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Growing Up In Polygamy

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Rating
★★★★★
4.8
from
136 reviews
This podcast has
337 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2023/10/04
Latest episode
2026/11/04
Average duration
31 min.
Release period
7 days

Description

Sam sharing what it was like growing up in the polygamous FLDS group, his experiences leaving the group when he was 18 and his journey to where he is now. His wife Melissa is his co-host, asking the questions that everyone from the outside is thinking.

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Check latest episodes from Growing Up In Polygamy podcast


What Does LEGAL Divorce Really Mean in Polygamy? | Sister Wives Season 21 Ep. 5
2026/11/04
What does divorce actually mean when you're in a polygamous marriage? In our reaction to Sister Wives Season 21 Episode 5, we watch Christine and Meri discuss Meri's legal divorce from Kody, what it means to officially leave the family, and their plans to melt down the jewelry connected to Kody. Sam shares his perspective growing up in the FLDS and explains why legal marriages and spiritual marriages are often viewed very differently in polygamous communities. Why do many fundamentalist polygamists place so much more importance on their spiritual marriages than their legal ones? And what does a legal divorce really change? We also check in on Janelle and her new adventures with keeping bees! 🐝 Join us as we break down another episode of Sister Wives from the perspective of two people who have experienced different sides of Mormonism and polygamy. What do you think? Does a legal divorce represent the true end of a marriage in a polygamous family? #SisterWives #SisterWivesSeason21 #MeriBrown #ChristineBrown #JanelleBrown #Polygamy #FLDS #GrowingUpInPolygamy If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa ✅SUBSCRIBE NOW : https://shorturl.at/inqrE
Why Meri Really Stayed | Sister Wives S21E4 Reaction
2026/10/28
In our reaction to Season 21 Episode 4, we talk about how the show is starting to feel a little… boring. With Kody and Robyn no longer filming, there just doesn't seem to be as much happening—and this episode really made us wonder where the story goes from here. We also talk about Meri's explanation for why she stayed with Kody for so long. She says she stayed because she didn't want Kody to be able to feel innocent about pushing her away. And how many lies did Kody and Robyn tell Meri in the process. But the entire episode seemed to be building toward the big conversation between Meri and Christine. We finally get to the moment we've been waiting for… and then the episode ENDS! 😩 Now we have to wait until next week to hear the rest of the conversation. Are we being too harsh, or is Sister Wives really starting to run out of storylines? 👇 What did you think of Episode 4? And what did you think about Meri's explanation for staying with Kody? 🎥 Our full reaction is up now on Growing Up In Polygamy! #SisterWives #SisterWivesSeason21 #MeriBrown #ChristineBrown #KodyBrown #TLC #GrowingUpInPolygamy If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
Illness, Worthiness & Family Separation | Twelve Tribes vs. FLDS
2026/10/24
In our final reaction to "Secrets of the 12 Tribes", we take a closer look at some of the similarities between the Twelve Tribes and Sam's experience growing up in the FLDS.One of the most striking parallels is the way illness and injury can be connected to a person's spiritual worthiness. We discuss what happens when people are taught that sickness, suffering, or misfortune may be a reflection of their faithfulness or obedience.We also take a deeper look at the way both Gene Spriggs and Warren Jeffs exercised control over families and relationships, including separating family members and making decisions that could dramatically change people's lives.As an ex-FLDS member and someone who grew up around these kinds of teachings and structures, Sam shares his perspective on why these similarities stand out so much.This is our final reaction to *Secrets of the 12 Tribes*, and throughout this series we've explored missionary work, religious obedience, communal living, child discipline, law enforcement raids, and now the ways leaders can use spiritual beliefs to influence health, family, and relationships.What similarities between the Twelve Tribes and FLDS stood out to you the most?#SecretsOfThe12Tribes #TwelveTribes #FLDS #GrowingUpInPolygamy #GeneSpriggs #WarrenJeffs #DocumentaryReaction #ReligiousAbuseIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
The Sister Wives Family Was NEVER Just About Kody! | Season 21 Ep. 3
2026/10/21
