Advertise on podcast: American Nightmares - Gardens of Evil: Inside The Zion Society Cult

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Every headline hides a deeper story. American Nightmares pulls you into the most unsettling true crime cases—one season, one case at a time. These are the crimes that kept detectives awake, shattered families, and left entire communities on edge.Told through raw interviews, gripping investigative detail, and cinematic storytelling, each season reveals how these nightmares unfolded—and the long road to uncovering the truth. You may think you know the story. You don’t. Season 5 - Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult It looked like a quiet small-town neighborhood, defined by manicured lawns and flower gardens. But behind the façade, more than a hundred residents were part of the Zion Society, a secretive cult that hoarded weapons and groomed children for sexual abuse under the control of an unassuming, soft-spoken leader. When a young woman escaped and went to authorities, the truth finally began to unravel. Season 4 - 22 Hours: A Second Look Host Megan Cloherty returns for a new season of American Nightmares. In the upcoming season, we revisit the story that launched the series: a D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son, and their housekeeper—held hostage for nearly 24 hours before being murdered inside their own home. Now, 10 years after the crime and 6 years since we first told the story, Season 1 returns with all-new content, fresh interviews, and exclusive updates that shed new light on a case that still resonates today. Season 3 - Unknown Subject For nearly a decade, he crept in the shadows, attacking women in the middle of the night — and then vanished. The 1998 murder of a brilliant scientist near Georgetown University marked a terrifying escalation. Investigators had DNA linking him to multiple crimes, but for years, he had no name — only the label “Unknown Subject.” This season uncovers the chilling case of the Potomac River Rapist, and the patrol cop who finally cracked it. Season 2 - Murder in a Safe Place In a quiet hospital just outside Washington, D.C., a 50-year-old nurse named Sherry Crandell was raped and murdered inside her workplace — a place that was supposed to be safe. With DNA, fingerprints, and even a witness to the crime, police had evidence — but no suspect. This season revisits the cold case that continues to baffle investigators and devastate a family, more than two decades later. Season 1 - 2 Hours: An American Nightmare One of the most shocking crimes in modern American history: a prominent couple, their 10-year-old son, and their housekeeper taken hostage and brutally murdered in their Washington, D.C. home. Over the course of 22 horrifying hours, they endured torture and terror before their killers tried to burn the evidence. This award-winning debut season revisits the infamous Mansion Murders, exposing new details and the twisted logic behind a senseless act of violence.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from American Nightmares - Gardens of Evil: Inside The Zion Society Cult podcast

S5 E1 - What Lies Beneath

2026/02/03

Welcome to a new season of American Nightmares! A pristine neighborhood in Ogden, Utah hides something rotten. When a couple moves into Northwood subdivision in 1981, they’re welcomed with free landscaping, shared supplies, and a sense of family - until the community’s leader, Arvin Shreeve, reveals a secret doctrine of polygamy and sexual manipulation. Nearly a decade later, on July 9, 1991, a woman walks into the Weber County Attorney’s Office and confesses to detective Mike King that she was part of the Zion Society, a cult she says was abusing children. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S5 E2 - To Hell And Back

2026/02/10

Investigator Mike King is officially assigned to investigate Erin’s allegation - quietly, urgently, and under the threat of destroyed evidence and stockpiled weapons. But Erin’s aunt isn’t waiting for law enforcement. She drives into Northwood to reach Erin and her young daughter - and is met with intimidation and violence from Shreeve and his followers. As Erin’s family fights to pull her out, the cult’s control tightens…and the clock starts ticking. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S5 E3 - The Alpha

2026/02/17

From inside the Zion Society, Erin (heard in rare archival audio) explains how predators exploit vulnerability - love-bombing, isolation, and religion used as camouflage. In Northwood subdivision recruiter and enforcer Carla tightens her grip, controlling access to Arvin Shreeve and pushing new women through a coded doctrine of “Zion vs. Babylon,” obedience, and fear. Meanwhile, Jeff Peterson’s family is torn apart when his wife disappears into the cult with their children. Jeff’s custody battle becomes a desperate negotiation - money, legal threats, and silence agreements - while Erin begins describing what’s happening behind closed doors: coercion, sexual control, and escalating punishment for resistance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S5 E4 - The Buyer

2026/02/24

Jeff Peterson has spent years trying to pull his kids out of the Zion Society - until the cult’s hunger for money creates an opening. When his ex-wife Carla asks for help selling the group’s lingerie line, “Sweet Things,” Jeff hires a private investigator to pose as a Las Vegas buyer and go undercover inside Northwood. What she captures on camera changes everything. But there’s a catch: Jeff’s custody deal comes with a vow of silence - until Detective Mike King’s investigation collides with Jeff’s case, freeing him to talk. With corroboration in hand and the clock ticking, Mike prepares to raid the quiet neighborhood at dawn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S5 E5 - Deliver Us From Evil

