Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts
Trust Me is a weekly interview podcast about cults, extreme belief, and the fine line between devotion and delusion—told through firsthand accounts from the people who lived it. Hosted by two women who’ve been in cults themselves, Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth, the show features survivors from groups like Heaven’s Gate, the Manson Family, NXIVM, OneTaste and more–sharing personal stories of how they got in, how they got out, and everything in between.
Each week, they invite these guests alongside experts who can dive deep into seductive leaders, the darker aspects of organized religion, and the subtler shades of groupthink and the psychology of influence. Trust Me explores it all with unfiltered honesty, dark humor, and a lot of heart. This isn’t a sensationalized deep dive into cults—it’s a compassionate, first-person exploration of what it means to believe, to belong, and to break free. At the end of the day, wanting to believe in something bigger than yourself is one of the most human instincts there is.
Each week, they invite these guests alongside experts who can dive deep into seductive leaders, the darker aspects of organized religion, and the subtler shades of groupthink and the psychology of influence. Trust Me explores it all with unfiltered honesty, dark humor, and a lot of heart. This isn’t a sensationalized deep dive into cults—it’s a compassionate, first-person exploration of what it means to believe, to belong, and to break free. At the end of the day, wanting to believe in something bigger than yourself is one of the most human instincts there is.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 13min
David Farrier - Conspiracies, Cults, and Investigating Arise Church
This week, Trust Me is joined by David Farrier, journalist and filmmaker known for documentaries like Tickled and Netflix series Dark Tourist. He shares about his work studying strange subcultures and conspiracy theorists and what he’s learned along the way, and then dives into his investigation into Arise Church, the largest megachurch in New Zealand.David explains how his interviews with ex members revealed the church’s systemic pattern of exploiting harrowing unpaid internships--with work hours that led to multiple members having mental breakdowns. He discusses the financial exploitation and sexual assault cover-ups that occurred, how it all got exposed, and what became of the church. Plus: a couple of tangents, including one about Hell House, the Christian church-run haunted house that simulates hell to scare you into joining. SOURCES Webworm Flightless Bird PodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
13 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 2min
Jess Rothschild - SoulCycle and the Cult of Spinning
Join Jess Rothschild, creator of the podcast Cult of Body and Soul, as she dives into the phenomenon of SoulCycle. She explores the company's origins, revealing how it was designed to create an almost religious experience. Jess highlights the cultural impact of charismatic instructors and the social hierarchies formed within classes. From the spirituality infused in rides to the corporate takeover that changed everything, she shares her journey from devoted fan to critical observer, reflecting on the addiction and euphoria of spinning.
Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 11min
REWIND: Elana Auerbach - OneTaste (aka the Orgasm Cult)
Elana Auerbach, a former close associate of OneTaste, shares her compelling journey through the organization's early days. She details the development of Orgasmic Meditation and the intense charisma of its founder, Nicole. Elana reveals how emotional manipulation was embedded in the practice, recounting her experiences with coercion and pledge to pursue demos. A moment of clarity led her to recognize exploitation within the group. Now, she emphasizes the importance of trusting one's body and slowing down to regain personal power after such experiences.
Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 4min
REWIND: Felicia Rosario and Daniel Levin - Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 15min
Theo Pratt - Blue Dresses, Smacking Ladies, and an Isolated Compound: Surviving Gloriavale
This week’s guest is Theo Pratt, survivor of Gloriavale, an isolated Christian cult hidden deep in rural New Zealand, and author of Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale. She’ll talk about being raised on the strictly controlled commune where people were assigned new names, women wore identical dresses and head coverings, and children weren’t taught the real days of the week—or even where they were in the world.Theo shares about the leader Neville Cooper’s self-proclaimed divine authority, how “smacking ladies” kept the kids in line—and guards kept the compound controlled, and her rebellious streak that led her to planning an escape attempt on a tandem bicycle. And of course, the moment she realized she couldn’t stay, and what it felt like to step into the outside world she’d been taught would destroy her. SOURCES: Unveiled: A Story of Surviving GloriavaleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 10, 2025 • 50min
Renee DiResta - Part 2: Pseudo-Events, More on Disinformation, and Telling Fact From Fiction
Renee DiResta, professor and author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality, joins the show again to dive deeper into disinformation, propaganda, and "pseudo-events," or manufactured controversies and news stories.She explains why it’s so difficult to tell fact from fiction online, how propagandists stoke real, often legitimate tensions to create division, how American politicians are amplifying false information instead of shutting it down, and possible policies that could help reduce our culty social media silos.SOURCES Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-events in AmericaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 3, 2025 • 52min
Renee DiResta - Part 1: Propaganda, Disinformation, and Bespoke Realities
This week’s guest is Renee DiResta, professor, and author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality. In part one this week, she talks to Lola and Meagan about propaganda, disinformation vs. misinformation, and how social media algorithms push us all into highly individualized, “bespoke” realities.They discuss how she became interested in this topic after social media algorithms started suggesting anti-vaxxer content to her, how rage bait and other emotionally charged material spreads faster, and why social media makes it seem like other people have more extreme views than the majority of them actually do.SOURCES Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into RealitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 44min
Mike & Abbi Prussack – Part 2: Predators in Power, Institutional Denial, and the Fight to Expose It
Mike Prussack and Abbi Prussack, former members of the 2x2 church, share their insights on institutional abuse and community organizing. They discuss the alarming scale of abuse within the organization, revealing over a thousand perpetrators. The couple highlights the culture of secrecy enforced by church leadership and the ongoing FBI investigation into these abuses. With a focus on supporting victims, they emphasize the importance of speaking out and the complexities faced by those leaving the church. Their perspective sheds light on a collective reckoning.
8 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 47min
Mike & Abbi Prussack - Part 1: A Church with No Name, Isolated Childhoods, and Doomsday Fear
Mike Prussack and Abby Prussack, former members of the secretive 2x2 church, share their compelling journey from isolation to awakening. They discuss their strict upbringing with rigid clothing rules and the church's unique worker system. The couple also reveals how a single question about prayer shattered their faith, leading to self-discovery and identity rebuilding. With insights into the ambiguous teachings and deep-seated fears within the community, their story is both harrowing and enlightening.
22 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 11min
Tim Squirrell - Incels, Redpill, and the Manosphere
Tim Squirrel, a researcher focused on the manosphere and online male communities, joins the hosts to explore the dark underbelly of incel culture and radicalization. He discusses how isolation leaves boys vulnerable to harmful internet subcultures, like the redpill and MGTOW movements. Tim explains how influential figures like Andrew Tate monetize misogyny while attracting young men searching for identity. He also highlights the mental health risks within these communities and offers advice on how to engage with and support those who may be drawn into these extremist spaces.
