Cults to Consciousness

Demetria is a survivor of an Oregon New Age group called TwinRay. She describes her journey into spirituality after reading Eckhart Tolle's works and being drawn to an online guru who claimed to have achieved spiritual liberation and later claimed he wasn’t even human. He introduced a woman (a former actress) to the leadership and claimed they were 'twin rays' with special spiritual knowledge. Demetria paid these self appointed Gurus $17,000 extra for life coaching and they put her on an all-fruit and charcoal pudding diet for 6 months, on top of charging $9,000 retreats where attendees were given a mysterious 'elixir’, later discovered to be DM.T. Once everyone was in an elevated state and under the influence, they would then make sales pitches for expensive products and future retreats. It was clear that the Twin Rays were living in luxury while their followers were exploited, used for labor, and not given a second thought. Click here to watch on YouTubeFollow Demetria on Substack: Demetriam.substack.comSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feeling worthless as a young single adult in the Mormon church, Katie was sucked into a relationship with a “worthy priesthood holder” from her ward. Once he discovered her SA, a trauma that others were blaming and shaming her for, he claimed he could cure her using OneTaste’s Orgasmic Meditation. Vulnerable and left in the dark with all things sex related, he groomed her into thinking she needed these sessions with him to release her trauma. Unbeknownst to Katie, OneTaste was another cult who was pushing harmful ideas about SA, exploiting women and much worse. These harmful practices and ideologies combined with his predatory nature, led him to steal her virginity while she was unconscious having a seizure. He later admitted to purposely impregnating her so she would be forced to marry him. Barely 18, with no real support, Katie was left picking up the pieces while continuously being monitored and berated by the Mormon ran Brigham Young University’s honor code office. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch pt 1 of Katie’s interviewSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Born and raised in a Mormon majority town, Katie was doing her best to be the most righteous and worthy Mormon she could be. Everything came crashing down when she was blamed by her mother and shamed by her bishop for being SA’d. They claimed her “purity was tainted” and she needed to repent. Upon graduation, she went to the Young Single Adults ward, where she was primed to be targeted by a “worthy priesthood holder” who tried to lure her into an orgasm cult with promises to “fix” her sexual trauma. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch pt 2 of Katie’s interviewSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.*See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amanda Rae joins us to talk about the ways in which her former polygamous cult weaponizes ignorance and purposely withholds information about reproduction to keep women submissive to their husband. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch Pt 2 on Amanda's channel:  https://www.youtube.com/live/Q_vdflUQ69Y?si=oyE3eTaPp0QMpbimFind Amanda:YouTube:   @TheAmandaRaeGrant         IG: @amandaraegrantSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daryl Davis has spent decades infiltrating and befriending not only Klan members but Klan leaders, even going as far as to attend their rallies. On a quest to do nothing more than explore racism and gather information for his book, Klan-Destine Relationships, Daryl Davis eventually became the recipient of numerous robes and hoods given to him by Klan members who rescinded their beliefs after coming to know him. He had inadvertently stumbled upon a successful method of forming friendships between sworn enemies. His methods have made him the center of controversy in some circles where he is considered “politically incorrect,” but after proving his methods work, he has made supporters out of his detractors.As a race relations expert, Daryl Davis has received acclaim for his book, Klan-Destine Relationships and his work in race relations from many respected sources including CNN, NBC, Good Morning America, The Learning Channel, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun and many others. He is also the recipient of numerous awards including the highly prestigious Elliott-Black Award and the Bridge Builder Award presented by the American Ethical Union and Washington Ethical Society respectively, to name a few.  Filled with exciting encounters and sometimes amusing anecdotes, Daryl Davis’ impassioned lectures leave an audience feeling empowered to confront their own prejudices and overcome their fears, seeking to build a bridge and forge peace with their most unlikely adversaries.Click here to watch on YouTubeFollow Daryl:IG:  @realdaryldavis Website:  https://www.daryldavis.com/Daryl’s book:  The Klan WhispererSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:06:12 Daryl’s First Time Experiencing Rac*sm00:10:43  The Question Daryl’s Tried to Answer His Entire Life 00:15:42 Daryl’s Thoughts of Why Someone May Join A Group Like the Kl*n00:24:55 Daryl Shares About His First Positive Interaction with a Kl*n Member00:33:39 Daryl Explains the Hierarchy and Organization of the Kl*n00:38:15 Daryl’s Efforts to Interview Members of the Kl*n and Gives Some Definitions of Their Beliefs00:42:57 Daryl Speaks on the State of Civil Rights for POC and Women in the US and Among the Kl*n00:49:36 Daryl Tells of His Methods for Changing Peoples Perspectives & The Justifications Some Kl*n Members Use00:55:55 Daryl’s Perspective On How to Change Someone's Faulty Perspective01:02:43 Daryl’s Interactions with a Major Kl*n Leader and His Family01:09:06 More Interactions with Kl*n Members and Some More Background on the Systematic Rac*sm in America01:18:30  Why Daryl Still Feels Safe While Attending Kl*n Rallies and Events01:23:36 The Significance of Cross Burning in the Kl*n and about Their Supposed Christian Faith01:28:44 How Faulty Information Makes Its Way into Belief Systems01:34:14 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Isolated in the Apostolic United Brethren, Janae’s father went unchecked when exploiting the nature of the religious group. With 4 wives and over a dozen children, he misused his power to control them all. “Life lessons” laced in traumatic experiences would leave the girls feeling helpless, scared and vulnerable without him, even when he was the true source of danger. Essentially acting as a cult leader within an already restrictive cult, Janae’s father took advantage of the system which had lasting negative effects. Click here to watch on YouTubeFind and Support Janae!IG: @janaedubose  Facebook: Janae DuBose Book:  “In The Cult Next Door”Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 intro00:04:07 How the AUB split from the mainstream LDS church00:08:43 Hierarchy in the church and how Janae’s father affected their family's place00:10:34 What Janae's father was like and how he got involved with the AUB00:13:18 How Janae's father exploited AUB rules for his benefit00:14:48 CW: CA Janae's father's man*pulation and ab*se tactics00:25:31 Janae's mom's reaction to her chiIdren's ab*se and how the AUB predisposed her to marrying Janae's father00:30:03 CW: CSA Janae's father's openness about his pred*tory behavior00:33:05 How Janae's father's lack of self awareness led to a projection of his own feelings and issues00:35:20 The use of other religious beliefs in the household00:37:07 CW: SA How their father's ab*se affected the boys and their relationships with their sisters00:40:06 The cycle of ab*se (or lack thereof)00:41:43 The constant vulnerability in the house00:43:22 Inability to understand AUB00:46:57 Janae’s feelings on being a plural wife 00:48:54 Janae's mother's search for answers led them to mainstream Mormonism00:56:03 CW: r*pe - Janae’s past left her vulnerable after escaping 01:01:41 Learning to stand in your power as a woman 01:04:13 How people from ab*sive situations can be targets for other ab*sers in the future01:08:47 Finding safety in yourself and life after a cult01:16:16 What makes Janae happy today01:17:50 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the Apostolic United Brethren, a break off from the mainstream Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), polygamy is not only expected, but a requirement to get into the highest level of heaven per the original prophet Joseph Smith. Women are also expected to “multiply and replenish the Earth”.  In this 2nd part to Emily’s interview, she delves into what it was like getting married at the age of 17, realizing her father was in fact “evil”, her reaction to him rising up as “Prophet” of the AUB, as well as what her deconstruction process has been like, and what’s it’s been like speaking out in recent years. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch pt 1 of Emily’s interviewWatch Emily’s sister, Melanie’s interviewMelanie’s liveFind Emily on social media!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Good-Enough-444IG: @good_enough_444  Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks:00:00:00 Intro00:03:51 Emotional damage from purity culture after CSA00:06:01 Was Emily pushed into getting married at a young age?00:12:12 Emily's parents told her and her siblings they all lived polygamy in their own ways00:16:08 How much Emily knew about s*x Ed and getting pregnant at 1800:19:28 When Emily started to deconstruct00:24:54 Has Emily discussed what happened to her with her chiIdren?00:31:07 What made Emily decide to tell her story00:37:13 The "Without a Crystal Ball" interview00:39:34 What brings Emily joy now00:46:53 Emily's kind words about C2C00:50:41 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the Apostolic United Brethren, a break off from the mainstream Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), polygamy is not only expected, but a requirement to get into the highest level of heaven per the original prophet Joseph Smith. Women are also expected to “multiply and replenish the Earth”. Emily’s mother (the second wife) had 11 chiIdren and had to work 3 jobs to put what little food on the table she could. Even with the best of intentions and all the love she gave her chiIdren, it often left them hungry, delirious and malnour*shed. Emily was babysitting infants and toddlers at just 7 years old with no milk to properly care for them. On top of this, the man who would later become the prophet of the AUB, her father, would come home and rage on all his chiIdren. An emotional and physical tort*re that left them scared and scarred for years to come.