“NXIVM” Pt. 1: The Carrot and the Stick
After acing an IQ test in 1988, 28-year-old Keith Raniere was able to brand himself “The Smartest Man in the World.” The moniker allowed him to seduce unappreciated businesswoman Toni Natalie, who wou...
21 Jul 202050min
“Gloriavale”: Neville Cooper
Founded in New Zealand in the late ‘60s, Gloriavale was supposed to be a sin-free utopia. But its leader, Neville Cooper, instead crafted a hellish prison rife with immorality. He imposed rigid rules ...
14 Jul 202044min
"Knutby Filadelfia" Pt. 2: Helge Fossmo
In 2004, Swedish Pastor Helge Fossmo used “spiritual shunning” to alienate and manipulate the congregation at his Pentecostal church. He convinced them to do whatever he asked, eventually coercing his...
7 Jul 202039min
"Knutby Filadelfia" Pt. 1: Helge Fossmo
In the mid-’90s, Pastor Helge Fossmo was hand-selected by the so-called “bride of Christ” to help lead a Swedish Pentecostal church. As he gained more authority, Fossmo's power went to his head, and h...
30 Jun 202044min
“Circle of Friends” Pt. 2: Bruno Gröning
By the mid 1950s, Bruno Gröning was famous. Thousands flocked to the "Miracle Doctor" hoping that he would heal them with the power of his faith. However, just five years later, Bruno's mythos was alr...
23 Jun 202044min
“Circle of Friends” Pt. 1: Bruno Gröning
In 1949, faith healer Bruno Gröning was thrust into the limelight after German newspapers reported he had cured a young boy of muscular dystrophy. However, with fame came increased scrutiny from the l...
16 Jun 202043min
“Conscious Development of Body, Mind and Soul” Pt. 2: Terri Hoffman
As the 1980s began, Terri Hoffman and her followers seemed to be flying high. But after several people associated with Terri suffered mysterious deaths, her organization faced accusations of brainwash...
9 Jun 202043min
“Conscious Development of Body, Mind and Soul” Pt. 1: Terri Hoffman
In the 1970s, Terri Hoffman went from high school drop-out to leading New Age mystic. Her Dallas-based organization, the Conscious Development of Body, Mind, and Soul, targeted affluent residents…and ...
2 Jun 202045min
