The Cult Vault

In this episode I chat with the wonderful Gerette Buglion about her experiences in a high-demand group, her memoir "An Everyday Cult", life since Gerette's exodus from the group and her work around writing, consulting and working with others in the cult-recovery space. #igotout https://www.gerettebuglion.com/https://www.igotout.org/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everyday-Cult-Gerette-Buglion/dp/1578...

In this episode I sit and chat with Ashlen about her life growing up in the Churches of Christ, her journey through cult education and mediation and a look into Ashlen's research project for Salford's "Psychology of Coercive Control" Post-graduate programme. Ashlen's Website - https://www.peopleleavecults.com/Ashlen 's Research Video - https://youtu.be/SAFjH6oyH7sThank you to Kimbe...

In this episode I chat with Aleks about his experiences across various troubled teen programmes. Within this conversation, Aleks depicts life under authoritarian regimes that abuse children in a number of ways and result in long-lasting effects on individuals. https://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/https://www.yelp.com/biz/maple-lake-academy-spanish-forkCult Vault Shop - cultvaultpodcast.com/shopC...

In this episode I chat with Abby, a survivor of the troubled teen industry and fierce advocate for change and legal reform across America regarding the billion-dollar industry and the abuses children face within these programmes every single day. For more of Abby's work visit - https://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/Cult Vault Shop - cultvaultpodcast.com/shopCrimecon UK 2022 - https://www.crim...

In this bonus episode I speak with Sarah Ferris - host of Conning the Con. We discuss the parallels between con artists and cult leaders and Sarah's amazing podcast work. Come and join us both at Crimecon for drinks! Sarah's shows - https://evergreenpodcasts.com/listenVideo interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO6jUG56nXQ&t=20s&ab_channel=CultVaultCult Vault Shop - cultvaultpodcast....

In this episode I chat with writer, consultant, Religious Abuse Advocate & Life Coach Rebekah Drumsta about her experiences growing up in Bill Gothard's IBLP, coining the term Spiritual Identity Disruption, working alongside those recovering from Religious Abuse, writing her book "When Family Hurts" as well as her work with the Vashti Initiative. Follow these links to find out more about Rebek...

In this episode, I chat with Barbara about her experiences growing up in Herbert W Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God. We discuss the difficulties in committing to the church as well as supporting family outside of the movement. We discuss the topic of cult-hopping and the tragedy of spiritual, financial and physical abuse along with ex-communication and family alienation. The choices Barbara...

In this episode I chat with Kristyn - survivor of forced polygamy, author and founder of My Sound Choices. Joining us is director of My Sound Choices and International Human Rights Lawyer Jane Ridley. My Sound Choices are working with individuals who are escaping destructive religious practices. www.mysoundchoices.orgUpcoming :Cult Vault YOUTUBE for 12 Hour Stream -  https://www.youtube.com/c/Cult...

In this episode I sit down to talk with Cult Mediation Specialist Patrick Ryan - A survivor of Transcendental Meditation and Creator of Cult News 101. Pat talks us through his introduction to TM and how a situation with his family led to his initial work in mediation and cult recovery. Decades later, Pat still has significant impact on the cult education space. Pat's Website - http://cultmedia...

I sat down with Dr Sohom Das from  @A Psych For Sore Minds  to discuss his career as a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, the various types of Narcissism and how we might spot a Narcissist in the wild. We also discuss Narcissism in Cult Leaders and even the possibility of Psychopathy. Head over to Sohom's channel for concise and educational content!https://www.youtube.com/c/APsychForSoreMindsCu...

In this episode I speak with Katie about her experiences with OneTaste/Orgasmic Meditation. Throughout our conversation we speak about body positivity and coerced polyamory. Katie makes an excellent point at the end of our chat that we need to be having more difficult but open conversations about healthy sex and relationships. Promotions - The Commune -  https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2022/the-c...

In this bonus episode I speak with Elgen Strait from the Falling Out Podcast live at Crimecon UK in London 2022. Elgen, his podcast and activism work have been a catalyst for others to leave the Unification Church, just as he did as a second generation member. You can find Elgen's work here - https://www.fallingoutpod.com/Promotions - The Commune -  https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2022/the-co...

