Dark History 190: The Mysterious Cult Leader Who Inspired Jonestown - Father Divine
Nov 26, 2025
01:07:42
Hi, friends! Happy Wednesday!
What if I told you that one of the most influential... and mysterious cult leaders in American history is someone most people have never heard of?
And that Jim Jones himself, yes Jonestown Jim Jones, got many of his ideas from same guy?
Today, we’re diving into the wild and complicated story of Father Divine—the charismatic leader behind the Peace Mission Movement, a man who inspired millions, shaped pieces of the civil rights era, built entire communities from the ground up… and also demanded unwavering loyalty that crossed more than a few lines.
This isn’t your typical cult story. It’s part spiritual revolution, part empire-building, part “wait, WHAT?!” And somehow still a chapter of American history no one talks about. And we should because it brings up an interesting question...
Where’s the line between a movement that helps people… and one that controls them? And at what point does something become a cult?
Let’s get into the Dark History of Father Divine.
And when you're done... go check out my MMM episode about Jonestown: https://audioboom.com/posts/8164237-jonestown-massacre-apocalyptic-cult-who-was-jim-jones
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RECOMMEND A STORY HERE: cases4bailey@gmail.com
Business Related Emails: bailey@underscoretalent.com
Business Related Mail: Bailey Sarian 4400 W. Riverside Dr., Ste 110-300 Burbank, CA 91505
________
This podcast is Executive Produced by: Bailey Sarian and Joey Scavuzzo
Head Writer: Allyson Philobos
Senior Writer: Katie Burris
Research provided by: Xander Elmore
Additional research by: Dr. Thomas Messersmith
Special thank you to our Historical Consultant: Poulomi Saha, Professor at UC Berkeley who writes and teaches about our cultural obsession with cults.
Director: Brian Jaggers
Edited by: Julien Perez
Additional Editing: Maria Norris
Hair: Angel Gonzalez
Makeup: Nikki la Rose
________
Stop putting off those doctor's appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/DARKHISTORY to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. That’s Zocdoc.com/DARKHISTORY.
For a limited time, visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code DARKHISTORY at checkout. Support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions apply.
MasterClass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to MASTERCLASS.com/DARKHISTORY for the current offer.
Get started today at StitchFix.com/darkhistory to get $20 off your first order—and they’ll waive your styling fee. That’s StitchFix.com/darkhistory.
________
What if I told you that one of the most influential... and mysterious cult leaders in American history is someone most people have never heard of?
And that Jim Jones himself, yes Jonestown Jim Jones, got many of his ideas from same guy?
Today, we’re diving into the wild and complicated story of Father Divine—the charismatic leader behind the Peace Mission Movement, a man who inspired millions, shaped pieces of the civil rights era, built entire communities from the ground up… and also demanded unwavering loyalty that crossed more than a few lines.
This isn’t your typical cult story. It’s part spiritual revolution, part empire-building, part “wait, WHAT?!” And somehow still a chapter of American history no one talks about. And we should because it brings up an interesting question...
Where’s the line between a movement that helps people… and one that controls them? And at what point does something become a cult?
Let’s get into the Dark History of Father Divine.
And when you're done... go check out my MMM episode about Jonestown: https://audioboom.com/posts/8164237-jonestown-massacre-apocalyptic-cult-who-was-jim-jones
________
FOLLOW ME AROUND
Tik Tok: https://bit.ly/3e3jL9v
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2nbO4PR
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2mdZtK6
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2yT4BLV
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2mVpXnY
Youtube: http://bit.ly/1HGw3Og
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3IVnO7N
Snapchat: https://bit.ly/3cC0V9d
Discord: https://discord.gg/BaileySarian
RECOMMEND A STORY HERE: cases4bailey@gmail.com
Business Related Emails: bailey@underscoretalent.com
Business Related Mail: Bailey Sarian 4400 W. Riverside Dr., Ste 110-300 Burbank, CA 91505
________
This podcast is Executive Produced by: Bailey Sarian and Joey Scavuzzo
Head Writer: Allyson Philobos
Senior Writer: Katie Burris
Research provided by: Xander Elmore
Additional research by: Dr. Thomas Messersmith
Special thank you to our Historical Consultant: Poulomi Saha, Professor at UC Berkeley who writes and teaches about our cultural obsession with cults.
Director: Brian Jaggers
Edited by: Julien Perez
Additional Editing: Maria Norris
Hair: Angel Gonzalez
Makeup: Nikki la Rose
________
Stop putting off those doctor's appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/DARKHISTORY to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. That’s Zocdoc.com/DARKHISTORY.
For a limited time, visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code DARKHISTORY at checkout. Support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions apply.
MasterClass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to MASTERCLASS.com/DARKHISTORY for the current offer.
Get started today at StitchFix.com/darkhistory to get $20 off your first order—and they’ll waive your styling fee. That’s StitchFix.com/darkhistory.
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