Let's Start A Cult

This week, the gals try and tackle the history and conspiracy theories surrounding the mysterious Bohemian Club, and their vacation spot - the Bohemian Grove. Tune in to hear all about the beginnings of the club, whose been involved, the Grove, and of course all things weird that are associated with it. As well, make sure you tune in regarding an important show update. Need a distraction? We got you.  Podcast promo: A Little Wicked - Check them out! Please check out this link regarding how you can support Ukraine: https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/ukraine-help-resources-donations/ (https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/ukraine-help-resources-donations/)  Listener discretion is advised. Shout out to our Patrons Tom, Bailey, Angela, Jon, Alicia, Lynn, Sissy, Shadow, Courtney & Cheryl! Thank you for supporting Weird Distractions on Patreon. You can also support the show on Patreon and get monthly bonus episodes, behind the scenes footage, and more! We're also on Buy Me a Coffee if you want to support the show with a one-time donation. You can also find us on Redbubble for some Weird Distractions merch. If you want to provide feedback or even your own weird story to be read on air in an upcoming Listener Distractions episode - please email: weirddistractionspodcast@outlook.com. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, please consider rating & reviewing! It's the best way to support the show (for free). Thanks for listening! Weird Distractions is a proud member of the Cultiv8 network: https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork/ (https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork/)  Resources: Book - “The Conspiracy Book: A Chronological Journey Through Secret Societies and Hidden Histories” - written by John Michael Greer - Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. - Published in 2018 - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/39859658-the-conspiracy-book (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/39859658-the-conspiracy-book)  Wikipedia page - Bohemian Club - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Club#Founding (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Club#Founding)  Wikipedia page - J. Robert Oppenheimer - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Robert_Oppenheimer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Robert_Oppenheimer)  Wikipedia page - List of Bohemian Club members - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bohemian_Club_members (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bohemian_Club_members)  Wikipedia page - Joseph Coors - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Coors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Coors)  Wikipedia page - Haig Patigian - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haig_Patigian (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haig_Patigian)  Wikipedia page - Manhattan Project - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project)  Wikipedia page - Bohemian Grove - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Grove (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Grove)  All That's Interesting article - “The Little Known History of Bohemian Grove, The Summer Camp for the Masters of the Universe” - by Katie Serena, Checked by Jaclyn Anglis - November 28th, 2021 - https://allthatsinteresting.com/bohemian-grove (https://allthatsinteresting.com/bohemian-grove)  Vanity Fair article - “Bohemian Tragedy” - By Alex Shoumatoff - April 1st, 2009 - https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/05/bohemian-grove200905?currentPage=1 (https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/05/bohemian-grove200905?currentPage=1)  Vanity Fair articles - “A Guide to the Bohemian Grove” - By Julian Sancton - April 1st, 2009 - https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/05/bohemian-grove-guide200905#:~:text=To%20join%20the%20Bohemian%20Club,patrician%2C%20Republican%2C%20and%20white (https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/05/bohemian-grove-guide200905#:~:text=To%20join%20the%20Bohemian%20Club,patrician%2C%20Republican%2C%20and%20white) Who Rules America website - “Social Cohesion & The Bohemian Grove,...

We did it, Fred! We finally found a cult that isn't horrible! Because today we are going to be talking about Bruno Groning and The Circle of Friends. A cult whose leader died before it formed but whose followers managed to create a worldwide cult that believes in positive thinking to heal its followers. Consider supporting the podcast by becoming a https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Ye Olde Crime: https://twitter.com/yeoldecrimepod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/yeoldecrimepodcast/ (Instagram) https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/ (Website) Pineapple Pizza Podcast: https://twitter.com/pineapppizzapod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/pineapppizzapod/ (Instagram) https://www.pineapplepizzapodcast.com/ (Website) https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=cultiv8podcastnetwork (This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.) https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

In 1989, the Metropolitan Government of Tokyo officially recognized “Aum Shinrikyo” as a legitimate religious movement. Little did they know that five years later, that same group would carry out a violent terrorist attack on the city, leaving 13 dead and a thousand others severely injured. Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

