In the remote wilderness of Quebec during the late 1970s, a small group of seekers followed a man who promised salvation. His name was Roch Thériault, a self-proclaimed prophet who mixed apocalyptic preaching with strict communal living. To his followers, he was a spiritual leader offering protection from the end of the world. To the outside world, he would become known as the mastermind behind one of the most disturbing cults in Canadian history. The Ant Hill Kids began as a commune built on ideals of simplicity and devotion, but under Thériault’s rule, it quickly descended into abuse, violence, and horror. Members were cut off from family and society, subjected to brutal punishments, and forced into medical mutilations at the hands of their leader. What started as a religious community spiraled into years of torment, leaving behind a legacy of trauma that still haunts survivors today. In this episode, we uncover how a charismatic figure could transform a group of hopeful young people into a secluded nightmare. We’ll explore the rise of Roch Thériault, the daily life of his commune, and the shocking acts that cemented the Ant Hill Kids as one of the darkest cult stories ever told.

Part 1 – The Prophet in the Wilderness
Part 2 – Gathering the Flock
Part 3 – Building the Commune
Part 4 – Descent into Abuse
Part 5 – Crimes in the Shadows
Part 6 – Collapse and Reckoning

From silent compounds to subway attacks, from charismatic prophets to catastrophic ends, Hidden Cults is a documentary-style podcast that digs deep into the world's most extreme, elusive, and explosive fringe groups. Each episode unpacks a different cult with investigative depth, emotional clarity, and gripping storytelling. You'll hear the full timeline: from the origins and ideology, to the rise of control, to the final descent into chaos. We're not here for the sensational. We're here for the truth. If you've ever wondered how ordinary people fall into extraordinary belief systems, and what happens when those systems implode, you're in the right place.

New episodes weekly
Listener stories always welcome
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Listener stories: [email protected]

International Resources

• International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
  https://www.icsahome.com
  Provides information, recovery support, referrals, and events for survivors and concerned families.
• Open Minds Foundation
  https://www.openmindsfoundation.org
  Offers education and support about undue influence and manipulative organizations.
• The Hotline (USA – Domestic Abuse)
  https://www.thehotline.org
  📞 1-800-799-7233 — 24/7 support for victims of domestic, emotional, and religious abuse.
• Freedom of Mind Resource Center (Steven Hassan)
  https://freedomofmind.com
  Resources on cult recovery, exit counseling, and mind control education.
• FaithTrust Institute
  https://www.faithtrustinstitute.org
  Support and resources for survivors of religious abuse, especially within faith communities.

United States

• Cult Recovery Hotline (ICSA)
  📞 1-239-514-3081
  Referral and support line for ex-members, families, and researchers.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
  https://www.rainn.org
  📞 1-800-656-4673 — Confidential support for trauma survivors.

Canada 

• Cult & Trauma Support Resources 
• Info-Cult / Info-Secte (Montreal-based, Canada-wide) Website: https://infosecte.org
• Phone: 📞 514-274-2333
• Email: [email protected]
• Canada’s leading organization for individuals and families affected by cults, coercive groups, and spiritual abuse.
• Offers confidential support, referrals, and information in English and French.

United Kingdom

• The Family Survival Trust
  https://familysurvivaltrust.org
  Support and advocacy for those affected by cults and coercive control.
• Cults Information Centre and Family Support
  https://cults.org.uk
  UK-based information and guidance for cult survivors and families.
• Mind UK (Mental Health Support)
  https://www.mind.org.uk
  📞 0300 123 3393 — Non-judgmental mental health advice and support.

Australia

• Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS)
  https://www.cifs.org.au
  National support for individuals and families affected by cults.

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