Malevolent Mormon Mommys | The Case Against Ruby Franke & Jodi Hildebrandt

Does Kevin Franke Really 'Get It', If He Still Loves Ruby Franke?
Was Kevin Franke a victim of coercion, or did he just turn a blind eye? The case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt has been dissected from every angle, but Kevin—the husband who stayed, the father who didn’t intervene—is a puzzle in himself. Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins Tony Brueski to unravel the layers of manipulation, blind faith, and pathological passivity that may have led Kevin to abandon his children to a house of horrors.

Kevin now claims he was just another victim, swept up in a toxic mix of religious obedience and psychological control. But can we really accept that explanation? Or is it a convenient way to dodge accountability for the role he played—or failed to play—in protecting his own kids? As a new Hulu documentary attempts to shed light on his story, we ask the question: Should Kevin Franke be held responsible, or is he just another casualty of a cult-like system?

#RubyFranke #KevinFranke #JodiHildebrandt #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #CoerciveControl #CrimeDocumentary

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Is Kevin Franke a Victim or an Accomplice Of Ruby Franke, FBI Behavioral Expert Speaks
Could Kevin Franke have stopped the nightmare unfolding under his own roof, or was he just another victim caught in Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt’s web of control? That’s the big question as we dig into the twisted dynamics of this case. Sure, he wasn’t the one tying up his children or starving them, but he also wasn’t stepping in when things spiraled into a full-blown horror show. Retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke joins us to break down the psychology of willful blindness, groupthink, and how belief systems can be weaponized. Was Kevin truly unaware of what was happening, or was he just too deep in the cult-like mindset to act? And more importantly, should that excuse him from responsibility?

#TrueCrime #KevinFranke #RubyFranke #JodiHildebrandt #CrimeAnalysis #HiddenKillers #PsychologyOfCrime

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

Was Kevin Franke a victim of manipulation, or did he knowingly turn a blind eye while his children suffered? The Ruby Franke case has left many stunned, but the focus now shifts to her husband, Kevin—a man who still claims to love the woman who tortured their children. While he insists he was a victim of religious coercion and extreme psychological control, many argue he was complicit, neglectful, and far too passive.

With a new Hulu documentary shedding light on his role, Kevin is scrambling to explain his inaction. Was he brainwashed by the cult-like influence of Jodi Hildebrandt and the rigid authority of his faith? Or was he just a man too weak to stand up for his own kids? And now that he's seeking custody, should the courts even consider giving it to him?

#RubyFranke #KevinFranke #JodiHildebrandt #TrueCrime #CultMentality #ChildAbuse #HiddenKillers

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Kevin Franke Finally Speaks Out The Truth About Ruby Franke’s Abuse
Was Kevin Franke a victim of manipulation, or did he knowingly turn a blind eye while his children suffered? The Ruby Franke case has left many stunned, but the focus now shifts to her husband, Kevin—a man who still claims to love the woman who tortured their children. While he insists he was a victim of religious coercion and extreme psychological control, many argue he was complicit, neglectful, and far too passive.

With a new Hulu documentary shedding light on his role, Kevin is scrambling to explain his inaction. Was he brainwashed by the cult-like influence of Jodi Hildebrandt and the rigid authority of his faith? Or was he just a man too weak to stand up for his own kids? And now that he's seeking custody, should the courts even consider giving it to him?

#RubyFranke #KevinFranke #JodiHildebrandt #TrueCrime #CultMentality #ChildAbuse #HiddenKillers

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Before Ruby Franke, the infamous YouTube mom behind the "8Passengers" channel, pleaded guilty to child abuse charges, authorities uncovered something chilling—a handwritten journal detailing the suffering she inflicted on her own children. In it, she described acts of cruelty with a detachment that made even seasoned investigators pause.

As revealed in Hulu’s new docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, a police investigator reads from the journal, bringing Franke’s own words into the open. One entry is particularly disturbing: "Sleep outside, shaved her head, doused her with water, over his nose and mouth, head in the toilet, needs to be painful. Blood on his face, scream and scream."

Another entry is no less horrifying: "I told the boy, he emulates a snake. If he wants to emulate the Savior, he needs to be a hundred percent obedient with exactness. The body must engage in good work and the good works need to be painful. I have the power of God and he must obey."

