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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

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A podcast about cults, extreme belief, and manipulation – from two hosts who’ve actually lived it. Hosted by Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth. Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or manipulation? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com INSTAGRAM: @TrustMePodcast @oohlalola @meaganelizabeth11 TWITTER: @TrustMeCultPod @ohlalola @baberahamhicks TIKTOK: @TrustMeCultPodcast
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Top 10 Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Jay Van Bavel - Groupthink, Social Identity, and Cult Psychology

Jay Van Bavel - Groupthink, Social Identity, and Cult Psychology

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

play

01/04/23 • 67 min

Groups!... I did it again. Jay Van Bavel, NYU Associate Professor of Psychology and Neural Science, Director of the Social Identity and Morality Lab, and co-author of The Power Of Us, discusses how our social identities change depending on our environment and context, how the groups we identify with affect our decisions and perception, and the importance of instilling healthy hierarchy in a group to prevent unhealthy leadership. They also discuss how emotionally charged situations can forge shared identities, how cults replace individual identities with group identities, what to do when someone has fallen prey to groupthink, and whether groups are even... good?

Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!

Learn more about Jay's work here! https://www.powerofus.online

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]

INSTAGRAM:

@TrustMePodcast

@oohlalola

@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:

@TrustMeCultPod

@ohlalola

@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:

@TrustMeCultPodcast

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3 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Zacch Comfort, Part 2: The Bride of Christ Church, and an Important Story From Lola
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03/22/23 • 73 min

In part two of Lola & Meagan's interview with Bride of Christ Church survivor Zacch Comfort, they discuss how leader Thomas Clyde Smith Jr's control tactics got more extreme once the group moved to the Oregon commune, including separating children from their families, requiring people to hit each other in church, and cycling children into his home for sexual abuse - as well as how the group ultimately fell apart, and what Zacch's life is like now working in a psychiatric hospital.

Plus, for Lola's cultiest thing of the week, she and her friend Liz Y2K discuss discovering a man they both dated has been arrested for serial rape, and how the police are seeking additional victims to come forward.

Trust Me is sponsored by Thrive Causemetics! Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme

If you have information on Ben Belser, contact:

LAPD's Operations West Bureau, Special Assault Section

213-473-0447

or 877-LAPD-247

Or for anonymous tips:

LA Crime Stoppers

1-800-222-TIPS

LAcrimestoppers.org

If you have experienced sexual assault and you need support, visit https://www.rainn.org/ or call 800-656-HOPE

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3 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Katherine - Teal Swan

Katherine - Teal Swan

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

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08/19/21 • 57 min

Episode 43: Lola & Meagan chat with a woman named Kathryn about her experiences as a follower of the charismatic social media guru Teal Swan... who is often accused of being a cult leader. They discuss Teal's online presence and appeal, how she conducts her workshops, controversies of plagiarism, and a concerning story of what happened to one member.

If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at [email protected].

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

@trustmepodcast

@oohlalola

@vibehigherbitch

OR TWITTER:

@trustmecultpod

@ohlalola

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3 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Kara Goucher - Alberto Salazar and the Nike Oregon Project

Kara Goucher - Alberto Salazar and the Nike Oregon Project

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

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05/03/23 • 78 min

Accomplished Olympic runner and The Longest Race author Kara Goucher shares how she and her partner were invited to join the prestigious Nike Oregon Project and coach Alberto Salazar, how Alberto's methods seemed effective at first but became more controlling and inappropriate over time, what led her to become a whistleblower, and the stark contrast she eventually saw with a healthy coaching relationship.

Check out our great sponsors!

ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!

Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

INSTAGRAM:

@TrustMePodcast

@oohlalola

@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:

@TrustMeCultPod

@ohlalola

@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:

@TrustMeCultPodcast

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3 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Antonio Perez - Alex Jones, the New World Order, and Conspiracy Theory Addiction
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02/01/23 • 62 min

Get your pocket constitution ready. Antonio Perez, a former conspiracy theorist who followed Alex Jones, shares why Jones' over-the-top theories about the New World Order appealed to him, how Antonio's addiction factored into his dopamine-seeking thinking, and why building an internal locus of control can help avert conspiratorial thinking. Plus, how he finally stepped away from the deep state obsession, and the book he's writing on how to help people think for themselves again.

