Cults to Consciousness

By Shelise Ann Sola, Jonathan C RosalesSociety & Culture

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Cults to Consciousness episodes

April 20 ULTRA ORTHODOX: The Strict Reality of Being a Rabbi’s Wife
Rachel was raised in Israel by Canadian parents who converted to strict Orthodox Judaism as adults. Girls were taught from a very young age that their primary purpose was to become wives and mothers, and the culture emphasized conformity, modesty, and obedience. Rachel explains how these systems created strong psychological pressure, particularly around purity culture, body image, and social behavior, while also framing outsiders and even other Jewish groups as morally inferior. At 18, after only a few weeks of dating, she became engaged to a man who fit the religious and cultural criteria expected of her, despite lingering doubts and emotional attachment to someone else.
Click to watch on YouTube
Watch our follow up live stream with Rachel
Watch our recent panel with 4 Former Ultra Orthodox women
Find and support Rachel!
IG: @permissiontobeyourself
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 40 min
April 15 Confessions of a Former ULTRA ORTHODOX Rabbi
Shalom’s childhood and education were dominated by intense religious indoctrination. He attended a strict ultra-Orthodox school 365 days a year, where boys studied religious texts from early morning until late at night, with little secular education and frequent physical punishment from teachers. The rigid environment, lack of emotional support, and strict moral expectations led to anxiety, obsessive religious guilt, and deep internal conflict, particularly around sexuality and personal identity. The community’s teachings pushed him toward early marriage as a supposed solution to normal sexual urges and loneliness. He then became a Rabbi and eventually left it all behind. We discuss all the ways rigid patriarchy harms the men too and the consequences of strict gender roles void of choice.
Click here to watch on YouTube
Watch our initial interview with Shalom
Watch our recent panel with 4 Former Ultra Orthodox women
Find and support Shalom!
Shalom’s podcast, Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus
Instagram: @shalomshore
Personal website: shalomshore.com
Religion site: freidomfighter.com
Hypnosis site: navyahypnosis.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 1 min
April 13 The Dark side of My ULTRA ORTHODOX Childhood in Jerusalem
Shalom Shore grew up in a strict ultra-Orthodox Jewish environment in Jerusalem connected to the organization Aish HaTorah, dedicated to its mission of bringing secular Jews back to strict religious observance. As the oldest of nine children, Shalom grew up in a household that appeared ideal, but was marked by emotional neglect, financial stress, and a constant focus on religious outreach.
Shalom’s childhood and education were dominated by intense religious indoctrination. He attended a strict ultra-Orthodox school 365 days a year, where boys studied religious texts from early morning until late at night, with little secular education and frequent physical punishment from teachers. The rigid environment, lack of emotional support, and strict moral expectations led to anxiety, obsessive religious guilt, and deep internal conflict, particularly around sexuality and personal identity. The community’s teachings pushed him toward early marriage as a supposed solution to normal sexual urges and loneliness. He then became a Rabbi and eventually left it all behind.
Click here to watch on YouTube
Watch our follow up LIVE with Shalom
Watch our recent panel with 4 Former Ultra Orthodox women

Find and support Shalom!
Shalom’s podcast, Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus
Instagram: @shalomshore
Personal website: shalomshore.com
Religion site: freidomfighter.com
Hypnosis site: navyahypnosis.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 23 min
April 10 I Became CEO of a Cult & Didn’t Realize it (born & raised in the Ashram)
Growing up under the sway of a Brooklyn housewife turned guru, Priya Hutner is drawn into a world shaped by bizarre rituals, spiritual promises, and oppressive beliefs. What begins as a quest for enlightenment unravels into a stifling reality as the boundaries between spiritual devotion and control blur. Members were expected to obey the guru completely. Personal decisions—including marriage, celibacy, parenting, and even children’s names—were influenced or dictated by her and private matters were often publicly exposed as a form of “ego destruction.” Despite the manipulation, the community also performed genuine service, such as caring for AIDS patients, the homeless, and people living in poverty. This mix of compassion and control created confusion and loyalty among followers.
In her late twenties, Priya was unexpectedly appointed CEO of the ashram, responsible for running the nonprofit organization, managing finances, and coordinating retreats and visitors. Despite the enormous responsibility, the community operated under vows of poverty—Priya herself earned only about $200 a month while overseeing the organization. Meanwhile, the guru remained the ultimate authority over money, decisions, and disputes within the group. Priya deeply believed she was helping humanity and guiding people spiritually, reinforcing her devotion to the guru.
Click here to watch on YouTube
Find and Support Priya!
Priya’s Book: Chasing Nirvana: A Seeker’s Story of Love, Loss and Liberation
Website: priyahutner.com
IG: @priyahutner
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 25 min
April 08 OneTaste Founder of Wellness Trend Turned Sex Cult is SENTENCED to 9 years
Nicole Daedone, founder and former CEO of OneTaste, was JUST sentenced to 9 years in federal prison following a conviction for forced labor conspiracy. She was found guilty of leading a scheme that subjected members to economic, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse, along with indoctrination and surveillance. Today we are joined LIVE with Ellen Huet, the investigative journalist for Bloomberg News who wrote the viral article that exposed the dark sides of OneTaste and Daedone, and is author of “EMPIRE OF ORGASM: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult” on the rise and fall of OneTaste, to further discuss the case.
Click here to watch on YouTube
Find and support Ellen!
Ellen’s Book “Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult”
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604196/empireoforgasm/
Website: https://www.ellenhuet.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ehuet/
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 1 min
April 06 Joseph Duggar Pleads NOT GUILTY After Confessing (ft. Preacher Boys)
BREAKING: Former reality TV TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" star Joseph Duggar has pleaded "Not Guilty" to his charges in Florida, almost five years after his brother Josh, who also starred in the TLC show, was convicted of similar charges. Joining us is Eric from @PreacherBoys Podcast to give us the full follow up scoop.
Click here to watch on YouTube
Watch our initial LIVE when the news first broke
Find and support Eric!

