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

What happens when the line between parenting and profiteering gets blurred? Ruby Franke, once a family vlogging star on YouTube with the channel 8 Passengers, now faces allegations of disturbing behavior alongside her business partner, Jody Hildebrandt. But who was Ruby Franke before Jody entered the picture? And how did their relationship allegedly escalate into a tangled web of exploitation, control, and manipulation?

With the release of Shari Franke's memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, chilling new details emerge, shining a spotlight on the darker side of family vlogging. Is the industry fostering a culture of exploitation, or can it be done responsibly? The episode dives into the ethical gray areas, legal gaps, and personal accounts of those most affected. Are platforms like YouTube complicit, or does the responsibility ultimately rest with parents?

When does sharing your family life online cross the line into something harmful? And more importantly—who decides where that line is?

#RubyFranke #FamilyVlogging #TrueCrimeToday #HiddenKillers #ParentingEthics #Exploitation #ShariFranke

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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

What happens when a seemingly perfect family facade crumbles, revealing a nightmare behind closed doors? Shari Frankie, daughter of former YouTuber Ruby Frankie of Eight Passengers fame, is breaking her silence about the alleged horrors she endured growing up. From twisted parenting tactics to shocking revelations of manipulation and abuse, Shari’s memoir lays bare the disturbing dynamics of her mother’s household and the sinister influence of Jody Hildebrandt.

How does a successful family influencer go from millions of followers to a prison cell? Retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer joins the discussion, shedding light on the dark journey of Ruby Frankie, her descent into alleged sadism, and the dangerous partnership that fueled it all. This chilling account uncovers the devastating effects of alleged abuse, control, and complicity, leaving us to question: Was Ruby always this way, or did Jody awaken a monster?

How far would someone go when emboldened by a partner in crime?

#TrueCrime #RubyFrankie #JenniferCoffindaffer #EightPassengers #ChildAbuse #CultBehavior #FamilySecrets

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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

Are some parents sacrificing their children's well-being for clicks and cash?

In this thought-provoking episode, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke dives into the unsettling world of family vlogging and the fine line between parenting and profiting. Is sharing your child’s life online the same as signing a permission slip for summer camp, or does it open a Pandora’s box of potential harm? Robin pulls no punches as he questions the motives behind these decisions, reflects on his own parenting philosophy, and unpacks the "crazy" that can ripple through generations when parents prioritize fame and fortune over their children’s well-being.

Through a blend of wisdom, humor, and heartfelt anecdotes, Robin challenges us to “play the tape forward” and consider the long-term impact of exposing children to the digital spotlight. When the pursuit of more eclipses the importance of healthy relationships, where does that leave the next generation?

And ultimately, what will your legacy be—money in the bank or a hug that outshines it all?

#FamilyVlogging #ParentingMatters #ProtectKidsOnline #BehavioralAnalysis #DigitalEthics #HealthyRelationships #TrueCrimePodcast

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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

What happens when the picture-perfect family life portrayed online hides a much darker reality? Ruby Franke, once a beloved family vlogger, and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt now stand convicted of aggravated child abuse, their twisted dynamic exposed in the wake of Sherry Franke's memoir, The House of My Mother. Sherry’s story offers a harrowing glimpse into the alleged horrors she and her siblings endured, while peeling back the layers of manipulation, control, and the cult-like influence Jodi seemingly wielded over Ruby.

But it’s not just about Ruby and Jodi—it’s about the cost of family vlogging, the exploitation of children for clicks, and the dangerous line between parenting and profiting. With allegations of grooming, isolation, and a chilling level of control, how do we draw the line between sharing family life and selling it? Should children have a say in their digital presence, or is it all just the price of parental ambition?

And what about you—how far is too far when it comes to family life on the internet?

#TrueCrime #RubyFranke #FamilyVlogging #ChildExploitation #Memoir #Cults #ParentingDilemma

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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

What happens when a seemingly perfect family reveals its dark, twisted secrets? Ruby Franke, once a beloved YouTuber with millions of followers, is now facing prison for alleged horrific abuse of her children. Her daughter, Shari Franke, is breaking her silence, sharing chilling accounts of life behind closed doors—tales of deprivation, sadistic punishments, and a cult-like atmosphere that defy belief. Was Ruby always capable of such cruelty, or did her relationship with Jody Hildebrandt push her over the edge?

