TopPodcast.com
Menu
  • Home
  • Top Charts
  • Top Networks
  • Top Apps
  • Top Independents
  • Top Podfluencers
  • Top Picks
    • Top Business Podcasts
    • Top True Crime Podcasts
    • Top Finance Podcasts
    • Top Comedy Podcasts
    • Top Music Podcasts
    • Top Womens Podcasts
    • Top Kids Podcasts
    • Top Sports Podcasts
    • Top News Podcasts
    • Top Tech Podcasts
    • Top Crypto Podcasts
    • Top Entrepreneurial Podcasts
    • Top Fantasy Sports Podcasts
    • Top Political Podcasts
    • Top Science Podcasts
    • Top Self Help Podcasts
    • Top Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Top Stocks Podcasts
  • Podcast News
  • About Us
  • Podcast Advertising
  • Contact
Not in our directory?
Add Show Here
Podcast Equipment
Center

toppodcastlogoOur TOPPODCAST Picks

  • Comedy
  • Crypto
  • Sports
  • News
  • Politics
  • True Crime
  • Business
  • Finance

Follow Us

toppodcastlogoStay Connected

    View Top 200 Chart
    Back to Rankings Page
    Society & Culture

    Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

    Trust Me is a weekly interview podcast about cults, extreme belief, and the fine line between devotion and delusion—told through firsthand accounts from the people who lived it. Hosted by two women who’ve been in cults themselves, Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth, the show features survivors from groups like Heaven’s Gate, the Manson Family, NXIVM, OneTaste and more–sharing personal stories of how they got in, how they got out, and everything in between.

    Each week, they invite these guests alongside experts who can dive deep into seductive leaders, the darker aspects of organized religion, and the subtler shades of groupthink and the psychology of influence. Trust Me explores it all with unfiltered honesty, dark humor, and a lot of heart. This isn’t a sensationalized deep dive into cults—it’s a compassionate, first-person exploration of what it means to believe, to belong, and to break free. At the end of the day, wanting to believe in something bigger than yourself is one of the most human instincts there is.

    Advertise

    Copyright: 2025 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Google Play
    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    R. Derek Black, Part 2 - How a White Supremacist Changed Their Mind Jul 10, 2024
    Show notes

    Today is part two with R. Derek Black, former white supremacist turned anti-racism advocate, and author of The Klansman's Son: My Journey from White Nationalism to Antiracism. Today we discuss how and when Derek’s identity became exposed to their friend group, including drastically different reactions from fellow students, how they were invited to Shabbat dinner by some Jewish friends, and how over time the cognitive dissonance of believing in ideology that was dangerous to people they care about began to wear on them, eventually leading them to denounce white nationalism.

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    R. Derek Black, Part 1 - Former White Nationalist, Growing Up in the KKK, and Cognitive Dissonance Jun 26, 2024
    Show notes

    Today our guest is R. Derek Black, former poster child for white supremacy (now turned antiracist advocate) and author of the new memoir The Klansman’s Son. Derek, who came out as trans in this book, walks us through the white supremacist movement, where it stands now, what it was like growing up in a white nationalist family, being close to prominent neo-Nazi David Duke, how they were taught that the whole world misunderstood their "scientifically correct" ideology, and speaking to the press and becoming a public-facing figure of racism as a child. They’ll tell us about hosting a white nationalist radio show, going off to college, and how they began hanging out with a Jewish girl there who had no idea about this double life they’d been leading.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    Babbel: Want to learn a new language? Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at Babbel.com/trustme

    Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme

    Get new episodes of Murder: True Crime Stories every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Ian Rafalko, Part 2 - Son of a YouTube Scientologist Health Guru Jun 19, 2024
    Show notes

    In part two with Ian Rafalko, we go deeper into how he left Scientology, what that meant for his family life, and how his dad's lucrative online presence and supplement company tows the line of multi-level marketing. Ian will talk about the viral TikTok video he posted in which he said he was going to end his own life, why he decided not to, how his family reacted, and the paranoia he felt after going public.

    Get new episodes of Murder: True Crime Stories every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Ian Rafalko, Part 1 - Former Scientology Auditor Jun 12, 2024
    Show notes

    Today is part one Ian Rafalko, a former scientologist from a prominent scientologist family AND son of a prominent YouTube health guru. We explore how his family joined Scientology, what it was like growing up in a group where children are treated as adult spirits in small bodies, whether Scientology creates little sociopaths, and some of the more detailed ins and outs of the system and beliefs. We’ll also talk about Ian’s experience as an auditor, how his rebellious nature started getting him in trouble, the ubiquitous culture of snitching, and how he started to deconstruct his upbringing.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    Pretty Litter: Go to PrettyLitter.com/trustme and use code "trustme" to save 20% on your first order AND get a free cat toy!

    Quince: Need quality essentials? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!

    Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Aliia Roza - Former Russian Secret Agent and Sex Spy Jun 05, 2024
    Show notes

    Subject of the new Neil Strauss podcast "To Die For", Aliia Roza shares about her childhood in Russia, her father who worked for the government, the training school and how she was coerced into joining a secret program for sex operations, the seduction and manipulation techniques she learned, how she was sexually abused in school, how she used those skills to survive, what her first missions were like... and of course... whether she ever killed anyone. Plus, how she wants to use her knowledge now to help women who are struggling to find love.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    ZocDoc: Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!

    Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!

    Aura: Get a 14 day trial PLUS a check of your data ALL FOR FREE at Aura.com/trust

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM:

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER:

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK:

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Rabia Chaudry - Serial, True Crime, & Countering Violent Extremism May 29, 2024
    Show notes

    Lawyer, advocate, podcaster, writer, and the reason you know about Adnan Syed from Serial, Rabia Chaudry, talks about her experience advocating for him, what it was like entering the true crime world, why Adnan is free now, what disappointed her about the coverage of his story, her work in CVE (countering violent extremism), how any group or religion is capable of becoming fundamentalist or extreme, why extremism is not a strictly Muslim problem, and the power of story to change people's minds.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    Quince: Get warm weather ready at Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order AND 365 day returns!

    ZocDoc: Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!

    Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme

    Aura: Get a 14 day trial PLUS a check of your data ALL FOR FREE at Aura.com/trust

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM:

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER:

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK:

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Jessica Kahn - Y2K Cult May 23, 2024
    Show notes

    Today we chat with Jessica Kahn, former member of a group we're calling "The Narrow Road." She'll tell us about being born into this isolated fundamentalist Christian sect that was originally formed as an addiction treatment program, the leader's connection to the founders of AA, how every part of life was strictly controlled, how they believed that the end of the world would happen on Y2K, the leader's systematic physical abuse, and the violent incident that finally led her to leave.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    Care for your hair with PROSE! Get 50% off your first subscription order at Prose.com/trust PLUS get your FREE consultation!

    Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM:

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER:

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK:

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Madi Stroud - Daughter of a Cult Leader: Love Has Won & Amy Carlson May 16, 2024
    Show notes

    Today our guest is Madi Stroud. She was featured on the HBO docu series Love Has Won, and is late cult leader Amy Carlson’s daughter - the one whose mummified body was found wrapped in Christmas lights in Colorado. Madi shares what she remembers of her mom as a kid, how it felt after Amy suddenly left Madi and her brothers when she was only 7, and how she discovered that her mom had started the Love Has Won new age cult, claiming she was God - or more specifically, Mother God. We’ll talk about how Amy’s cult grew and her followers became more fanatical, how her last boyfriend known as “Father God” contributed to her demise, and how difficult it was for Madi to watch her mother’s health deteriorate, knowing the people around her could have tried to help.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    Quince: Get warm weather ready at Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order AND 365 day returns!

    Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM:

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER:

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK:

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Dr. Inna Kanevsky - Pseudoscience, TikTok Psychology, & Culty Psychologists May 09, 2024
    Show notes

    Dr. Inna Kanevsky, psychologist, professor, and debunker of pseudoscience psychology TikToks, discusses the misinformation videos that got her started on the path of debunking, why mental health labels can be helpful but can also lead us to incorrectly self-diagnose and take on labels that do not belong to us, and why it’s a problem when we make a diagnosis our identity. She comes in HOT about beloved psychology figures such as Bessel Van Der Kolk, Gabor Mate, and Dr. Amen, and how they have cult-like followings despite frequently peddling pseudoscience. Plus, we chat about the problems with polyvagal theory, why stories of resilience can be a helpful alternative to focusing on trauma, and why it is so dang painful to change our minds!

    Check out our amazing sponsors!!

    Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!

    Need a place? Check out Apartments.com - THE place to find a place!

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

    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

    INSTAGRAM:

    @TrustMePodcast

    @oohlalola

    @meaganelizabeth11

    TWITTER:

    @TrustMeCultPod

    @ohlalola

    @baberahamhicks

    TIKTOK:

    @TrustMeCultPodcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Warren Kohl, Part 2 - The Pressures of Preaching in a Secretive Cult May 01, 2024
    Show notes

    Today is part two with Warren Kohl, former member and religious leader within the 2x2s (Meagan's secretive childhood group that technically has no name). Today we'll hear how Warren left behind his dreams of medical school to become a "worker" (a minister who stays in people's homes). He'll talk about the pressure to speak with some kind of authority, how he was scolded for genuinely trying to connect with the members, being told to stay out of a domestic violence situation within the group, how his mental health deteriorated, how he finally left, and his message to those still in the religion.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!

    Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme

    Need a place? Check out Apartments.com - THE place to find a place!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Previous 1 9 10 11 12 13 29 Next

    Related Podcasts

    Crimetown

    1

    Crimetown News
    Up and Vanished

    2

    Up and Vanished News & Politics
    The Joe Rogan Experience

    3

    The Joe Rogan Experience Comedy
    Freakonomics Radio

    4

    Freakonomics Radio Documentary
    The Joe Rogan Experience

    5

    The Joe Rogan Experience Society & Culture
    Casefile True Crime

    6

    Casefile True Crime Games & Hobbies
    footer-logo

    Contact Us

    Toll Free: 844-670-7747

    Links

    • Home
    • Top Charts
    • Networks
    • Apps
    • Independents Podcasts
    • Podcast Advertising
    • Podcast News
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Analytics & Insights

    Stay Connected

      Privacy, Terms of Use & Our Code of Ethics Protecting Content Creators Copyrights