Cults

By Parcast Network

Society & Culture History

What's Cults about?

Mystery. Manipulation. Murder. Cults are associated with all of these. But what really goes on inside a cult? More specifically, what goes on inside the minds of people who join cults and leaders who start them? Every Tuesday, Greg and Vanessa (co-hosts of the podcast Serial Killers) explore the history and psychology behind the most notorious cults. Cults is part of the Parcast Network and is a Cutler Media production.

4.5

11,999 ratings

Download our free app to listen on your phone

LAST EPISODE

Welcome to the Family: The ...

01.20.2021

They’re a powerful political dynasty with no shortage of tragedies, scandals and controversies. Ahead of the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, revisit the most shocking moments in the Kennedy family history — from conspiracies and cover-ups to assassinations ...

Cults episodes:

01.20.2021 Welcome to the Family: The Kennedys They’re a powerful political dynasty with no shortage of tragedies, scandals and controversies. Ahead of the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, revisit the most shocking moments in the Kennedy family history — from conspiracies and cover-ups to assassinations ...
01.19.2021 “New World Comforter” Allen Michael Noonan In 1947, a 31-year-old sign painter experienced a supernatural event that left him convinced he was the newly anointed savior of the world. Allen Michael spent the following decades creating a political party, compiling a gospel, and doing the will ...
01.12.2021 “Chino Shoho” Yuko Chino Pt. 2 When her doomsday prophecies failed to materialize in the early aughts, Yuko Chino faded from the headlines. But after two unsettling deaths and another apocalyptic prediction, she announced one last out-of-this-world plan to her followers.
01.05.2021 “Chino Shoho” Yuko Chino Pt. 1 As a young woman in 1960s Japan, Hidemi Masuyama took nightly walks in the nude, talking to entities only she could see. Later, she changed her name and hatched a religious sect that obsessed over electromagnetic waves and extraterrestrials.
12.31.2020 Superstitions Special: New Year’s Eve Festivities The clock’s winding down on the final moments of the year and people around the world are putting their charms and traditions to work, shoring up good fortune for the future. But it’s not always our own personal luck that’s ...
12.21.2020 The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 3) For decades, family members and sleuths have tried to determine what really happened the night of the fire. As of yet, they have been unsuccessful. But the clues remain, the questions linger, and the case unofficially stays open… This episode ...
12.21.2020 The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 2) In the aftermath of the fire, a startling number of tips, twists, and witnesses came forward regarding the fate of the Sodder children. Their father, George, followed the clues for decades, driven by a suspicion of the “official” story and ...
12.21.2020 The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 1) Early Christmas day in 1945, Jennie Sodder woke up to her house on fire. The blaze consumed her home, and five of her young children. Or did it? Strange events, prescient remarks, and a lack of human remains hinted at ...
12.15.2020 “Ho-no-Hana Sampogyo”: Hogen Fukunaga In the late 1980s he claimed to be the final savior of the world, but behind Hogen Fukunaga’s grandiose claim was a shrewd businessman who scammed millions from loyal followers. His method? Detailed foot readings that cost hundreds of dollars.
12.08.2020 “Lord RayEl”: Raymond Elwood Howard-Lear He’s not your typical cult leader: Lord RayEl doesn’t have a large church, or host large gatherings. Instead, he’s built a following solely online — where a virtual congregation likes, subscribes, and tithes to the convicted felon they believe is ...
12.07.2020 Blind Dating: Finding Love on a Podcast You know you can find love in a bar… on an app… Why not a podcast? Every week on Blind Dating, one hopeful single is introduced to two potential matches in a virtual hangout — no cameras allowed. This week, ...
12.01.2020 “Attleboro Sect”: Roland and Jacques Robidoux Pt. 2 After starving his infant son in 1999, Jacques Robidoux and his followers went to drastic lengths to bury the evidence. But a whistleblower made sure the group answered to the law, avenging more than one life in the process.
11.24.2020 “Attleboro Sect”: Roland and Jacques Robidoux Pt. 1 Shunning mainstream religion, school systems, and science, this small Massachusetts sect withdrew from secular society in the ‘70s. Its increasingly bizarre directives to members led to defections and, eventually, death.
11.17.2020 Conspiracy Theories Crossover: Bohemian Grove Pt. 2 Today we’re bringing you a special two-part episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Conspiracy Theories on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Deep in the heart of the redwood forests is a ...
11.17.2020 Conspiracy Theories Crossover: Bohemian Grove Pt. 1 Today we’re bringing you a special two-part episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Conspiracy Theories on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Deep in the heart of the redwood forests is a ...
