Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation – Détails, épisodes et analyse
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Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts
Fréquence : 1 épisode/8j. Total Éps: 220

Trust Me is a weekly interview podcast about cults, extreme belief, and the fine line between devotion and delusion—told through firsthand accounts from the people who lived it. Hosted by two women who’ve been in cults themselves, Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth, the show features survivors from groups like Heaven’s Gate, the Manson Family, NXIVM, OneTaste and more–sharing personal stories of how they got in, how they got out, and everything in between.
Each week, they invite these guests alongside experts who can dive deep into seductive leaders, the darker aspects of organized religion, and the subtler shades of groupthink and the psychology of influence. Trust Me explores it all with unfiltered honesty, dark humor, and a lot of heart. This isn’t a sensationalized deep dive into cults—it’s a compassionate, first-person exploration of what it means to believe, to belong, and to break free. At the end of the day, wanting to believe in something bigger than yourself is one of the most human instincts there is.
Classements récents
Dernières positions dans les classements Apple Podcasts et Spotify.
Apple Podcasts
🇨🇦 Canada - societyAndCulture
29/07/2025#6🇨🇦 Canada - General
29/07/2025#33🇬🇧 Grande Bretagne - societyAndCulture
29/07/2025#24🇺🇸 États-Unis - societyAndCulture
29/07/2025#1🇺🇸 États-Unis - General
29/07/2025#21🇨🇦 Canada - societyAndCulture
28/07/2025#6🇨🇦 Canada - General
28/07/2025#36🇬🇧 Grande Bretagne - societyAndCulture
28/07/2025#28🇺🇸 États-Unis - societyAndCulture
28/07/2025#3🇺🇸 États-Unis - General
28/07/2025#32
Spotify
🇺🇸 États-Unis - trending
29/07/2025#78↗🇺🇸 États-Unis - trending
28/07/2025#100↗🇺🇸 États-Unis - trending
27/07/2025#121↗
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835494 partages
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875 partages
- https://www.instagram.com/michelledowdz
5 partages
Qualité et score du flux RSS
Évaluation technique de la qualité et de la structure du flux RSS.
See allScore global : 53%
Historique des publications
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An Exciting Update from Lola and Meagan!
mercredi 11 juin 2025 • Durée 00:35
The rumors are true—Trust Me is coming back this summer on the Exactly Right podcast network! This teaser has everything you need to know about our next chapter.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amanda Rae - The Kingston Clan and Escaping Polygamy
mercredi 12 mars 2025 • Durée 01:19:13
Today our guest is Amanda Rae, host of YouTube channel by the same name and former member of the Kingston Clan, or the Order, a polygamist group in Utah, not to be confused with the FLDS. Some of you may remember our previous guest Priscilla from the same group - both of these gals were on Escaping Polygamy. Amanda’s going to tell us who the Kingstons are, how many mothers she had, and the principle of “pure Kingston blood” that led to people sometimes intermarrying with relatives - some of whom were underage girls.
She’ll tell us about how her 2 years at public school helped her think critically about the differences between what the cult SAID about outsiders and people of color - versus the reality that they were just normal people, how children as young as 9 are sent to work after school, and why the day she left began with a physical altercation with a grown man in the group.
See resources below if you're in need of therapy or support:
BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ashlen Hilliard - The Evolution of Cult Intervention Practices
mercredi 1 janvier 2025 • Durée 01:21:28
Cult interventionist and founder of People Leave Cults, Ashlen Hilliard, talks about her path to working in cult intervention and recovery, her personal religious experience that led her to this work, how interactions with Mormons in Utah affected her worldview, how she defines what a cult is, why accusing a group of being a cult isn't always helpful, how cult intervention today is different from how it was in the 70s, how it used to involved kidnapping and unethical practices, how her model takes a harm reduction approach, and when cult intervention practices can become culty themselves!
