Ever heard of a Scientology-laced organization for spiritual growth? Neither had we, until we sat down with Kim Peirano. Today, Kim recounts her bizarre experience with the Foundation for Spiritual Development (FSD). From hypnotic meditations t

Tyler’s Story Part 2: “Man On a Mission”

10 days ago 57m 43s

Today is the final part of your fearless co-host, Tyler Measom's, story of being raised a Mormon, and finding the strength to finally say goodbye to the underwear. Now an acclaimed filmmaker and podcaster, much of Tyler’s work is inspired by th

Tyler’s Story - Part 1: “Mormon Mission to… Not France”

17 days ago 51m

Tyler Measom, your fearless co-host, stopped by the studio in his magic underwear to chat with Liz about his cultic upbringing as a good (clean) Mormon Boy in Pleasant Grove, Utah. It’s everything you could hope for and less… or more… more or l

The Cult Guru: “How to Save The World w/ Dr. Steven Hassan”

24 days ago 55m 51s

WE NEED YOUR INPUT!! We’re launching a new membership on Patreon and want to know… If you were to support this membership, what content do YOU crave more of? Please head to THIS LINK and GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS!: https://forms.gle/9M8TSjfBvpNHKbx

Married to the Cult Leader: “Symbol of The Whore"

1 month ago 1h 2m

Christina takes us on a harrowing journey trapped in a cult led by (none other than) her husband, who claimed to be the reincarnation of Christ. Of course when they first met, he was a rebel who stole cars and did drugs, but we digress. From ma

Mormonism w/ Tal Bachman: “He’s So Hiiiiigh… On Doctrine"

Mar 17th, 2024 1h 22m

In the electrifying world of rock ’n roll, Canadian Tal Bachman, son of legendary Randy Bachman from Bachman Turner Overdrive, seemed destined for stardom. Yet, his path was anything but straightforward. For Tal, it was a constant dance between

Gloriavale: “Gloria Fail"

Mar 11th, 2024 1h 5m

Jason Christian was born into Gloriavale — a self-proclaimed utopic Christian community of more than 500 people on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. His grandfather, Hopeful Christian, was the leader. Shut out from the outside world

Sufism - Part 2: “Freedom at 23”

Mar 4th, 2024 54m 28s

This is Part 2 of Sara Tasneem’s heroic story. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, please start there. This episode reveals Sara’s immense strength, her re-brith, her new found freedom. But after years of imprisionment, the real world isn’t alwa

Sufism - Part 1: “Forced at 15”

1 Feb 26th, 2024 52m 27s

Sara Tasneem's journey began in Boulder, Colorado, where she was born into the Islamic faith. However, at the age of five, her parents divorced, causing her faith to split as well. Her mother distanced herself from the religion, while her fathe

Multi-Level Manipulator (MLM): “Hey, Hun! Hey, Girl! Hey, sis!”

Feb 19th, 2024 50m 47s

Emily Lynn Paulson was a busy, ass-kicking mom to five children when she realized something was missing. Wanting to find a way to enter the workforce again, she met up with an old friend one night who introduced her to some products. Products h

Deer Tribe — PART 2: “This is Not Sexual Healing."

Feb 12th, 2024 51m 19s

Now fully committed, Kit works her way through the Deer Tribe Medicine Society and Quodoushka programs, each level more intense than the last. After moving to Phoenix due to pressure from the group, she begins to really question whether or not

Deer Tribe — PART 1: “This Is Sexual Healing?"

