Cults to Consciousness

Sami's grandfather, who lived with Schizophrenia, compiled a 2422 page book of holy scripture in a failed attempt to start his own religion.  Heavily inspired by Mormonism, yet drawing from almost every religion, it's full of many surprises.  We can't wait to crack it open with all of you and find out what's inside.   Click here to watch on YouTube Watch the full interview with Sami and her father, Adrian, here Sami’s go fund me to get the book digitized Find Sami on social media: www.youtube.com/@mildwestsami IG: @mild_west_sami 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.

Watch the first half of this episode at  @OwenMorganTelltale  here  The youth have become more and more of a target since adults are leaving religions at an exponential rate. If they can indoctrinate them young enough, they just might have tithe paying members for life. Shelise and Owen Morgan from @owenmorgantelltale will be reacting to a Jehovah's Witness animated series called Caleb and Sophia and will discuss just how psychologically harmful they can be.  Find and Support Owen! YouTube:  @OwenMorganTelltale    @owensfiresidechat    @owenunfiltered    @TelltaleReads   Watch a full interview with Owen Here Watch Shelise on Owen's Channel Here Resources: https://jwfacts.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.

Celebrating 200 episodes with these 7 other incredible women!  We explore ways in which women are harmed, silenced and exploited within 8 different cults from their unique perspectives. The stories and wisdom were beautifully shared amongst survivors supporting each other. They also share ways in which they believe women can take back their power in or outside a cult and gain clarity and freedom.  Click here to watch on YouTube FIND AND SUPPORT OUR GUESTS! Daniella Mestyanek-Young: previous interviews  IG: @daniellamyoung_  TikTok: search #groupbehaviorgal Website: https://www.uncultureyourself.com/ Amazon: "Uncultured: A Memoir"  Tia Levings: previous interview  Website and book: http://tialevings.com/book IG:  @tialevingswriter https://substack.com/@tialevings The Anti-Fundamentalist Amanda Rae Grant: previous interviews  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheAmandaRaeGrant IG: @amandaraegrant  Sarah Edmondson: Previous interview Instagram: @SarahEdmondson  @ALittleBitCulty Website: https://alittlebitculty.com/ Website for book: https://www.sarahedmondson.com/book Beatrice Weber: previous interviews  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bweber Website: https://beatriceweber.com/about/ Jasmin Faulk: previous interview   IG:  @jasmin.faulk Website: http://www.jasminfaulk.com/ Book:  The Last Sandstorm  Podcast: I Want you to Meet  Jasper Hoffman: previous interview  Website: https://www.theplainpeoplespodcast.com IG: @ThePlainPeoplesPodcast  @jasper.c.hoffman  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.** 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:01 How did your cult use fear to keep women passive and obident? 00:17:44 The various ways your cult used Information Control to keep you isolated and unaware of the world 00:48:26 What are the "rewards" in heaven for women in your cult? 01:19:35 What made you want to finally escape your cult? 01:45:35 Words of advice to those currently in a cult that want to leave 01:53:54 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.

"The Order" or the "Kingston Clan" is known for their incestuous practices of polygamy in an effort to keep their "bloodline pure". They are a fundamentalist branch of Mormonism in Salt Lake City, where marrying 1st cousins and even half siblings, is seen as perfectly fine. Amanda Rae @TheAmandaRaeGrant  , who was raised in this group, escaped at 17 and was seen on the TV show "Escaping Polygamy" helping others to do the same. Amanda explains the Kingston Clan's fundamental belief system, their concept of "Numbered Men”, inbreeding within, how they bring in new women to mix up the gene pool, and why the cult believes they are descendants of Jesus Christ himself. Click here to watch on YouTube Find and support Amanda: YouTube:   ​⁠​ @TheAmandaRaeGrant   IG: @amandaraegrant  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 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 00:02:52 The Kingston Clan's fundamental beliefs 00:05:48 "Numbered Men" explained 00:09:31 How The Order believes they are descendants of Jesus Christ 00:14:39 Inbreeding in The Order 00:20:19 Amanda explains how procreating is of the utmost importance in the order 00:30:45 Commenting on coming to terms with realizing things were wrong in The Order 00:33:14 Amanda shares her story on how she left The Order 00:36:45 Amanda explains how The Order brings in new women to mix up the gene pool 00:37:49 Racism in the order 00:52:06 Trying to apply critical thinking to the beliefs of the order 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.

Forced to suppress who he really is, Val Snow escaped the cult that almost put him through conversion therapy, and is now living a fulfilled life. Ask him your questions! Click here to watch on YouTube Resource for those escaping polygamy: Holding Out Help Check out our in depth interview with Val here Val's youtube Channel IG: @valiantunicorn  Get more of Val's story on Amanda Rae's channel How Do People Get Brainwashed Unicorn t-shirt:  Version 1 Version 2 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.

CW:  CSA, SA, mentions of suicide…. Philip Seibel was born into the Children of God sex cult and survived many instances of CSA at the hands of his own parents. This was all part of the cult’s mentality “God is love and love is sex”.  Our first episode together details his childhood and escape attempts. When he was able to get out successfully, he had no idea about the outside world. At the age of fifteen he ran away from his abusive parents and began to wander this world as a homeless street musician, learning how to survive.  Now Philip is an outspoken critic of the statutes of limitations for crimes against children. Currently he lives in Switzerland, proud father and author, singer, songwriter, artist, wearable designer and hobby sound technician His books include The monsters that kiss you good night, The monsters that walk with me and his third book in this series currently in progress "No one speaks about the monsters" Click here to watch on YouTube Watch his first interview here Find and Support Phil:   Website with his singles: https://www.philipseibel.com/singles YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Philip-Seibel Books: The Monsters that Kiss You Goodnight  The Monsters that Walk With Me  A Broken Poet  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 00:04:42 Philip's childhood in COG 00:11:29 How Philip processes what happened to him 00:16:37 How Philip managed as a 15 year old runaway 00:16:55 CW: CSA 00:19:56 Philip recounts his CSA 00:21:32 CW:  CSA - The reason Philip remembers is CSA so well 00:29:37 The consequences Philip's dealt with for telling his story 00:31:51 CW: Society desensitized to women's SA and not men's 00:34:56 CW:  mentions of suic*de 00:38:43 Philip felt he couldn't open up about CSA he experienced while dating 00:42:37 What it was like writing his first book - Philip comments on the responses people get when disclosing their trauma 00:46:19 Philip's thoughts on whether continuing to speak out will further hinder his success 00:55:51 How Philip is doing now 00:57:11 Linda, Listen 01:02:49 Philip sings and plays Little Black Sheep on his guitar 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.

Within The Children of God, also known as The Family International, the members blindly followed the leader David Berg. They weren’t even allowed to know what he looked like. Only a select few were chosen to be in his presence and can tell the story of who “Grandpa” really was. He was a twisted man who married children, including our guest Serena Kelley who was only 3 years old. Serena is the only person left who is able to tell these stories. She explains what it was like being considered a “celebrity” in the group and how she had to mentally split herself and dissociate to survive.  Click here to watch on YouTube Watch pt 1 of Serena’s interview here Watch pt 2 of Serena’s interview here  Find Serena: IG: @serkelley Substack: https://substack.com/@serenakelley YT:  https://www.youtube.com/@serkelley Website: https://serenakelley.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.

CW:  CSA, SA, Mentions of drug use- From the ages of 6 to 12, up to when the cult leader, Berg, died, Serena Kelley hid her identity.  She was born as a chiId celebrity in the notorious The Children of God cult, known for their extreme abuse practices of polygamy, pedophilia, forced chiId marriages, religious prostitution, and chiId trafficking.  Daughter to Sara Kelley— part of leadership, and writer of “The Davidito Book”(CSA manuscript)— when Serena left the compound she continued to lie about who she was.  As she had been brainwashed to lie, it was hard for her to track when she should tell the truth, which created a warped sense of identity.  Serena describes how she worked her way back into the cult to retrieve a boy that she liked, what it was like escaping for a second time, and what it was like being out in the world, on her own, free to do whatever she wanted for the first time.  Going from the sex cult to now a fully sexually charged environment in a club, she explains her methods at the time of processing the horrific things she went through as a child, involving numbing with drug use, and dancing away the trauma. Serena also recounts what it was like when just months before his murder-suicide, an adult Ricky Rodriguez, whom “The Davidito Book" was written about, contacted her wanting to know where the author (her mother) was.   Serena reveals her journey with healing from the trauma, dealing with ill-equipped therapists, to ultimately finding plant medicine.  Serena is now a writer and Trauma Recovery Specialist, helping others heal past traumas using methods to connect the mind, body, and soul to find peace and purpose in life. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch pt 1 of Serena’s interview Serena dives further, answering your questions LIVE Find Serena: IG: @serkelley Substack: https://substack.com/@serenakelley YT:  https://www.youtube.com/@serkelley Website: https://serenakelley.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 00:08:15 CW: CSA, ChiId Traff*cking, CA, the Moment Serena Knew She Wanted to Leave the Cult 00:11:55 CW: ChiId Marriage, Serena Rebelling & Engagement to Berg 00:24:02 CW: CSA, Serena Realizing How Much Better Things Were Outside the Cult 00:32:50 CW: SA, Serena Finds Freedom in the Club Scene 00:37:20 CW: SA, Serena Takes Positive Lessons About Her Worth from Her Negative Cult Programming 01:21:03 CW: CSA, SA, Closing Thoughts 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.