Celebrate your commitment to Sister Wives with Christine's "Not a Quitter" shirts! https://christine-woolley.myshopify.com/products/not-a-quitter-t-shirtThe marriages may be over, but the Sister Wives are discovering that moving on from Kody doesn't necessarily mean moving on from each other!In our reaction to Sister Wives Season 21 Episode 3, we talk about the reality of being a "basement wife," the hierarchy within polygamous families, and how those experiences compare to Sam's upbringing in the FLDS.We also watch the women come together to share family recipes, memories, and traditions as they navigate what their relationships might look like outside of plural marriage.But one of the biggest things that stood out to us is how their children continue to give them a reason to stay connected. Even though their marriages to Kody have ended, they share decades of history and children who still connect their lives.Are they genuinely working toward rebuilding relationships, or will their differences ultimately keep them apart? And can they find common ground now that Kody is no longer at the center of their relationships?Join us as we break down Episode 3 and discuss why the Brown family was never just about Kody!#SisterWives #SisterWivesSeason21 #KodyBrown #ChristineBrown #JanelleBrown #MeriBrown #Polygamy #GrowingUpInPolygamyIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
When Religion Justifies Child Abuse | Secrets of the 12 Tribes Part 2
2026/10/17
⚠️ **TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of physical child abuse and religiously justified corporal punishment. Please watch with care.**In Part 2 of our reaction to "Secrets of the 12 Tribes", we explore one of the documentary's most disturbing topics: the physical punishment of children and how religious teachings are used to justify it.As former members of the FLDS and mainstream Mormonism, we discuss what happens when religious beliefs are used to defend harmful practices, especially when children are involved.We also take a deeper look at FOUR law enforcement raids involving religious communities—two involving the Twelve Tribes and two involving the FLDS. We compare how these raids were carried out, the different approaches authorities took, and the consequences for the families and children involved.But this raises an even bigger question: "What actually makes a raid successful?"Is success measured by arrests, removing children from potentially dangerous situations, holding leaders accountable, or creating lasting change without causing additional harm?Join us as we unpack these difficult questions and discuss the complicated balance between religious freedom, protecting children, and government intervention.💬 "What do you think makes a law enforcement raid successful when children are at risk?" We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.#SecretsOfThe12Tribes #TwelveTribes #FLDS #GrowingUpInPolygamy #DocumentaryReaction #ReligiousAbuse #ChildProtectionIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
Why Are Third Wives So Important, Yet So Often Overlooked? | Sister Wives S21E2 Reaction
2026/10/14
The Sister Wives are coming together again in Season 21 Episode 2, but can they really build new relationships after everything they've been through? In this episode, we react to the women getting together to share old pictures and reflect on their lives in polygamy. We dive into the unspoken hierarchy of wives and compare it to Sam's experience growing up with four mothers in the FLDS. Why are third wives so important in plural families, yet so often overlooked or disregarded? We also discuss the infamous picture showing the wives' positions and how much has changed now that these women are independent and finally have the power to say NO. But just because they're no longer sister wives, does that mean they can become friends? Or are their personalities simply too different? Join us as we break down Sister Wives Season 21 Episode 2 from our unique perspective of growing up in Mormon communities! #SisterWives #SisterWivesSeason21 #Polygamy #GrowingUpInPolygamy #ChristineBrown #JanelleBrown #MeriBrown If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
Secrets of the 12 Tribes: The Surprising Similarities to Mormonism & FLDS
2026/10/10
