is shunned by her devout family.
In 2019, she wrote Physically In, Mentally Out: Navigating Your Exit from Watchtower for the secret non-believer who is preparing to “come out” to their devout Jehovah’s Witness family. Her new book, Burning Down the House: Coping with Toxic Family Dynamics, Estrangement, and Rebuilding Your Life, challenges the notion that family can act with impunity, and explores the fallout that comes when your personal beliefs and values clash with those of your upbringing. What do you do when mutual respect and compromise are not possible? Burning Down the House seeks to destigmatize estrangement, and encourage readers to live a life that is personally resonant despite the cost.
She lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with her husband. She has her BA in Psychology from Arizona State University. In addition to writing, she also works as a Certified Personal Trainer.
You can also find her on YouTube: Stop the Shunning
The best way to reach her is via email: bethanylegerwriter[at]gmail.com.