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Emily on social media!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Good-Enough-444IG: @good_enough_444  Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:04:00 Emily explains the AUB00:06:42 Rac*sm when it's convenient00:12:19 Emily's family unit- How many moms/sister wives?00:16:37 CW: Depictions of CA- How Emily's father treated his chiIdren00:21:10 How their father's ab*se affected them long term00:27:13 Did Emily's mother try to step in to help?00:30:23 Core memory babysitting infants at 7 yrs old00:35:39 Limited access to food00:38:49 Effects of malnour*shment00:40:21 CW: CSA- why there is a high rate of CSA in the AUB00:51:13 Emotional dam*ge from purity culture after CSASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Born in 1968, Sarito spent her formative years constantly on the move with her mother, a young hippie in search of spiritual meaning. At just nine years old, what was intended to be a brief summer trip to India took an unexpected turn. Sarito and her mother joined the ashram of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, transforming that fleeting visit into a seven-year journey within the commune—first in Pune, India, and later in the notorious city of Rajneeshpuram in Central Oregon. While in the commune, Sarito was submerged in a world where devotion and freedom clashed with man*pulation, s*xual misconduct, and neglect. After the fall of Rajneeshpuram in 1985, sixteen-year-old Sarito was abruptly thrust into the “real world.” In her book “In the Shadow of Enlightenment” is the gripping story of Sarito’s chiIdhood inside the Osho Rajneesh cult—one of the most controversial spiritual movements of the 20th century.Click here to watch on YouTubeFollow Sarito on social media:Sarito’s memoir “In the Shadows of Enlightenment” Website: https://www.saritocarroll.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/saritocIG: @saritocarroll TikTok: @saritocarroll_authorSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:04:59 How Life Has Been Since the Release Of Sarito’s Book00:07:09 Sarito’s Family's Introduction to the Cult00:10:52 The Beginning of Sarito’s Time in India as a ChiId & Some of the Cults Practices00:17:50 CW: CSA, the Highly S*xual Nature of the Cult and the Attention Sarito Received00:21:15 Specifics About the Cult Leader00:25:59 The Cult Leaders Teachings on Materialism and Wealth00:32:30 The Us vs Them Mentality of the Cult00:36:58 CW: CSA, the Cult Settling into Oregon & the Beginning of Sarito Being Gr**med00:41:54 CW: CSA, More Details About the Gr**ming Sarito Received00:49:48 The Tumult of Growing Up without any Structure or Role Models00:53:23 The Excellent Organization of the Commune & Its Settling in Oregon01:00:50 The Stark Contrast in Wealth and The Cult Leader's Interactions with its Members01:10:40 The Conflict Between Different Members of the Cult & The Demise of the Cult01:15:58 Sarito’s First Steps Outside of the Cult at 1601:21:54 Sarito’s Interactions with The Cult After Leaving and Publishing Her Book01:28:43 Final Thoughts01:31:06 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kevin James Thornton grew up in a small Christian town in Indiana. His early life started at a Baptist church, but once he discovered a Mega Church focused on rock bands and the youth, he became enamored and doubled down on his faith. A Jesus loving, self motivated chiId then teen, he loved his fully immersive church and heavily partook in extremely questionable youth events, but something inside himself felt wrong. Driven by his desire to fit in and “fix himself” he wouldn’t even allow himself to have the thought that he was gay. He attended youth group bible study religiously and went to inner city parks in NYC dressed as “sin” clowns to perform “morality plays”. They even put on extreme HeII based haunted houses with graphic scenes played out by the youth.  Things started to feel grim for Kevin once the group graduated high school and the boys he had crushes on coupled up and got married, leaving Kevin feeling more alone than ever.  Always having buried who he really was, it wasn’t until he escaped to college and found himself in a new group within theater that the inner turmoil would subside.  Kevin dives into what it was like selling everything to move to LA to become a comedian, and how he blew up on TikTok during the pandemic by sharing his old bible study memories (with a splash of autotune).Click here to watch on YouTubeTour dates and tickets:  Websites: https://www.kevinjamesthornton.com/https://www.shamalahamala.com/Follow Kevin on social media:YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNQbKNgL8bcuH8z4pzh9flwIG: @kevinjamesthornton  TT: @kevinjamesthornton Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:04:24 Kevin's early church experiences as a southern baptist00:06:58 How Kevin changed churches and why it appealed to him as a teenager00:09:40 How this mega church appeared to be less conservative but doctrinally the opposite00:10:50 What Kevin's parents thought about his dedication to church00:12:14 What the messages were like at the new church00:14:28 Youth group mission trips to inner cities00:19:10 Messages from the church and the pressure to proselytize and bring more people to the church through events00:22:35 Kevin's dissonance with his s*xuality00:26:56 The story about home bible study during youth group00:30:13 How people in the same situations can have different experiences00:33:25 The mega church's haunted houses for Halloween00:37:27 Kevin's feelings at the time on the haunted houses00:39:06 When Kevin started to realize there were issues with his church00:43:28 How seeing other gay people be acceptable helped Kevin accept himself00:47:14 How his old youth group felt about Kevin's new life in college00:49:56 How reaching out can make someone second guess the best path for themselves00:52:17 Kevin's shift from his old life into the comedy scene00:59:11 How an app and the pandemic changed Kevin's comedy01:06:08 How Kevin is doing today01:11:47 Linda, ListenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many of you have gotten knocks on your door lately (us included) by the Jehovah’s Witnesses inviting you to attend their upcoming weekend long convention in July. Our friend Jake at @altworldly found a LEAKED copy of their propaganda and promised it would deliver in absurdity and disgusting takes on the “apostates” who have left the religion. Join us as Shelise blind reacts to these videos.Click here to watch on YouTubePart 1 of the streamFollow  @altworldly  Other video collaborations:Ex-Mormon and Ex-Jehovah's Witness Compare CULTure (ft.  @altworldly  )Ex- Mormon and Ex-Jehovah's Witness Compare Doctrine (ft @altworldly)Fear of End Times: Ex-Jehovah's Witness Confessions ft. @altworldlyAn ex-Mormon and ex-Jehovah's Witness Compare Notes (w/ @CultstoConsciousness )Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a 4th generation Jehovah’s Witness, Alissa Watson followed the path laid out before her and married young at a month past 19. Against the recommendation of the doomsday cult, she had chiIdren. During the birth of her first chiId, a pool of lost blood scared her husband into looking into the doctrine of blood transfusions being a punishable sin. Unwilling to lose the life of his wife or baby during the next delivery, he confessed to his wife that he would not be following the blood doctrine if it came down to it. Alissa agreed, but had no idea it had sent her husband down a slow and secret path of deconstruction, until she confronted him about his absence in the church. Research of rampant CSA coverups, a wishy-washy governing body leader under oath and more left her shocked. Their exit out of the religion was messy and hurtful, leaving behind their entire family who refused to even look at them due to the strict practice of shunning.Click here to watch on YouTubeWhy I Left the Jehovah's Witnesses: The Truth Behind My ExitFind Alissa on Social:YouTube: @athomewithalissaIG: @athome_withalissa  TikTok: @athomewithalissa Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code SHELISE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/sheliseSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:04:27 What it was like growing up as a Jehovah's Witness (pressures & disfellowshipping)00:11:07 Why Alissa wanted to be homeschooled00:13:16 Alissa meets her husband at 17 and doubles down on the religion00:16:14 Dating as a Jehovah's Witness00:18:33 The pressures of being a teenage girl having to get married00:23:52 Alissa gets engaged, sins and thinks Satan is attacking her relationship00:26:51 Jehovah's Witnesses discourage having chiIdren00:30:43 The "no blood" rule causing a scare during birth00:37:23 Alissa's husband starts secretly deconstructing00:40:47 Was Alissa's husband filled with Satan??00:42:47 Why Alissa's testimony crumbled overnight00:47:59 What it was like when Alissa and her family were shunned00:57:31 Setting boundaries and making mental health a priority01:06:09 Why Alissa decided to start speaking out on social media01:14:53 How Alissa's life has changed for the better01:18:34 Linda, Listen01:20:40 Find and support Alissa!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

