Were Mommy Bloggers Trying To Start Their Own LDS Spin-Off Cult?

Is the line between cult behavior and entrepreneurial drive blurred in the recent spotlight on Jodi Hildebrandt's controversial group? Recent discussions on the podcast "Hidden Killers" delved deep into the actions and influence of Jodi Hildebrandt and her associate, Ruby Franke.

During the conversation, Tony Brueski and criminal defense lawyer Lori Hellis broke down the unsettling nuances that surround the activities of Hildebrandt and Franke. “Anytime you have an organization that is formed around a central figure...it certainly has cult overtones,” Hellis said. In Hildebrandt's case, her belief system and the proclamation that those who didn't adhere would face severe repercussions gave rise to serious concern. The dynamic between Hildebrandt and Franke became even murkier with the revelation of Franke's 2 million followers on YouTube and the subsequent potential monetary advantages.

Drawing parallels with the Lori Vallow Daybell case, Brueski questioned the motivations of such figures. “Was it money? Was it control?” he asked. The underlying intentions might be obscured, but a clear link to financial gain was established when it was revealed that Franke secured $87,000 in PPP loans for her YouTube channel. This revelation adds another layer to the complex dynamics at play.

A notable element in this discussion is the adoption of the “love and logic” parenting approach from the 1990s by Hildebrandt and Franke. Hellis mentioned, “I think they do believe that is the way to, to appropriately parent...she's got the answer and people want it and she can get them to pay for it.” However, this approach has taken a dark turn. The extreme methods used by Hildebrandt went far beyond typical strict parenting. Brueski highlighted, "It just seems to go way off the rails. How does someone end up sitting in their home duct-taping their children up and abusing them and going, ‘Yeah, this is strict parenting’?"

The conversation turned even more harrowing with the account of Jodi's niece, Jessie, who spoke of the severe and unimaginable discipline she endured under Hildebrandt's care. Hellis said, “For Ruby Franke's children, she had cut them off from everyone...the first thing the abuser does is isolate their victim.” This isolation is a telltale sign of abusive patterns and manipulation.

The responsibility and knowledge of Ruby Franke's husband became a crucial aspect of the conversation. Hellis gave insights into the possibility of him being more passive in the face of Franke's parenting tactics, implying that while he may not have directly been complicit, his passive stance potentially enabled the continued abuse. There were speculations about him wanting to reunite the family, but how much he knew or intervened remains a grey area.

From this conversation, one thing is evident: the line between cult behavior, delusional beliefs, and a drive for entrepreneurial success has been muddled in the activities of Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke. Their methods, beliefs, and actions pose significant concerns that demand scrutiny.

But as we delve into the motivations and intentions behind such controversial figures, one can't help but wonder: at what point does the drive for success or adherence to belief systems transform into dangerous fanaticism?
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