11.16.2020 Dictators: The Rise & Fall of a Roman Emperor They’re natural-born leaders, hungry for absolute power. Every week on Dictators, delve into the minds and motives of history’s most infamous rulers — people who rose through the ranks toward radicalism, eliminating anyone who stood in their way. This week, ...
11.10.2020 “Sky Kingdom”: Ayah Pin Pt. 2 Branded religious deviants by local leaders and the Malaysian government, Ayah Pin and his followers argued for their freedoms in Syariah Court. But in 2005, armed intruders destroyed the Sky Kingdom compound, and drove the self-proclaimed god into exile.
11.03.2020 “Sky Kingdom”: Ayah Pin Pt. 1 In the mid 1990s, a strange compound sat hidden amongst the hills of northern Malaysia — a wonderland complete with themed buildings and a giant teapot. Its creator claimed to be the reincarnation of major religious figures, tasked with unifying ...
10.27.2020 Satanic Panic Pt. 5: The Real Victims In the years since the Satanic Panic, it's become obvious that the crimes people were accused of never really happened. But while none of the nightmarish stories of ritual abuse in Satan’s name were true, it doesn’t mean there weren’t ...
10.21.2020 True Horror: Top 10 Haunted Crime Scenes Parcast Network is spinning a web of new shows and special programming to celebrate our favorite season. Follow us into the darkest depths of history, mystery, and the human mind — starting with this episode of Crime Countdown! Hosts Ash ...
10.20.2020 Satanic Panic Pt. 4: The Rise of Evangelical Churches Emboldened by power- and money-hungry conmen, Evangelical doomsdayers set the stage for an epic showdown of biblical proportions. The fight for the souls of every last American was beginning, they claimed, and Satan was coming to drag us all to ...
10.13.2020 Satanic Panic Pt. 3: The Cults That DID Exist From Adolfo Costanzo and the Narcosatanists to the gruesome Chicago Rippers, these horrific groups showed that fears of murderous devil-worshipping cults weren't entirely unfounded.
10.08.2020 Satanic Panic Pt. 2: Serial Killers In the 1980s, “Satanic Panic” was a mass hysteria that consumed communities and ruined lives—all over things that never even happened. In this new five-part series, we’re examining the origins of the panic, tracing back through the decades to see ...
10.05.2020 Satanic Panic Pt. 1: Origins In the 1980s, “Satanic Panic” was a mass hysteria that consumed communities and ruined lives—all over things that never even happened. In this new five-part series, we’re examining the origins of the panic, tracing back through the decades to see ...
10.04.2020 New! Haunted Places: Ghost Stories Flickering lights… Clanging metal… A sudden, cold rush of air… Parcast Network’s all-new original series is here—and with it, the scariest, most hair-raising ghost stories ever imagined. Join host Alastair Murden as he reaches into the cob-webbed collection of ghost ...
09.29.2020 “The Palmarian Church”: Clemente Domínguez Gómez In the late 1960s, a listless young man craving significance began claiming he could see and hear messages from the Virgin Mary. With charismatic displays of ecstasy, Clemente Domínguez Gómez developed a following and declared himself the next pope, then ...
09.25.2020 Solved Murders: The Story of Helen Potts Listeners, we’re excited to bring you an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries. Every Wednesday on Solved Murders, we explore the days, months, and even years leading up to the closure of a seemingly ...
09.22.2020 “Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness”: John-Roger Hinkins Pt. 2 At the height of his power in 1983, John-Roger Hinkins hosted a star-studded awards show for his “movement.” But behind his glitzy veneer was a dark secret. He was coming unhinged… and within five years, his image was destroyed.
09.15.2020 “Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness”: John-Roger Hinkins Pt. 1 After waking up from a nine-day coma in 1963, Roger Hinkins claimed his body was housing a spiritual personality named John. John-Roger went on to found one of the largest spiritual movements of the 1970s and '80s. But behind closed ...
09.14.2020 New! Incredible Feats with Dan Cummins Humanity’s most daring achievements are coming together in the new Spotify Original from Parcast! Every weekday, Incredible Feats introduces you to a new story of jaw-dropping physical strength, mental focus, and bizarre behavior. Join comedian Dan Cummins as he profiles ...
09.08.2020 “The Gatekeepers”: Chris Turgeon In 1990s Everett, Washington, a charismatic man named Chris Turgeon started a small group Bible study with a few of his friends. In only a few years, he had turned the group into a cult that followed his every command… ...
09.01.2020 “The God Squad”: Douglas Metcalf In 1972, self-appointed bishop Douglas Metcalf had his followers build a new heaven on earth in New Zealand. He called it Camp David… But while the group found peace behind the gates to their compound, they prepared for battle with ...