During WWII the horrific extermination of religious and ethnic groups forced people to denounce their faith and hail Hitler for their own survival. Owen Morgan, former JW and successful YouTuber  @OwenMorganTelltale  dove into the rabbit hole to extensively research the position and stories of the JW people at the time. He explains how Joseph Franklin Rutherford, the second leader of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, made an attempt to align with the Nazi regime to  maintain freedom of worship. However, he took things a step further, actively harming the witnesses and taking the religion in a cultic direction. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch our initial interview with Owen:The Extremely Isolated Life of Growing Up Jehovah's WitnessFind Owen on Social Media:YT: https://www.youtube.com/@OwenMorganTelltaleIG: @owenmorgantelltale Website:  www.owenmorgan.comBook: Was Hitler an Atheist? Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter marks:00:00:00 Intro00:03:09 Owen's motivation for researching the N*zi's treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses during World War II00:04:26 Owen's reasons for leaving the church00:06:36 German Christian national*sm and H*tler's connection to the Jehovah's Witnesses00:10:53 Rutherford's letter to H*tler00:12:10 JW's support of N*zism vs the well known rule of no politics00:15:44 Frank's story as a JW  in N*zi Germany00:21:24 Paul Balzereit's story00:23:40 How JW's were forced into signing the declaration to H*tler00:25:35 How Rutherford came into leadership and the changes he brought00:31:51 Why Rutherford released the statement and the resiliency of JW members00:37:44 Corruption in leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses vs Mormonism00:41:15 Rac*sm in the Jehovah's Witness religion and Mormonism00:44:46 Different schisms of Jehovah's Witnesses and their similarities with the main group00:48:17 Word of wisdom hot drinks vs caffeine debate in Mormonism00:51:44 How and why trivial religious rules and how they can dictate people's entire lives00:57:21 Other recent changes to the religion01:00:05 Financial holdings and corruption in the JW religion01:07:17 Guilt and being a good person as a Jehovah's Witness01:13:03 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bethany was raised in the Jehovah’s Witnesses, only to realize she had been part of a cult for thirty years. The psychological pressure cooker exploded in her 20s with quickly deteriorating mental health. The faux perfectionism drove her into an eating disorder as a means to gain any form of control over her life. When she could no longer pretend anymore, questioning authority and pursuing her personal freedom cost her, her devout family.  She now has a YouTube channel where she discusses the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ harmful policies.Today we are going LIVE with Bethany to further dive into how the Jehovah’s Witnesses completely ruined her relationship with her parents.  Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch the initial interview here  Find Bethany on social media:Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bethanylegerwebsite: www.bethanyleger.comYT: https://www.youtube.com/@stoptheshunningIG: https://www.instagram.com/bethanylegerwriterBethany’s book: Physically In, Mentally Out: Navigating Your Exit From WatchtowerThe best way to reach her is via email: [email protected] to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bethany Leger was raised in the Jehovah’s Witnesses, only to realize she had been part of a cult for thirty years. The psychological pressure cooker exploded in her 20s with quickly deteriorating mental health. The faux perfectionism drove her into an eating d*sorder as a means to gain any form of control over her life. When she could no longer pretend anymore, questioning authority and pursuing her personal freedom cost her, her devout family.  She now has a YouTube channel where she discusses the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ h*rmful policies.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Bethany on social media:Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bethanylegerwebsite: www.bethanyleger.comYT: https://www.youtube.com/@stoptheshunningIG: https://www.instagram.com/bethanylegerwriterBethany’s book: Physically In, Mentally Out: Navigating Your Exit From WatchtowerThe best way to reach her is via email: [email protected] to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks:00:00:00 Intro00:04:25 Defining the Jehovah's Witness religion as a cult-like group00:06:02 What Bethany's family was like growing up00:11:08 Core beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses00:15:23 Bethany's gut feelings about the church and the obligation to fulfill duties00:23:20 CW: ED Developing h*rmful behaviors and realizing how being a JW makes Bethany really feel00:25:21 CW: ED Bethany's experience in high school that led her to evaluate the Jehovah's Witnesses00:38:45 What Bethany's mom did to keep her in the religion00:41:16 Bethany's parents' conflicting values and where that confusion ultimately led her00:46:26 How self policing kept Bethany as a Jehovah's Witness after high school00:49:30 The tension in Bethany reaches a breaking point CW: su*cid*l ideation00:51:54 The last time Bethany stepped foot in a Kingdom Hall00:58:29 The moment that changed Bethany's perspective forever01:02:02 CW: SA Jehovah's Witness SA cases in Australia01:03:12 CW: SA The two witness rule and how it allows rampant ab*se to fester for years01:06:10 Barbara Anderson's story01:13:59 New changes to how shunning works01:19:09 How Bethany is doing now01:22:51 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melanie and Cory grew up in the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) at the Montana compound. They wouldn’t  meet, however, until long after leaving the cult and all their family behind. Almost a polygamous wife, Melanie had a horrible arranged marriage at a young age and did whatever it took to get out and become free. Now, we look at what happens when a funeral brings them both back to the compound to face estranged family members as apostates. How did their families react to them now that they have a YouTube channel exposing the AUB? Tune in to find out! Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch Melanie’s initial interviewFollow Melanie on Social Media:https://www.youtube.com/@NotestoSelf444IG: @Notestoself444 https://www.tiktok.com/@NotestoSelf444Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the polygamous offshoots of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) where the famous Kody Brown and Sister Wives come from. Melanie grew up in this group with 4 mothers and 34 and counting siblings. Her Father was an apostle when she was growing up, but would go on to become the prophet. A position that is said to commune directly with God and Jesus themselves. The highest calling on Earth. Melanie and her siblings were shocked when such an ab*sive man would be given such a sacred calling. Melanie, destined to become a plural wife herself, would have to put up with her spouse courting a 16 year old girl while she was pregnant! She lived a life full of grief and pain and void of real romantic love, until she gained the courage to escape and leave her entire family and community behind. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch Melanie and Cory in our LIVE interviewFollow Melanie on Social Media:https://www.youtube.com/@NotestoSelf444IG: @Notestoself444 https://www.tiktok.com/@NotestoSelf444Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:03:36 Why Melanie Started Sharing Her Story; Her ChiIdhood00:08:07 Melanie’s Father Had a Favorite Wife and How it Impacted Her as a ChiId00:16:40 Specifics about the AUB and Melanie’s First Marriage00:22:42 Melanie’s First Husband, and How Her Mother Taught Her Not to See Race00:25:39 CW: CSA, SA, Beginning of Melanie’s First Marriage & How She Avoided Getting Pregnant00:30:55 CW: Mentions of Self-H*rm, Melanie Shares How Marriage was as a Teenager in the AUB and How It Impacted Her00:38:15 What it Was Like Dating Her First Husband and a Potential Plural Wife00:46:28 CW: CA, Melanie’s Faith Crisis After Her Father Became an Apostle & Her First Time Leaving the AUB00:52:35 Returning to the AUB for A Time After Her Son was Born00:56:03 Getting Divorced and Meeting Her 2nd Husband01:05:47 Melanie’s Deconstruction & Her Father Becoming Prophet of the AUB01:11:04 Shocking Information about Her Best Friend01:18:15 Melanie’s Life Now and the Progress She's Made01:27:06 Final Thoughts and What Brings Melanie Joy01:29:40 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shannon Foley Martinez was a vict*m of CSA at age 14.  Never quite able to meet her parent's expectations, Martinez sought out other angry teens. By 16 she was a sk*nhead spouting white supremac*st rhetoric, giving stiff-armed N*zi salutes and tagging public property with swast*kas. Fortified by the love of an adopted family, Martinez left the sk*nheads behind, and today is committed to devoting the rest of her life to helping dismantle the culture of white suprem*cy, as well as helping others find their way to the other side of a life of hate.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Shannon on Social Media:  IG: @shannon_foley_martinezTake back your personal data with Incogni! Use code SHELISE at https://incogni.com/shelise and get 60% off an annual plan.Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:03:27 Shannon's chiIdhood and vulnerabilities that led her to joining a Neo N*zi group00:12:06 How sports helped Shannon00:15:34 How moving during a vulnerable developmental age effected Shannon00:24:39 What high school was like for Shannon00:28:35 A night that changed Shannon's life at 1400:30:42 CW: r*pe How Shannon's traum*tic experience at a party led to h*rmful behaviors00:35:34 Shannon's mom blamed her for be v*ctimized00:43:32 How Shannon's undirected anger led her to the wrong crowd00:49:16 How rac*sm come into play for Shannon00:55:15 What a woman's role in the movement looks like01:00:50 How Shannon found her way outSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shannon Foley Martinez was a victim of CSA at age 14.  Never quite able to meet her parent's expectations, Martinez sought out other angry teens. By 16 she was a skinhead spouting white supremacist rhetoric, giving stiff-armed Nazi salutes and tagging public property with swastikas. Fortified by the love of an adopted family, Martinez left the skinheads behind, and today is committed to devoting the rest of her life to helping dismantle the culture of white supremacy, as well as helping others find their way to the other side of a life of hate.  Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch pt 1:  https://youtu.be/SjlWNeLPKtA?si=4h-zGqOrC_ePCIx-Find Shannon on Social Media:  IG: @shannon_foley_martinezSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:02:54 Resetting living in a safe environment00:10:58 What made Shannon change her perspective00:17:14 How Shannon's college experience opened her eyes to new information00:23:05 Having chiIdren changed Shannon’s outlook & goals00:33:32 Breaking cycles with Shannon’s chiIdren and grandchiIdren00:37:09 Setting healthy boundaries and figuring out appropriate expectations00:42:29 Boundaries with adult chiIdren in the home00:45:37 Shannon's continued healing journey and coming to peace within herself00:56:17 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christian Picciolini found himself stumbling through high school, struggling to find a community among other fans of punk rock music. There, he was recruited by a notorious white power sk*nhead leader and encouraged to fight with the movement to "protect the white race from extinction." Soon, he had become an expert in rac*st philosophies, a terror who roamed the neighborhood, quick to throw fists. When his mentor was sent to prison, sixteen-year-old Picciolini took over the man's role as the leader of an infamous neo-Naz* sk*nhead group.Seduced by the power, he accrued through intimidation, and swept up in the rhetoric he had adopted, Christian worked to grow an army of extrem*sts. He used music as a recruitment tool, launching his own propag*nda band that performed at white power rallies around the world. But slowly, as he started a family of his own and a job that for the first time brought him face to face with people from all walks of life, he began to recognize the cracks in his hat*ful ideology. Then a shocking loss at the hands of rac*al viol*nce changed his life forever, and Picciolini realized too late the full extent of the h*rm he'd caused.Click here to watch on YouTubeCheck out Christian’s books:christianpicciolini.com“White American Youth": whiteamericanyouth.com"Breaking H*te”: breakinghate.comFind Christian on social media:IG: @cpicciolini Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:05:33 How Christian was vulnerable to recruitment and thus got involved00:12:12 American History X and its parallels to Christian’s experience00:13:41 The moment that Christian realized v*olence equaled power00:17:30 How Christian went from going along with the ideologies to really believing them00:19:39 What the goal of the movement was00:22:50 Christian's double life participating in the movement while also playing football00:26:12 Christian's experience with a black body guard in high school00:33:13 The facade begins to fade after Christian's recruiter goes to prison00:36:32 How their h*te for others was rooted in their h*te for themselves00:38:40 Why and how women join these groups00:41:55 How these groups self contain their ideas and how it warps member's perception of reality00:45:35 Christian's marriage and its fallout gave him the freedom to leave the movement00:51:48 Christian non-linear path to healing and how meeting someone from his past changed his future01:00:11 The importance of accountability in healing01:02:27 Where Christian is today and what brings him joy01:05:15 What Christian's relationship is like with his sons and how they feel about his past01:12:11 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Happy Mother’s Day to everyone tuning in! This is an honest conversation between a mother and daughter about the crippling expectations placed on mothers in high control groups. Lisa explains her experience growing up in Mormonism which shaped her view of her options after high school and directly led her to becoming a young mother leaving her dreams behind. Shelise chimes in about what she remembers the messaging being as a young girl in Mormonism and explains the pros and cons of raising a child outside of a high demand religion.Click here to watch on YouTubeConnect with Lisa!Business IG: @spiritofottertail https://www.instagram.com/spiritofottertail?igsh=MWFtdTdodHZ5aDFiOQ==Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code SHELISE at https://incogni.com/shelise and get 60% off an annual plan.Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks000:00:00 Intro00:03:47 Shelise's Special Announcement...00:04:25 Lisa's early years attending Young Womens00:05:28 The only option for a woman was to be a wife and mother00:12:14 What the crossroads of career vs marriage was like for Lisa00:16:44 Are Utah Mormons different than Mormons from other states?00:21:25 The pitfalls of the church pressuring young people to get married00:28:37 Parenting is already hard enough-- what the extra layer of guilt & shame was like for Lisa00:31:35 The discusses her own break downs00:34:51 The chaos of Lisa getting the chiIdren ready for church, and to show up presenting perfect00:39:50 The pressures of a Mormon mom when it comes to their children's actions00:44:06 Lisa's thoughts on sending her kids on a Mormon Mission00:47:01 Things that made being a parent difficult while Mormon00:52:17 Lisa's regrets as a Mormon mom00:54:25 Shelise opens up about her beliefs and raising chiIdren in a religious state01:04:14 Lisa's thoughts on the after life01:05:47 What is the cost of Mormon salvation?01:12:12 How Lisa feels about the less strict parenting rules the church has now01:18:20 Final thoughts01:26:35 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From a desperate mother in poverty to an American Romani family, Amanda had no trace of who she was. All of her documents were either destroyed or hidden and any trace of her biological mother was gone. Her life was a paradox of luxury coupled with ab*se and isolation. Kept out of school and othered for being adopted, she felt completely alone. Amanda was pushed into an arranged marriage which turned into another nightmare. Find out how she escaped.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Amanda: IG: @redpandasattack93 YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@RedPandasattack93?si=CtRqmiGBKbbrglnqSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:03:29  How Amanda Came Across Cults to Consciousness & Decided to Share Her Story00:05:42 CW: Traff*cked as an infant; Issues of Not Having Documentation00:10:34  Background on Amanda’s Biological Mother & Some of Her Health Issues00:14:00 CW: CA, CSA, Amanda Shares Her Most Prominent ChiIdhood Memories00:19:57 Amanda Explains Some of the Romani Foundational Beliefs & Practices00:24:07 CW: CA, DV, Amanda’s Observations of Ab*se Amongst the Romani People00:28:34 CW: CA, DV, SA, CSA, Details About Amanda’s Father's Targeted Ab*se & Control00:30:48 Romani Marriages & How Amanda Rebelled Against Her Own00:35:58 How Amanda Was Deprived A Traditional Education & Her Efforts to Learn00:40:44 The Materialism of The Romani & The Control Amanda Was Subject To00:44:28 What the day to day looked like for Amanda and her family00:47:02 Amanda Gives Examples of How the Romani Make Their Living00:51:25 CW: Marital R*pe, SA, Amanda’s First Marriage Within the Romani Community00:59:12 CW: DV, Amanda’s attempts to Leave Her Marriage And Turning to Alcohol to Cope01:05:10 CW: Suic*de Attempts01:08:34 What Makes Amanda Happy Now That She's Out01:12:17 How Amanda Was Finally Able to Leave the Cult & Meeting Her Now Partner01:16:32 How Amanda’s Brother Showed the Same Traits as Her Father01:20:51 Final Thoughts & Amanda’s Hopes for Her Family01:24:28 Linda, ListenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our previous interview, Gina exposed many ways in which she was trained from birth to scam as a fortune teller. Some of the schemes her family ran on unsuspecting or vulnerable people garnered over $100k. Gina explained how the American Romani family she was a part of, was not living up to the beautiful culture of her persecuted people, but were greedy, ab*sive and scammers. Forced to become one herself, or be beat*n for her noncompliance, she had no other choice but to succumb to their demands. However, once she got pregnant from an outsider, she knew in order to save the life of her chiId, she had to escape. Today we will talk about her life after running away from her family and how the made it in the world with no education past 12 years old. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch Gina's initial full interview here:   https://youtu.be/lFD7FaWWWY4?si=gok4dXhuhM_HB_O9Find Gina:  Book:  Shay BariIG: @_shaybari Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_ShayBariSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gina Merino grew up in California with a very strict family which identifies as “Gypsies”. Her life was strictly controlled and she experienced harsh ab*se at the hands of her step mother. At elementary age, before being pulled out of school, she would begin telling fortune, understanding she was lying to people, but had no other choice. She uncovers ways in which her and her family scammed people out of thousands of dollars. When her father revealed a deep secret to his wife and family, both him and Gina were immediately treated like garbage. Gina was stuck, isolated in the family until years later when she made a daring escape and never looked back. Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Gina:  Book:  Shay BariIG: @_shaybari Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_ShayBariTake your personal data back with Incogni! Use code SHELISE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/sheliseSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:03:56 The specific Romani group that Gina came from00:06:20 How Gina feels about using the G-word to refer to her people00:08:08 Stand out memories for Gina00:10:05 How Gina reacted to getting pulled out of school00:11:09 Why it was important to be pulled out of school00:13:56 How Gina was taught to scam at an early age00:20:30 How Gina felt having to lie at an early age00:23:50 The biggest scam Gina witnessed00:29:52 Growing up with an abus*ve stepmother00:38:21 Gina's father comes out as gay and it changes the course of her life00:41:44 Gina's last words to her father00:46:18 Gina was forced to go back00:51:53 Gina is in a painful place, and is put on a strict diet00:53:31 Gina is forced back to fortunetelling00:59:37 Gina plots her escape01:11:16 "I just needed more hugs"01:14:22 Did Gina ever make contact with her family again?01:15:56 What brings Gina joy now01:19:44 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Born a Romani girl in the US, in a very insulated group, Paulina Stevens had her future laid out for her. She was set in an arranged marriage to her cousin at 14 years old and after her dowry was paid, her new family claimed they “owned her”. Things got dark and possessive very quickly and no one would help her. After having chiIdren and realizing she needed to escape, she would spend years fighting back against threats, legal battles and now the indoctrination of her own chiIdren by their father and his family. She still cherishes parts of the Romani traditions and educates people in the culture. Click here to watch on YouTubeBook:  Secrets of Romani Fortune TellingWebsite:  https://www.romanistanpodcast.com/Instagram: @_paulina_v_Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/romanistanpodcastSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:03:28 Background on the Romani, Early Memories00:07:52 CW: Mentions of R*pe, C Marriages, Cultural History of the Romani People and How it Still Affects Them00:11:04 Paulina’s ChiIdhood and How She Was Denied a Traditional Education00:16:27 Fortune Telling, and Traditional Aspects of her Romani Group00:22:19 External Pressures That Led to Paulina to Get Married as a Teenager00:27:27 Double Standards in Paulina’s Romani Community and the Control They Impose Over Women00:32:54 CW: SA, Stark Differences Paulina Experienced in her In-Law's Family00:37:45 The Pressure To Have ChiIdren and Paulina’s Family's Involvement in Her Parenting00:41:25 Why She Decided To Leave Her Community & Her Experiences Fighting for Custody00:48:00 Paulina’s Struggles Fighting for Custody00:51:14 How Paulina’s ChiIdren Are Being Influenced By the Romani Community & How She Stays Involved in Her Heritage00:54:22 How Paulina was and Still is Negatively Treated by some in the Romani Community01:01:28 Paulina Shares About Her Life Now01:05:16 Final Thoughts and Linda ListenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we are joined LIVE by former Independent Fundamental Baptist Eric, of the show @preacherboys, to discuss the Bible Baptist Church. It has a decades-long history of hiring, supporting, and protecting individuals credibly accused or convicted of sexual abuse and other serious crimes, especially against children.The church’s leadership, particularly Pastor Doug Duffett, has repeatedly minimized, concealed, or excused offenses, often blaming victims and discouraging transparency or outside intervention.  