Timeline
Every post and feed across this instance
-
Sarah Stankorb - Quiverfull, Christian Nationalism, and Why Evangelical Women Are Leaving
Journalist Sarah Stankorb comes on the show to talk about her book, Disobedient Women, and the deep dive she did on why a series of evangelical women in America began to leave their communities as the internet came into prominence. They discuss patriarchal teachings within cultures like the Quiverfull movement, including stories like Vyckie Garrison’s, who was pressured into having repeated pregnancies that defied her doctors and put her life at risk.
They also dive into figures like Bill Gothard, who built the IBLP curricula and created a system of mini-cults across the country, the many stories of sexual abuse that were covered up by various religious organizations, and how online communities helped women share stories, band together, and begin to speak out. Plus: how figures like Doug Wilson helped push Christian nationalism from the fringes into the political mainstream.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Liz Cameron, Part 2 - Christ is on Earth, He’s in Prison, and You’re His Bride
This week is part two with Liz Cameron, author of Cult Bride and survivor of Korean religious group Jesus Morning Star, also known as JMS. Last week she discussed the slow process of indoctrination into the group, and this week Liz shares how she learned the community's deepest secret: the mysterious Pastor Joshua was actually named Jung Myung-seok, but he was REALLY the Second Coming of Jesus. And yes, he was currently sitting in prison in South Korea for committing sexual assault… but don’t worry, that was just because of persecution.
Liz explains how all the carefully planned indoctrination leading up until this point primed her to be able to accept something like this, how she’d been identified to be one of the brides of the leader, what happened when she traveled to Korea to meet him in person, and how the eating disorder re-triggered by the group landed her in the hospital—but ultimately helped her get out of the group.SOURCES
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Cliff "Fifth" Henderson - Jehovah's Witnesses
Episode 12: Meagan and Lola interview rapper Fifth, also known as Cliff Henderson, about his experiences as a Jehovah's Witness. Fifth tells the girls how he was a devout member until he lost his faith in his 20s, when he was disfellowshipped and subsequently shunned by his family and community at large. He also talks about the dangerous practices that the church advocates, and how he channels it all into his music.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Jan Broberg, Part 2: Seduction, Secrecy, and Realizing the Lie
Jan Broberg, kidnapping survivor and subject of the Peacock documentary Friend of the Family: True Evil (plus scripted series Friend of the Family), describes how Robert Berchtold seduced Jan's mom to get to Jan, and what it was like the second time he abducted her, keeping her hidden for 4 months in Southern California. She discusses how deeply brainwashed she was even after she was rescued and had limited contact with Berchtold, how he continued to try to intimidate Jan's family, and what the recovery process was like for her and her family. Plus, the advocacy work she's doing now with the Jan Broberg foundation.
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Perfectionism & Purity
No one is perfect. Not even Lola and Meagan. Today the ladies delve into the extreme belief of perfectionism, its connection to purity culture, Lola and Meagan's firsthand experience with OCD and religious trauma, how to address your inner cult leader, the intersectionality with cancel culture, and the importance of staying connected to those with extreme beliefs.
Trust Me is brought to you by Prose! Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/trust
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Martina Castro, Part 2 - Allegations, Disappearances, and the Crumbling Cult of John of God
This week we’re back with Martina Castro, creator of new Exactly Right podcast Two Faced: John of God, a series about John of God, the famous Brazilian “healer” and “psychic surgeon.” Last week she explained John of God’s so-called healings and doctor spirits that attracted celebrities and visitors from all over the world, and this week Martina walks Lola & Meagan through some of the darker allegations that began to come out.
She shares about how the sexual abuse survivors began to come forward with their stories, the deep political influence John of God had in the town that allowed him to get away with it in plain sight for literally decades, and the mysterious disappearances of people in the town. They discuss the dynamics of devotion and denial, and what it takes to finally break the spell.SOURCES
Two-Faced: John of God
Dos Caras: Juan de DiosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Sam Ciavarella - When CrossFit Gets Culty
If the shoe CrossFits... Former employee and enthusiast of CrossFit, Sam Ciavarella, shares about a time when she constructed her whole identity around CrossFit, the feeling of constant pressure to push herself to the limit, the shady story of the original owner, comparing CrossFit to generally competitive athletic endeavors, and why pushing yourself that hard can be physically dangerous.
Check out our great sponsors!
Thrive Causemetics: Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme
Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
M.E. Thomas & Arya - Two Sociopaths (Who Are Dating)
Episode 20: Meagan Elizabeth and Lola Blanc interview M.E. Thomas, author of Confessions of a Sociopath, and her girlfriend Arya--two sociopaths who are dating each other. They talk about how they met, what love is like for a sociopath, and how for them it has included blood play. They also discuss whether psychopaths can be rehabilitated, how malignant behaviors are not necessarily inherently caused by psychopathy, and why having a clear sense of your own boundaries is better than trying to spot a sociopath. www.trustmepod.com www.sociopathworld.com IG: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch Twitter: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Guinevere Turner, Part 2 - Group Exile, Culture Shock, & Recovery
In part two of her two-part interview, Guinevere Turner, renowned screenwriter (writer of films like American Psycho and Charlie Says), actress, and author of new memoir When The World Didn't End, talks about getting kicked out of the group and living with her mother after years of barely knowing her, the cognitive dissonance of suddenly going to school with outsiders, being sexually abused by her mother's partner, how she finally decided to never go back to the Lyman family, telling your story on your own timeline, the ways trauma can become your identity, how she began to process her experiences, and the cult recovery group Guinevere is in now.
Check out our great sponsors!
ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!
Progressive: Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Dianne Lake - The Manson Family, Part 2: The Tate-LaBianca Murders
Episode 31: Lola and Meagan dive deeper with Dianne Lake, aka “Snake,” the youngest member of the Manson family, and her co-author Deborah Herman. They discuss the LSD-fueled lifestyle on Spahn Ranch, Charles Manson's connection to the Beach Boys, his obsession with an impending race war, and how Dianne learned about the Tate-LaBianca murders--and the legal and psychological repercussions she endured.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Warren Kohl, Part 1 - Preparing to Preach in a Secretive Cult
Today's guest is Warren kohl, a fifth generation member and former “worker” (or minister) in the 2x2’s, the group that Meagan grew up in. Warren shares how devout he was to the group at a very young age, having your entire life controlled, and how utter heartbreak in high school led him to celibacy and a deeper commitment to the group.
Trust Me is sponsored by ZocDoc! Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
REWIND: Dianne Lake - The Manson Family, Part 1: Meeting Charlie
Trust Me has joined Exactly Right Media. Hosts Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth will be back with new episodes on Wednesday, July 30th.
You’re a teenage girl in the late 60s, bouncing between communes, when a charismatic man and his group of young women welcome you with open arms. You were looking for a family, and now you’ve found one. In part one of an incredible interview, Dianne Lake, aka “Snake,” and her co-author Deborah Herman discuss growing up in 1960s counter-culture, the dark side of the sexual revolution, and what it was like becoming the youngest member of Charles Manson’s family. Stay tuned next week for part two, in which she tells Lola & Meagan how she learned about the murders! Original Airdate: 05/12/2021
Continue listening to Dianne Lake - The Manson Family, Part 2: The Tate-LaBianca Murders. (Original Airdate: 05/19/2021)
Subscribe on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Zacch Comfort, Part 1: The Bride of Christ Church and a Sex Offender Turned Prophet
Survivor of The Bride of Christ Church and creator of the Boiled Frogs podcast, Zacch Comfort, shares how convicted child molester Thomas Clyde Smith, Jr went from seeing visions in a psych ward to starting his own church, asserting control and arranging marriages while the group was in Las Vegas, the eventual move of the cult to a commune in Oregon, how Zacch's parents came to join the cult, and how infamous criminal Lawrence Singleton nearly came to live in the cult.
Check out our great sponsors!
Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to Babbel.com/trust
Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Check out Zacch's podcast BOILED FROGS here!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Carol Merchasin - The Cult Assassin: Suing High-Control Groups
Attorney Carol Merchasin didn’t set out to expose cults, but after investigating allegations about a high-control Buddhist organization and discovering that the abuse had run more rampant than she’d imagined, she became a lawyer and focused her practice on getting justice for survivors of cults and abusive groups.
Carol discusses the legal ins and outs of suing cults and spiritual leaders, where American law stands in recognizing coercion and human trafficking, and why the differences in ideologies between high-control groups really don’t matter. Plus: the patterns and red flags she’s learned to spot, why spiritual language is often used to disguise harm, and what to do if you get sued by your group for speaking out.