What better way to kick off the month of love then with a Canadian true crime case. This week, Alex and Christie discuss the horrid crimes that took place on the Belcher Islands, referred to as the Belcher Islands Massacre. Tune in to learn more about the area, and what took place in the 1940's that changed a small community. Please note our deepest apologies if we mispronounced anything in this weeks episode! And, note a trigger warning is in effect for this weeks episode due to themes discussed. Need a distraction? We got you.  Podcast promo: Leave the Lights On Podcast - Check them out! As discussed in episode 62 about the 215 bodies of Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation children recently found in Kamloops (and counting found in other provinces/locations), please check out: https://truenorthaid.ca/how-to-help-first-nations/. If you have any additional resources you'd like to share, please email: weirddistractionspodcast@outlook.com. Listener discretion is advised. Shout out to our Patrons Tom, Bailey, Angela, Jon, Alicia, Lynn, Sissy & Shadow! Thank you for supporting Weird Distractions on Patreon. You can also support the show on Patreon and get monthly bonus episodes, behind the scenes footage, and more! We're also on Buy Me a Coffee if you want to support the show with a one-time donation. You can also find us on Redbubble for some Weird Distractions merch. If you want to provide feedback or even your own weird story to be read on air in an upcoming Listener Distractions episode - please email: weirddistractionspodcast@outlook.com. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, please consider rating & reviewing! It's the best way to support the show (for free). Thanks for listening! Weird Distractions is a proud member of the Oracl3 network: https://theoracl3network.com/ (https://theoracl3network.com/) & the Cultiv8 network: https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork/ (https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork/)  Resources: Wikipedia Page - “Belcher Islands” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belcher_Islands (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belcher_Islands)  Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Belcher Islands". Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Jun. 2018, https://www.britannica.com/place/Belcher-Islands. Accessed 17 January 2022. Youtube video - “The Belcher Islands Massacre|Solved” - uploaded by user DeeDee Baum - November 4th, 2021  Morton's Musings website - http://jmortonmusings.blogspot.com/2014/03/when-god-and-satan-battled-in-barren.html (http://jmortonmusings.blogspot.com/2014/03/when-god-and-satan-battled-in-barren.html)  Open Bible website - https://www.openbible.info/topics/falling_stars (https://www.openbible.info/topics/falling_stars)  Spine Online - “The Coldest Winter” - by Kira Frazer for the Algonquin College School of Media & Design - http://www.spineonline.ca/screams-from-the-basement/2019/11/25/the-coldest-winter (http://www.spineonline.ca/screams-from-the-basement/2019/11/25/the-coldest-winter)  Macleans article - “Revisiting a grisly mass murder in Canada's North” - by Mike Doherty - January 5th, 2017 - https://www.macleans.ca/culture/books/lawrence-millman-revisits-a-grisly-mass-murder-in-canadas-north/ (https://www.macleans.ca/culture/books/lawrence-millman-revisits-a-grisly-mass-murder-in-canadas-north/)  American Boating website - https://americanboating.org/safety_hypothermia_in_the_summertime.asp#:~:text=In%20water%20temperatures%20from%2070,unconscious%20in%201%2D2%20hours (https://americanboating.org/safety_hypothermia_in_the_summertime.asp#:~:text=In%20water%20temperatures%20from%2070,unconscious%20in%201%2D2%20hours)

In 1976, James Ellison moved to Arkansas, intending to establish a self-sustaining fundamentalist Christian commune made up of like-minded individuals who wanted nothing more than to dedicate themselves to God. But by 1978 – a mere two years later – he and his followers had become domestic terrorists who believed in white supremacy and were willing to resort to violent means to overthrow the government of the United States. Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Cultiv8 Podcast Network Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Support this podcast

Cults are not always sinister. Similarly, cult leaders are not always manipulative sociopaths. Sometimes, all they need is one deluded man. August Engelhardt, born with a silver spoon, was many things, and one of them was delusional, something he shared with other cults and their leaders. You might wonder the peculiarities of Engelhardt's delusion. It is nothing other than the obsessive yet interesting relationship he developed with the fruit with one of the hardest shells. This is a man that decided to give everything up for a life of nudity and a diet consisting of nothing other than coconuts. Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Cultiv8 Podcast Network Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) The Dumb, Found Dead: https://twitter.com/tdfdpod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/thedumbfounddeadpod/ (Instagram) https://www.facebook.com/thedumbfounddeadpod (Facebook) https://www.thedumbfounddeadpod.com/ (Website) Support this podcast