Trust Me is brought to you by ZocDoc! Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

INSTAGRAM:

@TrustMePodcast

@oohlalola

@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:

@TrustMeCultPod

@ohlalola

@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:

@TrustMeCultPodcast

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2 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Sam Ciavarella - When CrossFit Gets Culty

Sam Ciavarella - When CrossFit Gets Culty

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

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03/09/23 • 76 min

If the shoe CrossFits... Former employee and enthusiast of CrossFit, Sam Ciavarella, shares about a time when she constructed her whole identity around CrossFit, the feeling of constant pressure to push herself to the limit, the shady story of the original owner, comparing CrossFit to generally competitive athletic endeavors, and why pushing yourself that hard can be physically dangerous.

Check out our great sponsors!

Thrive Causemetics: Get an exclusive 15% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/trustme

Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

INSTAGRAM:

@TrustMePodcast

@oohlalola

@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:

@TrustMeCultPod

@ohlalola

@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:

@TrustMeCultPodcast

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2 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Conspiracy Month: Aja Romano & The Satanic Panic

Conspiracy Month: Aja Romano & The Satanic Panic

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

play

12/21/22 • 76 min

Don't panic! Writer Aja Romano shares how they became interested in the history of the Satanic Panic in the US, how it ramped up in the 60s and 70s, the societal impact of horror films like The Exorcist, books like Satan Seller and Michelle Remembers, rising fear and trials that arose in the 80s, its impact on the LGBTQ community, and how these kinds of ideas persist today!

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp! Learn more and save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/trust

Join the EXHIBIT C online community by following WONDERY-EXHIBIT-C on Facebook or find them on the web at WonderyExhibitC.com and listen to True Crime podcasts on Wondery and Amazon Music!

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com

INSTAGRAM:

@TrustMePodcast

@oohlalola

@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:

@TrustMeCultPod

@ohlalola

@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:

@TrustMeCultPodcast

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2 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Keith Page - From Megachurch Pastor to Secular Death Doula

Keith Page - From Megachurch Pastor to Secular Death Doula

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

play

02/22/23 • 90 min

It's the episode you've been dying to hear. Keith Page, funeral celebrant, hospice chaplain, and death doula/midwife, shares what it was like being a pastor of large church and why parts of that experience made him uncomfortable, his fall from grace that led him to turn away from religion, and how he found his calling by helping people deal with death from a secular perspective. Plus, how you can find meaning and define your own values without religion, what Keith's end of life work actually entails (yes, sometimes there's dry ice involved), and the importance of normalizing death in our society.

Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive Insurance! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

INSTAGRAM:

@TrustMePodcast

@oohlalola

@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:

@TrustMeCultPod

@ohlalola

@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:

@TrustMeCultPodcast

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2 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Chris Kavanagh & Matthew Browne - Decoding the Gurus

Chris Kavanagh & Matthew Browne - Decoding the Gurus

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

play

01/25/23 • 71 min

Cognitive anthropologist Chris Kavanagh and psychologist Matthew Browne, hosts of the podcast Decoding the Gurus, share some of their criteria for what makes a guru, discussing a few of the many personalities they've covered on their podcast: Elon Musk and Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan, oh my. They discuss the horrors of social media, the importance of trusting experts (but how academic credentialism can lead people astray too), how the biggest internet gurus tend to skew male, and why basically we need more scientists with mass appeal.

Trust me is brought to you by Progressive Insurance! Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

INSTAGRAM:

@TrustMePodcast

@oohlalola

@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:

@TrustMeCultPod

@ohlalola

@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:

@TrustMeCultPodcast

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2 Listeners

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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation - Allison Miller - Interstitial Cystitis, Orthorexia, and an Alternative Medicine Cult
play

06/07/23 • 82 min

A Million Little Things star Allison Miller shares with Lola & Meagan how she was once a client of a culty alternative medicine clinic run by a couple who claimed to know how to heal her chronic bladder condition, Interstitial Cystitis (also known as Painful Bladder Syndrome). They dig into the societal reason why women have to resort to these measures to begin with, the extremely controlled diet and lifestyle she was told to adhere to—even when she began feeling worse, and how she became severely orthorexic, terrified of most foods, chemicals, and places. Plus, how she eventually stepped away from the group.

Trust Me is brought to you by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!

ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch

INSTAGRAM:

@TrustMePodcast

@oohlalola

@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:

@TrustMeCultPod

@ohlalola

@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:

@TrustMeCultPodcast

profile image

2 Listeners

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FAQ

How many episodes does Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation have?

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation currently has 203 episodes available.

What topics does Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation cover?

The podcast is about Society & Culture, True Crime and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation?

The episode title 'Zacch Comfort, Part 2: The Bride of Christ Church, and an Important Story From Lola' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation?

The average episode length on Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation is 67 minutes.

How often are episodes of Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation released?

Episodes of Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation?

The first episode of Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation was released on Oct 2, 2020.

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