Jess and Kailea sit down with Priscylla Leigh to discuss her tumultuous journey through Shekinah Church, which promised salvation but ultimately led to emotional and physical abuse. Priscylla opens up about the manipulation she endured at the hands of Robert Shinn and his cohorts and the internal conflicts she faced, and the pivotal moments that led to her leaving the church multiple times. 

Forgive Me For I Have Followed continues the exploration from Netflix’s hit Dancing for the Devil documentary series by delving deeper into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. We will focus on the experiences of victims and their families, address urgent questions raised in the documentary, and gather insights from former members and dancers. Our goal is to uncover strategies for combating abuse and ensuring that controlling, cult-like communities are held accountable for their actions.

*The following is based on actual events.  Certain composite and representative materials and characters have been used for dramatic purposes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kailea guides Jessica through the intriguing world of the Modern Mystery School, founded by Gudni Gudnason, a descendant of the Norse god Thor?! As they delve into its claims of spiritual enlightenment, DNA activation, and esoteric teachings, they uncover the school's controversial journey from Iceland to the U.S., and its eventual rise on the international stage. The school’s rapid expansion was fueled by multi-level marketing tactics and accusations of running a pyramid scheme, leaving many followers in both financial and emotional turmoil. Gudni, a charismatic businessman turned spiritual guru, stands at the center of this complex story.

This is a story of ambition, belief, and the fine line between genuine spiritual guidance and exploitation. As Kailea and Jessica explore its depths, they uncover the powerful allure of self-proclaimed enlightenment and the potential dangers that come with placing trust in a figurehead with a grand vision.

Forgive Me For I Have Followed continues the exploration from Netflix’s hit Dancing for the Devil documentary series by delving deeper into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. We will focus on the experiences of victims and their families, address urgent questions raised in the documentary, and gather insights from former members and dancers. Our goal is to uncover strategies for combating abuse and ensuring that controlling, cult-like communities are held accountable for their actions.

*The following is based on actual events.  Certain composite and representative materials and characters have been used for dramatic purposes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello, Forgive Me For I Have Followed Fans! We want to share our new show, "My Friend Daisy." 

About the show: After 19-year-old Daisy De La O was murdered outside her Compton apartment, her friends and family looked to authorities to make an arrest. When that didn’t happen, they took matters into their own hands. Their secret weapon? TikTok. The online videos spawned an international manhunt, rallying amateur detectives to do something radical: Help catch a killer.

From London Audio, iHeart Radio, and executive producer Paris Hilton, My Friend Daisy is a ten-part investigative series written and hosted by L.A. journalist Jenn Swann. Each episode dives deep into the murder investigation and its fallout, exposing what went wrong, how it went viral, and why American communities are turning to social media to find justice. After 19-year-old Daisy De La O was murdered outside her Compton apartment, her friends and family looked to authorities to make an arrest. When that didn’t happen, they took matters into their own hands. Their secret weapon? TikTok. The online videos spawned an international manhunt, rallying amateur detectives to do something radical: Help catch a killer.

Listen here and subscribe to "My Friend Daisy" on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful episode, Jess & Kailea sit down with past guest Angela (Former wife of Shekinah Church and 7m Films Member James B-Dash Derrick) and her best friend Lacy to discuss their experiences at Hospitality Church, led by Pastor David. They share how their journey within the church, marked by fear-based teachings and emotional trauma, led them to question their faith and ultimately leave. Angela and Lacy reveal the impact of Pastor David's control over relationships, his teachings on gender roles, while also touching on the lasting effects on their personal lives and friendship. Now, they are dedicated to raising awareness about the harm caused by Pastor David and emphasize the importance of compassion for those recovering from cult-like environments.

Forgive Me For I Have Followed continues the exploration from Netflix’s hit Dancing for the Devil documentary series by delving deeper into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. We will focus on the experiences of victims and their families, address urgent questions raised in the documentary, and gather insights from former members and dancers. Our goal is to uncover strategies for combating abuse and ensuring that controlling, cult-like communities are held accountable for their actions.

*The following is based on actual events.  Certain composite and representative materials and characters have been used for dramatic purposes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Jess and Kailea explore the world of Shen Yun, the globally touring performing arts company, and its controversial ties to the Falun Gong movement. They examine the fascinating backstory behind the organization, from its founding to the allegations of forced labor and cult-like practices. Joining them are friends Jeremy and Kylie, who share their personal experiences of attending a Shen Yun performance, offering insights into the spectacle and its darker side. Listen in as they unpack the complexities of this performance group, its marketing tactics, and the ongoing legal investigations surrounding it.

Forgive Me For I Have Followed continues the exploration from Netflix’s hit Dancing for the Devil documentary series by delving deeper into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. We will focus on the experiences of victims and their families, address urgent questions raised in the documentary, and gather insights from former members and dancers. Our goal is to uncover strategies for combating abuse and ensuring that controlling, cult-like communities are held accountable for their actions.

*The following is based on actual events.  Certain composite and representative materials and characters have been used for dramatic purposes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Jess & Kailea dive into the chilling world of the Zizians, a group with extreme beliefs that have led to tragic real-world consequences. The recent arrest of Jack “Ziz” Lasota, shines a light on the dangerous intersection of internet philosophy and radical action. The episode explores the origins of Ziz's unorthodox theories, which pushed the limits of rationalism and sparked violence across the country. Jess and Kailea also unravel the timeline of events that ties this bizarre cult-like group to a series of killings, revealing the dark power the internet holds over our beliefs and actions.

Forgive Me For I Have Followed continues the exploration from Netflix’s hit Dancing for the Devil documentary series by delving deeper into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. We will focus on the experiences of victims and their families, address urgent questions raised in the documentary, and gather insights from former members and dancers. Our goal is to uncover strategies for combating abuse and ensuring that controlling, cult-like communities are held accountable for their actions.

*The following is based on actual events.  Certain composite and representative materials and characters have been used for dramatic purposes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Forgive Me For I Have Followed, Jessica & Kailea dive into the powerful role language plays in cults and high-control groups. They explore how leaders use loaded language, jargon, and manipulation techniques to isolate and bond followers, creating a strong sense of "us vs. them" while redefining everyday words to fit their ideology. From love bombing to the Babel Hypothesis, they also break down how these linguistic tools can influence followers and maintain control, extending beyond cults into business, politics, and social media. Listen in for a deep look at how words can shape belief and power dynamics within high-control environments.

Forgive Me For I Have Followed continues the exploration from Netflix’s hit Dancing for the Devil documentary series by delving deeper into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. We will focus on the experiences of victims and their families, address urgent questions raised in the documentary, and gather insights from former members and dancers. Our goal is to uncover strategies for combating abuse and ensuring that controlling, cult-like communities are held accountable for their actions.

*The following is based on actual events.  Certain composite and representative materials and characters have been used for dramatic purposes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Jess and Kailea examine the balance between trust and ethical boundaries in creative education, focusing on acting coaches. They dive into the controversial methods of Michele Lonsdale-Smith, whose emotionally intense approach sparked concerns about manipulation and control. With testimonies from former students, they also discuss the dangers of crossing the line between personal growth and psychological harm. Lastly, they highlight the importance of setting boundaries and protecting one's well-being in artistic spaces

Forgive Me For I Have Followed continues the exploration from Netflix’s hit Dancing for the Devil documentary series by delving deeper into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. We will focus on the experiences of victims and their families, address urgent questions raised in the documentary, and gather insights from former members and dancers. Our goal is to uncover strategies for combating abuse and ensuring that controlling, cult-like communities are held accountable for their actions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the difference between a high-control group and a cult? In this episode, we break down the key distinctions and explore how certain groups and leaders blur the line between self-improvement and coercion. Jessica brings Kailea up to speed about what she has learned about Candace Silvers, a former acting coach, now spiritual healer and life coach, whose methods have raised concerns and definitely lead Jess to saying “that’s not cool!”. They get into some of the questionable techniques and alleged exploitation of this new example of a charismatic leader.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ladies bring a couple updates to the table and Kailea shares what life's been like outside of the church in this bonus episode.

Forgive Me For I Have Followed continues the exploration from Netflix’s hit Dancing for the Devil documentary series by delving deeper into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. We will focus on the experiences of victims and their families, address urgent questions raised in the documentary, and gather insights from former members and dancers. Our goal is to uncover strategies for combating abuse and ensuring that controlling, cult-like communities are held accountable for their actions.

*The following is based on actual events.  Certain composite and representative materials and characters have been used for dramatic purposes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.