Cults to Consciousness

TIMESTAMPS UNAVAILABLE FOR THIS EPISODE

CW: CA, mentions of suicide- Jamie Mustard was born into one of the most influential fringe movements in the 1970s: Scientology. Raised on a mythos of spaceships and made to believe that it was his life’s purpose to help save the world, he was determined to survive—not only unsurvivable neglect but also the impossible physical and psychological gauntlet of extreme poverty and illiteracy. Children were kept in animalistic conditions away from their parents and hardly kept alive until they were deemed “useful” by Scientology. At which point ensued extreme, dangerous labor and endless hours of Scientology classes to keep their “ethics up”. The last straw was being punished for his bosses wrongdoings at 19 when he was sent aboard a cruise liner for hard manual labor for months. Once he learned they had intent to send him back yet again, he made his quick yet calculated escape for freedom. Uneducated and illiterate, he worked hard and with the guidance and support of kind educators, managed to graduate from a prestigious UK university in economics. He’s a true testament to what one can achieve after all odds are stacked against them. 

Click to watch on YouTube

Watch Jamie on Soft White Underbelly

Jamie’s book: ChiId X: A Memoir of Slavery, Poverty, Celebrity, and Scientology

Ben Bella Books

Jamie’s work - website: https://www.iconist.ltd/

IG: @jamie_mustard  

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an amazing discussion with Jenna Miscavige, we knew we had to come back and further discuss what led her out of her Scientology marriage. Even further, we will explore the tactics that set former Scientologists up for failure when it comes to relationships after the cult. A real and raw conversation about the hardships faced when raised in a militaristic, emotionless prison like environment. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch Jenna's initial interview here

Find Jenna on social media:

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@JennaMiscavige

IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealjennamiscavige/

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TIMESTAMPS UNAVAILABLE FOR THIS EPISODE

Jenna Miscavige was born into and grew up in Scientology. Her uncle, David Miscavige, is the leader of Scientology. Jenna details her nearly parentless life as a number in the militaristic conditions where they kept the children. Her mother was a high ranking member, so when she saw how she lived in what felt like royal conditions compared to her, she doubled down in her beliefs with the intention of also being able to live the same lifestyle in the upper ranks. Things definitely started to spiral when Jenna found out both of her. Parents were no longer Scientologists and she would then be punished for that. Marriage seemed like the first step towards any loving and meaningful relationship (a glimpse of joy in her house of horrors), but even then her plans were disrupted time and time again due to who she was in relation to the leader. Her escape was long and drawn out with Scientology never truly leaving her and her husband alone. Learn more about her life in her memoir Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology & My Harrowing Escape as well as on her YouTube Channel linked below. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Find Jenna on social media:

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@JennaMiscavige

IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealjennamiscavige/

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following our incredible interview with Melissa Duge Spiers, today we go LIVE to confront the question...  Is Seventh-Day Adventism a Cult? 

Melissa grew up in the shadow of control, silence, and secrets inside the insular fundamentalist sect, Seventh-Day Adventist Church. From being beaten for resisting a childhood home perm to seducing a forbidden public school athlete in her parents’ bed to reclaim her autonomy, Melissa’s early years were shaped by repression, shame, and religious programming. Her escape from the SDA church launched her into a life of risk. When Melissa learned that a family member was a serial chiId predator shielded by the church, her world imploded. But this revelation was only the beginning.

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch her initial interview

Find Melissa on Social Media!

HOLY DISOBEDIENCE memoir

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.glory.whole/

Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/melissadugespiers_writer

Substack: https://substack.com/@melissadugespiers

email: [email protected]

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TIMESTAMPS UNAVAILABLE FOR THIS EPISODE

CW: mentions of eating disorders, female GM, CSA, SA.  Melissa Duge Spiers grew up in the shadow of control, silence, and secrets inside the insular fundamentalist sect, Seventh-Day Adventist Church. From being beaten for resisting a childhood home perm to seducing a forbidden public school athlete in her parents’ bed to reclaim her autonomy, Melissa’s early years were shaped by repression, shame, and religious programming. Her escape from the SDA church launched her into a life of risk. When Melissa learned that a family member was a serial chiId predator shielded by the church, her world imploded. But this revelation was only the beginning.

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch our follow up LIVE with Melissa here

Find Melissa on Social Media!

HOLY DISOBEDIENCE memoir

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.glory.whole/

Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/melissadugespiers_writer

Substack: https://substack.com/@melissadugespiers

email: [email protected]

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TIMESTAMPS UNAVAILABLE FOR THIS EPISODE

CW:  CA, DV, Mentions of CSA Material & Suicidal Attempts/Ideation.  Zett Espinoza was born into a professional criminal family in Los Angeles. Her mother struggled with mental illness and that often left the children neglected and afraid. Initiated into gang life around 12 years old, Zett’s father was conditioned for illegal activity. He started an illegal empire and employed his children to avoid his own fingerprints on the horrific materials they were packing. He was constantly running from the law and even escaped prison at one point which led him to cross into Mexico and force his children to take on new identities. Zett and her siblings had no choice but to fall into line and continue the criminal activity into their adult years. Zett managed to escape that life, but not without serious threats from her father who is still to this day at large. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch Zett on Soft White Underbelly - “A Fugitive Childhood"

Follow Zett on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@ZettEspinoza

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW: Suicidal ideation, self harm.  Born in the 1970s in Wisconsin, Arno grew up in a turbulent environment with alcohol, fighting, and family dysfunction around him.  As a teenager, he was angry, rebellious, and looking for belonging. That led him toward white power skinhead culture in the late 1980s. He became a founding member of a major U.S. skinhead gang and the lead singer of a hate-metal band that glorified racism and violence. Eventually, cracks began forming in his extremist worldview and a few things shifted him away from hate: Becoming a father, kindness from people he was supposed to hate and burnout from violence — he saw friends go to prison, die, or spiral into addiction, and he realized the path only led to destruction. By the mid-1990s, he walked away from the white power movement.

