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PodParley
Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation cover art
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1

Nikki G, Part 2 - The Seven Mountain Mandate, “Church Hurt,” and Why Cults Aren’t Just a White People Problem

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2

Nikki G, Part 1 - Down the Rabbit Hole, Cult Hopping, and Surviving the Black Church

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3

Maria Bamford - 12 Step Programs, OCD, and How to Join Every Group

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4

Sarah Edmondson, Part 2 - DOS, Disillusionment, and Leaving Keith Raniere

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5

Sarah Edmondson, Part 1 - Joining NXIVM, Meeting Keith Raniere, and Moving Up the Ranks

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6

Nomzia Bistline, Part 2 - Raided by the FBI, Life in Prison, and Breaking Free From Sam Bateman

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7

Nomzia Bistline, Part 1 - The False Prophet: Growing Up FLDS & Marrying Sam Bateman

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8

Lyndsey Burr - Producing America’s Next Top Model

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9

Matthew Remski, Part 2 - Cult Hopping, Disillusionment, and Root Causes of Cults

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10

Matthew Remski, Part 1 - Seizures, Spirituality, & the First Charismatic Guru

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11

Harrison Hill - The Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps

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12

Celeste Gross - Growing Up in the Children of God

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13

Dan Olson, Part 2 - Charismatic Leaders and the Cult of Crypto

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14

Dan Olson, Part 1 - Crypto, NFTs, and Tech’s War on Doubt

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15

Liz Cameron, Part 2 - Christ is on Earth, He’s in Prison, and You’re His Bride

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16

Liz Cameron, Part 1 - Jesus Morning Star aka JMS: A Bookstore, a Bible Study Group, and a Prophet on Earth

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17

Martina Castro, Part 2 - Allegations, Disappearances, and the Crumbling Cult of John of God

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18

Martina Castro, Part 1 - Psychic Surgeries & John of God's Spiritual Celebrity

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19

Parvati Shallow - From Surviving a Cult to Winning Survivor

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20

Jenny Eliscu - Conservatorships & Freeing Britney Spears

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21

Jonathan Hirsch, Part 2 - Meditation, Getting Blessed, and Leaving Adidam

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22

Jonathan Hirsch, Part 1 - A Guru, a Compound, and the Cult of Adi Da

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23

David Farrier - Conspiracies, Cults, and Investigating Arise Church

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24

Jess Rothschild - SoulCycle and the Cult of Spinning

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25

REWIND: Elana Auerbach - OneTaste (aka the Orgasm Cult)

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26

REWIND: Felicia Rosario and Daniel Levin - Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence

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27

Theo Pratt - Blue Dresses, Smacking Ladies, and an Isolated Compound: Surviving Gloriavale

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28

Renee DiResta - Part 2: Pseudo-Events, More on Disinformation, and Telling Fact From Fiction

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29

Renee DiResta - Part 1: Propaganda, Disinformation, and Bespoke Realities

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30

Mike & Abbi Prussack – Part 2: Predators in Power, Institutional Denial, and the Fight to Expose It

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31

Mike & Abbi Prussack - Part 1: A Church with No Name, Isolated Childhoods, and Doomsday Fear

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32

Tim Squirrell - Incels, Redpill, and the Manosphere

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33

Sarma Melngailis - Part 2: Isolation, Deeper into the Scam, & Getting Arrested

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34

Sarma Melngailis - Part 1: Bad Vegan, Meeting Mr. Fox, and Early Red Flags

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35

Arabelle Sicardi - Plastic Surgery in Mormonism, Biohacking, and the Beauty Industry

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36

Anthony Cesar Duncan - ChatGPT Psychosis and the Dangers of AI

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37

Aaron Goldenberg - Homeschool, Conversion Therapy, and Finally Coming Out

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38

Sarah Stankorb - Quiverfull, Christian Nationalism, and Why Evangelical Women Are Leaving

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39

Erika Lantz & Elin Lantz Lesser - Book Burnings, Rapture Drills, & the River Road Fellowship

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40

Jane Borden - Cults Like Us: Puritans, Demagogues, and America’s Doomsday Obsession

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41

Megan Elizabeth Cox - The Remnant Fellowship, Gwen Shamblin, and the Worship of Skinny

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42

Claire Hoffman - The Rise and Vanishing of Evangelist Megastar Aimee Semple McPherson

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43

Claire Hoffman - Levitation, Meditation, and a Childhood in a Transcendental Meditation Trailer Park

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44

Carol Merchasin - The Cult Assassin: Suing High-Control Groups

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45

Akina Cox - Part 2: The Moonies, ICE, and the Cult Tactics of Trump

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46

Akina Cox - Part 1: Unification Church, Mass Weddings, and Unpaid Labor

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47

Introducing Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

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48

REWIND: Dianne Lake - The Manson Family, Part 1: Meeting Charlie

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49

REWIND: Glynn Washington - The Worldwide Church of God

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50

REWIND: Hoyt Richards - From Supermodel to Cult Member

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51

REWIND: Lola's Mom - Mormon-Offshoot Cult

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52

An Exciting Update from Lola and Meagan!
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Amanda Rae - The Kingston Clan and Escaping Polygamy

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54

Maggie Rowe - Sinning Bravely and Moral Scrupulosity

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55

Caleb Ward, Part 2 - Disneyland for Christians and Exiting the Church

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56

Caleb Ward, Part 1 - Kingdom Life Ministries and Evangelical Youth Culture

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57

Uriah Wesman, Part 2 - Growing Up in Three Cults (The Hearts Center and The Ideal Society)

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58

Uriah Wesman, Part 1 - The First Cult: Church Universal and Triumphant

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59

Philip Deslippe & Stacie Stukin - 3HO,Kundalini yoga, & Yogi Bhajan

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60

REWIND: Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 2: Breaking Away

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61

REWIND: Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 1: The Nomadic Lifestyle

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62

Ashlen Hilliard - The Evolution of Cult Intervention Practices

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63

REWIND: Joann Vaega: Waco Survivor and Former Branch Davidian

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64

Carolyn Costin - The Link Between Cults and Eating Disorders

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65

Yoni Shrira, Part 2 - Hard Labor, Isolation, Running Away, and a Dark Legacy

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66

Yoni Shrira, Part 1 - The Family Foundation School, Troubled Teens, and Snitching Culture

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67

Tory Hess - From Second Life to Wilderness Commune

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68

REWIND: Jay Van Bavel - Groupthink, Social Identity, and Cult Psychology

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69

Bethany Joy Lenz - One Tree Hill, a Secret Cult, and Living a Double Life

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70

Anne - Psychosis, Delusions, & the Cult of Your Own Mind

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71

REWIND: Jitarth Jadeja - Former QAnon Believer

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72

Gareth Gore - Opus Dei, Human Trafficking, & Project 2025

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73

Norah - Girls Night In: L.A. Facebook Group Gone Culty

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74

Demetria, Part 2 - Twin Ray Mysticism, Spiritual Retreats, and the Necessity of Rage

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75

Demetria, Part 1 - Online Gurus, Mysterious Elixirs, and Joining the Twin Ray Cult

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76

Joelle Tamraz, Part 2 - Meeting The Elders, Emotional Manipulation, and Moving On

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77

Joelle Tamraz, Part 1 - Traveling to India, Meeting a Swami, and "Past Lives"

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78

Sara Teitelman - The Culty Elements of Technology

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79

Min Zhou, Part 2 - Labor Camps, Persecution, and Mass Killings in the Cultural Revolution
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Min Zhou, Part 1 - The Cult of Mao Zedong, and Growing Up in the Cultural Revolution
81

Tia Levings, Part 2 - Questioning Fundamentalism, Motherhood, and the Dangers of Christian Nationalism
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Tia Levings, Part 1 - A Well-Trained Wife in the Christian Patriarchy

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83

Andrea Dunlop, Part 2 - A Family Torn, Munchausen by Proxy, & Critiquing Take Care of Maya

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84

Andrea Dunlop, Part 1 - Munchausen by Proxy, a Faked Miscarriage, and a Perpetrator in the Family

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85

J. Wesley Boyd - When Physician Health Programs Go Wrong

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86

R. Derek Black, Part 2 - How a White Supremacist Changed Their Mind

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87

R. Derek Black, Part 1 - Former White Nationalist, Growing Up in the KKK, and Cognitive Dissonance

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88

Ian Rafalko, Part 2 - Son of a YouTube Scientologist Health Guru

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89

Ian Rafalko, Part 1 - Former Scientology Auditor

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90

Aliia Roza - Former Russian Secret Agent and Sex Spy

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91

Rabia Chaudry - Serial, True Crime, & Countering Violent Extremism

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92

Jessica Kahn - Y2K Cult

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93

Madi Stroud - Daughter of a Cult Leader: Love Has Won & Amy Carlson

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94

Dr. Inna Kanevsky - Pseudoscience, TikTok Psychology, & Culty Psychologists

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95

Warren Kohl, Part 2 - The Pressures of Preaching in a Secretive Cult

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96

Warren Kohl, Part 1 - Preparing to Preach in a Secretive Cult

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97

Nadine Macaluso - Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds
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Zoe & Lillian, Part 2 - Troubled Teens, Midwest Academy, and Solitary Confinement

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99

Zoe & Lillian, Part 1 - The Program, Ivy Ridge and Casa by the Sea

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100

Roberta Blevins, Part 2 - Leaving The LuLaRoe Family

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101

Roberta Blevins, Part 1 - Inside LuLaRoe

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102

Lola & Meagan - Am I in a Cult (or Just a Group)?

