In this deeply personal episode, I share how I was approached to join a religious cult—and how I didn’t even realize it was happening until it was too late.

This isn’t just my story—it’s a breakdown of the psychological manipulation, spiritual language, and emotional control that high-control groups use to draw people in. I talk about the BITE model, red flags I ignored, and how complex trauma kept me stuck in a cycle of fear and obedience.

Whether you’ve experienced spiritual abuse, are questioning your faith community, or just want to understand how cults operate—this episode offers real talk, raw truth, and reflection from someone who’s been there.

You are not crazy. You are not alone. And you are not the cult you survived.

Mentioned in this episode:

• ​Combating Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan
• ​Cults in Our Midst by Margaret Thaler Singer
• ​The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

Trigger warning: This episode discusses spiritual manipulation, psychological abuse, and trauma.

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