To kick off Marketplace’s season premiere, we’re sharing a conversation with one of our favorite writers, Hanif Abdurraqib. He joins Reema for a wide-ranging discussion about the moral judgments often made regarding people’s financial circumstances, notions of success and legacy, and what it means to be “good” versus “bad” in an unequal world. Hanif also opens up about one of the most challenging financial moments of his life and his commitment to giving away a significant portion of his income....
Jan 30, 2025•37 min
An extended interview with writer and professor Roberto Lovato, whose book “Unforgetting: A Memoir of Family, Migration, Gangs, and Revolution in the Americas” helped inspire the series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 08, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 12
A special conversation with Salvadoran American comedian Marcella Arguello, whose giant tattoo of Oscar Romero sparked the series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 01, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 11
The rise of President Nayib Bukele, and what that means for El Salvador’s future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 25, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In the aftermath of the Salvadoran Civil War, gangs like MS 13 and Barrio 18 rise to power in the US and El Salvador. Jasmine interviews her aunt Vilma about the murder of her son. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 18, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 9
The murder of 6 Jesuit priests finally ends the war in El Salvador, and brings into question who really holds the power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 11, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 8
A lonely town in the Salvadoran mountains becomes a symbol for the lies of the government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 04, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Days after Jasmine’s mother, Ana, left for the US, her sister Margarita was “disappeared.” Her body was later discovered on a rural road, along with the bodies of 4 men. Through interviews with her family, Jasmine finally reveals the mystery of who is responsible for the murders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 27, 2024•25 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Jasmine gets an unexpected visit from some cousins, who reveal the reason why her family left for the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 20, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 5
The bodies of four American Catholic nuns are found on the side of a rural road. As violence spiraled out of control, this tragic event sounded the alarms in the country that was the biggest sponsor of the Salvadoran military: the United States. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 13, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Roberto D’Aubuisson, a military officer who plotted a coup and came back as a respected political figure, was beloved by some but feared by many. He was a boogeyman of sorts, one that created and led vicious death squads that terrorized El Salvador. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 06, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Following the Archbishop’s murder, thousands gather to mourn Oscar Arnulfo Romero. His funeral becomes the battleground, where the two sides of the war finally show their faces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 30, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 2
On March 24th, 1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero was presiding over mass when he was shot through the heart. His gruesome and public murder sent a signal to the people of El Salvador: None of you are sacred. None of you are safe. The Archbishops death would spark a war that would change the lives of thousands of people, including our host, Jasmine Romero. While on a quest to understand the Archbishops murder, she finds deaths in her own family that connect back to the slain priest. See omnystudio.co...
May 23, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In 1980, one man held together a fragile peace in the tiny nation of El Salvador: Archbishop Oscar Romero. When he is brutally and publicly assassinated on the pulpit, his murder starts a war that would leave 75,000 dead, and a million more displaced around the globe. Sacred Scandal season 3, Nation of Saints, follows host Jasmine Romero as she uncovers the holy war that followed the Archbishop's death, and led to an unsolved murder in her own family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
May 16, 2024•3 min
Leaving a high control group isn’t as simple as walking out through the front door. A cult is not simply a physical location, it’s a lifestyle, a belief system, a community and a state of mind. So is it possible to know if the preacher, the yoga guru, or the beloved politician you, or a loved one, are so taken with, is really a narcissistic psychopath cult leader in disguise ? In this episode, we attempt to highlight some of the signs, that can signal the red flags. See omnystudio.com/listener f...
Aug 10, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Through the perspective of whistleblower Sochil Martin and the emergence of an online forum, we delve into the intricate web of events that led to the downfall of Naason Joaquin, the leader of the controversial religious organization La Luz del Mundo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 03, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 11
The counts against Naason are plenty. The Accusations are damning! And finally, after countless postponements, the five Jane Does get ready to face their abuser in court. But nothing goes as planned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 27, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 10
We dive into the life of Karem León to better understand what LLDM has in store for those that dare to push against the church’s airtight defenses. In 1997, Moises Padilla, Amparo Aguilar and Karem Leon spoke out against La Luz del Mundo, but their accusations were ignored, leading to devastating consequences for the victims. When members leave the cult, there’s ongoing trauma. In the case of Karem de Leon – who faced constant threats from the organization – that led to her tragic death. See omn...
