Silvana was working at Gaia, deep in a healing process, surrounded by a spiritual community, when she was introduced to Bentinho Massaro through what looked like an ordinary birthday dinner. Within days, there was a yoga class, tacos, a hot tub, truth or dare, and a text message she describes as the most manipulative thing she has ever read in her life.

She didn't fall for it. But in this episode, she explains exactly how close she came, and why.

Silvana's story is different from the ones you've heard so far in this series. She's not a survivor of what Bentinho did to Jacqueline, or Jade, or Keilan. She saw it coming, named it, and walked out. What she has to say about how it works, and who it targets, and what actually protects people, is one of the most clear-eyed accounts we've heard in this entire investigation.

Also in this episode: Bentinho's infamous "spiritual" text message, read aloud and taken apart line by line. An NDA requested the morning after a party. And Silvana's final thoughts on rage, responsibility, and why women in spiritual spaces deserve so much better than what they're being sold.

This is part of the ongoing Inst@Guru investigation into Bentinho Massaro, a Dutch spiritual influencer covered by Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Vice, and De Volkskrant.

Bentinho Massaro: you are welcome to sit down with me any time. The invitation remains open.

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The views and opinions expressed on WTF is on my Mind?! do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast or Mark Vicente. Any content provided by guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

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