For many, Tom Cruise is a good-looking actor who rose to fame after starring in blockbusters like “Top Gun,” “Mission Impossible,” and “Risky Business.” But for Scientologists, Tom Cruise is a demigod who has become “Operating Thetan VII.” According to them, this status has allowed him to gain a wide range of superpowers, such as telekinesis, leaving his body at will, and controlling the behaviour of other living things – including humans. In fact, former Scientologist and actress Leah Remini once said, quote, “Being critical of Tom Cruise is being critical of Scientology itself. You are a person who is anti– the aims and goals of Scientology. You are evil.” End quote. It's crazy to think that a belief system created in the 1950s managed to become so powerful that it was able to turn an ordinary human being into a deity worshipped by members. Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Cultiv8 Podcast Network Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Weird Distraction Podcast: https://twitter.com/WeirdDistracti1 (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/WeirdDistractionsPod/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/weirddistractionspod/?hl=en (Instagram) https://linktr.ee/WeirdDistractionsPod (Website) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

Super excited to kick off 2022 with this much-anticipated cult! The Church of Scientology may be controversial; however, its devotees have nothing but praise for its teachings. For instance, actor Tom Cruise once called it “a beautiful religion,” while fellow actor John Travolta publicly stated that it was only being criticized because it “really works well.” For many, though, the Church of Scientology is nothing but a dangerous cult that brainwashes people, charges them exorbitantly for their membership, and never lets them leave. Get access to Part 2 right now on our https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Cultiv8 Podcast Network Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Weird Distraction Podcast: https://twitter.com/WeirdDistracti1 (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/WeirdDistractionsPod/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/weirddistractionspod/?hl=en (Instagram) https://linktr.ee/WeirdDistractionsPod (Website) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

When Ann Fitzgerald met a group of New Age devotees at a festival in London, she thought that she had found a set of like-minded and supportive friends. Never did she imagine that she would spend the next decade in their grip, working 16-hour shifts without being paid a single dollar. Ann, however, was far from the group's only victim. Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Canadian SPIRIT podcast: https://twitter.com/spirit_canadian (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/SPIRITGP (Facebook) https://anchor.fm/canadianspirit (Website) Sources for this episode include The Famous People, the World Religions and Spirituality Project, The Laughing Man Institute official website, the Hermes Far Eastern Shining official website, The Daily Telegraph, Cult Education, and The Apologetics Index. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

Hey Wikimaniacs! It's my (Josh's) final episode of 2021! Crazy right? Still feels like 2020...Anyways, I thought it would be fun to do a recap of all the wild and crazy things that happened this year. We touch on some very real topics in this episode but it's incredibly fun and we have our good friend Lindsay from Ye Olde Crime and Pineapple Pizza Podcast! She has some excellent takes and it's always fun having her on. So go check out her podcasts after listening to this episode! Enjoy and I hope you all have a happy holiday and a wonderful New Year! 00:00 - Introductions, 08:36 - Capitol Hill Riots, 22:40 - Social Media, 37:26 - Elon Musk and Billionaires, 50:16 - Kim and Kanye, 53:01 - Residential Schools, 01:07:45 - Canada's Election, 01:10:58 - COVID, 01:20:48 - Our New Years Resolutions, 01:29:06 - Outro Lindsay's Podcasts: https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/ (Ye Olde Crime) https://www.pineapplepizzapodcast.com/ (Pineapple Pizza Podcast) Become a Patreon for early episodes: https://www.patreon.com/redditonwiki (Patreon) Follow Us For Memes: https://twitter.com/redditonwiki (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/redditonwiki/ (Instagram) https://www.tiktok.com/@redditonwikipod? (Tik Tok) https://www.redditonwiki.com/ (Website) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

When Allen Lafferty walked into his home on the evening of July 24, 1984, he never expected to find the carpet and drapes soaked in blood. Nor did he imagine that he would be the first to find the corpses of his beloved wife and daughter. Staring at their remains, Allen soon came to realize that those responsible for destroying his family were none other than his older brothers, whom he had looked up to all his life.  Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Sources for this episode include “Under the Banner of Heaven” by Jon Krakauer, The Deseret News, The Detroit Free Press, True Crime Daily, Kuer 90.1, Grunge, CBS News, KSL TV, The Salt Lake City Weekly, the State of Utah v. Ronald Watson Lafferty (2001), and a Medium article titled “Brenda and Erica Lafferty: Revelation and Death” by Madeline O'Brien. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