SOURCES:
BITE MODEL of Authoritarian Control
For pro bono legal help, look up your state bar association for a directory of pro bono attorneys.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Elishaba Doerksen, Part 1 - My Family Cult in the Wilderness
Elishaba Doerksen, author of Out of the Wilderness: Escaping My Father's Prison and My Journey to Forgiveness, describes how her father rejected his well-to-do upbringing, became a hippie, and eventually found Christianity, deeming himself a sort of prophet. In part one of her story, she shares how he moved their entire family into a cabin in the wilderness with no electricity or running water, the gaslighting and physical abuse he inflicted on her, and how in the midst of her trauma she found comfort in their animals.
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Yuval Laor - Fervor, Awe, and Hyperreligiosity
Episode 17: Lola and Meagan interview Dr. Yuval Laor, behavioral and cultural scientist who studies evolutionary biology and religion. Yuval describes his theories on awe experiences and fervor, and how cult leaders manipulate these emotional states to earn and keep their followers' loyalty. He also talks about belief attachment and why it's not so different from parental or romantic attachment, and the hyperreligiosity that can occur with temporal lobe epileptic seizures.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
REWIND: Elana Auerbach - OneTaste (aka the Orgasm Cult)
Episode 19: Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth interview Elana Auerbach, former follower of sexual wellness company OneTaste--elsewhere deemed the Orgasm Cult--in its early years. Elana discusses being the founder's right hand woman as the program developed, and how the sexual practice involving stimulating a woman's genitals evolved into what's now called Orgasmic Meditation. They discuss how Elana came to center her life around the founder, how she was manipulated, and what snapped her out of it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Lindsey Williams, Part 2: Going to IBLP Headquarters & The Downfall of Bill Gothard
Shiny Happy People's Lindsey Williams shares how Institute in Basic Life Principles leader Bill Gothard would recruit young girls to headquarters, the inappropriate questions he asked and physical boundaries he repeatedly crossed, how controlling he was over who Lindsey dated, the website where women began connecting the dots about his behavior, the sexual assault allegations that were brought against him, the IBLP's connections to politics, and how Lindsey managed to get out of the group.
Follow Lindsey on TikTok and LinkTree!
https://www.tiktok.com/@thecultchronicles
https://linktr.ee/Cultchronicles
Check out our great sponsors!
Trust Me is brought to you by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!
Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Avital Ash - Orthodox Judaism
Episode 28: Traditions! Are they helpful customs that keep us connected to our history? Or can they become too rigid and hinder the personal and intellectual growth of those who observe them? Comedian/actor/director Avital Ash joins Lola & Meagan to dive into what it was like growing up practicing Orthodox Judaism, internalizing shame about her womanhood, and forging her own path as an adult.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Simon Kent Fung - Dear Alana & Conversion Therapy
Tech and media expert Simon Fung joins Lola and Meagan to discuss the heartbreaking story behind his new podcast, Dear Alana. When Alana Chen took her own life in 2019, Simon read about her in the news and was shocked by the similarities in their stories and experiences with conversion therapy. Simon delves into how conversion therapy is no longer the lobotomies and electro-shock therapy of the past. It's become a still controversial but compelling narrative that can draw young people in, especially those who want to be a priest or a nun - just like Simon and Alana.
Check out our great sponsors!
ZocDoc: Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme - download the Zocdoc app for FREE!
Shopify: Run your own business? Sign up for a $1 / month trial at shopify.com/trustme
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Lauren & John Matthias – The Daybells, Part 1: Murder, Zombies, & LDS Fan Fiction
Episode 56: In part one of their interview with true crime power couple and hosts of the Hidden podcast, Lauren and Dr John Matthias, Lola and Meagan dig into the LDS backgrounds of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell, Chad's history as a fiction writer, how zombies and Munchausen by proxy play into their story, and the horrific deaths of the people close to the couple.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Celeste Gross - Growing Up in the Children of God
Celeste Gross joins the girls to talk about her experiences growing up in the Children of God - aka the Family - along with her many siblings. She explains how her parents joined when it still just seemed like a beautiful gospel movement that helped her dad get sober, but how it changed over time once they lived on a commune in Brazil and became reliant on donations for survival. She shares how every part of life was controlled–down to how many squares of toilet paper they were allowed to use.