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103

Katelyn Jade Hlavaty, Part 2 - Satanic Ritual Abuse & Becoming a Spokesperson

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104

Katelyn Jade Hlavaty, Part 1 - Joining Operation Light Force

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105

Sara Gorman - Science, Healthcare, and Why We Ignore Facts

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106

Jenna Miscavige, Part 2 - Escaping Scientology

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107

Jenna Miscavige, Part 1 - Growing up in Scientology's Sea Organization

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108

Crystal Hefner - Surviving The Playboy Mansion

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109

Michelle Dowd, Part 2 - From the Mountain to the Hospital to Forging Her Own Path

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110

Michelle Dowd, Part 1 - Becoming a Forager in The Field

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111

Thomas & Micah, Part 2 - Mormon Mission, Scientology, & Disney Adults

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112

Thomas & Micah, Part 1 - God, Goofy, and Growing Up Gay in Religion

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113

Marji Mozart, Part 2 - Life After the FLDS
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Marji Mozart, Part 1 - Growing up in the FLDS

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115

Barak Hardley - Where Belief Intersects Creativity

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116

Annie Taylor - The Garden: Commune or Cult

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117

Alice Hines & Lorraine - Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe

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118

Jill Duggar Dillard & Derick Dillard

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119

Marlene Winell - Leaving The Fold, Religious Trauma, and Emotional Recovery

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120

Listener Stories - Independent Baptist Movement & Capoeira Teacher

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121

Daniella Mestyanek Young, Part 2 - Military Life & Parallels to The Children of God

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122

Daniella Mestyanek Young, Part 1 - Children of God, 9/11, & Escaping the Cult

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123

Andrew Seidel - Christian Nationalism & Information Warfare

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124

REWIND: Post-Traumatic Growth with Richard Tedeschi

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125

Simon Kent Fung - Dear Alana & Conversion Therapy

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126

Dr. Marc Feldman & Jordyn Hope - Munchausen by Proxy aka Medical Child Abuse

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127

Kyle & Kari, Part 2 - The 2x2s: Uncovering Widespread Sexual Abuse

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128

Kyle & Kari, Part 1 - Deconstructing The 2x2s

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129

Martin - Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, & The I.D.W.
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Guinevere Turner, Part 2 - Group Exile, Culture Shock, & Recovery

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131

Guinevere Turner, Part 1 - The Lyman Family, Compound Life, and Queen Jessie

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132

Emily Lynn Paulson - Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing

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133

Madison McGhee - The Dark Side of Sorority Life
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Christy Carlson Romano - Child Actors & the Toddler to Trainwreck Pipeline

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135

Lindsey Williams, Part 2: Going to IBLP Headquarters & The Downfall of Bill Gothard

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136

Lindsey Williams, Part 1: Shiny Happy People, The Institute in Basic Life Principles, and Meeting Bill Gothard

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137

Allison Miller - Interstitial Cystitis, Orthorexia, and an Alternative Medicine Cult

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138

Jimanekia Eborn - Reclaiming Your Sexuality After Trauma

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139

Mubin Shaikh, Part 2: 9/11, Reinterpreting Islam, and Going Undercover

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140

Mubin Shaikh, Part 1: Islamic Extremism, Meeting the Taliban, and Getting Radicalized

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141

Jennings Brown & Justice - Liana Shanti's Conspiracy Sisterhood

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142

Kara Goucher - Alberto Salazar and the Nike Oregon Project

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143

Perfectionism & Purity

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144

Robert Fitzpatrick - The History of MLMs

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145

Priscilla Tucker, Part 2: Escaping the Kingstons, Forced Rehab, and a Billion Dollar Tax Fraud

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146

Priscilla Tucker, Part 1: The Kingstons, Polygamy, and a Cousin Engagement

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147

Adam Levin - Romance Scams, Hackers, & Protecting Your Identity

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148

Zacch Comfort, Part 2: The Bride of Christ Church, and an Important Story From Lola