We will dive into the list of notable abusers and church response, the institutional cover-up Tactics, the sermon excerpts illustrating leadership attitude, as well as the key examples of abuse and the institutional response.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch our original interview with Eric hereFind and support Eric!Website: https://www.preacherboyspodcast.com/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@PreacherBoysFB: https://www.facebook.com/preacherboysdoc/IG: @preacherboysdocTikTok: @preacherboyspod Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CW:  CA, ED.  What happens when religion and power collide in the wrong hands? At Grenville Christian College, once one of Canada’s most prestigious private religious schools, the result was thousands of broken lives.  Once ranked amongst Canada’s elite boarding schools, the impressive facade hid a far darker truth. Just three years after its opening, the college fell prey to the “Mothers” — leaders of a Cape Cod commune that would turn GCC into an institution of paranoia that brainwashed, abused, and terrorized its residents for decades.Staff and students alike were forced into terrifying “light sessions” where they were publicly attacked for their sins. Cruel punishments that demoralized and demeaned were commonplace, keeping residents captive to their shame — by a cult that was hidden in plain sight.The first “staff kid” to be born at GCC, Beth Granger was removed from her parents’ care at the age of 4, because they were deemed too sinful to raise her. When she was only 5, the leaders declared war on Beth’s “sin” of gluttony.  It would take her three decades to muster the courage to escape. Six years after leaving, she helped spearhead a lawsuit against the school lasting 16 years, and won!Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Beth on Social media:website:  www.bethgranger.caIG:  @happygranger Book/Audible: Born and Razed Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks:00:00:00 Intro00:05:20 Beth filed a lawsuit– the first historical ab*se case to go to trial in Canada– and won00:08:21 Beth's early years with the school, and how the Mothers took over00:14:24 Where the Mothers learned their technique00:19:30 The types of Christianity this school was based on00:21:14 How they intentionally separated chiIdren from their families00:25:37 CW:  Beth was denied pay after she confessed her eating d*sorder00:31:08 Who the chiIdren were actually being raised by and the types of environments they fostered00:33:34 How harsh the pun*shments were for misbehaving00:38:35 Beth's banishment to another country as pun*shment00:43:03 The beautiful facade that hid pun*shing mind control tactics00:45:23 Confessions for normal human emotions that were rooted in self-h*tred00:46:56 Beth escapes the mind control00:47:53 Beth's marriage prospect and how an injury led to her physical escape00:51:06 What it was like for Beth to be in the outside world for the first time00:54:23 How Beth became part of the lawsuit and how it progressed her healing journey00:56:59 How normalized h*rmful behavior can take years to unlearn and unpack01:00:56 How Beth met her partner01:01:49 TW: ED - Beth's journey with heaIing and therapy 01:04:36 TW: ED - Beth's experience with therapy (continued) 01:07:44 How writing her book helped Beth trust people again01:10:49 What it means for Beth to be open about her story and how sharing it has helped others01:11:34 What brings Beth joy and peace today01:13:11 TW: ED01:14:46 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Institute in Basic Life Principles, run by the predatory Bill Gothard, would turn thousands of families into their own isolated cults. Matthew Castle was trapped in his own family until his mid twenties. Shielded from the outside world and musically stifled, his talent on the violin was so impressive, multiple colleges including Juilliard tried recruiting him as a young teen. However, without choice in the matter, those dreams were quickly torn away. His mother was so strict and controlling, she even drove him to and from a local college ensuring he wasn’t led astray by the evil world. When she found his personal journal, revealing his sexuality, she immediately sent him to a cult approved conversion therapy conference. Learn how Matthew finally escaped, acclimated to the real world, and eventually found the love of his life– Paul. Click here to watch on YouTubeStreaming platforms: Matthew CastleYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewandPaulOfficialInstagram:  @matthewandpaul Paul’s books:  https://paulcastlestudio.com/Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:04:48 What Matthew's early education was like and how his parent's got involved in the Advanced Training Institute00:06:10 How the "Umbrella of Authority" and other IBLP teachings changed the family's way of thinking00:10:41 Matthew's s*xuality and the dichotomy between his feelings and what he was being taught00:14:34 Music in the IBLP movement and how even some classical composers were taboo00:17:52 How even classical music was a tie to the secular world for Matthew00:20:24 How Bill Gothard's beliefs prevented Matthew from attending the most prestigious music schools in the country00:26:18 Matthew's experiences at the IBLP institutes00:28:11 Matthew's opinion of Bill Gothard and the favoritism in the group00:29:01 Bill's pr*datory nature towards young women00:31:31 Bill's near fat*l encounter with Matthew's father00:33:30 The discovery of Matthew's journal and the beginning of the end00:37:31 Matthew's experience at a conversion conference00:41:42 Matthew's last straw and how he escaped00:43:24 What it felt like to leave and how Matthew started to discover himself00:48:22 Paul enters the chat!00:49:26 What it was like for Matthew to starting dating and meeting his partner Paul00:56:23 What secular things Paul has introduced to Matthew01:01:01 How Matthew has learned to identify his feelings and communicate after leaving IBLP01:03:59 What brings Matthew joy today01:06:38 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Louise Roberts grew up in a strict LDS (Mormon) household where the messages of apostles’ quotes would echo throughout. One of them being “if you are ever in a position to be r*ped, ask to be k*lled.” Her mother was not aware that she had already been h*rmed as a chiId. This led to feelings of worthlessness and shame which had her seeking love and acceptance from boys in her school. When she found herself pregnant at 15, we discover how the LDS church handled it despite her and her family’s wishes. A tale of rejection, perseverance and resilience. Click here to watch on YouTubeSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:04:35 Louise’s Family and Her Devout Mormon Upbringing00:12:17 More of Louise’s Mormon Upbringing & Deciding to Cut Ties With Her Mother00:16:00 Louise’s Defining ChiIdhood Memories00:21:50 Louise Becomes Pregnant at 1500:27:19 Louise Experience with LDS Family Services and Why She Didn't Give Her ChiId Up for Adoption00:31:28 Louise Talks About The Religious Repercussions of Getting Pregnant00:40:00 TW: CSA, Quotes from "The Miracle of Forgiveness" that Louise’s Mother Used to Teach Her00:45:42 Toxic Situation with Her Mother and with the Church00:56:44 Navigating Life After Having a ChiId, and Her Mother's Pressuring Her to Get Married01:00:11 The Pressure and Judgement Her Mom Put on Her and Her Husband01:09:25 Deconstructing Her Previous Faith01:14:59 Finally Being Able to Make Friends After Her Faith Deconstruction01:22:54 CW: CSA, Louise Shares A Few More Details About Her Family01:27:44 Louise’s Life Now and Linda ListenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After 25 years of being a devout Mormon, when Lexi started questioning her faith, she had no support other than the online content made by ex-Mormon creators.  When her father saw that she responded to and agreed with an ex-Mormon social media post, he snapped at her to keep her mouth shut about her opinions.  This was the moment that fueled her to start her own ex-Mormon YouTube channel, and so Exmo Lex was born.Since then, the last 6 years as a content creator have been quite the ride.  Each week she’s furthered uncovered the discrepancies in the Mormon church, all while on her own deconstructing journey.  From dealing with hate comments, to being disowned by her husband’s parents… today Exmo Lex dives into the Darkside of creating ex-Mormon content, and why she’s now choosing to step away.Click here to watch on YouTubeExmo Lex’s goodbye video:  I’m "Quitting" Ex-MormonismFind Exmo Lex on Social media!YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@ExmoLexTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exmolexTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nossraviTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelittle.estfarmSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:04:22 Why Exmo Lex decided to start making ex-Mormon content 6 years ago00:07:24 What led Exmo Lex to leave Mormonism00:11:04 The CES Letter, and it's impact on Mormons starting their faith crisis00:18:53 How Exmo Lex decided on her specific brand of ex-Mormon content 00:21:47 The darkside of being a content creator00:26:23 Exmo Lex on being an Ex Mormon content creator while still deconstructing00:32:11 How Exmo Lex's family felt about her creating ex-Mormon content00:43:04 Exmo's favorite response to "the members aren't perfect, but the church is"00:45:31 Exmo Lex's biggest "I can't believe I didn't know that about the church" moment00:50:50 When Exmo Lex decided to give up creating ex-Mormon content00:52:46 What it would take for Exmo Lex to get one video out a week01:01:44 What Exmo Lex will focus on now01:06:47 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a church that requires confessions from ages as early as 8, to an untrained, inexperienced, randomly appointed man, it leaves a lot of room for a potential ab*se situation. In