The Cult Vault

In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, host Kacey speaks with Zacch Comfort, creator of the Boiled Frogs podcast, which explores the cult he grew up in. They discuss the origins of the cult, the abusive dynamics within it, and the impact on children raised in such an environment. Zacch shares personal stories about his family's involvement, the control exerted by the cult leader, and the harsh...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Madison McGhee, the creator of the Ice Cold Case podcast, which investigates her father's unsolved murder. Madison shares her journey from a background in film and television to the world of podcasting, discussing the challenges and unique aspects of audio storytelling. The conversation delves into her upbringing in a religious envi...

Anna has kindly gifted some free ebook versions of her book for UK listeners. Contact me if you are interested in receiving one! In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Anna Sonoda, a licensed clinical social worker, about the critical issue of grooming and child sexual abuse. Anna shares her insights on how grooming is a precursor to most child sexual abuse cases and emp...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Jay, a former member of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), who shares her personal experiences growing up in the organisation. Jay discusses her family's background, her early involvement in SGI, and the pressures and expectations placed on her as a member. She reflects on her experiences at SGI meetings, the financial contributions r...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with former detectives Scott Rogan and Peter Hogan, who share their experiences in the police force and their transition into podcasting. They discuss their motivations for becoming detectives, the significant cases they worked on, and the impact of coercive control in crime. The conversation highlights the importance of family involveme...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Cynane Shay, who shares her journey growing up in a fundamentalist evangelical Christian household. Cynane discusses the influence of her family's beliefs on her education, the impact of purity culture, and her experiences with the Institute for Basic Life Principles (IBLP). She reflects on her college years, the gradual shift in he...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, Dr. Warren Hern, a prominent abortion provider, discusses his extensive career in women's healthcare, the evolution of abortion access since 1975, and the current political landscape affecting reproductive rights. He highlights the psychological toll on women seeking abortions, the threats faced by providers, and the implications of restrictive legislatio...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Sarah Darmofalski, a former member of the Lord Julius cult. Sarah shares her experiences growing up in the cult, the origins of the group, and the psychological impact it had on her and her family. The conversation delves into the cult's structure, daily life, and the challenges of maintaining relationships outside the group. Sarah...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack from End Witch Hunts about the ongoing issue of witch hunts in modern society. They discuss the historical context of witch hunts, personal connections to the topic, and the work being done to raise awareness and advocate for victims. The conversation highlights the misconceptions surrounding witchcraf...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey interviews author Annie Dawid about her book 'Paradise Undone: A Novel of Jonestown,' which explores the complex history of Jonestown and the Peoples Temple. Annie discusses her motivations for writing the book, the challenges of portraying the racial and political context of the time, and the importance of understanding the events surrounding...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Remy, a former pastor and author, about the critical issues of spiritual abuse and toxic faith. Remy shares his journey from pastoring to writing about these topics, inspired by his experiences and the stories of others. The conversation delves into the definitions of toxic faith and spiritual abuse, the role of leadership in perpet...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Jon about the controversial group Educo, its origins, evolution, and its impact on individuals and society. Jon shares insights into the practices of its leader, Tony Quinn, who features in the opening moments of a popular 2024 documentary "One Night in Millstreet" and expanded his business ventures from yoga to personal development...

In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, host Kacey speaks with attorney Ken Good about the complexities of bail law in the United States, particularly focusing on the implications of zero bail policies and their impact on crime rates and public safety. They discuss the differences between the U.S. and UK bail systems, the challenges faced by domestic violence survivors, and the role of advocacy...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Cait West about her memoir, 'Rift,' which explores her experiences growing up in a Christian patriarchal environment. The conversation delves into the impact of Christian patriarchy on identity, the complexities of homeschooling, the effects of purity culture, and the concept of stay-at-home daughters. Cait shares her journey of bre...

In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, host Kacey speaks with Priscilla about her experiences with the Landmark Forum, a controversial personal development program. Priscilla shares her background in neurodivergence inclusion and how she became involved with Landmark during a vulnerable time in her life. The conversation delves into the psychological techniques used by Landmark, the emotional...

In this episode, I speak with Tia Levings, author of 'A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy,' about her experiences escaping Christian patriarchy and the Quiverfull movement. We discuss the nuances of Christian fundamentalism, the emotional toll of patriarchal structures, and the importance of advocacy for women's rights. Tia shares her personal journey of healing and recovery,...

This episode was created using Spreaker's new brand new CREATE app on iOS with ready-to-use templates, a very to use copyright free library of music and sound effects and instant publishing! Download the app today to start making your podcast a reality! Spreaker In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey delves into the story of Angel’s Landing, a cult led by Daniel Perez, who manipulat...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, I speak with Peter Young, a returning guest and author of 'Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger.' Peter shares his personal journey of unwittingly marrying into a cult and the psychological manipulation he faced from the cult leader, Uncle Robert. The conversation delves into the dynamics of cult influence on family relationships, the slow process of indoctr...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, I speak with Tammie Willis, a survivor of extreme Christian fundamentalism. Tammie shares her journey of escaping a life of coercive control and cultic manipulation, detailing the psychological and emotional impacts of her upbringing. The conversation explores the complexities of fundamentalism, the role of gender, the effects of purity culture, and the c...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, I speak with Lyn Smith-Gregory, the great-grandniece of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church. Lyn shares her journey from being a devoted believer in the Mormon faith to questioning her beliefs after encountering historical evidence that contradicted her upbringing. She discusses the emotional turmoil of leaving the church, the impact on her family,...

This conversation delves into the coercive practices of The Way International, focusing on the sexual and reproductive control of women, financial exploitation, and the indoctrination of members. Hannah shares her personal experiences within the cult, highlighting the patriarchal dynamics and the challenges faced by women. The discussion also touches on the cult's control over information, the imp...

In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, I engage with author Bart Stewart, who discusses his novel 'The Contraption' and its exploration of cult dynamics. We delve into the historical evolution of cults, the societal neglect surrounding the issue, and the connections between cults and domestic abuse. Bart shares insights from his extensive research and personal experiences, emphasising the need...

In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, I speak with Lonnie, a returning guest who has recently published a graphic memoir titled 'Gaytheist: Coming Out of My Orthodox Childhood'. Lonnie shares his journey from growing up in an Orthodox Jewish community in New York to living in Japan, discussing the challenges he faced as a gay man in a restrictive environment. The conversation delves into the...

Another episode, another week of expert interviews. This time, I sit down with Nicole Bedera to talk about her research on sexual violence within universities. Dr. Nicole Bedera is a sociologist and cofounder of the antiviolence consulting practice Beyond Compliance. She received her PhD from the University of Michigan. She has spent more than a decade studying sexual violence and advocating for s...

Hello listeners and welcome back to Season 3 of the Cult Vault Podcast. In this episode, Kacey is joined by longtime friend of the show Lisa VanArsdale. Lisa discusses her ongoing exploration of various cults and religious communities, sharing her experiences and insights from her visits. They delve into the importance of understanding these groups, the live show and podcast Lisa has created, and...