It's Failed Utopia's inaugural fiction takeover! I’m doing something a little different for the next few episodes and talking not about real world stuff but about a fictional utopia. And what better place to start than with the book that gave us the modern meaning of the word: Thomas More’s Utopia. The book is a discourse on a fictional island called Utopia. Not only did Thomas More coin the phrase, this 16th Century work is widely considered to be the ancestor of the entire utopian and dystopia...
Jun 22, 2021•50 min•Ep. 20
It's Pride month, and today I'm bringing you a story about a trans and queer haven in southern Colorado. It's an alpaca ranch founded by a group of trans people who wanted to create a little utopia where they could thrive away from persistent discrimination and hostility they faced as trans people out in the world. While they just want to live their lives and exist, they aren’t willing to hide in order to be left alone, and unfortunately, just being who they are, where they are has led to some b...
Jun 08, 2021•16 min•Ep. 19
Today I’m filling you in on something you might have seen in the headlines recently—the death of Love Has Won leader Amy Carlson, also known as Mother God. The bizarre circumstances reported by the media have put the spotlight on this group for the public, but for cult watchers, this group has been on their radar for a while now. What is this group all about, and what could have led to the remains of its leader being discovered decomposing in a house in Colorado, decorated with glitter and strin...
May 25, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 18
The Divine Order of the Royal Arms of the Great Eleven was one of many cults operating in Southern California in the 1920s. It was also known as The Great Eleven or the Blackburn Cult. Botched resurrections, cultists pissing off an Italian organized crime syndicate, possible poisonings and mysterious disappearances, and ritual sacrifices . . . of puppies. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text L...
May 11, 2021•32 min•Ep. 17
Our planet is awash in garbage, especially plastic. Our land, oceans, lakes and rivers are choked with plastic. It’s even been found in the Marianas Trench 6.5 miles under the sea and all over Mount Everest. It has permeated the food chain, and the air we breathe, and it falls in rainwater. For decades, recycling was billed as the panacea that would save us from our garbage. Why didn’t it work? Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Preventio...
Apr 27, 2021•26 min•Ep. 16
The Weimar Republic was the prosperous, post-World War I period in Germany, which lasted from 1918 to 1933. It was during this time that Germany transitioned from a monarchy to a republic. It ended when Hitler ascended to power as a dictator. How could a golden age of economic prosperity and cultural renaissance possibly have failed so miserably that it gave way to Nazi Germany and the Holocaust? Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevent...
Apr 13, 2021•31 min•Ep. 15
This is the story of a dream about Black pride and religion that turned into a reality of corruption, fear, and murder: Nation of Yahweh and its leader, Yahweh Ben Yahweh. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 For veterans, Make The Connection www.yahwehb...
Mar 30, 2021•49 min•Ep. 14
Today you’ll hear about The Narcotic Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, addiction, science, wacky graham crackers, jazz, prison, unethical medical experimentation, and a weird diversion about William S. Burroughs that I really didn’t plan on talking about but that made me feel very indignant. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources Addiction Help: USA The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) findtreatment.gov or 1-800-662-HELP The Natio...
Mar 16, 2021•37 min•Ep. 13
Big cats, colonizers, the slave trade, cannibalism, supernatural strength-granting rituals, and a whole lot of blood and entrails. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 For veterans, Make The Connection Britannica’s Cannibalism: Cultures, Cures, Cuisine, ...
Mar 02, 2021•36 min•Ep. 12
1970s dudes claim a reef, turn it into an island, declare sovereignty, and get chased off by the King of Tonga. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 For veterans, Make The Connection The New York Times 1976 South Sea Reef Proclaimed A Republic by 3 Ameri...
Feb 16, 2021•18 min•Ep. 11
The utopia of love; weird stories about Saint Valentine, Cupid, and Charles, Duke of Orleans; fun facts about candy, venereal disease, and celebrating around the world; why I'm jealous of Juliet's mail; badly read poetry; and much more! Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources An image of Charles, Duke of Orleans’ original 1415 letter at The British Library History’s Oldest-Known Valentine Was Written in Prison History of the Conversation Heart Cherubic Cupid I...