2026/03/03

Seventy Ogden police officers gather in the dark and move into Northwood at dawn, hitting multiple Zion Society homes at the exact same moment. The plan is simple on paper and terrifying in practice: secure the children, secure the evidence, and arrest the “head of the snake.” Inside the spotless houses and perfectly manicured yards, investigators find signs of a militant system built on control—hidden portals, stockpiles, meticulously organized drawers of lingerie, and evidence meant to corroborate witness accounts of sexual exploitation. Social workers rush the children into protective custody, but the emotional reality is more complicated than the outside world expects: some of the kids don’t experience the raid as a rescue at all. And just as the case seems to crack open, one urgent question threatens everything that comes next—where is Arvin Shreeve? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S5 E6 - Tell Me Everything

2026/03/10

The media descends on Northwood. The Zion Society children are interviewed, but many refuse to cooperate. Mike King gets a surprise call from Cedar City. Use code NIGHTMARES at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Shimmer Face Oil with your first purchase. #JonesRoadBeauty #ad See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S5 E7 - Standing Tall

2026/03/17

Arvin, Carla and others see their day in court, but was justice served? Most of the Zion Society children are either uncooperative or unable to testify. Mike King and Reed Richards do everything they can to avoid re-traumatizing those who do testify. Finally, our story ends 35 years later, as several of the survivors meet at the opening of a new Children’s Justice Center in Ogden. They learn how their experiences have changed laws to better protect child victims and find healing together. Use code NIGHTMARES at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Shimmer Face Oil with your first purchase. #JonesRoadBeauty #ad See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Introducing Gardens of Evil - New True Crime Series

2026/01/26

NEW True Crime Series from Gamut Podcast Network. Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult begins February 3rd. It was just another quiet neighborhood in small town America. At least, that's how it looked. But the immaculately groomed yards, trimmed hedges, and brightly colored flower gardens hid an insidious secret. More than a hundred residents were members of a cult called The Zion Society. Hiding in plain sight, they hoarded guns and ammunition. They created, sold, and modeled sexy lingerie. They took children away from parents and groomed them for sexual abuse. Their beliefs were centered around satisfying the perverted desires of one man - their leader: an unassuming, soft-spoken landscaper. Neighbors knew something was amiss, but it wasn't until a brave young woman broke away from the secretive group and confessed to authorities that everything began to unravel for this dangerous cult. This is the story of that unraveling told by the people who lived it. Subscribe to Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardens-of-evil-inside-the-zion-society-cult/id1748894795 https://open.spotify.com/show/5w7xyH8ttWZKc64D9q08H4 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CLOSER LOOK, E1 - Get Over It, Kids are Resilient

2026/03/31

After the events of Gardens of Evil, the story doesn’t end for the survivors. In the first episode of our bonus series A Closer Look, we examine the lasting psychological impact of growing up inside the Zion Society cult. Survivors describe a childhood defined by constant monitoring, shame, and control—where even a child’s body weight was tied to spiritual worthiness. Host Mike King speaks with survivors about the lifelong effects of coercive control: broken trust, complicated family relationships, and the challenges of parenting after trauma. Cult expert and sociologist Dr. Janja Lalich also joins the conversation to explain how cult recruitment works, why people stay, and why it can take decades for survivors to rebuild their lives. This episode is dedicated to victims of child abuse, to those who escaped destructive mind control, and to the advocates who fight every day to protect children. If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse, help is available. Support your local Children’s Advocacy Center and organizations that serve survivors. Use code NIGHTMARES at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Shimmer Face Oil with your first purchase. #JonesRoadBeauty #ad See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CLOSER LOOK, E2 - When Memories Return And Puzzles Are Solved

2026/04/07

What happens when you return to the place where it all began? In Episode 2 of Gardens of Evil – A Closer Look Inside The Garden, hosted by Mike King, survivors revisit the neighborhoods where their childhoods were shaped, and where trauma still lingers beneath the surface. As memories resurface, experts help explain why trauma doesn’t follow a linear path. Dr. Judy Ho breaks down how abuse disrupts memory, leaving survivors with fragmented and emotional recall, while Dr. Patrice Berry explores the critical role of validation, empathy, and safe support systems in the healing process. For the first time, we also hear from the partners of survivors... those who stand beside them in the aftermath. Rocky and David share what it means to support someone you love through trauma, without judgment, and without trying to “fix” what can’t be undone. This episode is about memory, resilience, and the quiet power of being believed—and what it takes to begin healing when the past is still present. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CLOSER LOOK, E3 - Understanding The Why and How

2026/04/14

Following the story of Zion, survivors share the moments, memories, and manipulation that couldn’t be fully captured the first time. Jackie and Ron reflect on the turning point that led them to leave, as Arvin Shreve’s behavior grew increasingly disturbing. Through deeply personal accounts, survivors reveal how fear, control, and religious rhetoric were used to strip away identity and maintain power within the group. Andrea and Amber speak to the lasting emotional impact—from the trauma inflicted on children to the psychological scars that linger into adulthood. Centered on survivor voices, A Closer Look continues to add depth and perspective to the story of Zion—offering validation, understanding, and resources for those navigating similar experiences. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Returning Sept. 2nd - 22 Hours: A Second Look

2025/08/19

Host Megan Cloherty returns for a new season of American Nightmares. In the upcoming season, we revisit the story that launched the series: a D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son, and their housekeeper—held hostage for nearly 24 hours before being murdered inside their own home. Now, 10 years after the crime and 6 years since we first told the story, Season 1 returns with all-new content, fresh interviews, and exclusive updates that shed new light on a case that still resonates today. New episodes drop September 2nd See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 E1 - The Fire: A Second Look

2025/09/02

Welcome to 22 Hours: A Second Look, where we revisit our original season with original host Megan Cloherty. In this episode, Megan shares why we're revisiting the case of the Savopoulos family and their housekeeper and she shares part 1 of her conversation with one of the Savopoulos' surviving daughters. New episodes will drop every Tuesday. Original Episode - It began with a fire. A man driving through an upscale neighborhood in Washington, D.C., in 2015 spotted smoke pouring from one of the homes. It was the first sign something terrible had happened on Woodland Drive. Later, firefighters would discover the bodies of four people inside, including a child. Now in the re-release of the original podcast, listeners will hear a new part one of Megan's interview at the end of the episode with Abigail Savopoulos, the first family member of the victims to speak about the tragedy. New content written, gathered and produced by Megan Cloherty. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 E2 - Taken Captive: A Second Look

2025/09/02

This is 22 Hours: A Second Look, where we revisit our original season with original host Megan Cloherty. In this episode, Megan explores what happened to the Savopoulos' mansion. She talks to the private buyer that bought the land and steps foot in the new multi-million dollar home that sits where the Savopoulos home once stood. New episodes will drop every Tuesday. Original Episode - For the Savopoulos family and Vera Figueroa, May 13, 2015, began like any other Wednesday. Then things went terribly wrong. Through phone records, text messages and eyewitnesses, we recreate the timeline of their last 22 hours. This episode is written and produced by WTOP News reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. WTOP Digital News Director Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. New content written, gathered and produced by Megan Cloherty. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 E3 - The Money Drop: A Second Look

2025/09/09

This is 22 Hours: A Second Look, where we revisit our original season with original host Megan Cloherty. In this episode, Megan talks with Jordan Wallace, the man who initially fell under suspicion and was later cleared of the crime. Jordan was Savvas Savopoulos' assistant. Jordan shares his thoughts and memories of the crime and give an update to where he is now. New episodes will drop every Tuesday. Original Episode - Hours after the victims are taken hostage, a ransom is delivered to the mansion on Woodland Drive. But it doesn’t save the victims -- the calls, text messages and voicemails end, leaving key parts of the timeline unexplained. But after the trial, a new theory emerges explaining how the killer got inside the house. This episode is written and produced by WTOP reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; “Call me” and “Rhythmic Pulse” by Daniel Birch, as well as “Weirder” by Drake Stafford, all licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0); and "Beyond the Lows" by The Whole Other, available in the YouTube Audio Library. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AnnMG 2026/04/11

Fascinating

Yesterday I binge-listened to Season 5, the Zion Society Cult. I heard about it through watching Mike King on YouTube (Profiling Evil). These podcast ...

Fionn MacCumhaill 2026/04/16

Difficult.

Trying Season 1. The narrator’s voice is too low in the mix, and why is there constantly this psychedelic Satanic guitar noodling in the background? ...

Tristin slate 2026/03/30

Garden of evil

I like murder podcast and this podcast is the best one of all this one I can picture the story and it’s like I’m there and I’m being murderd.

Sweet-ish Caroline 2026/04/08

Interesting

Interesting subject matter, but I may not make it past season 2. Could use a good edit to cut out redundant information and looooong unnecessary inter...

zukicidal 2026/03/31

Woke

No thanks

JennieMN 2026/03/24

Excellent

Excellent podcast! Well researched, respectful and compassionate reporting.

PW from GR 2026/03/25

Very well done

There's so much garbage in the pod world that I've raised my standards - one episode and I know. This one is well researched, very sensitive, nicely n...

Nattytiii 2026/03/13

Thoughtful and engaging

Excellent reporting, careful treatment of victims and their families, an all around winner. I would only suggest tightening the editing of interviews,...

aekaufman 2026/03/14

Poorly edited

This story is intriguing, but it’s is told in such a confusing manner, it’s difficult to follow. I found myself wondering if I had accidentally listen...

BeedleJM 2026/03/10

I wish

this podcast was a binge. It’s so good. Such a sad and scary story well told.

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