Jul 20, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 9
The leaders of LLDM, known as the "royal family," preach about austerity and sacrifice to their followers, but behind the scenes, they live in opulence with luxurious mansions and private zoos. The question remains: where is all this wealth coming from, and what is the true source of the church's financial power? In this episode, we dive into the finances of LLDM and uncover the secrets behind their lavish lifestyle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 13, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Where does the victim end and the perpetrator begin? The story of Alondra Ocampo, Naason's confidant and also a survivor. To understand how Alondra Ocampo: the victim, became Alondra Ocampo: the predator – we take a closer look at the inner workings of the cult - the tight control, the constant fear, the guilt and shame, the psychological manipulation - that is life inside La Luz Del Mundo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 06, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 7
The Mexican Press calls them “The Vestals” - a group of women inside LLDM with an unholy task: to groom young boys and girls for the Apostle. Alondra Ocampo’s road to hell on earth began when she was 8 years old. While her parents went to the temple, she went to the kid’s room, unknowingly entering a world of abuse that would continue for over thirty years. A path through the life of both a victim and a vestal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 29, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 6
A woman is shot dead in Guadalajara. There are multiple witnesses. Security camera footage. But no one comes forward and the case remains unsolved. We look at LLDM's deep connections with the police, and their hush-hush operations. LLDM's longstanding connections with influential figures and politicians have helped them evade accountability time and again, but as public scrutiny intensifies, will justice finally be served? In this episode, we explore the extent of LLDM's power and influence, and...
Jun 22, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 5
We meet Sochil Martin, the whistleblower who played a pivotal role in the downfall of Naasón Joaquín García. Sochil takes us on a journey through her childhood as a faithful member of the church and the dark tasks she was asked to perform as part of her service to the apostle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 15, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 4
We delve into the remarkable expansion of LLDM under the leadership of its second Apostle, Samuel Joaquín García, and trace the origins of LLDM back to its founding Apostle, Aaron Joaquín. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 08, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Moises Padilla was brutally attacked, stabbed 68 times after denouncing the heinous crimes committed by the religious group called La Luz del Mundo It was in 1998 when Moises Padilla was brutally attacked, stabbed 68 times after denouncing the heinous crimes committed by the religious group called La Luz del Mundo, the largest cult on earth which, after decades of abuse, has recently come to light. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 01, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Discover the stunning downfall of the leader of religious organization "La Luz del Mundo," Naasón Joaquín García. Join us as we explore the shocking events that rocked the religious organization "La Luz del Mundo" when its leader, Naasón Joaquín García, celebrated his 50th birthday at Mexico City's prestigious cultural center, only to be arrested weeks later on charges of heinous crimes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 25, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Sacred Scandal, named one of Podtrac’s Best New Podcasts of 2022, embarks on its second season, focusing on Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World). It tells the story of Naasón Joaquín García, a self-proclaimed apostle, who is currently behind bars after pleading guilty in June 2022 of sexually abusing girls from his congregation. Naasón is currently serving a nearly 17-year sentence, but maintains his innocence. Host and investigative journalist Roberta Garza explores Naa...
May 18, 2023•3 min
For lovers of true crime, EXILE Content Studio proudly presents their latest show, Shoot the Messenger: Espionage, Murder, & Pegasus Spyware (subscribe here ). Beginning with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Shoot the Messenger investigates the sophisticated spyware used on his inner circle, Pegasus - and how vulnerable we all might be. Jamal Khashoggi’s life, assassination, and betrayal opened up a timeline for a new digital battle: cyber-surveillance weapons. In 2018, Saudi journa...
Feb 08, 2023•45 min
Melanie and Paula answer questions from listeners, review updates from the war in Ukraine, and discuss stories and interviews that didn't make it to the series. If you want to get in touch, email us on [email protected]. And for behind-the-scenes photos and videos follow us on Instagram @SacredScandal To help support the people of Ukraine at this time, visit https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/ If you’re concerned about or have experienced abuse in your ...
Mar 14, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Melanie and Paula look back on their conversation at the monastery and, as new theories emerge, they try to piece together the truth about what happened at Holy Cross. If you want to get in touch, email us on [email protected]. And for behind-the-scenes photos and videos follow us on Instagram @SacredScandal To help support the people of Ukraine at this time, visit https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/ If you’re concerned about or have experienced abuse i...
Mar 07, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 11
