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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
1 day ago
Cult Control in Christianity? Abuse, Purity Culture & Power Exposed
Cult Control in Christianity? Abuse, Purity Culture & Power Exposed Exposing abuse, mind control, and coercive control in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Dr. Steven Hassan interviews survivor-advocate Melissa Duge Spiers on religious trauma, purity culture, sexual abuse cover-ups, and cult dynamics. In this powerful episode of Cults, Culture, and Coercion, Steven Hassan speaks with writer and advocate Melissa Duge Spiers about her experience growing up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and her journey of deconstruction, healing, and activism. Melissa shares her firsthand account of being raised in a multi-generational Adventist family, where strict behavioral control, purity culture, and fear-based mind control shaped daily life. She explains how leaving the church at 18 marked the beginning of a much longer process of understanding the psychological impact of coercive control and religious indoctrination. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Melissa discusses discovering that her father, who was once a respected pastor, had been a serial child predator within the church. She describes how the institution allegedly enabled abuse, protected perpetrators, and blamed victims, reflecting broader systemic issues within high-control religious groups. Dr. Hassan and Melissa explore: - The role of purity culture and sexual repression in restrictive religions and cultures of control - How authoritarian religious environments discourage independent thinking - The long-term psychological effects of coercion, fear, and cult indoctrination - Patterns of institutional cover-ups and victim-blaming - The emerging mass lawsuit involving abuse within the Adventist system Melissa also discusses her advocacy work supporting survivors, collecting testimonies of abuse, and helping connect victims to legal resources. Her story highlights how coercive systems can perpetuate harm across generations and how speaking out can begin to break that cycle. This episode is essential for understanding cult dynamics, mind control, and the real-world consequences of unchecked authority within religious institutions. 📚 Read- Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows- https://amzn.to/4dAD9HZ And follow Melissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.glory.whole/ 📢 Share this episode to help raise awareness and support survivors Chapters 00:00 Meet Melissa Duge Spiers - Religious Trauma Survivor 05:30 Strict Upbringing, Church Schools & Constant Control 07:30 Purity Culture, Sexual Repression & Leaving at 18 09:47 Leaving the Church: Passive Shunning & Coercion 10:43 Corporal Punishment & Authoritarian Parenting 11:35 Processing Abuse, Trauma & Fear of Repressed Memories 12:53 Origins of Adventism & Ellen White’s Influence 16:30 Cult Leaders, Brain Trauma & Extreme Beliefs 18:42 Splinter Groups, Extremism & David Koresh 24:59 Lawsuits, Statutes of Limitations & Accountability 31:26 Cover-Ups: Protecting the Institution Over Victims 36:25 Repressed Trauma, Memory & Legal Evidence 43:54 Female Genital Mutilation & Extreme Purity Practices 48:11 The BITE Model & Measuring Authoritarian Control 51:14 Legal Reform, Survivor Support & Final Thoughts #cultscultureandcoercion #StevenHassan #ReligiousTrauma #CultSurvivor #UndueInfluence #MindControl #SeventhDayAdventist #CoerciveControl #ReligiousAbuse #PurityCulture #CultRecovery #Exvangelical #SpiritualAbuse #Authoritarianism #TraumaHealing ******************************************** Learn more at: https://freedomofmind.com/ Subscribe to The Influence Continuum podcast: https://freedomofmind.com/podcast-3/ Enroll in our courses - https://courses.freedomofmind.com/collections Download a .pdf of the BITE model here! https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/ Subscribe to the Freedom of Mind newsletter: https://freedomofmind.com/subscribe/ Read or listen to Dr. Hassan's books: https://freedomofmind.com/books/

"#Cult Control in Christianity? Abuse, #PurityCulture & Power Exposed"
Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan @cultexpert.freedomofmind.com
6 Apr 2026 [0:54:20]
#SeventhDayAdventist #BranchDavidians #Waco
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/p2SWdl9BpECNQzypn2Rnrw

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
4 days ago
Witness To Waco MSNBC Documentary 2009 Cult David Koresh Branch Davidians
Witness To Waco MSNBC Documentary 2009 Cult David Koresh Branch Davidians

"Witness to #Waco Msnbc Documentary 2009 #Cult #DavidKoresh #BranchDavidians"
RAKANALKUWAITI-LYRICIST
3 Apr 2026 [1:29:51]
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/4ZPEcXDp-kiiLZUzw7OOVw

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
1 week ago
The Rise and Fall of an American Cult with Harrison Hill - IndoctriNation Podcast
The Rise and Fall of an American Cult with Harrison Hill - IndoctriNation Podcast In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews journalist Harrison Hill about his debut book, “The Oracle’s Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult.” Hill shares how he connected to survivor Sarah Green through his brother in Brooklyn and how the book centers on Sarah’s escape from the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps, a religious cult founded in California. He situates the cult within American religious extremism and explores why people join, stay, and leave, including how cults restrict trusting one’s senses and simplify life through binary “spiritual warfare.” Hill discusses the leaders Jim and Deborah Green, the group’s uniforms and ranks, the influence of “Aggressive Christianity,” parallels to the Salvation Army’s origins, and how Waco affected law enforcement responses. Harrison’s Links Book: https://www.harrisonhill.me/#book Website: https://www.harrisonhill.me/ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation: https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about