After graduating from Harvard University in the early 1970s, Paul Sprecher decided to head to the Big Apple, in search of exciting opportunities. Instead, he stumbled upon a group led by an increasingly erratic authoritarian, who sought to impose his views about sex and the nuclear family on his hundreds of devotees. Surprisingly enough, its ranks included prominent celebrities from that decade, as well as other high-profile figures, most of whom were only too happy to give up their salaries to fund their leader's various whims. Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Mr. Bunker's Conspiracy Time Podcast: https://twitter.com/mrbunkerpod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/mrbunkerpod/ (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaZQnqJox67N4p18eZq6Yzw (YouTube) https://www.mrbunkersconspiracytime.com/ (Website) Sources for this episode include Ranker, The Journal News, The New York Post, Gothamist, Penn State University, and the website “I Love the Upper West Side.” This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

In‌ ‌today's‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ ‌Let's‌ ‌Start‌ ‌a‌ ‌Cult‌ ‌we‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌discussing Multi-Level‌ ‌Marketing‌ ‌companies ‌or‌ ‌pyramid‌ ‌schemes.‌ ‌From‌ ‌leggings‌ ‌to‌ ‌essential‌ ‌oils‌ ‌and‌ ‌kitchen‌ ‌knives,‌ ‌these‌ ‌predatory‌ ‌brands‌ ‌have‌ ‌manipulated‌ ‌countless‌ ‌individuals,‌ ‌causing‌ ‌them‌ ‌to‌ ‌destroy‌ ‌personal‌ ‌relationships‌ ‌and‌ ‌lose‌ ‌their‌ ‌life‌ ‌savings.‌ ‌ ‌ With‌ ‌tactics‌ ‌reminiscent‌ ‌of‌ ‌actual‌ ‌religious‌ ‌cults,‌ ‌the‌ ‌way‌ ‌MLMs‌ ‌operate‌ ‌is‌ ‌definitely‌ ‌disturbing.‌ ‌ Go to https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 (HelloFresh) and use the code HFAFF80 for $80 off ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box! Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) TV Trivia Pod: https://twitter.com/tvtriviapod (Twitter) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBJzgyvh4gPVpSjr_vuEP1w (YouTube) https://tvtriviapod.podbean.com/ (Website) Reddit On Wiki: https://twitter.com/redditonwiki (Twitter) https://www.tiktok.com/@redditonwikipod (Tik Tok) https://www.instagram.com/redditonwiki/ (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOzxm6gtNWnoazoSScCp3Yg (YouTube) https://www.redditonwiki.com/ (Website) Sources from this episode include the Management Study Guide, Fundera, Investopedia, The Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, the subreddit “anti-MLM,” BBC News, The Snapping Point, Bustle, Vice, Go Banking Rates, Behind MLM, and The Balance (Small Business). Photo by https://www.pexels.com/@mikhail-nilov?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels (Mikhail Nilov) from https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-tank-top-holding-clear-glass-bottle-6706842/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels (Pexels) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

The Chinese government is often criticized for its harsh policies against groups that undermine it. However, many have welcomed the measures that it has taken to repress the Church of Almighty God, due to the cult's involvement in dozens of controversies, including riots, a stabbing at a primary school, and a vicious murder that was caught on camera. Go to https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 (HelloFresh) and use the code HFAFF80 for $80 off ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box! Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Today's promo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/killer-fun-crime-and-entertainment/id1352106952 (‎Killer Fun Crime and Entertainment on Apple Podcasts) Sources for this episode include The Daily Beast, CNN, Bitter WInter Magazine, a text titled “Protestant Continuities in the Church of Almighty God” by Holly Folk and published in the Journal of CENSUR, the EU Reporter, Sixth Tone, Got Questions, Lonely Planet, and CenSAMM. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

In today's episode of Let's Start a Cult – the story of Colonia Dignidad, a religious commune established on the foothills of Chile's Andes Mountains.  To outsiders, it seemed like a self-sustaining Christian community that strived to give back to the locals. However, it would later be revealed that it had ties to both Nazi Germany and the Pinochet government, which killed over three thousand people while a thousand more remain missing to this day. Sponsored by Db Journey: https://bit.ly/37cP8YP (https://bit.ly/37cP8YP) Our Socials: Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (https://twitter.com/lets_cult) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ) Website: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/) Ye Olde Crime: https://twitter.com/yeoldecrimepod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/yeoldecrimepodcast/ (Instagram) https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/ (Website) Sources for this episode include The American Scholar, The Washington Post, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, Bustle, The International Business Times, The Telegraph, the Deutsche Welle, The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, and Al Jazeera English. Sources for this episode include All That's Interesting, a Medium article by Lisa Marie Fuqua titled “The Ripper Crew Satanic Cannibal Cult Murders,” Listverse, Murderpedia, Windy City Ghosts, The Chicago Tribune, and CBS Chicago. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

