Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

Former Sea Org member and niece of Scientology leader David Miscavige, Jenna Miscavige, talks about leaving "The Ranch" in order to join the Sea Org, getting involved in higher level management, how she barely knew her own parents, the constant level of paranoia she saw from everyone at all levels, what it was like to date within the Sea Org, how she threatened to kill herself to get her partner out of highly controlled isolation, the potential whereabouts of her Aunt Shelly, how a trip to Australia served as the catalyst for her to leave, and was threatened with family separation and followed by private investigators. Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER / X?: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Scientology Sea Org member and niece of current Scientology leader David Miscavige, Jenna Miscavige, talks about being a third generation member, growing up in the infamous Sea Organization, doing child labor in a place called The Ranch, the strong snitching culture and knowledge reports that made it hard to trust anyone, bizarre educational system that punished kids for not knowing words, the fear Scientology stoked in her of the outside world, and how people felt about her Uncle David growing up. Check out our great sponsors! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER / X?: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crystal Hefner, former Playboy Playmate, Hugh Hefner's widow, author of Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself shares how she ended going to the Playboy Mansion for the first time, getting invited by Hef to stay, her tightly controlled lifestyle and the weekly rituals that were designed to please Hef and no one else, how she felt about filming Girls Next Door, how she escaped and why she came back, marrying Hef and the complicated feelings she had after his death. Check out our great sponsors! Prose: Go to Prose.com/trust for your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 50% off your first subscription order PLUS 15% off and free shipping every subscription order after that! Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of their conversation with Michelle Dowd, Lola & Meagan dig into when Michelle and her family moved to the mountain, why discomfort was considered a virtue, getting sick with an autoimmune disease at the age of ten, spending many months in the hospital away from The Field and her family, what happened after her cult leader grandfather passed away, and how she left the group. Trust Me is sponsored by June's Journey! Discover your inner detective when you download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android. Learn more about Michelle's work here! https://mdowd.substack.com Follow Michelle here! https://www.instagram.com/michelledowdz CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor, survivor of The Field, and author of Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult, Michelle Dowd, discusses growing up in the cult founded by her grandfather in the 1930s, how it started as an after school program for boys and evolved into something more sinister, the wild claims that her grandfather made, traveling to perform plays while serving as a magician's assistant and poodle conductor, how children were trained to talk to authorities and outsiders, and being taught to prioritize survival above all else. Learn more about Michelle's work here! https://mdowd.substack.com Follow Michelle here! https://www.instagram.com/michelledowdz Check out our great sponsors! Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Shopify: Run your own business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two formerly closeted religious men, Thomas and Micah, share how they came out to their families and left their beliefs behind. Thomas talks about going on a Mormon mission as a gay man, Micah shares how learning about scientology was a turning point in his life, the group shares their thoughts on #DISNEYADULTS, and Thomas and Michah give their advice to anyone struggling with their sexuality and religion. Check out our great sponsors! MasterClass: Get Two Memberships for the Price of One at MasterClass.com/trust - Offer terms apply. Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One is a former Mormon. The other was a child of evangelical missionaries teaching a doctrine called Accelerated Christian Education. Both of them were closeted gay men growing up in strict religious households. Today, Thomas and Micah share about their upbringings, how they met working at Disneyland (a type of cult unto itself), the personalized Book of Mormon that Thomas bought for Micah, and growing up in cultures that stigmatize homosexuality. Check out great sponsors! Shopify: Run your own busines? Sign up for a $1 per-month trial period at shopify.com/trust Progressive: Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself! NEED GIFT IDEAS?? CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musician and former FLDS member, Marji Mozart, discusses her wedding day as an underage bride who had never been taught about sex, her multiple marriages including one to her sister's husband, the pain of feeling that her dreams of becoming a musician were dead, how spending time in the hospital with her child led staff to suspect that she was in an unhealthy relationship, and how she eventually left rekindled her life of pursuing music. Check out our holiday deals! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust for 10% off your first month! MasterClass: Give One Annual Membership and Get One Free at MasterClass.com/trust ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself! NEED GIFT IDEAS?? CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musician and former FLDS member, Marji Mozart, shares about her childhood in Colorado City, living with a rebellious mother within a high control community, how she dreamed of being a musician instead of someone's wife, getting married to a grown man when she was only 17, and how that impacted her relationship with her mom. Check out our holiday sponsors!! Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Shopify: Run your own busines? Sign up for a $1 per-month trial period at shopify.com/trust Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! NEED GIFT IDEAS?? CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lola's friend, actor, artist, director, and the next Bob Ross, Barak Hardley talks about his previous life as an evangelical pastor, getting kicked out of the church, and transitioning to life as an actor in LA. Lola and Barak dive into the philosophy of art, the creative process, skepticism, self reflection, and how art can inform your beliefs about the world. Give the gift of MasterClass! Get TWO memberships FOR THE PRICE OF ONE at MasterClass.com/trust Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! NEED GIFT IDEAS?? CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annie Taylor, Executive Producer of Discovery's The Garden: Commune or Cult, shares about her time living in an off the grid community that went viral on TikTok for accusations of being a cult and disturbing allegations about a cat. Annie tells how she and the crew showed up and gradually earned the trust of the community, filming on one of the group's properties with a fascinating cast of characters, dumpster diving as their primary food source, surviving a tornado without proper shelter, their attempts at a leaderless society, the founder's connection to Rainbow Gatherings... and whether or not The Garden is actually a cult! Check out our holiday sponsors! Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist Alice Hines and former Twin Flames Universe member Lorraine, both featured in the Amazon docuseries Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe, discuss the online community that was Twin Flame Ascension, what attracted people to it, how founders Jeff and Shaleia became more controlling and abusive over time, why encouragement to pursue one's twin flame sometimes led to restraining orders, the group's MLM-like structure, why you couldn't always choose your own twin flame, and their use of gender identity coercion. Check out our great sponsors! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! ZocDoc: Need a doctor? Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Members of the Duggar family, former cast members of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, and Counting The Cost authors, Jill Duggar Dillard & Derick Dill discuss the family's involvement in the very strict Institute in Basic Life Principles, what it was like being on TV at such a young age, how her dad (Jim Bob) convinced the family that the show served the ministry of their church, how none of the kids got paid while he made millions, Jill and Derick having their first date on camera, how she was tricked into signing a contract that she didn't know existed, the inherent coercive nature of being on a reality show, why the show was rebranded after concealed records were illegally released publicly describing abuse that she experienced without her consent, the Megan Kelly interview she was pressured into doing, how outing people's trauma against their will can be re-traumatizing, and if Jill has hope of reconnecting with her family. Check out our great sponsors! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/trust Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping and 365-day returns! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psychologist, educator, and Leaving The Fold author, Marlene Winell, talks with Lola & Meagan about how she came to study the negative impacts of religion, how some basic concepts of Christianity can be harmful, why authoritarian structures of religion can sometimes lead to trauma, how we can rationally understand something but emotionally reject it, the spectrum of meaning, and what that looks like after leaving a religion. Trust Me is sponsored by Shopify! Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme Learn more at Marlene's work at JourneyFree.org Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two new listener stories! One from Shelly about her time in the Independent Baptist Movement under pastor Jack Hyles and the cult recovery work she is doing now, and one from Claire about the manipulation she experienced under her capoeira teacher. Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! Learn more about Shelly HERE! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of her interview with Lola & Meagan, Children of God survivor and military veteran, Daniella Mestyanek Young, talks about joining the military after high school, being a woman in a hyper masculine culture, and unsettling parallels between what she saw in the military and the Children of God. Check out our great sponsors!! Shopify: Run your own business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme ZocDoc: Need a doctor? Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part one of her interview with Lola & Meagan, Children of God survivor and military veteran, Daniella Mestyanek Young, discusses being raised in the Children of God, the various forms of punishment she and the other children experienced, how child sexual abuse was not only encouraged but part of the belief system, how the youth were taught to practice for raids and lie to protect the group, why 9/11 was a turning point in her beliefs, and how she finally left the cult. Trust Me is brought to you by Prose! Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/trust Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Constitutional attorney, author, and YouTuber Andrew Seidel joins Lola & Meagan to discuss Christian Nationalism, why its based on a myth, how it led to cultural shifts in the U.S. during the 1950s, its impact on the Supreme Court today, the practice of cherry picking ideas from the Bible, the worst case scenario of where it can lead, and why the separation of church and state was a uniquely American concept. Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive! Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UNC Charlotte professor and psychology researcher Dr Richard Tedeschi discusses his pioneering work on post-traumatic growth, how his field is different from resilience, how core beliefs are involved in our trauma, what "integration" means, and the value of an "expert companion," having a mission, and sharing your story. Learn more about Richard's work at BoulderCrest.org Original Airdate: 5/18/2022 Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive! Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech and media expert Simon Fung joins Lola and Meagan to discuss the heartbreaking story behind his new podcast, Dear Alana. When Alana Chen took her own life in 2019, Simon read about her in the news and was shocked by the similarities in their stories and experiences with conversion therapy. Simon delves into how conversion therapy is no longer the lobotomies and electro-shock therapy of the past. It's become a still controversial but compelling narrative that can draw young people in, especially those who want to be a priest or a nun - just like Simon and Alana. Check out our great sponsors! ZocDoc: Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme - download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Shopify: Run your own business? Sign up for a $1 / month trial at shopify.com/trustme Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Marc Feldman, professor of psychology and expert in Munchausen by Proxy, talks to the girls along with survivor Jordyn Hope for an information-packed episode. Dr. Feldman discusses why he prefers the term medical child abuse (MCA), some of the more extreme cases he's seen, red flags he looks out for, and how parents get doctors to believe and treat their children's fictional illnesses. Jordyn shares how they were medicated by their mom as a child, receiving surgery and treatments for conditions they never had, how they came to realize they had experienced MCA, and what it was like discovering evidence on their medical records, including learning that one doctor had tried to help. Plus, can perpetrators be treated? Can it be passed down? What's the difference between hypochondria and MCA, and what's the path to recovery for survivors? AND: resources for people who've experienced medical child abuse including: - https://www.munchausen.com - https://www.munchausensupport.com - https://www.nobodyshouldbelieveme.com - https://www.amazon.com/Dying-be-Ill-Marc-Feldman/dp/1138063835 Trust Me is brought to you by Prose! Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/trust Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of their interview, Kyle and Kari, former members of the 2x2s (the group that Meagan grew up in), talk about the Facebook group they created for people leaving the group, which created a forum for people to share their stories for the first time. They discuss the overseer who was found dead in a hotel and the letter that exposed his sexual abuse, and how Kyle and Kari were then flooded with messages from survivors who'd been sexually abused within the religion, with hundreds of perpetrators named (many by multiple victims), and the earth-shattering implications for the future of the group. Content warning: this episode will center around discussions of sexual abuse. Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive! Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former members of the Two by Twos Kyle and Kari (the group that our Meagan grew up in) discuss the apocalyptic focus on the religion, personal stories of deconstructing their beliefs, the peculiar structure of the group led by pairs of ministers called "workers", how Kyle and Kari joined and met as kids, how it compared to Meagan's experience, what they did (and didn't) believe growing up, how the pandemic led them to question their beliefs, and how they found their way back to each other after a difficult period of disconnection. Stay tuned next week to learn about the Facebook they created for former members and the devastating news that came to light. Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive! Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's order. And there's chaos. Simple, right? Today our new friend Martin shares how he used to be a big fan of Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro, how he found videos as a teenager that helped him feel empowered as he searched for identity, the impact they had on his worldview, some of the idealogical tenants of Jordan Peterson, why so many young men are drawn to these kinds of figures, why debate isn't always the best way to uncover truth, and how working with prison inmates helped to change his mind. PLUS: The most recent single from LOLA BLANC!!! Trust Me is brought to you by Shopify! Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of her two-part interview, Guinevere Turner, renowned screenwriter (writer of films like American Psycho and Charlie Says), actress, and author of new memoir When The World Didn't End, talks about getting kicked out of the group and living with her mother after years of barely knowing her, the cognitive dissonance of suddenly going to school with outsiders, being sexually abused by her mother's partner, how she finally decided to never go back to the Lyman family, telling your story on your own timeline, the ways trauma can become your identity, how she began to process her experiences, and the cult recovery group Guinevere is in now. Check out our great sponsors! ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part one of her two-part interview, Guinevere Turner, renowned screenwriter (writer of films like American Psycho and Charlie Says), actress, and author of new memoir When The World Didn't End, talks about growing up in the Lyman Family cult, bouncing around between different compounds, and being raised by women in the group who were not her mother. She discusses the trippy teachings of leader Mel Lyman, what it was like joining the caravan of the group's "queen" as a child, and the punishment and ostracization she and the other children frequently experienced. Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When #BossBabe culture goes wrong. Author of Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing and former member of an MLM she calls Rejuvinat, Emily Paulson, shares how she was first introduced to the group by a friend from school, how it seemed to be the perfect way to bring purpose and extra income to her stay at home mom lifestyle, how her very specific circumstances helped her to be really good at it, being a top seller who was put on display by the group as a success story, the role her alcoholism played, the myth of how easy it is to turn a profit in an MLM, the drastic disparity between top and bottom earners, and how she was encouraged to use her cancer story to sell more product. Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever joined a sorority? It's all Greek to us! Former sorority member and Ice Cold Case podcast host Madison McGhee shares how she always dreamed of joining a sorority, which one she chose after growing up Christian, what the process of joining was like, being the only person of color in the sorority, how she was punished for not straightening her curly hair and prevented from holding a leadership position, feeling ostracized to the point that it harmed her mental health, and why it's so hard to create healthy group culture in Greek Life. Check out our great sponsors! Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/trustme Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Check out Madison's podcast at https://www.icecoldcase.com/ Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Even Stevens to Kim Possible, Disney Channel legend and Vulnerable podcast host Christy Carlson Romano talks about the difficulties of being a working actor from such a young age, what it was like to be well-known, and the pressures of stage parents. She also discusses the "toddler to trainwreck pipeline" and the lack of an exit strategy from child stardom, the flaws in the existing infrastructure meant to support young performers, and how the film industry can do better. Check out our great sponsors!!! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shiny Happy People's Lindsey Williams shares how Institute in Basic Life Principles leader Bill Gothard would recruit young girls to headquarters, the inappropriate questions he asked and physical boundaries he repeatedly crossed, how controlling he was over who Lindsey dated, the website where women began connecting the dots about his behavior, the sexual assault allegations that were brought against him, the IBLP's connections to politics, and how Lindsey managed to get out of the group. Follow Lindsey on TikTok and LinkTree! https://www.tiktok.com/@thecultchronicles https://linktr.ee/Cultchronicles Check out our great sponsors! Trust Me is brought to you by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Makeup artist, podcaster, and former Institute in Basic Life Principles member, Lindsey Williams (who is featured in Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets), delves into the Duggar family connection into the IBLP, being home schooled using "wisdom booklets", how physical punishment was a tenant of the faith, why women lived under the authority of their fathers and husbands, Lindsey's time at the Advanced Training Institute, the organization's twisted teachings about sexual abuse, and being recruited by the leader Bill Gothard to work at IBLP headquarters. Follow Lindsey on TikTok and LinkTree! https://www.tiktok.com/@thecultchronicles https://linktr.ee/Cultchronicles Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive Insurance! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Million Little Things star Allison Miller shares with Lola & Meagan how she was once a client of a culty alternative medicine clinic run by a couple who claimed to know how to heal her chronic bladder condition, Interstitial Cystitis (also known as Painful Bladder Syndrome). They dig into the societal reason why women have to resort to these measures to begin with, the extremely controlled diet and lifestyle she was told to adhere to—even when she began feeling worse, and how she became severely orthorexic, terrified of most foods, chemicals, and places. Plus, how she eventually stepped away from the group. Trust Me is brought to you by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jimanekia Eborn, sex educator, trauma counselor, podcast host, and founder of non-profit Tending the Garden, shares the traumas she's experienced in her own life, what her healing journey has been like, and what led her to help others in her work. They discuss sex after trauma, going on self-dates to learn what you like (and don't like), the importance of communicating with your partner(s), and how to get out of your head and into your body. Learn more about Jimanekia's work helping marginalized survivors of sexual assault at tendingthegarden.love If you have experienced sexual assault and you need help or information, call the national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673, or visit RAINN.org Check out our great sponsors! Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/trust Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to Babbel.com/trust Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of their conversation with deradicalized extremist and former Canadian government operative, Mubin Shaikh, Lola and Meagan dig into Mubin's meet-cute with his now-wife (who was not Muslim when they met), how little she knew about his extremism, why 9/11 was the turning point in his radical beliefs, and his deeper exploration into Islamic texts and interpretations. They discuss how he reached out to the Canadian government after a former acquaintance was arrested for a bomb plot, going undercover to disrupt a terrorist plot by the Toronto 18, the intervention work he's done, and how his work has impacted him emotionally. To learn more about Mubin's work, visit Parents4Peace.org or call 1-844-49-PEACE Trust Me is brought to you by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mubin Shaikh, deradicalized Islamic extremist and former security intelligence & counter-terrorism operative, discusses his upbringing balancing secular and Muslim life in Toronto, the party he threw as a young man that made him feel ashamed enough to become more deeply religious, and how an encounter with the Taliban pushed him toward radicalization. He also talks about the structure of Islam and his particular sect, the many complex factors that lead to extremism and terrorism, and the deep dive he did into understanding his own religion. Plus, next week: his process of deradicalization, and going undercover to disrupt a terrorist plot. Check out our great sponsors! Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today at Prose.com/trust Trust Me is brought to you by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to Babbel.com/trust See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist Jennings Brown returns, this time with a guest who goes by Justice, to talk about a new internet cult leader named Liana Shanti and her social media presence, which targets women with wellness cleanses, women's empowerment, wild conspiracy theories, and grandiose claims about her supernatural powers. They discuss Shanti's followers' pattern of changing their names, accusing family members of abuse without evidence, and suddenly taking their children out of state. Plus, a house in Florida called Destiny Manor where a group of her followers have moved, how Justice's own loved one fell down the rabbit hole, and how survivors are banding together to stop Shanti. Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive Insurance! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accomplished Olympic runner and The Longest Race author Kara Goucher shares how she and her partner were invited to join the prestigious Nike Oregon Project and coach Alberto Salazar, how Alberto's methods seemed effective at first but became more controlling and inappropriate over time, what led her to become a whistleblower, and the stark contrast she eventually saw with a healthy coaching relationship. Check out our great sponsors! ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one is perfect. Not even Lola and Meagan. Today the ladies delve into the extreme belief of perfectionism, its connection to purity culture, Lola and Meagan's firsthand experience with OCD and religious trauma, how to address your inner cult leader, the intersectionality with cancel culture, and the importance of staying connected to those with extreme beliefs. Trust Me is brought to you by Prose! Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/trust Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time to level up. MLM expert and author of Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing, Robert Fitzpatrick, discusses the history of MLMs including why they took off in the 80s, their connection to the American Dream and economic inequality, the biggest scams he's seen over the years, how MLMs disconnect people from their identities, and what we can do about it if its happening to someone we love. Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Learn more about Robert's work at https://www.pyramidschemealert.org/ Support victim survivors and prevent further abuse at https://voicesforthetruth.org/ Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second half of their conversation with Kingston Clan survivor Priscilla Tucker, Lola and Meagan learn more about the leader of the group, why being sent to a bad kid camp turned out to be a positive experience for Priscilla, and how she worked for billion-dollar fraudster Jacob Kingston, ultimately helping the FBI take him down. Plus, how Priscilla ended up finally getting out of the group, thanks to the show Escaping Polygamy (and Lola's mom!). Check out our great sponsors! Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to Babbel.com/trust Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Priscilla Tucker, friend of the show and survivor of Mormon-offshoot polygamist group the Kingstons, talks about the origins of the group and how it differs from other polygamist sects, why so many members become doctors and lawyers, and her upbringing, including how she began working for pennies from the age of 8. They also discuss the leader of the group, its history of incest and underage marriages, and her brief underage engagement to her first cousin. Check out our amazing sponsors!!! Thrive Causemetics: Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you been scammed? Lola and Meagan have... and one of them was even part of one. What the Hack podcast host Adam Levin joins Trust Me to chat about phishing, romance scams that target the elderly, social engineering, who the scammers ARE, and tips on how to protect your identity online. Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of Lola & Meagan's interview with Bride of Christ Church survivor Zacch Comfort, they discuss how leader Thomas Clyde Smith Jr's control tactics got more extreme once the group moved to the Oregon commune, including separating children from their families, requiring people to hit each other in church, and cycling children into his home for sexual abuse - as well as how the group ultimately fell apart, and what Zacch's life is like now working in a psychiatric hospital. Plus, for Lola's cultiest thing of the week, she and her friend Liz Y2K discuss discovering a man they both dated has been arrested for serial rape, and how the police are seeking additional victims to come forward. Trust Me is sponsored by Thrive Causemetics! Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme If you have information on Ben Belser, contact: LAPD's Operations West Bureau, Special Assault Section 213-473-0447 or 877-LAPD-247 Or for anonymous tips: LA Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS LAcrimestoppers.org If you have experienced sexual assault and you need support, visit https://www.rainn.org/ or call 800-656-HOPESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survivor of The Bride of Christ Church and creator of the Boiled Frogs podcast, Zacch Comfort, shares how convicted child molester Thomas Clyde Smith, Jr went from seeing visions in a psych ward to starting his own church, asserting control and arranging marriages while the group was in Las Vegas, the eventual move of the cult to a commune in Oregon, how Zacch's parents came to join the cult, and how infamous criminal Lawrence Singleton nearly came to live in the cult. Check out our great sponsors! Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to Babbel.com/trust Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Check out Zacch's podcast BOILED FROGS here! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the shoe CrossFits... Former employee and enthusiast of CrossFit, Sam Ciavarella, shares about a time when she constructed her whole identity around CrossFit, the feeling of constant pressure to push herself to the limit, the shady story of the original owner, comparing CrossFit to generally competitive athletic endeavors, and why pushing yourself that hard can be physically dangerous. Check out our great sponsors! Thrive Causemetics: Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the episode you've been dying to hear. Keith Page, funeral celebrant, hospice chaplain, and death doula/midwife, shares what it was like being a pastor of large church and why parts of that experience made him uncomfortable, his fall from grace that led him to turn away from religion, and how he found his calling by helping people deal with death from a secular perspective. Plus, how you can find meaning and define your own values without religion, what Keith's end of life work actually entails (yes, sometimes there's dry ice involved), and the importance of normalizing death in our society. Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive Insurance! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor, director, and activist Rosanna Arquette discusses her childhood growing up on a commune that was part of the Subud spiritual movement, her mom's journey from her own abuse to helping other women, the racism she saw in the community outside of the commune, her own personal experience with Harvey Weinstein's harassment, the subsequent changes she felt in her career, speaking out against Weinstein, and being a part of a movement that changed the world. Check out our great sponsors! Thrive Causemetics: Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survivor's of Larry Ray's sex cult Felicia and Daniel discuss how they came to meet Larry, how he leveraged his memory and connections to craft an image of authority, how Larry gained control of their lives under the guise of helping them, when the manipulation elevated into sexual abuse and violence, and how they're doing now that Larry is going to jail for the harm he has caused. Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive Insurance! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get your pocket constitution ready. Antonio Perez, a former conspiracy theorist who followed Alex Jones, shares why Jones' over-the-top theories about the New World Order appealed to him, how Antonio's addiction factored into his dopamine-seeking thinking, and why building an internal locus of control can help avert conspiratorial thinking. Plus, how he finally stepped away from the deep state obsession, and the book he's writing on how to help people think for themselves again. Trust Me is brought to you by ZocDoc! Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cognitive anthropologist Chris Kavanagh and psychologist Matthew Browne, hosts of the podcast Decoding the Gurus, share some of their criteria for what makes a guru, discussing a few of the many personalities they've covered on their podcast: Elon Musk and Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan, oh my. They discuss the horrors of social media, the importance of trusting experts (but how academic credentialism can lead people astray too), how the biggest internet gurus tend to skew male, and why basically we need more scientists with mass appeal. Trust me is brought to you by Progressive Insurance! Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected] CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.