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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

Latest episodes

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May 24, 2023 • 59min

Mubin Shaikh, Part 2: 9/11, Reinterpreting Islam, and Going Undercover

In part two of their conversation with deradicalized extremist and former Canadian government operative, Mubin Shaikh, Lola and Meagan dig into Mubin's meet-cute with his now-wife (who was not Muslim when they met), how little she knew about his extremism, why 9/11 was the turning point in his radical beliefs, and his deeper exploration into Islamic texts and interpretations. They discuss how he reached out to the Canadian government after a former acquaintance was arrested for a bomb plot, going undercover to disrupt a terrorist plot by the Toronto 18, the intervention work he's done, and how his work has impacted him emotionally. To learn more about Mubin's work, visit Parents4Peace.org or call 1-844-49-PEACE Trust Me is brought to you by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 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
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May 17, 2023 • 1h 5min

Mubin Shaikh, Part 1: Islamic Extremism, Meeting the Taliban, and Getting Radicalized

Mubin Shaikh, deradicalized Islamic extremist and former security intelligence & counter-terrorism operative, discusses his upbringing balancing secular and Muslim life in Toronto, the party he threw as a young man that made him feel ashamed enough to become more deeply religious, and how an encounter with the Taliban pushed him toward radicalization. He also talks about the structure of Islam and his particular sect, the many complex factors that lead to extremism and terrorism, and the deep dive he did into understanding his own religion. Plus, next week: his process of deradicalization, and going undercover to disrupt a terrorist plot. Check out our great sponsors! Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today at Prose.com/trust  Trust Me is brought to you by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month! Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to Babbel.com/trust 
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May 10, 2023 • 1h 30min

Jennings Brown & Justice - Liana Shanti's Conspiracy Sisterhood

Journalist Jennings Brown returns, this time with a guest who goes by Justice, to talk about a new internet cult leader named Liana Shanti and her social media presence, which targets women with wellness cleanses, women's empowerment, wild conspiracy theories, and grandiose claims about her supernatural powers. They discuss Shanti's followers' pattern of changing their names, accusing family members of abuse without evidence, and suddenly taking their children out of state. Plus, a house in Florida called Destiny Manor where a group of her followers have moved, how Justice's own loved one fell down the rabbit hole, and how survivors are banding together to stop Shanti. Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive Insurance! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 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
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May 3, 2023 • 1h 19min

Kara Goucher - Alberto Salazar and the Nike Oregon Project

Accomplished Olympic runner and The Longest Race author Kara Goucher shares how she and her partner were invited to join the prestigious Nike Oregon Project and coach Alberto Salazar, how Alberto's methods seemed effective at first but became more controlling and inappropriate over time, what led her to become a whistleblower, and the stark contrast she eventually saw with a healthy coaching relationship. Check out our great sponsors! ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 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
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Apr 27, 2023 • 53min

Perfectionism & Purity

No one is perfect. Not even Lola and Meagan. Today the ladies delve into the extreme belief of perfectionism, its connection to purity culture, Lola and Meagan's firsthand experience with OCD and religious trauma, how to address your inner cult leader, the intersectionality with cancel culture, and the importance of staying connected to those with extreme beliefs. Trust Me is brought to you by Prose! Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order at Prose.com/trust  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
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Apr 19, 2023 • 1h 10min

Robert Fitzpatrick - The History of MLMs

Time to level up. MLM expert and author of Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing, Robert Fitzpatrick, discusses the history of MLMs including why they took off in the 80s, their connection to the American Dream and economic inequality, the biggest scams he's seen over the years, how MLMs disconnect people from their identities, and what we can do about it if its happening to someone we love. Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive! Learn more about Robert's work at https://www.pyramidschemealert.org/  Support victim survivors and prevent further abuse at https://voicesforthetruth.org/ 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
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Apr 12, 2023 • 56min

Priscilla Tucker, Part 2: Escaping the Kingstons, Forced Rehab, and a Billion Dollar Tax Fraud

In the second half of their conversation with Kingston Clan survivor Priscilla Tucker, Lola and Meagan learn more about the leader of the group, why being sent to a bad kid camp turned out to be a positive experience for Priscilla, and how she worked for billion-dollar fraudster Jacob Kingston, ultimately helping the FBI take him down. Plus, how Priscilla ended up finally getting out of the group, thanks to the show Escaping Polygamy (and Lola's mom!). Check out our great sponsors! Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to Babbel.com/trust  Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 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
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Apr 5, 2023 • 51min

Priscilla Tucker, Part 1: The Kingstons, Polygamy, and a Cousin Engagement

Priscilla Tucker, friend of the show and survivor of Mormon-offshoot polygamist group the Kingstons, talks about the origins of the group and how it differs from other polygamist sects, why so many members become doctors and lawyers, and her upbringing, including how she began working for pennies from the age of 8. They also discuss the leader of the group, its history of incest and underage marriages, and her brief underage engagement to her first cousin. Check out our amazing sponsors!!! Thrive Causemetics: Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE! Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 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
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Mar 29, 2023 • 1h 17min

Adam Levin - Romance Scams, Hackers, & Protecting Your Identity

Have you been scammed? Lola and Meagan have... and one of them was even part of one. What the Hack podcast host Adam Levin joins Trust Me to chat about phishing, romance scams that target the elderly, social engineering, who the scammers ARE, and tips on how to protect your identity online. 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
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Mar 22, 2023 • 1h 14min

Zacch Comfort, Part 2: The Bride of Christ Church, and an Important Story From Lola

Zacch Comfort, survivor of Bride of Christ Church, discusses extreme control tactics of the group, including violence, child separation, and sexual abuse. Lola shares her experience with a man who was arrested for serial rape. The podcast urges victims to come forward and highlights disturbing events within the church. Zacch's life now working in a psychiatric hospital is also discussed.

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