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.
276
Order of the Solar Temple - Joseph Di Mambro
Joseph Di Mambro was no stranger when it came to new religious movements.
40 min
277
Leopard Society
For the past 150 years, members of the Leopard Society in West Africa dressed in leopard skins and brutally murdered over six-dozen victims.
45 min
278
The Narcosatanists Pt. 2 - Adolfo de Jesús Cons...
Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo founded the Narcosatanists in Mexico City in 1985.
53 min
279
The Narcosatanists - Adolfo de Jesús Constanzo
Adolfo de Jesús Constanzo spent his early life training in the mystical religions of Santería and Palo Mayombe.
52 min
280
The Moonies Pt. 2 - Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon's church used a well-practiced set of tactics on each prospective cult member.
51 min
281
The Moonies - Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon was the son of farmers who converted from Confucianism to Christianity when he was about 10 years old.
59 min
282
Oneida Community Pt. 2 - John Humphrey Noyes
John Humphrey Noyes’ Oneida Community practiced polyamory long before the free love movement of the 1960s.
49 min
283
Oneida Community - John Humphrey Noyes
John Humphrey Noyes grew up crippled by social anxiety.
47 min
284
Twelve Tribes Pt. 2 - Elbert Spriggs
The Twelve Tribes has numerous communities still active around the world.
38 min
285
Twelve Tribes - Elbert Spriggs
Elbert Eugene Spriggs Jr. felt he could never live up to his strict Christian father's expectations.
44 min
286
“The Brethren” Pt. 2 - Jimmie T. Roberts
Jimmie T. Roberts lead a religious cult known as 'The Brethren' and targeted vulnerable college students looking for belonging.
48 min
287
“The Brethren” - Jimmie T. Roberts
Although he had a lonely childhood and grew up impoverished, Jimmie T. Roberts found feelings of comfort and belonging in religion.
35 min
288
“Rajneeshpuram” Pt. 2 - Ma Anand Sheela
Ma Anand Sheela orchestrated Rajneeshpuram’s movement from India to Oregon.
58 min
289
"Rajneeshpuram” - Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Prophesied to die young and surviving near-death-experiences, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh felt discomfort with his own mortality from a young age.
52 min
290
“Church of Euthanasia” Pt. 2 - Chris Korda
In 1992, musician and computer programmer Chris Korda founded the Church of Euthanasia with a goal to control population through suicide, abortion, sodomy, and cannibalism.
33 min
291
“Church of Euthanasia” - Chris Korda
At just 10 years old, Chris Korda began to feel deeply fearful of climate change, and she worried greatly about the future of Earth.
39 min
292
“Apostles of Infinite Love” Pt. 2 - Michel Coll...
Michel Collin and Jean-Gaston Tremblay, the two excommunicated self-crowned popes of the Apostles of Infinite Love, gained a following after presenting themselves to have mystical powers and visions.
36 min
293
"Apostles of Infinite Love” - Michel Collin and...
After having a religious vision when he was seven years old, Michel Collin set on a path to become Pope.
40 min
294
“Sect of Nacozari” Pt. 2 - Silvia Meraz Moreno
It’s hard to believe that human sacrifice still exists today.
37 min
295
“Sect of Nacozari” - Silvia Meraz Moreno
From 2009 to 2012 in Sonora, Mexico, Silvia Meraz Moreno put together a plan to receive good fortune from Santa Muerte, or Saint Death.
47 min
296
“Nuwaubian Nation” Pt. 2 - Dwight York
In November 2014, a baby struggling for his life was left at an ER in the Atlanta area.
36 min
297
“Nuwaubian Nation” - Dwight York
We explore the life of Dwight York, a manipulative cult leader who used his members for financial gain.
49 min
298
"True Russian Orthodox Church" - Pyotr Kuznetsov
Pyotr Kuznetsov, the leader of the radical “True Russian Orthodox Church” cult, convinced his followers the world would end on May 28th, 2008.
54 min
299
“The Peoples Temple” Pt. 2 - Jim Jones
Jim Jones was a farm boy who later turned into America’s deadliest cult leader.
57 min
300
“The Peoples Temple” - Jim Jones
Jim Jones controlled the most notorious American cult of all time — the Peoples Temple.
53 min