"The Rise & Fall of an American #Cult with Harrison Hill"
IndoctriNation
25 Mar 2026 [1:10:21]
#ACMTC #BranchDavidians #Waco
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/03MKe3o4r0m9OzC1BN67fg

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
3 weeks ago
Cults Like US: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America
Cults Like US: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America The Festival hosted Jane Borden on March 13th in conversation with Stephanie Greene to discuss her book Cults Like US: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America about the rise of cults in America. Longlisted for a Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, this colorful and enlightening pop history explains why the eccentric doomsday beliefs of our Puritan founders still drive American culture today, contextualizes the current rise in division and extremism as a natural result of our latent indoctrination, and proposes the United States is the largest cult of all. Since the Mayflower sidled up near Plymouth Rock, cult ideology has been ingrained in the DNA of the United States. In this eye-opening book, journalist Jane Borden argues that Puritan doomsday belief never went away; it just went secular and became American culture. From our fascination with cowboys and superheroes to our allegiance to influencers and self-help, susceptibility to advertising, and undying devotion to the almighty dollar, Americans remain particularly vulnerable to a specific brand of cult-like thinking. With in-depth research and compelling insight, Borden uncovers the American history you didn't learn in school, including how we are still being brainwashed, making us a nation of easy marks for con artists and strong men. Along the way, she also revisits some of the most infamous cults in this country—including, the Branch Davidians and Love Has Won, presenting them—as integral parts of our national psyche rather than as aberrations. Jane Borden is an author, culture journalist, and editor. She contributes regularly to Vanity Fair, and has written for the New York Times Magazine and The Washington Post, among other outlets. Her book Cults Like US: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America was published in March 2025 by One Signal Publishers. Her first book, I Totally Meant to Do That, was published by Crown. Before all of that, she was a culture editor at Time Out New York. She is also a professional editor, book coach, and ghost writer. Jane lives in Los Angeles.

"Cults like US: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America"
Brattleboro Literary Festival
14 Mar 2026 [1:05:22]
#BranchDavidians #Waco #LoveHasWon #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/jqxy8HenxkeeCUvNgsC1MQ

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Bill's Bible Basics
Bill's Bible Basics
@onecuriousoul.bsky.social
1 month ago
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HEAVEN'S GATE, SUICIDE AND OTHER DEATH CULTS -- a Bill's Bible Basics series

#HeavensGate MarshallApplewhite #JimJones #BranchDavidians #DavidKoresh

This Bill’s Bible Basics 3-part series can be read at:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/heavngt1.html

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Bill's Bible Basics
Bill's Bible Basics
@onecuriousoul.bsky.social
1 month ago
Post image

HEAVEN'S GATE, SUICIDE AND OTHER DEATH CULTS -- a Bill's Bible Basics series

#HeavensGate MarshallApplewhite #JimJones #BranchDavidians #DavidKoresh

This Bill’s Bible Basics 3-part series can be read at:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/heavngt1.html

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Psych Legal Pop Podcast
Psych Legal Pop Podcast
@psychlegalpop.bsky.social
1 month ago
Video

Check out our episodes on Waco: American Apocalypse wherever you listen to podcasts 🎙️
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#psychlegalpop #waco #wacotexas #netflixdocuseries #docuseries #cult #wacocult #branchdavidians #truecrime #truecrimedocuseries #popculture #podcast #popculturepodcast #truecrimepodcast #davidkoresh

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Psych Legal Pop Podcast
Psych Legal Pop Podcast
@psychlegalpop.bsky.social
2 months ago
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Today we wrap up Waco: American Apocalypse with Episode 3 "Fire." Find us across all podcast platforms! Ad free version available on Patreon.⁠
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#psychlegalpop #waco #wacotexas #netflixdocuseries #docuseries #cult #wacocult #branchdavidians #truecrime #truecrimedocuseries #popculture #podcast

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Bill's Bible Basics
Bill's Bible Basics
@onecuriousoul.bsky.social
2 months ago
Post image

HEAVEN'S GATE, SUICIDE AND OTHER DEATH CULTS -- a Bill's Bible Basics series

#HeavensGate MarshallApplewhite #JimJones #BranchDavidians #DavidKoresh

This Bill’s Bible Basics 3-part series by Bill Kochman can be read at:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/heavngt1.html

