This week, I have some thoughts about the NXIVM cult. What started as a self-help and leadership program somehow turned into a secret society, branding ceremonies, and a lot of red flags. I’m talking about how ordinary, intelligent people can get pulled into groups like this, and why it's not always as obvious as you'd think.

Plus, I'm sharing my Top 5 true crime and real-life drama podcasts, including some absolute favorites that will completely consume your life. (Links to them are below)

I’m also answering some listener questions about:

• Managing anxiety
• The mystery of Malaysian Flight 370
• Which kitchen utensil I would be (important stuff)

And for this week's Jill Pill, a reminder to be careful what you normalize…because the things we accept over time have a way of shaping our lives.

Grab your coffee, watch out for bears, and let's get into it.

Host: Jill Pickering

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Links: 

Read The Goodpasture Chronicles

Escaping NXIVUM podcast

This is Actually Happening podcast

To Live and Die in LA podcast

S-Town podcast

Something Was Wrong podcast

Betrayal podcast 

This week we’re talking about: yard sale anxiety, a disastrous run of Chipotle mobile orders, Dunkin’ freebies, emotional overwhelm…and somehow it all makes sense. (I think?)

I'm doing my first listener chat with Meghan…loyal Dunkin’ lover & fellow New Englander, to talk about the cult-like world of Dunkin’ giveaways, then I get into the three emotions that may be quietly sucking the life out of you: guilt, worry, and chronic overwhelm.

Plus, my top five kitchen staples, listener questions, celebrity crushes, and a reminder that sometimes it's okay to stop trying so hard and just start fresh tomorrow.

Take a Jill Pill and come hang out.

Host: Jill Pickering

Guests: Meghan - Fellow Dunkin’ Fan!

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This week on Take a Jill Pill, we’re covering Gerald the dolphin and his underwater cities, government bird drones, talking animals, dirty sodas, Gracie Abrams, and why I may officially be becoming a Bird Lady. 

The episode starts with summer arriving in New Hampshire and me getting territorial over my beach walks…and somehow ends with me questioning whether pigeons are spying on us. (Have you ever SEEN a baby pigeon??)

I also share my top 5 birds (yes, really), answer listener questions about social media, starseeds, and life’s surreal “wow” moments, and talk about why nature might be trying to tell us more than we realize. It’s fun, chaotic, a bit thoughtful, and definitely one of those episodes where we just keep following the rabbit trail wherever it goes.

Host: Jill Pickering

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This week on Take a Jill Pill, I survive a fire ant attack in Nashville, witness a chaotic e-bike accident at a preschool soccer practice, and officially declare that the ants are seeking revenge after I mocked them online. My feet may never recover.

We also get into my growing fear of cruise ships, why flying suddenly feels more stressful than it used to, and the emotional devastation of Southwest changing literally everything.

Then we get into something a little deeper: public scandals, viral humiliation, and why the internet loves watching people fail. After listening to Oprah’s interview with Kristin Cabot from the infamous Coldplay kiss cam moment, I started thinking a lot about empathy, internet culture, and how easy it is to forget there’s a real human behind the meme.

Plus:

• My Top 5 obscure holidays
• Listener questions
• What’s currently sitting on my kitchen table
• The importance of celebrating small things

As always, it’s chaotic, reflective, unhinged, and hopefully a little comforting too. Glad you’re here!

Host: Jill Pickering

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Welcome to my first ever Dear Jill episode. You sent in your questions (anonymously, don’t worry), and I’m giving you my honest, off-the-cuff advice. Am I qualified? Absolutely not. But I do have thoughts…a lot of them.

Before we get into that, I’m catching you up on a weekend in the New Hampshire mountains (where things get a little strange), a billboard that raised some serious questions about cremation pricing, and my strong opinions on “plogging” (why are we doing three activities at once??). Also, Effingham, NH. I mean, come on. My favorite town name.

Then we get into your questions. Everything from dealing with a family member no one likes, to friendship heartbreak, to being a chronic people-pleaser, to social awkwardness, to how to tell your girlfriend she’s not a great cook (gently). I’m answering it all in real time. No overthinking, just my best shot at being helpful.

For today’s Top Five, I’m sharing the top 5 pieces of advice I’ve ever received, then I answer a couple of listener questions, and wrap things up with this week’s Jill Pill, a reminder to stop riding everyone else’s emotional rollercoaster and start riding your own wave.

