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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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.
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.
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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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.
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.
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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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.
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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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.
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.
Musician and former FLDS member, Marji Mozart, shares about her childhood in Colorado City, living with a rebellious mother within a high control community, how she dreamed of being a musician instead of someone's wife, getting married to a grown man when she was only 17, and how that impacted her relationship with her mom.
Check out our holiday sponsors!!
Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!
Shopify: Run your own busines? Sign up for a $1 per-month trial period at shopify.com/trust
Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive!
NEED GIFT IDEAS?? 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:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two formerly closeted religious men, Thomas and Micah, share how they came out to their families and left their beliefs behind. Thomas talks about going on a Mormon mission as a gay man, Micah shares how learning about scientology was a turning point in his life, the group shares their thoughts on #DISNEYADULTS, and Thomas and Michah give their advice to anyone struggling with their sexuality and religion.
Check out our great sponsors!
MasterClass: Get Two Memberships for the Price of One at MasterClass.com/trust - Offer terms apply.
Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!
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.
A little meditation never hurt anyone... right? Lola and Meagan chat with former Hare Krishna monk Nitai Joseph about meditation and how it isn't necessarily always the cure-all it's cracked up to be. They discuss Sam Harris, whether you can divorce meditation from its religious roots, and the work Nitai does with Cheetah House to help those with adverse meditation experiences.
Learn more about Nitai's work at https://www.cheetahhouse.org/
SUPPORT LOLA'S FILM: bit.ly/pruningfilm
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.
Episode 18: Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth interview sex therapist, sexologist, and Sluts and Scholars podcast host Nicoletta Heidegger about all things BDSM! They discuss the basics of consensual play, Armie Hammer (and why cannibal fantasies are not the problem), red flags to look out for, making check-ins sexy, and how to tell the difference between kink and abuse. Think you might be in an abusive relationship? Please visit www.loveisrespect.org/ or www.thehotline.org/ FOLLOW US: IG: @slutsandscholars @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch Twitter: @ohlalola @trustmecultpod PER EPISODE DISCUSSION: Free sex inventories: Autostraddle Emily Nagoski Partially paid programs: Miss Jaiya's Erotic Blueprint Kayna Cassard's arousal architecture Apps: Kindu Xconfessions Love Nudge We should try it/Spicer Book:The Relationship Fix, Dr. Jenn Mann
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.
Episode 16: Meagan and Lola interview Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the Satanic Temple, about how the Satanic Temple was founded and why their (hilarious) stunts and lawsuits are actually deeply important for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. They also discuss the Satanic panic of the 80s and 90s and how it's had a resurgence in the form of QAnon, plus why "recovered" memories, and organizations like the ISSTD that champion fringe science, can have dangerous consequences.
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.
This week, Lola and Meagan continue their conversation with Mike and Abbi Prussack, former members of Meagan’s childhood church, the 2x2s. In part 2, they walk the girls through the abuse crisis that has shaken the group in recent years and the long-standing patterns that allowed the harm to continue. Mike and Abbi explain how church leadership handled reports, why victims felt they had nowhere to turn, and how secrecy and obedience has shaped the culture for generations.
They also discuss the FBI investigation, the community’s response, and what it has been like to help moderate the Ex 2x2 Facebook group during a moment of collective reckoning. The conversation looks at the cost of silence and the pressure to stay loyal, plus why so many people are choosing to finally speak out now.
SOURCES
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 65: Author Jillian Lauren shares what brought her back to Brunei after leaving the first time, her relationship with the Prince, meeting the Sultan, smuggling money out of the country, and how she became acquainted with the most prolific serial killer in American History.
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.
Today we're joined by Demetria, survivor of an Oregon new age group called Twin Ray (not to be confused with Twin Flames). She describes the beginning of her spiritual journey including reading the works of Eckhart Tolle, how one specific online guru captured her imagination, and how this guru's partner made the claim that they were Twin Rays with access to special spiritual knowledge despite their questionable backgrounds. We discuss how they strictly controlled their followers' diets, made them take a mysterious elixir while on retreats, and how they made their sales pitch to them while they were under the influence.