Feb 5th, 2024 57m 4s

While attending college in Texas, a friend suggested that Kit attend a sweat lodge. Innocently, she did. Little did she know this sweat lodge was part of a bigger community known as ‘The Ashram'. Soon she was recruited into more than just the s

Children of God: “You’re Enough As You Are” (UPDATE)

Jan 29th, 2024 42m 41s

**NOTE: This episode originally ran in 2021** **NEW EPS DROP NEXT WEEK MONDAY FEB 5th**Welcome to the worst cult ever (in our humble opinions). This is a story of incredible resilience, bravery, and inspiration. Being born into a cult always

Thou Shan’t Be Named: “Non-Church Church” (UPDATE)

Jan 22nd, 2024 57m 33s

*NOTE: This episode originally ran in 2022*TITLE: Thou Shan't Be Named: "Non-Church Church" Non-Denominational Christianity. Sounds innocent enough, and for many non-denominational churches, it is. But for others, the non-affiliation creates

WISE(aka Scientology) — “Stop interbulating me!”

1 May 15th, 2023 1h 13m

Fresh to the workforce, Amber answered a job posting for a dental assitant: “No experience needed!” Looking for something reliable to support her new life as a single mother, she was thrilled when she got hired.Little did she know, her new job

Divine Madness: “Ultra Mara-con”

May 8th, 2023 52m 37s

Colorado is known to draw the hippies, the free-thinkers, the adventurous… so when a group of alternative medicine devotees convinces our guest that they can cure her severe back pain, she’s open to suggestion.But soon, she finds herself sleep

Chung Moo Quan — Part 2: “Be Alright to Leave?”

May 1st, 2023 42m 5s

Russell D. Johnson’s story continues. A journey into and out of a martial arts cult.PART TWOSo Russell survives his emergency, life-threatening arm surgery, but shockingly, that won’t be the hardest thing.So the next question becomes… Can h

Chung Moo Quan — Part 2: “Be Alright to Leave?”

May 1st, 2023 42m 5s

Russell D. Johnson’s story continues. A journey into and out of a martial arts cult.…PART TWO…So Russell survives his emergency, life-threatening arm surgery, but shockingly, that won’t be the hardest thing.So the next q

Chung Moo Quan — Part 1: “Kult Fu Fighting”

Apr 24th, 2023 55m 16s

It's the 1970s and Kung Fu is all the rage. So when 16-year-old Russell Johnson looks to channel his (inner) rage, he signs up for a local class to learn how to become a peaceful warrior.Only what he doesn’t know is that what he signed up for

Carol the Cult Assassin: "Out of Fear Into Power"

1 Apr 17th, 2023 43m 41s

So you've survived an abusive cult.Now what? What exactly are the legal options available to you?An investigative litigator who represents victims of cultic and religious abuse, Carol Merchasin, sat down with us to discuss just that.She is o

Religious Texas Commune — Part 2: “The Least Beloved"

Apr 10th, 2023 42m 53s

Tamara, the beloved, has just been upgraded from the commune to the big house on the hill with the leader and his multiple wives.But it isn’t long before she realizes that the reason she thought she was brought to live wit

Religious Texas Commune — Part 1: “The Most Beloved”

Apr 3rd, 2023 39m 27s

Raised by two Jewish parents, Tamara and her family are splintered when her father finds a new religion. Five-year-old Tamara is now forced to live two separate worlds. One with mom, going to public school & and one with Dad on a strict religio

Zendik Farm: "Mating in Captivity"

Mar 27th, 2023 1h 11m

Imagine having to ask a group of eco-farmers for permission to have sex. And when granted permission, your options of consummation include… the back of a van or the loft of a goat barn.Well that's what happened when Helen Zuman, a spelling bee

The Body of Christ Church: “When God is a House I Can’t Leave.”

Mar 20th, 2023 56m 24s

Cults can be well-known, they can be obscure, and sometimes they can be hiding in plain sight. So when poet laureate Diannely’s family joins a seemingly typical church in Haverhill, Massachusetts; how does it become a cult?Let's let her tell y

Eternal Values - Part 3: “To Thine Own Self”

1 Mar 13th, 2023 57m 11s

The final part of Hoyt Richards' incredible journey into and out of a UFO doomsday cult.The damning Vanity Fair article throws Hoyt’s family into chaos as they attempt to intervene. And right when you think he might finally be getting out, his