Jennifer Coffindaffer, retired FBI Special Agent, dissects the case, exposing the psychological dynamics that turned a mother into a monster. Is redemption ever possible for someone capable of such acts, or will Ruby's shadow haunt her family forever?

Would you forgive, or is some betrayal simply unforgivable? #RubyFrankeCase #TrueCrimePodcast #HiddenKillers #FamilySecrets #ChildAbuseAllegations #CultMentality #JusticeForVictims

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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

Did a YouTube mom turn her family into a real-life horror story? Ruby Franke, the once-popular family vlogger behind 8 Passengers, is now better known for her alleged role in a chilling tale of child abuse, manipulation, and a disturbing partnership with Jodi Hildebrandt. After years of portraying a picture-perfect life online, Ruby and Jodi’s reality shattered as they faced charges of aggravated child abuse—charges that ultimately led to lengthy prison sentences. Ruby’s eldest daughter, Sherry Franke, is breaking her silence. In her memoir The House of My Mother, Sherry reveals the haunting truths about life behind the camera. But this isn't just a tell-all; it’s a survival guide for anyone trapped in a web of control and trauma. From Jodi's alleged cult-like manipulation to shocking revelations of a physical relationship between the two women, Sherry unpacks a twisted story that feels almost too dark to be real. Can we ever truly see behind the curtain of someone’s carefully curated life?

#RubyFranke #TrueCrime #SherryFranke #ChildAbuseAwareness #CultBehavior #TraumaRecovery #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

This podcast episode, based on Shari Franke's memoir, The House of My Mother, explores the dark side of the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel and the Franke family's unraveling. We examine how the family's life became a performance for the internet, the increasingly controlling parenting of Ruby Franke under the influence of Jodi Hildebrandt, and the resulting abuse and neglect suffered by her children. We discuss the family's estrangement, the eventual arrests of Ruby and Jodi, and Shari's journey of healing and call for accountability. This is a story about the dangers of unchecked authority, the pressures of internet fame, and the importance of speaking out against injustice.
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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 

This podcast episode dives into the shocking story of the Franke family, known for their "8 Passengers" YouTube channel. Based on Shari Franke's memoir, we explore the family's seemingly normal beginnings, the pressures of becoming internet personalities, and the dark turn Ruby Franke's parenting took under the influence of Jodi Hildebrandt. We discuss the allegations of abuse and neglect, the resulting family estrangement, and the eventual arrests of Ruby and Jodi. This is a cautionary tale about the dark side of internet fame, unchecked authority, and the importance of speaking out against injustice.
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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 

Shari Franke’s memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, begins with a striking and unforgettable image: the moment police forced open the front door of her family’s home with a battering ram. Shari, the eldest daughter of the once-popular family vloggers behind the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, captured the moment on her phone and shared it on Instagram, writing, “This moment, this climax of my family’s descent into madness, needed to be documented, preserved, and shared on social media.” It was an act of reclamation—an attempt to wrest back control of her narrative from a life shaped by forced smiles and staged perfection. Today, with the release of her memoir through Gallery Books, Shari pulls back the curtain on the tabloid nightmare her family became.
Ruby Franke, Shari’s mother and the matriarch of the 8 Passengers channel, was arrested in 2023 along with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The two women were charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse after Shari’s younger brother escaped from Hildebrandt’s home and begged a neighbor for help. The boy, visibly malnourished and injured, revealed a harrowing story of being tied up with ropes and deprived of food. Inside Hildebrandt’s home, police discovered Shari’s younger sister in a similarly emaciated and injured state. The public’s collective gasp over these revelations was only the beginning. In The House of My Mother, Shari details how the Franke family’s carefully curated image of wholesomeness and faith unraveled behind the scenes, exposing the dark underbelly of a household where control, manipulation, and emotional abuse reigned.

Before the arrests, the Frankes had amassed nearly 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube, drawn to their idyllic portrayal of life as a large Mormon family. But Shari’s memoir reveals a far different reality. The transformation, she writes, began when Hildebrandt, a counselor with controversial methods, entered their lives. Hildebrandt’s influence over Ruby grew rapidly, shifting the family dynamics in alarming ways. “She was our family’s very own cult leader,” Shari writes. “She turned my mother into a fawning, starstruck acolyte who lapped up her every demented word like it was holy water.” Kevin Franke, Ruby’s husband and Shari’s father, was gradually pushed out of the household. According to Shari, Hildebrandt became the puppet master, dictating the family’s every move under the guise of therapy and spiritual guidance.

