Laura Richards: What Gabby Petito, “Dirty John,” and Keith Raniere Have in Common
This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. What do serial killers, cult leaders, and domestic abusers have in common? According to criminal behavior analyst Laura Richards, quite a lot. In this...
24 Mar 20251h 2min
Mind Control in Disguise: Cristina Coello on the Dangers of the Bright Path
This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. Ishayas’ Ascension—also known as the Bright Path—is a new-agey meditation movement that promises spiritual enlightenment through “stillness” and expen...
17 Mar 20251h 32min
The Ties That Bind: Ariel Anderssen on Cults to Kink
We’re bringing you a spicy one today on ALBC! Our guest is Ariel Anderssen, a professional BDSM model and sex-positive author. Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, Ariel grew up in a world where sexuality w...
10 Mar 20251h 2min
Surviving the IFB: Shelly Snow Pordea on Trauma, Healing, and Fiction
This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. Novelist, screenwriter, and publishing consultant Shelly Snow Pordea grew up in the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) church, an insular and oppre...
3 Mar 20251h 14min
Born and Razed in a Cult: Beth Granger on Surviving Grenville Christian College (Part 2)
This is Part 2 of our conversation with Beth Granger, who was born into Grenville Christian College and spent over 20 years trapped within its cult-like control. If you haven’t yet listened to Part 1,...
24 Feb 202536min
Born and Razed in a Cult: Beth Granger on Surviving Grenville Christian College (Part 1)
This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. Beth Granger was born into a nightmare disguised as an elite Christian boarding school. Raised within the walls of Grenville Christian College, she e...
17 Feb 202547min
Framed: Dr. C on Coercive Control and Family Court Trauma
Long-time listeners might remember Dr. Christine Cocchiola (aka Dr. C) from Season 5, where she shared how she and her kids survived her ex-husband’s coercive control and psychological abuse. This wee...
10 Feb 20251h 3min
Brandon Guffy: Coercive Control and Sextortion
Online sextortion scams are on the rise, targeting young victims—especially teen boys—by coercing them into sharing explicit images, then blackmailing them into silence. These predators use fear, humi...
3 Feb 202556min