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BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rosanna Arquette - Commune Life, Racism, & Harvey Weinstein
mercredi 15 février 2023 • Durée 44:50
Actor, director, and activist Rosanna Arquette discusses her childhood growing up on a commune that was part of the Subud spiritual movement, her mom's journey from her own abuse to helping other women, the racism she saw in the community outside of the commune, her own personal experience with Harvey Weinstein's harassment, the subsequent changes she felt in her career, speaking out against Weinstein, and being a part of a movement that changed the world.
Check out our great sponsors!
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Progressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Felicia Rosario and Daniel Levin - Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
mercredi 8 février 2023 • Durée 01:03:57
Survivor's of Larry Ray's sex cult Felicia and Daniel discuss how they came to meet Larry, how he leveraged his memory and connections to craft an image of authority, how Larry gained control of their lives under the guise of helping them, when the manipulation elevated into sexual abuse and violence, and how they're doing now that Larry is going to jail for the harm he has caused.
Trust Me is sponsored by Progressive Insurance! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Antonio Perez - Alex Jones, the New World Order, and Conspiracy Theory Addiction
mercredi 1 février 2023 • Durée 58:25
Get your pocket constitution ready. Antonio Perez, a former conspiracy theorist who followed Alex Jones, shares why Jones' over-the-top theories about the New World Order appealed to him, how Antonio's addiction factored into his dopamine-seeking thinking, and why building an internal locus of control can help avert conspiratorial thinking. Plus, how he finally stepped away from the deep state obsession, and the book he's writing on how to help people think for themselves again.
Trust Me is brought to you by ZocDoc! Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chris Kavanagh & Matthew Browne - Decoding the Gurus
mercredi 25 janvier 2023 • Durée 01:06:54
Cognitive anthropologist Chris Kavanagh and psychologist Matthew Browne, hosts of the podcast Decoding the Gurus, share some of their criteria for what makes a guru, discussing a few of the many personalities they've covered on their podcast: Elon Musk and Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan, oh my. They discuss the horrors of social media, the importance of trusting experts (but how academic credentialism can lead people astray too), how the biggest internet gurus tend to skew male, and why basically we need more scientists with mass appeal.
Trust me is brought to you by Progressive Insurance! Quote today at Progressive.com to try the Name Your Price® tool for yourself, and join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lauren Drain, Part 2: Life After Westboro
mercredi 18 janvier 2023 • Durée 59:30
In part two of their discussion with former Westboro Baptist Church member Lauren Drain, she'll share how she was kicked out of the group and struggled to build a new social circle, the fear mongering that the Church used, and her healing journey including the use of fitness, EMDR, and ayahuasca. PLUS an incredible update on her family's current status!
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp! Learn more and save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/trust
Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lauren Drain, Part 1: Joining The Westboro Baptist Church
mercredi 11 janvier 2023 • Durée 49:45
Banished author, fitness model, and registered nurse Lauren Drain joins Lola and Meagan to talk about her upbringing in the Westboro Baptist Church. They'll discuss the group's hateful and cruel picketing of public events, how Lauren's family joined after her dad intended to make a mockumentary about the church, how tightly controlled everyday life was, the very normal thing that got her kicked out, and the tragic end days of the founder Fred Phelps.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp! Learn more and save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/trust
Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jay Van Bavel - Groupthink, Social Identity, and Cult Psychology
mercredi 4 janvier 2023 • Durée 01:03:47
Groups!... I did it again. Jay Van Bavel, NYU Associate Professor of Psychology and Neural Science, Director of the Social Identity and Morality Lab, and co-author of The Power Of Us, discusses how our social identities change depending on our environment and context, how the groups we identify with affect our decisions and perception, and the importance of instilling healthy hierarchy in a group to prevent unhealthy leadership. They also discuss how emotionally charged situations can forge shared identities, how cults replace individual identities with group identities, what to do when someone has fallen prey to groupthink, and whether groups are even... good?
Trust Me is brought to you by Progressive! Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive!
Learn more about Jay's work here! https://www.powerofus.online
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at [email protected]
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.