The extent of the abuse detailed in these pages is staggering. In one passage, Franke wrote about forcing her son into the sun, then returning with a "cactus poker" to prod him. She recorded her own twisted logic: "When I poke his back to get in the sun, he doesn’t even flinch. I told him, give your demon friend a message for me. I will not rest. I will not stop. I will not leave. I will fight him until the day you die."

These weren’t the ramblings of someone suffering a temporary lapse in judgment. They were calculated. Premeditated. Written down as if she was keeping a ledger of pain.

In August 2023, it all came to an end when Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from the home she shared with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. Starving, injured, and desperate, he ran to a neighbor and pleaded for help. The neighbor, moved to tears by the boy’s skeletal appearance, called 911. Soon after, authorities discovered his 9-year-old sister inside Hildebrandt’s home in an equally horrific condition.

Franke and her husband, Kevin, had gained a massive following through "8Passengers," where their brand of strict, authoritarian parenting was often defended as tough love. Their content, which amassed over 2 million subscribers, frequently walked the fine line between discipline and outright cruelty. YouTube ultimately shut down the channel after Franke’s arrest. Kevin Franke was not charged in connection with the abuse.

Jodi Hildebrandt, Franke’s business partner and a former therapist, only made things worse. The founder of the so-called "ConneXions" program, a religious-based self-help movement, Hildebrandt reportedly encouraged extreme parenting methods, preying on vulnerabilities within the Mormon community. According to a therapist featured in the docuseries, Hildebrandt "was excellent at exploiting Mormon anxiety." Her influence, combined with Franke’s already dangerous beliefs, created a toxic and violent environment for the children trapped in their care.

Both Franke and Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. Their sentences—ranging from four to 30 years—will be decided by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. At her sentencing, Franke broke down in tears, addressing her children directly. "I will never stop crying for hurting your tender souls," she said. But the damage was already done.

Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke is now streaming on Hulu.

#TrueCrime #RubyFranke #8Passengers #ChildAbuse

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Kevin Franke Seems To Think The 'Internet' Is The Main Thing To Blame For His Wife's Behavior
What kind of person looks at their own children suffering and blames… YouTube? Kevin Franke seems to think the real villain here is family vlogging, not the alleged abuse that unfolded right under his nose. Sure, exploiting kids for clicks is bad, but is it really the root of the problem, or just a convenient scapegoat? Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott dive into the tangled mess of belief systems, cult-like influences, and straight-up denial that kept Franke blind to what was happening in his own home. As he now seeks custody of his children—and still professes love for Ruby Franke—can he truly separate himself from the toxic dynamics that led to this nightmare? Or is he just one bad influence away from repeating history?

#KevinFranke #RubyFranke #TrueCrime #FamilyVlogging #ChildAbuse #HiddenKillers #Psychology

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Kevin Franke Speaks Out on Ex-Wife Ruby Franke’s Crimes: ‘I Have Regrets’

Kevin Franke, the estranged husband of disgraced parenting influencer Ruby Franke, is breaking his silence following her conviction for child abuse. In a new interview, he admitted that he trusted his wife and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, despite mounting concerns about their extreme parenting methods.

“The bottom line is: I was choosing to trust a licensed professional mental health counselor and my wife, and they gave some terrible counsel,” Franke told Good Morning America. “And I have regrets. And I wish I hadn’t done those things.”

Ruby Franke, 43, was once a celebrated mommy blogger with over 2.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, 8Passengers. Alongside Hildebrandt, she later founded ConneXions Classrooms, a parenting and lifestyle brand that offered paid counseling sessions and retreats. What was once a lucrative online business ultimately unraveled into a criminal case when authorities discovered two of Franke’s children malnourished and restrained in Hildebrandt’s home.

The case shocked audiences familiar with Franke’s strict parenting style, which had already raised red flags. In one of her earlier 8Passengers videos, her eldest son Chad casually revealed that he had been forced to sleep on a beanbag for seven months as punishment. After losing sponsors and facing backlash, Franke shifted to working with Hildebrandt, who encouraged even harsher parenting methods.