08.26.2020 New Parcast Original: Medical Murders We all know that medical professionals are trained to give exceptional care. But in the new Parcast Original, Medical Murders, you’ll discover a disturbing diagnosis… that not every doctor wants to extend your life. Every Wednesday, meet the men and ...
08.25.2020 “The Chicago Rippers”: Robin Gecht Pt. 2 In the early 1980s, Satanist Robin Gecht and his three followers terrorized the women of Chicago. They attacked, maimed, and tortured at least five victims in an attempt to summon a demon known as "The Dark One."
08.18.2020 “The Chicago Rippers”: Robin Gecht Pt. 1 In the early 1980s, contractor Robin Gecht recruited three of his employees to join a violent cult. Using a mixture of intimidation and coercion, Gecht led his followers on a murderous rampage that shocked the city of Chicago.
08.12.2020 Introducing Very Presidential with Ashley Flowers! Uncover the dirty dealings of history’s most badly behaved presidents in the NEW Spotify Original from Parcast, Very Presidential with Ashley Flowers. Every Tuesday through the 2020 election, Ashley shines a light on the darker side of the American presidency… ...
08.11.2020 “Friends Landing”: Whitewind Swan Fisher When Whitewind Swan Fisher founded Friends Landing in 1985, it was marketed as a safe space for spiritual healing. Instead, it was her personal lion's den where she took advantage of the very people she promised to help.
08.04.2020 “Concerned Christians”: Monte Kim Miller In 1985, Monte Kim Miller was an anti-cult activist, speaking at churches to warn against brainwashing and manipulation—until he began using the same tactics he preached against to extort, coerce, and compel his own followers into radical behavior.
07.30.2020 “NXIVM” Pt. 4: The Fall In 2017, news of Keith Raniere’s predatory sorority finally hit the airwaves. After disavowing any connection to the group, the 57-year-old cult leader read the writing on the wall and fled to Mexico. But authorities weren't going to allow him ...
07.28.2020 “NXIVM” Pt. 3: The Master and the Slave By 2006, 46-year-old Keith Raniere had made NXIVM alluring enough to attract billionaire heiresses and Hollywood actresses. But as women began defecting, he feared he was losing control—and in a bid to reassert dominance, created a predatory group known as ...
07.23.2020 “NXIVM” Pt. 2: The Parasite and the Producer In 1999, after the collapse of Consumers Buyline, 39-year-old Keith embarked on a new business venture. But while the product he was selling changed, his approach remained the same. And soon, he began to prey upon the very students he ...
07.21.2020 “NXIVM” Pt. 1: The Carrot and the Stick After acing an IQ test in 1988, 28-year-old Keith Raniere was able to brand himself “The Smartest Man in the World.” The moniker allowed him to seduce unappreciated businesswoman Toni Natalie, who would go on to help Keith grow the ...
07.14.2020 “Gloriavale”: Neville Cooper Founded in New Zealand in the late ‘60s, Gloriavale was supposed to be a sin-free utopia. But its leader, Neville Cooper, instead crafted a hellish prison rife with immorality. He imposed rigid rules and strict gender norms—and had a penchant ...
07.13.2020 Introducing Crime Countdown, A Parcast Original Series! True crime fans: There’s a new Parcast original on the roster, and it’s packed with passionate opinions on the worst serial killers, creepiest cults, coldest cold cases, and all things criminal… Every Monday, co-hosts Ash and Alaina from the hit ...
07.07.2020 "Knutby Filadelfia" Pt. 2: Helge Fossmo In 2004, Swedish Pastor Helge Fossmo used “spiritual shunning” to alienate and manipulate the congregation at his Pentecostal church. He convinced them to do whatever he asked, eventually coercing his mistress Sara into committing a string of wicked crimes.
06.30.2020 "Knutby Filadelfia" Pt. 1: Helge Fossmo In the mid-’90s, Pastor Helge Fossmo was hand-selected by the so-called “bride of Christ” to help lead a Swedish Pentecostal church. As he gained more authority, Fossmo's power went to his head, and he began doing whatever he wanted to ...
06.23.2020 “Circle of Friends” Pt. 2: Bruno Gröning By the mid 1950s, Bruno Gröning was famous. Thousands flocked to the "Miracle Doctor" hoping that he would heal them with the power of his faith. However, just five years later, Bruno's mythos was already beginning to break down and ...
06.16.2020 “Circle of Friends” Pt. 1: Bruno Gröning In 1949, faith healer Bruno Gröning was thrust into the limelight after German newspapers reported he had cured a young boy of muscular dystrophy. However, with fame came increased scrutiny from the legal authorities...
06.10.2020 Introducing SOLVED MURDERS: TRUE CRIME MYSTERIES, A Parcast Original Series! To commemorate its fourth anniversary, Parcast and the team behind Unsolved Murders are taking a closer look at what it takes to catch a killer. In the new series Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries, you'll follow the clues and uncover ...
06.09.2020 “Conscious Development of Body, Mind and Soul” Pt. 2: Terri Hoffman As the 1980s began, Terri Hoffman and her followers seemed to be flying high. But after several people associated with Terri suffered mysterious deaths, her organization faced accusations of brainwashing, theft, and murder.

