Conspiracies of the Grateful Dead Pt. 2

Schooled in the darkest corners of his family’s Afro-Carribean religion, Adolfo Constanzo decided to make his fortune using magic granted through animal sacrifices. In Mexico City, he grew his power and esteem — but he wanted something more. He wanted revenge.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Mai 202154min

For over a decade, a self-described rabbi ran a seminary in an orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem. From the outside, nothing seemed different about Aharon Ramati’s religious school for young women. But Ramati demanded complete devotion — and he was willing to break families apart to get it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Mai 202144min

Increased government scrutiny in the early 2000s didn’t stop Hermes Far Eastern Shining from growing into a small business empire. Attrill used his local influence to shield the organization, even as stories of manipulation, exploitation, and abuse began to spread.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Mai 202137min

A fast-growing cult in Australia absorbed hundreds of people into its fold in the late 1990s. Gerald Attrill promoted himself as an alchemist and the spiritual kin of Jesus Christ, attracting devoted followers with expensive products that claimed to purify energies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Apr 202142min

Deep in the heart of the Black Woods on the border between Switzerland and Germany, an eccentric spiritual medium named Uriella set up a commune for her growing community of fanatical followers. She claimed to receive messages from Jesus Christ and grew into a media sensation. But she also warned about the coming apocalypse, and told her followers that their only salvation would come from space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Apr 202143min

In the 1990s, Ronald Weinland began issuing doomsday prophecies from his online pulpit. Despite being indicted for tax evasion, Weinland, now in his 70s, is still sermonizing to — and collecting tithes from — his followers on YouTube, where his videos have amassed hundreds of thousands of views.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Apr 202138min

When Ben Klassen died by suicide in 1993, Matthew Hale picked up his mantle as leader of the sputtering Church of the Creator. Hale was a young college student from Illinois, whose own plans to enact a racial holy war erupted in violence in 1999.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Apr 202146min

After a short but controversial run in politics, Ben Klassen founded the Church of the Creator in 1973. The avowed white supremacist used this new venture to spout racist rhetoric, foster hate amongst his followers, and attempt what he never could in office: igniting a racial holy war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Mar 202147min