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
2 months ago
Preview
History's Worst Cults (Season 6 Episode 12) Messiahs, madness, and mass delusion! This special greatest hits episode of History's Greatest Idiots explores three cult leaders who proved that charisma and megalomania make the perfect recipe for disaster.First up: David Koresh, the guitar-playing prophet who transformed a quiet religious community into the Branch Davidians, stockpiling weapons in Waco, Texas whilst claiming divine authority and multiple wives, culminating in a 51-day FBI siege that ended in tragedy.Then we meet Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (later known as Osho), the Indian guru whose followers built a utopian city in rural Oregon, complete with a fleet of Rolls-Royces, free love philosophy, and a bioterror attack that poisoned 751 Americans with salmonella in the largest such attack in US history.Finally, Claude Vorilhon rounds out our line-up: the French race car driver turned prophet who claims aliens created humanity, renamed himself Rael, and built the Raelian Movement around messages from extraterrestrials, cloning controversies, and a surprisingly large international following.From compound sieges to bioterrorism to UFO religions, these self-proclaimed messiahs prove that absolute conviction plus zero self-awareness equals catastrophic consequences.Join Lev and Derek as they count down the greatest hits of history's most spectacularly deluded cult leaders.Perfect for true crime fans, cult history enthusiasts, and anyone who's ever wondered how charismatic narcissists convince thousands to follow them into absolute chaos.⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/HistorysGreatestIdiots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/historysgreatestidiots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Artist: Sarah Chey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fiverr.com/sarahchey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Animation: Daniel Wilson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wilson_the_wilson/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music: Andrew Wilson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/andrews_electric_sheep⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

"History's Worst Cults (Season 6 Episode 12)"
History's Greatest Idiots @greatestidiots.bsky.social
26 Jan 2026 [1:59:58]
#OSHO #STOPQuotingOSHO #BranchDavidians #Waco #Raelism #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/gewNsHFpFkyS41MjL0KwhA

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Psych Legal Pop Podcast
Psych Legal Pop Podcast
@psychlegalpop.bsky.social
2 months ago
Post image

For the next 3 weeks we will be taking a deep dive into the tragedy at #Waco with the Netflix #docuseries Waco: American Apocalypse. In today's episode, we discuss Ep 1 "In the Beginning..." Ad free episode available on Patreon. #psychlegalpop #cult #branchdavidians #truecrime #popculture #podcast

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
2 months ago
The Shocking Militia Mindset Behind January 6th - EXPOSED By a Former Leader
The Shocking Militia Mindset Behind January 6th - EXPOSED By a Former Leader White nationalists want a new civil war-NOW. Jason Van Tatenhove, former spokesman for the infamous extremist militia the Oath Keepers, joins cult expert Dr. Steven Hassan for a critical conversation about how far-right hate groups recruit, radicalize, and prepare for “the revolution”. As we honor the 5 year anniversary of the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, after which the Oath Keepers leadership were convicted of seditious conspiracy, this episode offers urgent insight into how movements like this escalate toward political violence. In this powerful episode of the Cults, Culture, and Coercion podcast, Jason Van Tatenhove, author of The Perils of Extremism: How I Left the Oath Keepers and Why We Should Be Concerned About a Future Civil War, shares his firsthand experience inside one of America’s most dangerous paramilitary extremist organizations. Jason explains how vulnerability, propaganda, conspiracy theories, and media manipulation pulled him in and what ultimately helped him leave. Dr. Steven Hassan connects the dots between extremist movements and cult dynamics, drawing on his BITE Model of Authoritarian Control and his decades of research on cults and disinformation campaigns. Together, they explore how fear, “us vs. them” narratives, and identity manipulation are weaponized online and how compassion, critical thinking, and community can help people disengage before violence erupts. In this episode, we discuss: - How extremist groups and militias like the Oath Keepers recruit and radicalize members - The ideologies that led to the events on January 6, 2021 - Why loneliness in the digital age and economic stressors increase susceptibility to mind control - How propaganda and conspiracy theories shut down critical thinking - The psychological similarities between cults, extremist movements, and addiction - Why attacking beliefs directly backfires—and what actually helps people question and leave - How families can create “exit ramps” for radicalized loved ones - The role of social media propaganda, “us vs. them” narratives, and AI in political extremism - Why de-radicalization requires empathy, patience, and human connection This episode is essential viewing for anyone concerned about January 6, political extremism, hate groups, cult dynamics, misinformation, and the future of democracy. 📖 Check out The Perils of Extremism: How I Left the Oath Keepers and Why We Should Be Concerned About a Future Civil War- https://amzn.to/49phG0M This archived episode of Cults, Culture, and Coercion was originally recorded March 26, 2024 and is being re-released for as part of a special retrospective highlighting some of Dr. Steven Hassan’s most important but underappreciated conversations, offering new listeners deeper context into his long-standing work on cults, coercive control, and recovery. Chapters: 00:00 “I Was the Propagandist for the Oath Keepers” 02:33 How a Left-Leaning Artist Got Pulled Into Extremism 04:25 Bundy Ranch, Waco, and the Mythology of Government Tyranny 06:08 Becoming the National Media Director of the Oath Keepers 09:04 The Collapse of Journalism and the Propaganda Vacuum 13:07 Extremist Propaganda and Emotional Manipulation 17:09 AI, Deepfakes, and the Future of Political Propaganda 20:21 What Kind of World Are We Leaving Our Children? 24:29 Veterans, Belonging, and the Militia Pipeline 31:18 What Actually Helps De-Radicalize Someone 36:25 Talking to the “Real Person” Behind the Ideology 39:54 Why Conspiracy Theories are so Popular Now 45:13 Billionaires, Tech Fantasies, and Abandoning the Planet 50:46 Why Failure Is Necessary for Growth 54:09 Testifying Before Congress in January 6 Hearing 1:01:31 Final Thoughts: Is the Next Civil War Inevitable? #StevenHassan #JasonVanTatenhove #January6 #OathKeepers #SeditiousConspiracy #Extremism #CultPsychology #MindControl #Deradicalization #BITEModel #PoliticalExtremism #UndueInfluence #Propaganda #CivilWar #ConspiracyTheories ******************************************** Learn more at: https://freedomofmind.com/ Subscribe to The Influence Continuum podcast: https://freedomofmind.com/podcast-3/ Enroll in our courses - https://courses.freedomofmind.com/collections Download a .pdf of the BITE model here! https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/ Subscribe to the Freedom of Mind newsletter: https://freedomofmind.com/subscribe/ Read or listen to Dr. Hassan's books: https://freedomofmind.com/books/