Check out our great sponsors!
Shopify: Upgrade your business! Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/trustme
Prose: Be good to your hair! Get 50% off your first haircare subscription order at Prose.com/trust
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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Survivors of the infamous WWASP schools, Zoe & Lillian, share about their experiences being forced to join Ivy Ridge, Midwest Academy, and Casa by the Sea; All schools featured in the current Netflix docudrama, The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping. Lola & Meagan dig into how these programs were marketed to parents, the dramatic ways Zoe & Lillian were brought to the facilities as teenagers, the levels inside the program that were impossible to climb, how they could only communicate with their eyes, and how they were kept from their families.
Check out our great sponsors!!
Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!
Shopify: Run a 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!
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.
Writer and author of several books including Hazing: Destroying Young Lives, Hank Nuwer, discusses the various forms that hazing can take, why he started tracking data of deaths and injuries, a history of tragic incidents, the functions and alternatives of hazing, how it varies between fraternities and sororities, and general discussions of group dynamics.
PLUS: Lola and Meagan discuss hearing voices, a wholesome bigfoot hunting trip gone wrong, the 1997 sci-fi flick Contact, why space is Lola's new religion, and how we might be living in a simulation!
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
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@trustmepodcast
@oohlalola
@vibehigherbitch
OR TWITTER:
@trustmecultpod
@ohlalola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, our guest is a friend who we'll call Anne. We discuss the connection between psychosis and cults, the mental changes Anne experienced when her episode started, the delusions that grew stronger, how she felt like she was communicating with spirits, the paranoia that grew inside her, and how a psychiatric mental health professional helped pull her out of it. We also compare the similarities of Anne's experience with that of many cult leaders, how coming out of a paranoid delusion is similar to coming out of a cult belief, and why it can be wise NOT to directly attack the beliefs of someone experiencing a psychotic episode.
Trust Me is brought to you by Shopify! Upgrade 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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Megan Elizabeth Cox–not to be confused with our Meagan Elizabeth–shares how she first started Gwen Shamblin’s weight loss program as a child, when her mom began listening to the cassette tapes in the 90s. She opens up about what it was like growing up in a family that was fixated on weight loss, how it felt meeting Shamblin, the high-haired woman behind the voice, and how the program evolved into the Remnant Fellowship, a full-fledged church centered around skinniness as righteousness.
Megan tells the girls about the level of control the church had over her eating and even her thoughts, with Bible study sessions that required the members to weigh themselves, how she drifted in and out of the church during dark times in her life, and what made her finally realize she needed to leave the group for good.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episdoe 34: From the Burmese mafia to Nigeria's Black Axe, journalists and hosts of The Underworld Podcast Danny Gold and Sean Williams compare the world's mafias, cults, and organized crime groups. They discuss their most harrowing reporting experiences, what groups they've been the most fascinated by, and the parallels between mafias and cults.
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.
This week’s guest is Theo Pratt, survivor of Gloriavale, an isolated Christian cult hidden deep in rural New Zealand, and author of Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale. She’ll talk about being raised on the strictly controlled commune where people were assigned new names, women wore identical dresses and head coverings, and children weren’t taught the real days of the week—or even where they were in the world.
Theo shares about the leader Neville Cooper’s self-proclaimed divine authority, how “smacking ladies” kept the kids in line—and guards kept the compound controlled, and her rebellious streak that led her to planning an escape attempt on a tandem bicycle. And of course, the moment she realized she couldn’t stay, and what it felt like to step into the outside world she’d been taught would destroy her.
SOURCES:
Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two new listener stories! One from Shelly about her time in the Independent Baptist Movement under pastor Jack Hyles and the cult recovery work she is doing now, and one from Claire about the manipulation she experienced under her capoeira teacher.
Trust Me is brought to you by 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:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 1: Lola and Meagan interview Christine Marie, Lola's mom, about her and Lola's experiences believing in a self-proclaimed Mormon prophet. They discuss how they came to believe in him, their separation from each other, Christine's harrowing trafficking experience, and Lola's childhood memories of Keith Raniere from NXIVM.
