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The CULTural Zeitgeist

A true crime podcast exploring the dark side of yoga and wellness
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Episodes

The Omnipotent Oom: America's First (V. Racist) Yoga Scandal

Travel back to the turn of the 20th century for a glimpse into America's first yoga sex cult starring a gaggle of harlots wearing (gasp) tights, and a man unironically and inappropriately donning a turban.

Apr 03, 202446 minSeason 1Ep. 27

Talking Tiktok Psyhic Scammers with Rachael Cohen

Today we chat with our dear friend Rachael Cohen, an energy worker, intuitive medium, and author of the upcoming book Self Care of Eco-Anxiety. We dabble into Tiktok psychics, astrology, intuitive abilities, and mediumship. Connect with Rachael Cohen - Our Infinite Nature Website Instagram / Tiktok / Youtube Preorder Self Care for Eco-Anxiety...

Mar 28, 20241 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 26

James Arthur Ray: The Sedona Sweat Lodge Deaths

James Arthur Ray was a motivational speaker who found success after he was featured in the 2006 film The Secret. But his hubris landed him in hot water after three people died at one of his self-help retreats. Before attending an event or teacher training check out the site before for red flags to be aware of. Seek Safely

Mar 20, 202453 minSeason 1Ep. 24

The Samaritan Foundation: Rest in Distress, Linda

In 1995, filmmaker Allen Ross is missing and his friends begin to suspect that his involvement in a spiritual dowsing cult may have something to do with his disappearance.

Mar 06, 202443 minSeason 1Ep. 23

Anne Hamilton-Byrne: The Original Mother God

Anne Hamilton-Byrne is a yoga instructor who used meditation and LSD to establish a cult centered around the idea that she was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, while also unlawfully acquiring 28 children to expand her following. Join our Patreon to support our production and get a shout-out in our next episode. Try 7 days free! Instagram - @spirituallyeffedpodcast...

Feb 28, 202456 minSeason 1Ep. 22

Bikram (emphasis on the "ick" of it all)

We knew we would eventually have to cover the human garbage that is Bikram Choudhury, but it doesn't mean we like it. Bikram is an over-the-top, abusive, and delusional predator who still has followers today but should just be in jail. Join our Patreon to support our production and get a shout out in our next episode. Try 7 days free! Instagram - @spirituallyeffedpodcast...

Feb 21, 202445 minSeason 1Ep. 21

Rose Marks: Operation Crystal Ball

Psychics. Romance Novels. Love faxes with Colin Powell. This story has everything you could ask for. Except for your money back. Our Infinite Nature Join our Patreon to support our production and get a shout out in our next episode. Try 7 days free! Instagram - @spirituallyeffedpodcast...

Feb 14, 202445 minSeason 1Ep. 20

Aum Shinrikyo: Japan’s Most Notorious Anime Doomsday Yoga Cult Part 2

Aum Shinrikyo is a cult that transitioned from a new-age religion to a terrorist organization engaged in horrific crimes under the leadership of its ambitious and deluded leader, Shoko Asahara. Asahara used sensory, sleep, and food deprivation, sexual assault, and even murder, to ensure that his yoga cult could bring forth the end of days, leaving him as the supreme ruler of Japan. Creepy Dancing Video Join our Patreon to support our production and get a shout out in our next episode. Try 7 days...

Feb 07, 202439 minSeason 1Ep. 19

Aum Shinrikyo: Japan’s Most Notorious Anime Doomsday Yoga Cult

Learn about the devastating transition of Aum Shinrikyo from a spiritual organization to a terrorist organization engaged in horrific crimes under the leadership of its ambitious and deluded leader, Shoko Asahara. Asahara used sensory, sleep, and food deprivation, sexual assault, and even murder, to ensure that his yoga cult could bring forth the end of days, leaving him as the supreme ruler of Japan. Reply All - Episode 120: INVCEL Foundation on Apple+ - Disclaimer: I have not actually seen thi...

Jan 29, 202451 minSeason 1Ep. 18

The Buddhafield: Neon, Hot Bods, and Ballerinos

The Buddhafield is a bodacious cult from the 80’s that was devoted to yoga, dance, and maintaining rockin’ bods. Their leader was known for rocking guyliner, a speedo, and a penchant for sexual abuse. Holy Hell - Will Allen’s Documentary on Peacock How to Become a Cult Leader: Episode 3, Reform Their Minds - Narrated by Peter Dinklage so, need I say more...

Jan 24, 202454 minEp. 17

The Hare Krishna Murders: Part 2

Well, this one was full of trashy audio and went on for well over an hour before we artfully edited it to a manageable 52 minutes (you're welcome). Today we finish our story about the disgusting Keith Ham (a week late...sorry, not sorry) and the multiple murders he committed to keep his followers from knowing he was a pedocreep. In case you wanted one: Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Tee from Discount Cemetery...

