True Crime

The Cult on the Cape

This is podcast about the Community of Jesus in Orleans, Massachusetts and its affiliated boarding school, Grenville Christian College. Join us as we talk to survivors who lived inside this system, survived it, escaped it, and are now telling the truth of what happened to them.

Latest Episodes:

Remembering Mike Laraja Mar 24, 2026

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A Life, A Loss, A Story That Matters

Episode 21 Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Mar 17, 2026

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Matt Hempel entered the Community of Jesus at just 12 years old—and within weeks, he knew something wasn’t right.

In this episode, Matt shares what it was like to grow up inside a highly structured, controlled environment where questioning wasn’t welcomed and conformity was expected. While parts of his experience included structure and opportunity, he also witnessed practices that felt confusing, unsettling, and deeply dysfunctional.

Looking back, Matt describes those years through a powerful lens: survival, evasion, resistance, and ultimately, escape.

Episode 20 Thirty-Five years, Six months and Two days Mar 10, 2026

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Listen to former sister, Dianne Wentworth, reflect on her years inside the Community of Jesus.

Episode 19 Your Host: The Guest Mar 03, 2026

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When the storyteller becomes the story. Listen to your host, Bonnie Zampino, tell her story on Let's Get Real, a podcast by Glenda Kroll.

Remembering Aaron Bushnell Feb 25, 2026

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Today is the 2-year anniversary of Aaron Bushnell's act of extreme protest, and of his death. Today we aren't discussing the specifics of his final act. Instead, we are remembering the person that Aaron was. Listen to letters and stories from his friends, his teachers, and those who grew up with Aaron and his family at Grenville Christian College and the Community of Jesus. Thank you to Beth, Mel, Madeleine, Hannah and Erin. Aaron's family loves him and misses him very much.

Episode 18 The Reluctant Nun Feb 24, 2026

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Hear Susan Wilkins' story of becoming a nun and then leaving 20 years later

Episode 17 - From Cape Cod to Colombia Feb 17, 2026

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Listen to Dan Burnham share his story

Episode 16 The Apology Feb 10, 2026

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Meet Christina, hear her story and learn about the rare apology she received.

Episode 15 She Must Be Somebody's Baby - Part 2 Feb 03, 2026

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Hear the rest of Ruth's journey