Website: https://www.preacherboyspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PreacherBoys
FB: https://www.facebook.com/preacherboysdoc/
IG: @preacherboysdoc
TikTok: @preacherboyspod
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
33 min
April 03 MORMON JUDGE Faces Multiple Allegations of Dangerous Religious BIAS (ft. Kolby Reddish)
Join us LIVE as we go in depth with former guest and current lawyer Kolby Reddish to further discuss the case involving CSA claims, and the potential legal outcome, of Judge Brent Basden in Washington’s Clallam County under investigation following serious allegations of LDS bias and misconduct in family court cases.
Click here to watch on YouTube
Formal Complaint
Follow Kolby’s new Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LetsDisagreeShow
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42 min
April 01 Intel on FLDS Trafficking Girls at Night (preparing for marriage) ft. Growing Up in Polygamy
Warren Jeffs, the polygamous prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who is currently in prison, has been “leading” his saints in questionable directions. Including not allowing married couples to be intimate and not allowing anyone to marry. We now have credible intel that the FLDS is preparing to start marriages again. This comes with reports of FLDS girls who disappear from their “apostate” parents’ homes immediately after their 18th birthday and cutting off all contact, as they are moved to different locations run by the cult. More information by Sam & Melissa from @GrowingUpinPolygamy
Click here to watch on YouTube
Follow Sam and Melissa!
YouTube: @GrowingUpinPolygamy
Website: https://www.growingupinpolygamy.com/
Instagram: @growing_up_in_polygamy
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: 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 6 min
March 30 Elizabeth Smart Recounts Her Kidnapping (9 months as a plural wife)
In 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped at knifepoint from her bedroom in Salt Lake City by Brian David Mitchell and his accomplice, Wanda Barzee. She was held captive for nine months, survived repeated SA, and was forced to live in camps across Utah while being disguised in public. In 2003, she was finally recognized by alert bystanders and rescued, leading to the arrest and conviction of her captors.
Today, Elizabeth Smart is a survivor, author, and chiId safety activist. She founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which focuses on preventing chiId abuse, supporting victims, and promoting recovery. She also works as a public speaker, advocates for legislation to protect children, appears in media to raise awareness, and has written books including her most recent “Detours”. She is married, has children, and continues to be a prominent voice for survivor empowerment and child safety.
Click here to watch on YouTube
Elizabeth’s book: Detours
Find Elizabeth on social media!
IG: https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_smart_official
Website: https://www.elizabethsmart.com/
Foundation: elizabethsmartfoundation.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 18 min
March 27 'Bachelorette' CANCELLED After Mormon MomTok Leader Taylor Frankie Paul’s DV Video
Mormonism has been a hot topic in pop culture the past couple years and not necessarily in a good way. Following the fame of the hit tv show “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”, the self proclaimed creator of #momtok , center of the swinging drama and “queen bee” of the group, Taylor Frankie Paul was awarded the coveted role of “Bachelorette”. The entire season was filmed and set to premiere tomorrow March 21st, but on Thursday March 19th, the show was pulled by ABC executives following video evidence of a violent encounter between Taylor and her ex Dakota. Join Shelise and @TheAmandaRaeGrant who give details about the situation and their opinions on it.
Click here to watch on YouTube
Follow Amanda Rae!
YouTube: @TheAmandaRaeGrant
IG: @amandaraegrant
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr