Butterflies and Bravery

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In this episode we interview Sandy Ellis who joined the Children of God as a young teenager in Australia.  Unknowingly suffering from depression she was incredibly drawn to the group of foreigners who came to her school singing and smiling, preaching a message of love that knows no boundaries.  She dropped out of school and joined the cult.  Little did she know, this would be the beginning of a long and arduous journey.  She appropriately but nevertheless sorrowfully likens the suffering of the children of the "Children of God" cult to the child sacrifices given to the god Moloch. "Children of the Cult" a docu-series featuring Sandy Ellis and several other former members, affiliates and children born into the cult is available on Discovery Plus.

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Would you ever be able to lock up your father? Or another relative?  In this episode we talk to Verity Carter who faced just such a dilemma.  The recent 5 part Discovery+ docuseries "Children of the Cult" follows her unimaginably agonizing  journey escaping the cult she was born into, to fighting for justice and everything in between. Verity's tenacity, resilience and vulnerability blew us away. Listen to her story and the groundbreaking conclusion.

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Would you ever be able to lock up your father? Or another family member?  In this episode we talk to Verity Carter, who faced just such a dilemma. The recent 5 part Discovery+ docuseries "Children of the Cult" follows her unimaginably agonizing journey from escaping the cult she was born into, to fighting for justice and everything in between. Verity's tenacity, resilience and vulnerability blew us away. Listen to her story and the groundbreaking conclusion.

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Do you remember getting your drivers license?  What was it like for you?  Did you finally feel free to go where you wanted and do what you pleased?  After leaving the cult they were born and raised in, Jemima and Whisper both had a defining moment of freedom when they finally learned to drive.  Reflecting on major mental turning points, in this episode the hosts share more glimpses into their lives as they learned what it means to be free and the role mental health played. In their typical frankness Jemima gives us a plethora of metaphors and Whisper talks about some of the foundations of her healing journey.  
"Remember, there's no such thing as a small act of kindness.  Every act creates a ripple to which there is no logical end." --Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert comic strip)
(Trigger Warning: Drugs, suicidal ideation)

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Florence was one of the later group of children born into the Children of God cult, and the youngest sibling who lost her oldest sister in the same horrific accident we learned about in an earlier podcast episode, The Accident that Changed Everything. Born into a family of artists and entertainers who used their talents to make animal balloons, Florence left the cult as a young teenager to find her own personal expression, something denied to her her whole life. Creating a life from nothing brought challenges and pain, and she struggled to find where she fit in this world.  Developing an art program called the House of Kenzo brought unexpected healing and a pathway in her journey of self discovery. 
Follow Florence on Instagram @thepurplehand 

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In this episode we are joined by Daniella Mestyanek Young, one of the first of the third generation of the Children of God cult.  Born in the Philppines to a 15 year old mother with a father older than her grandfather, she experienced an intense amount of cultural ambiguity from a very young age. After being excommunicated from the cult, the only world she had ever known at the age of 15, she put herself through  school and then decided to join the military.  As she climbed the ranks in the United States Army and made history for American women in combat, she realized that the two groups were not as different as one might think.  Listen as we delve into the world of psychology, discuss the dangers of group think and ponder our similarities as humans regardless of our backgrounds or the trauma we've experienced. Follow Daniella on Twitter @daniellamyoung and find her book "Uncultured" here: https://bit.ly/uncultured-book

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Dating and sex can be a complicated navigation already, but what happens when you add in a traumatic past or sexual confusion?  Whisper and Jemima continue their discussions of experiencing life since escaping the notorious Children of God cult that they were born into. They both get vulnerable with a conversation about dating, sex and finding healing from sexual abuse on their own terms. The topic of human trafficking is also discussed. What it can be, and what you can do about it. 
For more information on human trafficking visit 
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
Or call their 24 hour hotline at 1-888-373-7888

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This week we are joined by Miko Hargett.  Freelance writer, wellness advocate, content creator and triple survivor.  Having faced many obstacles after leaving the cult she was born into, Miko lays out some of the life lessons that have been the most significant along the way. Losing both her ta-ta's to breast cancer seemed almost like nothing more than another journey to embark on after all the difficulties she'd already overcome.  In a way it almost seemed easier.  Telling someone you have PTSD and have been a victim of domestic abuse, and telling them you have cancer are met with very different responses in the world we live in today.  Join us for some "Miko-isms", and a whole new perspective on cancer.  

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In this episode Whisper and Jemima continue laughing and crying through their memories of growing up in the Children of God cult. Beginning with just some of their terrifying teenage tales from Thailand,  from eating chicken feed for breakfast to some of the unusual things they were punished for, you get a glimpse into the bizarre things they experienced as teens and young adults in a cult training center in Thailand. The unbelievable stories lead into a discussion of Survivor resilience, the journey to healing and what the podcast  means to them.

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The daughter of a Polish army colonel, young Dorota seemed to have it all.  And yet a longing remained in her soul for something more.  Leaving the life she knew behind on a whim and joining the cult "The Family International (formerly known as The Children of God)"  at 18 years old seemed like a great way to escape, and for awhile it was.  As her children grew older she saw the need to provide them with a proper education, and left the cult in order to pursue that dream.  Listen as Dorota tells us about some of the most difficult moments in her life. Moments that she thought she may not survive.  Find out what kept her going in the darkest of times and how she made it through horrific, bone chilling events.

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