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.
Episode 22: Lola & Meagan interview Frank Lyford, survivor of Heaven's Gate who left after 18 years--just a few years before discovering his friends and loved ones in the group had died by suicide. In part 1, he tells the girls how he began following the leaders Ti and Do, what it was like living a nomadic lifestyle with his "check partner," and what happened when they all settled in one place for "Class." They discuss being separated from the love of his life, how the rules became more strict and controlling, and how much darker things got after Ti got cancer. Stay tuned next week for part 2! www.trustmepod.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.
Episode 10: Meagan and Lola interview Frank Meeink, author of Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead, about his journey from neo-Nazism as a teenager to present-day anti-racism. They discuss how he was indoctrinated into his white supremacist group, the crimes he committed that landed him in prison, the moment that changed everything for him, where he is now, and the importance of the Fourth Amendment.
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.
Episode 57: In part two of their interview with hosts of the Hidden podcast, Lauren and Dr John Matthias, Lola and Meagan discuss the the chronology of the murders carried out by Chad & Lori Daybell, how a welfare check led to the discovery of two missing children, how Chad and Lori were living in an elaborate fiction, as well as the theories of "The Dark Triad" and "Rich Guy Syndrome."
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.
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.
Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive Insurance! 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.
Today our guest is actor, musician, and now author Bethany Joy Lenz, whom we will just call Joy. Joy was the star of hit TV show One Tree Hill, and today she’s going to talk to us about how she was in a Christian cult the whole time she was filming the show. She’ll tell us about her upbringing and her career as a young actor, living in LA on her own and joining a small Bible study group that seemed like the perfect place to share a community with like-minded young Christian actors, and how a charismatic preacher named Les began showing up, leading the meetings, and changing everything.
She’ll tell us about going to a house in Idaho they called the “God spa,” how she was drugged at the house (but did not realize until later), and how Les began to exert more and more control over her life - including isolating her from her family and taking over her finances, which were being drained without her knowledge the entire time she was working on a hit television show - and how the group’s hold over her led her to turning down her dream role in her dream Broadway play.
Plus, how she discovered her money was gone and finally decided to leave.
We have deals for you!!!
Pretty Litter: Looking for the right litter? Go to PrettyLitter.com/trustme to save 20% on your FIRST order and get a free cat toy!
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
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In part two of their conversation with Michelle Dowd, Lola & Meagan dig into when Michelle and her family moved to the mountain, why discomfort was considered a virtue, getting sick with an autoimmune disease at the age of ten, spending many months in the hospital away from The Field and her family, what happened after her cult leader grandfather passed away, and how she left the group.
Trust Me is sponsored by June's Journey! Discover your inner detective when you download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android.
Learn more about Michelle's work here! https://mdowd.substack.com
Follow Michelle here! https://www.instagram.com/michelledowdz
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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 4: The girls interview Esther and Lori, two current members of the FLDS - aka Fundamentalist Mormons - who grew up in Short Creek, the polygamist community. They discuss how the community has changed since their prophet went to prison, and why families in the community are getting evicted from their homes. They also talk about what it's like to grow up with two mothers, raise eleven kids, and enter into - and exit out of - an arranged marriage. Plus: Esther's daughter's love for one special pop singer.
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.
Today is part 2 of our interview with Yoni Shrira, former student at the Family Foundation School, also known as Allynwood, the remote troubled teen program known for a series of lawsuits brought against it as well as over a hundred deaths from overdose or suicide by its former attendees. Last week, we talked about how and why Yoni ended up in the abusive school and the culture of required snitching, and this week he’s going to tell us about the punishments the kids endured, including hard labor and isolation.
He’ll tell us about trying to run away, the origins of the group and the man who created it, how the kids were kept isolated from their families, the way it impacted him after he left, and why he thinks so many of its former students have died.
Check out our holiday sponsors!!
Check out the work Lola's mom has been up to!
https://www.sltrib.com/news/polygamy/2024/12/06/polygamous-prophet-how-flds/
12 Step / Substance Abuse Resources
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.