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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
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A podcast about cults, extreme belief, and manipulation – from two hosts who’ve actually lived it. Hosted by Lola Blanc and... more

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Episodes

Carolyn Costin - The Link Between Cults and Eating Disorders

FOR OUR 200th EPISODE, we are joined by eating disorder therapist, author, and expert Carolyn Costin to discuss her own... more

18 Dec 2024 · 1 hour, 24 minutes
Yoni Shrira, Part 2 - Hard Labor, Isolation, Running Away, and a Dark Legacy

Today is part 2 of our interview with Yoni Shrira, former student at the Family Foundation School, also known as... more

11 Dec 2024 · 1 hour, 6 minutes
Yoni Shrira, Part 1 - The Family Foundation School, Troubled Teens, and Snitching Culture

Today our guest is Yoni Shrira, friend of the show and survivor of the Family Foundation School, a troubled teen... more

27 Nov 2024 · 54 minutes
Tory Hess - From Second Life to Wilderness Commune

Today our guest is Tory Hess, former member of a small rural group in upstate New York she calls Crazyland.... more

21 Nov 2024 · 1 hour, 26 minutes
REWIND: Jay Van Bavel - Groupthink, Social Identity, and Cult Psychology

Groups!... I did it again. Jay Van Bavel, NYU Associate Professor of Psychology and Neural Science, Director of the Social... more

14 Nov 2024 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Bethany Joy Lenz - One Tree Hill, a Secret Cult, and Living a Double Life

Today our guest is actor, musician, and now author Bethany Joy Lenz, whom we will just call Joy. Joy was... more

06 Nov 2024 · 1 hour, 22 minutes
Anne - Psychosis, Delusions, & the Cult of Your Own Mind

Today, our guest is a friend who we'll call Anne. We discuss the connection between psychosis and cults, the mental... more

31 Oct 2024 · 59 minutes
REWIND: Jitarth Jadeja - Former QAnon Believer

Episode 15: Lola and Meagan interview Jitarth Jadeja, former QAnon believer. He tells the girls about how, despite being Australian,... more

23 Oct 2024 · 1 hour, 22 minutes
Gareth Gore - Opus Dei, Human Trafficking, & Project 2025

Today our guest is Gareth Gore, journalist and author whose new book Opus is about Opus Dei, an ultra-conservative Catholic... more

16 Oct 2024 · 1 hour, 15 minutes
Norah - Girls Night In: L.A. Facebook Group Gone Culty

Today our guest is a woman whom we’ll call Norah. She tells us about a Facebook group for women in... more

09 Oct 2024 · 1 hour, 35 minutes
Demetria, Part 2 - Twin Ray Mysticism, Spiritual Retreats, and the Necessity of Rage

Today is part two with Demetria, survivor of the Oregon new age cult, Twin Ray. This week she shares more... more

02 Oct 2024 · 1 hour, 12 minutes
Demetria, Part 1 - Online Gurus, Mysterious Elixirs, and Joining the Twin Ray Cult

Today we're joined by Demetria, survivor of an Oregon new age group called Twin Ray (not to be confused with... more

27 Sep 2024 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Joelle Tamraz, Part 2 - Meeting The Elders, Emotional Manipulation, and Moving On

This week is part two of a fascinating discussion with Joelle Tamraz, author of The Secret Practice: 18 Years on... more

18 Sep 2024 · 1 hour, 16 minutes
Joelle Tamraz, Part 1 - Traveling to India, Meeting a Swami, and "Past Lives"

Today is part one of our interview with Joelle Tamraz, author of the book The Secret Practice: 18 Years on... more

11 Sep 2024 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Sara Teitelman - The Culty Elements of Technology

Today’s guest is Sara Teitelman, tech consultant and author of a forthcoming book about tech who’s going to talk to... more

04 Sep 2024 · 1 hour, 17 minutes
Min Zhou, Part 2 - Labor Camps, Persecution, and Mass Killings in the Cultural Revolution

In part 2 of our interview with Min Zhou, survivor of the Cultural Revolution and Distinguished Professor of Sociology and... more

28 Aug 2024 · 54 minutes
Min Zhou, Part 1 - The Cult of Mao Zedong, and Growing Up in the Cultural Revolution

Today is part one with Min Zhou, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Asian American Studies at UCLA, who also grew... more

21 Aug 2024 · 58 minutes
Tia Levings, Part 2 - Questioning Fundamentalism, Motherhood, and the Dangers of Christian Nationalism

In part 2 with Tia Levings, author of A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy, Tia she discusses how,... more

14 Aug 2024 · 56 minutes
Tia Levings, Part 1 - A Well-Trained Wife in the Christian Patriarchy

Today is part one with Tia Levings, author of A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy. We talk about... more

07 Aug 2024 · 50 minutes
Andrea Dunlop, Part 2 - A Family Torn, Munchausen by Proxy, & Critiquing Take Care of Maya

In part two of our interview with Andrew Dunlop, sister of a perpetrator of Medical Child Abuse (aka Munchausen by... more

31 Jul 2024 · 53 minutes
Andrea Dunlop, Part 1 - Munchausen by Proxy, a Faked Miscarriage, and a Perpetrator in the Family

Today our guest is Andrea Dunlop, novelist and host of the podcast Nobody Should Believe Me, which is all about... more

24 Jul 2024 · 59 minutes
J. Wesley Boyd - When Physician Health Programs Go Wrong

Today our guest is J. Wesley Boyd, psychiatrist, professor, and the director of education at the Harvard Medical School Center... more

17 Jul 2024 · 1 hour, 15 minutes
R. Derek Black, Part 2 - How a White Supremacist Changed Their Mind

Today is part two with R. Derek Black, former white supremacist turned anti-racism advocate, and author of The Klansman's Son:... more

10 Jul 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
R. Derek Black, Part 1 - Former White Nationalist, Growing Up in the KKK, and Cognitive Dissonance

Today our guest is R. Derek Black, former poster child for white supremacy (now turned antiracist advocate) and author of... more

26 Jun 2024 · 57 minutes
Ian Rafalko, Part 2 - Son of a YouTube Scientologist Health Guru

In part two with Ian Rafalko, we go deeper into how he left Scientology, what that meant for his family... more

19 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 31 minutes
Ian Rafalko, Part 1 - Former Scientology Auditor

Today is part one Ian Rafalko, a former scientologist from a prominent scientologist family AND son of a prominent YouTube... more

12 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Aliia Roza - Former Russian Secret Agent and Sex Spy

Subject of the new Neil Strauss podcast "To Die For", Aliia Roza shares about her childhood in Russia, her father... more

05 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 25 minutes
Rabia Chaudry - Serial, True Crime, & Countering Violent Extremism

Lawyer, advocate, podcaster, writer, and the reason you know about Adnan Syed from Serial, Rabia Chaudry, talks about her experience... more

29 May 2024 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Jessica Kahn - Y2K Cult

Today we chat with Jessica Kahn, former member of a group we're calling "The Narrow Road." She'll tell us about... more

23 May 2024 · 1 hour, 16 minutes
Madi Stroud - Daughter of a Cult Leader: Love Has Won & Amy Carlson

Today our guest is Madi Stroud. She was featured on the HBO docu series Love Has Won, and is late... more

16 May 2024 · 1 hour, 13 minutes
Dr. Inna Kanevsky - Pseudoscience, TikTok Psychology, & Culty Psychologists

Dr. Inna Kanevsky, psychologist, professor, and debunker of pseudoscience psychology TikToks, discusses the misinformation videos that got her started on... more

09 May 2024 · 1 hour, 23 minutes
Warren Kohl, Part 2 - The Pressures of Preaching in a Secretive Cult

Today is part two with Warren Kohl, former member and religious leader within the 2x2s (Meagan's secretive childhood group that... more

01 May 2024 · 1 hour, 7 minutes
Warren Kohl, Part 1 - Preparing to Preach in a Secretive Cult

Today's guest is Warren kohl, a fifth generation member and former “worker” (or minister) in the 2x2’s, the group that... more

25 Apr 2024 · 48 minutes
Nadine Macaluso - Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds

Psychologist, trauma bond expert, and author of Run Like Hell: A Therapist's Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma... more

17 Apr 2024 · 1 hour, 27 minutes
Zoe & Lillian, Part 2 - Troubled Teens, Midwest Academy, and Solitary Confinement

In part two with Zoe and Lilly, survivors of Midwest Academy, one of the abusive troubled teen programs in the... more

03 Apr 2024 · 53 minutes
Zoe & Lillian, Part 1 - The Program, Ivy Ridge and Casa by the Sea

Survivors of the infamous WWASP schools, Zoe & Lillian, share about their experiences being forced to join Ivy Ridge, Midwest... more

27 Mar 2024 · 55 minutes
Roberta Blevins, Part 2 - Leaving The LuLaRoe Family

In part two with former LuLaRoe seller, Roberta Blevins, they discuss everything about LuLaRoe's founder DeAnne Brady and her family,... more

21 Mar 2024 · 58 minutes
Roberta Blevins, Part 1 - Inside LuLaRoe

In part one with former LuLaRoe seller and Life After MLM podcast host, Roberta Blevins, she'll share how she first... more

13 Mar 2024 · 1 hour, 14 minutes
Lola & Meagan - Am I in a Cult (or Just a Group)?

This week, Lola and Meagan's guests are... Lola and Meagan! They talk about the cult of seeing everything as a... more

06 Mar 2024 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Katelyn Jade Hlavaty, Part 2 - Satanic Ritual Abuse & Becoming a Spokesperson

In part two of this listener story with Operation Light Force survivor, Katelyn Hlavaty, Lola and Meagan unpack how the... more

28 Feb 2024 · 1 hour, 20 minutes
Katelyn Jade Hlavaty, Part 1 - Joining Operation Light Force

In part one of this wild listener story, Katelyn Hlavaty chats with Lola and Meagan about her experience in the... more

21 Feb 2024 · 1 hour, 7 minutes
Sara Gorman - Science, Healthcare, and Why We Ignore Facts

Sara Gorman, public health expert, CEO & founder of Critica, and author of Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore... more

14 Feb 2024 · 1 hour, 25 minutes
Jenna Miscavige, Part 2 - Escaping Scientology

Former Sea Org member and niece of Scientology leader David Miscavige, Jenna Miscavige, talks about leaving "The Ranch" in order... more

07 Feb 2024 · 51 minutes
Jenna Miscavige, Part 1 - Growing up in Scientology's Sea Organization

Former Scientology Sea Org member and niece of current Scientology leader David Miscavige, Jenna Miscavige, talks about being a third... more

31 Jan 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Crystal Hefner - Surviving The Playboy Mansion

Crystal Hefner, former Playboy Playmate, Hugh Hefner's widow, author of Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself shares... more

24 Jan 2024 · 1 hour, 14 minutes
Michelle Dowd, Part 2 - From the Mountain to the Hospital to Forging Her Own Path

In part two of their conversation with Michelle Dowd, Lola & Meagan dig into when Michelle and her family moved... more

17 Jan 2024 · 1 hour, 9 minutes
Michelle Dowd, Part 1 - Becoming a Forager in The Field

Professor, survivor of The Field, and author of Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult, Michelle Dowd, discusses growing... more

10 Jan 2024 · 57 minutes
Thomas & Micah, Part 2 - Mormon Mission, Scientology, & Disney Adults

Two formerly closeted religious men, Thomas and Micah, share how they came out to their families and left their beliefs... more

27 Dec 2023 · 1 hour, 8 minutes
Thomas & Micah, Part 1 - God, Goofy, and Growing Up Gay in Religion

One is a former Mormon. The other was a child of evangelical missionaries teaching a doctrine called Accelerated Christian Education.... more

20 Dec 2023 · 48 minutes
Marji Mozart, Part 2 - Life After the FLDS

Musician and former FLDS member, Marji Mozart, discusses her wedding day as an underage bride who had never been taught... more

13 Dec 2023 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Marji Mozart, Part 1 - Growing up in the FLDS

Musician and former FLDS member, Marji Mozart, shares about her childhood in Colorado City, living with a rebellious mother within... more

07 Dec 2023 · 1 hour, 21 minutes
Barak Hardley - Where Belief Intersects Creativity

Lola's friend, actor, artist, director, and the next Bob Ross, Barak Hardley talks about his previous life as an evangelical... more

29 Nov 2023 · 1 hour, 6 minutes
Annie Taylor - The Garden: Commune or Cult

Annie Taylor, Executive Producer of Discovery's The Garden: Commune or Cult, shares about her time living in an off the... more