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149

Zacch Comfort, Part 1: The Bride of Christ Church and a Sex Offender Turned Prophet

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150

Sam Ciavarella - When CrossFit Gets Culty

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151

Keith Page - From Megachurch Pastor to Secular Death Doula

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152

Rosanna Arquette - Commune Life, Racism, & Harvey Weinstein

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153

Felicia Rosario and Daniel Levin - Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence

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154

Antonio Perez - Alex Jones, the New World Order, and Conspiracy Theory Addiction

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155

Chris Kavanagh & Matthew Browne - Decoding the Gurus

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156

Lauren Drain, Part 2: Life After Westboro

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157

Lauren Drain, Part 1: Joining The Westboro Baptist Church

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158

Jay Van Bavel - Groupthink, Social Identity, and Cult Psychology

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159

Conspiracy Month: Morbid - Elisa Lam, False Accusations, & the Dangers of Web Sleuthing

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160

Conspiracy Month: Aja Romano & The Satanic Panic

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161

Conspiracy Month: Mikey Biddlestone - What Makes Conspiracy Theorists Double Down

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162

Conspiracy Month: Lisa Fazio - Why Fake News Feels Real

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163

Josh Lobo - What Happens When You Troll a Cult

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164

Jan Broberg, Part 2: Seduction, Secrecy, and Realizing the Lie

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165

Jan Broberg, Part 1: Family Grooming, Aliens, and the First Kidnapping

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166

Trust Me 100!

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167

Elishaba Doerksen, Part 2 - Escaping Alaska and the Road to Recovery

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168

Elishaba Doerksen, Part 1 - My Family Cult in the Wilderness

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169

Abigail Kochunas - The Gloria Gifford Conservatory for the Performing Arts

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170

Sari Crawford - Synanon: Rehab Program Turned Cult

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171

Charlotte Laws - IsAnyoneUp.com, Revenge Porn, and the Most Hated Man on the Internet

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172

Listener Stories - Financial Abuse, Mormon Missions, and Coming Out

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173

Chris Bail - Online Extremism, Trolls, & the Myth of the Echo Chamber

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174

Cheryl Nichols - High School Teacher Grooming, Patriarchy, and "Passing the Trash"

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175

Camille & Trillium - A Pagan Coven and a Southern Fried Narcissist

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176

Strictly Stalking's Jaimie Beebe & Jake Deptula

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177

Welcome To The Sunshine Place
178

Virginia Heffernan: Edge, Jeffrey Epstein, & the Intellectual Dark Web

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179

Joann Vaega: Waco Survivor and Former Branch Davidian

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180

Spencer Schneider: Sharon Gans, School, & a Manhattan Cult Story

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181

Luis Favela & Honor Academy

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182

Hank Nuwer & Hazing Culture

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183

Evan McNary: Assisting Exorcisms, Speaking in Tongues & Pastors in Sunglasses

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184

G Charles Wright: Growing up Bisexual, Natural Disasters & Abusive Parenting

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185

Sara Levine & Danny Murphy of Not Another True Crime Podcast

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186

Monia Ali: One Direction & Toxic Fandom

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187

Patrick Ryan and Joe Kelly - Transcendental Meditation & Cult Intervention

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188

Rethinking Trauma: The Power Threat Meaning Framework with Lucy Johnstone

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189

Rethinking Trauma: Post-Traumatic Growth with Richard Tedeschi

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190

Rethinking Trauma: Self-Regulation and Healing Trauma with Robert Rhoton

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191

Rethinking Trauma: Resilience with George Bonanno

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192

Jordan Harbinger: Scams, Influence, & The Law of Attraction

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193

Nitai Joseph, Part 2: When Meditation Gets Culty

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194

Nitai Joseph, Part 1 - Hare Krishna, Cool Gurus, & Labor Exploitation

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195

Lynn Short - The New Gnostic Society, Sexual Alchemy, & Lucid Dreaming

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196

Anne Speckhard - How Terrorists Are Made

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197

Terra Newell, Part 2 - Killing Dirty John

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198

Terra Newell, Part 1 - Meeting Dirty John

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199

Sinasta Colucci – Romance, Racism, & Cover-Ups in Twelve Tribes

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200

Sinasta Colucci - Twelve Tribes, Farm Life, and The End Times

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201

The Airborne Toxic Event's Mikel Jollett - My Childhood in Synanon
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Jillian Lauren, Part 2 - Return to Brunei and Meeting a Serial Killer

