In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Sarah Darmofalski, a former member of the Lord Julius cult. Sarah shares her experiences growing up in the cult, the origins of the group, and the psychological impact it had on her and her family. The conversation delves into the cult's structure, daily life, and the challenges of maintaining relationships outside the group. Sarah discusses the identity changes imposed by the cult, the rituals they practiced, and the emotional tu...
Jan 19, 2025•59 min•Season 3Ep. 18
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack from End Witch Hunts about the ongoing issue of witch hunts in modern society. They discuss the historical context of witch hunts, personal connections to the topic, and the work being done to raise awareness and advocate for victims. The conversation highlights the misconceptions surrounding witchcraft and the importance of understanding the distinction between historical practices and contemporary ...
Jan 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 17
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey interviews author Annie Dawid about her book 'Paradise Undone: A Novel of Jonestown,' which explores the complex history of Jonestown and the Peoples Temple. Annie discusses her motivations for writing the book, the challenges of portraying the racial and political context of the time, and the importance of understanding the events surrounding Jonestown. The conversation also highlights the role of the Jonestown Institute in preserving histor...
Jan 05, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 16
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Remy, a former pastor and author, about the critical issues of spiritual abuse and toxic faith. Remy shares his journey from pastoring to writing about these topics, inspired by his experiences and the stories of others. The conversation delves into the definitions of toxic faith and spiritual abuse, the role of leadership in perpetuating these issues, and the signs of coercive behaviour in spiritual communities. Remy emphasises t...
Dec 29, 2024•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 15
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Jon about the controversial group Educo, its origins, evolution, and its impact on individuals and society. Jon shares insights into the practices of its leader, Tony Quinn, who features in the opening moments of a popular 2024 documentary "One Night in Millstreet" and expanded his business ventures from yoga to personal development and wellness. The conversation delves into legal battles, personal experiences with cult dynamics, ...
Dec 22, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 14
In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, host Kacey speaks with attorney Ken Good about the complexities of bail law in the United States, particularly focusing on the implications of zero bail policies and their impact on crime rates and public safety. They discuss the differences between the U.S. and UK bail systems, the challenges faced by domestic violence survivors, and the role of advocacy groups in shaping criminal justice reform. Ken shares insights on the statistics surrounding bail a...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey speaks with Cait West about her memoir, 'Rift,' which explores her experiences growing up in a Christian patriarchal environment. The conversation delves into the impact of Christian patriarchy on identity, the complexities of homeschooling, the effects of purity culture, and the concept of stay-at-home daughters. Cait shares her journey of breaking away from these constraints and the importance of sharing stories to validate others' experien...
Dec 09, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, host Kacey speaks with Priscilla about her experiences with the Landmark Forum, a controversial personal development program. Priscilla shares her background in neurodivergence inclusion and how she became involved with Landmark during a vulnerable time in her life. The conversation delves into the psychological techniques used by Landmark, the emotional manipulation participants experience, and the parallels between Landmark and the troubled teen indus...
Dec 01, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this episode, I speak with Tia Levings, author of 'A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy,' about her experiences escaping Christian patriarchy and the Quiverfull movement. We discuss the nuances of Christian fundamentalism, the emotional toll of patriarchal structures, and the importance of advocacy for women's rights. Tia shares her personal journey of healing and recovery, emphasising the need for societal change and the impact of these ideologies on both women and men. T...
Nov 25, 2024•50 min
This episode was created using Spreaker's new brand new CREATE app on iOS with ready-to-use templates, a very to use copyright free library of music and sound effects and instant publishing! Download the app today to start making your podcast a reality! Spreaker In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, host Kacey delves into the story of Angel’s Landing, a cult led by Daniel Perez, who manipulated and exploited his followers through financial fraud, sexual abuse and psychological control. The ...
Nov 23, 2024•13 min
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, I speak with Peter Young, a returning guest and author of 'Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger.' Peter shares his personal journey of unwittingly marrying into a cult and the psychological manipulation he faced from the cult leader, Uncle Robert. The conversation delves into the dynamics of cult influence on family relationships, the slow process of indoctrination, and the impact on Peter's marriage and parenting. Peter discusses his recovery journey, the...
