It started as a bookshop, grew into a commune, and evolved into an off-the-grid cult. Aravindan Balakrishnan started the Workers’ Institute after joining, then getting kicked out of, the Communist Party of England. His political beliefs attracted a small band of followers, whose lives he quickly began controlling with outlandish claims meant to stoke their fear.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices