13 episodes

Thousands of women gave up everything to follow Mother Teresa, joining her storied Catholic order, the Missionaries of Charity. But some found that life inside this fiercely private religious order was not what they’d imagined. Former sisters who worked closely with Mother Teresa describe her bold vision and devotion to charity and prayer. But they also share stories of suffering and forbidden love, abuse and betrayal. If you make a lifelong vow, what does it mean to break it? What is the line between devotion and brainwashing? Can you truly give yourself to God?

The Turning: The Sisters Who Left iHeart True Crime

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 80 Ratings

Thousands of women gave up everything to follow Mother Teresa, joining her storied Catholic order, the Missionaries of Charity. But some found that life inside this fiercely private religious order was not what they’d imagined. Former sisters who worked closely with Mother Teresa describe her bold vision and devotion to charity and prayer. But they also share stories of suffering and forbidden love, abuse and betrayal. If you make a lifelong vow, what does it mean to break it? What is the line between devotion and brainwashing? Can you truly give yourself to God?

    S1: Ep Bonus - Bride of Christ

    S1: Ep Bonus - Bride of Christ

    BONUS - Jenna Cooper is a 36-year-old consecrated virgin who lives in Winona, Minnesota. She tells us what that means, what her life is like now, and what it’s like to feel called when you’re 12 years old.

    For additional content and information, follow the show on Instagram @RococoPunch
    This series was inspired by Mary Johnson’s memoir, “An Unquenchable Thirst.” Find it HERE - https://amzn.to/3whsTeO

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 27 min
    S1: Ep 10 - Out There

    S1: Ep 10 - Out There

    PART TEN - “I couldn’t come to any clarity unless I took off the habit and was seen.”

    For additional content and information, follow the show on Instagram @RococoPunch
    This series was inspired by Mary Johnson’s memoir, “An Unquenchable Thirst.” Find it HERE - https://amzn.to/3whsTeO

    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/transcripts

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 46 min
    S1: Ep 9 - Highway of Broken Glass

    S1: Ep 9 - Highway of Broken Glass

    PART NINE - Is this a cult? How do you leave?

    For additional content and information, follow the show on Instagram @RococoPunch
    This series was inspired by Mary Johnson’s memoir, “An Unquenchable Thirst.” Find it HERE - https://amzn.to/3whsTeO

    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/transcripts

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 47 min
    S1: Ep 8 - Saint of Darkness

    S1: Ep 8 - Saint of Darkness

    PART EIGHT - "She used to tell us, ‘If ever I will be a saint, I will be the saint of darkness.’ ... And we didn't know what she meant."

    For additional content and information, follow the show on Instagram @RococoPunch
    This series was inspired by Mary Johnson’s memoir, “An Unquenchable Thirst.” Find it HERE - https://amzn.to/3whsTeO

    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/transcripts

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 46 min
    S1: Ep 7 - Silence

    S1: Ep 7 - Silence

    PART SEVEN - This episode contains descriptions of alleged sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

    We meet two former sisters who say they wanted more than anything to be part of the Missionaries of Charity. Along the road to taking their first vows, they allege their mistresses took advantage of the vow of obedience. They claim they were sexually abused by the women tasked with guiding them through the early days of their religious vocation — one in 1987 and the other in 2014.
    This episode was produced in partnership with Type Investigations.

    For additional content and information, follow the show on Instagram @RococoPunch
    This series was inspired by Mary Johnson’s memoir, “An Unquenchable Thirst.” Find it HERE - https://amzn.to/3whsTeO

    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/transcripts

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 53 min
    S1: Ep Bonus - Kelli

    S1: Ep Bonus - Kelli

    BONUS - You know Kelli Dunham from previous episodes. Kelli joined the Missionaries of Charity looking for a life that made sense. That’s not what she found. She had a painful exit from the MCs. 
    But there’s so much more to her story. We talked with Kelli about her life before the Missionaries of Charity and after. About her faith. About her comedy. But mostly about her complicated relationship with her mom.

    For additional content and information, follow the show on Instagram @RococoPunch
    This series was inspired by Mary Johnson’s memoir, “An Unquenchable Thirst.” Find it HERE - https://amzn.to/3whsTeO

    TRANSCRIPT - https://www.rococopunch.com/transcripts

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 35 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
80 Ratings

80 Ratings

ER52! ,

I want more!

Fascinating podcast! I could listen to 20 more episodes of this!

Geumpyhistory ,

A Story Not Often Told!

A subject you don’t hear much of, particularly by those inside your his community. An eye opening look and a perspective we just don’t get from many of the big podcasts churning out the same stories over and over. That said, this is cleanly edited and well narrated and researched.

Laurenwith ,

Not surprised

This is such an interesting look at nun abuse in the Catholic Church. Sexual, mental, physical. I never knew and I’m glad these former sisters have a voice through this podcast.

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