On Belief: A Podcast About Cults

We all would like to think that we're immune to being persuaded, but were that true, advertising wouldn't work, the best candidates would always get elected, and our personal relationships would always be equitable. On Belief examines why, with so much information available to us to dissuade us from joining harmful groups. I ask people who have had first hand experience with harmful groups and sects how they were seduced, how they were tricked, and how they got out.

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Episodes

Episode 105: Messianic Jews with Guest Rabbi Michael Skobac

If you've ever wondered what Jews For Jesus or other groups in the Messianic Judaism extended universe actually believe. In this episode, we discuss: The origins of Messianic Judaism How Messianic Jewish groups recruit How Messianic Jewish groups appropriate Jewish symbols and give them a Christian spin What Messianic Jewish groups actually believe Is there harm to the Jewish community? And more... Special Guest: Rabbi Michael Skobac.

Jun 04, 2019•16 min•Season 1Ep. 105

Episode 104: Aum Shinrikyo with Guest Sarah Hightower

Content warning: Frank discussion of abuse and murder You may vaguely remember the Tokyo Subway Sarin attack, but that's not where the Aum Shinrikyo story begins or ends. Guest Sarah Hightower explains: How Shoko Asahara was an opportunist and bully from childhood How Asahara was a multiple time grifter before settling on creating a cult The day-to-day lives of adherents What Poa was Why a failed bid to intall Aum members in Japanese Parliament spurred Asahara to pursue chemical and biological w...

May 28, 2019•17 min•Season 1Ep. 104

Episode 103: The Family with Guest Chris Johnston

Content Warning: Frank discussion of child abuse In this episode, Chris Johnston tells us: Who was Anne Hamilton-Byrne? How did she grow her cult out of a well-placed yoga studio? How Anne took advantage of countercultre symbols like mysticism and LSD and used them to target rich conservatives How Anne was able to grow her brood of children How The Family evaded police and the homeschooling authorities What happened to the children of The Family? And more... Buy Chris' book: https://www.amazon.c...

May 21, 2019•50 min•Season 1Ep. 103

Episode 102: NXIVM With Guest Brock Wilbur

**A change has been made to this episode. Two sentences not materially important to the content of the episode have been removed to comply with a nastygram from a law firm representing a particularly litigious group which, while not directly referenced in the episode, are related to the group previously mentioned in this episode. The group in question is in no way affiliated with NXIVM. We at On Belief would like to thank the intern at the law firm for their patronage in the $5 tier.** Brock Wil...

May 14, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 102

Episode 101: What IS a Cult? An Interview with Rick Alan Ross of the Cult Education Institute

We delve into the mechanics of cults: What are the specific warning signs of cults? How do you know if your yoga class is a front for a cult? What does cult recruitment look like now vs other points in history? Which groups are the greatest threat to the most people today? This week's episode is an interview with cult expert Rick Alan Ross of the Cult Education Institute. http://culteducation.com/ More in-depth notes and links for this episode are available at http://onbelief.com Special Guest: ...

Apr 19, 2019•13 min•Season 1Ep. 101

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