Cults to Consciousness
Cults to Consciousness is a YouTube channel and podcast hosted by Shelise Ann Sola, a former devout Mormon and CSA survivor, and her producer husband Jonathan Rosales. The show explores the nuanced experiences of individuals who have escaped a broad spectrum of high-control groups and coercive environments. It is not anti-religious but firmly anti-abuse, aiming to shed light on manipulative practices and systems while promoting compassion, understanding, and accountability. The podcast has attracted a kind and engaged community who thoughtfully support their guests.
Episodes
Warren Jeffs’ Son & Sam Bateman’s 13th (Ex) Wife Reveal Their Unexpected Love Story
Two survivors. Two notorious FLDS leaders. One unexpected love story. Warren Jeffs’ son, Wendell Jeffs, and Nomz Bistline, who was once considered Sam Bateman’s 13th wife, are now in a serious relationship! After sharing their individual stories of escaping religious control on Cults to Consciousness, Wendell and Nomz are joining LIVE today on the Youtube channel to reveal their unexpected romance
I Escaped My Father’s Polygamous Cult… Then Became a Mormon Missionary
After escaping the FLDS at 18, Warren Jeffs’ son Wendell Jeffson, didn’t leave Mormonism behind… he joined the mainstream LDS Church and eventually became a Mormon missionary. In this follow up Part 2, Wendell reveals the strange transition from being raised as the Prophet’s son to preaching a new version of the faith, navigating dating and the outside world for the first time, and eventually ques
Warren Jeffs’ Son Reveals What It Was REALLY Like Growing Up With Him
Wendell Jeffson, son of notorious FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs, reveals what it was really like growing up inside his father’s isolated world. From being separated from his mother and hidden away on the Texas compound to believing his father spoke for God. Wendell opens up about the extreme control, wealth, manipulation, medical neglect, family hierarchy, and disturbing practices hidden behind the co
My Criminal Father Groomed Me to Take Over His Empire
Sonny Malvolio grew up inside a world most children only see in movies. His father was a professional criminal who escaped prison, fled with the family to Mexico, gave his children new identities, and began grooming Sonny to become part of his criminal empire. From doing payroll at eight years old to living surrounded by guns, violence, paranoia, and fear, Sonny shares how the unthinkable became n
Growing Up With a Narcissistic Mother Everyone Else Worshipped (ft. Jinjara Mitchell)
Jinjara Mitchell returns to go deeper into what it was like growing up with a narcissistic mother who was adored by the public but terrifying behind closed doors. She opens up about the manipulation, fear, and control that shaped her chiIdhood—and the complicated process of recognizing the truth about her mother and breaking free from her influence.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch the initial i
I Started Investigating My Dad’s Death— and Uncovered My Family’s Darkest Secrets
Jinjara Mitchell grew up watching her mother become a celebrated motivational speaker and powerful businesswoman while experiencing a very different person behind closed doors. Now, after uncovering medical records, conflicting accounts surrounding her father’s death, a dramatically changed will, and painful memories of CSA, Jinjara is publicly investigating the family story she says she was raise
When Being the “Perfect Mormon” Becomes an Obsession
Justin returns LIVE to dive deeper into how growing up Mormon intensified his OCD into debilitating religious scrupulosity, where even the smallest decisions could become questions of obedience, worthiness, and sin. He’ll unpack the specific rules he felt compelled to follow, how leaving a high-control religion dramatically changed his experience with OCD, and how he learned to replace rigid, blac
Escaping the Mormon Home Where Mom Spoke for God (ft. Athena Grimes)
Athena Grimes returns LIVE to dive deeper into the dark side of “personal revelation” and how her mother used supposed messages from God to justify extreme control and abuse. Along with more stories from growing up under her mother’s religious authority we’ll unpack what happens when a parent believes their own voice is the voice of God.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch our initial interview wit
