Cults
Doomsday predictions. Religious doctrines. Extraterrestrial orders. What really goes on inside a cult? Step into the minds of those who led and joined the most controversial organizations in history. Cults is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
226
“The Brotherhood of Eternal Love” - John Griggs
Just before the Summer of Love, 22-year-old John Griggs discovered LSD and had an epiphany – he would serve as the Hippie Messiah and guide the world to psychedelic revolution.
49 min
227
“The Wesson Vampire Clan” Pt. 2 - Marcus Delon ...
The more Marcus Wesson retreated from society, the more extreme his behavior became.
51 min
228
“The Wesson Vampire Clan” - Marcus Delon Wesson
Marcus Wesson was raised between two extremes: his devout 7th Day Adventist mother and his alcoholic and sexually abusive father.
47 min
229
“The Alamo Christian Foundation” Pt. 2 - Tony A...
Tony Alamo and his wife Susan grew The Alamo Christian Foundation from a few dozen homeless teenagers to over 3000 followers on sophisticated compounds around the United States.
46 min
230
“The Alamo Christian Foundation” - Tony Alamo
When he moved to Los Angeles in 1960, Tony Alamo was convinced that his big break as a musician was just around the corner.
47 min
231
“Lord Our Righteousness Church” Pt. 2 - Wayne Bent
In the fall of 2007, Judgement Day arrived on the Strong City compound.
38 min
232
“Lord Our Righteousness Church” - Wayne Bent
In the early 2000s, Wayne Bent established his following on a compound in New Mexico that he dubbed "Strong City."
40 min
233
“The Children of Thunder” Pt. 2 - Glenn Taylor ...
In July of 2001, this cult declared war on Satan and the forces of darkness.
41 min
234
“The Children of Thunder” - Glenn Taylor Helzer
Taylor Helzer believed that the voice in his head, which he called "Spirit," was the voice of God.
43 min
235
“Church of Jesus With Signs Following” Pt. 2 - ...
In 1980 he quickly grew his flock through acts of extreme religious affirmation, such as handling poisonous snakes and drinking poison in front of his congregants.
48 min
236
“Church of Jesus With Signs Following” - Glenn ...
He spent most of his life in a boxing ring, trying to prove his worth with his fists.
49 min
237
"The Process Church" Pt. 2 - Mary Ann MacClean ...
After fleeing from a destructive hurricane, in the late 1960s, Mary and Robert de Grimston led their followers on a nomadic journey around the US in search of more converts and the site of their new church.
48 min
238
"The Process Church" - Mary Ann MacClean and Ro...
Mary and Robert de Grimston created a flamboyant cult in 1960s London that attracted outcasts and celebrities alike.
43 min
239
“The Blackburn Cult” Pt. 2 - May Otis Blackburn
In 1925 Willa had been dead for months, and yet she wasn't laid to rest.
43 min
240
“The Blackburn Cult” - May Otis Blackburn
Many actors wait tables while they're waiting for their big break; May and Ruth Blackburn started a cult.
47 min
241
“Eastern Lightning” Pt. 2 - Zhao Weishan
After the cult was dogged with rumors of violent conversion tactics, the Church of the Almighty God blamed the Chinese government for the negative press.
38 min
242
“Eastern Lightning” - Zhao Weishan
The Church of the Almighty God preached that Jesus Christ had been reborn and walked the Earth.
40 min
243
“The Source Family” Pt. 2 - James Baker
When the cult moved to Hawaii, James Baker never expected his penniless followers to find him.
50 min
244
“The Source Family” - James Baker
When James Baker started his health food restaurant on the Sunset Strip in the 1970s, he had no intention of creating a spiritual commune.
47 min
245
“New Vrindaban” Pt. 2 - Kirtanananda Swami
For roughly 15 years, this guru was a beloved spiritual leader with hopes of opening a worship oriented theme park.
42 min
246
“New Vrindaban” - Kirtanananda Swami
For 26 years, he was the guru and leader of the New Vrindaban cult in West Virginia.
45 min
247
“The Workers' Institute” Pt. 2 - Aravindan Bala...
By the 1970s, Comrade Bala's small collective had gone completely underground.
48 min
248
“The Workers' Institute” - Aravindan Balakrishnan
After two "members" escaped in 2013, it was revealed Aravindan Balakrishnan was enslaving women in the basement of his London flat.
42 min
249
“The Sons of Freedom” - Peter V. Verigin
This Cult’s beliefs often steered members to protest against the Canadian government.
46 min
250
“River Road Fellowship” Pt. 2 - Victor Arden Ba...
Reigning over Shepherd’s Camp throughout the 1990s, Victor Barnard was the king of his own Eden.
41 min