The Ripper Crew, a group that terrorized Chicago with a series of abductions and horrific killings between 1981 and 1982. Later, it would be revealed that they would eat the amputated breasts of their victims as part of their sickening Satanic ritual.  They may have committed these horrific murders but one of the cult's members has since been released from prison. Even their leader will be eligible for parole in a few years' time, despite the authorities describing him as worse than the infamous Charles Manson. Sponsored by Db Journey: https://bit.ly/37cP8YP (https://bit.ly/37cP8YP) Our Socials: Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (https://twitter.com/lets_cult) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ) Website: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/) Shots And Thoughts: https://twitter.com/sntpod (Twitter) http://instagram.com/sntpod (Instagram) https://sntpod.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) Sources for this episode include All That's Interesting, a Medium article by Lisa Marie Fuqua titled “The Ripper Crew Satanic Cannibal Cult Murders,” Listverse, Murderpedia, Windy City Ghosts, The Chicago Tribune, and CBS Chicago. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode, we are talking about an Australian New Age Group called The Family. This group forcefully adopted children and raised them on a compound in Australia.Sponsored by Db Journey: https://bit.ly/37cP8YPOur Socials:Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQWebsite: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/Reddit On Wiki:Twitter: https://twitter.com/redditonwikiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/redditonwiki/Website: https://www.spreaker.com/show/reddit-on-wikiSources for this episode include Rolling Stone Magazine, “Unseen, Unheard, Unknown” by Sarah Moore, The Guardian, CBS News, a research paper titled “Anne Hamilton-Byrne and the Family” written by Carole Cusack of the University of Sydney and published in the Nova Religio journal, 60 Minutes Australia, BBC News, ABC Australia, and The AgeResearch by: Kayla DeleonSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult)

Thank you everyone for such a huge success in our first week! Keep the reviews and tweets coming, they help blow up our egos. For today's episode, we will be discussing Exercise Tiger, a WWII training exercise for D-Day that resulted in over 1000 deaths! This week's podcast promo is from our friend at Infinite Banter. You can find all their information at https://li.sten.to/mWTiZG9. Follow us on social media on Instagram and Twitter @redditonwiki. Follow us as well on major podcast platforms such as Apple, Spotify, and Podchaser. Don't forget to leave a 5-star review if you enjoy what you hear. All links here! https://linktr.ee/redditonwiki (https://linktr.ee/redditonwiki) Resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_Tiger (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_Tiger) https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Exercise-Tiger/ (https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Exercise-Tiger/) https://www.history.com/news/d-days-deadly-dress-rehearsal (https://www.history.com/news/d-days-deadly-dress-rehearsal) https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/exercise-tiger.html (https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/exercise-tiger.html) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode of Let's Start a Cult – the story of the Children of Thunder, a trio led by a fanatic who believed that it was his mission to kill the leaders of the Mormon Church. To carry this out, he brainwashed his younger brother and his roommate to carry out a horrific murder spree that left even the presiding judge reeling from its bloody details. Sponsor: https://omio.sjv.io/c/2544961/1078765/7385Our Socials:Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQWebsite: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/Reddit On Wiki:Twitter: https://twitter.com/redditonwikiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/redditonwiki/Website: https://www.spreaker.com/show/reddit-on-wikiSources for this episode include the San Francisco Gate, Turner Entertainment, Murderpedia, The Independent, The Daily Mail, People Magazine, and the Cult Education Institute. Research by: Kayla DeleonSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult)