In this week's episode I speak with returning guests Spencer and Esther as we discuss and compare each individual experience within Sharon Gan's esoteric "school" the Odyssey Study Group. Spencer's memoir "Manhattan Cult Story" is available to pre-order today with an official release date of July 5th. You can find your copy here - https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Manhattan-Cult...

In this episode I chat with Dr Clint Heacock about his show The Mindshift Podcast, about Clint's life growing up in a non-denominational Christian environment and his journey into deconstruction and educating others. This conversation is particularly prevalent given the overturning of the RoeVSWade Ruling by the US Supreme Court today. Clint's Podcast - https://mindshiftpodcast.co.uk/Ciria...

In this episode I chat with  @On the Edge with Andrew Gold  about his life as a journalist. We talk UFO's, Cults, Exorcism's and other interesting subject matter that Andrew covers on his own podcast "On The Edge"Disclaimer - Specific conversations around Cults doesn't start until around the 1 hour mark as I was interesting in learning about Andrew as an individual before getting into...

In this episode I speak with D, a female veteran of the US Marine Corps. In this instalment, D talks about her many brushes with death, her recruitment into and time with the US Marine Corps and what her life looked like after being a part of this high-demand organisation. I am thankful that I was given the chance to have this conversation and thankful for D's contribution to the show. I find...

In this episode, Ronit lends us her tender voice to read the testimony of a survivor of the Japanese New Religious Movement known as Sukyo Mahikari. With little known about the group around the world, it is imperative to share experiences where possible and through her written responses to interview questions, Alice is allowing us to do just that. Sukyo Mahikari Prayer Video - https://www.youtube....

In this episode I speak with author Erika Bornman who has been on a mission to highlight the abuses of those involved with KwaSizabantu. A survivor of this religious movement, Erika has used her story and experiences to expose how leadership have abused and exploited members for decades. Not only has she penned this incredible book, she has been working tirelessly with other victims and survivors,...

In this episode I speak with Jon who was converted to the LDS church. He journey into Mormonism started with a brief interaction with fellow members at a bus stop and soon his life changed forever. Jon talks us through the high-demands of the church and what is expected of individuals in order to get permission to enter certain parts of LDS temples and take part in various ceremonies. Jon also spe...

This week I chat with investigative journalist Syran Warner about his life leading up to cult journalism and how he decided to pursue looking into a group known as "The Body". Since we had this conversation there have been huge developments in the case. You can learn more about all of this by visiting the links below or by waiting for our update episode which I hope to bring to you soon. Syran&#39...

In this episode I chat with Angela about her experiences growing up in the Children of God with a focus on the discipline given to young children, the constant upheaval and destabilisation thrown onto members, family separation and human trafficking. This episode contains sensitive themes including child abuse so please listen with discretion. From second generation Children of God member to thriv...

In this episode I chat with the incredible author Heather Grace Heath about her memoir "Lovingly Abused - A True Story of Overcoming Cults, Gaslighting & Legal Educational Neglect". We discuss her life growing up in Bill Gothard's IBLP & ATI and the problems around homeschooling and educational neglect. From Heather's website - In this highly relevant memoir, blending raw honesty and humor...

A big sister, a best friend, a confidant, a sounding board. All of these things were found in one person for Lindsey - her sibling Toni. But things became difficult in their relationship when Toni was introduced to a new church and quickly funnelled into the high-demand of the World Mission Society Church of God. This is a loved one's account of watching a family member lose themselves, how it...

In part 1 of this 2 part series, I chat with WMSCOG former-Deaconess Toni who talks us through her experiences in converting to this South Korean Christian Sect and her rapid integration into the high-demands of the movement and her subsequent burn-out and divorce from WMSCOG. Part 2 will be an interview with Toni's sister Lindsey who speaks to her experiences watching her sister fall into thi...

In this episode I speak with Dario, a former member of Iglesia La Luz del Mundo, also known as LDM and/or LLDM. Dario has taken to speaking out about the church and its accusation of historical abuse which has been covered up for a number of years. Dario also speaks about the high-demand practices in place, the shunning and weaponising of family members and how he uses rap and the spoken word to e...