Cults to Consciousness

In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to break through as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to break through as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the hit drama One Tree Hill. Her acting career was set to soar, but her personal life was beginning to unravel in ways her fans could never imagine. Unknown to the millions of viewers and even her costars, Lenz led a secret double life within a cult.As an only chiId seeking belonging, Lenz thought she found a safe haven in a Bible study group with fellow Hollywood creatives. However, the group morphed into something more sinister—a web of manipulation and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz surrendered her autonomy, eventually moving to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound overseen by a domineering minister who convinced her to marry his son and secretly drained millions from her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”—inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal.Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to escape and spare her chiId from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help from a devoted One Tree Hill fan), she broke free from the family’s grip, beginning her healing journey from deep trauma that reshaped her faith and identity.The One Tree Hill star opens up about everything in her New York Times bestselling memoir, Dinner for Vampires.⁠Click here to watch on YouTube⁠Watch Part 1: ⁠https://youtu.be/idrKmytaYdU?si=DCq0RJtPQXHnjuYW⁠Find Bethany Joy Lenz & her book: ⁠www.instagram.com/msbethanyjoylenz/⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bethanyjoylenz⁠We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! ⁠Click here to go to the official booking page⁠Subscribe to our⁠ C2C "CLIPS" Channel!⁠Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.⁠Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!⁠Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness⁠Venmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram ⁠@cultstoconsciousness⁠ Host Instagram ⁠@sheliseann ⁠Co Producer / Host ⁠@jonathan.rosales_ ⁠TikTok ⁠@cults.to.consciousness ⁠Twitter ⁠@cultstocon⁠ **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**NO CHAPTER MARKERS AVAILABLEhit drama One Tree Hill. Her acting career was set to soar, but her personal life was beginning to unravel in ways her fans could never imagine. Unknown to the millions of viewers and even her costars, Lenz led a secret double life within a cult.As an only chiId seeking belonging, Lenz thought she found a safe haven in a Bible study group with fellow Hollywood creatives. However, the group morphed into something more sinister—a web of manipulation and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz surrendered her autonomy, eventually moving to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound overseen by a domineering minister who convinced her to marry his son and secretly drained millions from her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”—inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal.Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to escape and spare her chiId from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help from a devoted One Tree Hill fan), she broke free from the family’s grip, beginning her healing journey from deep trauma that reshaped her faith and identity.The One Tree Hill star opens up about everything in her New York Times bestselling memoir, Dinner for Vampires.⁠Click here to watch on YouTube⁠Watch Part 1: ⁠https://youtu.be/idrKmytaYdU?si=DCq0RJtPQXHnjuYW⁠Find Bethany Joy Lenz & her book: ⁠www.instagram.com/msbethanyjoylenz/⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bethanyjoylenz⁠We want to meet you in real life! Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION! ⁠Click here to go to the official booking page⁠Subscribe to our⁠ C2C "CLIPS" Channel!⁠Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.⁠Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!⁠Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness⁠Venmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram ⁠@cultstoconsciousness⁠ Host Instagram ⁠@sheliseann ⁠Co Producer / Host ⁠@jonathan.rosales_ ⁠TikTok ⁠@cults.to.consciousness ⁠Twitter ⁠@cultstocon⁠ **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**NO CHAPTER MARKERS AVAILABLESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to break through as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the hit drama One Tree Hill. Her acting career was set to soar, but her personal life was beginning to unravel in ways her fans could never imagine. Unknown to the millions of viewers and even her costars, Lenz led a secret double life within a cult. As an only chiId seeking belonging, Lenz thought she found a safe haven in a Bible study group with fellow Hollywood creatives. However, the group morphed into something more sinister—a web of manipulation and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz surrendered her autonomy, eventually moving to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound overseen by a domineering minister who convinced her to marry his son and secretly drained millions from her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”—inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal. Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to escape and spare her chiId from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help from a devoted One Tree Hill fan), she broke free from the family’s grip, beginning her healing journey from deep trauma that reshaped her faith and identity. The One Tree Hill star opens up about everything in her New York Times bestselling memoir, Dinner for Vampires. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch Pt 2:  https://youtu.be/jUuqpRd0t_Q?si=E4oDhrdQ5_HBH4xt Find Bethany Joy Lenz & her book:  www.instagram.com/msbethanyjoylenz/ https://linktr.ee/bethanyjoylenz We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:00 Joy Dives into Her ChiIdhood and Early Religious Experiences 00:07:41 Joy Explains the Way Being an Actress Affected Her Religious Life 00:13:16 Joy’s Very Positive Experience with a Home Church in New York 00:18:25 Joy’s Introduction to the Home Church Cult in LA & Red Flag Moments 00:24:14 Joy Expounds on the Cult's Manipulation & Giving Up Her Autonomy 00:29:39 Joy Shares How She Changed and How Others in Her Life Reacted 00:34:01 Joy Shares Her Balancing of Religion and Acting and Discusses Mormonism With Shelise 00:40:07 Joy Talks About Cult Behaviors, Hierarchies, & Need for Control 00:44:56 Joy Shares Her Perspective on Fear 00:50:33 Linda, Listen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joined again today in studio with Amanda Rae ( @TheAmandaRaeGrant  ) we compare and contrast what it was like growing up in The Order Vs Mormon. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our last live streams here: https://www.youtube.com/live/zxeJbi0B76Q?si=uMsA6iXifjvnYx-a https://www.youtube.com/live/Wc3DK44vP38?si=XvElYTPZxGvYQ4jy Find Amanda! YouTube:   @TheAmandaRaeGrant     IG: @amandaraegrant Resource for help leaving polygamy https://holdingouthelp.org/ Remove your records from the LDS church Quitmormon.com We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when you marry your niece and half sister when you reproduce?  Amanda Rae walks us through the shocking realities of incestuous polygamous with offspring. Click here to watch on YouTube Click here to watch the live we did on Amanda’s channel immediately after! Find Amanda! YouTube:   @TheAmandaRaeGrant     IG: @amandaraegrant Resource for help leaving polygamy https://holdingouthelp.org/ Remove your records from the LDS church Quitmormon.com We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Going deeper on the shadows within the incestuous polygamy of the Kingston Clan Cult and answering questions you left in the comments! Join us live for priority. We can't wait to have a culty chat with you! Click to watch on YouTube Catch the original interview here: Part 1:  https://youtu.be/TYXd6KEutIM Part 2: https://youtu.be/tFCzKyaN12w Find and support Amanda! YouTube:   @TheAmandaRaeGrant     IG: @amandaraegrant We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With an early chiIdhood in Somalia, Magan Magan moved to Australia with his mother, who would lie about his father and wrongfully keep them apart. Her narcissistic tendencies combined with the power Islam gave her over her chiIdren, would lead to emotional, spiritual and even physical ab*se. Under it all, Magan was grappling with the reality that he was gay, in an extremely homophob*c household where gay people were seen as sub-human and worthless. Understanding that in Islam, it’s written that gay men should be unalived by horrible means. He wouldn’t come to make his own decisions until around 26 years old and finally lean into his true self and find happiness outside of his mother’s grasp.  Click here to watch on YouTube Find and support Magan: Magan’s collection of poems “Stop All the Clocks” Inner self rising podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/@maganmagan9422 Instagram:  @innerselfrising  Resource for those leaving Islam and need help:  https://www.freeheartsfreeminds.com/ We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Chapter Marks  00:00:00 Intro 00:03:14 Magan's ChiIdhood & Leaving Somalia 00:07:01 Magan Introduces His Mother's Narcissistic ab*se 00:12:10 Magan Speaks on the Islamic Teachings His Mother would Weapon*ze Against Him 00:16:09 CW: CA 00:18:23 Turning 15 and Discovering Sexual*ty 00:22:21 Magan Talks About Being Gay as a Teenage Muslim 00:25:57 Magan Talks About The Danger of Being an Apostate 00:27:19 CW: Religious v*olence 00:29:22 Magan shares more about his mother's need for control 00:33:18 Magan's Mother Loves making herself a vict*m 00:35:58 Magan's Long Road to Freedom 00:38:40 Magan Loves the Taste of His Newfound Freedom 00:41:26 Magan Recognizes Inconsistencies in the Quoran 00:44:41 Magan Shares about growing up in a single parent household 00:48:36 Magan Discusses Forming His Own Moral Philosophy 00:53:14 Magan's First Kiss as a Gay Man 00:57:19 Magan On Where He is Now, and What the Future Holds 01:02:47 Magan's "Linda Listen" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joined by ExMuslim content creator Infidel Noodle, we discuss the tragic events that lead to the murd*r of Muhsin Hendricks who was the first openly gay Imam (islamic religious leader).  