Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

Aliia Roza, a former Russian secret agent known for her work in sex espionage, unveils her harrowing journey from a strict upbringing to covert operations. She shares chilling tales of her training at a 'brainwashing school', where manipulation tactics were ingrained. Roza reflects on the duality of her experiences, learning to survive through seduction while grappling with past trauma. With an emphasis on self-love and genuine connections, she aims to empower women seeking love amid a society rife with coercion and abuse.

Lawyer, advocate, podcaster, writer, and the reason you know about Adnan Syed from Serial, Rabia Chaudry, talks about her experience advocating for him, what it was like entering the true crime world, why Adnan is free now, what disappointed her about the coverage of his story, her work in CVE (countering violent extremism), how any group or religion is capable of becoming fundamentalist or extreme, why extremism is not a strictly Muslim problem, and the power of story to change people's minds. Check out our great sponsors!! Quince: Get warm weather ready at Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order AND 365 day returns! ZocDoc: Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme Aura: Get a 14 day trial PLUS a check of your data ALL FOR FREE at Aura.com/trust BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we chat with Jessica Kahn, former member of a group we're calling "The Narrow Road." She'll tell us about being born into this isolated fundamentalist Christian sect that was originally formed as an addiction treatment program, the leader's connection to the founders of AA, how every part of life was strictly controlled, how they believed that the end of the world would happen on Y2K, the leader's systematic physical abuse, and the violent incident that finally led her to leave. Check out our great sponsors!! Care for your hair with PROSE! Get 50% off your first subscription order at Prose.com/trust PLUS get your FREE consultation! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Madi Stroud, daughter of late cult leader Amy Carlson, discusses her childhood, Amy's cult Love Has Won, and the impact on followers. They talk about the growth of the cult, the role of 'Father God', Amy's decline, and the difficulty of watching her health deteriorate. The episode delves into family secrets, emotional turmoil, and the aftermath of Amy's involvement in the cult.

Dr. Inna Kanevsky, psychologist, debunks pseudoscience in psychology TikToks and calls out popular psychology figures for peddling misinformation. She highlights the dangers of self-diagnosis, challenges with mental health labels, and the pain of changing beliefs. They discuss psychology cults, trauma theories, and the importance of critical thinking in navigating psychological theories.

Today is part two with Warren Kohl, former member and religious leader within the 2x2s (Meagan's secretive childhood group that technically has no name). Today we'll hear how Warren left behind his dreams of medical school to become a "worker" (a minister who stays in people's homes). He'll talk about the pressure to speak with some kind of authority, how he was scolded for genuinely trying to connect with the members, being told to stay out of a domestic violence situation within the group, how his mental health deteriorated, how he finally left, and his message to those still in the religion. Check out our great sponsors!! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme  Need a place? Check out Apartments.com - THE place to find a place! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warren Kohl, former minister in the 2x2's, shares his devout upbringing, life control, and celibacy. He discusses heartbreak leading to deeper commitment, intense indoctrination as a child, fear of hell, and pressure to convert others within the group. Reflects on childhood isolation, perfection pressures, and emotional struggles with strict religious teachings and salvation rituals.

Psychologist, trauma bond expert, and author of Run Like Hell: A Therapist's Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds, Nadine Macaluso share about her relationship with ex-husband Jordan Belfort (aka The Wolf of Wall Street) and how it led her to become a therapist with a focus on trauma bonds. They also discuss "mind mapping", intermittent reinforcement, the difference between intensity and intimacy, the three phases of trauma bonds and how violence can play into them, why Nadine uses the term "pathological lover" instead of narcissist, how to tell if you're currently in a trauma bond, and green flags that are the sign of a healthy relationship. Check out our great sponsors! Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch  Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two with Zoe and Lilly, survivors of Midwest Academy, one of the abusive troubled teen programs in the same organization that was spotlighted in the docuseries The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping, we dig deeper into Lily’s experience. She’ll tell us how she was in solitary confinement for two months, and how her reaction was to rebel in any way she could. We’ll get into how they both left, and how no one believed them for years - in some cases, up until just last month - how this was and still is a multi-billion dollar industry, and where they’re both at in their healing journey. Trust me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Learn more about WWASP awareness below: https://icapanetwork.org/  https://wwaspsurvivors.com/  CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch   Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survivors of the infamous WWASP schools, Zoe & Lillian, share about their experiences being forced to join Ivy Ridge, Midwest Academy, and Casa by the Sea; All schools featured in the current Netflix docudrama, The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping. Lola & Meagan dig into how these programs were marketed to parents, the dramatic ways Zoe & Lillian were brought to the facilities as teenagers, the levels inside the program that were impossible to climb, how they could only communicate with their eyes, and how they were kept from their families. Check out our great sponsors!! Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme  ZocDoc: Need a doctor? Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch  Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.