Jonestown Pt. 1

Donald DeFreeze was a gun-obsessed drifter throughout the 1960s. But he didn't use his guns — he had nothing to fight for. At least, not until he was radicalized and began to build a coalition to execute his plans.  Sponsors! Billie - Go to MyBillie.com/CULTS for 10% off your razor. Embrace Pet Insurance - Get your FREE quote at EmbracePetInsurance.com/ CULTS.  Native - For 20% off your first purchase, visit NativeDeodorant.com and use promo code CULTS during checkout! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Aug 201948min

In the early 1980s, Hulon Mitchell, Jr.'s Nation of Yahweh became a fixture in Miami's black community. However, while Hulon used his influence to reduce crime rates, he was committing atrocious abuses on his own followers. Parcasters - On today's episode of Mythology, we take on the legendary Odyssey, bringing the incredible journey to life! Subscribe to MYTHOLOGY today to hear the most notable stories in human history as you never have before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Aug 201951min

From the moment Hulon Mitchell, Jr. was born in 1935, he was raised to think he was special.  But growing up in segregated Oklahoma, he realized that black men and women lacked the same opportunities as their white counterparts. He decided he was the black messiah, destined to lead his people to paradise -- by any means possible. Sponsors! Zola - Go to Zola.com/CULTS to build your free wedding website and get $50 toward your registry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Juli 201949min

Just before the Summer of Love, 22-year-old John Griggs discovered LSD and had an epiphany – he would serve as the Hippie Messiah and guide the world to psychedelic revolution. John set out to the beaches of Southern California where he founded a psychedelic cult and international drug ring, while blazing the trail for the recreational use of psychedelics at the height of the hippie era. Parcasters - Don’t miss all of our special Summer of ‘69 episodes by subscribing to Parcast Presents: Summer of ‘69, on Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Sponsors! Billie - Go to MyBillie.com/CULTS for 10% off your razor! Embrace Pet Insurance - Get your FREE quote at EmbracePetInsurance.com/CULTS right now! Modsy - This month ONLY, start a design project at Modsy.com and use code CULTS to get 20% OFF! Quip - Quip starts at just $25 and if you go to GetQuip.com/CULTS right now, you get your first refill pack for FREE with a quip electric toothbrush! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Juli 201955min

The more Marcus Wesson retreated from society, the more extreme his behavior became. He led his family of 16 children deep into the woods, claiming it was for their own protection. But away from prying eyes, Marcus Wesson preyed on his children. Sponsors! Gabi - Gabi - Take 2 minutes and see if you can save up to $865 when you go to Gabi.com/CULTS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Juli 201957min

His version of faith, was placing himself on the same level as God and demanding his children serve him as such. But when Marcus Wesson needed more followers to control, instead of recruiting he turned to his daughters. They would grow their cult-family from within.  Sponsors! Native - For 20% off your first purchase, visit NativeDeodorant.com/CULTS and use promo code CULTS during checkout! Quip - Quip starts at just $25 and if you go to GetQuip.com/CULTS right now, you can get your first refill pack for FREE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9 Juli 201953min

Along with his wife Susan, they grew The Alamo Christian Foundation from a few dozen homeless teenagers to over 3,000 followers on sophisticated compounds around the United States. Their dreams of stardom were finally achieved, but it still wasn't enough for the power hungry Alamos.  Parcasters - Cults...UFOs...Nazis? If you don’t know about the Vril Society, you’re in for a treat! This group allegedly developed flying saucers for the Third Reich. Search for Extraterrestrials on Spotify or wherever you listen to Parcast Originals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Juli 201952min

When he moved to Los Angeles in 1960, Tony Alamo was convinced that his big break as a musician was just around the corner. What he found instead was the voice of God, which commanded him to collect young and homeless followers for Jesus' return.  Parcasters - This week on The Dark Side Of we dig into the trial of Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, and the media frenzy that followed. You might think you know the story, but the truth is much darker! Available now on Spotify or wherever you listen to Parcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 Juni 201953min