"The Shocking Militia Mindset Behind January 6th - Exposed by a Former Le…"
Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan @cultexpert.freedomofmind.com
19 Jan 2026 [1:02:55]
#BranchDavidians #Waco #QAnon #PoliticalCult #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/7Iot9ZIkUUifYk9SpdGp7w

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Bill's Bible Basics
Bill's Bible Basics
@onecuriousoul.bsky.social
2 months ago
Post image

HEAVEN'S GATE, SUICIDE AND OTHER DEATH CULTS -- a Bill's Bible Basics series

#HeavensGate MarshallApplewhite #JimJones #BranchDavidians #DavidKoresh

This Bill’s Bible Basics 3-part series by Bill Kochman can be read at:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/heavngt1.html

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
2 months ago
Rick Alan Ross Gets Cults Wrong - Here's Why
Rick Alan Ross Gets Cults Wrong - Here's Why 0:00 - Introducing Rick Alan Ross and differing cult definitions 1:22 - Signs of being in a cult and social isolation 2:13 - Debating core characteristics of destructive cults 6:59 - Whether families qualify as cults under the definition 9:20 - Why doomsday beliefs and fear control cult members 13:09 - Waco Branch Davidians siege and Alex Jones coverage 14:21 - Distinguishing cults from mainstream religions 16:26 - Whether cult leaders know they're manipulating followers 18:18 - Cults' online presence and the extremism gradient model 24:03 - TikTok cult and online recruitment tactics 25:08 - Midsommar scene analysis and cult films 26:24 - How cult leaders convince followers they're divine 27:59 - Cult recruitment targeting emotionally vulnerable people 29:13 - Heaven's Gate celibacy and sexual control in cults 32:00 - Arcosanti as example of benign cult vs community 33:28 - Debating whether MAGA/Trumpism qualifies as a cult Cult expert Rick Alan Ross claims MAGA isn't a cult and that all cults need a single totalitarian leader - but his definition misses how modern extremism actually works. I'm breaking down where Ross gets cult definitions wrong and why it matters for identifying dangerous groups today. Ross became famous for releasing the NXIVM manual and has done important deprogramming work, but his framework can't account for decentralized movements like QAnon or personality cults without hard hierarchies. Using the extremism gradient model, I explain why groups like Jehovah's Witnesses, MAGA, and even Heaven's Gate don't fit his three-part definition - and why that's a problem when trying to protect vulnerable people from manipulation. We also cover why America is uniquely hospitable to destructive cults, how religious tax exemption enables financial abuse, and the difference between high control groups and legitimate communities. If you've ever wondered why cult experts disagree on basic definitions, this video explains the stakes. #CultAwareness #ReligiousTrauma #DebunkingCults 🔥 Support the Show: Become a Patreon Member: https://owenmorgan.com/patreon Read my books: 📖 Was Hitler an Atheist? https://owenmorgan.com/whaa 📖 Understanding Jehovah''s Witnesses: https://owenmorgan.com/ujw 🎥 Watch on YouTube: Telltale: https://www.youtube.com/@OwenMorganTelltale Telltale Fireside Chat: https://www.youtube.com/@telltalefiresidechat Telltale Unfiltered: https://www.youtube.com/@telltaleunfiltered Pixel Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/@owenpixeldreams Twitch: https://owenmorgan.com/twitch

"Rick Alan Ross gets Cults Wrong - Here's why"
Owen Morgan (Telltale)
8 Jan 2026 [0:51:43]
#PoliticalCult #BranchDavidians #Waco #HeavensGate #JW #ExJW #NXIVM #QAnon #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/nu3s-VFqPkmE9xJ41x_l4A