At 9 Years Old, My Mormon Mom Said God Wanted Her to Sacrifice Me
Athena Grimes grew up in mainstream Mormonism under a mother who, Athena says, used “personal revelation” to justify extreme control, isolation, punishment, and abuse—including telling nine-year-old Athena that God required an “Abraham experience” in which she would die, leading Athena to plan her own funeral and say goodbye to her family. Years later, after joining the military, getting married,
How I Got My Mom to Leave Mormonism
Today I sit down LIVE with Mama Bear to reveal how I played a part in helping her leave Mormonism, and what we’ve learned about our family and each other since walking away. We’ll unpack toxic perfectionism, family vs. faith, shocking garment stories, and multigenerational perspectives on what it meant to be a “good Mormon mom,” while uncovering some truths about my childhood, including mom’s secr
BREAKING: Jehovah’s Witness Governing Body REMOVE Blood Doctrine? (ft.Alissa Watson)
Jehovah’s Witnesses have changed their blood doctrine again. In Governing Body Update #6, a major shift was announced regarding red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma—components that Jehovah’s Witnesses were previously instructed not to accept, but which are now being left to individual conscience. Alissa Watson of @alissasawake joins us LIVE to break down what chang
ESCAPING THE ROOM My Tyrannical Hoarder Father Kept Me CONFINED to for 16 Years
Mae returns LIVE to answer viewer questions and dive deeper into the parts of her childhood story we couldn’t fully explore in our first conversation. We’ll unpack more of the extreme isolation and religious control she experienced, what happened after she finally left her father’s home, and how she’s learned to navigate freedom, relationships, and healing after growing up so disconnected from the
The Mormon Mission That Sent Him Into a Mental Health Crisis
Raised in an intensely devout Mormon household, Justin Shoemaker believed happiness and salvation came from following every rule exactly… until religious scrupulosity and intrusive thoughts sent him into a devastating mental-health crisis on his mission. After returning home, attending BYU-Idaho, rushing into a temple marriage, and later becoming deeply involved in an Amway-associated training org
TED BUNDY Joined the Mormon Church While He Was Killing Women (ft. Postmormon Postmortem)
How did one of America’s most notorious serial killers convince a religious community that he was one of them, and for a time, that he couldn't possibly be guilty? Today we are joined LIVE with Hannah and Jess of the “ @PostmormonPostmortem ” Podcast to deep dive Bundy’s Mormon conversion, his life inside the congregation, arrest, members defending & supporting him, and ultimately his co
She Spent 16 Years Trapped in ONE ROOM by Her Tyrannical Hoarder Father
Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook “Cult Classics” and get 40% off your first order plus a free item in every box for life at https://hungryroot.com/CULTFREEFor most of the first 16 years of her life, Mae Vanders says she was confined to a tiny section of one room inside her family’s hoarded home—never attending school and relying on her older sister, television, and whatever she could read to
The Cult Controlled How I Had Sex and With Who: Inside Aesthetic Realism
In this follow-up LIVE, Donna Lamb takes us deeper inside Aesthetic Realism, revealing how the group attempted to control members’ sexuality, relationships, and identities, and how she eventually became part of the system herself. Donna confronts her role in helping convince gay people they could “change,” while exposing the manipulation that kept her devoted to the group for decades.Click h
She Escaped a Pimp… Then Spent 30 Years in a Cult
They can't harm you, if they can't find you! Use code CULT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/cultAt just 18 years old, Donna Lamb arrived in New York City dreaming of becoming an actress—only to be recruited into sex work on her second day in the city. After dr*gs, violence, and a terrifying encounter that made her fear for her life, Donna escaped that world but
