This episode is brought to you by Cults, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Cults, free on Spotify! 

After acing an IQ test in 1988, 28-year-old Keith Raniere was able to brand himself “The Smartest Man in the World.” The moniker allowed him to seduce unappreciated businesswoman Toni Natalie, who would go on to help Keith grow the first of his predatory companies.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices