In this episode, Amanda reconnects with her cousin Jared Smith after more than a decade apart. Growing up together in Mississippi after Amanda's family moved from Arizona, Jared was Amanda’s first white cousin among a sea of Mexican cousins—an early sign that his path might look different from others. The two shared many childhood memories, but after drifting apart for 13–15 years, Amanda is eager to hear how Jared’s life has unfolded.
Jared shares openly about his deep roots in the Holdeman Mennonite church, describing himself as the "poster child" for the faith. Coming from a family of ministers, he was seen as someone destined to continue in the tradition. But as he puts it, he eventually "broke the mold."
In a conversation that’s both reflective and full of life, Jared walks us through his journey of leaving the church, which he began around 2018. It wasn’t a clean break at first—he stayed connected for a few more years before finally relocating to Arizona and severing ties completely. It was one of the hardest things he’s ever done, but also one of the best.
He speaks with emotion about the mental and emotional toll of leaving and how difficult it was to even begin to understand himself outside the church. But today, Jared says his life is full and beautiful. He has a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, and he’s built a life filled with personal growth, business success, and genuine well-being. “Not what we were told when we were leaving,” he notes, but undeniably good.
Whether you're familiar with the Holdeman world or completely new to it, Jared's story offers a powerful look at what it means to step away from a high-control religious community and discover a vibrant, fulfilling life on the other side.
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