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Cultish

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All things related sects News & podcasts about High Control/Coercive Group / Sects / Cults / NRM's 🆘 @skyfleet.blue

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Vampire Cult Exposed by Journalist Who Took on NXIVM (Part 1)

pscrb.fmVampire Cult Exposed by Journalist Who Took on NXIVM (Part 1)Journalist and author Chet Hardin joins ALBC to revisit the early days of reporting on NXIVM, Keith Raniere, and the machinery of intimidation that kept members insulated from outside scrutiny. Chet was only a month into his job at Metroland when attorney Joe O’Hara called with a story about a group “some people might call a cult,” leading him to Toni Natalie, Rick Ross, and a dossier that made clear NXIVM was already watching its critics very closely. NXIVM sued Chet’s newspaper for tens of millions of dollars, tried to recruit him, and invited him to a midnight volleyball game where Keith Raniere offered an exclusive interview in exchange for Chet stopping his reporting on the Dalai Lama. We also unpack the group’s legal warfare, Kristin Keeffe’s access to the district attorney’s office, the arrests of whistleblowers including Toni Natalie and John Tighe, and how Chet’s later book, The Program: Inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and The Rise and Fall of NXIVM (with Toni Natalie), helped connect the pieces he had spent years chasing. Stay tuned for Part 2 when Chet discusses The Vampire’s Cult and the disturbing parallels between Keith Raniere and Nebraska cult leader Aubrey Trail—two men who used isolation, control, and carefully dangled promises to draw vulnerable people into their orbits. Be sure to check out Chet’s website at ChetHardin.com and follow him on Instagram @chethardin . Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of cult coercion and manipulation, stalking and surveillance, lawsuits and legal intimidation, sexual misconduct, child sexual abuse, child pornography, imprisonment, suicide, and emotionally distressing testimony. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. Buy the A Little Bit Culty paperback, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon or order a signed copy . Check out our amazing sponsors Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer and administrator: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

We escaped a doomsday cult—and took our fight to Parliament

pscrb.fmWe escaped a doomsday cult—and took our fight to ParliamentRyan Carey grew up in the Geelong Revival Center, a Pentecostal Fundamentalist group where nuclear Armageddon was apparently on the calendar, but choosing your own career or dating without permission was a bridge too far. He joined us to talk about doomsday beliefs, religious trauma, shunning, and the coercive control that dictated everything from relationships to access to mental-health care—and what finally made him stop doing the mental gymnastics and leave. But Ryan and his wife Catherine weren’t interested in playing cult whack-a-mole. Alongside fellow survivors and journalist Richard Baker, they helped push for a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into cults and fringe groups, taking their fight from the lounge room to the halls of government. We get into survivor advocacy, group-based coercive control, child protection, and the work of turning recommendations into legislation—because “religious freedom” shouldn’t come with a complimentary license to abuse people. Follow Stop Religious Coercion Australia on TikTok @stop_religious_coercion and check out Ryan at the DECULT conference this weekend. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of religious, spiritual, and child sexual abuse, childhood trauma, suicide, grief and death, doomsday and nuclear-war fears, denial of mental-health treatment, misogyny, shunning, and family estrangement. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. Buy the A Little Bit Culty paperback, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon or order a signed copy . Check out our amazing sponsors Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer and administrator: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Aggressive Christianity Exposed with Cult Leader's Daughter

pscrb.fmAggressive Christianity Exposed with Cult Leader's DaughterIn this episode, Sarah Green joins us to share what it was like growing up inside the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps (ACMTC), a closed religious community led by her mother Deborah Green, a self-proclaimed prophet. Her family’s story began in the 1960s hippie scene and the Bear Tribe, then shifted into missionary life and a growing apocalyptic group—where homeschooling, isolation, exorcisms, and the rule that Mom was never wrong gradually squeezed out any chance to question or just be a kid. Sarah talked about longing for an education, trying to leave, and eventually escaping with almost no money or paperwork, determined to build a safer life and become a midwife. She also recounts the heartbreaking attempt to reunite with her children, the FBI investigation and court case that followed, and how she found the courage to keep going—and to remind others that asking for help is allowed. The episode connects her story to The Oracle’s Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult , past ALBC guest Harrison Hill’s book about Sarah’s family. It explores religious abuse, coercive control, survival, and the long road toward reclaiming your life. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of child abuse, educational neglect, religious and spiritual abuse, exorcisms, isolation, family separation, homelessness, death, weapons, and distressing court proceedings. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. Buy the A Little Bit Culty paperback, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon or order a signed copy . Check out our amazing sponsors Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer and administrator: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: If you’ve been waiting to start therapy, BetterHelp works with more than 125 health plan networks, and eligible members have an average copay of just $23 per session with insurance. Don’t have insurance or live outside the U.S.? You can still get 10% off your first month. Visit BetterHelp.com/culty to explore your payment options. Download Whatnot today and get $20 off your first purchase. Search Whatnot in the app store, sign up, and start finding the best deals on the products you love with $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

