Cults to Consciousness

Former FLDS member Jude Bateman recounts her upbringing in the polygamist FLDS community of Colorado City and the terrifying realities of life under Warren Jeffs’ increasingly extreme rule. She grew up in a household with two mothers and 17 children, where obedience and fear governed daily life as new rules and expectations became more radicalized. Jude explains how her brother, Sam Bateman — later infamous for leading his own sect — played a role in enforcing loyalty to the church, even taking her to “turn herself in” before Warren Jeffs at age 15. She shares the trauma of being sent to Bountiful, Canada under the guise of a vacation, only to discover she was being groomed for an arranged marriage. The conversation then shifts into a deeply personal examination of Sam Bateman’s transformation from a rebellious, thrill-seeking teenager into a dangerous cult leader.  Click here to watch on YouTube Find and support Jude and Cherish Families:https://www.cherishfamilies.org/ Watch part 1 of our initial interview with Jude here Watch part 2 here Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

​ @JadenJeffs , Son of Warren Jeffs—the current imprisoned prophet of the FLDS—speaks out about Sam Bateman, another “False Prophet” who is also in prison for his crimes against children. Click here to watch on YouTube Find Jaden on Social Media! YT: https://www.youtube.com/@JadenJeffs IG: https://www.instagram.com/jadenjjeffs100/ Watch our initial interview with Jaden watch Jaden's last video with his younger sister, Sienna Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you know that all “righteous” members of the LDS (Mormon) church get a blessing that tells their future directly from God? It’s a coming of age ritual that requires one to fast in preparation for and no one is allowed to read it except for your parents and eventual spouse. Even though Taylor Frankie Paul is stepping away from the LDS church, people are shocked that she chose to post portions of her blessing on social media.  @alyssadgrenfell  gives us the full scoop! Click here to watch on YouTube Watch Alyssa's video for a deeper dive Find Alyssa on social media! YT: www.youtube.com/@alyssadgrenfell/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/alyssadgrenfell TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@alyssadgrenfell Thumbnail Photo of Alyssa provided by Ilana Panich-Linsman website Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cult survivor, military veteran, and bestselling author of Uncultured & The Cutting of America, Daniella Mestyanek Young further dives into the investigation of invisible systems of control shaping our lives. Raised in the notorious s*x cult the ChiIdren of God, she escaped to America as a teenager—only to find herself inside another rigid institution: the U.S. Army. Years later, as a Harvard-trained expert in organizational psychology, she began asking an important question:  What if we’re all in cults? Click here to watch on YouTube Find and support Daniella! Website & book “The Culting of America”: https://knittingcultlady.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/daniellamyoung_/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@knittingcultladycaptain Yt: https://www.youtube.com/@KnittingCultLady Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Layla recounts the harsh reality of entering plural marriage at 17 as Warren Jeffs’ 23rd wife, describing immediate emotional overwhelm, humiliation, and strict expectations of obedience. Instead of the supportive sisterhood she had been groomed to expect, she encountered competition, hierarchy shifts, and public shaming. Jeffs exerted control through constant criticism, especially about her body and “worthiness” to have chiIdren. Over time, isolation deepened as she was cut off from family, placed into hiding, and subjected to extreme dietary restrictions and over-exercising that damaged her health and even basic human needs were disregarded. See her reaction to Sam Bateman after watching “Trust Me: The False Prophet”.  Click here to watch on YouTube Watch pt 1 of Layla’s interview Watch our full interview with Jude Bateman, Sam's sister Find and Support Layla! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@layla_ex_ofwarrenjeffs YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaylaMatson Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Layla Matson was born into a deeply entrenched, multi-generational polygamist FLDS family with direct ties to church leadership. From a young age, her life was shaped by strict religious expectations, economic hardship, and normalized control, ranging from modesty rules and limited education to chiId labor and rigid gender roles. Sacrifice was emphasized, while serious issues like infant de*ths, lack of medical care, and emotional suppression were widespread but rarely questioned.  Layla’s  her story took a dark turn at 17 years old when her father “turned her in” to Warren Jeffs, leading to her forced marriage within 24 hours to the “prophet”. She reflects on the grooming process that began in her early teens, illustrating how young women were coerced into marriages and stripped of autonomy under the guise of faith. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch pt 2 of Layla's interview Watch our full interview with Jude Bateman, Sam's sister Find and Support Layla! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@layla_ex_ofwarrenjeffs YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaylaMatson Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mykelti Brown & her husband Tony Padron reflect on the behind the scenes of her upbringing in the polygamist family from TLC’s Sister Wives TV show. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch Mykelti's initial interview here Follow and support Mykelti & Tony! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/u85780932 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mykeltip/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mykelti Brown Padron reflects on her upbringing in the polygamist family from TLC’s Sister Wives TV show, describing both the perceived benefits and deep challenges of that lifestyle. For her growing up, polygamy felt normal and even appealing due to the built-in community, multiple parental figures, and constant companionship, but also reveals significant downsides including emotional neglect, lack of individual attention, inconsistent parenting, and poverty. She recounts a strained relationship with her father due to his divided time among many children and wives, as well as negative experiences with certain family dynamics, including fear of one mother figure in particular. While she still sees some appeal in the idea of plural family structure—likely shaped by early conditioning—she ultimately acknowledges that religious polygamy often suppresses women’s autonomy and creates imbalance, leaving her conflicted between nostalgic positives and the harsher realities she later recognized. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our follow up LIVE stream with Mykelti & husband Tony Follow and support Mykelti! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/u85780932 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mykeltip/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Luceno is a former fifth degree ranked member of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), an initially welcoming, symbol-rich spiritual society rooted in Aleister Crowley’s philosophy of Thelema.  According to James, it gradually reveals a hierarchical, secretive structure emphasizing obedience, loyalty, and authority through rituals and initiations, while presenting ideals like personal freedom and enlightenment, yet in practice, the organization fosters enmeshment, suppresses criticism, and protects high-ranking members accused of misconduct—including serious SA allegations—while discouraging accountability.  Over time, what begins as an immersive and meaningful community experience becomes increasingly controlling and ethically troubling, ultimately leading James to view it as a h*rmful, cult-like system. One in which he had to step away from, getting him ostracized from the community he invested 11 years into. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our follow up live stream with James Follow and support James! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Entelecheia Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/turningofthesky Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turningsky/ X: https://x.com/LapisMercurii Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following up our recent interview​  @lovina_zook   about Amish pregnancies, today we are going LIVE with her to further discuss what it was like being parented in the strictest Amish settlement— the Swartzentruber Amish— versus how she now plans to parent outside of it. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our initial interview with Lovina Watch our follow up LIVE with Lovina answering your questions Our latest interview with Lovina Find Lovina on social media! YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook Website: https://socialsbylovina.com/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lovina Zook grew up in a strict Amish community where sex education was virtually nonexistent and anything related to the body, sex, or pregnancy was treated as taboo and often shameful. ChiIdren were not taught basic anatomy or reproduction, forcing her to piece together understanding through secretly reading books, accidental discoveries, and observation, often leading to confusion and misinformation well into her teens and even adulthood. Pregnancy, while expected and valued in terms of having chiIdren, was paradoxically hidden and associated with embarrassment, reinforcing a culture of silence and modesty. After leaving the Amish at 18, Lovina struggled initially but eventually found success on social media by embracing her background, and she now reflects on how her upbringing shaped her views on pregnancy, autonomy, and education. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our latest LIVE with Lovina furthering this discussion Watch our initial interview with Lovina Watch our follow up LIVE with Lovina answering your questions Find Lovina on social media! YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook Website: https://socialsbylovina.com/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meg was raised in the Jehovah’s Witnesses and grew up under intense pressure, surveillance, and emotional control.  Her upbringing lead to isolation, fear, and a lack of understanding around autonomy and consent.  After experiencing SA in young adulthood, she blamed herself due to purity-based teachings and remained in the relationship out of guilt before ultimately confessing to church elders, where she endured invasive and degrading questioning.  She was then disfellowshipped, resulting in total social shunning by her community and much of her family, which deepened her shame, loneliness, and self-destructive coping behaviors. Even after being cut off, during a traumatizing miscarriage, she refused a blood transfusion out of devotion to the Jehovah’s Witness blood doctrine that nearly took her life.though she eventually found support outside the group and began rebuilding her sense of identity and independence. Click here to watch on YouTube Find and Support Meg IG @megreadsandreads  Relentless Shadows: A Book of Poetry Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sarah & Nippy, creators of the podcast “A Little Bit Culty” and former NXIVM members, reveal how people are drawn into high-control groups and how manipulation operates beneath the surface. What started as an empowering, goal-driven self-improvement program in NXIVM gradually revealed itself as a calculated system of manipulation, where trust, financial commitment, and personal vulnerabilities were leveraged to override instincts and deepen involvement. Through subtle psychological pressure, social proof, and a sense of higher purpose, members are often justified red flags along the way—while leader Keith Raniere and those around him expertly explo*ted emotional wounds and desires for validation. What most people didn’t know, was that self-proclaimed-celibate Keith, had a secret harem of women and a growing, devious, “master/slave” program called DOS that Sarah’s best friend recruited her into. Click here to watch on YouTube Find and support Sarah & Nippy! Their new book: “A Little Bit Culty: Navigating Cults, Control and Coercion” Sarah’s Memoir: “Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, The Cult that Bound My Life”  Instagram: @sarahedmondson  @anthonyames11  @alittlebitculty  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alittlebitculty Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The group's 75 year old ban on blood transfusions is changing. Sort of. It's a big deal, and it isn't. Joined by Jake at  @altworldly   to give us the full details! Click here to watch on YouTube The JW dot org video Original leak by larchwood jwfacts breakdown of blood policy evolution Find and support Jake on YouTube:  @altworldly   Other video collaborations: Ex-Mormon & Ex-Jehovah’s Witness React to LEAKED Upcoming Convention Tapes (ft. ‪@altworldly‬) Ex-Mormon and Ex-Jehovah's Witness Compare CULTure (ft.  @altworldly  ) Ex- Mormon and Ex-Jehovah's Witness Compare Doctrine (ft @altworldly) Fear of End Times: Ex-Jehovah's Witness Confessions ft. @altworldly An ex-Mormon and ex-Jehovah's Witness Compare Notes (w/ @CultstoConsciousness ) Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Désirée Ohrbeck grew up in Denmark in the rigid control of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  She survived CSA from her stepfather, and when she sought help from religious leaders, she was dismissed, blamed, and told to retract her statement to the police. She explains how she went from a house where books were banned, to becoming a professor. However, deconstruction is incredibly lonely and challenging. Lingering effects of the trauma impact her daily life.  Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our initial interview with Désirée here Find and support Désirée! Book: The Scandinavian War Bride IG: https://www.instagram.com/desireeohrbeck/ Website: https://www.desireeohrbeck.com/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Désirée Ohrbeck grew up in Denmark in an extremely chaotic and traumatic home environment that later transitioned into the rigid control of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her early childhood was marked by instability—an absent father, a violent stepfather, poverty, neglect, and exposure to unsafe situations. When her mother joined Jehovah’s Witnesses, the family life shifted from chaos to extreme control. As Desiree grew older, the environment became increasingly harmful. She survived CSA from her stepfather, and when she sought help from religious leaders, she was dismissed, blamed, and told to retract her statement to the police. She explains how she went from a house where books were banned, to becoming a professor.  Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our follow up LIVE with Désirée  Find and support Désirée! Book: The Scandinavian War Bride IG: https://www.instagram.com/desireeohrbeck/ Website: https://www.desireeohrbeck.com/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Briell Decker is the former 65th plural wife of Warren Jeffs. She married Jeffs at 18 while he was already a fugitive and “prophet,” and quickly realized how he exerted control through fear, punishment, and doctrine, particularly around arranged and underage marriages. Briell witnessed disturbing religious practices, resisting participation, and ultimately escaped after years of ab*se and threats of being “blood atoned”. Having experienced being a polygamous wife to the prophet of the FLDS, we asked her thoughts on Sam Bateman, the self proclaimed NEW prophet of the FLDS. After watching Trust Me: The False Prophet, she explains why Sam is NOT the same as Warren. A new and interesting perspective!  Click here to watch on YouTube Watch pt 1 of our full interview with Briell Watch pt 2 of our full interview with Briell Find and support Briell! Websites: https://www.shortcreekdreamcenter.org/ https://www.brielldecker.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/briell.decker.blanchart IG: https://www.instagram.com/brielldecker/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Christine Marie recounts how her deep religious devotion and a seemingly prophetic dream led her into a manipulative relationship with a man who falsely claimed to be a Prophet. Using her beliefs against her, he gradually groomed and controlled her—convincing her she was chosen to be his spiritual wife, pressuring her into polygamy, isolating her from others, and exploiting her emotionally, financially, and physically. Torn between fear of losing her soul and obedience to someone she believed was a prophet, the walls came crashing down when another con man revealed their master plan to her. Christine describes the aftermath as deeply traumatic, marked by shame, fear, and a struggle to rebuild her identity. Once she met and married Tolga, a creative and successful producer who provided the safety and acceptance she needed, she rebuilt her identity and became passionate about helping those trapped in situations similar to hers. This lead them to Short Creek, initial headquarters for the polygamous group the FLDS, where she ended up entangled with another “False Prophet” and filmed everything in hopes of being able to take him down and save the women and girls trapped by him.  Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our full interview with Nomz Find and Support Christine! Website: http://christinemarie.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.christinemarie/ https://voicesfordignity.org/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As seen in the hit Netflix docuseries, “Trust Me: The False Prophet”, Nomz was raised inside the FLDS, a highly controlled Mormon polygamist sect, where her father was removed by leadership and her family was fractured and reassigned to different caretakers. As she reached her teens, she began to question her environment and briefly developed a sense of independence, but this was quickly overtaken when she became targeted by Sam Bateman, a breakaway leader who claimed prophetic authority. She describes being coerced into a forced spiritual marriage through manipulation, threats against her family, and intense psychological pressure, including the use of other wives and even children to enforce compliance. Over time, she was systematically broken down, isolated from others, and controlled through fear, secrecy, and indoctrination, eventually entering a state of emotional numbness and survival compliance. She now speaks out publicly to raise awareness and prevent others from experiencing similar ab*se, using her story as both a warning and an act of advocacy. Click to watch on YouTube Watch our full interview with Dr. Christine Marie Follow and support Nomz! IG: @nomzia_b   TT: @nomzia_b  FB: https://www.facebook.com/NomziBistline Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn about the unaired details and behind the scenes information from @TheAmandaRaeGrant who personally knows the documentary participants and who also comes from a separate fundamentalist polygamous Mormon sect called The Order. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch pt 2 of this discussion here Watch our interview with Nomz Watch our interview with Dr. Christine Marie Find and support Amanda! YouTube: @TheAmandaRaeGrant IG: @amandaraegrant If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.