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We did it, Fred! We finally found a cult that isn't horrible! Because today we are going to be talking about Bruno Groning and The Circle of Friends. A cult whose leader died before it formed but whose followers managed to create a worldwide cult that believes in positive thinking to heal its followers. Consider supporting the podcast by becoming a https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Ye Olde Crime: https://twitter.com/yeoldecrimepod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/yeoldecrimepodcast/ (Instagram) https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/ (Website) Pineapple Pizza Podcast: https://twitter.com/pineapppizzapod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/pineapppizzapod/ (Instagram) https://www.pineapplepizzapodcast.com/ (Website) https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=cultiv8podcastnetwork (This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.) https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

In 1989, the Metropolitan Government of Tokyo officially recognized “Aum Shinrikyo” as a legitimate religious movement. Little did they know that five years later, that same group would carry out a violent terrorist attack on the city, leaving 13 dead and a thousand others severely injured. Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

In 1976, James Ellison moved to Arkansas, intending to establish a self-sustaining fundamentalist Christian commune made up of like-minded individuals who wanted nothing more than to dedicate themselves to God. But by 1978 – a mere two years later – he and his followers had become domestic terrorists who believed in white supremacy and were willing to resort to violent means to overthrow the government of the United States. Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Cultiv8 Podcast Network Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Shots And Thoughts: https://twitter.com/sntpod (Twitter) http://instagram.com/sntpod (Instagram) https://sntpod.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

Cults are not always sinister. Similarly, cult leaders are not always manipulative sociopaths. Sometimes, all they need is one deluded man. August Engelhardt, born with a silver spoon, was many things, and one of them was delusional, something he shared with other cults and their leaders. You might wonder the peculiarities of Engelhardt’s delusion. It is nothing other than the obsessive yet interesting relationship he developed with the fruit with one of the hardest shells. This is a man that decided to give everything up for a life of nudity and a diet consisting of nothing other than coconuts. Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Cultiv8 Podcast Network Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) The Dumb, Found Dead: https://twitter.com/tdfdpod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/thedumbfounddeadpod/ (Instagram) https://www.facebook.com/thedumbfounddeadpod (Facebook) https://www.thedumbfounddeadpod.com/ (Website) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

For many, Tom Cruise is a good-looking actor who rose to fame after starring in blockbusters like “Top Gun,” “Mission Impossible,” and “Risky Business.” But for Scientologists, Tom Cruise is a demigod who has become “Operating Thetan VII.” According to them, this status has allowed him to gain a wide range of superpowers, such as telekinesis, leaving his body at will, and controlling the behaviour of other living things – including humans. In fact, former Scientologist and actress Leah Remini once said, quote, “Being critical of Tom Cruise is being critical of Scientology itself. You are a person who is anti– the aims and goals of Scientology. You are evil.” End quote. It’s crazy to think that a belief system created in the 1950s managed to become so powerful that it was able to turn an ordinary human being into a deity worshipped by members. Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Cultiv8 Podcast Network Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Weird Distraction Podcast: https://twitter.com/WeirdDistracti1 (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/WeirdDistractionsPod/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/weirddistractionspod/?hl=en (Instagram) https://linktr.ee/WeirdDistractionsPod (Website) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

Super excited to kick off 2022 with this much-anticipated cult! The Church of Scientology may be controversial; however, its devotees have nothing but praise for its teachings. For instance, actor Tom Cruise once called it “a beautiful religion,” while fellow actor John Travolta publicly stated that it was only being criticized because it “really works well.” For many, though, the Church of Scientology is nothing but a dangerous cult that brainwashes people, charges them exorbitantly for their membership, and never lets them leave. Get access to Part 2 right now on our https://www.patreon.com/cultiv8podcastnetwork (Cultiv8 Podcast Network Patreon) Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Weird Distraction Podcast: https://twitter.com/WeirdDistracti1 (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/WeirdDistractionsPod/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/weirddistractionspod/?hl=en (Instagram) https://linktr.ee/WeirdDistractionsPod (Website) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

When Ann Fitzgerald met a group of New Age devotees at a festival in London, she thought that she had found a set of like-minded and supportive friends. Never did she imagine that she would spend the next decade in their grip, working 16-hour shifts without being paid a single dollar. Ann, however, was far from the group’s only victim. Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Canadian SPIRIT podcast: https://twitter.com/spirit_canadian (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/SPIRITGP (Facebook) https://anchor.fm/canadianspirit (Website) Sources for this episode include The Famous People, the World Religions and Spirituality Project, The Laughing Man Institute official website, the Hermes Far Eastern Shining official website, The Daily Telegraph, Cult Education, and The Apologetics Index. Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

When Allen Lafferty walked into his home on the evening of July 24, 1984, he never expected to find the carpet and drapes soaked in blood. Nor did he imagine that he would be the first to find the corpses of his beloved wife and daughter. Staring at their remains, Allen soon came to realize that those responsible for destroying his family were none other than his older brothers, whom he had looked up to all his life. Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Sources for this episode include “Under the Banner of Heaven” by Jon Krakauer, The Deseret News, The Detroit Free Press, True Crime Daily, Kuer 90.1, Grunge, CBS News, KSL TV, The Salt Lake City Weekly, the State of Utah v. Ronald Watson Lafferty (2001), and a Medium article titled “Brenda and Erica Lafferty: Revelation and Death” by Madeline O’Brien. Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