Unlike the majority of other cults, the House of David didn't isolate itself from the rest of the world. In fact, its members even opened their commune to visitors, welcoming up to half a million of them during peak season. They also formed their own baseball team that went on to compete with the nation's best, making headlines across the United States and contributing significantly to how the game has evolved throughout the centuries. Perhaps the most bizarre thing about the devotees of the House of David was how the men refused to shave and cut their hair. Photos show them wearing baseball outfits, with full beards and hair streaming down their backs. But as odd as their appearances were, the residents of Benton Harbor, Michigan, where the commune was located, held nothing but love for them. Sponsor: https://omio.sjv.io/c/2544961/1078765/7385Our Socials:Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQWebsite: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/Hush Hush Society Conspiracy Hour:Twitter: https://twitter.com/HHSConspiracyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hushhushsocietyconspiracyhourInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hhsconspiracyhour/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBHJv6RWJxDaHMbEKfCb_ogWebsite: https://www.hushhushsociety.com/Sources for this episode include:Southcottian Studies, The Guardian, Owlcation, the Detroit Free Press, Mashable, The Chicago Tribune, a Medium article titled “The house of David: The Midwest Cult that Was Really Good at Baseball” by Lauren Modery, the Cult Education Institute, The Detroit News, The Chicago Reader, the Michigan Radio, The Detroit Free Press, and Atlas Obscura.Photograph: Underwood Archives/Getty ImagesResearch by: Kayla DeleonSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult)

Aswang are horrible shape-shifting creatures from Filipino folklore! Listen to this test episode as John gives Josh and Sean an in-depth look into these terrible creatures!Get ready to listen weekly starting August 2nd! Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!https://www.spreaker.com/show/reddit-on-wikiSources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aswanghttps://www.movementdisorders.org/MDS/AOS-Partners/Movement-Disorder-Society-of-the-Philippines.htmhttps://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/aswang-the-terrifying-vampire-ghouls-of-the-philippines/https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Tikbalanghttps://www.reddit.com/r/Ghoststories/comments/bah2zb/an_manananggal_tried_to_eat_me_in_my_moms_womb/

He may be long dead, but Charles Manson continues to strike fear in the hearts of many. This gaunt, unshaven man with wild eyes can be seen in dozens of photographs from the late 1960s and early 1970s – a period in American history that, interestingly enough, was marked by peace movements alongside murderous cults, serial killers, and all sorts of violence. Perhaps no other man embodies this chaotic period than Charles Manson. In life, he was known as a prophet and leader; however, he has since come to be regarded as evil incarnate, who turned a bunch of free-thinking youngsters into mass murderers. Sponsor: https://omio.sjv.io/c/2544961/1078765/7385Our Socials:Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQWebsite: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/Crime & Compulsion:Twitter: https://twitter.com/crimecompulsionFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/crimeandcompulsionInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimeandcompulsionpodcast/Website: https://crimeandcompulsion.com/Sources for this episode include All That's Interesting, Vox News, ThoughtCo, Biography, Encyclopedia Britannica, TIME Magazine, The Mirror, a book titled “Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders” by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry, Famous Trials, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Psychology Today, a Psych Blog from Penn State University, and Smithsonian MagazineResearch by: Kayla DeleonSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult)

In this episode of Let’s Start a Cult – we will be talking about QAnon, a movement born from an Internet messaging board that – in the space of four years – managed to infiltrate the United States Presidency, leading to a slew of disturbing incidents.Sponsor: https://omio.sjv.io/c/2544961/1078765/7385Our Socials:Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQWebsite: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/From the Middle:Twitter: https://twitter.com/fromthemidpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromthemidpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthemidpod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ab3_gRkKlr6i4LsCq8hjQWebsite: https://linktr.ee/fromthemidpodSources for this episode include BBC News, Insider, Fast Company, CNN, NBC News, Slate, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, The Guardian, CBS News, Politico, The Financial Times, NPR, and The Atlantic. Research by: Kayla DeleonSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult)

In today’s episode of Let’s Start A Cult we are talking NEWS! That's right we are a news channel now... Just kidding but in there has been a recent incident involving the cult Love Has Won. We will dive in and find out how a cult with such a nice name came to embalm their own leader!Our Socials:Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQWebsite: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/SourcesSources for this episode include Vice's Documentary for Love Has Won, The Denver Post, The Independent, CBS Denver, and CNN.Research by: Josh SchellSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult)

In today’s episode of Let’s Start A Cult we continuing our discussion of Adolf Hitler and The Nazi Party and how this terrible cult nearly destroyed the world.Our Socials:Twitter: https://twitter.com/lets_cultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQWebsite: https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/The Dumb, Found Dead:Twitter: https://twitter.com/tdfdpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedumbfounddeadpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedumbfounddeadpod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSKRBPD4yj6KcshzG8pobRgWebsite: https://www.thedumbfounddeadpod.com/SourcesSources for this episode include Spartacus Educational, the official website of the HISTORY channel, Biography.com, the Encyclopedia of World Biography, Encyclopedia Britannica, BBC Teach, and the Holocaust Encyclopedia from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.Research by: Kayla DeleonSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult)https://www.skinstore.com/pod.listSkinStore is offering our listeners 20% of your next purchase by using the code POD

Use this link to donate: https://aapifund.org/And check out The Dumbfound, Dead Podcast here: https://www.thedumbfounddeadpod.com/

In today’s episode of Let’s Start A Cult we will be telling the story of a young boy from an impoverished Austrian family, who managed to crawl his way to the top of an organization that would later terrorize the entire European continent and the...