Taylor’s case, she developed scrupulously (religious OCD) and felt compelled to repent of every single thing that would be seen as a sin by the LDS church. Her bishop further took advantage of her, asking for explicit details of her intimate life with her boyfriend, including over text message and in his own home. This type of clergy ab*se is not the standard, but unfortunately not uncommon. Taylor describes living with this condition and the immense guilt and shame that followed her into her mission and beyond. Click here to watch on YouTubeFind and Support Taylor! IG: @taylormaydemassage Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks:00:04:53 Taylor’s ChiIdhood & Her Family's Relationship with Mormonism00:12:33 Some Background Information on the Mormon Church00:16:17 Taylor’s Traumat*zing Experiences with One-On-One Interviews & Her Relationships as a Teen00:22:07 CW: CSA, Eating D*sorders, More About Taylor's Experiences with Her Bishop and The Beginnings of Religious OCD00:29:45 Taylor’s Conflicting Feelings Surrounding The Mormon Church00:36:17 CW: SA, Taylor Opens Up About The Details Surrounding Being S*xually As**ulted00:40:36 CW: SA, Taylor Shares Her Experience Being Blamed For Being As**ulted Coupled with Religious Guilt00:46:20 More About Taylor's Guilt and Her Experience Leaving The Church00:49:35 Taylor Shares The Doctrinal Foundation for Her Religious OCD00:52:26 Taylor’s Church Leader's Opinion on Her OCD Diagnosis & More About Leaving the Mormon Church00:59:02 Taylor Describes How Her Mormon Mission Contributed to Her Leaving The Church01:05:14 Taylor Shares About Her Self-Exploration and Decisions Made After Leaving the Church01:08:33 Taylor's Journey and Healing with Religious OCD01:14:04 Final Thoughts & Linda ListenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us with the amazing husband and wife team, Sam and Melissa from   @GrowingUpinPolygamy   as they blind react to plot points of the Handmaid’s Tale and tell us all the ways some of these exact things were and ARE still happening in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Click here to watch on YouTubeYouTube:  @GrowingUpinPolygamy  Website: https://www.growingupinpolygamy.com/Instagram: @growing_up_in_polygamy Email: [email protected] for leaving Polygamy & volunteer opportunitiesIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgHolding Out Help: https://holdingouthelp.org/Short Creek Dream Center: https://www.shortcreekdreamcenter.org/Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn about the shocking similarities between the “Shiny Happy People” documentary cult which is the Institute in Basic Life Principles and the FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)! Joining the conversation is husband and wife team Sam and Melissa from Growing Up in Polygamy. Click here to watch on YouTubeYouTube:  @GrowingUpinPolygamy  Website: https://www.growingupinpolygamy.com/Instagram: @growing_up_in_polygamy Email: [email protected] for leaving Polygamy & volunteer opportunitiesIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgHolding Out Help: https://holdingouthelp.org/Short Creek Dream Center: https://www.shortcreekdreamcenter.org/Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An expert witness for Amish and Mennonite court cases, Lizzie explains the rules of her intense settlement before taking us through her unbelievable story of disaster, lethal betrayal, tragedy, abandonment and perseverance. She even gives us a glimpse of the strange dating practice which takes place in the woman’s bedroom. Decades later she seeks justice against the Bishop who groomed and ab*sed her as a young girl. She updates us on his attempt to escape even the small sentence he was given as well as speaks on other cases she was a part of in which Amish women were targeted and harmed by sinister perpetrators.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch Lizzie 1st interviewResources: https://www.theplainpeoplespodcast.com/resourcesHer book: “Behind Blue Curtains: A True Crime Memoir of an Amish Woman’s Survival, Escape, and Pursuit of Justice”Website: https://www.lizziehershberger.com/IG: @lizzie.hershberger  Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:05:47 Recap of Lizzie's story- how her chiIdhood affected her life for better or worse00:08:56 Each Amish community is different00:11:06 How pr*dators can thrive in Amish communities00:14:16 How a p*rpetrator who reports themselves to Amish authorities can get a lighter sentence00:15:59 The consequences of a lack of education on consent in the Amish community00:18:17 The definition of "adult" in the Amish community00:21:19 How ab*sers can seemingly get away with their crimes with little to no punishment00:24:38 What it means to be on probation00:30:03 What going back to court and facing her ab*ser was like for Lizzie00:32:21 How meaningful it can be to have supporters for victims in the courtroom00:34:39 The real life impact of C2C and spreading awareness00:38:58 Receiving supportive messages from those positively impacted from Lizzie sharing her story00:40:39 Amish vs English dolls and why they're different00:42:30 Becoming a victim advocate and helping others as they're going through court processes00:47:17 The language barrier between the Amish and English people and how we can better aid victims by understanding the differences00:47:55 CW: SA00:50:41 How a lack of English medical practices was detrimental to over 400 victims00:54:00 Lizzie's experience going back into the community for a funeral00:57:41 The difficulties of trying to help those in need when it has the potential to put yourself in a triggering situation01:03:47 What did Lizzie wear to an Amish funeral as someone who is no longer in the community?01:07:58 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Amish, Eli Yoder, broke the news that several Amish men contacted him after being outed by the Emergency Test Alert. Some Amish communities allow cell phones, while other more strict communities still forbid them. Eli, is known for helping smuggle phones into these communities to better connect them with resources and help. He stated, "Some Amish men got shunned by the Amish Church for having smartphones in their pocket when the emergency alert system went off." Click here to watch on YouTubeEli’s 1st interview:  When Depression is Considered SIN in the Old Order AMISH (ft. Eli Yoder) Eli’s 2nd interview:  Old Order AMISH: Devastating Effects of ZERO S*x Ed Before Marriage (ft. Eli Yoder)Find and Support Eli!Eli’s book -  Undeceived: From Amish Tradition to Christ’s RedemptionWebsite: Eliyoder.comYouTube:  @eliyoder491  TikTok: @YoderToter40 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eli.yoder.33Resource for current Amish who need help:  https://amishrescuemission.org/Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Having left the Old Order Amish 27 years ago, Eli Yoder, has helped 200+ people flee the Amish community.  In today's episode, we discuss the consequences of leaving the Amish, how his mother demanded he never return, and ultimately how his fan base helped soften his mother, and the discussion they recently had when he paid her a visit.  Click here to watch on YouTubeEli’s 1st interview:  When Depression is Considered SIN in the Old Order AMISH (ft. Eli Yoder) Eli’s 2nd interview:  Old Order AMISH: Devastating Effects of ZERO S*x Ed Before Marriage (ft. Eli Yoder)Find and Support Eli!Eli’s book -  Undeceived: From Amish Tradition to Christ’s RedemptionWebsite: Eliyoder.comYouTube:  @eliyoder491  TikTok: @YoderToter40 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eli.yoder.33Resource for current Amish who need help:  https://amishrescuemission.org/Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter marks00:04:01 Eli explains the Old Order Amish00:07:03 Why Eli wanted to leave the religion00:13:18 How Eli escaped the Old Order Amish00:16:38 How affection is s*xualized within the Amish community00:22:15 Consequences of leaving00:31:08 Eli's mother cuts him off00:41:12 Eli reflects on the reconciliation with his mother00:49:48 Amish Traditions Eli Still holds onto00:50:53 Eli’s book: Undeceived: From Amish Tradition to Christ’s Redemption00:55:29 Linda, ListenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rachel Clinesmith found herself in Los Angeles in the middle of an entire scene dedicated to Vampyres; a lifestyle she would come to love. Head of the Vampyres is a man who named himself Father Sebastiaan, making custom fangs for his followers. Sebastiaan established a Vampyre religion, with him as prophet who claims to syphon energy from his Vampyre Balls and offer it up to an entity. Becoming part of his inner circle, Rachel reveals the occult practices and rituals, and exactly what happened in his invite-only balls. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch Rachel's full interview on YouTubeFind and support Rachel!IG @swampophile TikTok @swampophile Linktree Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Growing up in what she would describe a misfit lifestyle, Rachel found comfort in the goth scene. Her makeup artistry took her to Los Angeles where she found an entire scene dedicated to Vampyres; a lifestyle she would come to love. Head of the Vampyres is a man who named himself Father Sebastian, making custom fangs for his followers. He established a Vampyre religion, with him as prophet who claims to syphon energy from his Vampyre Balls and offer it up to an entity. His invite-only occult practices and rituals were not the only dark thing about him. Aside from countless women coming forward with SA claims, Rachel was used for her time, labor and money while working for him. He would go on to take everything from her, which is why she is choosing to speak out. Click here to watch on YouTubeFind and support Rachel!IG @swampophile TikTok @swampophile Linktree Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:03:36 What it means to be a vampyre and how it differs from vampire00:05:44 How Rachel became involved with this group00:13:14 What Sebastian was like and why people were drawn to him00:15:06 How Sebastian got started00:17:28 What it means to be part of the group and what goes behind closed doors at these events00:24:37 Questionable and harmful consent practices00:35:22 Sebastian's narcissistic behavior continues00:36:46 How Sebastian infiltrated himself into Rachel's personal and professional life00:45:57 Sebastian lays the groundwork for leading the entire vampyre community00:51:59 The fine line between fun and getting taken advantage of in the vampyre culture00:55:16 Vampyre Cosmetics goes downhill and Rachel finally gets out01:15:26 Where Rachel is today01:19:42 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a child, Michelle Dowd grew up on a mountain in the Angeles National Forest. She was born into an ultra-religious cult—or the Field as they called it—started in the 1930s by her grandfather, a mercurial, domineering, and charismatic man who convinced generations of young male followers that he would live 500 years and ascend to the heavens when doomsday came. Comfort and care are sins, Michelle is told. As a result, she was forced to learn the skills necessary to battle hunger, thirst, and cold; she learned to trust animals more than humans; and most importantly, she learned how to survive in the natural world. At the Field, a young Michelle lives a life of abuse, poverty, and isolation, as she obeys her family’s rigorous religious and patriarchal rules—which are so extreme that Michelle is convinced her mother would sacrifice her, like Abraham and Isaac, if instructed by God. She often wears the same clothes for months at a time; she is often ill and always hungry for both love and food. She is taught not to trust Outsiders, and especially not Quitters, nor her own body and its warnings. But as Michelle gets older, she realizes she has the strength to break free. Focus on what will sustain, not satiate you, she tells herself. Use everything. Waste nothing. Get to know the intricacies of the land, like the intricacies of your body. And so she does. Using stories of individual edible plants and their uses to anchor each chapter, Forager is both a searing coming-of-age story and a meditation on the ways in which understanding nature can lead to freedom, even joy.