Cults to Consciousness

Latest Episodes:

From the Children of God Sex Cult to the US Military ft. Daniella Mestyanek Young May 25, 2023

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**Content Warning: Brief mentions of Suic*de Ideation and R*pe**Daniella Mestyanek Young finally escaped the Children of God sex cult at age 15 desperately trying to acclimate to life in the US and starting school for the first time. Her accolades and honors would land her in the US military which not only compounded upon her growing mound of trauma, but eventually leading her to an impossible breaking point. Click here to watch on YouTubeClick here to watch the previous video with Daniella(c...

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Her Horrific Childhood in the Children of God Sex Cult ft. Daniella Mestyanek Young May 24, 2023

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***CONTENT WARNING: Mentions of child sexual assault/physical abuse, child trafficking and sex***Please listen with care. This episode is very heavy and potentially triggering. This is, however, an important story to tell. Daniella Mestyanek Young was born and raised in the Children of God sex cult, who's goal was to raise sexually liberated children with little to no secular education. This is the story of her childhood behind the walls of the compounds all over the world. The next episode, ...

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From Forced ULTRA ORTHODOXY to Non-Binary Secularism May 22, 2023

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You met Chavie in a previous episode. A determined mother who took a long hard road out of Hasidic Judaism so her children could have more choices that she did growing up. Now you get to hear from one of her children! Ruby recounts what it was like being forced to live a judge ordered Hasidic lifestyle, until they stood up and said no. From learning what they had been missing in school, to unearthing social media for the first time at 17, they are now living the life THEY chose for themselves...

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Will Danny Masterson Be Found Guilty? COMPLETE TRIAL RECAP ft @growingupinscientology May 19, 2023

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Any day, the verdict will be in! Will Danny Masterson be charged for the violent r*pe of 3 different women? Joined by Aaron with @GrowingUpInScientology , we discuss his full live coverage of the May 2023 trial in Los Angeles and all the characters who are playing a role behind the scenes. From scientology lawyers, propaganda bloggers and even a reverend, to Leah Remini in the court room, there is a lot to discuss! Click here to watch on YouTube(clickable chapter markers availabl...

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Why He Left Mormon Polygamy Behind May 17, 2023

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For someone who planned to name their children using every letter of the alphabet, everyone was shocked when he left the fundamentalist Mormon church called The Work. He was dedicated, invested, had his first kiss at the alter of his arranged marriage, and ultimately his curiosity and empathy led him out. Calvin Wayman's journey is inspiring! Make sure to check out the first episode we did, explaining more of his childhood and the backstory of the FLDS.Click here to watch the episode on YouTu...

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44 Siblings, 4 Mothers: Deconstructing the FLDS Polygamy Cult May 14, 2023

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Calvin and I dissect the world of Mormon Fundamentalism, from mind control, decision coercion, EXTREME racist teachings from the early prophets and the secret sauce to creating the most controlling cults. Learn the good and bad of growing up with 4 mothers and 44 siblings in the same home, and how they redefined the meaning of monogamy in unexpected ways.Click here to watch the episode on YouTube(clickable chapter markers available on YouTube)The run down of FLDS doctrine when they split from...

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Escaping the Warren Jeffs FLDS Polygamy Cult May 11, 2023

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At 17 she realized she was in a religious prison. She had just been "arranged" to be married to a stranger and had been plotting her escape for 2 years. Determined not to become a plural wife for the sole purpose of having as many children as possible, she did whatever it took to leave and pursue higher education at a large cost. See how she transformed her life and navigated the hard lessons of the "real world".Click here to watch the episode on YouTube(clickable chapter markers available on...

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Her Childhood as a Prisoner in the FLDS Polygamy Cult May 08, 2023

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Isolated from the outside world while imprisoned in the FLDS compound, Judith Bateman breaks down her childhood in the Warren Jeffs polygamy cult. In a reality where “the more wives a husband has the more Righteous he is” Jude talks what it was like growing up with 17 siblings and 2 mothers, “demonstrating readiness" at 12 years old, being turned in to Warren Jeffs himself, how everyone’s pets were sentenced to death, how fear kept the members controlled, and how she ultimately devised ...

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Ex-Hasidic Man Sues Quebec Gov for Failing to Ensure Proper Education May 06, 2023

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A father fights the Quebec government after realizing the secular education both he and his children had gotten in their Hasidic Yeshivas, were intentionally not up to the legal state requirements. Struggling with ostracization, dishonor and a battle to keep their own children after leaving the sect, Yohanan Lowen continues to fight for the children who don’t know any better.Click here to watch the episode on YouTube(clickable chapter markers available on YouTube)No functional education for i...

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ULTRA ORTHODOX: Hasidic Jewish Sect Forced Her to Marry & Consummate with a Stranger May 01, 2023

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**Content warning: Sexual Abuse/Sexual Discussions** A brave and fierce mother, Chavie Weisberger, divulges the deepest, darkest corners of her life from growing up in a very strict ultra-orthodox sect of Judaism ran by her grandfather. She shares her heart-wrenching custody battle and how the courts forced her to conform to the religion years after she had left it behind. Listen with caution, this episode is as heavy as it is inspirational and incredible. Click here to watch it on YouTu...

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