PODCAST · true crime
Once Upon a Cult
by Shawn Porrett
Rachael, Allan and Shawn explore the dark alleys and twisted turns that some groups take. Every group starts with a good intention, but what separates a group from a cult? Come hear us tell the tale of different groups as we discuss if they should be considered a cult or not.
Episodes
-
The Big 1-0-0! A Reunion Years in the Making!
This is it Culties! Episode 100! Rachael, Vickee, Allan and Shawn come together to give you updates on some of the cults we covered. We also reflect on favorite episodes, leaders who stuck out to us, and some behind the scenes stuff. A reunion worthy of the end of our little jaunt into the world…
more -
OneTaste and the Art of Oming
This week Rachael, Shawn and Allan look into OneTaste. The San Francisco born group, run by Nicole Daedone, that focused on human connection through orgasm. Sounds pretty good until the sex gets exploited. You won't believe where this one goes!
-
New Testament Christian Churches of America, Phew, That's a Mouthful
On today's episode, the Scooby Gang delves into the history of the New Testament Christian Churches of America. We've said it before and we'll say it again, there is a thin line between cult and religion! In this case, has Rodger Wilson Davis crossed that line?
-
Satine Phoenix and Jamison Stone: Scourge of the Dungeons and Dragons Community
This week Shawn and Allan study up on Satine Phoenix and Jamison Stone. A married couple who took advantage of the Dungeons and Dragons community. We discuss their cult like actions and put them to the test to see if we qualify them as a cult or not.
-
We Don't Need Food! For We Are Breatharians!
This week, Allan and Shawn dissect the Breatharians. A group who believes we can attain a higher form of being without food or water. The sun is our source of energy. Come listen as we tell this strange tale.
-
Screw the Arrows, This Quiver is Full of Children!
Shawn and Rachael are joined by Friend of the Pod Jesse from A Real Bodice Ripper! We discuss the group Quiver Full. This is the one that Shawn promised half a season ago. This is the group the Doctor from "Our Father" was a part of. Very interesting.
-
Jenova's Toxic Final Fantasy VII Family
The Playstation game that turned a while generation onto Otherkin, Japanese culture, and RPGs...oh yeah, and a Cult! This one is cray culties. We get a firsthand look at how a fandom can turn toxic, over and over again. This girl just loves to take advantage of people!
-
Andrew Tate and His Army of Tater Tots
Rachael, Shawn and Allan look into the controversial life of Andrew Tate. Kickboxer turned scammer turned possible cult leader. He has run self proclaimed scams that his followers don't seem to mind him calling scams. This controversial figure has also popped up in not the greatest light online...
-
Walt Disney: The Man, The Myth, The Cult Leader?
Celebrating the 100th of Disney Studios, we decided to do something different on this episode. Allan and Shawn discuss Disney and the cult-like following it inspires in it's fans (including us). Could Disney cross the line into a cult? We go through our tenants one by one and discuss the aspects…
more -
Gwen Shamblin Ain't Shamblin' Around, But is She Healthy?
This week Allan and Shawn bring in Adil and Vicki to discuss Gwen Shamblin and her controversial Remnant Fellowship Church. Gwen equated skinniness to Godliness which caused quite a few issues. Do we consider this one a cult? And if you don't already know, wait til you see how it ends...
-
Bonus: The Case of the OG Baddie…The Millerites
In Season 1 Vicki and Shawn found that many of the cults were inspired by the Millerites. In this Bonus Episode, we delve into this old school cult to see how they inspired others.
-
John Frum… America? Broom? Soldier?
Rachael, Allan and Shawn look into the strange tale of John Frum. The legend of an American Soldier promising a better life. This one is interesting because it gives us the birth of a Creation Story on a small scale. Oh, and this is so not the one Shawn promised last week.... cuz he dumb.
-
Suffism Reoriented, It's Like Suffism, but Reoriented
This week we take a look at Sufism Reoriented. It's like Sufism, but reoriented and with a lot less Allah. This group is best known for being heavily financially supported by the owner of Cheesecake Factory. As well as building an ugly ass building in the middle of a small town.
-
Murdercide in the Order of the Solar Temple
This week Shawn, Allan and Rachael explore the dark Order of the Solar Temple. This group is known for the mass murder suicide that took place. We explore the sordid lives of Luc Jouret and Joseph Di Mambro and the circumstances that may have led to the unaliving.
-
Hugh Hefner: Playboy Philanthropist Cult Leader?
This week the Scooby Gang investigates Hugh Hefner and the treatment he showed towards the girls in his mansion. You would be surprised at how unfabulous the lives of the Playboy bunnies were in their house. Come listen in to see how culty we feel the Playboy Mansion was...
-
Ex-Member Helen Zuman Spills the T on Zendik Farms!