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
3 months ago
Authoritarianism Decoded: How Fascism Takes Over Without Force
Authoritarianism Decoded: How Fascism Takes Over Without Force Fascism, authoritarianism, cult psychology, propaganda, Trump, Mussolini, and modern machismos explained. Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins cult expert Dr. Steven Hassan to break down how dictators rise, how mind control works, and why democracy is under threat. In this wide-ranging discussion, NYU historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, explains how fascist leaders from Mussolini and Hitler to modern authoritarian figures like President Donald Trump use propaganda, victimhood narratives, disinformation, and psychological manipulation to gain and maintain power. Dr. Hassan connects these historical patterns to cult dynamics, mind control, and the follower–leader relationship he has studied for decades. Together, they explore: - How Mussolini pioneered the authoritarian playbook later adopted by Hitler - Why modern strongmen present themselves as the “only source of truth” - How propaganda, social media, and disinformation function as psychological warfare - The cult-like dynamics of authoritarian movements - Why people are persuaded to act against their own interests - The dangers facing democracy and how we can resist, as informed by history This episode offers crucial historical context and psychological insight into today’s political climate, making it essential listening for anyone trying to understand authoritarianism, cult influence, propaganda, and the fight for democracy. This archived episode of Cults, Culture, and Coercion was originally filmed on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 and is being re-released for the holiday season as part of a special retrospective highlighting some of Dr. Steven Hassan’s most important conversations. Chapters: 0:00 How Dictators Become the “Only Source of Truth” 3:00 Why People Submit to Power and Believe Obvious Lies 5:35 Mussolini: The Original Fascist Playbook Hitler Copied 8:50 Trump, Mussolini, and the Strongman Pattern 11:05 Cult Leaders, Malignant Narcissism, and Authoritarian Personality Traits 15:05 Victimhood, Martyrdom, and “I’m Taking the Hit for You” 20:40 Waco, Extremism, and the Weaponization of Grievance 25:35 Propaganda, Social Media, and the Age of Disinformation 31:45 January 6, Fear, and the Breakdown of Democratic Norms 39:50 How Fascism Takes Power Without a Coup #drstevenhassan #stevenhassan #cults #mindcontrol #brainwashing #BITEmodel #influencecontinuum ******************************************** Learn more at: https://freedomofmind.com/ Subscribe to The Influence Continuum podcast: https://freedomofmind.com/podcast-3/ Enroll in our courses - https://courses.freedomofmind.com/collections Download a .pdf of the BITE model here! https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/ Subscribe to the Freedom of Mind newsletter: https://freedomofmind.com/subscribe/ Read or listen to Dr. Hassan's books: https://freedomofmind.com/books/

"Authoritarianism Decoded: How Fascism Takes over Without Force"
Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan @cultexpert.freedomofmind.com
22 Dec 2025 [0:47:04]
#BranchDavidians #Waco #QAnon #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/5bxBpmoCp0eMVHCEBHvvng

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
3 months ago
Weekly Cult Situation Report 12/19/25--The Patriot Games, Homeschooling, and Trump in Vanity Fair
Weekly Cult Situation Report 12/19/25--The Patriot Games, Homeschooling, and Trump in Vanity Fair May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor Book club on Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding for Persepolis next month Book Fundraiser on GoFundMe: https://bit.ly/3F9jcsq ANGRY KNIT IN!!!! bit.ly/angryknitin Song of the week: Ambient 1: Music for Airports SitRep Credits: Meghan Picmann, Haley Phillips, Lizy Freudmann Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/opinion/home-school-isolation.html?searchResultPosition=1 https://hslda.org/ https://crhe.org/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-alleged-terror-plot-turtle-island-liberation-front-doj-fbi/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ex-marine-planned-attack-new-orleans-recreate-waco-officials-say-rcna249714 https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/12/03/dhs-launches-operation-catahoula-crunch-new-orleans-targeting-criminal-illegal https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/us/new-orleans-victims-truck-attack.html https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/catahoula-leopard-dog/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdizL4on-Rc https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5650235-trump-blames-brown-university-shooting-suspect-delay/ https://www.thedailybeast.com/vanity-fair-photographer-not-my-fault-trump-goons-look-terrible/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSXgnmADtjr/?igsh=YTI4MnpjNWprOGF6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKZ3fGR2SDY About me: I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as the Knitting Cult Lady. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. My second book, The Culting of America, delves even deeper into the ways that cultic systems and coercive control show up in every day life. Preorder your copy here: https://bit.ly/3H0YuMO Support my Work and Learn About Me: Donate to fund The Culting of America: https://bit.ly/3F9jcsq Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/4muxbu6 / @knittingcultladychat Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 #CultScholar #cultexpert #CultSurvovor #knittingcultlady #CultingofAmerica #Uncultured #groupbehaviorgal #groupbehaviorgal #Cults #CoerciveControl