They discuss the media ban the group imposed, and how only songs and TV shows made by the group were allowed--other than two very specific movies (which will surprise you). She shares how her family became homeless overnight after they finally left, and the extreme hardships they faced while trying to rebuild a life from nothing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Philip Deslippe & Stacie Stukin - 3HO,Kundalini yoga, & Yogi Bhajan
Today our guests are historian Philip Deslippe and writer Stacie Sutkin, who together have done investigative reporting on 3HO (“happy, healthy, holy organization”), Kundalini yoga, and Yogi Bhajan. They’re going to tell us how they got started writing about 3HO, both interacting with Kundalini yoga in different ways, who Yogi Bhajan was and whether he had any credibility in the Sikh religion (spoiler: he did not), and how he began to get white Americans to believe he was the ultimate spiritual authority, rapidly expanding and profiting off of the money and property of his followers.
They’ll tell us about some of the many ways Yogi Bhajan exerted control over his followers lives, the practice of separating children from their parents in a practice called “distance therapy,” and the boarding schools kids were sent to for years that turned out to be neglectful and abusive, all within full knowledge and approval of Yogi Bhajan. Plus, the wave of survivors that came forward to tell their stories of his and the organization’s abuse, and how they were failed by 3HO’s reparations program.
We have deals for you!
- Quince: Upgrade your closet! Go to Quince.com/trust for 365-day returns PLUS free shipping on your order!
- Shopify: Need help with your business? Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Claire Hoffman - Levitation, Meditation, and a Childhood in a Transcendental Meditation Trailer Park
In Part 1 of our interview with journalist Claire Hoffman, Claire shares what it was like growing up in an Iowa trailer park community built around the Transcendental Meditation (or TM) movement and its charismatic leader, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi–whose followers included The Beatles. Claire shares what the daily routine was like in the TM community, how it felt believing every adult she knew could levitate, and the powerful mystique of Maharishi.
Plus, she tells how the fall of the Berlin Wall and her subscription to Cosmopolitan magazine helped lead to her eventual awakening about the guru being a mere mortal, and the book she wrote about that experience, Greetings From Utopia Park.
SOURCES:
Greetings From Utopia ParkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Norah - Girls Night In: L.A. Facebook Group Gone Culty
Today our guest is a woman whom we’ll call Norah. She tells us about a Facebook group for women in Los Angeles that ended up getting very culty. We’ll talk about why it was exciting in the beginning to connect with other women in a new way, how other subgroups began to form (including one secret, exclusive one) and how the admin, who we’ll call Vivian, seemed to be creating a space that prioritized social justice, equality, and helping other people—at first. Norah shares how the culture of the secret smaller group, Girls Night In, began to change, becoming a place where posting nudes was normalized and encouraged, sending them to other people’s boyfriends, and attacking anyone who deviated from Vivian’s ideas about what was good or bad. Plus, red flags that popped up along the way, controversies that made Norah begin to question, and how the group finally collapsed.
Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 2: Breaking Away
Episode 23: Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth continue to interview Frank Lyford, former member of Heaven's Gate. In part 2, they discuss the growing number of red flags he began to notice after one of the leaders died, including talk of castration, and what led to his decision to finally, after 18 years, break away. He also tells the girls what it was like when he heard about the mass suicide on the news, how heartbreaking that was, the lessons he's learned as a result, and what his life is like now. IG: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch Twitter: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola www.trustmepod.com
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
REWIND: Felicia Rosario and Daniel Levin - Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
Survivor's of Larry Ray's sex cult Felicia and Daniel discuss how they came to meet Larry, how he leveraged his memory and connections to craft an image of authority, how Larry gained control of their lives under the guise of helping them, when the manipulation elevated into sexual abuse and violence, and how they're doing now that Larry is going to jail for the harm he has caused.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Christina Babin – Children of God, Part 1: Punishment Camps & Flirty Fishing
Episode 44: Love bombing. Flirty fishing. Moving from country to country. Just a few standard parts of life as a member of David Berg's Children of God. In part one of their conversation with Christina Babin, Lola and Meagan discuss Christina's experience in punishment camps, the separation from her family, and being exploited in a child sex trafficking cult.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Sara Teitelman - The Culty Elements of Technology
Today’s guest is Sara Teitelman, tech consultant and author of a forthcoming book about tech who’s going to talk to us about the culty elements of technology. While Sara’s specialty lies more in optimization of the nonprofit workplace, we’re going to have more of a philosophical discussion about how we’re expected to just trust in our tech overlords without questioning - both the CEOs and the algorithms themselves - how it’s a sort of coercion to be handed algorithms and apps with no say in or understanding of how they work, and how AI factors into all of it.
We’ll talk about the difficulty of reining in tech fast enough, how social media is dulling our critical thinking skills, and what she sees as a better approach to tech - and life in general.
Trust me is sponsored by ZocDoc! Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Lola & Meagan - Am I in a Cult (or Just a Group)?
This week, Lola and Meagan's guests are... Lola and Meagan! They talk about the cult of seeing everything as a cult, discussing how things that might seem a little culty don’t necessarily inherently mean that a group IS a cult. They’ll discuss political polarization, online miscommunication, group dynamics that happen in ALL groups, and the difference between a dickhead and a cult leader--with a few tangents in between.
Check out our great sponsors!
Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp dot com slash TRUST today to get 10% off your first month.
June's Journey: Discover your inner detective when you download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android.
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Charlotte Laws - IsAnyoneUp.com, Revenge Porn, and the Most Hated Man on the Internet
Author and anti-revenge porn activist Charlotte Laws details her battle against the infamous founder of IsAnyoneUp.com and the subject of Netflix's The Most Hated Man on the Internet, Hunter Moore. She shares how her daughter Kayla's photos were hacked and stolen by Hunter, how he refused to take down his victim's photos, how his online following became cult-like and scary, and how Charlotte continues to fight Hunter and revenge porn.
Learn how to battle revenge porn below:
https://www.cyberrightsproject.com/
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Katherine - Teal Swan
Episode 43: Lola & Meagan chat with a woman named Kathryn about her experiences as a follower of the charismatic social media guru Teal Swan... who is often accused of being a cult leader. They discuss Teal's online presence and appeal, how she conducts her workshops, controversies of plagiarism, and a concerning story of what happened to one member.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Patrick Ryan and Joe Kelly - Transcendental Meditation & Cult Intervention
Want to learn how to levitate? Cult Interventionists and Founders of Cult News 101, Patrick Ryan and Joe Kelly, talk about their work with ICSA (the International Cultic Studies Association), how levitation played into their experiences with Transcendental Meditation, early cult deprogramming and why it was problematic, how most people leave cults of their own volition, and why exploring someone's beliefs are better than attacking them.
Learn more about Patrick and Joe's work here:
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Tia Levings, Part 2 - Questioning Fundamentalism, Motherhood, and the Dangers of Christian Nationalism
In part 2 with Tia Levings, author of A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy, Tia she discusses how, in the midst of a church-sanctioned abusive relationship, motherhood began to change her beliefs - at first making her more zealous. She’ll talk about how her time trying to save her baby in the children’s hospital, plus working with women doctors and nurses, planted the seeds to help her imagine a world that wasn’t completely run by men.
She discusses moving to more heavily patriarchal churches, how the churches may change but it’s all part of the same larger evangelical culture, and how she joined a more extreme and isolated one as her husband became more authoritarian. Plus, she touches on her recovery process, as well as the ongoing and growing danger of fundamentalist Christianity in the United States government.
Trust me is sponsored by:
BetterHelp - Online Therapy: Visit BetterHelp.com/TRUST to get 10% off your first month
PrettyLitter - Less Mess, Less Odor: Go to PrettyLitter.com/trustme and use code "trustme" to save 20% off your first order and get a free cat toy
Quince - High-Quality Closet Essentials: Check out Quince.com/trust for free shipping and 365-day returns
Shopify - Grow Your Business: Sign up at Shopify.com/trustme for a $1 per month trial period
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Anna LeBaron - Ervil LeBaron, the "Mormon Manson"
Episode 27: You've only met your dad twice, but you know he's the prophet. You live in abject poverty, forced into child labor. And you often have to move your entire household in the middle of the night, for reasons you don't understand. Anna LeBaron joins Lola & Meagan to talk about the trauma of living in a polygamist cult and the murders perpetrated by her father, Ervil LeBaron aka the "Mormon Manson." She also tells the girls about her healing journey, going to therapy, and the importance of telling your story.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Moses Storm - Andrea Yates's Cult
Episode 2: The girls interview Moses Storm about his experiences in a cult as a child. They discuss what it was like to live in a bus, deal with poverty, and try to convert adults to his religion, run by Andrea Yates's religious leader.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Jenny Eliscu - Conservatorships & Freeing Britney Spears
This week’s guest is Jenny Eliscu, journalist, radio host, and producer on Britney vs. Spears, which covered Britney Spears’ infamous conservatorship. She explains how Britney’s struggles in 2008 were used to justify a permanent conservatorship—despite the contradiction of her being deemed too incapacitated to control her own life, yet well enough to tour, record, and generate massive income that her father, whom she barely had a relationship with, was in charge of.
Drawing from decades of reporting, a personal relationship with Britney, and her work on Britney v. Spears, Jenny breaks down the severity of the conservatorship, stripping Britney of the right to use her phone, make medical decisions, or even have a say in who her lawyer was going to be, and where Britney’s fight to end the conservatorship finally landed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Min Zhou, Part 1 - The Cult of Mao Zedong, and Growing Up in the Cultural Revolution
Today is part one with Min Zhou, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Asian American Studies at UCLA, who also grew up during the Cultural Revolution: a decade of social chaos in China in the 1960s and 1970s where intellectuals, artists, and anyone perceived as representing capitalism or the "old ways" were persecuted and murdered in the hundreds of thousands or more. She’ll tell us about the backstory leading to this moment in history, who Mao Zedong was and what the country's climate was like when he began to use propaganda to create a cult of personality around himself, and the movement to “purge,” through psychological or violent means, anyone who disagreed with Mao’s policies.
She’ll tell us about just how far the fanaticism and propaganda around Chairman Mao went, who the Red Guards were and how they initially seemed just like a cool subculture of young people when she was a kid - until they began to grow more destructive - and why her father was an immediate target. Plus, next week, we’ll discuss the labor camps her parents were sent to, and what it was like trying to survive while they were away.
Check out our amazing sponsors this week!
CBDistillery: Reset your health! Visit CBDistillery.com and use code TRUST for 20% off!
Pluto.TV: Summer movies and tv... Free! Pluto.TV
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Noël Wells - Scam Psychic Retreat
Episode 7: The girls interview filmmaker, musician, and actress Noël Wells about her experience going to a weekend retreat with a celebrity psychic - and eventually realizing she'd been scammed. Plus: an update on how Noël confronted the "psychic" after the initial interview.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Daniella Mestyanek Young, Part 2 - Military Life & Parallels to The Children of God
In part two of her interview with Lola & Meagan, Children of God survivor and military veteran, Daniella Mestyanek Young, talks about joining the military after high school, being a woman in a hyper masculine culture, and unsettling parallels between what she saw in the military and the Children of God.
Check out our great sponsors!!
Shopify: Run your own business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme
ZocDoc: Need a doctor? Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!
Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Demetria, Part 2 - Twin Ray Mysticism, Spiritual Retreats, and the Necessity of Rage
Today is part two with Demetria, survivor of the Oregon new age cult, Twin Ray. This week she shares more about the wild claims that the leaders made about their mystical backgrounds, how deeply rooted the culture of self blame was (including blaming one woman for her own cancer), and the massive property they purchased in Oregon which was financed by their followers. We talk about the dangers of the drugs they were giving people on spiritual retreats, when the cracks began to form in Demetria's belief system, and how important it was to feel her rage.
Trust me is sponsored by ZocDoc! Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Josh Lobo - What Happens When You Troll a Cult
Filmmaker and Lola's pal Josh Lobo shares his experiences as a teenager dealing with a militant small-town religious group in Wyoming. He'll discuss how trolling the group on Facebook led to them seeking revenge, escalating over time to the point of shooting his car up, how he sought legal action to protect himself, and whether or not he regrets his behavior.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp! Learn more and save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/trust
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Zacch Comfort, Part 2: The Bride of Christ Church, and an Important Story From Lola
In part two of Lola & Meagan's interview with Bride of Christ Church survivor Zacch Comfort, they discuss how leader Thomas Clyde Smith Jr's control tactics got more extreme once the group moved to the Oregon commune, including separating children from their families, requiring people to hit each other in church, and cycling children into his home for sexual abuse - as well as how the group ultimately fell apart, and what Zacch's life is like now working in a psychiatric hospital.
Plus, for Lola's cultiest thing of the week, she and her friend Liz Y2K discuss discovering a man they both dated has been arrested for serial rape, and how the police are seeking additional victims to come forward.