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203

Jillian Lauren, Part 1 - Life in a Harem

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204

Banachek, Part 2 - Critical Thinking vs Skepticism

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205

Banachek, Part 1 - Mentalism vs Psychic Ability

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206

Drew Amstutz - Surviving Conversion Therapy
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Amanda Knox & Christopher Robinson - Understanding Cognitive Bias

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208

Bob Nygaard, Part 2 - How Psychics Manipulate

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209

Bob Nygaard, Part 1 - Investigating Psychic Fraud

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210

Lauren & John Matthias – The Daybells, Part 2: Buried Bodies & the Dark Triad

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211

Lauren & John Matthias – The Daybells, Part 1: Murder, Zombies, & LDS Fan Fiction

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212

Angie Kehler & Yahanna Masimer - The Assembly of YHWHhoshua

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213

Listener Stories - Purity Culture & Narcissist Dads

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214

Rachel Bernstein & IndoctriNation

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215

Dr. Ramani Durvasula - Narcissism 101

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216

Jennings Brown - Investigating the Fellowship of Friends

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217

Glenn Carter - UK Raelian Leader, Part 2: A Debate on Power Dynamics

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218

Glenn Carter - UK Raelian Leader, Part 1: Aliens, Meditation & Cloning

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219

The Cult of Hollywood

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220

Natascia Mallin – Therapy Cult, Part 2: Trauma Bonding & Lifting the Veil

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221

Natascia Mallin – Therapy Cult, Part 1: A Guru Named Stan

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222

Christina Babin - Children of God, Part 2: Reprogramming Camps

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223

Christina Babin – Children of God, Part 1: Punishment Camps & Flirty Fishing

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224

Katherine - Teal Swan

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225

Jonas Bell Pasht - How To Become A Tyrant

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226

Torah Bontrager - Growing Up Amish, Part 2: Escaping & Activism

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227

Torah Bontrager – Growing Up Amish, Part 1: Corporal Punishment & Rumspringa

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228

Glynn Washington - The Worldwide Church of God

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229

Hoyt Richards - From Supermodel to Cult Member
230

April Snow - Scientology & the Sea Org, Part 2: Leaving & The Aftermath

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231

April Snow - Scientology & the Sea Org, Part 1: The LA Celebrity Centre

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232

Brian Holoyda - Folie à Deux & Shared Delusions

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233

Danny Gold & Sean Williams - Mafias & Organized Crime

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234

Taylor Brown - Tech CEOs

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235

Dianne Lake - The Manson Family, Part 2: The Tate-LaBianca Murders

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236

Dianne Lake – The Manson Family, Part 1: Meeting Charlie

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237

Janja Lalich - Democratic Workers Party and Bounded Choice in Cults

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238

Avital Ash - Orthodox Judaism

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239

Anna LeBaron - Ervil LeBaron, the "Mormon Manson"

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240

Kilian Aulenbacher - Church Universal and Triumphant

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241

Gerardo Lopez - MS-13 & the Police, Part 2: The Rampart Scandal
242

Gerardo Lopez - MS-13, Part 1: LA in the 80s and 90s
243

Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 2: Breaking Away
244

Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 1: The Nomadic Lifestyle
245

Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti - Autism, Racism, and a Religious Cult
246

M.E. Thomas & Arya - Two Sociopaths (Who Are Dating)
247

Elana Auerbach - OneTaste (aka the Orgasm Cult)
248

Nicoletta Heidegger - BDSM vs. Abuse
249

Yuval Laor - Fervor, Awe, and Hyperreligiosity
250

Lucien Greaves - The Satanic Temple, Satanic Panic, & Recovered Memory
251

Jitarth Jadeja - Former QAnon Believer
252

Amber Dawn Lee - Zion Society (Fundamentalist Mormon Cult)
253

Amanda Montell - The Language of Cults and Fanaticism
254

Cliff "Fifth" Henderson - Jehovah's Witnesses
255

Naomi Gibson - Children of God and NXIVM, Part 2: Recruited into NXIVM
256

Frank Meeink - From Neo-Nazism to Anti-Racism
257

Naomi Gibson – Children of God and NXIVM, Part 1: Life on an Abusive Commune
258

Vikram Gandhi - Being Kumaré, the Fake Guru
259

Noël Wells - Scam Psychic Retreat
260

India Oxenberg - NXIVM
261

Steve Hassan - The Moonies, Trump, and QAnon
262

Esther & Lori - Current FLDS Members
263

Will Allen - Buddhafield
264

Moses Storm - Andrea Yates's Cult
265

Lola's Mom - Mormon-Offshoot Cult
266

Trust Me Trailer