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    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.

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    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

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    Latest Episodes:
    Dianne Lake – The Manson Family, Part 1: Meeting Charlie May 12, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 30: You’re a teenage girl in the late 60s, bouncing between communes, when a charismatic man and his group of young women welcome you with open arms. You were looking for a family, and now you’ve found one. In part one of an incredible interview, Dianne Lake, aka “Snake,” and her co-author Deborah Herman discuss growing up in 1960s counter-culture, the dark side of the sexual revolution, and what it was like becoming the youngest member of Charles Manson’s family. Stay tuned next week for part two, in which she tells Lola & Meagan how she learned about the murders!

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Janja Lalich - Democratic Workers Party and Bounded Choice in Cults May 05, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 29: How far would you go for your ideals? Sociologist and author Janja Lalich chats with Lola and Meagan about her time in the 70s as part of a radical Marxist-Leninist group called the Democratic Workers Party, how she became a high-ranking member, and the toll it took on her personal relationships. They discuss how to tell the difference between a legitimate political group and one that’s leaning into cult territory, what “bounded choice” means, and red flags to look out for in any relationship.

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Avital Ash - Orthodox Judaism Apr 28, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 28: Traditions! Are they helpful customs that keep us connected to our history? Or can they become too rigid and hinder the personal and intellectual growth of those who observe them? Comedian/actor/director Avital Ash joins Lola & Meagan to dive into what it was like growing up practicing Orthodox Judaism, internalizing shame about her womanhood, and forging her own path as an adult.

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Anna LeBaron - Ervil LeBaron, the "Mormon Manson" Apr 21, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 27: You've only met your dad twice, but you know he's the prophet. You live in abject poverty, forced into child labor. And you often have to move your entire household in the middle of the night, for reasons you don't understand. Anna LeBaron joins Lola & Meagan to talk about the trauma of living in a polygamist cult and the murders perpetrated by her father, Ervil LeBaron aka the "Mormon Manson." She also tells the girls about her healing journey, going to therapy, and the importance of telling your story.

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Kilian Aulenbacher - Church Universal and Triumphant Apr 14, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 26: Kilian Aulenbacher went from a German kid who spoke zero English to harvesting crops and hanging out in bomb shelters on a Montana commune, as a member of the Church Universal and Triumphant. Typical childhood, right? Meagan & Lola dig into what brought Killian's family to Montana, what it was like believing the world was ending, and the Christian cult leader who claimed she received revelations from spiritual beings called the "Masters." Plus, how he learned to question everything.

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Gerardo Lopez - MS-13 & the Police, Part 2: The Rampart Scandal Apr 07, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 25: In part 2 with former MS-13 member Gerardo Lopez, Lola and Meagan discuss how he left the gang, the harassment he experienced by the LAPD in the era of the Rampart Scandal, and how one of the Chicago Seven took him under his wing. Then: How he started a new life in Colorado, only to be suddenly arrested on a federal warrant, accused of starting a new MS-13 chapter in Colorado, and wrongfully sent to prison. Listen to learn how he fought to be released, and hear about the gang intervention work he does now! www.homiesunidosdenver.org www.homiesunidos.org IG: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch Twitter: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola www.trustmepod.com

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Gerardo Lopez - MS-13, Part 1: LA in the 80s and 90s Mar 24, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 24: Meagan & Lola interview Gerardo Lopez, gang interventionist and former member of gang MS-13. In part 1, he tells the ladies about growing up in gang territory in LA in the 80s and 90s, getting jumped in to MS-13, and what life was like in the gang. They discuss getting arrested, gaming the system, and how being approached by an interventionist began to change things. In part 2, they'll discuss his journey through the criminal justice system during the era of the Rampart Scandal. IG: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch Twitter: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola www.trustmepod.com

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 2: Breaking Away Mar 17, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 23: Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth continue to interview Frank Lyford, former member of Heaven's Gate. In part 2, they discuss the growing number of red flags he began to notice after one of the leaders died, including talk of castration, and what led to his decision to finally, after 18 years, break away. He also tells the girls what it was like when he heard about the mass suicide on the news, how heartbreaking that was, the lessons he's learned as a result, and what his life is like now. IG: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch Twitter: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola www.trustmepod.com

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 1: The Nomadic Lifestyle Mar 10, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 22: Lola & Meagan interview Frank Lyford, survivor of Heaven's Gate who left after 18 years--just a few years before discovering his friends and loved ones in the group had died by suicide. In part 1, he tells the girls how he began following the leaders Ti and Do, what it was like living a nomadic lifestyle with his "check partner," and what happened when they all settled in one place for "Class." They discuss being separated from the love of his life, how the rules became more strict and controlling, and how much darker things got after Ti got cancer. Stay tuned next week for part 2! www.trustmepod.com IG: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch Twitter: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


    Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti - Autism, Racism, and a Religious Cult Mar 03, 2021
    Show notes

    Episode 21: Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth interview speaker and sex educator Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti. She tells the girls about being the only Black woman in an all-white Christian cult in college, the racism and bullying she experienced, and why autistic people like herself are uniquely susceptible to coercive control. They also discuss the life change that helped her realize she needed to leave, and how she's been able to embrace who she really is--plus, how to protect yourself or a loved one with autism. IG: @gloriajacksonnefertiti @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch Twitter: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola www.trustmepod.com

    If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @trustmepodcast

    @oohlalola

    @vibehigherbitch

    OR TWITTER:

    @trustmecultpod

    @ohlalola

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


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