Take what works, leave what doesn’t, and let me know if I should ever do this again.

Host: Jill Pickering

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I may need to reevaluate my driving and my sanity, but we’re pushing through anyway.

In this episode, I’m sharing a couple humbling “slow down” moments from strangers on the road, (apparently I’m the problem), along with a small but mighty personal growth win (SRG) and a few life updates, including an upcoming Trader Joe’s giveaway and my latest Love on the Spectrum obsession.

Then we get into more chaos, including the pronunciation debate I cannot let go of. “Aunt” vs. “ant” is officially the hill I will die on, and yes, it involves me almost losing it in a very inappropriate moment.

From there, we get into conspiracies around celebrities who may have faked their own deaths, Tupac, Elvis, Princess Diana, Michael Jackson…and what would actually drive someone to disappear and start over.

I also share the top 5 celebrity deaths that shook me, why those losses hit so hard, and the strange way we grieve people we’ve never met.

We wrap it up with listener questions and a Jill Pill that might be exactly what you need this week: take the risk.

Host: Jill Pickering

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In this episode, I’m talking all things songwriting: the hits, the misses, and the really awkward moments in between...of which there are plenty.

I share how I got started writing songs, what it actually looks like to write in Nashville, and some behind-the-scenes stories from co-writing sessions including a few that were not exactly a natural fit. It’s a lot like dating if we’re being honest!

If you’ve ever wondered how songs come to life or what happens when they don’t, this one is for you.

I also answer your questions about the songwriting process, performing, and creativity, break down my top 5 songs of all time, and play an unreleased song I’ve never shared before.

I wrap it up with a Jill Pill that is simple but powerful: tell people what you see in them.

Glad you're here for another fun episode! 

Host: Jill Pickering

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This one starts with decaf coffee and Starbucks anxiety…and somehow ends with me in a feud with a 90-year-old woman.

Her name’s Mary (not her real name), and yes…she does not like me. And yes, I care a little more than I should. Thumbs down, major glare energy. We talk about why we get hung up on people not liking us, why it’s uncomfortable when we can’t fix it, and when it’s time to just shrug and keep walking.

Also: I ran into my junior high “Boyz II Men” ex (of course I brought up the story), reflections on playing live again after the Hunter Hayes and Blü Eyes show, and a very serious, highly debated Top 5: Ice Cream Flavors. Yes, I’m an ice cream snob.

Take your daily dose of the Jill Pill. Side effects may include laughing at yourself, realizing some people just aren’t your people, and maybe caring a little less (in a good way).

Host: Jill Pickering

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We’ve got a lot going on this week. First: the people have spoken and you want more cults, so don't worry, I’m working on it.

But before that, let’s get into the Savannah Guthrie situation and why this story hit differently than expected, especially when it comes to advocating for someone you love and the vulnerability that comes with it.

Also: could you fall in love with a chatbot? People are out here marrying themselves (no judgment, honestly relatable), and somewhere in all of this is a dating advice segment that I am maybe not the most qualified person to give. But, oh well.

Plus: a conspiracy theory about what TV might actually be preparing us for, are we living in a simulation, this week's Trader Joe's find, Perez Hilton's spiritual awakening, Top 5 Unpopular Opinions, Listener Questions, and this week's Jill Pill: we’ve got a little bit of everything today!

Host: Jill Pickering

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This week we’re talking about cults…a topic I’ve been intrigued by for a long time. I’ve had a few run-ins with them over the years and I’ve had to ask myself, “Am I an easy target?” I’ve wondered if I’m giving off “approachable for recruitment” energy. Just kidding, mostly.

In all seriousness, I used to live in Brentwood, Tennessee and regularly drove past what I later found out was the Remnant Fellowship, aka the Gwen Shamblin/Way Down situation. At the time, I just thought it was a really beautiful church. Would’ve been a great place for a wedding. Turns out, there’s a lot more to it. 

So today we’re talking about “The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin” and getting into how a weight loss program turned into something much bigger, the stories and rumors I’ve heard just from living nearby, and how people may get involved in situations like these. 

Plus: some reality TV thoughts, hibachi mishaps, my Top 5 qualities in a person, listener questions, and this week’s Jill Pill: trusting your gut.

Host: Jill Pickering

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