Cults to Consciousness

Is it ethical to raise children in a high demand group/religion? What if you think it is what is best for them? Aaron and I discuss the unintended consequences of raising your children with steadfast beliefs that could ultimately harm them in the future. As someone who was raised a Scientologist and now has a channel totally dedicated to the topic @GrowingUpInScientology , Aaron shares his thought...

After over 350 interviews with ex-cult members, psychopaths, experts and more, Andrew Gold has a diversified and educated perspective on Cults. The frequently asked question, "Are all religions cults?" is answered and contemplated in this thought-provoking interview detailing his experiences and opinions. Check out his channel at @AndrewGold1 We will be releasing a second episode on his channel ve...

An often overlooked demographic in the discussion of high-demand groups are people with various disabilities, who are treated differently and even told some outlandish doctrine about their bodies. René comes on to openly discuss what it was like converting to mormonism and then recognizing the harm it was causing her differently abled son & grandchildren. Click here to watch on YouTube(clickab...

He signed a 1 billion year contract of service to Scientology and then they kicked him out when he expressed that the "tech" wasn't working for him. Stories of manipulation with an honest heart, secrets about the alien god Xenu and more, in this awesome interview with @apostatealex Click here to watch on YouTube How Apostate Alex became Apostate Alex on YouTubeDifferences in Scientology between th...

**Trigger Warning: brief mention of SA towards the end of the interview** It's time we talk about the little humans who are raised in cults. Parents do the best they can with the information they have, so the blame is not on them. It is on these high-demand organizations who first con the parents, and then indoctrinate the kids. A vicious cycle until someone is able to break free. Let's take a loo...

***Content Warning: Brief mention of sexual assault in regards to repentance***Public shaming, excommunication, proselytizing, information control and more are just a few of the similarities between Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. Joined again by Altworldly for a sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking episode, we unpack what it's like to be in the CULTure of the two religions. Click here to wat...

Secret societies, the second coming, Armageddon and specially translated bibles, Jake and I are back again for a deep dive into the similarities between Mormonism and Jehovah's witnesses! After an hour of only doctrinal and theological comparisons, we realized we needed to record an entirely separate episode on just the cultural similarities! Subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss it! Click...

Modern day struggles of a millennial mom who was raised a Jehovah's Witness, but wants a different life for her child. We discuss the moral compass absent of God or punishment, embracing and celebrating self, and letting go of shame that stifles one's voice. Enjoy this vulnerable account of Brooke Chanel's story! Click here to watch on YouTubeAs mentioned: For FREE daily intuitive text messages fr...

Can Mormonism stand up to legal criticism when it comes to their truth claims? In this short bonus episode, Kolby—an ex-Mormon lawyer— explains why certain things can't just be explained away by Mormon apologists and how definitions of words are bent when it suits them. Let's see how they might hold up if Mormonism was on trial! Click here to watch on YouTube! Make sure to check out the rest of Ko...

When disturbing events disrupt the comfortable flow of Kolby's life, he starts to see the cracks in his faith and uses his abilities as a lawyer to take a real critical look at its truth claims. After further examination, he recounts how his shelf had been slowly getting heavier and heavier starting from a very young age. Click here to watch on YouTubeMake sure to check out part 2! (clickable chap...

She came home early from her Mormon mission due to medical negligence, all while dealing with the news that her parents no longer believed in the church. Hear from both mom and missionary, Collette and Keylee, in this heartfelt episode of ups downs and lemons on asses. You’ll see. Click here to watch on YouTube(clickable chapter markers available on YouTube)Why Keylee wanted to go on a missionColl...

Experiencing pure love, purging in technicolor, and releasing years of pent up guilt over Shelise’s childhood trauma, Mom takes us on a wild ride through Ayahuasca, Mushrooms, San Pedro, and Sapo (the God Molecule), to reveal exactly what it was like to travel solo to the jungles of Peru, to try all of these medicines for the first time. Click here to watch on YouTube!(clickable chapter markers av...

Can psychedelics really change who you are? Is it possible to release years worth of trauma in only a single session? What are the things people DON'T tell you when it comes to psychedelics? Brittany Bannerman pops the lid off of all of it. If you have ever considered going into the the depths of your consciousness to heal and find peace, this episode is for you! Check out her list of credentials...

Two, married-with-children Latter Day Saint women experience a faith crisis, then realize they had been repressing their sexuality after being overcome with strong feelings for each other. A 2-in-1 crisis sent Lena and Sal on a journey of divorce, self-discovery and a queer marriage merger. Find out insider details that the Hulu Original "Mormon No More" left out & see how they are doing today...

**Content Warning: Child Sex Abuse** Self-help goes dark when a now-convicted and imprisoned sex trafficker and pedophile was at the helm of the ship. Unbeknownst to most of the members of NXIVM, curriculum was created to groom the inner circle to do whatever he wanted in a sex slave/master context. I speak with Sarah Edmondson, a key whistleblower and top recruiter, who went public with her story...

Born into a box, or molded and shaped into a box? Tanner and Sam had different experiences having to conform to Mormon standards, ways of thinking and outward presentation even when those perspectives were negative towards themselves. Having left the church, they have blossomed into a brighter and more colorful version of themselves that feels authentic to who they really are or were all along. Le...

Joined by the awesome duo from Zelph On the Shelf, we take a peek behind the curtain of an LDS convert and a missionary to compare notes! What was it like converting to Mormonism in England & what was it like being the converter with a quota to reach? Two incredibly interesting perspectives! Click here to watch the episode! Chapter Markers Clickable on YouTubeIntroWhat does Zelph On the Shelf...

John Dehlin is usually the one asking the tough questions in his Mormon Stories interviews. This time, I turn the tables and find out some of the most shocking things he's heard in his 25+ years of experience podcasting, how he handles the spotlight, public smearing, how it impacts his family life, his current beliefs and more! Click here to watch the episode on YouTube (Clickable timestamps avail...

Every issue with the Mormon church in 90 minutes. John Dehlin has countlessly affected real change in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by using his platform to amplify problems and demand accountability. From inspiring the CES letter, getting "The Miracle of Forgiveness" removed from the shelves of Deseret Book and bishop's interviews being modified after his coverage on Sam Young's...

Sex. If the word makes you uncomfortable, then you'll definitely want to watch this episode. It's time we get comfy talking about a healthy sex life and expose the common misconceptions based on scientific research, around sex media. When did sex media originate? What caused the "p*rn panic"? Can we use sexual media for education and what is normal when it comes to viewing it? Natasha, a Mormon ce...

Natasha couldn't stay silent. She put ethics and her license above her religion in the name of helping people who were struggling due to clinically incorrect information given by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The church's response was to excommunicate her. From the mythology of masturbation & the details of Natasha's story, to how purity culture is harmful, we ask for change...

**Content warning- Sexual Assault**From sexual wellness to SEXploitation, this is what happens when cult leader Nicole Daedone convinces people to worship the female orgasm as God. This multi-million dollar cult gained national attention and recognition from celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow & Tony Robbins with it's Orgasmic Meditation practices, but was hiding a dark side with priest initiatio...

I brought Mama back for an un-censored Part 2 where we discuss everything from self worth, boobs, uneasy temple practices and if she has regrets about leaving the church she was born and raised in. I also uncovered my very own Patriarchal blessing in an old memorabilia bin with a letter my religous-at-the-time mom wrote to me. Buckle up! It's a bumpy one! Click here to watch this episode on YouTub...

Listen to find out: what constitutes religious abuse, how to spot and heal small t trauma which can be cPTSD, how to break destructive programmed behavior and redefine your trauma responses. This episode is FULL of tips and tricks from licensed therapist Logan Cohen, so make sure to listen to the end and let us know if it was helpful. Click here to watch the episode on YouTube! About Logan:Practic...

How to survive the Armageddon. Jake, @AltWorldly a 4th generation (ex) Jehovah's Witness talks about his childhood, growing up with the fear of annihilation, disfellowship, and what he's doing now to help and advise the community of those who have left the JW church. Click here to watch this episode on YouTube! Make sure to go to his channel to watch another video collaboration we did on How Jehov...