This Is What Happens When Women Read: Julianna Glasse on Leaving Conservative Christianity (Part 2)

pscrb.fmThis Is What Happens When Women Read: Julianna Glasse on Leaving Conservative Christianity (Part 2)Julianna Glasse is back for Part 2, and this one is all about what comes after the leaving and what you build when you refuse to swap one savior for another. We hear about the three years Julianna spent being, in her words, “spiritually promiscuous:” traveling the world, visiting temples and mosques, dating freely and non-monogamously, deliberately not writing her book until she could show women how to be the hero of their own story rather than just trade one belief system for another. The intentionality of that choice is its own kind of radical act. We get into her Oxford dissertation's central revelation: that shame, fear, isolation, and psychological manipulation are the universal tools that oppressive religious systems use on women across cultures—and that once you name the internal mechanics rather than the external differences, a girl from Iowa and a girl from Saudi Arabia suddenly look at each other and say "me too." That insight became the curriculum at her organization, This Is What Happens When Women Read, which has already reached over four million women in 67 countries in just a year and a half, including a woman in Botswana who hosted 41 women for dinner in honor of Julianna's birthday. Julianna's advice to anyone secretly listening from a bathroom with headphones is some of the most quietly powerful we've heard: you have intrinsic worth. There is no gatekeeper between you and love or God or yourself. Be very private with your becoming. Ask of everything put before you—does this feel like love or does this feel like fear? We never got to the boat chapter in This Is What Happens When Women Read ; you'll have to read the book for that one. Trust us—you'll want to. Be sure to follow Julianna on Instagram , TikTok , and LinkedIn . Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of religious coercion, shame-based control, isolation, and psychological manipulation within religious systems. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. Buy the A Little Bit Culty paperback, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon or order a signed copy . Check out our amazing sponsors Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer and administrator: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

This Is What Happens When Women Read: Julianna Glasse on Leaving Conservative Christianity (Part 1)

pscrb.fmThis Is What Happens When Women Read: Julianna Glasse on Leaving Conservative Christianity (Part 1)In Part 1, Julianna Glasse joins us for a conversation about what happens when a woman starts reading, questioning, and noticing the system she was raised to accept as absolute truth. Raised in the Christian Evangelical Free church by a pastor father and homeschool-teacher mother, Julianna describes the slow internal unraveling that began with philosophy, poetry, science, and one very memorable scooter accident that made her wonder whether everyone might be praying to the same thing—or whether we were all just making it up. She shares how she went from a successful Christian singer, author, and teacher to quietly hiding books, questioning patriarchy and religious certainty, and eventually facing the enormous backlash that came when she chose self-actualization over conformity. We talk about information control, public shaming, character assassination, spiritual abuse, fundamentalism, religious trauma, deconstruction, and the difference between personal spirituality and institutions that claim exclusive access to God. Stay tuned for Part 2 on Thursday. Be sure to read This Is What Happens When Women Read and follow Julianna on Instagram , TikTok , and LinkedIn . Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of childhood sexual and institutional abuse, religious trauma, fundamentalist Christianity, misogyny, coercive control, public shaming, death and rape threats, and homophobia. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. Buy the A Little Bit Culty paperback, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon or order a signed copy . Check out our amazing sponsors Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer and administrator: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Suzanne Jordan on Exposing 3HO, Kundalini, and Yogi Bhajan (Part 2)

