EPISODE · Nov 28, 2025 · 1H 25M
371: The Self-Help Guru’s Sweat Lodge That Became a Crime Scene
from Mile Higher · host Mile Higher Media & Audioboom Studios
For many, the landmark 2006 documentary The Secret was their first introduction to new age spiritualism and the law of attraction. This turned many of the Self-Help gurus featured in the documentary into overnight celebrities, including James Arthur Ray. From his “rockstar,” style seminars and in your face attitude, James rose to prominence by giving his attendees immense challenges, pushing them to breakthrough. But when a sweat lodge ran by James killed three people, the question remained: was he at fault? Did his teachings lead to this? Would he ever face justice or apologize?Support Our Sponsors:AuraFrames: https://www.auraframes.com/milehigher USE PROMO CODE: MILEHIGHERDripDrop: https://www.dripdrop.com USE PROMO CODE: MILEHIGHERButcherBox: https://butcherbox.com/milehigherUpwork: https://upwork.comRocketMoney: https://rocketmoney.com/milehigherIntro 0:00What Happened All Those Years Ago? 1:18Charging for Help 2:56James' Early Life 6:22World Traveler or Good Liar? 10:24Awestruck 13:58Good Money in Self Help 23:23Early Signs of Trouble 30:32The Secret 32:24James' First Taste of the Spotlight 43:54Delusions of Grandeur 50:19Becoming a Cult 55:21The Sweat Lodge 58:48How it All Happened 1:06:12Immediate Aftermath 1:13:48No Leg to Stand On 1:20:05James' Return 1:26:56A Sudden End 1:28:40Final Thoughts & Outro 1:32:44Mile Higher Media website: https://milehigher.com/ Higher Hope Foundation: https://www.higherhope.org/ Mile Higher Merch: milehigher.shopCheck out our other podcasts!The Sesh https://bit.ly/3Mtoz4XLights Out https://bit.ly/3n3GaoePlanet Sleep https://linktr.ee/planetsleepJoin our official FB group! https://bit.ly/3kQbAxgMHP YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qaDWGfAre You Subscribed On Apple Podcast & Spotify?!Support MHP by leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcast :) https://apple.co/2H4kh58MHP Topic Request Form: https://forms.gle/gUeTEzL9QEh4Hqz88You can follow us on all the things: @milehigherpodInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherpodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MileHigherHosts:Kendall: @kendallraeonytIG: http://instagram.com/kendallraeonytYT: https://www.youtube.com/c/kendallsplaceJosh: @milehigherjoshIG: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherjoshProducers:Janelle: @janelle_fields_IG: https://www.instagram.com/janelle_fields_/Ian: @ifarmeIG: https://www.instagram.com/ifarme/Tom: @tomfoolery_photoIG: / tomfoolery_photo Podcast sponsor inquires: [email protected]✉ Send Us Mail ✉Kendall Rae & Josh Thomas 8547 E Arapahoe Rd Ste J # 233Greenwood Village, CO 80112Music By: Mile Higher BoysYT: https://bit.ly/2Q7N5QOSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0F4ik...Sources: https://pastebin.com/yn8M6krgThe creator hosts a documentary series for educational purposes (EDSA). These include authoritative sources such as interviews, newspaper articles, and TV news reporting meant to educate and memorialize notable cases in our history. Videos come with an editorial and artistic value.
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For many, the landmark 2006 documentary The Secret was their first introduction to new age spiritualism and the law of attraction. This turned many of the Self-Help gurus featured in the documentary into overnight celebrities, including James Arthur Ray. From his “rockstar,” style seminars and in your face attitude, James rose to prominence by giving his attendees immense challenges, pushing them to breakthrough. But when a sweat lodge ran by James killed three people, the question remained: was he at fault? Did his teachings lead to this? Would he ever face justice or apologize?
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371: The Self-Help Guru’s Sweat Lodge That Became a Crime Scene
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