Nov 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, I speak with Tammie Willis, a survivor of extreme Christian fundamentalism. Tammie shares her journey of escaping a life of coercive control and cultic manipulation, detailing the psychological and emotional impacts of her upbringing. The conversation explores the complexities of fundamentalism, the role of gender, the effects of purity culture, and the challenges faced in education and recovery. Tammie emphasizes the importance of peer support and comm...
Nov 10, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, I speak with Lyn Smith-Gregory, the great-grandniece of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church. Lyn shares her journey from being a devoted believer in the Mormon faith to questioning her beliefs after encountering historical evidence that contradicted her upbringing. She discusses the emotional turmoil of leaving the church, the impact on her family, and her quest for identity and fulfillment outside of the Mormon community. Lyn also touches on her...
Nov 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This conversation delves into the coercive practices of The Way International, focusing on the sexual and reproductive control of women, financial exploitation, and the indoctrination of members. Hannah shares her personal experiences within the cult, highlighting the patriarchal dynamics and the challenges faced by women. The discussion also touches on the cult's control over information, the impact of the Jesus Movement, and the implications of the upcoming Rock of Ages event, which aims to re...
Oct 27, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, I engage with author Bart Stewart, who discusses his novel 'The Contraption' and its exploration of cult dynamics. We delve into the historical evolution of cults, the societal neglect surrounding the issue, and the connections between cults and domestic abuse. Bart shares insights from his extensive research and personal experiences, emphasising the need for greater awareness and education on the subject. The conversation also touches on the challenges...
Oct 20, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode of the Cult Vault podcast, I speak with Lonnie, a returning guest who has recently published a graphic memoir titled 'Gaytheist: Coming Out of My Orthodox Childhood'. Lonnie shares his journey from growing up in an Orthodox Jewish community in New York to living in Japan, discussing the challenges he faced as a gay man in a restrictive environment. The conversation delves into the complexities of Jewish identity, the intricacies of religious practices, and the contradictions with...
Oct 13, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Another episode, another week of expert interviews. This time, I sit down with Nicole Bedera to talk about her research on sexual violence within universities. Dr. Nicole Bedera is a sociologist and cofounder of the antiviolence consulting practice Beyond Compliance. She received her PhD from the University of Michigan. She has spent more than a decade studying sexual violence and advocating for survivors in media outlets including the New York Times, NPR, and Harper's BAZAAR. Nicole Bedera's de...
Oct 06, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Hello listeners and welcome back to Season 3 of the Cult Vault Podcast. In this episode, Kacey is joined by longtime friend of the show Lisa VanArsdale. Lisa discusses her ongoing exploration of various cults and religious communities, sharing her experiences and insights from her visits. They delve into the importance of understanding these groups, the live show and podcast Lisa has created, and the dynamics of leadership within cults. The conversation also touches on cultural practices, human ...
Sep 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 2
As I return from my studies in the Psychology of Coercive Control MSc programme at the University of Salford, I'm looking forward to covering more content on this subject matter. To start the new season, here is an episode on the topic itself: What is Coercive Control? Get in Touch or Support: Patreon - patreon.com/thecultvault Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultvaultpod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CultVaultPod Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Cult-Vault Gmail: cultvaultpodcast@gmail....
Sep 22, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode, I chat with Jordan about his childhood experiences being involved in the Assemblies of God, a sect of Pentecostalism, and how a constant state of upheaval and relocation made it difficult to maintain friendships and experience childhood in a "typical" way. Along with homeschooling, Jordan and his family uprooted a number of times. This travelling included missionary work in Africa and his parents eventually opening their own church Get in Touch or Support: Patreon - patreon.com/...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 26 min
In this episode, I chat with Jordan about his childhood experiences being involved in the Assemblies of God, a sect of Pentecostalism, and how a constant state of upheaval and relocation made it difficult to maintain friendships and experience childhood in a "typical" way. Along with homeschooling, Jordan and his family uprooted a number of times. This travelling included missionary work in Africa and his parents eventually opening their own church Get in Touch or Support: Patreon - patreon.com/...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 12 min
In this remastered episode I talk with author Mary Mahoney who details her experiences in The Children of God, talking us through the trials of her memoir. Mary joined The Children of God in her teens and through systematic coercion and manipulation, became trapped in one of the most notorious and insidious cults known today. During this episode, Mary speaks about human trafficking, sexual abuse, financial and physical abuse and vast amounts of spiritual abuse - all taking place in the name of t...
Sep 01, 2024•1 hr 27 min
In this remastered episode I talk with author Mary Mahoney who details her experiences in The Children of God, talking us through the trials of her memoir. Mary joined The Children of God in her teens and through systematic coercion and manipulation, became trapped in one of the most notorious and insidious cults known today. During this episode, Mary speaks about human trafficking, sexual abuse, financial and physical abuse and vast amounts of spiritual abuse - all taking place in the name of t...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Cast your ears back to the time I was given the chance to interview the legendary Jon Atack LIVE on stage at Crimecon UK. An experience I won't soon forget, and one you could be a part of next month as Crimecon UK returns to London on September 21st and 22nd! Find your tickets here - www.crimecon.co.uk and use the code CULT for 10% off your tickets! Find Jon's YouTube channel here - jon atack, family & friends - YouTube Get in Touch or Support: Patreon - patreon.com/thecultvault Crimecon UK ...
Aug 19, 2024•49 min
In this episode I speak with activist Evvie about their experiences in the Church of Christ. Evvie talks us through their activist work, parentification, and homeschooling during their younger years in CoC. Evvie experienced racism and lack of acceptance around the LGBTQIA+ community, advocating for their siblings, and striving for their own further education. Appearing at 2022's ICSA conference, Evvie is a true inspiration to survivors of high-demand religious groups. https://www.emergentphoeni...
Aug 11, 2024•1 hr 12 min
In this episode I speak with activist Evvie about their experiences in the Church of Christ. Evvie talks us through their activist work, parentification, and homeschooling during their younger years in CoC. Evvie experienced racism and lack of acceptance around the LGBTQIA+ community, advocating for their siblings, and striving for their own further education. Appearing at 2022's ICSA conference, Evvie is a true inspiration to survivors of high-demand religious groups. https://www.emergentphoeni...
Aug 03, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Remastered: Trapped In Treatment is a new docu-style podcast series from Paris Hilton & Warner Bros. Unscripted TV in Association With Telepictures, and iHeart Media, that will examine and expose the dark secrets of the “Troubled Teen Industry.” Beginning with Provo Canyon School, each season will focus on the story of one youth treatment facility, its survivors, and the traumatizing abuse at the hands of their captors. Hosted by Caroline Cole and Rebecca Mellinger, Trapped in Treatment weav...
Jul 21, 2024•1 hr 58 min
In this remastered episode I chat with someone who has experienced The International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Michael gives a deep dive into many types of Religious and Spiritual groups he has joined, with a focus on a particularly problematic sub-group within the Hare Krishna movement called "The Mantra Lounge". I personally do not condone joining established cults or high demand groups for personal or social experimentation. Please be careful. Get in Touch or Support: Patreon - patre...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 30 min
In this remastered episode I chat with someone who has experienced The International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Michael gives a deep dive into many types of Religious and Spiritual groups he has joined, with a focus on a particularly problematic sub-group within the Hare Krishna movement called "The Mantra Lounge". I personally do not condone joining established cults or high demand groups for personal or social experimentation. Please be careful. Get in Touch or Support: Patreon - patre...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 13 min
In today's remastered episode, I have a special interview with author Zack Bonnie who has written 2 books about his time at CEDU and Rocky Mountain Academy. Zack's activism and whistleblowing work has opened doors into institutional reform around the world - highlighting the abuse that happens in these troubled teen programmes. Zack breaks his story up by inserting perspectives from other people in Zack's life during these experiences, with his writing also peppered in research and explanations ...
Jun 30, 2024•1 hr 59 min