This week we give a quick history on Zendik Farms before interviewing the remarkable Helen Zuman on her experience living on the farm. Straight from the Life Coach's mouth we give you an interview around her book Mating in Captivity. This is one you definitely don't want to miss!
-
Something Something Trigger Warning Something Colonia Dignidad
The Scooby Gang take a look at Colonia Dignidad and its owner Paul Schafer. This episode comes with a lot of Trigger Warnings, but you won't believe what this guy got away with and for how long!
-
Submitted for Your Approval...The Mystery of Mount Shasta
Rachael, Allan and Shawn have special guest Natasha on the show to talk about the Mysteries of Mount Shasta. We delve into the Legends of this glorious mountain and talk about how they relate to cults. Such a fun episode!
-
Oh You’ve Only Read Through the New Testament? How About the Church of the Last Testament?
This week we talk about Vissarion and his Church of the Last Testament. This is a group who has been flying under the radar for years, and you won't believe what they've been up to! It's actually pretty similar to the movie Midsomar actually lol. Come join us on our tale of this Russian commune…
more -
To Buddha or Not to Buddha, Sokka Gakkai
This week the Scooby Gang takes on Sokka Gakkai. A Japanese group who call themselves Buddhists. But how do their practices stack up to Buddhism? What do other Buddhist think about them? Come find out if we label them a cult or not!
-
Teal Swan: A Spiritual Influencer that May Be to Die For
The Scooby Gang look into the controversial practices of Teal Swan herself. She has become somewhat of a hero to the depressed or suicidal, but is it in a healthy way? We look into her practices and her early life that may have inspired those practices...
-
Bonus Episode: Gadgetology
From the annals of Patreon we give you this so fun episode about the Gadgetology group. Just in time for the Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers movie on Disney+. To this day I'm still not sure if this is a group who actually believes this, or if they just use it as an excuse to hang out. Either way, I'm...
-
Confessions of an Ex-Cult Member
We release another patreon episode where Shawn and Victoria interview Ozzy. Someone who wasn't just in one, but two cults! This was such an interesting conversation to see how someone can get wrapped up in a cult without even realizing it.
-
Hellfire Club... Fact, Fiction, or Both?
Rachael and Shawn dig through the annals of time to bring you this exclusive Patreon episode. From behind the paywall comes this episode where fact and fiction blur!
-
Larry Ray and His 19 days of Being a Marine
Shawn, Rachael and Allan bring on Special Guests Vicki and Adil to talk about this strange case. A dad comes and lives with his daughter in a dorm. Then things go south quick when he enslaves her friends.
-
Livin that Game of Thrones Life on a Flat Earth
The Scooby Gang digs into the mystery of the Flat Earth beliefs. Should this be considered a cult? Is there credibility to the Flat Earth claim, we look at both these questions and more in this episode.
-
Angel’s Landing, But Maybe Without the Angels?
Lou Castro, if that is his real name (spoiler alert its not) is a pretty terrible guy. Every 2.5 years someone from his group ends up dead, coincidence? Should people be following this self righteous man who says he's a 1000 year old angel?
-
Let’s Get Rael About Raelism
The Scooby Gang tell the tale of Rael and his followers. This group can teach you how to transmit your code to the Elohim in order to clone you to an eternal life. Such an interesting blend of beliefs.
-
Super Happy Fun America, Only... It’s Opposite Day
The Scooby Crew look into this Right Wing group that originated The Straight Pride Parade. We talk about their origins, their events and delve deep into some politics.
-
What’s Aleph This Talk About Aum Shinrikyo
Rachael, Allan and Shawn look into the grisly tale of a Japanese extremist group. We see a well meaning group quickly turn into one of death, disappearances and destruction. And can the guy levitate or not?
-
A Mark, A Mission, A Drug Cartel, A Deadly Group Called Palo Mayombe
Rachael, Allan and Shawn look into the religion of Palo. But we dig a lil deeper and get into the deadly group that spun off of Palo. This one has a lot, a drug cartel, some murders, and a twist ending! And you get to learn what an nganga is.
-
Look How Helpful They’re Being, What an Odd Fellow
The Scooby Gang look into the ancient order of the Odd Fellows. What a strange group of people. Wait until you hear about the skeletons in their closets. Oh wait, and the goat! You have to hear about the goat!
-
A Murder Mystery Holiday
MagicHavok Productions has gotten together with some friend podcasts and presents this Murder Mystery Holiday. Take a listen. Can you solve the mystery? Have you heard about all the podcasts who were involved? Have a Happy Holiday and we hope you enjoy the show!
-
Does The Process Church Rhyme with Son of Sam?
Rachael, Shawn and Allan dig into the Process Church. According to Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness on Netlfix, this group may have been involved. We discuss possible links between the Process Church and Satanism and why the rumors may have started in the first place...
