Mile Higher 371: The Self-Help Guru’s Sweat Lodge That Became a Crime Scene
Nov 28, 2025
01:36:16
For many, the landmark 2006 documentary The Secret was their first introduction to new age spiritualism and the law of attraction. This turned many of the Self-Help gurus featured in the documentary into overnight celebrities, including James Arthur Ray. From his “rockstar,” style seminars and in your face attitude, James rose to prominence by giving his attendees immense challenges, pushing them to breakthrough. But when a sweat lodge ran by James killed three people, the question remained: was he at fault? Did his teachings lead to this? Would he ever face justice or apologize?
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Intro 0:00
What Happened All Those Years Ago? 1:18
Charging for Help 2:56
James' Early Life 6:22
World Traveler or Good Liar? 10:24
Awestruck 13:58
Good Money in Self Help 23:23
Early Signs of Trouble 30:32
The Secret 32:24
James' First Taste of the Spotlight 43:54
Delusions of Grandeur 50:19
Becoming a Cult 55:21
The Sweat Lodge 58:48
How it All Happened 1:06:12
Immediate Aftermath 1:13:48
No Leg to Stand On 1:20:05
James' Return 1:26:56
A Sudden End 1:28:40
Final Thoughts & Outro 1:32:44
Mile Higher Media website: https://milehigher.com/
Higher Hope Foundation: https://www.higherhope.org/
Mile Higher Merch: milehigher.shop
Check out our other podcasts!
The Sesh https://bit.ly/3Mtoz4X
Lights Out https://bit.ly/3n3Gaoe
Planet Sleep https://linktr.ee/planetsleep
Join our official FB group! https://bit.ly/3kQbAxg
MHP YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qaDWGf
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You can follow us on all the things: @milehigherpod
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MileHigher
Hosts:
Kendall: @kendallraeonyt
IG: http://instagram.com/kendallraeonyt
YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/kendallsplace
Josh: @milehigherjosh
IG: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherjosh
Producers:
Janelle: @janelle_fields_
IG: https://www.instagram.com/janelle_fields_/
Ian: @ifarme
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ifarme/
Tom: @tomfoolery_photo
IG: / tomfoolery_photo
Podcast sponsor inquires: adops@audioboom.com
✉ Send Us Mail ✉
Kendall Rae & Josh Thomas
8547 E Arapahoe Rd Ste J # 233
Greenwood Village, CO 80112
Music By: Mile Higher Boys
YT: https://bit.ly/2Q7N5QO
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0F4ik...
Sources: https://pastebin.com/yn8M6krg
The creator hosts a documentary series for educational purposes (EDSA). These include authoritative sources such as interviews, newspaper articles, and TV news reporting meant to educate and memorialize notable cases in our history. Videos come with an editorial and artistic value.
Support Our Sponsors:
AuraFrames: https://www.auraframes.com/milehigher USE PROMO CODE: MILEHIGHER
DripDrop: https://www.dripdrop.com USE PROMO CODE: MILEHIGHER
ButcherBox: https://butcherbox.com/milehigher
Upwork: https://upwork.com
RocketMoney: https://rocketmoney.com/milehigher
Intro 0:00
What Happened All Those Years Ago? 1:18
Charging for Help 2:56
James' Early Life 6:22
World Traveler or Good Liar? 10:24
Awestruck 13:58
Good Money in Self Help 23:23
Early Signs of Trouble 30:32
The Secret 32:24
James' First Taste of the Spotlight 43:54
Delusions of Grandeur 50:19
Becoming a Cult 55:21
The Sweat Lodge 58:48
How it All Happened 1:06:12
Immediate Aftermath 1:13:48
No Leg to Stand On 1:20:05
James' Return 1:26:56
A Sudden End 1:28:40
Final Thoughts & Outro 1:32:44
Mile Higher Media website: https://milehigher.com/
Higher Hope Foundation: https://www.higherhope.org/
Mile Higher Merch: milehigher.shop
Check out our other podcasts!
The Sesh https://bit.ly/3Mtoz4X
Lights Out https://bit.ly/3n3Gaoe
Planet Sleep https://linktr.ee/planetsleep
Join our official FB group! https://bit.ly/3kQbAxg
MHP YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qaDWGf
Are You Subscribed On Apple Podcast & Spotify?!
Support MHP by leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcast :) https://apple.co/2H4kh58
MHP Topic Request Form: https://forms.gle/gUeTEzL9QEh4Hqz88
You can follow us on all the things: @milehigherpod
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MileHigher
Hosts:
Kendall: @kendallraeonyt
IG: http://instagram.com/kendallraeonyt
YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/kendallsplace
Josh: @milehigherjosh
IG: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherjosh
Producers:
Janelle: @janelle_fields_
IG: https://www.instagram.com/janelle_fields_/
Ian: @ifarme
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ifarme/
Tom: @tomfoolery_photo
IG: / tomfoolery_photo
Podcast sponsor inquires: adops@audioboom.com
✉ Send Us Mail ✉
Kendall Rae & Josh Thomas
8547 E Arapahoe Rd Ste J # 233
Greenwood Village, CO 80112
Music By: Mile Higher Boys
YT: https://bit.ly/2Q7N5QO
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0F4ik...
Sources: https://pastebin.com/yn8M6krg
The creator hosts a documentary series for educational purposes (EDSA). These include authoritative sources such as interviews, newspaper articles, and TV news reporting meant to educate and memorialize notable cases in our history. Videos come with an editorial and artistic value.