"Weekly #Cult Situation Report 12/19/25--The Patriot Games, Homeschooling, & Trump in Vanity Fair"
Knitting Cult Lady
19 Dec 2025 [0:29:29]
#BranchDavidians #Waco
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/vXTQsTlKFEmosWAPfvJ09A

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Bill's Bible Basics
Bill's Bible Basics
@onecuriousoul.bsky.social
3 months ago
Post image

HEAVEN'S GATE, SUICIDE AND OTHER DEATH CULTS -- a Bill's Bible Basics series

#HeavensGate MarshallApplewhite #JimJones #BranchDavidians #DavidKoresh

This Bill’s Bible Basics 3-part series by Bill Kochman can be read at:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/heavngt1.html

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
3 months ago
Episode 61 – Cults
Episode 61 – Cults CULTS, CONSCIOUSNESS & FAME | Temple Bar Podcast EP61 Are religions just cults that went mainstream? Is football a cult? Music fandoms? Corporations? Governments? And what happens when belief systems are taken too far? In Episode 61 of The Temple Bar Podcast, Jim and Philip take on one of their most wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversations yet — moving from David Koresh, Jim Jones, and Scientology to Sikhism, Jesus, modern celebrity worship, and the illusion of reality itself. This episode explores how cults form, why people follow them, and how power, fame, and belief can slowly distort even the purest messages. Along the way, the conversation expands into consciousness, duality, free will, simulation theory, and the Law of One, while keeping things grounded with sharp humour, Irish storytelling, and real-world examples. In this episode, we discuss: • What actually defines a cult • David Koresh, Waco & Jonestown explained • Religion vs cults: Jesus, Sikhism & reformers • How belief systems get corrupted over time • Celebrity & fame as modern cults (Bono, Kanye, Taylor Swift) • Football fandom and tribal identity • Free will, manipulation & power • Consciousness, duality & reality as a simulation • Why light and dark must coexist • Christmas parties, chaos & human nature 🍻 This episode doesn’t tell you what to believe — it encourages you to question everything, take what resonates, and leave the rest behind. 👇 Like, subscribe & comment — Is everything a cult when taken to extremes? ⸻ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes New episodes of The Temple Bar Podcast drop weekly — featuring deep conversations, cultural commentary, and unfiltered Irish perspectives on life, belief, and society. ⸻ 🔎 Tags / Keywords cult documentary discussion, cult psychology, Temple Bar Podcast, Irish podcast, David Koresh Waco, Jim Jones Jonestown, Scientology explained, religion vs cults, Sikhism podcast, Jesus reformer, Law of One explained, simulation theory podcast, consciousness discussion, celebrity worship, fame and power, football fandom psychology, philosophy podcast

"Episode 61 – Cults"
Temple Barred Podcast
16 Dec 2025 [0:40:51]
#BranchDavidians #Waco #Jonestown #PeoplesTemple #Scientology #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/9vtAgKmacE6K77mf1iXWSQ

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
3 months ago
Famous Cults You Had No Idea Were Still Active
Famous Cults You Had No Idea Were Still Active A lot of cults operate in the shadows. But every once in a while, something major happens and they make headlines around the world. What you don't hear about is the people in that cult who keep on believing long after the dust settles and the cameras go away. #Cults #History #JohnFrum Heaven's Gate | 0:00 The Branch Davidians | 2:34 Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 4:01 Aum Shinrikyo | 6:08 John Frum | 7:46 Unification Church | 9:14 Palmarian Church | 11:28 Nuwaubian Nation | 13:06 Visit Official Grunge Website https://www.grunge.com/ Read full article: https://www.grunge.com/34353/famous-cults-idea-still-active/

"Famous Cults you Had no Idea were Still Active"
Grunge
10 Dec 2025 [0:14:57]
#HeavensGate #BranchDavidians #Waco #FLDS #AumShinrikyo #Moonies #Palmarian #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/dMBcZfOC-k_EYe850RTg0g

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Bill's Bible Basics
Bill's Bible Basics
@onecuriousoul.bsky.social
4 months ago
Post image

HEAVEN'S GATE, SUICIDE AND OTHER DEATH CULTS -- a Bill's Bible Basics series

#HeavensGate MarshallApplewhite #JimJones #BranchDavidians #DavidKoresh

This Bill’s Bible Basics 3-part series by Bill Kochman can be read at:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/heavngt1.html

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Bill's Bible Basics
Bill's Bible Basics
@onecuriousoul.bsky.social
4 months ago
Post image

HEAVEN'S GATE, SUICIDE AND OTHER DEATH CULTS -- a Bill's Bible Basics series

#HeavensGate MarshallApplewhite #JimJones #BranchDavidians #DavidKoresh

This Bill’s Bible Basics 3-part series by Bill Kochman can be read at:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/heavngt1.html

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💙 Monte_Alto 💙 (everywhere)
💙 Monte_Alto 💙 (everywhere)
@montealto.bsky.social
6 months ago