In a particularly disturbing episode, Hildebrandt took over Shari’s bedroom, filling it with candles and massage oils. Shari’s suspicions about a deeper relationship between her mother and Hildebrandt were confirmed one night when she saw Ruby sneaking out of her former room. “It was equal parts fascinating and horrific,” Shari recalls. “Two women who publicly condemned queerness in their ConneXions Classroom videos, while embodying it privately.” Hildebrandt’s teachings, presented as strict moral guidelines, included extreme punishments and bizarre rituals. Shari writes that these teachings justified the alienation of Kevin, who was sent away to “work on his shortcomings” while the children’s welfare deteriorated.

The memoir’s most heart-wrenching moments recount Shari’s growing concern for her siblings. Isolated from her family while attending Brigham Young University, Shari made repeated calls to the Department of Child and Family Services, desperate to have someone intervene. But it wasn’t until her brother’s dramatic escape that authorities finally acted. Ruby and Hildebrandt’s subsequent arrest and guilty pleas to four counts of aggravated child abuse brought an end to their reign of terror. Each woman was sentenced to four to thirty years in prison—a grim chapter in a story that continues to haunt the public consciousness.

Shari, now 21, has emerged as an advocate against the exploitation of children in family vlogging. Her experiences growing up in front of a camera have shaped her into a vocal critic of the practice, which she believes inherently violates children’s privacy and well-being. In her memoir and public statements, Shari argues there is no ethical way to monetize a child’s life online. “Making money off your kids with no oversight as to how much the kids are getting paid—there’s no way to do that well,” she asserts. Shari has taken her advocacy to the legislative level, supporting bills that protect underage influencers by guaranteeing them a share of their earnings. “It should be 100 percent,” she insists, though she adds that even financial compensation cannot undo the psychological damage inflicted by growing up with one’s life broadcast to millions.

The memoir also sheds light on Shari’s personal struggles, from suicidal ideation to a damaging relationship with a married church elder. She writes candidly about feeling unloved as a child and grappling with the immense pressure to perform for the camera. Her journals and old family vlogs, which she reviewed while writing the book, offer a painful juxtaposition: moments of apparent happiness on screen contrasted with behind-the-scenes misery. “It felt like it wasn’t my life,” Shari reflects. “The vlogs show smiling faces, but all I remember is the yelling between takes.”

Shari’s relationship with her father has begun to heal in the wake of the arrests. Kevin Franke, who describes his “invitation to leave” the family as “a hellish and abusive experience,” has acknowledged his role in the family’s exploitation. Shari appreciates his willingness to take responsibility, even as she remains critical of his past inaction. Her relationship with Ruby, however, is irreparable. In a letter sent from prison, Ruby reminisced about Shari’s childhood but failed to address the abuse. Shari’s response was resolute: “I don’t feel an emotional tie to her anymore.”

With the release of The House of My Mother, Shari hopes to close a painful chapter of her life while advocating for change. She’s on track to graduate from BYU with a degree in political science and plans to work in data analytics—far from the spotlight she once lived under. Her engagement, announced on Instagram, marks a new beginning. Yet, Shari’s mission to protect children from the harms of family vlogging continues. “I hope that by sharing my story, other child influencers will see that their voices matter,” she writes. “And that it’s worth whatever bridges they might burn.”

Shari’s memoir serves as both a personal catharsis and a rallying cry against a billion-dollar industry that thrives on the commodification of childhood. The question remains: will her story be the wake-up call needed to spark meaningful change, or will the cycle of exploitation continue? The public, it seems, is just beginning to reckon with the consequences of a life lived online.
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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

This is the " The Year in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this year's most compelling 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 have dominated 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.
 
 Throughout the past year, we've followed and dissected cases such as P. Diddy, Karen Read, Scott Peterson, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrand, the Delphi Murders, Kouri Richins, Bryan Kohberger, Rex Heuermann, Alex Murdaugh, Chad and Lori Daybell, and the Adelson family. Each episode navigates through these 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 "The Year 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