Older episodes

Cults

What's Cults about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Cults episodes:

Welcome to the Family: The Kennedys

“New World Comforter” Allen Michael Noonan

“Chino Shoho” Yuko Chino Pt. 2

“Chino Shoho” Yuko Chino Pt. 1

Superstitions Special: New Year’s Eve Festivities

The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 3)

The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 2)

The Sodder Family Tragedy: 75 Years Later (Pt. 1)

“Ho-no-Hana Sampogyo”: Hogen Fukunaga

“Lord RayEl”: Raymond Elwood Howard-Lear

Blind Dating: Finding Love on a Podcast

“Attleboro Sect”: Roland and Jacques Robidoux Pt. 2

“Attleboro Sect”: Roland and Jacques Robidoux Pt. 1

Conspiracy Theories Crossover: Bohemian Grove Pt. 2

Conspiracy Theories Crossover: Bohemian Grove Pt. 1

Dictators: The Rise & Fall of a Roman Emperor

“Sky Kingdom”: Ayah Pin Pt. 2

“Sky Kingdom”: Ayah Pin Pt. 1

Satanic Panic Pt. 5: The Real Victims

True Horror: Top 10 Haunted Crime Scenes

Satanic Panic Pt. 4: The Rise of Evangelical Churches

Satanic Panic Pt. 3: The Cults That DID Exist

Satanic Panic Pt. 2: Serial Killers

Satanic Panic Pt. 1: Origins

New! Haunted Places: Ghost Stories

“The Palmarian Church”: Clemente Domínguez Gómez

Solved Murders: The Story of Helen Potts

“Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness”: John-Roger Hinkins Pt. 2

“Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness”: John-Roger Hinkins Pt. 1

New! Incredible Feats with Dan Cummins

“The Gatekeepers”: Chris Turgeon

“The God Squad”: Douglas Metcalf

New Parcast Original: Medical Murders

“The Chicago Rippers”: Robin Gecht Pt. 2

“The Chicago Rippers”: Robin Gecht Pt. 1

Introducing Very Presidential with Ashley Flowers!

“Friends Landing”: Whitewind Swan Fisher

“Concerned Christians”: Monte Kim Miller

“NXIVM” Pt. 4: The Fall

“NXIVM” Pt. 3: The Master and the Slave

“NXIVM” Pt. 2: The Parasite and the Producer

“NXIVM” Pt. 1: The Carrot and the Stick

“Gloriavale”: Neville Cooper

Introducing Crime Countdown, A Parcast Original Series!

"Knutby Filadelfia" Pt. 2: Helge Fossmo

"Knutby Filadelfia" Pt. 1: Helge Fossmo

“Circle of Friends” Pt. 2: Bruno Gröning

“Circle of Friends” Pt. 1: Bruno Gröning

Introducing SOLVED MURDERS: TRUE CRIME MYSTERIES, A Parcast Original Series!

“Conscious Development of Body, Mind and Soul” Pt. 2: Terri Hoffman

Other shows like Cults: