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.
251
“River Road Fellowship” - Victor Arden Barnard
Victor Barnard started his own cult in the early 1990s and moved off the grid to an isolated campground in Minnesota.
40 min
252
“Fellowship of Friends” Pt. 2 - Robert Earl Burton
Robert Earl Burton used elements of mysticism to lure vulnerable followers to his group, but his shaky past threatens their future.
42 min
253
“Fellowship of Friends” - Robert Earl Burton
In 1970, his fellowship began with just two members huddled around a dining room table in Northern California.
37 min
254
“Kashi Ashram” Pt. 2 - Joyce Green
What started as a mission preaching tolerance and empathy, quickly turned sour when rumors of drug abuse and financial impropriety started to swirl.
40 min
255
“Kashi Ashram” - Joyce Green
Controversy would eventually strain Kashi Ashram, turning some of Joyce’s closest allies against her.
41 min
256
"Freemasonry" Pt. 2 - The cult that built America
Masonic ideals helped shape one of the most powerful nations in the world.
37 min
257
"Freemasonry" - The cult that built America
One of the oldest secret organizations in the world that dates back to 1425.
39 min
258
“The Way International” Pt. 2 - Victor Paul Wie...
By 1980, The Way International was one of the largest and wealthiest cults on Earth.
46 min
259
“The Way International” - Victor Paul Wierwille
“The Teacher” appeared to be devoted to God, but actually wanted sex, money, and control.
46 min
260
“Church of Satan” Pt. 2 - Anton LaVey
How did the Church of Satan fare after his death in 2001?
43 min
261
“Church of Satan” - Anton LaVey
Anton LaVey would go on to publish the first Satanic Bible which continues to influence people all over the world today.
45 min
262
“The Church of the Last Testament” Pt. 2 - Serg...
Would you follow a cult into Siberia?
39 min
263
The Church of the Last Testament - Sergey Anato...
This traffic cop turned cult leader got his followers to believe he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.
41 min
264
The Kirtland Cult Pt. 2 - Jeffrey Lundgren
What would happen when the "murmurs" he heard indicated that some of his followers were having second thoughts?
51 min
265
The Kirtland Cult - Jeffrey Lundgren
He believed that he could talk to God and that he alone could bring about Zion in Kirtland.
50 min
266
Mankind United Pt. 2 - Arthur Bell
After being shut down by the FBI, Arthur Bell returned and established a tax-exempt church that would allow him to extort his followers for millions.
40 min
267
Mankind United - Arthur Bell
Imagine only working four hours a day, four days a week, eight months a year.
49 min
268
The Hernandez Brothers' Cult
The Hernandez Brothers Cult was founded by Santos and Cayetano Hernandez in the early 1960s in a small, northern Mexico village.
42 min
269
Lumpa Church Pt. 2 - Alice Lenshina
By 1960, the Lumpa Church was the most influential religion in Zambia and seen as a political threat by Prime Minister Kenneth Kaunda.
36 min
270
Lumpa Church - Alice Lenshina
After a life-changing vision turned her into a prophetess, Alice Lenshina rose from one of the minor tribal houses of Zambia to become the founder and leader of the Lumpa church, one of the most powerful organizations in the entire country.
42 min
271
Sahaja Yoga Movement Pt. 2 - Shri Mataji Nirmal...
How has the cult managed to remain so strong and what role did the death of Shri Mataji play in that success?
43 min
272
Sahaja Yoga Movement - Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi is the founder of the Sahaja Yoga Movement, a form of meditation meant to help practitioners unlock an inner awareness.
46 min
273
Church Universal and Triumphant Pt. 2 - Elizabe...
Elizabeth Clare Prophet was the charismatic leader of the Church Universal and Triumphant who had no problem recruiting members.
46 min
274
Church Universal and Triumphant - Elizabeth Pro...
When Mark Prophet died suddenly of a stroke in 1973, Elizabeth Clare Prophet usurped his position as the leader of Summit Lighthouse, and changed its name to Church Universal and Triumphant.
50 min
275
Order of the Solar Temple Pt. 2 - Joseph Di Mambro
Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret founded The Order of the Solar Temple.
41 min