#TheMansonFamily
(Charles Manson)
#BranchDavidians
(David Koresh)
#Heaven’sGate
(Bonnie Lu Nettles & Marshall Applewhite)
#TheFamily
(Anne Hamilton-Byrne)
#OrderOfTheSolarTemple
(Joseph di Mambro Luc Jouret)
#ThePeople’sTemple
(Jim Jones)
#RajneeshMovement
(Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)

0 0 1 0
Bill's Bible Basics
Bill's Bible Basics
@onecuriousoul.bsky.social
6 months ago
Post image



#HeavensGate MarshallApplewhite #JimJones #BranchDavidians #DavidKoresh

This Bill’s Bible Basics 3-part series by Bill Kochman can be read at:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/heavngt1.html HEAVEN'S GATE, SUICIDE AND OTHER DEATH CULTS -- a Bill's Bible Basics series

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
7 months ago
JESUS JEANS AND BRADLEY TANKS | THE WACO SIEGE
JESUS JEANS AND BRADLEY TANKS | THE WACO SIEGE A cult, the FBI, a load of firearms, and a denim-wearing Messiah bent on the end of the world. This is Mad World. Sign up to Patreon to be apart of MAD THAT MONDAYS and get early access to all Mad That episodes: https://patreon.com/haveawordpod FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS: MAD THAT https://x.com/madthatpod https://instagram.com/madthatpod Harry https://x.com/robboharry https://instagram.com/robboharry Carl https://x.com/senseicarl_ https://instagram.com/senseicarl_ Have A Word https://x.com/haveawordpod https://instagram.com/haveawordpod

"Jesus Jeans And Bradley Tanks | The #Waco Siege"
MAD THAT PODCAST @madthatpod.bsky.social
5 Sep 2025 [1:48:22]
#BranchDavidians #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/0iW8BSNuwU_BKb-OFu4j3g

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
8 months ago
EAT, PRAY, CULT! Doomsday cults, AROPL, The Geelong Revival Centre and more! | Eavesdroppin'
EAT, PRAY, CULT! Doomsday cults, AROPL, The Geelong Revival Centre and more! | Eavesdroppin' This week on Eavesdroppin’, Geordie & Michelle look at more cults! Because why not! How many doomsday cults have you heard of? This week, Geordie rattles off a load of them including Heavens Gate, the Branch Davidians, The People’s temple… Plus she discusses the Doomsday Clock and takes a look at a new cult based on an old idea – the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, otherwise known as AROPL. Religion or cult? You decide! Michelle follows with a mini dive into another cult-slash-religion that’s thriving in a non-descript suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The Geelong Revival Centre is one of Australia’s longest running under-the-radar cults that’s now being exposed in the media. Listen now to hear shocking stories of what went on behind closed doors and how emotional survivors of the cult can now tell their stories. So pop on your headphones, grab a brown lemonade and join Geordie & Michelle for this week’s episode, plus chat about Ozzy Osbourne’s death, meeting-a-celeb stories, Jen’s pussy tops and more, only on Eavesdroppin’ podcast. And remember, wherever you are, whatever you do, just keep Eavesdroppin’! *Disclaimer: We don’t claim to have any factual info about anything ever and our opinions are just opinions not fact, sooorrrryyy! Don’t sue us! Please rate, review, tell your friends and subscribe in all the usual places – we love it when you do! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/eavesdroppin (https://www.patreon.com/eavesdroppin) Do write in with your stories at hello@eavesdroppinpodcast.com (mailto:hello@eavesdroppinpodcast.com) or send us a Voice Note! Listen: http://www.eavesdroppinpodcast.com (http://www.eavesdroppinpodcast.com/)orhttps://podfollow.com/eavesdroppin (https://podfollow.com/eavesdroppin) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcuzv-EXizUo4emmt9Pgfw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcuzv-EXizUo4emmt9Pgfw) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eavesdroppinpodcast (https://www.facebook.com/eavesdroppinpodcast) #cults #doomsdaycults #geelongrevivalcentre #AROPL #waco #heavensgate #raelians #prayharder #doomsdayclock #reallife #truestories #eavesdroppin #eavesdroppinpodcast #eavesdroppincomedypodcast #podcast #comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information. Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/28429870?utm_source=youtube (video made with Headliner.app)

"Eat, Pray, #Cult! Doomsday Cults, #AROPL, the #GeelongRevivalCentre & more! | Eavesdrop…"
Eavesdroppin' Podcast
6 Aug 2025 [1:06:05]
#AhmadiReligionOfPeaceAndLight #HeavensGate #BranchDavidians #Waco #Jonestown #PeoplesTemple
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/B3tfaEDD-EOulABHhFu51Q

1 0 0 0
@charliedoessurf.bsky.social
8 months ago
Preview
"Waco Uncensored: The Hidden Hand Behind The Flames" 🔥 Shatter every official narrative about the Waco siege through newly declassified documents, suppressed thermal footage, and explosive whistleblower testimonies. This groundbreaking investigation exposes the dark truth behind the government's deadliest domestic operation. Through enhanced audio recordings, military insider accounts, and recovered evidence, we reveal what really happened during those 51 devastating days. Why were military delta force operators on scene? What explains the unexplained thermal signatures? From botched negotiations to the final inferno, discover how a religious compound became ground zero for the biggest cover-up in federal law enforcement history. Was this a legitimate operation gone wrong, or something far more sinister? Warning: Contains disturbing footage and classified operation details. Experience this shocking revelation in premium audio quality on Spreaker, or listen via Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Tell Alexa to "Play Waco Uncensored on Spreaker" and witness the truth they tried to burn away.