How this Cult RECRUITS Teens… and What Happens When They Try to Leave
Following up our enlightening interview with Mitch Cunico of @Cult_Audit about his time as a leader within the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG), we are joined with him LIVE today to further dive into their recruiting process. Were they recruiting? What do they say? How do they approach college students? How can parents warn their kids? We’ll go behind the curtain
I Became a Leader in a Korean Cult — My Arranged Wife Was Used to Spy On Me
Former high-ranking World Mission Society Church of God member Mitch Cunico (of @Cult_Audit ) reveals how a seemingly innocent Bible study pulled him into a South Korean high-control religious group that demanded relentless evangelizing, money, strict obedience, and eventually even control over his marriage. Mitch was matched with a Korean wife he barely knew, living at the church as pastora
She Infiltrated Sam Bateman’s Cult and JUST Watched Him Get Sentenced
Dr. Christine Marie infiltrated the inner circle of polygamous cult leader Samuel Bateman, helping expose the horrific ab*se happening behind closed doors and ultimately contributing to his downfall. Now, just days after watching Bateman receive his final sentence in court, Christine joins us to reveal what it took to bring him down… and what it was like to finally see justice served.Click here to
JUST SENTENCED: Ex-Wives to Polygamist Cult Leader Reveal What Happened in Court
Polygamous sect leader Samuel Bateman has been sentenced to a total of 74 years in prison. Yesterday an Arizona state judge handed down an additional 24-year prison sentence to be served consecutively after his 50-year federal prison sentence. Today we are joined LIVE with Naomi "Nomz" Bistline (Sam Bateman’s former 13th wife) who was at the hearing and gave an impact statement, and his forme
The Dark Reality of Birth Defects in an Incestuous Polygamist Cult ft. @TheAmandaRaeGrant
Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook “Cult Classics” and get 40% off your first order plus a free item in every box for life at https://hungryroot.com/CULTFREEAmanda Rae returns for a disturbing deep dive into the alleged consequences of generations of incest within the polygamous Kingston Group, from miscarriages and birth defects to infertility and reproductive coercion. Amanda and Shelise exa
When Two Best Friends Become SISTER WIVES to a FALSE PROPHET
When two best friends are coerced to becoming sister wives to a false prophet, how does their friendship evolve? Did it survive the pressures of a household with over 20 other wives? Have they maintained a friendship after one of them helped put the false prophet behind bars? Makelle and Nomz return today for a special LIVE stream to answer all!Click here to watch on YouTubeFollow and suppor
The 22nd Wife Who Helped TAKE DOWN FLDS “False Prophet” Sam Bateman
After being gr**med and coerced into becoming Sam Bateman’s 22nd wife, Makelle Bistline reveals what life was actually like inside his polygamous household—and how quickly the disturbing reality began to surface. As her doubts grew, Makelle secretly helped get information to Christine, eventually becoming part of the quiet resistance that helped expose Bateman and bring the FBI closer to his inner
Warren Jeffs’ Daughter Reveals Unexpected Reasons People Are Leaving the FLDS
In this follow-up conversation, Sienna returns to share what’s changing inside the FLDS and the unexpected reasons some members are beginning to walk away. As Warren Jeffs’ daughter, she offers a rare insider perspective on what’s driving people to question the group, what makes leaving so complicated, and how life inside the FLDS continues to evolve.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch our initial
FLDS “Prophet” Married My 3 Mothers, My Young Sisters… And Me (Makelle’s Story)
Raised in the FLDS with 3 mothers and 27 siblings, Makelle grew up believing extreme restrictions, poverty, and obedience to religious authority were simply normal. That foundation made her vulnerable when self-proclaimed prophet Sam Bateman entered her family’s world, even as she questioned his teachings and was horrified to discover he was “marrying” underage girls. As Bateman gained control ove