Jan 16, 202452 minEp. 16

The Hare Krishna Murders: Part 1

Keith Ham was a Hare Krishna leader of the West Virginia ashram called New Vrindaban, but he was harboring pretty gross secrets that would lead him to commit not one, but two grisly murders. Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder - Documentary on Peacock Hare Krishna Leader Tied to Murder Plot - Washington Post...

Jan 03, 202441 minEp. 15

doodooTerra

If you think Young Living was bad, doTerra isn't much better. doTerra turns a blind eye to the shady business dealings of it's middle man and lies about it's charitable work overseas IUCN The Price of Purity on Vice TV Beeyo Mal

Dec 27, 202334 minEp. 14

D. Gary Young: Essential Oil Tycoon, Ex-Convict, and Baby-killer

D. Gary Young is known as an essential oil trailblazer who started a wildly successful company with millions of devoted followers, but before Gary introduced the world to Thieves he had also spent a good amount of time in jail. Apparently, pretending to be a doctor is against the law, but don't worry, jail didn't stop this go-getter.

Dec 20, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 13

Fruitlands: Dickensian Hipsters Start A Cult

A non-depressing tale of how Little Women author Louisa May Alcott grew up in a failed Dickensian hipster cult run by her father, an educator and dedicated vegan, who was very much, ahead of his time.

Dec 13, 202350 minEp. 12

Guru Jagat and the Secret Alien War

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 2021 George, Cassidy. “Inside the Dubious World...

Dec 06, 20231 hr 10 minEp. 11

The Cult of Yogi Bhajan

Yogi Bhajan came to the US to spread the teachings of Kundalini Yoga, something he claimed was an ancient spiritual practice, but ...turns out he made the whole thing up and left a trail of sexual abuse and shady business deals along the way. RESOURCES Deslippe, Philip. “ From Maharaj to Mahan Tantric: The Construction of Yogi Bhajan's Kundalini Yoga ” Dyson, Pamela Saharah. Premka: White Bird in A Golden Cage . Eyes Wide Publishing. 2020 Scofield, Be. “ Master of Deceit: How Yogi Bhajan Used Ku...

Nov 29, 20231 hr 15 minEp. 10

Belle Gibson: The Worst Part 2

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, ...

Nov 22, 202347 minEp. 9

Belle Gibson: The Worst

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 amount of money it allocated to...

Nov 15, 202345 minEp. 8

The Tragic Murder of Mo Wilson

Moriah “Mo” Wilson was a rising athlete in the world of gravel racing. As a competitive newcomer, she was soon winning races against the seasoned racers, catching the eye of one of gravel racings biggest stars and, unfortunately, the ire of his on-and-off-again girlfriend. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO The Moriah Wilson Foundation Promoting healthy living and community building by supporting organizations dedicated to expanding access to recreation, sports, and educational programs. RESOURCES Park...

Nov 08, 202339 minEp. 6

The Rajneeshee Bioterror Attack

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 Safe Passage Foundation provides r...

Nov 01, 20231 hrEp. 5

The Botched Case of Dana Jones

Dana Jones was a kitchen designer and yoga practitioner who died in 2014 as a result of a yoga fall. Doctors and her family suspect the blunt-force trauma to the back of her head had more to do with her husband than her yoga practice, but a shady homicide detective and a corrupt police department thwart all their attempts to find answers. Spiritually Fucked Episode show notes Instagram: @spirituallyeffedpodcast...

Oct 25, 202343 minEp. 4

Yoga To The People Part 2

In 2019 Yoga to the People founder, Greg Gumucio was on top of the world. His yoga studio chain was a massive success, drawing in thousands of yogis and making him a millionaire. However, when COVID-19 forced their studios to close, an anonymous Instagram account would not only shutter the business permanently but put Gumucio behind bars. Spirituallyfucked.com

Oct 19, 202347 minEp. 3

Yoga To The People Part 1

In 2019 Yoga to the People founder, Greg Gumucio was on top of the world. His yoga studio chain was a massive success, drawing in thousands of yogis and making him a millionaire. But, when COVID forced their studios to close, an anonymous Instagram account would not only shutter the business permanently but put him on law enforcement's radar. Spirituallyfucked.com

Oct 18, 202332 minEp. 2

Chow Wai Yin A.K.A. Aqua Chow

In July of 2022, Instagram yoga influencer Chow Wai Yin, also known as Aqua Chow planned to travel from Hong Kong to the US for an advanced yoga teacher training, but never arrived for her flight. Spirituallyfucked.com INSTA: @spirituallyeffedpodcast

Oct 16, 202329 minEp. 1
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