CW:  CSA, SA, ChiId Trafficking- David Brandt Berg, also known as King David, Dad, or Grandpa to followers, was the founder and leader of the cult generally known as the Children of God.  In 1968 it began as a new religious movement focused on spreading the Christian message.  As the decades progressed, the group targeted vulnerable people and devolved as a counter to purity culture in which Berg pushed the idea that God is love, and love is sex, therefore members should have sex with everyone.  COG attracted the attention of the international media, and a British court case would find the group to be an authoritarian cult which engaged in the systematic physical and sexual abuse of children, resulting in lasting trauma among survivors.  Today’s guest, Serena Kelley, was born and raised in the cult, and along with her mother, Sara, were two of the select few people in David Berg’s inner circle.  When Ricky Rodriguez (another chiId within the cult) was ten months old, Berg asked Sara, one of Ricky's nannies, to start creating a document titled "The Davidito Book" (also referred to as "The Story of Davidito"). The book contains descriptions of adults CSA-ing Rodriguez, describing this ab*se in a "celebratory" tone.  Serena’s mother would end up writing the horrific CSA handbook for the Children of God Cult, and was even proud of the fact, becoming known as “Sara Davidito”.   Serena recounts what it was like growing up in the cult, alongside her brainwashed mother, facing constant mental, physical and sexual abuse, while being forced to appear in CSA videos, and how at the age of 3, Serena was “given” to Berg as a chiId bride and told she was going to be his forever.   Click here to watch on YouTube Watch pt 2 of Serena’s interview Serena dives further, answering your questions LIVE Find Serena: IG: @serkelley Substack: https://substack.com/@serenakelley YT:  https://www.youtube.com/@serkelley Website: https://serenakelley.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 00:10:45 CW: CSA, Serena Explains Children of God CSA Origins & Practices 00:15:26 CW: CSA, Serena Shares her mother's involvement with creating a CSA Manuscript 00:20:00 CW: CSA, SA, Serena Shares Her Earliest Memories in the Children of God Cult 00:26:53 CW: CA, CSA, Serena Shares About Constant Fear and Her Engagement as a Toddler 00:32:09 CW: SA, CSA, Homophob*a, The Children of God's Bizzarre S*xual Practices & Beliefs 00:36:07 CW: Incest, CSA, C recordings, Serena Shares about Cover-Ups and Beginning to Doubt 00:40:36 CW: CA, ChiId Traff*cking, Serena Shares About Her Time in the Japan Commune 00:48:32 CW: ChiId Traff*cking , Serena Talks about the Fear Tactics Used and Being Traff*cked 00:51:42 CW: CSA, Serena's Transition from Japan to Brazil 00:55:23 CW: CA, Serena Shares About Her "Celebrity Status" and Being Trained to Lie 01:02:52 CW: CA, Bullying, Berg's Death & Cult Leadership Makes Serena's Identity Public 01:10:59 CW: CSA, The Cult's New "Rules" About S*x  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.

Ryan Fisher, former confidant of Tim Ballard (founder of Operation Underground Railroad), is a key witness in the latest Kely Suarez case.  She is suing Tim for her portrayal as a child traff*cker in the controversial “Sound of Freedom” film.  With the case just a few weeks away, Ryan opens up about his experience working closely with Tim, as well as the details of the case in which he’ll be a witness in. Click here to watch on YouTube For the latest in all Tim Ballard and OUR breaking news, follow Carah Burrell and Ryan Fisher on the  @CarahBurrell  Youtube channel! Follow and Support Carah! YouTube:  @carrahburrell   YouTube:  @carrahburrell  Instagram: @nuancehoe  Tiktok: @nuancehoe  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nuancehoe 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.