Cults to Consciousness

You met Chavie in a previous episode. A determined mother who took a long hard road out of Hasidic Judaism so her children could have more choices that she did growing up. Now you get to hear from one of her children! Ruby recounts what it was like being forced to live a judge ordered Hasidic lifestyle, until they stood up and said no. From learning what they had been missing in school, to unearth...

Any day, the verdict will be in! Will Danny Masterson be charged for the violent r*pe of 3 different women? Joined by Aaron with @GrowingUpInScientology , we discuss his full live coverage of the May 2023 trial in Los Angeles and all the characters who are playing a role behind the scenes. From scientology lawyers, propaganda bloggers and even a reverend, to Leah Remini in the court room, there is...

For someone who planned to name their children using every letter of the alphabet, everyone was shocked when he left the fundamentalist Mormon church called The Work. He was dedicated, invested, had his first kiss at the alter of his arranged marriage, and ultimately his curiosity and empathy led him out. Calvin Wayman's journey is inspiring! Make sure to check out the first episode we did, explai...

Calvin and I dissect the world of Mormon Fundamentalism, from mind control, decision coercion, EXTREME racist teachings from the early prophets and the secret sauce to creating the most controlling cults. Learn the good and bad of growing up with 4 mothers and 44 siblings in the same home, and how they redefined the meaning of monogamy in unexpected ways. Click here to watch the episode on YouTube...

At 17 she realized she was in a religious prison. She had just been "arranged" to be married to a stranger and had been plotting her escape for 2 years. Determined not to become a plural wife for the sole purpose of having as many children as possible, she did whatever it took to leave and pursue higher education at a large cost. See how she transformed her life and navigated the hard lessons of t...

Isolated from the outside world while imprisoned in the FLDS compound, Judith Bateman breaks down her childhood in the Warren Jeffs polygamy cult. In a reality where “the more wives a husband has the more Righteous he is” Jude talks what it was like growing up with 17 siblings and 2 mothers, “demonstrating readiness" at 12 years old, being turned in to Warren Jeffs himself, how everyone’s pets wer...

A father fights the Quebec government after realizing the secular education both he and his children had gotten in their Hasidic Yeshivas, were intentionally not up to the legal state requirements. Struggling with ostracization, dishonor and a battle to keep their own children after leaving the sect, Yohanan Lowen continues to fight for the children who don’t know any better. Click here to watch t...

**Content warning: Sexual Abuse/Sexual Discussions** A brave and fierce mother, Chavie Weisberger, divulges the deepest, darkest corners of her life from growing up in a very strict ultra-orthodox sect of Judaism ran by her grandfather. She shares her heart-wrenching custody battle and how the courts forced her to conform to the religion years after she had left it behind. Listen with caution, thi...

Speaking the language of Angels, literal demons attached to people who were sinning, exorcisms of alcoholics and more. This church shaped Derek's early teen years until he tried many other denominations of Christianity in search of the right one. As a pastor in training, during his intense studies of the Bible, he ended up going an unexpected direction. Derek runs the Mythvision YouTube channel wh...

*Content Warning: Child abuse* No child should have to endure what Kelli went through. These abusive, Scientology practices were encouraged by the doctrine and the church throughout her entire childhood. I'm amazed at how she has risen above it all and truly embodies compassion and empathy for others who are or have gone through similar abusive situations. Click here to watch on YouTube(clickable...

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...