Cults to Consciousness

Homeschooled in a Traditional Catholic co-op, Anthony was given extreme guidance from a priest which has had negative long term ramifications. He explains the difference between traditional Catholicism and mainstream Catholicism and how one operates using common mind controls tactics. We also discuss themes of how purity culture can be damaging to men also, creating an unspoken dutiful contract be...

From the TV show “Escaping Polygamy”, Amanda Rae is known for calling out The Order, which is the incestuous polygamous cult she was born and raised in. She goes into depth on her channel about the stories of the men who have nearly 200 children with multiple women. However, everyone is dying to know how SHE has been coping since escaping the cult at 18 years old. We explore the all-too-common tox...

After begging for a proper education at 14, Allison had to take things into her own hands. Knowing she was about to be forced into polygamy, she went around her parents at every turn to give herself a different future. One that didn’t involve reproducing with 1/2 siblings or cousins. A road block at every turn didn’t dissuade her from listening to the little girl inside of her who just wanted out....

Manipulated into saying yes to a betrothal to her cousin at 8 yrs old, Michelle knew there was no way she would raise her future family in this incestuous polygamous cult. Her father had 16 wives including half sisters and nieces (one of which was her mother). The horrible treatment in the group caused her to plot her escape and get emancipated at 17. Who knows what would’ve happened if her cousin...

**Content Warning: Multiple depictions of child abuse and infant death** This incestuous polygamous Mormon sect promotes and endorses extreme punishments. Michelle had a father who took pleasure in these punishments. Aside from that, her first job was at 4 yrs old which grew to 3 jobs by the time she was in Jr High. Against all odds, she graduated High School at 15 years old, then college a few da...

*Content Warning: Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence, Attempted Suicide, Rape* Growing up in a cult known for its incestuous polygamy and grooming for marriage at 3, Shanell was set up for failure from the beginning. After being coerced into choosing a husband at 18, she married her first cousin and everything quickly went downhill. Her relationship was so dangerous, her husband went to jail and she...

**Content warning: multiple depictions of child abuse** Growing up with 14 moms and nearly 200 siblings in an insulated community with very strict rules, proves to be extremely challenging and confusing. Shanell wasn’t even supposed to know who her biological father was, but was smart enough to figure it out. Not allowed to go to High School, she had what they considered the “privilege” of getting...

Forced into the Amish lifestyle, Audrey had no choice but to conform to the strict Amish standards. She married young, and later found out her husband had been hurting their daughters in unimaginable ways. Most Amish mothers side with their husbands in this situation, but not Audrey. After taking her soon to be ex husband to court, the entire community shunned and stalked her and her family. Resou...

An expert witness for Amish and Mennonite court cases, Lizzie explains the rules of her intense settlement before taking us through her unbelievable story of disaster, lethal betrayal, tragedy, abandonment and perseverance. She even gives us a glimpse of the strange dating practice which takes place in the woman’s bedroom. Resources: https://www.theplainpeoplespodcast.com/resourcesWebsite: https:/...

*Content warning: SA, beastiality, DV, infant death, miscarriage** Having been blissfully unaware of the methods of control and "ownership" of women growing up in the Amish, Elizabeth was not prepared for the dark and brutal marriage that followed. Her husband forbid her to going to the hospital for her 8 births which left her in questionable and dangerous hands. After she finally got the courage...

From an atheist household to strict Mennonite, Jasper had an incredible amount of adjusting to do as a teenager. Her love for riding horses and asking questions branded her with “unruly” and “rebellious”. Anyone who got close to her was shipped away and eventually, due to lack of socialization and acceptance, her mental health quickly deteriorated. She now hosts “The Plain People’s Podcast” where...

The reality of having multiple mothers can be a dark one. The little ones are the ones who suffer the most. Within this clear imbalance of power lies an eldest son, laden with far too many responsibilities. Eventually, Val is kicked out of his own community, partly due to his sexual preferences. Although, he was well on his way out to freedom and happiness within the "normal world".Click here to w...

