Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

Professor, survivor of The Field, and author of Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult, Michelle Dowd, discusses growing up in the cult founded by her grandfather in the 1930s, how it started as an after school program for boys and evolved into something more sinister, the wild claims that her grandfather made, traveling to perform plays while serving as a magician's assistant and poodle conductor, how children were trained to talk to authorities and outsiders, and being taught to prioritize survival above all else. Learn more about Michelle's work here! https://mdowd.substack.com Follow Michelle here! https://www.instagram.com/michelledowdz Check out our great sponsors! Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Shopify: Run your own business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme  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: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two formerly closeted religious men, Thomas and Micah, share how they came out to their families and left their beliefs behind. Thomas talks about going on a Mormon mission as a gay man, Micah shares how learning about scientology was a turning point in his life, the group shares their thoughts on #DISNEYADULTS, and Thomas and Michah give their advice to anyone struggling with their sexuality and religion. Check out our great sponsors! MasterClass: Get Two Memberships for the Price of One at MasterClass.com/trust - Offer terms apply.  Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! 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: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One is a former Mormon. The other was a child of evangelical missionaries teaching a doctrine called Accelerated Christian Education. Both of them were closeted gay men growing up in strict religious households. Today, Thomas and Micah share about their upbringings, how they met working at Disneyland (a type of cult unto itself), the personalized Book of Mormon that Thomas bought for Micah, and growing up in cultures that stigmatize homosexuality. Check out great sponsors! Shopify: Run your own busines? Sign up for a $1 per-month trial period at shopify.com/trust   Progressive: Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself! NEED GIFT IDEAS?? 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: @TrustMeCultPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musician and former FLDS member, Marji Mozart, discusses her wedding day as an underage bride who had never been taught about sex, her multiple marriages including one to her sister's husband, the pain of feeling that her dreams of becoming a musician were dead, how spending time in the hospital with her child led staff to suspect that she was in an unhealthy relationship, and how she eventually left rekindled her life of pursuing music. Check out our holiday deals! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust for 10% off your first month! MasterClass: Give One Annual Membership and Get One Free at MasterClass.com/trust  ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself! NEED GIFT IDEAS?? 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.

Musician and former FLDS member, Marji Mozart, shares about her childhood in Colorado City, living with a rebellious mother within a high control community, how she dreamed of being a musician instead of someone's wife, getting married to a grown man when she was only 17, and how that impacted her relationship with her mom. Check out our holiday sponsors!! Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Shopify: Run your own busines? Sign up for a $1 per-month trial period at shopify.com/trust  Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! NEED GIFT IDEAS?? 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: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lola's friend, actor, artist, director, and the next Bob Ross, Barak Hardley talks about his previous life as an evangelical pastor, getting kicked out of the church, and transitioning to life as an actor in LA. Lola and Barak dive into the philosophy of art, the creative process, skepticism, self reflection, and how art can inform your beliefs about the world. Give the gift of MasterClass! Get TWO memberships FOR THE PRICE OF ONE at MasterClass.com/trust  Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! NEED GIFT IDEAS?? 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.

Annie Taylor, Executive Producer of Discovery's The Garden: Commune or Cult, shares about her time living in an off the grid community that went viral on TikTok for accusations of being a cult and disturbing allegations about a cat. Annie tells how she and the crew showed up and gradually earned the trust of the community, filming on one of the group's properties with a fascinating cast of characters, dumpster diving as their primary food source, surviving a tornado without proper shelter, their attempts at a leaderless society, the founder's connection to Rainbow Gatherings... and whether or not The Garden is actually a cult! Check out our holiday sponsors! Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme   Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! 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 CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch   INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist Alice Hines and former Twin Flames Universe member Lorraine, both featured in the Amazon docuseries Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe, discuss the online community that was Twin Flame Ascension, what attracted people to it, how founders Jeff and Shaleia became more controlling and abusive over time, why encouragement to pursue one's twin flame sometimes led to restraining orders, the group's MLM-like structure, why you couldn't always choose your own twin flame, and their use of gender identity coercion. Check out our great sponsors! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! ZocDoc: Need a doctor? Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! 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 CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Members of the Duggar family, former cast members of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, and Counting The Cost authors, Jill Duggar Dillard & Derick Dill discuss the family's involvement in the very strict Institute in Basic Life Principles, what it was like being on TV at such a young age, how her dad (Jim Bob) convinced the family that the show served the ministry of their church, how none of the kids got paid while he made millions, Jill and Derick having their first date on camera, how she was tricked into signing a contract that she didn't know existed, the inherent coercive nature of being on a reality show, why the show was rebranded after concealed records were illegally released publicly describing abuse that she experienced without her consent, the Megan Kelly interview she was pressured into doing, how outing people's trauma against their will can be re-traumatizing, and if Jill has hope of reconnecting with her family. Check out our great sponsors! Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/trust  Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping and 365-day returns! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive! 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 CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psychologist Marlene Winell talks about the negative impacts of religion, authoritarian structures of religion leading to trauma, emotional rejection of rational understanding, and finding new meaning after leaving a religion.