What do you think of when you hear “free-love commune”? If you’re an American like me, I’m guessing you’re thinking 1960s or 70s alternative communities and hippies, not devout Christians in the 1800s. Today we’re talking about the Oneida Community—the only cult that turned itself into a silverware company. 

Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website.

Links & Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233

VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846

Make The Connection

• Hidden Brain episode “Playing Favorites” about what happens when we treat people close to us with more kindness than we show to others 
• Pierrepont Noyes’ My Father's House; An Oneida Boyhood
• Ellen Wayland-Smith’s Oneida

Written and produced by Anna Roberts

Burning palm tree artwork by Perry Vasquez

Intro music by Elliot Middleton