Warren Jeffs’ Daughter Reveals What REALLY Happened Inside the FLDS
Sienna shares what it was like growing up as one of Warren Jeffs' children inside the FLDS, from the 2008 Texas raid and years of strict control to the fear, isolation, and manipulation that shaped her childhood. She opens up about the moment she began questioning everything…Click here to watch on YouTubeFind and support Sienna!Sienna’s artIG: https://www.instagram.com/siennahazej/Resources for le
Gloriavale Cult Survivor Exposes Everything WRONG with New “Devotion” Doc (ft. Lilia Tarawa)
Lilia Tarawa—granddaughter of Gloriavale founder Neville Cooper—shares her perspective on the new Paramount+ documentary Devotion, which offers unprecedented access inside the isolated New Zealand religious community. While she appreciates the rare footage and the opportunity to hear from current members, Lilia argues that the documentary fails to present the full reality of Gloriavale by omitting
Inside NXIVM Cult’s Collapse and the Hollywood Actress Behind It (ft. Bonnie Piesse)
Bonnie Piesse shares the deeply personal story of how a successful acting and music career in Hollywood left her feeling spiritually empty, ultimately making her vulnerable to the promises of NXIVM. She was introduced to the organization by her future husband, Mark Vicente. What initially appeared to be an empowering self-improvement community instead slowly eroded her confidence through constant
Why Narcissists Become Dangerous When You Expose Them (ft. Mark Vicente)
After our powerful conversation with former NXIVM insider and filmmaker Mark Vicente about The Narcissist's Playbook, we're sitting down with him once again for a special live discussion to go even deeper. This time, we're moving beyond understanding the mindset of narcissists to explore what happens when they're challenged. Why do narcissists react so intensely when confronted? What fears drive t
I Interviewed Real Narcissists... What They Admitted Terrified Me (ft.Mark Vicente)
Filmmaker and former NXIVM member Mark Vicente returns to discuss his new documentary, The Narcissist's Playbook, using both his experience exposing NXIVM and years of research into narcissistic personalities to explain why destructive leaders across cults, abusive relationships, and even public life often follow the same psychological pattern. Drawing from his own journey through multiple spiritu
How Mormons Enslaved & Erased Native American Children
Following up the enlightening interview with Ember Hudson, today she joins us LIVE to further discuss Native slavery, which is the least discussed aspects of early Utah history. Early Mormon settlement in Utah profoundly impacted Native communities through slavery, land displacement, and forced assimilation. After the Utah Territory legalized Native slavery in 1852, many Native chiIdren were
The Mormon Church Called Me Chosen... and Cursed
Ember Hudson shares the deeply personal story of growing up as a Native American woman in the LDS Church, where Mormon teachings about Indigenous people left her struggling with identity, worth, and belonging. Raised between her tribal heritage and a predominantly white Mormon community, she recounts how doctrines surrounding the Lamanites, rac*st interpretations of skin color, and repeated messag
Why This Incestuous Polygamous Cult Turns Families Into Enemies (ft. Amanda Rae Grant)
Children in The Order, an incestuous polygamous break-off of the LDS church are tormented in every way possible for “the kingdom of God upon the Earth”. When they get the strength and courage to escape, they are met with total and complete exile. What no one talks about is how the mothers of these chiIdren, though they are also part of the problem, are punished and made to suffer as well. Joined b
I Was Groomed to Die for God
Liz Dieatrick grew up in an intensely fundamentalist Assemblies of God household, where she was told from childhood that God had uniquely called her to become a missionary. Raised by a pastor father and a deeply controlling, highly religious mother, she developed crippling religious scrupulosity, suppressed her own identity, and built her entire sense of purpose around sacrificial service to God.