-
Golden Dawn III: In the Wake of the Beast
Rachael, Allan and Shawn complete their journey in unraveling the organization known as Golden Dawn. In this episode we look at what has become of the organization after Aleister Crowley's death.
-
Sherry Shriner and Her Adventures in Reptilianing
The Scoobs look into the tale of Sherry Shriner who started an online group in 2001 chronicling Reptilians among us. Wait until you hear her groundbreaking evidence! How can we not believe in Reptilians at this point... (he says sarcastically)
-
Dylan Hafertepen and the Pup Patrol
The Scooby Gang looks into the gay fetish, pup play, BDSM, muscle dude group led by Dylan Hafertepen. We discuss the deaths surrounding the group and whether we feel this group is a cult or not.
-
How Celestial is This Celestial Seasonings Tea Any Way?
This week the Scooby Gang get together to investigate Mo Siegel of Celestial Seasonings. This one has us scratching our heads...
-
Golden Dawn II: Aleister Crowley v Rita Repulsa
The Scooby Gang continue on their trek that all started with Jack Parsons. From Parsons, to Golden Dawn, to Aleister Crowley. Come see the life of the self proclaimed Beast. This one goes into some dark times yet somehow still references back to Power Rangers.
-
The Unscientific Science of Happy Science
What do Odin, Hermes, Buddha, Yoda and Osiris all have in common? Well duh, they were all forms of El Cantare the God of this Japanese group called Happy Science. Ryuho Okawa runs a huge global group with their hands in media and politics. Yikes!
-
Love Has Won Does a Crossover with The Mummy
The Scooby Gang looks into the strange case of the group Love Has Won. This group is a smorgasbord of different beliefs and they were so fun to talk about. The group's leader Amy was recently found dead. You gotta hear how she was found!
-
3HO! Not 3OH!3
The Scooby Gang brings on OG Vicki to discuss this yoga group. How could a yoga group turn into something possibly cultish? This is one you have to hear.
-
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism
Allan, Rachael and Shawn sit down and virtually chat with Author and Cult Fanatic Amanda Montell. We discuss her book Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism. Come listen to us tell the tale of this exciting and insightful book and then pick up your copy on June 15!
-
A New Day, An Old Golden Dawn
Rachael, Allan and Shawn take on the daunting task of covering this over 100 year old magical group. We started this journey through the eyes of Jake Parsons and we continue with Golden Dawn. Come listen to this group's origins as it leads into the introduction of Aleister Crowley.
-
Jared Leto and His Island of Adventure
Actor, philanthropist, narcissist and singer Jared Leto has gone on record saying that he started a cult. Our ears perked up when we heard the word cult! So naturally we had to do an episode on it. Do we consider this a cult?
-
Hippies, Hang Gliders, Musicians and The Source Family
The Scooby Gang looks into Father Yod and the Source Family. The interesting LA based restaurant and their quick rise and fall. Check it out
-
Falun Gong: A Tale of Church Not Being Separated from State
Rachael, Shawn and Allan explore the controversial Falun Gong. A people who were made public enemy #1 by their government. So we feel it was warranted for the Government to step in? Is this a cult? And no that's not a swastika.
-
Purple People, Doctors of Sex
Rachael, Shawn and Allan take on the Purple People. A sex cult that started in the 70's. What if I told you they were even a school at one point. Want some pointers on how to pleasure your partner? Then probably don't listen to this podcast. But we've got the "T" for you on this sexy cult.
-
Vampires, Intrigue and Murder with the Vampire Clan
Rachael, Allan and Shawn put on black clothes and eyeliner and delve into the immortal tale of 16 year old 500 year old vampire. Experience this tale with us that starts with teenage angst and ends in murder.
-
Shaved Heads,Yelling Games and a Made Up Word... Synanon
Rachael, Allan and Shawn delve into this strange Santa Monica cult led by Charles Dederich. If this Fight Club style AA group isn't enough to get your attention, I don't know what is. 'Nuff said.
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Rachael, Allan and Shawn explore the dark alleys and twisted turns that some groups take. Every group starts with a good intention, but what separates a group from a cult? Come hear us tell the tale of different groups as we discuss if they should be considered a cult or not.
HOSTED BY
Shawn Porrett
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Once Upon a Cult have?
Once Upon a Cult currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Once Upon a Cult about?
Rachael, Allan and Shawn explore the dark alleys and twisted turns that some groups take. Every group starts with a good intention, but what separates a group from a cult? Come hear us tell the tale of different groups as we discuss if they should be considered a cult or not.
How often does Once Upon a Cult release new episodes?
Once Upon a Cult has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Once Upon a Cult?
You can listen to Once Upon a Cult on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Once Upon a Cult?
Once Upon a Cult is created and hosted by Shawn Porrett.
URL copied to clipboard!