Episode 61 | I Was 8 When They Picked the Cousin I Had to Marry | Michelle Michaels

Follow Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmichaels_35?igsh=MTF3d216NHE2M3hxeg==Support me by reading my latest substack post: ❤️ https://jadenjeffs.substack.comOn The Jaden Jeffs Podcast, Jaden talks with Michelle Michaels (known as “Ava” on Escaping Polygamy), who was born and raised in the Kingston polygamist group (The Order). Michelle explains her family ties to leadership, including that her father Jesse (Paul Kingston’s brother) had over 200 children and that her mother is his niece. She describes severe physical abuse in her home, including punishments with belts and boards, being told at age eight who she would marry, and learning that fathers often delivered babies. Michelle recounts her mother going to jail after an 18‑month‑old child died in their care, alleging her father beat the child, and explains how fake names and inaccurate birth certificates were used. She details planning her escape, creating a fake Facebook profile to contact ex-members, working to gain emancipation, appearing on Escaping Polygamy, and struggling with emotional disconnection, dating, and learning “normal” life after leaving in 2017.01:16 Podcast Introductions02:52 Escaping Polygamy Fame04:22 Hair Rules and Culture Shock06:08 Blunt Questions After Leaving08:25 Dating and Birth Traditions21:37 Mom Jailed Baby Death25:02 Incest Laws and Plea Deal39:19 Beatings and Learning Not to Cry43:41 Dad’s Favoritism and Abuse44:34 Hardest Ages Growing Up46:08 Weapons and Beatings47:40 Assigned Marriage at Eight49:50 Perfection Wife Expectations51:37 Mom’s Dangerous Pregnancies55:10 Life at Fifteen and Fear59:09 Comic Con Toy Runs01:05:41 Toys Over Family Values01:11:14 Wives Servants and Control01:14:37 Marriage Pressure at Seventeen01:26:52 Planning the Escape01:29:21 Leaving With Escaping Polygamy01:35:49 Aftermath and Tattoo Talk01:38:28 Tattoos After Leaving01:41:03 Biker Stereotypes Flip01:44:22 Dating Outside the Cult01:52:08 Vulnerability and Trust01:57:46 Sharing Your Cult Past02:02:44 Finding Joy and Favorites02:04:58 Food Choices and Control02:09:18 Hobbies and Peace02:11:58 Bluntness and Empathy02:25:54 Fake Birth Certificates02:28:28 Fake Dad on Paperwork02:28:50 Jail and Kid Injuries02:29:26 Drinks and Being Blunt02:31:24 Tattoos and First Impressions02:35:25 Caffeine and Panic Attacks02:40:06 Dating Struggles02:41:40 Therapy Debate02:52:53 Love Feels Like a Cult02:55:44 AI as Therapist03:03:26 Bad Doctors Story03:08:02 Kingston vs FLDS Brain03:08:27 Men and Therapy03:09:49 Leaving FLDS and Healing03:11:03 Logic Versus Emotions03:16:54 Combining Empathy and Reason03:19:39 Victim Advocate Explained03:22:13 Morality After Cults03:24:41 Bad Therapists and Stigma03:30:05 Politics and Human Respect👇**SHOP MERCH HERE FROM JADEN**[fromjaden.com](http://fromjaden.com)👇 **FOLLOW + SUPPORT THE PODCAST**Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3GHUWDyJ5ZJ0QzVu8EihBH?si=hpDUxgqMR9CIkwei0Ghiew🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jaden-jeffs-podcast/id1795576157✉️ Newsletter (Substack): https://jadenjeffs.substack.com/👇 **MY Website**JadenJeffs.com👇 **SOCIALS**Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realjadenjeffs?igsh=cm9ybmY1dzk1dmNp&utm_source=qrTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jadenjeffs100?_r=1&_t=ZP-91rDt1rkLz5Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BtYdgFoS5/?mibextid=wwXIfr👇 **BUSINESS**📩 Contact: [email protected] me a Coffee via Venmo ❤️ https://venmo.com/u/fitoj