Apostolic United Brethren prophesied this now comedian would restore the true LDS (Mormon) church to the earth. In Ben's case, 2 moms prove to be far more difficult than convenient, as he was dealing with working long hours for little to know money at 8. Click here to watch on YouTubeFollow Ben on Social:Instagram @thefreshkingbenjaminhttps://www.instagram.com/thefreshkingbenjaminwww.thefreshkingb...

**Content warning: CHILD SA, ANOREXIA, CA, TRAFF*CKING** At 9 Years Old, Isami Daehn was traded by her narcissistic mother, in exchange for piano lessons for her and her siblings. Isami now speaks out about the horrors of growing up in a narcissistic, high demand family, while being raised an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist in Japan. Not all high control groups are major churches or large corpo...

Once a top ranking Scientologist, now a former, Claire Headley was called to testify in the 2nd, most recent trial of Danny Masterson on his SA convictions of 3 women. As an Expert Witness, her testimony helped the jury understand why Scientology itself played a crucial role in the suppression of evidence. He has just been found guilty, and sentenced to life in prison. Claire now speaks out on the...

**Content warning: Open dialogue around sex & mentions of SA & Rape** Purity culture seems innocent and shiny on the outside, but when you look closer, understanding there are two sides to every coin, it gets dark and dangerous. Kendra and I take an honest look at the intentions of purity culture and how it often backfires and creates more issues including abuse and self hatred. Click here...

Scientology Sea Org employees who work at the headquarters in Southern California, are treated like prisoners. After Marc was falsely accused of embezzling money, they threatened to take hime away from his wife to put him in a rehabilitation center. His only other option was a dangerous escape off of the property. Learn how a civilian saved his life, and how Scientology began to stalk and harass M...

His mother converted to Scientology when he was 6 years old and his life changed forever. When he rejected the teachings, she kicked him out of the house and he was forced to find friends to live with which was never permanent. At 15 years old with no place to live, no money, no job and no real world experience having only an education at a Scientology school, he caved and joined the Sea Org. His...

Commercial director Mitch Brisker was scouted by Scientology to put them on the map and he did! His Dianetics commercials were a huge hit and mostly responsible for selling millions of copies of the books. They convinced him to go work at Golden Era Productions where he turned around the entire film department and started making good quality work for training and marketing purposes. Shelise shares...

Claire was raised as product of Scientology. Her early childhood years spent in Scientology boarding schools away from her parents. As a teenager, she doubled down and rose up to one of the highest ranks possible where she was working directly for David Miscavige. Witnessing David's abusive ways and after she was forced to do horrific things, she knew she had to escape. Her story will leave you on...

Claire Headley, President of The Aftermath Foundation, recounts her difficult childhood in the primary hands of Scientology in the UK. Coerced to sign a billion year contract by 7 years old, her life was dedicated to learning how to be the best Sea Org member she could possibly be. Longing to be a “normal” kid like those in her public school, she had plans to escape. Until, a major life event shoo...

Back again for our 1 year channel anniversary is @nuancehoe ! Peek behind the curtain with us to discover the dark and dirty past of Mormon (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) history and even what current LDS apologists are up to in the name of fundamentalism. We both believe that true change, does not come from gaslighting or pretending things weren't harmful, but by full acknowled...

**Content Warning: self harm, brief mention of child SA** From forced Molly Mormon into rockstar, Irene discusses what her life was like being raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism) and the extreme manipulation tactics that were used to keep members active. She attended the Mormon university BYU and served a mission in Honduras, before meeting someone who completely...

Liz was brainwashed and sucked into a dangerous Korean cult, groomed to be one of the cult leader's spiritual brides. They preyed on her love for Christianity and longing to belong. This episode explores her upbringing as a Pentecostal Christian which adds layers of context to help us understand how she was primed to fall into the JMS cult. Click here to watch on YouTube Find her previous episode...

Featured in “The Sins of the Amish”, Meg endured a life of t*rture at the hands of her father and other family members. First in an Old Order Amish settlement, then a black bumper Mennonite Settlement, the ab*se was condoned and accepted by the community. Using books like “To Train Up A Child”, it was normal for fathers to break the will of their children as early as 18 months old. Against her wis...