The CULTural Zeitgeist

MAHA: WTAF

This week, we discuss Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the MAHA movement. What does it really mean, and is it as good as it sounds? Short answer: Probably not.

Love Has Won: Mother God's Weekend at Bernie's

We finally cover Amy Carlson A.K.A. Mother God, who's cult of personality may have led to her undoing.

Madame Helena Blavatsky: Everyday She Hustlin'

Possibly one of the most influential people we have covered this far, Helena Blavatsky is considered a fraud by some but to us, she is just a 19th-century hustler girlie, who may or may not have been hustled herself.

Bentinho Massaro: Douchebag Guru

Bentino Massaro leveraged the internet to grow a devout following. His teachings are a spiritual circle jerk of nonsense that has led to one death and a trail of sexual assault allegations.

The Rajneeshees: Terrorism at Taco Time (Re-release)

Originally aired November 1, 2023 In 1981 residents of Antelope, Oregon found their small conservative town of 40 residents overtaken by thousands of orange-clad strangers. The outsiders came to Oregon looking to create a utopian society dedicated to their leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. But years of investigations would find the Rajneeshees responsible for the first and largest bioterror attack on U.S. soil, and multiple attempted assassinations. CONSIDER DONATING TO Safe Passage Foundation The ...

Belle Gibson: The Worst - Part Two (Re-release)

Belle Gibson continues to take her scheme to new levels, gets blasted on 60 Minutes, and takes cultural appropriation to a new level. Please Consider Donating To Cancer Research Institute Cancer Research Institute’s mission is to save more lives by fueling the discovery and development of powerful immunotherapies for all types of cancer. It holds an A- from charity watchdog CharityWatch for it’s transparency and the amount of money it allocated to actually help fund research. Resources Donelly, ...

Belle Gibson: The Worst - Part One (Re-release)

Originally aired November 13, 2023 Wellness influencer Belle Gibson claimed that she had cured herself of malignant brain cancer through clean eating and coffee enemas. But, spoiler alert, she was a huge F*CKING liar. Please Consider Donating To Cancer Research Institute Cancer Research Institute’s mission is to save more lives by fueling the discovery and development of powerful immunotherapies for all types of cancer. It holds an A- from charity watchdog CharityWatch for it’s transparency and ...

The Seekers: A Casual Christmas Doomsday Abduction

JZ Knight: White Girl Wasted on Alien Wine

JZ Knight rose to prominence for channeling a Ramtha, a 35,000-year-old entity from a lost civilization. However, she quickly contorted her message of love and self-acceptance into a racist doomsday prediction that pit reptilian aliens against only the most enlightened of mankind.

Guru Jagat: Qanon Alien Wars and Melon Diets (Re-release)

This episode was previously aired on 12/6/2023 Katie Griggs was a girl-bossing yoga teacher and somehow a follower of two cult leader creeps (Osho and Yogi Bhajan) we have already covered. So things went really well... Resources Phelan, Hayley. “ The Second Coming of Guru Jagat .” Vanity Fair. 1 December 2021 Orecchio-Egresitz, Haven. “ Before the sudden death of its leader, Ra Ma Yoga Institute was accused by some former members of being a cult. What happens now? ” Business Insider. 30 October ...

Krishna Venta: Train Ho

Krishna Venta was a vagabond before dedicating his life to cosplaying as Jesus and peddling a doomsday race war that would live on in infamy long after he was gone.

Body and Brain: A Shooting Star to Nick Cage Rushmore

Ma Jaya Bhagavati and The Stigmata Diet

Joyce Green was a stereotypical 60's housewife before abandoning her kids and transforming into the guru Ma Jaya Bhagavati, complete with visions of the dead and full-blown stigmata.

Marcia Moore: Broadcasting from the Twelfth Dimension

This week, we cover the unsolved death of Astrologer and Yogi, Marcia Moore. Moore was a renowned writer on the metaphysical and went missing in 1979.

The Salem Witch Trials Part 2: F*ck You, More Weight

This week, we continue our two-part episode on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. We cover the court of Oyer and Terminer and the low-key serial killer running the show.

CULTured #3

CULTured is our irregular, monthly roundup of news in the wellness, yoga, and true crime space.....plus whatever the hell else we want to talk about. This month, we try to wrap our heads around the Diddy controversy and how deep the scandal goes.

The Salem Witch Trials: Yes, And....She's A Witch

It's SPOOKY SEASON! Join us for a deep dive into one of the most notorious events in American history, The Salem Witch Trials. We discuss the societal tensions and personal vendettas that fueled the hysteria, leading to the persecution of many innocent people.

Magdalena Solis: High Priestess of Blood (Human and Chicken)

It's spooky season, and this week we cover the takeover of a small Mexican town by a group of hustlers that spirals into forced blood rituals, orgies, and human sacrifice. You know, super casual stuff.

The Fox Sisters: Toes Crackalackin'

The Fox Sisters claimed to be able to speak to the dead, a claim that captivated a pre-Civil War America — but years of opposition, tragedy, and in-fighting proved to be their undoing. Recommended listening: The Foxes of Hydesville

Louis DeWohl: The Astrologer Hired to Thwart Hitler (And Possible Drag Icon)

Be prepared for our first on-air argument about spam thickness...Spoiler alert: We agree to disagree (but do we really?) Louis DeWohl is a sham astrologer hired by the Brits to help stop Hilter. It's a weird one....but a fun one.

CULTured #2: Shirtless Men's Drum Circle VS Bear

This month, we dive into Netflix's Dancing for the Devil, the TwinRay cult, Men's Group ethics, and Swami Satchidananda's possible VD Netflix's Dancing for the Devil Be Scofield's Twin Ray expose (please donate to help keep her work going) MA'AT - Advocacy for victims of Aubert Bastiat Yogaville Lawsuit (again, Be Scofield - go donate if your can) I've Had It Podcast Lilias's Bones - A Witch Podcast...

Miss Cleo: That Shady Hotline Bling

In this episode, we dive deep into the life of Miss Cleo, the charismatic face of the Psychic Readers Network. We explore her rise to fame, the controversies that surrounded her, and the eventual downfall that left her devastated. We discuss the deceptive practices of the Psychic Readers Network, the legal battles that ensued, and how Miss Cleo was exploited by the very company that made her famous. Resources: Call Me Miss Cleo Vice Interview with Miss Cleo...

NXIVM Part 2: Serve, Set, Sentence

Sarah burns it down. Sarah Edmondson, with the support of Mark Vicente and Bonnie Piesse, take their case against Keith Raniere public and that POS goes on the run. Trigger warnings for mentions of suicide and sexual assault are included as we delve into the darker aspects of this case. This episode is a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with justice, heartbreak, and the resilience of those who fought back. The Vow on MAX A Little Bit Culty with Sarah Edmonson and Nippy Ames...

NXIVM: Burn It Down, Sarah, Burn It Down

In this episode, we delve into the disturbing world of NXIVM, a so-called self-improvement organization founded by Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman. Promising personal development and success through their proprietary "technology," NXIVM quickly garnered a following of dedicated members. However, beneath the surface lurked a sinister reality. The Vow on MAX

Teal Swan: Spiritual Influencer and Pathological Liar

In this episode, Jenna and Jess dive into the controversial world of Teal Swan, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader who has garnered a large following by claiming to be a spiritual catalyst. Teal hosts retreats and workshops but is unlicensed, unregulated, and dangerous as hell. This episode is one huge trigger warning for suicide and sexual assault, please skip if you are not in the headspace to listen. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Nati...

CULTured #1: Culty News Roundup featuring Joey Donner and his Venice Burner Friends

Join Jenna and Jess for their possible monthly roundup, where they dive into spirituality, wellness, pop culture, and all the things. First up: Andrew Keegan clarifies his status amidst cult rumors on the 'Pod Meets World' podcast. Hear the backstory and why Jenna and Jess think he's just a hippie with a lot of money. Next: Claire Bronfman, a former benefactor of NXIVM, has been released from prison. Learn about her connection to the notorious cult and the legal battles she's faced. Lastly: A Ti...

Modern Mystery School: Banging for Magik and Maybe World Peace

The Modern Mystery School is an organization that considers itself the Harvard of Metaphysics. They teach a mixture of martial arts, meditation, reiki, and witchcraft to enact the will of ancient aliens, all while raking in millions by stoking fear of apocalypse demons. So. Super cool.

Gregorian Bivolaru: King of Yoga Porn and Professional Fugitive

Gregorian Bivolaru made headlines last year for being caught after 8 years on the run from international law enforcement for being an unhinged perv while marketing himself as a yoga guru.

Serge Benhayon: The DaVinci of Toilet Prophets

Serge Benhayon is a nut job who believes (amongst many things) that he received divine messages while taking a prolonged #2. Needless to say things don't get much better from there.

One Taste: An Orgasmic Mediation Circle Jerk

OneTaste was a San Francisco-based startup in the early aughts based on the concept of Orgasmic Meditation. But what started as a women's empowerment group turned real fucking shady as its founder tried to turn their circle jerk into a religion.