*WARNING: This episode contains topics such as sexual assault and violence that may be triggering for some listeners. Please use discretion when listening to this episode*

No one joins a cult; everyone joins a good thing, but once you’re in too deep, it can be impossible to tell the difference.

Our 4-part cult miniseries concludes with a discussion about one of the most notorious cults in history. Founded by Keith Raniere in the late 1990's, NXIVM began as a series of self-help "Executive Success Programs", meant to help people overcome challenges in their lives and become better versions of themselves. Underneath the façade was a dangerous secret society within the group that involved damaging collateral to join, "slaves",  "masters" and horrific branding ceremonies. It would be impossible to have a miniseries about cults without talking about the most high-profile one of the 21st-century. This is the story of NXIVM and the true dangers that lurked under the surface of a seemingly innocent self-help group and the widespread damage it caused to its many victims.

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Music (pre-theme) by LiteSaturation on Pixabay.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

"The Making of Vanguard" (CBC News):
https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/the-making-of-the-vanguard

Law enforcement has fielded NXIVM complaints for years (Times Union):
https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Law-enforcement-has-fielded-NXIVM-complaints-for-12348611.php

The Stripe Path – a primer for those considering joining NXIVM (By Frank Parlato) (2018):
https://artvoice.com/2018/12/16/the-stripe-path-a-primer-for-those-considering-joining-nxivm/

"Mark Vincente is a Genuine Hero of the NXIVM Saga" (The Frank Report):
https://frankreport.com/2019/05/11/mark-vicente-is-a-genuine-hero-of-the-nxivm-saga/

SEDUCED: Inside the NXIVM Cult (Starz Miniseries):
https://www.starz.com/us/en/series/seduced-inside-the-nxivm-cult/59967

The Vow (HBO Docuseries):
https://www.hbo.com/the-vow

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