In one resurfaced video from ConneXions Classrooms, Franke told parents, “If your child comes to you on fire, you don’t pat them on the head and say, ‘It’s OK, I’ll help you.’ No, you beat them, and you kick them, and you hit them with a rod.”

Kevin Franke, a professor and father of six, said he was unaware of the extent of the abuse but now acknowledges that his wife’s actions were dangerous. He last saw his children more than a year before Ruby’s arrest in August 2023. The abuse allegations surfaced when Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s $5.3 million home in Ivins, Utah. The child, severely malnourished and bound with duct tape, ran to a neighbor for help, prompting an immediate police response.

Authorities discovered another one of Franke’s children, a 9-year-old girl, in similarly horrific condition. The case revealed years of disturbing practices, with Franke’s eldest daughter, Shari, previously attempting to alert child services about the abuse. Both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse and were sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison.

Despite the horror of the case, Kevin Franke admitted that his feelings for Ruby are complicated. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving her,” he said. “Does that mean that I want to let her back into my life? Let her back into my kids’ lives? Absolutely not.”

Kevin and his son Chad are now speaking out ahead of the release of Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, a new documentary detailing Ruby’s rise and fall. The documentary includes never-before-seen clips of Franke’s aggressive outbursts, painting a stark contrast to the polished image she portrayed online.

Reflecting on the dangers of social media, Kevin Franke is now urging parents to reconsider exposing their families to the public eye. “There is real danger when you place yourself, or your family, your children, out onto public social media,” he warned.

The case has ignited broader discussions about parenting influencers, the ethics of monetizing family life, and the potential dangers of unregulated online advice. While Franke and Hildebrandt marketed their content as guidance for struggling parents, their convictions highlight the dark side of influencer culture, where financial incentives can overshadow child welfare.

#KevinFranke #RubyFranke #JodiHildebrandt #TrueCrime #8Passengers #ConneXions #ParentingScandal

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

The shocking downfall of YouTube’s 8 Passengers family took the world by storm when Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested for horrific child abuse. But one name has remained at the center of controversy—Kevin Franke. Was he an enabler who failed to protect his children, or was he just another victim of the psychological control wielded by Ruby and Jodi? In this deep-dive episode, we unravel the complex story behind Kevin Franke’s relationship with Ruby, his shocking admission that he still loves her, and the disturbing influence that led to the unraveling of their family.
We’ll explore the timeline of events leading up to Ruby’s arrest, the extreme parenting methods she enforced, and the toxic mentorship of Jodi Hildebrandt, who many believe played a pivotal role in radicalizing Ruby. Kevin Franke’s decision to remain legally married long after the abuse was exposed raises questions—was he truly in the dark, or did he ignore the red flags for too long? With firsthand accounts, legal analysis, and public reactions, we examine the weight of his role in this tragic case.

As Kevin fights for custody of his children, sues Jodi Hildebrandt, and tries to rebuild his life, the internet remains divided. Is Kevin Franke a father who failed his kids, or a man manipulated into silence? Join us as we break down the case, separate fact from speculation, and uncover the real story behind the headlines.
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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events.
    
 Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience. 

 Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle. 
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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

The Curious Case of Jodi Hildebrandt
Jody Hildebrandt—trusted therapist or master manipulator? When does self-improvement cross the line into psychological control? With lawsuits mounting and a chilling documentary laying bare her methods, it’s time to ask: how does someone like Hildebrandt amass so much influence over those seeking help? And why do smart, rational people fall under the spell of someone who, by all accounts, seemed to have built a full-blown cult?

Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins the conversation to break down the disturbing tactics Hildebrandt used to manipulate her victims—leveraging authority, exploiting shame, and creating an environment where she alone held the "truth." From bizarre obsessions with sexuality to the reinforcement of extreme religious doctrine, Hildebrandt’s grip on her followers was as insidious as it was lucrative.

But what kind of person buys into something like this? Is it just a matter of faith-based conditioning, or are some people more susceptible to this kind of manipulation than others? And perhaps the biggest question—was Hildebrandt a true believer in her own twisted philosophy, or just a master at controlling those desperate enough to listen?

#JodyHildebrandt #TrueCrime #PsychologicalManipulation #CultMentality #HiddenKillers #ShameExploitation #MindControl

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com