Click to watch on YouTube Watch "Why This Gay Man Wasn’t Allowed to Make His Own Decisions Until 26" Find Infidel on social: YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@InfidelNoodle IG: https://www.instagram.com/infidel.noodle/ Resource for those leaving Islam and need help:  https://www.freeheartsfreeminds.com/ We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After enduring extensive clergy ab*se at the hands of her community’s trusted imam in her own home (detailed in part 1), Layla’s family gave her as a young bride to a 37 year old man. Rather than reporting the imam for the CSA, her family kept it a secret so it wouldn’t affect the marriage prospects for Layla and their other chiIdren. The man she was given to was extremely ab*sive in every way, keeping her captive in her own home by not allowing her to have keys or gate fobs, or access to a phone. Every action was monitored and he weaponized their Islamic religion, using it as permission to continuously hurt her. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch part 1 here Support Layla YouTube: https://youtube.com/@I_am_not_your_sister?si=9lmUX36MAvhmkgkR We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Chapter  Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:26 TW: Married at 15 -Layla's official marriage 00:12:42 TW: R*pe-Layla's wedding night 00:15:08 Layla's expectations as a young bride 00:22:22 How Leah's husband reacted when she told him about the ab*se she went through 00:25:36 How Layla escaped her marriage 00:33:16 Layla starts to deconstruct Islam 00:43:11 How Layla is doing now 00:46:53 Linda, Listen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A young girl raised as a Jehovah’s Witness by a strict and ab*sive mother, ends up living on the streets before converting to Islam. The family she ends up with is honored that the Imam (Islamic religious leader) chose her to “tutor”. Using religious loopholes and justifications, the Imam gives her $1 to claim her as his plural wife which led to SA under the roof of her own home. Their family was so afraid of their reputation and repercussions, they kept the ab*se a secret and protected the pred*tor. Speaking out anonymously, she has chosen the name Layla.  Click here to watch on YouTube Support Layla YouTube: https://youtube.com/@I_am_not_your_sister?si=9lmUX36MAvhmkgkR Click here to watch on YouTube Check the pinned comments on YouTube for the Daily Mail article. Catch Jared and Ashley's Mormon Stories interviews: Jared and Ashley Jones Pt. 1 | Ep. 1767 Confronting the Mormon Church - Jared and Ashley Jones Pt. 2 | Ep 1768 We want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking page Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:05:03 How Layla chose her alias 00:10:12 When Layla started becoming distant from her abus*ve mother 00:14:47 Layla's time at a homeless shelter 00:19:19 Life after the homeless shelter and introduction to Islam 00:25:30 How Layla met her “husband” 00:30:59 TW: S*xual abuse-Layla's abus*ve marriage to an older man 00:37:18 Layla's escape from her abus*ve marriage 00:46:29 Layla tries to expose her abus*r 00:53:03 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nazreen Bibi was born and raised in the UK in a Mirpuri Sunni Muslim household. During her chiIdhood she was sent off to learn the verbatim account of the Quran, which included teachers who threat*ned v*olence and aggression using kitchen utensils and mullahs based in a semi.  Nazreen’s parents insisted on putting a headscarf on her, and during her secondary school years she would take the scarf off during school hours and put it back on when school finished.  On her 16th birthday she had hopes of completing A levels and going to university however her parents had other plans.  Instead they travelled abroad to Pakistan, and Nazreen was married to her mother’s cousin (her uncle), someone she knew nothing about.  She recalls asking her mother if she could say no and her answer was “no, your grandad gave his word” and that was that.  Soon after her marriage, her mother told her that she was to do whatever her husband wanted and that if she refused s*x the devil would curse her all night.  Nazreen soon became pregnant and gave birth to her daughter at age 17. The following 12 years, Nazreen spent fighting for freedom, freedom to work, freedom to have phone and freedom to wear what she wanted to wear.  Fueled with anger at the end of her twelve-year marriage, she could see how religion and culture shaped her parents’ choices and world view, and how the teachings of Islam demanded the total subjugation of women.  Nazreen’s parents stopped talking to her after her divorce and so she rebuilt her life as a single parent.  Her experience only confirmed what she had now grown to accept in that Islam was designed by men for men. Divorced women were deemed as used goods, a women’s identity and personhood reduced to her reproductive parts and womb.  Since her divorce she’s been actively engaged in local politics, completed her degree and runs her own business. Now an exMuslim, Nazreen recently has come out as an atheist, speaking out against the generational religious ab*se  Click here to watch on YouTube Find Nazreen on social media! https://www.tiktok.com/@grumpymirpuri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.