22 Nov 2023 · 1 hour, 14 minutes
Alice Hines & Lorraine - Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe

Journalist Alice Hines and former Twin Flames Universe member Lorraine, both featured in the Amazon docuseries Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping... more

15 Nov 2023 · 1 hour, 19 minutes
Jill Duggar Dillard & Derick Dillard

Members of the Duggar family, former cast members of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, and Counting The Cost authors, Jill... more

25 Oct 2023 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Marlene Winell - Leaving The Fold, Religious Trauma, and Emotional Recovery

Psychologist, educator, and Leaving The Fold author, Marlene Winell, talks with Lola & Meagan about how she came to study... more

18 Oct 2023 · 1 hour, 7 minutes
Listener Stories - Independent Baptist Movement & Capoeira Teacher

Two new listener stories! One from Shelly about her time in the Independent Baptist Movement under pastor Jack Hyles and... more

11 Oct 2023 · 56 minutes
Daniella Mestyanek Young, Part 2 - Military Life & Parallels to The Children of God

In part two of her interview with Lola & Meagan, Children of God survivor and military veteran, Daniella Mestyanek Young,... more

04 Oct 2023 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
Daniella Mestyanek Young, Part 1 - Children of God, 9/11, & Escaping the Cult

In part one of her interview with Lola & Meagan, Children of God survivor and military veteran, Daniella Mestyanek Young,... more

27 Sep 2023 · 57 minutes
Andrew Seidel - Christian Nationalism & Information Warfare

Constitutional attorney, author, and YouTuber Andrew Seidel joins Lola & Meagan to discuss Christian Nationalism, why its based on a... more

20 Sep 2023 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
REWIND: Post-Traumatic Growth with Richard Tedeschi

UNC Charlotte professor and psychology researcher Dr Richard Tedeschi discusses his pioneering work on post-traumatic growth, how his field is... more

13 Sep 2023 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Simon Kent Fung - Dear Alana & Conversion Therapy

Tech and media expert Simon Fung joins Lola and Meagan to discuss the heartbreaking story behind his new podcast, Dear... more

06 Sep 2023 · 1 hour, 8 minutes
Dr. Marc Feldman & Jordyn Hope - Munchausen by Proxy aka Medical Child Abuse

Dr. Marc Feldman, professor of psychology and expert in Munchausen by Proxy, talks to the girls along with survivor Jordyn... more

30 Aug 2023 · 1 hour, 36 minutes
Kyle & Kari, Part 2 - The 2x2s: Uncovering Widespread Sexual Abuse

In part two of their interview, Kyle and Kari, former members of the 2x2s (the group that Meagan grew up... more

23 Aug 2023 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Kyle & Kari, Part 1 - Deconstructing The 2x2s

Former members of the Two by Twos Kyle and Kari (the group that our Meagan grew up in) discuss the... more

16 Aug 2023 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Martin - Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, & The I.D.W.

There's order. And there's chaos. Simple, right? Today our new friend Martin shares how he used to be a big... more

09 Aug 2023 · 1 hour, 15 minutes
Guinevere Turner, Part 2 - Group Exile, Culture Shock, & Recovery

In part two of her two-part interview, Guinevere Turner, renowned screenwriter (writer of films like American Psycho and Charlie Says),... more

02 Aug 2023 · 1 hour, 4 minutes
Guinevere Turner, Part 1 - The Lyman Family, Compound Life, and Queen Jessie

In part one of her two-part interview, Guinevere Turner, renowned screenwriter (writer of films like American Psycho and Charlie Says),... more

26 Jul 2023 · 1 hour,
Emily Lynn Paulson - Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing

When #BossBabe culture goes wrong. Author of Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing and... more

19 Jul 2023 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
Madison McGhee - The Dark Side of Sorority Life

Ever joined a sorority? It's all Greek to us! Former sorority member and Ice Cold Case podcast host Madison McGhee... more

12 Jul 2023 · 1 hour, 15 minutes
Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
Simon Kent Fung - Dear Alana & Conversion Therapy
Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
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Listen now on

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Description

Tech and media expert Simon Fung joins Lola and Meagan to discuss the heartbreaking story behind his new podcast, Dear Alana. When... more