pscrb.fmSuzanne Jordan on Exposing 3HO, Kundalini, and Yogi Bhajan (Part 2)Suzanne Jordan is back for Part 2, and this one starts exactly where it needs to: the moment 24-year-old Suzanne braced herself in a doorframe and told Yogi Bhajan she thought of him like an old grandpa. We get the full story of his sexual advance, her refusal, his explosive rage, and the martial arts training that meant the next time he came at her—fists up—she dropped into a fighting stance and made him rethink his strategy. She left two weeks later at 5:00 AM, car full of white clothes she would never wear again, sobbing and screaming down the 10 freeway to freedom. We also dig into the infrastructure that kept it all going: the 3HO reparation program that paid out settlements while never admitting wrongdoing, the failed “compassionate reconciliation” process that opened with a “Sat Nam” and re-traumatized survivors, the Kundalini Research Institute and its unverifiable prescriptive kriyas, the White Tantric Yoga VHS tapes conducting subconscious cleansing from beyond the grave, and how Yogi Tea and grant money keep the organization financially afloat while attendance collapses. Suzanne draws a sharp distinction between 3HO and actual Sikhism—a conflation that does a disservice to Sikhs worldwide—and makes a passionate case for why victims who were also complicit deserve space to tell the truth rather than take it to their graves. Be sure to read Suzanne’s memoir, The Deviant Daughter , follow her at SuzanneJordan.com and check out the Yogi Bhajan Kundalini abuse Facebook page and Beyond the Cage , a private Facebook group. Also look out for the documentary, Long Time Sun , by Fifth Season in the US, and check out Suzanne’s Yogi Bhajan Smack Down: https://youtu.be/1qKVh7RHUG4?si=alqvTl-CDyMBhW7t Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of sexual assault, attempted rape, physical violence, coercive control, sex trafficking, and survivor accountability dynamics. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. Buy the A Little Bit Culty paperback, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon or order a signed copy . Check out our amazing sponsors Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer and administrator: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

When Hate Becomes a Coping Mechanism: Myrieme Churchill on Antisemitism and Radicalization

creators.spotify.comWhen Hate Becomes a Coping Mechanism: Myrieme Churchill on Antisemitism and Radicalization by IndoctriNationRachel speaks with Myrieme Churchill of Parents for Peace about antisemitism, radicalization, and the emotional needs that can make people vulnerable to extremist thinking. Myrieme shares how childhood experiences with prejudice shaped her work as a therapist and her commitment to preventing hate. They examine how isolation, grievance, belonging, conspiracy theories, social media, and dehumanization can reinforce harmful beliefs. Myrieme also explains how Parents for Peace works with families, emphasizing connection, curiosity, clear boundaries, critical thinking, and early intervention when a loved one begins adopting extremist ideas.Parents for Peace:https://parents4peace.orgHelpline:help@parents4peace.orgIndoctrination on LinkedIn:https://linktr.ee/indoctrinationSupport IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:https://www.patreon.com/indoctrinationPrefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATIONWatch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jSRestart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:https://a.co/d/1ssz4RmRestart and Restore: Companion Notebook:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaignJournal App:https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.htmlDownload Rachel's Video Lectures and Webinars here:https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.htmlIndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about

Suzanne Jordan on Exposing 3HO, Kundalini, and Yogi Bhajan (Part 1)

pscrb.fmSuzanne Jordan on Exposing 3HO, Kundalini, and Yogi Bhajan (Part 1)Suzanne Jordan joins us for a deep dive into her time in the early days of 3HO, Kundalini, and the world built around Yogi Bhajan. She shares how childhood trauma, family rupture, Omega House, and a desperate search for safety and belonging created the perfect runway into an ashram that initially looked like a wholesome new family, with yoga, vegetarian food, chanting, and a suspiciously effective café. Suzanne takes us from her first exposure to 3HO through marriage, spiritual bypassing, tough love, and the increasingly impossible gymnastics required to reconcile Yogi Bhajan’s public teachings with his abuse of power. We also discuss Omega House, Yogi Bhajan, 3HO, Kundalini, Pamela Dyson and her book Premka , which helped crack open the truth for longtime devotees, along with Suzanne’s own memoir, The Deviant Daughter . Stay tuned for Part 2 on Thursday. Follow Suzanne at SuzanneJordan.com and check out the Yogi Bhajan Kundalini abuse Facebook page and Beyond the Cage , a private Facebook group. Also look out for the documentary, Long Time Sun , by Fifth Season in the US, and check out Suzanne’s Yogi Bhajan Smack Down: https://youtu.be/1qKVh7RHUG4?si=alqvTl-CDyMBhW7t Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of childhood trauma, troubled-teen programs, emotional, physical, religious, spiritual, and child abuse, sexual grooming, assault, and violence, coercive control, and suicide. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. Buy the A Little Bit Culty paperback, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon or order a signed copy . Check out our amazing sponsors Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer and administrator: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com . Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Find pieces made for real life, and get even more value with Wayfair Rewards. Join Wayfair Rewards today to get five percent back on every purchase. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home. You’re going to love Hungryroot as much as we do. For a limited time get 40% off your first order PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/culty and use code culty.  To get your new wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to MintMobile.com/culty . That scratched up pair has done its job. Upgrade today with Zenni! Go to Zenni.com/PODCAST and use code PODCAST15 for 15% off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over sixty five dollars. Celebrate Raycon Month with the Everyday Earbuds. Go to BuyRaycon.com/CULTY to get 20% off. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .