Promised Land

On November 18, 1978 Jim Jones led 918 people to their deaths at the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project settlement - better known as Jonestown. This series will detail the story from the beginning in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the tragic end in the jungle of Guyana.

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Episodes

Some Place That Hope Runs Out

In the final episode of Promised Land, we begin with the infamous "death tape," a chilling audio recording capturing Jim Jones’ final address, urging his followers towards "revolutionary suicide." Amidst the chaos, the tape reveals the heart-wrenching pleas and final moments of over 900 men, women, and children. We also explore the immediate aftermath, as the world grappled with the magnitude of the tragedy. Written by Angela Kehoe Narrated by Ian Kehoe All audio clips credited to the Jonestown ...

Jul 12, 2024•51 min•Ep. 8

The Congressman

In episode seven Congressman Leo Ryan gives up being cordial in his attempts to visit Jonestown, and travels to Guyana. Peoples Temple lawyers Mark Lane and Donald Freed continue to fuel Jones' paranoia for unclear reasons, and punishments take a turn for the worse. Research and audio clips are credited to The Jonestown Institute: https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=47461 Written by Angela Kehoe Narrated by Ian Kehoe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 7

I Will Fight

In episode six Jim Jones officially arrived in Jonestown, and the mood of everything turned dark. The custody dispute over John Victor came to a head, and Jones introduced the first of many White Nights. Jim Jones introduced a poison test while armed guards stood by to make sure everyone drank. Debbie Layton defected as Jim Jones' conspiracy thinking was fueled more by Donald Freed, Mark Lane, and Joe Mazor - and at the same time Leo Ryan was finally ready to visit Jonestown. Research and audio ...

Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 6

The New West Article

In episode five Jim Jones finds a place to start building Jonestown. Jones has another run-in with law enforcement, and starts to insert himself with prominent San Francisco politicians. Jim Jones' ego was feeding from his successes in 1976, however in 1977 things came crashing down. New West Magazine did the first investigation of The Peoples Temple, and it changed everything. Research and audio clips are credited to The Jonestown Institute. Visit their website for more information: https://jon...

Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 5

Lester Kinsolving and the Gang of Eight

Jim Jones faces bad publicity for the first time, when Lester Kinsolving writes an eight page series on The Peoples Temple. Jones would escape these articles, but find himself on the radar of the LAPD. Jim Jones also faces a defection from The Peoples Temple that makes him become more strict on members. As a result punishments take a drastic turn. Research and audio clips are credited to The Jonestown Institute: https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

Jun 14, 2024•48 min•Ep. 4

Show Me a Capitalist, and I'll Show You a Bloodsucker

Jim Jones starts to ask more from his followers financially. He experienced failures in returning to Indiana to show off his accomplishments, and failures in taking over Mother Devine's Peace Mission. Jim Jones refused to stop working, so he turned to drugs. Drugs made him paranoid, and his extramarital affairs spiral out of control. He also introduced the Planning Commission, which was the first step in The Peoples Temple becoming an authoritarian system. Research and audio clips are credited t...

Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 3

A Revolutionary Cause

Episode two looks at Father Devine, his Peace Mission, and the impact he had on Jim Jones. Jim would use Father Devine's model to mold The Peoples Temple, and make real change for race relations in Indianapolis - only to abruptly leave the US for Brazil. We also take a look at Jim's manipulation of the Vietnam War, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and his infidelity towards Marceline. Research and audio clips are credited to The Jonestown Institute. Visit their website for more infor...

May 31, 2024•48 min•Ep. 2

Born On The Wrong Side Of The Tracks

In this episode, we delve into the early life of Jim Jones, exploring his upbringing in rural Indiana, his fascination with religion, and his journey towards becoming the charismatic yet controversial leader of the Peoples Temple. Discover the formative experiences that shaped his ideologies and set the stage for his later infamous actions. Audio clips credited to The Jonestown Institute. Visit their website for more information: https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

May 24, 2024•42 min•Ep. 1

Promised Land Trailer

Feb 19, 2020•2 min

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