The Dark Truth Behind a Sinister Christian College Ministry (I Ended Up Leading)
Kathleen Brooks was drawn into Chi Alpha, a campus ministry affiliated with the Assemblies of God, while searching for purpose, belonging, and spiritual direction in college. What initially appeared to be a vibrant Christian community slowly evolved into an intensely controlling environment under the influence of a charismatic leader, Mark, who inserted himself into nearly every aspect of members'
I Was Recruited on Campus Into a Cult
Sarah entered college with almost no religious background, hoping to find community and deepen her newfound Christian faith, only to be drawn into a highly controlling branch of Assemblies of God known as Chi Alpha at Murray State, a Christian Campus Ministry under longtime control of the leader Mark. According to Sarah, the ministry gradually isolated students from family, academics, extrac
You Have to Pay HOW MUCH to Get Into Mormon Heaven? ft. Amanda Rae
It’s not quite as obvious as Scientology, but Mormonism is a pay-to-play religion. This billion dollar company still requires a set amount from its members for them to qualify for the highest level of heaven. However, it gets worse for the offshoot incestuous, polygamous group the Kingston Clan that our guest @TheAmandaRaeGrant grew up in. Join us LIVE today at 3p CST as we deep
I Gave an Alien Cult $5 Million and 20 Years (Confessions of a Male Supermodel)
Former supermodel Hoyt Richards recounts how a seemingly ideal upbringing, success at Princeton University, and a promising modeling career left him unexpectedly vulnerable to manipulation by a mysterious man. As a teenager searching for purpose and identity, he was drawn into the orbit of the charismatic spiritual leader, Frederick von Mierers, who used flattery, exclusivity, and promises of enli
Why Devout Mormon Missionary Denounced it All
When a 19 year old was sent to a war zone in a Russia for his mission, the deep need to remain “faithful” left him scarred when he finally made it home. Years later, his faith would unravel, causing massive shockwaves amongst his family. Following up our enlightening interview with filmmaker Kyson Dana, today we go LIVE with him to further discuss life after his traumatic Mormon Mission.Clic
The Mormon Church Sent Me to One of the Most Dangerous Places on Earth
Raised in a deeply devout Mormon family in Idaho, Kyson Dana was taught from childhood that serving a mission was not a choice but a sacred duty and a defining milestone of a faithful life. When he was called to serve in southwest Russia, he believed he had been specially chosen by God to bring people the only path to salvation. Mission training reinforced the idea that success or failure depended
Growing Up On SISTER WIVES: The Dark Side of Parenting No One Talks About (ft. Mykelti Brown)
In this follow up interview with Mykelti Brown Padron, she reflects on growing up in the polygamist Mormon offshoot featured on the TLC series Sister Wives, describing a chaotic childhood where older children were often forced to raise younger siblings. Mykelti recounts how the constantly shifting parenting styles between her different mothers created anxiety and emotional instability, how she too
My Buddhist Guru Convinced Me Her Abuse Was Enlightenment
Sofia May describes how the abuse at the Tibetan Buddhist retreat center, Tara Mandala, escalated into full psychological control after the guru reframed her suffering as a form of “spiritual advancement.” After months of isolation, humiliation, sleep deprivation, impossible work demands, and emotional manipulation, the guru finally told her she had intentionally been “triggering” her to accelerat
I Fell Prey to a Sadistic Guru in a Tibetan Buddhist Cult
A survivor of severe childhood abuse, Sofia May recounts how growing up in a violently dysfunctional and narcissistic family left her desperate for love, safety, and validation. After years of trying to earn protection from her parents by suppressing her own needs and identity, she became drawn to Buddhism because its teachings on dissolving the ego and transcending suffer*ng mirrored the self-era
I Confronted My Abuser 30 Years Later… Everything Changed
(CW: CSA, Drug A, Self Harm, Suicide Ideation) For a boy growing up in the 1970s, rural northern New Jersey was a year-round playground, filled with secret fishing holes, enchanted woods, and private trails to explore with friends. But this childhood idyll was snatched from Clark Fredericks by a man he regarded as a local hero: Dennis Pegg, the town’s Boy Scout leader, a law enforcement officer wi
Why He Thinks Daughters Should Parent Their Siblings (ft. Tia Levings)