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Michelle:Subscribe to SubstackPick up a copy of Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult IG: @michelledowdz https://www.michelledowd.org/We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking pageSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:04:02 The Familiarity She Had with "The Field" & Why Her Family Moved There00:06:17 The Organization Her Grandfather Started & All Its Rules00:12:48 How The Cult's Teachings Still Stick with Her Today & It's Effect on Her Mother00:18:00 Michelle Talks about the Healing that She Got By Being With Her Mom at the End of Her Life00:22:35 Michelle’s Connection With the Earth00:25:51 CW: CA, Michelle Mentions Her Father's Abuse and How Sickness Led to Her Growing More Independent00:29:56 Michelle Talks about Being Hospitalized and Discovering She Had an Autoimmune Disorder00:33:12 Michelle’s Time in the Hospital & Her Education from Reading the Bible00:39:59 The Cult's Proselyting Methods, Beliefs About Christianity, & Fundraising00:45:30 CW: Brief Mentions of Suic*dal Thoughts, Michelle Shares the Complicated Experiences Surrounding Her First Romance00:51:20 Michelle Shares Her First Experiences Outside the Cult & Her Life Now00:55:44 Michelle's Final Thoughts & Linda ListenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After an incredible interview with former gang member, Sosa Henkoma, we are going LIVE today with him to further discuss his time in prison.  We're diving into how he was repping the gang who betrayed him while in prison, how he navigated the system as a gang member, and how he found out through therapy that he was groomed. Further discussing the ways he had to deconstruct his past and see it in a new perspective.Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch Sosa's initial interview here Find Sosa on social media:www.instagram.com/sosa_estwww.instagram.com/escaperoutes_uk/https://linktr.ee/sosa_estWe want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking pageSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sosa Henkoma was 8 when he ran away from v*olence at home.  At 9 he was groomed by a gang in the UK, drawn into dr*g traff*cking while feeling abandoned in foster care.  He recounts the moment he had a shotg*n pointed to his head at 11 during a raid.  On this 12th birthday, just released from the hospital after being st*bbed, we has given his own shotg*n, and a bulletproof vest.  Trapped in a life of crime for the next decade, he ran g*ns and dr*gs between London and Liverpool, becoming known as “The Devil Walking on Earth”.  Sosa says said he counts himself lucky to still be alive after he was st*bbed at least 11 times and shot at twice.  It was only after Sosa was convicted and imprisoned that authorities deemed him to be a victim.  He describes how fatherhood, therapy and sheer luck saved him.Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Sosa on social media:www.instagram.com/sosa_estwww.instagram.com/escaperoutes_uk/https://linktr.ee/sosa_estWe want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking pageSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:04:45 Sosa's early years in Nigeria00:05:51 Sosa moved to the UK at 8 to live with his father (was still not able to know him)00:08:22 CW: CA - Sosa's stepmom became abus*ve00:12:27 The events that led to Sosa leaving the abus*ve household00:17:54 What it was like in UK foster care00:19:52 How Sosa learned about gang culture00:24:12 Sosa was useful for his bike00:26:25 Meeting the elders00:29:23 Hierarchy and dr*g business within a gang, explained00:34:16 11 year old Sosa didn't know that he was helping sell dr*gs00:35:27 Sosa explains what "banking" meant (not what you think)00:39:17 11 year old Sosa gets raided by a rival gang00:40:23 Sosa gets a sh*tg*n pointed at his face at 11 y.o.00:44:42 Sosa starts year 7 at school, while having to watch out for his life00:49:49 Sosa learns to shoot a g*n00:53:21 CW: Gang related injuries at 1200:54:57 The trauma of being in a gang; disassociation00:58:19 CW: The worst of what Sosa saw and experienced01:01:54 Sosa gets nick named at 16, The Devil Walking on Earth01:03:25 Sosa was sentenced at 13 years old01:04:01 When Sosa got out of prison at 16, he went to war with the elders01:07:45 Sosa was set up to go to prison again01:08:57 Sosa faced being deported01:09:53 Sosa learns he was groomed, and is dealing with trauma01:14:14 The residual trauma Sosa deals with now01:15:21 What do those still in the gang think of Sosa speaking out?01:19:31 Sosa's advocacy work01:23:15 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CW:  Incestuous CSA, CA, DV- As a child, Aziza Kibibi was isolated at home with her siblings by her abusive father, who would viciously SA and impregnate them to create what he called “blue blood” children.  Aziza would endure years and years of horrendous ab*se at the hands of her father, who impregnated her 5 times.  CPS got involved and took her other children away.  Things came to a head when Aziza’s father impregnated her again, kidnapped her and the rest of the family, while she was in labor and forced Aziza to drive to Florida (the state he was born in) to deliver her baby in a tent. Aziza fought for her children, while embroiled in a court case with her father that would ensure he received maximum sentencing for his crimes.  Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch pt 1 here:  https://youtu.be/difM2Gl5WMI?si=_IPNAstBSKvxfOpFFind Aziza on social media:IG: @azizakibibi https://linktr.ee/1azizakibibiDonate to Aziza’s Non profit to help end CSA - Precious Little Ladies: PreciousLittleLadies.orgWe want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking pageSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:04:14 Aziza Gives Background on Her Father & His Ab*se00:08:48 Aziza Breaks Down the Isolated & Confusing Environment Her Father Created00:12:07 Aziza's Living Situation with her Father, Siblings, & ChiIdren & Psychological Conditioning00:15:36 Aziza Shares her "Micro-Agressions" & Ways of Asking Outsiders for Help00:20:43 The Unhelpful Case Worker & Other Difficulties Regarding Her ChiIdren00:28:50 Aziza's father kidn*ps her and the family, heads to Florida for her to give birth in a tent00:35:49 Aziza’s First Time Standing Up to Her Father And Educating Herself00:40:40 The Court Process Aziza Endured to Have Her Father Pun*shed00:45:52 Aziza's Father Finally Gets Caught by Law Enforcement & Aziza's Rough Road Through the Legal Process00:51:47 The Drawn Out Legal Proceedings & How Her Father Always Found Ways Back Into Her Life00:55:14 Aziza’s Advice for Surv*vors & About The People Who Helped Her in the Courtroom00:58:45 How Aziza Got Back On Her Feet01:03:45 Aziza’s Organization & All the Efforts They Are Involved In01:09:34 Final Thoughts and Linda, ListenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CW:  Incestuous CSA, CA- Aziza Kibibi was isolated at home with her siblings, homeschooled, yet with impeccable education compared to her cousins. Her father began to introduce ways of life that would cause chaos, ab*se and pain. He declared modern medicine and doctors would not be used, even for his wife who would go on to have 11 children. He implemented polygamy and brought girlfriends around the house, even having children with them. He used his children for labor to build a home in the New Jersey winter. Worst of all, he started to SA his daughters, claiming that’s just what fathers did; purposely impregnating them to create what he called “blue blood” children. Aziza survived years and years of horrendous abuse at the hands of her father and now she helps to educate parents on CSA prevention. A true warrior. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch pt 2 here:  https://youtu.be/difM2Gl5WMI?si=FMLV4peinYqirTsIFind Aziza on social media:IG: @azizakibibi https://linktr.ee/1azizakibibiDonate to Aziza’s Non profit to help end CSA - Precious Little Ladies: PreciousLittleLadies.orgWe want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking pageSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**Chapter Marks00:00:00 Intro00:04:44 What Aziza's life was like before her father became ab*sive00:09:06 How Aziza's father led the family to a polygamist lifestyle00:13:40 How different religions affected Aziza's family00:15:23 Aziza's education, social interactions, and health are impacted by her father's control00:22:03 CW: s*xual ab*se Excuses for ab*se were made from the very beginning00:23:42 CW: s*xual ab*se00:25:28 Aziza's father moves the family to an unfinished house away from family00:31:18 Pregnancy in Aziza's family and giving birth at home- without proper medical care00:33:01 How Aziza's mother reacted to the ab*se00:33:51 CW: s*xual ab*se00:39:24 Aziza's life with her siblings and chiIdren in one home as a chiId herself00:44:10 Aziza's birth experience00:48:26 CW: s*xual ab*se00:49:52 The first escape attempt00:57:34 Health issues begin to appear in Aziza's chiIdren01:02:24 Aziza's family moves out of their house and to southern New Jersey01:04:01 ChiId services gets involved01:14:35 Aziza finally has the opportunity to get help01:19:32 Aziza gets a lawyer and is finally reunited with her chiIdren01:23:01 Aziza's crash course in life that led to her foundation01:31:13 Linda, listenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to break through as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to break through as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the hit drama One Tree Hill. Her acting career was set to soar, but her personal life was beginning to unravel in ways her fans could never imagine. Unknown to the millions of viewers and even her costars, Lenz led a secret double life within a cult.As an only chiId seeking belonging, Lenz thought she found a safe haven in a Bible study group with fellow Hollywood creatives. However, the group morphed into something more sinister—a web of manipulation and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz surrendered her autonomy, eventually moving to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound overseen by a domineering minister who convinced her to marry his son and secretly drained millions from her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”—inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal.Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to escape and spare her chiId from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help from a devoted One Tree Hill fan), she broke free from the family’s grip, beginning her healing journey from deep trauma that reshaped her faith and identity.The One Tree Hill star opens up about everything in her New York Times bestselling memoir, Dinner for Vampires.⁠Click here to watch on YouTube⁠Watch Part 1: ⁠https://youtu.be/idrKmytaYdU?si=DCq0RJtPQXHnjuYW⁠Find Bethany Joy Lenz & her book: ⁠www.instagram.com/msbethanyjoylenz/⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bethanyjoylenz⁠We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! ⁠Click here to go to the official booking page⁠Subscribe to our⁠ C2C "CLIPS" Channel!⁠Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.⁠Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!⁠Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness⁠Venmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram ⁠@cultstoconsciousness⁠ Host Instagram ⁠@sheliseann ⁠Co Producer / Host ⁠@jonathan.rosales_ ⁠TikTok ⁠@cults.to.consciousness ⁠Twitter ⁠@cultstocon⁠ **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**NO CHAPTER MARKERS AVAILABLEhit drama One Tree Hill. Her acting career was set to soar, but her personal life was beginning to unravel in ways her fans could never imagine. Unknown to the millions of viewers and even her costars, Lenz led a secret double life within a cult.As an only chiId seeking belonging, Lenz thought she found a safe haven in a Bible study group with fellow Hollywood creatives. However, the group morphed into something more sinister—a web of manipulation and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz surrendered her autonomy, eventually moving to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound overseen by a domineering minister who convinced her to marry his son and secretly drained millions from her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”—inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal.Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to escape and spare her chiId from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help from a devoted One Tree Hill fan), she broke free from the family’s grip, beginning her healing journey from deep trauma that reshaped her faith and identity.The One Tree Hill star opens up about everything in her New York Times bestselling memoir, Dinner for Vampires.⁠Click here to watch on YouTube⁠Watch Part 1: ⁠https://youtu.be/idrKmytaYdU?si=DCq0RJtPQXHnjuYW⁠Find Bethany Joy Lenz & her book: ⁠www.instagram.com/msbethanyjoylenz/⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bethanyjoylenz⁠We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! ⁠Click here to go to the official booking page⁠Subscribe to our⁠ C2C "CLIPS" Channel!⁠Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.⁠Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!⁠Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness⁠Venmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram ⁠@cultstoconsc

In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to break through as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the hit drama One Tree Hill. Her acting career was set to soar, but her personal life was beginning to unravel in ways her fans could never imagine. Unknown to the millions of viewers and even her costars, Lenz led a secret double life within a cult. As an only chiId seeking belonging, Lenz thought she found a safe haven in a Bible study group with fellow Hollywood creatives. However, the group morphed into something more sinister—a web of manipulation and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz surrendered her autonomy, eventually moving to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound overseen by a domineering minister who convinced her to marry his son and secretly drained millions from her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”—inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal. Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to escape and spare her chiId from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help from a devoted One Tree Hill fan), she broke free from the family’s grip, beginning her healing journey from deep trauma that reshaped her faith and identity. The One Tree Hill star opens up about everything in her New York Times bestselling memoir, Dinner for Vampires. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch Pt 2: https://youtu.be/jUuqpRd0t_Q?si=E4oDhrdQ5_HBH4xt Find Bethany Joy Lenz & her book: www.instagram.com/msbethanyjoylenz/ https://linktr.ee/bethanyjoylenz We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:00 Joy Dives into Her ChiIdhood and Early Religious Experiences 00:07:41 Joy Explains the Way Being an Actress Affected Her Religious Life 00:13:16 Joy’s Very Positive Experience with a Home Church in New York 00:18:25 Joy’s Introduction to the Home Church Cult in LA & Red Flag Moments 00:24:14 Joy Expounds on the Cult's Manipulation & Giving Up Her Autonomy 00:29:39 Joy Shares How She Changed and How Others in Her Life Reacted 00:34:01 Joy Shares Her Balancing of Religion and Acting and Discusses Mormonism With Shelise 00:40:07 Joy Talks About Cult Behaviors, Hierarchies, & Need for Control 00:44:56 Joy Shares Her Perspective on Fear 00:50:33 Linda, Listen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joined again today in studio with Amanda Rae ( @TheAmandaRaeGrant ) we compare and contrast what it was like growing up in The Order Vs Mormon. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our last live streams here: https://www.youtube.com/live/zxeJbi0B76Q?si=uMsA6iXifjvnYx-a https://www.youtube.com/live/Wc3DK44vP38?si=XvElYTPZxGvYQ4jy Find Amanda! YouTube: @TheAmandaRaeGrant IG: @amandaraegrant Resource for help leaving polygamy https://holdingouthelp.org/ Remove your records from the LDS church Quitmormon.com We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when you marry your niece and half sister when you reproduce? Amanda Rae walks us through the shocking realities of incestuous polygamous with offspring. Click here to watch on YouTube Click here to watch the live we did on Amanda’s channel immediately after! Find Amanda! YouTube: @TheAmandaRaeGrant IG: @amandaraegrant Resource for help leaving polygamy https://holdingouthelp.org/ Remove your records from the LDS church Quitmormon.com We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Going deeper on the shadows within the incestuous polygamy of the Kingston Clan Cult and answering questions you left in the comments! Join us live for priority. We can't wait to have a culty chat with you! Click to watch on YouTube Catch the original interview here: Part 1: https://youtu.be/TYXd6KEutIM Part 2: https://youtu.be/tFCzKyaN12w Find and support Amanda! YouTube: @TheAmandaRaeGrant IG: @amandaraegrant We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With an early chiIdhood in Somalia, Magan Magan moved to Australia with his mother, who would lie about his father and wrongfully keep them apart. Her narcissistic tendencies combined with the power Islam gave her over her chiIdren, would lead to emotional, spiritual and even physical ab*se. Under it all, Magan was grappling with the reality that he was gay, in an extremely homophob*c household where gay people were seen as sub-human and worthless. Understanding that in Islam, it’s written that gay men should be unalived by horrible means. He wouldn’t come to make his own decisions until around 26 years old and finally lean into his true self and find happiness outside of his mother’s grasp. Click here to watch on YouTube Find and support Magan: Magan’s collection of poems “Stop All the Clocks” Inner self rising podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@maganmagan9422 Instagram: @innerselfrising Resource for those leaving Islam and need help: https://www.freeheartsfreeminds.com/ We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:14 Magan's ChiIdhood & Leaving Somalia 00:07:01 Magan Introduces His Mother's Narcissistic ab*se 00:12:10 Magan Speaks on the Islamic Teachings His Mother would Weapon*ze Against Him 00:16:09 CW: CA 00:18:23 Turning 15 and Discovering Sexual*ty 00:22:21 Magan Talks About Being Gay as a Teenage Muslim 00:25:57 Magan Talks About The Danger of Being an Apostate 00:27:19 CW: Religious v*olence 00:29:22 Magan shares more about his mother's need for control 00:33:18 Magan's Mother Loves making herself a vict*m 00:35:58 Magan's Long Road to Freedom 00:38:40 Magan Loves the Taste of His Newfound Freedom 00:41:26 Magan Recognizes Inconsistencies in the Quoran 00:44:41 Magan Shares about growing up in a single parent household 00:48:36 Magan Discusses Forming His Own Moral Philosophy 00:53:14 Magan's First Kiss as a Gay Man 00:57:19 Magan On Where He is Now, and What the Future Holds 01:02:47 Magan's "Linda Listen" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joined by ExMuslim content creator Infidel Noodle, we discuss the tragic events that lead to the murd*r of Muhsin Hendricks who was the first openly gay Imam (islamic religious leader). Click to watch on YouTube Watch "Why This Gay Man Wasn’t Allowed to Make His Own Decisions Until 26" Find Infidel on social: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfidelNoodle IG: https://www.instagram.com/infidel.noodle/ Resource for those leaving Islam and need help: https://www.freeheartsfreeminds.com/ We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.