Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

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Jul 7, 2021 • 1h 19min

Hoyt Richards - From Supermodel to Cult Member

Episode 38: What do you model your life after? For producer, actor, and former supermodel Hoyt Richards, it was the teachings of a charming man from Nantucket who spoke about the impending apocalypse and a distant star named Arcturus. Hoyt shares how he was indoctrinated into the Eternal Values cult as his modeling career was taking off, what he describes as "cultic relationships," and how Fabio (yes, that Fabio) was involved in his recovery. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jun 30, 2021 • 51min

April Snow - Scientology & the Sea Org, Part 2: Leaving & The Aftermath

Episode 37: In part two of Trust Me's first interview with a former Scientologist, April Snow shares her thoughts on how the church treats drug and alcohol addiction, the fallout from her appearance on Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, and the division it caused within her family. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jun 23, 2021 • 55min

April Snow - Scientology & the Sea Org, Part 1: The LA Celebrity Centre

Episode 36: This one is sure to stimulate your thetans. Trust Me's first former Scientologist guest, April Snow, talks about growing up in the church, living in the LA Celebrity Centre as a child, and joining the infamous Sea Organization at age 15—and what it was like when her loved ones disconnected from her. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jun 16, 2021 • 1h 5min

Brian Holoyda - Folie à Deux & Shared Delusions

Episode 35: Can delusional beliefs be passed on to others? Forensic psychiatrist Brian Holoyda discusses the science of shared psychotic disorders (also known as folie à deux), how cult beliefs can mimic this phenomenon, and why Qanon doesn't necessarily count as a delusion. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jun 9, 2021 • 1h 2min

Danny Gold & Sean Williams - Mafias & Organized Crime

Episdoe 34: From the Burmese mafia to Nigeria's Black Axe, journalists and hosts of The Underworld Podcast Danny Gold and Sean Williams compare the world's mafias, cults, and organized crime groups. They discuss their most harrowing reporting experiences, what groups they've been the most fascinated by, and the parallels between mafias and cults. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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May 26, 2021 • 1h 4min

Taylor Brown - Tech CEOs

Episode 32: Charisma. Grand Ideas. Unchecked narcissism. What's stopping the world's tech CEOs from becoming our new 21st century cult leaders? Former corporate executive Taylor Brown joins Lola & Meagan to discuss all things WeWork, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, group retreats - and the psychology of corporate culture. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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May 19, 2021 • 1h 10min

Dianne Lake - The Manson Family, Part 2: The Tate-LaBianca Murders

Episode 31: Lola and Meagan dive deeper with Dianne Lake, aka “Snake,” the youngest member of the Manson family, and her co-author Deborah Herman. They discuss the LSD-fueled lifestyle on Spahn Ranch, Charles Manson's connection to the Beach Boys, his obsession with an impending race war, and how Dianne learned about the Tate-LaBianca murders--and the legal and psychological repercussions she endured. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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May 12, 2021 • 1h 6min

Dianne Lake – The Manson Family, Part 1: Meeting Charlie

Episode 30: You’re a teenage girl in the late 60s, bouncing between communes, when a charismatic man and his group of young women welcome you with open arms. You were looking for a family, and now you’ve found one. In part one of an incredible interview, Dianne Lake, aka “Snake,” and her co-author Deborah Herman discuss growing up in 1960s counter-culture, the dark side of the sexual revolution, and what it was like becoming the youngest member of Charles Manson’s family. Stay tuned next week for part two, in which she tells Lola & Meagan how she learned about the murders! If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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May 5, 2021 • 53min

Janja Lalich - Democratic Workers Party and Bounded Choice in Cults

Episode 29: How far would you go for your ideals? Sociologist and author Janja Lalich chats with Lola and Meagan about her time in the 70s as part of a radical Marxist-Leninist group called the Democratic Workers Party, how she became a high-ranking member, and the toll it took on her personal relationships. They discuss how to tell the difference between a legitimate political group and one that’s leaning into cult territory, what “bounded choice” means, and red flags to look out for in any relationship. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Apr 28, 2021 • 1h 19min

Avital Ash - Orthodox Judaism

Episode 28: Traditions! Are they helpful customs that keep us connected to our history? Or can they become too rigid and hinder the personal and intellectual growth of those who observe them? Comedian/actor/director Avital Ash joins Lola & Meagan to dive into what it was like growing up practicing Orthodox Judaism, internalizing shame about her womanhood, and forging her own path as an adult. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalolaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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