📣 New Podcast! ""Waco Uncensored: The Hidden Hand Behind The Flames"" on @Spreaker #atf #blackops #branchdavidians #conspiracy #conspiracyfiles #davidkoresh #declassifiedfiles #deeppolitics #deepstate #fbifiles #governmentcoverup #governmentcrime #militaryops #operationshowtime #truecrime

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
8 months ago
The Waco Siege or When a Cult Decides to End It All | Full Documentary
The Waco Siege or When a Cult Decides to End It All | Full Documentary "THE WACO SIEGE" / Spring 1993, the small town of Waco, Texas, is in the news: a religious group, the Branch Davidians, have been holed up in a ranch for weeks. The American police are convinced that the group is a cult led by David Koresh, a man with an outstanding arrest warrant. Worse still, the cult is said to possess over 150 weapons and 200,000 rounds of ammunition. Despite repeated negotiations, Koresh refused to surrender, and the "Davidians" remained entrenched in their residence. The authorities feared mass suicide, but they also knew that any intervention could result in a bloodbath. How did negotiations proceed during the 51-day siege? What really happened within the sect and among the authorities? #documentary #society #international A documentary by François TRIBOLET First broadcast : 2019 🌍 Subscribe to 100% True Docs https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCScqEUopEq3fq-JgZAAITsQ/?sub_confirmation=1 🌍 Produced by CAPA Presse

"The #Waco Siege or when a #Cult Decides to end it all | Full Documentary"
100% True Docs | Full Documentaries
25 Jul 2025 [0:52:58]
#BranchDavidians
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/VEhZAOLMTE2FWsGhr9JNIA

0 0 0 0
Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
8 months ago
Cult of Personality: Warren Jeffs
Cult of Personality: Warren Jeffs David Koresh led the Branch Davidians to a deadly standoff in Waco, Texas—but how did he gain such control, and why do some still follow him today? Discover the shocking true story. Uncover the rise and fall of David Koresh, the self-proclaimed "sinful messiah" whose apocalyptic cult transformed a small Texas town into the site of one of the most infamous FBI sieges in American history. This video dives deep into Koresh’s troubled early life, his charismatic takeover of the Branch Davidians, and the disturbing doctrines that led followers to surrender their families, fortunes, and futures. Learn how he manipulated biblical prophecies, imposed radical control—including separating families and marrying underage girls—and amassed a terrifying arsenal in preparation for a foretold apocalypse. Explore the 1993 Waco siege: from the failed ATF raid and intense gun battle to the 51-day standoff and tragic fire that claimed 76 lives, including Koresh himself. Using firsthand accounts, expert commentary, and survivor stories, we trace how Koresh’s extreme beliefs and paranoia culminated in catastrophe. Even decades later, his legacy remains, fueling conspiracy theories and loyal followers convinced of his divinity. If you want to understand how charismatic cult leaders operate, the anatomy of a deadly siege, and the heartbreaking aftermath for survivors, this is the essential deep dive. #TrueCrime #WacoSiege #DavidKoresh #CultLeaders #BranchDavidians #AmericanHistory #FBI #WacoTexas #ReligiousCult #PsychologyOfCults

"#Cult of Personality: #DavidKoresh"
StreamVault
15 Jul 2025 [0:44:49]
#BranchDavidians #Waco
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/ory0C2qcWke90b6kTNmokA

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AmyAlexCA
AmyAlexCA
@amyalexca.bsky.social
8 months ago

Ummm, contemporary US history of #Cultists shows that they are immune to any form of evidence-based New Info that *should* break their psychoses. 😬 #PeoplesTemple #BranchDavidians #MAGACult

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Cult Podcasts
Cult Podcasts
@cultpodcasts.com
9 months ago
How to Know if You’re in a Cult
How to Know if You’re in a Cult YouTube video by Ryan George Extra Plus!

"How to know if you're in a #Cult"
Ryan George Extra Plus! @theryangeorge.bsky.social
27 Jun 2025 [0:11:25]
#NXIVM #BranchDavidians #HeavensGate #Moonies #KennethCopeland #Scientology #7MFilms #KatTorres #CarbonNation
s.cultpodcasts.com/dZ61ZMckkE_5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz0j...

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