At 16, Celeste Mott was alone, grieving, and searching - for meaning, for connection, for something that felt bigger than her small, suburban life.
And then she found them.
An online world inspired by Anne Rice.
Dark. Seductive. Intelligent.
A place where vampires weren’t just characters… they were real.
Or at least—that’s what they lead her to believe. ... Show More
Mar 30
Jehovah's Witnesses: "Michael Jackson Was Just 'Michael' to Me"
As a young teenager, Darls Centola was searching for something steady in a chaotic world. What she found was the Jehovah’s Witnesses—a religion that felt warm, structured, and safe.What she didn’t expect to find… was him.Not the King of Pop. Not the global icon. Not Michael Jacks ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 2023
The Cult of Spiritual Scammers (feat. Listener Stories!)
Time to spill some never-before-heard culty tales: This week, Amanda and Isa are reacting to shocking cult stories submitted by you listeners! Many thanks to those who wrote in to share their personal brushes with New Age scams, love-bombing strangers, elementary school rituals t ... Show More
29m 4s
Jul 2023
The Cult of The Hammer Family
You're sure to *devour* this week's episode analyzing four generations of wealthy men who, in our little opinion, represent a stunning example of how a powerful American family can resemble a cult. This week, Isa and Amanda are joined by a third co-host of sorts, true crime TikTo ... Show More
1 h
Mar 2023
Daniella Mestyanek Young - Part 1
Ep 118: (Part 1) Raised in one of the most notorious sex cults, one woman’s memoir brings their atrocities out of the shadows and into the light.
This is the Daniella Mestyanek Young story - part 1.
For more information about Daniella's work, or to learn about her book, Unculture ... Show More
41m 56s
Apr 2023
The Cult of The Real Housewives
Fame, wealth, fraud, backstabbing, plastic surgery, hidden power hierarchies... are we talking about one of reality television's most successful franchises or a full-blown cult??? Host of the Reality Life podcast Kate Casey, an unscripted TV connoisseur who's been analyzing The R ... Show More
1h 5m