Lisa Joins a Cult

By Lisa VanArsdale

A show that explores the world of cultic organizations through real-life encounters and lived-in research. Joins hosts Lisa VanArsdale & John Verner as they explore the world of secret societies, ... more

· Society & Culture

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FAQs about Lisa Joins a Cult:

How many episodes does Lisa Joins a Cult have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.

Lisa Joins a Cult episodes:

August 24, 2025Season Two Finale: Fundamentalist Christianity
In this episode, Lisa and John explore the pervasive influence of Fundamentalist Christianity in America.
Lisa recounts her personal experiences visiting various evangelical landmarks, including Liberty University, Focus on the Family headquarters, Salvation Mountain, Holy Land USA, and the Billy Graham Library. They discuss the psychological control mechanisms of figures like James Dobson, and the impact of religious leaders such as Jerry Falwell and Billy Graham. Throughout, they highlight the darker underbelly of these seemingly benign institutions and their contributions to authoritarianism and Christian nationalism.

Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad

🎧 More from Lisa:
🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com
📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult
📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog
📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale

🎙️ More from John:
🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity
🌐 Website: jverner.com
📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner
🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner
✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com
...more
1h 28min
August 17, 2025S2Ep5: Revisited | The Moonies
In this episode, Lisa and John dive into the provocative and dangerous world of Rod of Iron Ministries, an offshoot of the Unification Church led by Sean Moon.

They explore the group's intense practices, including militaristic church services, bizarre rap sermons, and apocalyptic ideologies. Sean Moon's transformation into 'King Bullethead' and his use of rap to spread radical, often transphobic and misogynistic messages are discussed.

Lisa recounts her firsthand experiences attending the church's open-carry events and services, where she witnessed the group's extreme political stances and cult-like devotion to gun culture and Donald Trump.

🎭 Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad

🎧 More from Lisa:
🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com
📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult
📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog
📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale

🎙️ More from John:
🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity
🌐 Website: jverner.com
📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner
🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner
✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com
...more
1h 14min
August 10, 2025S2Ep4: Revisited | The Twelve Tribes
Join hosts Lisa and John as they delve into the intricate and often controversial world of the Twelve Tribes.

In this episode, Lisa shares her extensive experiences visiting various Twelve Tribes communities over the past year, including locations in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Colorado. The discussion encompasses the ideology and practices of the group, ranging from their communal living and rejection of modernity to their problematic views on race and hierarchy.
Lisa also shares personal stories of group members, the challenges of living in such a structured environment, and John shares recent legal controversies surrounding the group.

🎭 Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad

🎧 More from Lisa:
🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com
📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult
📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog
📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale

🎙️ More from John:
🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity
🌐 Website: jverner.com
📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner
🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner
✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com
...more
1h 29min
August 03, 2025S2Ep3: Christian Science
Join Lisa and John as they delve into the unique world of Christian Science.
In this episode, Lisa recounts her visit to the Mother Church in Boston, providing an in-depth look at the history, beliefs, and practices of Christian Scientists. They discuss the church's inception by Mary Baker Eddy, its stance on medical care, and the complex blend of faith and healing that defines it. The conversation also explores the controversies surrounding faith healing and the modern-day decline of this fascinating and deadly religious movement.
Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad

🎧 More from Lisa:
🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com
📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult
📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog
📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale

🎙️ More from John:
🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity
🌐 Website: jverner.com
📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner
🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner
✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com
...more
52min
July 27, 2025S2Ep2: Swedenborgianism
In this episode, hosts Lisa and John explore the intriguing world of Swedenborgianism. They explore the theological vision of Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th-century Swedish scientist who claimed to have visions of the spiritual realm.

The discussion covers Swedenborg's ideas, his writings on heaven and hell, and the foundational beliefs of The New Church, also known as the Church of the New Jerusalem. Lisa shares her experiences visiting Swedenborgian landmarks in Pennsylvania, including a notable cathedral. They touch upon Swedenborg's influence on followers like Johnny Appleseed, Helen Keller, and Robert Frost, and discuss the complicated legacy and various branches of this unique Christian offshoot.
🎭 Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad

🎧 More from Lisa:
🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com
📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult
📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog
📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale
🎙️ More from John:
🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity
🌐 Website: jverner.com
📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner
🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner
✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com
...more
42min
July 20, 2025S2Ep1: Scientology
Join hosts Lisa and John as they dive into the world of Scientology. In this episode, Lisa shares her diverse experiences with Scientology, from her interactions with their recruitment efforts in New York City subways to a more in-depth visit to their well-funded Church in Times Square.
Lisa reminisces about her house of worship day and her many run-ins with Scientology, including personal audits and a visit to the cult's epicenter in Clearwater, Florida.
New co-host John, an accomplished journalist and host of "The Cult of Christianity" podcast, also shares his experiences investigating his local Scientology church.
They discuss the cult’s tactics in recruiting members, the controversies surrounding its celebrity followers like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, and the oppressive experiences of Sea Org members.

🎭 Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad

🎧 More from Lisa:
🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com
📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult
📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog
📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale
🎙️ More from John:
🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity
🌐 Website: jverner.com
📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner
🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner
✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com
...more
54min
April 27, 2024 S1Ep8: The Amish
In this episode, Lisa delves into her immersive experience among the Amish community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, known for its significant Amish population. Staying with an elderly Amish couple, Lisa explores the intricacies of the Amish lifestyle, emphasizing their strict adherence to traditional practices and their aversion to modern conveniences. Her intimate encounter provides a rare insight into the personal and community dynamics of the Amish, revealing the complexities and contradictio...
...more
49min
April 18, 2024 S1Ep7: 12 Tribes
When Lisa embarked on her exploration of the 12 Tribes, what she encountered was a microcosm of communal living that operates at the intersection of Christian communalism and retro-hippie idealism, underscored by a unique self-sufficiency reminiscent of a Mennonite settlement. The 12 Tribes, with their self-governing ethos and economic reliance on internal businesses like the Yellow Deli, illustrate a potent example of how religious and communal identities can shape economic structures and da...
...more
1h 8min
April 10, 2024 S1Ep6: Catholicism
In this episode, Lisa shares her unique experiences with the Catholic Church, starting with a childhood misunderstanding at a relative's wedding, leading to humorous encounters with church customs. She recounts living in a nun-operated dorm in New York, her initial awe and subsequent interactions with nuns, and a reflective visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral. The discussion broadens to include Lisa's interactions with religious practices, including an attempt at confession and attending a ...
...more
52min
February 08, 2024 S1Ep5: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Pt. 2
In this episode of "Lisa Joins a Cult," join Lisa as she embarks on a journey deep into the heart of Mormonism. It all begins with her fascination with touring a temple, leading her to anticipate visiting the iconic Washington, D.C. temple for its open house. However, plans take an unexpected turn, and Lisa finds herself heading to Idaho to explore a newly constructed temple, immersing herself in encounters that provide fascinating insights into the Mormon faith.As the episode progresses, lis...
...more
44min

FAQs about Lisa Joins a Cult:

How many episodes does Lisa Joins a Cult have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.