Perhaps no other cult has fascinated people more than the Order of the Solar Temple – a group that began in the late 1980s as a community of people who sought to live out New Age philosophies. For some, the organization is interesting because of the...

Currently fueled by the millions of dollars that they earn through their several business ventures, many of its members continue to see it as a legitimate Christian group, rather than a cult. Today we will be talking about The Church of Bible...

The 1970s was a time of searching and exploration around the world. Following decades of war and unrest, young people yearned for happiness, for meaning, and for peace. They wanted to be enlightened, spiritually awakened. They craved to be part of...

The 1970s was a time of searching and exploration around the world. Following decades of war and unrest, young people yearned for happiness, for meaning, and for peace. They wanted to be enlightened, spiritually awakened. They craved to be part of something bigger and more meaningful than theregular9-5 grind. This desire was the perfect foundation for cults. Flower children devoted themselves to people like Charles Manson and James Jones, who made promises of something bigger and better to come–if they only devoted their lives to serving them. When one man, Roch Thériault, found that his charm had a certain power over people–that on words alone he could draw audiences in and leave them begging for more –he saw an opportunity to start a cult of his own, The Ant Hill Kids. Sponsor: https://podgo.co/fanatics (https://podgo.co/fanatics) Cult Critique: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-ant-hill-kids-sault-ste-marie?hrid=zK6Gibaa0o0HWb0bKdxs1w&utm_campaign=www_review_share_postreview&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=%28direct%29 (The Ant Hill Kids Yelp Review) Our Socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Sources Sources for this episode include Very Bad Men, Maclean's Magazine, and Dark Histories podcast. Research by: https://www.fiverr.com/lauratownsend (lauratownsend) Photo by https://unsplash.com/@wizwow?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText (Donald Giannatti) on https://unsplash.com/s/photos/forest?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText (Unsplash) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult (Support the show) (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LetsStartACult) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Dynamo - https://www.voxnest.com/dynamo/privacy-policies Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Support this podcast

The Nation of Yahweh, an organization that started out as a charitable movement to help the impoverished citizens of Miami and then turned onto the residents, subjecting them to a series of violent attacks and murders that left at least 13 people...

Christmas - a time for joy, a time for cheer, a time for beatings? That's right the beloved holiday that billions around the world celebrate might be a front for that jolly old man. Behind that white beard lies a dark past that our beloved cult leader...

On today's episode of Let's Start A Cult we will be talking about The Freedomites also called The Sons of Freedom, and their fight to save their children from the government. The Freedomites were a religious, extremist cult that used nudity, arson, and...

Unlike other cults, the Matamoros Cult was never in the mainstream; it didn’t amass thousands of followers nor was it a subject of controversy in its heyday. In fact, it was even trusted by the elite and high society of Mexico City, all of whom were...

Cults are built on logical, semi-believable premises that often involve religion and the leader as the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. It is these messages that draw hundreds of people in, causing them to commit horrific acts on others and on...

Every year on February 15th, locals of the island of Tanna in Vanuatu gather in swarms to celebrate their messiah. It’s the holiest of days for the small island. Some of their celebrations look like standard worship: song and dance, prayer and chanting,...

Ho-No-Hana Sanpogyo targeted desperate people – often housewives with sick husbands and children who were searching for any possible cure to save their loved ones

All of them were members of the Peoples Temple, an organization that began as an unconventional church in Indianapolis that sought to serve society’s marginalized before eventually morphing into a cult, thanks to the drug-addled mind of its founder and leader, Reverend Jim Jones.

Welcome to the Let's Start A Cult podcast! We will explore the dark and interesting world of cults and how they get started! Join me, Josh Schell, and my guests every other week as we take on a new cult of interest!Episodes starting October 6th, 2020!To...