Trust Me is sponsored by Thrive Causemetics! Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme
If you have information on Ben Belser, contact:
LAPD's Operations West Bureau, Special Assault Section
213-473-0447
or 877-LAPD-247
Or for anonymous tips:
LA Crime Stoppers
1-800-222-TIPS
LAcrimestoppers.org
If you have experienced sexual assault and you need support, visit https://www.rainn.org/ or call 800-656-HOPE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Drew Amstutz - Surviving Conversion Therapy
Episode 61: Lola & Meagan share a heartfelt conversation with conversion therapy survivor Drew Amstutz about growing up gay as a pastor's kid, being forced into conversion therapy, having suicidal ideations, and how he coped and found a way out.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Glenn Carter - UK Raelian Leader, Part 2: A Debate on Power Dynamics
Episode 50: In part two of Lola and Meagan's interview with UFO cult leader Glenn Carter, they discuss the cloning controversy that the Raelian movement was known for, Glenn's relationship with the movement's founder, and an interesting debate on power dynamics and personal responsibility.
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Mike & Abbi Prussack - Part 1: A Church with No Name, Isolated Childhoods, and Doomsday Fear
This week, Lola and Meagan talk with Mike and Abbi Prussack, former members of Meagan’s childhood church, the 2x2s, also known as The Truth or The Way. The couple, who now help moderate the Ex-2x2 Facebook community, share what it was like growing up in a secretive religious group with no name, no building, and strict rules about who could be “in.”
They open up about meeting and marrying within the church, the single question that shattered their faith, and how leaving forced them to rebuild their identities from scratch.
Next week, part two dives into the FBI investigation, decades of hidden abuse, and what’s happening inside the group now that the truth is finally being exposed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Tia Levings, Part 1 - A Well-Trained Wife in the Christian Patriarchy
Today is part one with Tia Levings, author of A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy. We talk about the church her family joined when she was young, how it was connected to Bill Gothard and the IBLP - which is why you may have seen her in the Amazon docuseries Shiny Happy People - how it grew more fundamentalist, and how she met her ex-husband Allen, who was abusive from the beginning. Tia tells us about the culture of domestic abuse in the heavily patriarchal evangelical communities, including practices like wife spanking, and how various church leaders would enable the abuse.
Trust me is sponsored by ZocDoc! Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Liz Cameron, Part 1 - Jesus Morning Star aka JMS: A Bookstore, a Bible Study Group, and a Prophet on Earth
This week is part one with Liz Cameron, survivor of South Korean religious sect Jesus Morning Star (aka JMS, aka Providence), and author of Cult Bride: How I Was Brainwashed – and How I Broke Free. She explains how her entry into JMS began with being approached by a woman in a bookstore for a harmless survey, and how that survey turned into a bible study group full of women who gained her trust and introduced her to their new and exciting Christian church.
Liz shares how the group began encouraging her to spend more and more time together and get up earlier and earlier, and how they painted her old church, community, and even family as people who weren’t dedicated enough to Jesus–all as they slowly introduced the idea of an incredibly spiritually devoted man they called Pastor Joshua.
Next week: we’ll get into how they began to reveal who Pastor Joshua really was (hint: his name was Jung Myung-seok), his criminal history, and how a god on earth could be sitting in a prison in Korea.SOURCES
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Camille & Trillium - A Pagan Coven and a Southern Fried Narcissist
You're a bisexual Libra living in the south trying to make friends when a guy you're dating invites you to attend a coven meeting... just as the prophecy foretold.
Two former members of a southern coven, Camille & Trillium share what drew them to the group, the dubious claims their leader "Kathy" made about her powers, the elaborate courses she designed for her followers, how "Kathy" tried to isolate them from their loved ones, how Camille was ostracized after being abused by "Kathy's" son, why "Kathy" called CPS to take away Trillium's son, and how Camille & Trillium's experience brought them together.
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com -
Glenn Carter - UK Raelian Leader, Part 1: Aliens, Meditation & Cloning
Episode 49: It's a Trust Me first! Actor / musician / leader of the UK Raelian chapter Glenn Carter joins Lola & Meagan in part one of their conversation about Glenn's religious group with unconventional views on alien life, how he became the regional leader, and all things meditation, evolution, and cloning!
If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
podtrac.com