EP 6 - Jonas Skogstroll - exJW
from Unspun Hosted by Jaya Mangalam Gibson and Alisa Woodruff
Jonas Skogstroll is a Swedish comedian, human rights activist, and—perhaps most famously—a goat farmer living in Norway. Having grown up within the strict confines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jonas spent his early life being told that the world outside the organization was a place of darkness and despair. Since leaving, he has dedicated himself to proving the exact opposite: that there is a wealth of joy, absurdity, and freedom to be found on the "outside." Jonas is the mastermind behind Doomsday Comedy, a stand-up collective featuring comedians who have survived fundamentalist backgrounds. By transforming religious trauma into punchlines, he provides a cathartic space for survivors to laugh at the very things that once controlled them. Recently, Jonas made waves in New Zealand during his 2026 tour, where he balanced sold-out comedy sets with peaceful protests at Jehovah’s Witness conventions. Known for his "one-man Muppet Show" energy and his recent ADHD diagnosis (which he weaves brilliantly into his storytelling), Jonas brings a refreshing, high-energy perspective on what it means to truly reclaim your life. In this episode, we discuss: The transition from "religious fanatic" to stand-up comedian. The healing power of humor in cult recovery. His mission to show young people still inside high-control groups that there is a vibrant life waiting for them. And, of course, what life is really like as a Swedish goat farmer in Norway.
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