Feb 09, 2021•19 min
Did Donald Trump create a #MAGA utopia during his presidency? What’s the deal with QAnon? Is Trumpism a cult? Trigger warning: reality Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 For veterans, Make The Connection Watch this video ! It features a great breakdown...
Feb 02, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 10
UFOs, Jesus, meat suits, Ti and Do, Luciferians, the Human Evolutionary Level, spading under, Star Trek . . . oh, and the largest mass suicide ever to take place on American soil. It's Heaven's Gate. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 For veterans: Mak...
Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 9
Gloriavale is a fundamentalist Christian cult in the beautiful country of New Zealand. Not only do they observe some strange practices but they also face decades worth of accusations of brainwashing, abuse, and violence. They still operate today with about 500 members. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a re...
Jan 05, 2021•46 min•Ep. 8
What’s the secretive alternative community that only gets talked about once a year? Listen on to find out! Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 Make The Connection Written and produced by Anna Roberts...
Dec 23, 2020•12 min
Get ready to hear about Naked in the Woods, an aptly titled book by Margaret Grundstein about her years spent in a utopian hippie commune in the woods in Oregon. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 Make The Connection Margaret Grundstein’s Naked in the ...
Dec 22, 2020•29 min•Ep. 7
What do you think of when you hear “free-love commune”? If you’re an American like me, I’m guessing you’re thinking 1960s or 70s alternative communities and hippies, not devout Christians in the 1800s. Today we’re talking about the Oneida Community—the only cult that turned itself into a silverware company. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpl...
Dec 08, 2020•21 min•Ep. 6
What does Walt Disney have to do with utopia? Is Disney World really the happiest place on Earth? Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 Make The Connection Walt Disney’s 1966 EPCOT film (EPCOT comes in at 10:25 if you’re impatient) Richard E. Foglesong’s Married to the Mouse James B. Stewart’s DisneyWar Forb...
Nov 24, 2020•28 min•Ep. 5
This is a bonus episode that builds on the previous episodes Jonestown Parts 1 and 2. This will make more sense if you finish those two episodes first. So much of the research I did for those episodes didn’t make it into the final cut. So today I’m giving you a little bonus content--what you could consider the silver lining: those who survived and those who tried to save the lives of others. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Failed Utopia merch now available! www.failedutopia...
Nov 17, 2020•13 min
In today’s episode we are going to talk about the granddaddy of utopian fails, Peoples Temple. Or, as you might know it, Jonestown. This is Part 2. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 Make The Connection Jeff Guinn’s The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and...
Nov 10, 2020•35 min•Ep. 4
In today’s episode we are going to talk about the granddaddy of utopian fails, Peoples Temple. Or, as you might know it, Jonestown. This is Part 1. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 Make The Connection Jeff Guinn’s The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and...
Nov 10, 2020•33 min•Ep. 3
On this episode we’re talking about an ecovillage in Scotland. There won’t be any maniacal cult leaders or rattlesnake bites on this one, but there will be fairies, nature spirits, failed guru takeovers, and meditation in the public toilet at an RV park. Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline...
Nov 10, 2020•34 min•Ep. 2
The drug rehab/utopian community/violent cult. Shaved heads, The Game, rattlesnakes, and dope fiends! Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website . Links & Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846 Make The Connection Synanon movie trailer . Skip to 2:23 for the best fight scene of all time. Paul Morantz’s Escap...
Nov 10, 2020•36 min•Ep. 1
Welcome to Failed Utopia. This is a podcast about utopian ideas and paradise lost. We look at utopian concepts from the past, present and future, as well as utopian societies and communes, which promise the world to eager followers but inevitably fail when it all starts to unravel. Some of these utopias just fall apart, while others devolve into true horrors and even brutal cults. I’ll break down what these groups’ leaders were thinking, what attracted their devotees in the first place, and how ...
Oct 23, 2020•2 min
