The Moonies Pt. 1: Reverend Sun Moon

In the late 1940s, the eccentric Krishna Venta founded the Fountain of the World and claimed to be the embodiment of Christ. However, he had an apocalyptic warning. The world was going to end in 1965, and only his chosen followers would survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Joulu 201949min

As a wandering lecturer who opened up a religious compound in the San Fernando Valley in 1949, Krishna Venta claimed to be from a mythical valley in India. He preached about love and knowing oneself, but was hiding a secret past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Joulu 201948min

When former Nazi serviceman Paul Schäfer fled Germany in 1961, he founded a rural community called Colonia Dignidad in Southern Chile. But the community’s bucolic appearance hid a culture of torture, murder, and pedophilia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Joulu 201948min

In the 1990s and 2000s, Rabbi Shlomo Helbrans and the Lev Tahor preyed on impressionable youths. The ultra-orthodox Jewish community was known to use brainwashing tactics on its followers, and would be accused of heinous crimes such as kidnappings and child abuse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Marras 201945min

Charming, electric, and persuasive are just some of the ways people described Rabbi Shlomo Helbrans. As the leader of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in the 1990s and 2000s, he was known for brainwashing his followers, leading them to commit shocking crimes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Marras 201941min

While the church became notorious for its aggressive recruiting practices through the 80s and 90s, it also experienced incredible growth—eventually reaching Los Angeles. However, Kip McKean’s hubris—and sins—would eventually lead to his downfall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Marras 201945min

Before his church became one of the fastest growing—and most controversial—religious organizations in the United States, Kip McKean developed strict beliefs as a Bible literalist in 1960s Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Loka 201949min

Witness the growing pains Wicca went through as it transitioned from a small secret society to a global religion, and explore the fallout from Gerald Gardner’s decision to speak publicly about their practices in 1954. Learn about Wicca’s evolution over the years—and whether it simply adapted to a changing world, or sold out everything that made it special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Loka 201951min