Is “Biblical patriarchy” stripping women of their autonomy? We’re joined LIVE today with former “Fundamentalist Trad Wife” and author, Tia Levings, to discuss Pastor Dale Partridge’s dangerous, prescriptive opinions for young girls. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch the latest interview with TiaWatch our initial interview with TiaPt 2 with TiaFind and support Tia!Order “I Belong to Me
Becoming a Fundamentalist Trad Wife Almost Killed Me
Tia Levings discusses her new book “I Belong to Me” as a continuation of her healing journey after escaping a deeply controlling Christian patriarchal environment. Her first memoir, “A Well-Trained Wife”, focused on surviving abuse and indoctrination, while the second book explores what comes after leaving: trauma recovery, identity rebuilding, and deconstruction. Tia describes how religious
Is the Scientology SPEED RUN TREND Bad for Taking Down Scientology? (Ft. Claire Headley)
“Scientology speed runs” are a new internet trend and protest where creators, streamers, and activists storm Scientology centers to see how quickly they can get confronted, removed, banned, or “declared suppressive” by staff or security—often while filming for livestreams or social media. Today we are joined LIVE with Claire Headley to discuss whether this is a good or bad thing for taking d
What Really Happens During “Ordo Templi Orientis” Initiations? (Trapped in a Secret Society)
James Luceno is a former fifth degree ranked member of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), an initially welcoming, symbol-rich spiritual society rooted in Aleister Crowley’s philosophy of Thelema. Over time, what began as an immersive and meaningful community experience became increasingly controlling and ethically troubling, ultimately leading James to view it as a harmful, cult-like system. On
This Ruling Is Chilling: Jehovah’s Witnesses WIN Landmark Case—Backlash Begins
Since 2021, a case has been open against the Jehovah’s Witness Religion and a Norwegian state, claiming their practice of shunning is considered a violation of chiId rights. That case has been closed and left us all furious. Learn more as we are joined by Alissa Watson (@alissasawake) to discuss what this chilling ruling really means.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Alissa on Social:YouTube: @at
Sam Bateman’s Sister Opens Up on Growing Up With “The False Prophet” (Inside His Descent)
Former FLDS member Jude Bateman recounts her upbringing in the polygamist FLDS community of Colorado City and the terrifying realities of life under Warren Jeffs’ increasingly extreme rule. She grew up in a household with two mothers and 17 children, where obedience and fear governed daily life as new rules and expectations became more radicalized. Jude explains how her brother, Sam Bateman — late
My Father is the ACTUAL Prophet of the FLDS (ft. Jaden Jeffs)
@JadenJeffs , Son of Warren Jeffs—the current imprisoned prophet of the FLDS—speaks out about Sam Bateman, another “False Prophet” who is also in prison for his crimes against children.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Jaden on Social Media!YT: https://www.youtube.com/@JadenJeffsIG: https://www.instagram.com/jadenjjeffs100/Watch our initial interview with Jadenwatch Jaden's last video with his
Taylor Frankie Paul’s Super Secret Mormon Prophecy (ft. Alyssa Grenfell)
Did you know that all “righteous” members of the LDS (Mormon) church get a blessing that tells their future directly from God? It’s a coming of age ritual that requires one to fast in preparation for and no one is allowed to read it except for your parents and eventual spouse. Even though Taylor Frankie Paul is stepping away from the LDS church, people are shocked that she chose to post portions o
Top 10 Reasons You Might Already Be in a “Cult” (And Not Know It) ft. Daniella Mestyanek Young
Cult survivor, military veteran, and bestselling author of Uncultured & The Cutting of America, Daniella Mestyanek Young further dives into the investigation of invisible systems of control shaping our lives. Raised in the notorious s*x cult the ChiIdren of God, she escaped to America as a teenager—only to find herself inside another rigid institution: the U.S. Army. Years later, as a Harvard-
I Was 17… He Was 46: My Life as the 23rd Wife to the FLDS Prophet
Layla recounts the harsh reality of entering plural marriage at 17 as Warren Jeffs’ 23rd wife, describing immediate emotional overwhelm, humiliation, and strict expectations of obedience. Instead of the supportive sisterhood she had been groomed to expect, she encountered competition, hierarchy shifts, and public shaming. Jeffs exerted control through constant criticism, especially about her body
I Was “Turned In” to FLDS Cult Leader Warren Jeffs at 17
Layla Matson was born into a deeply entrenched, multi-generational polygamist FLDS family with direct ties to church leadership. From a young age, her life was shaped by strict religious expectations, economic hardship, and normalized control, ranging from modesty rules and limited education to chiId labor and rigid gender roles. Sacrifice was emphasized, while serious issues like infant de*ths, l
INSIDE “SISTER WIVES”: What the Polygamist TV Show Didn’t Show (Daughter Speaks Out)
Mykelti Brown & her husband Tony Padron reflect on the behind the scenes of her upbringing in the polygamist family from TLC’s Sister Wives TV show.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch Mykelti's initial interview hereFollow and support Mykelti & Tony!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/u85780932Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mykeltip/Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C -
Inside SISTER WIVES: What It’s REALLY Like Being Kody Brown’s Daughter (ft. Mykelti Brown)
Mykelti Brown Padron reflects on her upbringing in the polygamist family from TLC’s Sister Wives TV show, describing both the perceived benefits and deep challenges of that lifestyle. For her growing up, polygamy felt normal and even appealing due to the built-in community, multiple parental figures, and constant companionship, but also reveals significant downsides including emotional neglect, la
I Spent 11 Years Rising Rank Inside a SECRET OCCULT Society (Why Whistleblower is Speaking Out)
James Luceno is a former fifth degree ranked member of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), an initially welcoming, symbol-rich spiritual society rooted in Aleister Crowley’s philosophy of Thelema. According to James, it gradually reveals a hierarchical, secretive structure emphasizing obedience, loyalty, and authority through rituals and initiations, while presenting ideals like personal freedom
The STRICT Parenting Style of the Swartzentruber AMISH (what I'd do differently) ft. Lovina Zook
Following up our recent interview @lovina_zook about Amish pregnancies, today we are going LIVE with her to further discuss what it was like being parented in the strictest Amish settlement— the Swartzentruber Amish— versus how she now plans to parent outside of it.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch our initial interview with LovinaWatch our follow up LIVE with Lovina answering
The Shocking Truth About Pregnancy in AMISH Communities (ft. Lovina Zook)
Lovina Zook grew up in a strict Amish community where sex education was virtually nonexistent and anything related to the body, sex, or pregnancy was treated as taboo and often shameful. ChiIdren were not taught basic anatomy or reproduction, forcing her to piece together understanding through secretly reading books, accidental discoveries, and observation, often leading to confusion and misinform
My Brutal Near Death Relationship with the Jehovah’s Witnesses
Meg was raised in the Jehovah’s Witnesses and grew up under intense pressure, surveillance, and emotional control. Her upbringing lead to isolation, fear, and a lack of understanding around autonomy and consent. After experiencing SA in young adulthood, she blamed herself due to purity-based teachings and remained in the relationship out of guilt before ultimately confessing to church
Recruiting For to Imprisoning NXIVM Cult Leader (exposing SEX CULT Hidden Inside Self-Help Program)
Sarah & Nippy, creators of the podcast “A Little Bit Culty” and former NXIVM members, reveal how people are drawn into high-control groups and how manipulation operates beneath the surface. What started as an empowering, goal-driven self-improvement program in NXIVM gradually revealed itself as a calculated system of manipulation, where trust, financial commitment, and personal vulnerabilities
JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Blood Doctrine Suddenly Changing? (ft. Alt Worldly)
The group's 75 year old ban on blood transfusions is changing. Sort of. It's a big deal, and it isn't. Joined by Jake at @altworldly to give us the full details!Click here to watch on YouTubeThe JW dot org videoOriginal leak by larchwoodjwfacts breakdown of blood policy evolutionFind and support Jake on YouTube: @altworldly Other video collaborations:Ex-Mormon & E
Jehovah's Witnesses: No One Tells You What Happens After You Escape
Désirée Ohrbeck grew up in Denmark in the rigid control of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. She survived CSA from her stepfather, and when she sought help from religious leaders, she was dismissed, blamed, and told to retract her statement to the police. She explains how she went from a house where books were banned, to becoming a professor. However, deconstruction is incredibly lonely and challengi
The Dark Truth on CONVERTING to Jehovah’s Witnesses in Denmark
Désirée Ohrbeck grew up in Denmark in an extremely chaotic and traumatic home environment that later transitioned into the rigid control of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her early childhood was marked by instability—an absent father, a violent stepfather, poverty, neglect, and exposure to unsafe situations. When her mother joined Jehovah’s Witnesses, the family life shifted from chaos to extreme contro
Warren Jeffs’ 65th (Ex) Wife REACTS to “Trust Me: The False Prophet”
Briell Decker is the former 65th plural wife of Warren Jeffs. She married Jeffs at 18 while he was already a fugitive and “prophet,” and quickly realized how he exerted control through fear, punishment, and doctrine, particularly around arranged and underage marriages. Briell witnessed disturbing religious practices, resisting participation, and ultimately escaped after years of ab*se and threats
Why We Infiltrated & TOOK DOWN FLDS Polygamous Cult Leader (My Story)
Dr. Christine Marie recounts how her deep religious devotion and a seemingly prophetic dream led her into a manipulative relationship with a man who falsely claimed to be a Prophet. Using her beliefs against her, he gradually groomed and controlled her—convincing her she was chosen to be his spiritual wife, pressuring her into polygamy, isolating her from others, and exploiting her emotionally, fi
I Was the 13th Wife of Sam Bateman (Here’s My WHOLE Story)
As seen in the hit Netflix docuseries, “Trust Me: The False Prophet”, Nomz was raised inside the FLDS, a highly controlled Mormon polygamist sect, where her father was removed by leadership and her family was fractured and reassigned to different caretakers. As she reached her teens, she began to question her environment and briefly developed a sense of independence, but this was quickly overtaken
“Trust Me: The False Prophet” Insider Information (ft. Amanda Rae Grant)
Learn about the unaired details and behind the scenes information from @TheAmandaRaeGrant whopersonally knows the documentary participants and who also comes from a separate fundamentalistpolygamous Mormon sect called The Order.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch pt 2 of this discussion hereWatch our interview with NomzWatch our interview with Dr. Christine MarieFind and support Amanda!YouTube: @T
Inside My Arranged ULTRA ORTHODOX Marriage: Sex Rules No One Talks About
Dr. Sara Glass knew she kept falling in love with women, but that didn’t matter. She knew her place as an Ultra Orthodox woman. She was placed into an arranged marriage to a man shortly after graduating high school and she painfully left her girlfriend behind. Sara vulnerably shares in great detail about what it was like navigating sex as a Hasidic woman who is also gay and how the trauma around i
4 Former ULTRA ORTHODOX Women from 4 Sects Compare Notes
We celebrate our 300th episode with a panel of 4 incredible women bravely coming forward to share their thoughts and experiences growing up in various strict Orthodox communities. They compare notes while illustrating similarities and differences between the sects and how they left to find a better, more autonomous life for themselves, and in some cases, for their children as well. Deep dives can
Confessions of a Top Recruiting Rabbi’s Wife
Rachel was raised in Israel by Canadian parents who converted to strict Orthodox Judaism as adults. Girls were taught from a very young age that their primary purpose was to become wives and mothers, and the culture emphasized conformity, modesty, and obedience. At 18, after only a few weeks of dating, she became engaged to a man who was in training to become a Rabbi. Not only did she deal with ty
ULTRA ORTHODOX: The Strict Reality of Being a Rabbi’s Wife
Rachel was raised in Israel by Canadian parents who converted to strict Orthodox Judaism as adults. Girls were taught from a very young age that their primary purpose was to become wives and mothers, and the culture emphasized conformity, modesty, and obedience. Rachel explains how these systems created strong psychological pressure, particularly around purity culture, body image, and social behav
Confessions of a Former ULTRA ORTHODOX Rabbi
Shalom’s childhood and education were dominated by intense religious indoctrination. He attended a strict ultra-Orthodox school 365 days a year, where boys studied religious texts from early morning until late at night, with little secular education and frequent physical punishment from teachers. The rigid environment, lack of emotional support, and strict moral expectations led to anxiety, obsess
The Dark side of My ULTRA ORTHODOX Childhood in Jerusalem
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OneTaste Founder of Wellness Trend Turned Sex Cult is SENTENCED to 9 years
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Joseph Duggar Pleads NOT GUILTY After Confessing (ft. Preacher Boys)
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