In 2011, Arno helped found Life After Hate, an organization dedicated to helping people leave extremist movements and rebuild their lives.  He became a public speaker, sharing his story in schools, prisons, and communities around the world.

His memoir My Life After Hate (2010) details his radicalization and transformation.

Click here to watch on YouTube

Find and Connect with Arno:

Website:  www.mylifeafterhate.com

IG: @ArnoMichaelis 

LinkedIn: @ArnoMichaelis

Parental resource: parents4peace.org

If you are concerned about someone’s extreme beliefs or behaviors, Parents for Peace has a free and confidential helpline at 844-49-PEACE (844-497-3223) or email at [email protected] 

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

Chapter Marks

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:21 Why Arno Decided to Share His Past; His Backstory

00:06:31 Arno’s ChiIdhood & The Beginnings of His Anti-Social Behavior

00:12:25 How Arno’s Self-Esteem & Tactics He That Would've Benefitted Him as a Boy

00:18:05 Arno’s Group's Interaction with Other White National*sts

00:23:14  How Arno Used His Natural Leadership Abilities Throughout His Life and As Part of H*te Groups

00:26:37 How Arno Became Familiar with White National*st Ideologies

00:33:05 Life After Moving Out of the House at 16

00:39:11 The Specifics of How Arno Adopted Rac*st Ideologies

00:47:13 CW: Rac*sm, Arno Shares the Beginning Steps of Him Leaving the Sk*nhead Group and Ideologies

00:48:57 CW: Attempted Su*cide, self h*rm

00:52:33 CW: Attempted Su*cide, self h*rm, Having a Daughter While Still in the White National*st Group

00:55:18 CW: Su*cidal ideation, self h*rm

00:59:44 Arno Explains His Self-Destructive Attitudes and What Eventually Led him Out of the Sk*nheads

01:07:26 Arno Shares Some of the Kindness Seeds People Planted Along the Way that Were Contrary to His Ideologies

01:15:32 Arno’s Famous "McDonald's Story"

01:23:51 What Arno is Doing Now And How He Helps Get People Out of Extrem*st H*te Groups

01:27:01 Arno’s Interactions with Daryl Davis

01:31:23 Final Thoughts and Linda Listen

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW:  SA, ED, Suicidal Ideation.  Growing up Ultra Orthodox in an extremely abusive home, left Tzivya Murrin completely unprepared for the outside world. She tried to get help multiple times to get away from her parents, but the system failed her. Once she finally got someone on the outside to listen, hands were held out to pull her out of her dangerous situation. However, some of those hands lead her right back into chaos and destruction. Find out how she was finally able to find peace and stability after a long tumultuous life. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch Pt 1

Find Tzivya on social media: https://www.instagram.com/tzivyateemurrin/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/tzivya.murrin.medicaid.planner

https://www.facebook.com/SensibleSeniorPlanning

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW:  CSA, CA, ED, Suicidal Ideation.  In a system that keeps victims silent in their pain, perpetrators go unchecked and are further emboldened to inflict harm. Tzivya Murrin was trapped in this system. No matter what she did, her parents found reason for extreme punishment. She asked for help multiple times from her community and instead was handed right back to her abusers. Time and time again the system failed her and she was forced to live a childhood rife with every type of abuse imaginable. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Watch pt 2

Find Tzivya on social media: https://www.instagram.com/tzivyateemurrin/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/tzivya.murrin.medicaid.planner

https://www.facebook.com/SensibleSeniorPlanning

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

Chapter Marks

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:44 Tzivya's sect of Judaism and its teachings against non-Jews

00:12:31 Tzivya's family structure and dynamic

00:16:40 CW: CA, The patterns of ab*se around getting good grades

00:23:28 Tzivya's community turning a blind eye

00:28:53 CW: CA, Tzivya's taking risks to lessen her ab*se

00:34:38 CW: CA, CSA, The start of Tzivya being CSA

00:39:30 CW: CA, CSA, Su*cidal Ideation, The extreme pun*shment Tzivya received for cheating

00:45:07 Tzivya's mother 

00:48:47 CW: CA, CSA, ED, When Tzivya's mother started ab*sing her

00:54:02 The ways Tzivya's mom tried to control her body and food

00:58:05 CW: CA, CSA, ED, Tzivya's first attempts to talk to others about the ab*se

01:06:06 The continued control during and after high school

01:11:29 The teaching to not report within Tzivya's sect of Judaism

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Targeted violence hit a Mormon church in Michigan which claimed at least 5 lives. The same day, it was discovered that the LDS prophet had passed away at 101 years old. A weekend full of grief. We will discuss the events, hold space for those lost and talk about what might be next with the new prophet Dallin H Oaks. Joining us to speak on the history of Oaks is Bryan from True Mormon Quotes. 

Click here to watch on YouTube

Follow Bryan on IG: http://www.instagram.com/true_mormon_quotes

AP article: https://apnews.com/article/mormon-church-shooting-michigan-dcb79ee701b0b8076bf73e30e10ba2b7

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: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.