After graduating from Harvard University in the early 1970s, Paul Sprecher decided to head to the Big Apple, in search of exciting opportunities. Instead, he stumbled upon a group led by an increasingly erratic authoritarian, who sought to impose his views about sex and the nuclear family on his hundreds of devotees. Surprisingly enough, its ranks included prominent celebrities from that decade, as well as other high-profile figures, most of whom were only too happy to give up their salaries to fund their leader’s various whims. Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Mr. Bunker's Conspiracy Time Podcast: https://twitter.com/mrbunkerpod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/mrbunkerpod/ (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaZQnqJox67N4p18eZq6Yzw (YouTube) https://www.mrbunkersconspiracytime.com/ (Website) Sources for this episode include Ranker, The Journal News, The New York Post, Gothamist, Penn State University, and the website “I Love the Upper West Side.” Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

In‌ ‌today’s‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ ‌Let’s‌ ‌Start‌ ‌a‌ ‌Cult‌ ‌we‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌discussing Multi-Level‌ ‌Marketing‌ ‌companies ‌or‌ ‌pyramid‌ ‌schemes.‌ ‌From‌ ‌leggings‌ ‌to‌ ‌essential‌ ‌oils‌ ‌and‌ ‌kitchen‌ ‌knives,‌ ‌these‌ ‌predatory‌ ‌brands‌ ‌have‌ ‌manipulated‌ ‌countless‌ ‌individuals,‌ ‌causing‌ ‌them‌ ‌to‌ ‌destroy‌ ‌personal‌ ‌relationships‌ ‌and‌ ‌lose‌ ‌their‌ ‌life‌ ‌savings.‌ ‌ ‌ With‌ ‌tactics‌ ‌reminiscent‌ ‌of‌ ‌actual‌ ‌religious‌ ‌cults,‌ ‌the‌ ‌way‌ ‌MLMs‌ ‌operate‌ ‌is‌ ‌definitely‌ ‌disturbing.‌ ‌ Go to https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 (HelloFresh) and use the code HFAFF80 for $80 off ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box! Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) TV Trivia Pod: https://twitter.com/tvtriviapod (Twitter) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBJzgyvh4gPVpSjr_vuEP1w (YouTube) https://tvtriviapod.podbean.com/ (Website) Reddit On Wiki: https://twitter.com/redditonwiki (Twitter) https://www.tiktok.com/@redditonwikipod (Tik Tok) https://www.instagram.com/redditonwiki/ (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOzxm6gtNWnoazoSScCp3Yg (YouTube) https://www.redditonwiki.com/ (Website) Sources from this episode include the Management Study Guide, Fundera, Investopedia, The Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, the subreddit “anti-MLM,” BBC News, The Snapping Point, Bustle, Vice, Go Banking Rates, Behind MLM, and The Balance (Small Business). Photo by https://www.pexels.com/@mikhail-nilov?utm_content=attributionCopyTextandutm_medium=referralandutm_source=pexels (Mikhail Nilov) from https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-tank-top-holding-clear-glass-bottle-6706842/?utm_content=attributionCopyTextandutm_medium=referralandutm_source=pexels (Pexels) Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

The Chinese government is often criticized for its harsh policies against groups that undermine it. However, many have welcomed the measures that it has taken to repress the Church of Almighty God, due to the cult’s involvement in dozens of controversies, including riots, a stabbing at a primary school, and a vicious murder that was caught on camera. Go to https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 (HelloFresh) and use the code HFAFF80 for $80 off ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box! Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Today's promo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/killer-fun-crime-and-entertainment/id1352106952 (‎Killer Fun Crime and Entertainment on Apple Podcasts) Sources for this episode include The Daily Beast, CNN, Bitter WInter Magazine, a text titled “Protestant Continuities in the Church of Almighty God” by Holly Folk and published in the Journal of CENSUR, the EU Reporter, Sixth Tone, Got Questions, Lonely Planet, and CenSAMM. Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)

In today’s episode of Let’s Start a Cult – the story of Colonia Dignidad, a religious commune established on the foothills of Chile’s Andes Mountains. To outsiders, it seemed like a self-sustaining Christian community that strived to give back to the locals. However, it would later be revealed that it had ties to both Nazi Germany and the Pinochet government, which killed over three thousand people while a thousand more remain missing to this day. Sponsored by Db Journey: https://bit.ly/37cP8YP (https://bit.ly/37cP8YP) 01:00 - Introduction 03:34 - Paul Schäfer 08:39 - Life In Colonia Dignidad 26:36 - Sponsor 28:06 - Colonia Dignidad and Pinochet 30:05 - The Unraveling of Colonia Dignidad 35:00 - Conclusion 36:36 - Cult Critique 39:09 - Outro Follow us on the socials: https://twitter.com/lets_cult (Twitter) https://www.facebook.com/letsstartacultpod (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/lets_cult/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcl9qrvKAsXJTaBfVgKILQ (YouTube) https://www.letsstartacultpodcast.com/ (Website) Ye Olde Crime: https://twitter.com/yeoldecrimepod (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/yeoldecrimepodcast/ (Instagram) https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/ (Website) Sources for this episode include The American Scholar, The Washington Post, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, Bustle, The International Business Times, The Telegraph, the Deutsche Welle, The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, and Al Jazeera English. Sources for this episode include All That’s Interesting, a Medium article by Lisa Marie Fuqua titled “The Ripper Crew Satanic Cannibal Cult Murders,” Listverse, Murderpedia, Windy City Ghosts, The Chicago Tribune, and CBS Chicago. Mentioned in this episode: Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible) Audible Get 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today! https://lets-start-a-cult.captivate.fm/audible (Audible)