In this chilling episode of Pod Candy, Stacey and Dori unpack Netflix’s documentary “Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story” a real-world case of charisma turned coercion, where a Utah therapist-turned–“life coach” allegedly leveraged religion, fear, and authority to control families and justify horrific abuse.

The trio digs into how Hildebrandt built an “empire” through her “Connextions” program—pushing rigid “truth vs. distortion” rhetoric, encouraging no-contact separations, and draining families financially—while allegedly isolating partners and turning spouses against each other. They also explore the explosive crossover with YouTube mom Ruby Franke, and the harrowing details that emerged after one of Franke’s children escaped for help, exposing evidence of extreme neglect and torture.

Joining them, Dr. John Mayer adds clinical insight into the psychology of manipulation—why vulnerable communities can fall into moral panic, how “authority” becomes a weapon, and why it’s crucial to verify a therapist’s credentials.  Especially when someone rebrands as a “coach” to dodge accountability. The conversation is equal parts furious, heartbroken, and laser-focused on the bigger takeaway: when “family values” become a shield for control, the harm can be devastating.

Source Documentary: "Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hilderbrandt Story" on Netflix