We're only halfway through *Secrets of the 12 Tribes*, and we're already seeing some surprising similarities between the Twelve Tribes community, mainstream Mormonism, and the FLDS! In this reaction, we explore the shared beliefs and practices of restorationist religious movements, including missionary work, receiving new names, dusting off one's feet, and the belief in the literal gathering of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. We also discuss how the Twelve Tribes' communal lifestyle, close-knit communities, and separation from mainstream society remind us of Sam's experience growing up in the FLDS. Although these religious groups have different histories and teachings, some of the similarities are hard to ignore. Join us as we react to the first half of *Secrets of the 12 Tribes* and share our perspectives as former members of fundamentalist and mainstream Mormonism. 💬 **What similarities surprised you the most?** Let us know in the comments! #SecretsOfThe12Tribes #TwelveTribes #FLDS #Mormonism #GrowingUpInPolygamy #DocumentaryReaction If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
Sister Wives Season 21 Premiere: Kody & Robyn OUT + Coyote Pass Drama
2026/10/07
Sister Wives Season 21 is officially here—and there is A LOT to unpack from Episode 1!We react to everyone finding out that Kody and Robyn will no longer be filming Sister Wives and what their reactions might tell us about how things ended behind the scenes.We also dive into the Coyote Pass “back door deal” and whether Janelle and Meri actually got the closure they deserved after everything they went through with the property.And what about David? We talk about why we think he may have gotten a pretty rough edit in this episode—and why he could be coming across as much less supportive of Christine than he actually is.Join us as we break down the Sister Wives Season 21 premiere from our perspective growing up around polygamy and Mormon fundamentalism.#SisterWives #SisterWivesSeason21 #KodyBrown #RobynBrown #CoyotePass #TLCIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
We Found SO MANY FLDS Parallels in Just 90 Seconds | Twelve Tribes Trailer Reaction
2026/10/03
We're reacting to the trailer for the new Twelve Tribes documentary — and the parallels to our own experiences hit hard. Sam grew up FLDS and Melissa grew up mainstream LDS, so we both know what high-control religious groups look like from the inside. As we watch the trailer, we talk about a community built around one man who claims to speak for God, we compare the group to the FLDS world Sam grew up in, and we get into the heartbreaking stuff: families torn apart, children being harmed, and the way abuse gets swept under the rug in closed-off communities. We also talk about why these same patterns show up again and again — the control tactics, the isolation, and the pressure to stay silent. A quick note: this is our reaction to the trailer, and we'll be back with a full reaction once we've watched the whole documentary. Everything here is based on what's shown in the trailer, public reporting, and our own lived experiences. We'll always try to be clear about what's an allegation, what's been reported, and what's just our take. If you've been affected by a high-control group, you're not alone. Thanks for watching — like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments what stood out to you. #TwelveTribes #CultDocumentary #ExFLDS If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
Kody & Robyn Are GONE?! Breaking Down the Sister Wives Season 21 Trailer
2026/09/26
The Sister Wives Season 21 trailer is here, and it came with a HUGE reveal: Kody and Robyn will no longer be filming the show! After 16 years of Sister Wives, what happened? In this reaction, we break down the announcement and share our best guesses about why Kody and Robyn may have decided to step away. Is it their choice? Is there more happening behind the scenes? For now, we can only speculate, but we definitely have some theories. We also dive into everything else teased in the Season 21 trailer and what could be ahead for Christine, Janelle, and Meri as their lives continue to move forward after plural marriage. What do YOU think happened with Kody and Robyn? And are you excited to watch Sister Wives without them? Let us know in the comments! #SisterWives #SisterWivesSeason21 #KodyBrown #RobynBrown #TLC #GrowingUpInPolygamy If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa ✅SUBSCRIBE NOW : https://shorturl.at/inqrE ➡️ Checkout our other Videos: 🔷Ex-Polygamist Reacts to Sister Wives: Season 18 Ep. 1-2 ✅https://youtu.be/R9u4wAzUjK0 🔷Exclusive Interview with an Insider: Exposing FLDS Secrets ✅https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIjlLejkETU 🔷Breaking Free: One Girl's Journey from Warren Jeffs' Control ✅ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-bH4fLMZX0 🔷Behind FLDS Doors: The Tragic Tale of a Family Torn Apart by Warren Jeffs ✅https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFFQ_j_RJCo 🔷Tour Of The Dream Center, A Refuge Home For Ex-Polygamous Families ✅https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbqR1UJFJBY #like #comment #post #share and #encourage other to #subscribe to the channel.
The Formula for Building a Religion of Millions | How to Become a Cult Leader Ep. 6 Reaction
2026/09/12
Download the FREE Upside App here https://yt.link/o69VgN5 and use code growingup to get an extra 25 cents back per gallon on your first tank of gas! Thank you Upside for sponsoring this video! In the finale of How to Become a Cult Leader, we're looking at the Unification Church and asking a fascinating question: How does a religious movement grow to MILLIONS of followers? As we watched, we couldn't help noticing similarities to both mainstream and fundamentalist Mormonism. We discuss arranged marriages, youth camps, missionary work, and how acts of service can create opportunities to introduce people to your beliefs. We also explore how these practices build community, loyalty, and a sense of purpose—and why some of the same strategies appear across very different religious movements. After six episodes, one thing has become clear: different leaders, different beliefs... but a lot of the same playbook. Maybe How to AVOID a Cult Leader really was the better title after all. 🎥 Watch our full reaction and let us know what similarities stood out to you! #HowToBecomeACultLeader #UnificationChurch #Mormonism #LDS #FLDS #GrowingUpInPolygamy #ExMormon #ExPolygamist #HighControlGroups #DocumentaryReaction If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
When a Cult Leader Will Do ANYTHING to Be Right | How to Become a Cult Leader Ep. 5 Reaction
2026/08/29
In Episode 5 of How to Become a Cult Leader, we dive into Aum Shinrikyo and the terrifying lengths its leader was willing to go to protect his authority and prove his prophecies right. We compare the group's tactics to patterns we've seen in the FLDS and fundamentalist Mormonism—from claims of prophetic authority and apocalyptic teachings to seeking political power and creating an intense "us vs. the world" mentality. But Aum Shinrikyo ultimately took those ideas to a horrifying extreme: when reality didn't match the prophecy, the answer was to try to make the prophecy come true. Once again, join us for what we have renamed the series How to AVOID a Cult Leader. #HowToBecomeACultLeader #AumShinrikyo #FLDS #WarrenJeffs #GrowingUpInPolygamy #ExPolygamist #CultAwareness #HighControlGroups #DocumentaryReaction If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
Heaven's Gate & FLDS: More Similar Than We Expected | How to Become a Cult Leader Ep. 4 Reaction
2026/08/22
The more we learn about different high-control groups, the more we realize just how similar the playbook can be. In Episode 4 of How to Become a Cult Leader, we react to the story of Heaven's Gate and compare the methods used to control its members with Sam's experience growing up in the FLDS under Warren Jeffs. From isolation and unquestioning obedience to believing your leader has access to truth that the outside world simply can't understand, we were surprised by how many parallels we found. Different groups. Different leaders. Same tactics. Maybe this series really should be called How to AVOID a Cult Leader. #HowToBecomeACultLeader #HeavensGate #FLDS #WarrenJeffs #GrowingUpInPolygamy #ExPolygamist #CultAwareness #HighControlGroups If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
The Endless Goalposts That Keep Followers Trapped | How to Become a Cult Leader Ep. 3 Reaction
2026/08/15
Download the FREE Upside App here https://yt.link/TJbkwvE and use code growingup to get an extra 25 cents back per gallon on your first tank of gas! Thank you Upside for sponsoring this video! In Episode 3 of How to Become a Cult Leader, we explore the Buddhafield community and its leader, Jaime Gomez, examining the subtle but powerful tactics used to keep followers deeply invested. From endless service and constantly moving spiritual goalposts to the promise of exclusive experiences that only a select few can attain, many of these methods felt strikingly familiar to us. As former members of the FLDS and mainstream Mormonism, we discuss how similar patterns appear across many high-control groups. While the beliefs may differ, the systems of control often look remarkably alike. Followers are encouraged to give more, serve more, sacrifice more, and always believe that the next level of acceptance, enlightenment, or approval is just around the corner. In this reaction, we compare the Buddhafield community with the FLDS and other groups we've studied over the years, asking an important question: Why do so many high-control groups rely on the same psychological tactics? Our goal isn't to criticize faith or spirituality. It's to better understand how manipulation works so people can recognize these patterns before they become trapped by them. Have you ever noticed these same tactics in other groups or organizations? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about documentaries, high-demand religions, survivor stories, and the psychology of influence and control, be sure to subscribe and join us each week. #HowToBecomeACultLeader #Buddhafield #JaimeGomez #GrowingUpInPolygamy #CultAwareness #HighControlGroups #ReligiousTrauma #DocumentaryReaction #FLDS #ExMormon #Psychology #TrueCrime #CultRecovery If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
The Fake Healings That Built a Cult | How to Become a Cult Leader Ep. 2 Reaction
2026/08/08
What made thousands of people believe Jim Jones? In Episode 2 of How to Become a Cult Leader, we dive into one of the most powerful tools Jim Jones used to grow his following: fake healings and claims of divine power. By convincing people that miracles were happening before their eyes, he built trust, loyalty, and ultimately, complete control. As former members of high-demand religious communities, these tactics felt surprisingly familiar. Growing up in Mormon fundamentalism—and later mainstream Mormonism—we were taught from a young age that prophets could receive direct revelation from God. Because of that, the idea of someone claiming to "speak for God" didn't initially sound extraordinary to us. It was simply part of the worldview we had inherited. In this reaction, we compare Jim Jones' methods with those of Warren Jeffs and discuss why claims of divine authority can be so persuasive, especially for people raised to believe that God speaks through a single chosen leader. Our goal isn't to criticize faith—it's to explore how trust can be manipulated when leaders place themselves above accountability. What do you think? Why do you think claims of miracles or divine authority are so convincing? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. If you enjoy thoughtful discussions about documentaries, high-demand religions, survivor stories, and the psychology behind manipulation, be sure to subscribe and join the conversation. #HowToBecomeACultLeader #JimJones #WarrenJeffs #GrowingUpInPolygamy #CultAwareness #HighControlGroups #ReligiousTrauma #DocumentaryReaction #ExMormon #FLDS #Psychology #TrueCrime If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

Podcast reviews

Read Growing Up In Polygamy podcast reviews


4.8 out of 5
136 reviews
★★★★★
AmyLynea 2025/12/08
5/5
Great podcast!!!
★★★★★
ejamc 2025/08/16
Thank you for exposing the horrors of polygamy
I grew up in the Episcopal Church, so I was unaware of the existence of sects like the Mormon Church and the FLDS, but I’m a very curious woman, and I...
★★★★★
Genovese73 2025/04/20
💜💜
Love Sam & Melissa! Such great content! Keep up the great work 🩷
★★★★★
Voods Foods 2024/12/16
Loving this podcast!
I just found this pod, and I’m really enjoying it. Sam & Melissa seem so kind, and have interesting insights into a world most of us only see from rea...
★★★★★
MattyBS75 2024/11/10
Great duo
Melissa and Sam compliment each other really well. I always enjoy the podcasts they release. I really love the episodes of Sam’s life as a son of a ...
★★★★★
CTabode 2024/11/05
Great Podcast!
I am a longtime fan of the show, “Sister Wives” and as such, listen to many podcasts on the topic. This is one of my new favorites! I love the firs...
★★★★★
iwantedthefamily 2024/06/08
Gentle listening
The hosts keep it simple and stick to the discussion
★★★★★
whaletail2009 2024/04/05
Insight
Love to hear your insight into the sister wives show.
★★★★★
MamaNorth955 2023/12/07
Love the Variety and approach!
What a wonderful couple! Love how they explain the religious aspect without being threatening to anyone. Very informative. Love learning about Sam’s p...
★★★★★
dash -n 2023/10/31
Love this podcast
One of my favorite podcasts and couple to follow on YouTube! Very informative, educational and entertaining
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