

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

Nov 18, 2020 • 1h 18min
Noël Wells - Scam Psychic Retreat
Episode 7: The girls interview filmmaker, musician, and actress Noël Wells about her experience going to a weekend retreat with a celebrity psychic - and eventually realizing she'd been scammed. Plus: an update on how Noël confronted the "psychic" after the initial interview. 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.

Nov 11, 2020 • 56min
India Oxenberg - NXIVM
Episode 6: Lola and Meagan interview India Oxenberg, former member of NXIVM and star of Seduced, now on Starz. They discuss EMs, the group's grooming tactics, her feelings on Allison Mack, and what it was like to face Keith Raniere in court. 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.

Nov 4, 2020 • 1h 6min
Steve Hassan - The Moonies, Trump, and QAnon
Episode 5: Lola and Meagan interview cult expert Steven Hassan on his experience joining the Moonies in the 70s, his book The Cult of Trump, what Trump has in common with cult leaders, how modern cult indoctrination happens online, and how to respond if someone in your life has fallen victim to QAnon. Follow Steve Hassan on Twitter: @cultexpert 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.

Oct 27, 2020 • 1h
Esther & Lori - Current FLDS Members
Episode 4: The girls interview Esther and Lori, two current members of the FLDS - aka Fundamentalist Mormons - who grew up in Short Creek, the polygamist community. They discuss how the community has changed since their prophet went to prison, and why families in the community are getting evicted from their homes. They also talk about what it's like to grow up with two mothers, raise eleven kids, and enter into - and exit out of - an arranged marriage. Plus: Esther's daughter's love for one special pop singer. 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.

Oct 20, 2020 • 1h 2min
Will Allen - Buddhafield
Episode 3: The girls interview Will Allen, director of the documentary Holy Hell, about his time in Buddhafield, the 80s New Age cult. They discuss how he lived with the group's guru for years, putting on performances, receiving the "Knowing," and filming everything--all while dealing with abuse. Follow Will on Instagram: @will_allen405 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.

Oct 13, 2020 • 1h 1min
Moses Storm - Andrea Yates's Cult
Episode 2: The girls interview Moses Storm about his experiences in a cult as a child. They discuss what it was like to live in a bus, deal with poverty, and try to convert adults to his religion, run by Andrea Yates's religious leader. 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.

Oct 7, 2020 • 1h 14min
Lola's Mom - Mormon-Offshoot Cult
Episode 1: Lola and Meagan interview Christine Marie, Lola's mom, about her and Lola's experiences believing in a self-proclaimed Mormon prophet. They discuss how they came to believe in him, their separation from each other, Christine's harrowing trafficking experience, and Lola's childhood memories of Keith Raniere from NXIVM. 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.

Oct 2, 2020 • 49sec
Trust Me Trailer
TRAILER: A podcast about cults, extreme belief, and abuse of power - from two hosts who've actually lived it. Hosted by Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.