Cults to Consciousness

The new hit Hulu show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is making waves amongst the LDS and former LDS community. Many people asking questions about if these women can really call themselves Mormon when they admit to not following the rules and standards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The first episode discusses the swinging scandal. Is that really allowed in Mormonism? Ex Mormons Shelise Ann Sola and @theamandaraegrant weigh in on episode  1. Click here to watch on YouTube Watch the 2nd half of this conversation immediately after this live on Amanda's channel here:  https://www.youtube.com/live/9oaWQ7tKsq8?si=QcqL3kY6X4pmRvNf Find Amanda: YouTube:     @TheAmandaRaeGrant         IG: www.instagram.com/amandaraegrant @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.

Today we are joined live with Nephi Robinson, former Order cult member.  One of the most sacred tenants of The Order, a fundamentalist polygamous break of sect of the mainstream mormon/LDS church, is living polygamy. Nephi knew he was gay, but hid it most of his life because living authentically was never an option for him. He was essentially assigned a wife at a young age and had 7 children before he realized he couldn’t pretend anymore. His father, who had 14 wives and over 160 children was pushing him to take another wife, so he came out to him. Nephi was told he was gay for various reasons such as eating too much chicken and he needed to stay faithful lest he go to the depths of Hell. Thankfully, he didn’t listen, got out and isn’t hiding his true self any longer.  Click here to watch on YouTube Watch the full interview with Nephi here:  https://youtu.be/T9WlH9qdLf4?si=krItIsldZi-_cn73 Connect with Nephi! FB: Nephi Robinson https://www.facebook.com/nephi.robinson 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.** 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.

Joe grew up in a polygamist cult called “The Order.”  From the age of 3, he observed his father and uncles with multiple wives— his father, Daniel, fathering over 160+ chiIdren.  From the age of 9, Joe started working for The Order, while dealing with the physically and emotionally abus*ve Daniel.  As Joe grew up, his dating life was non existent, and he felt “behind”.  It became evident that only a small portion of the men were having all of the wives, and that not all of the men would be married.  What made it more difficult was that if Joe wanted to “come forward” on a girl, he had to go through Daniel, and also the Prophet, who arranged the cult’s marriages.  Things came to a head for Joe at 18, when his mother became sick with cancer and Daniel prescribed his own method to help her heal— fasting, as a way to “starve the cancer”, which Joe felt he couldn’t go against.  When his mother died, he decided to leave the cult.  The only thing stopping Joe from starting over was The Order having control of his bank account.   Click here to watch on YouTube Resource for those escaping polygamy: https://holdingouthelp.org/ Joe’s Magic Music Show with Mayce:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jBPdLV1lQc&t=88s Find Joe on social media: IG:  @johnjosephrobinson https://www.instagram.com/johnjosephrobinson YT:  https://www.youtube.com/@MagicPranksJohn 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.

If you noticed our uploads haven't been as regular... it's because we've been going through A LOT of life changes!  Today we're here to discuss them all, answer any questions you may have, and take your feedback and suggestions.  Looking forward to seeing you soon! Click here to watch on YouTube 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: mentions of attempted suicide & infant abuse From a young age Priscilla was learning about how she would become a plural wife one day while simultaneously plotting her escape. She would have many failed attempts due to The Order’s desperate need to marry her off to one of her family members with the intention of making several children. They captured her and sent her to a facility to “break her” and when that didn’t work, they tried buying her with promises of fulfilled dreams and large homes. Seeing through the con and not wanting to marry her polygamous uncle, or multiple different cousins who propositioned her, she continued fighting to get out. Watch this episode on YouTube Find Priscilla! IG @pr1sc1ll4 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:  https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/mexico/mexico-with-shelise-sola-oct-2025  Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Our Merch! Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Website CultsToConsciousness.com Find Shelise on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **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 Markers 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:08 Pricilla's family dynamic 00:05:27 How Pricilla's step dad treated the children in the family and why he never had other wives 00:07:26 Working overnight for The Order and going to school 00:08:17 What life was like for Pricilla's mom 00:10:44 How it felt to be singled out and why Pricilla was "othered" 00:13:16 What Pricilla thought about The Order's beliefs growing up 00:14:07 How old was Pricilla when she first began preparing for marriage? 00:15:52 How Pricilla felt about polygamy as a kid 00:18:26 Pricilla's escape attempts as a child 00:22:10 Pricilla's family takes drastic measures to lure her back into The Order 00:23:10 Pricilla's experience in the safe-house 00:30:17 How the facility changed Pricilla's mindset 00:33:24 What life was like in the facility and how it broke girls' spirits 00:34:51 How the facility emphasized The Order's teachings about women 00:37:27 How the facility changed Priscilla and her relationship with her mother 00:37:55 TW: su*cide attempts 00:39:55 Priscilla's family was pushing her to marry her cousin or UNCLE! 00:47:39 Pricilla gets out of the facility and continues to fight to leave 00:47:52 TW: depiction of infant ab*se 00:50:44 Hanging out with cousins goes wrong 01:00:16 Priscilla escapes for the last time 01:03:22 Learning to survive in Vegas including going to school 01:05:33 Reconnecting with family 01:08:04 How is Pricilla doing now? 01:11:11 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.

Calvin Wayman was born and raised in an offshoot polygamist sect of FLDS called “The Work”. With 44 siblings, a “Wayman” was just about every person he knew in his life. Even more taxing than his childhood trauma, was the trauma he experienced as an adult when he escaped at 30 years old. His life turned upside down— with the threat of his eternal salvation in jeopardy, while fighting against everything he was taught to believe, and on top of that being shunned and accosted by his loved ones— things came to a head for Calvin when he returned to see his Father on his death bed. He didn’t have the priesthood, therefore, he wasn’t allowed in. But this wasn’t the real reason Calvin didn’t push his way in. Watch Calvin 1st interview here Watch Calvin's 2nd interview here Calvin’s YT IG: @Calvinwayman 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:  https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/mexico/mexico-with-shelise-sola-oct-2025  Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Our Merch! Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Website CultsToConsciousness.com Find Shelise on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **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 00:03:43 The FLDS off shoot called "The Work" that Calvin grew up in 00:08:35 What Calvin had to face when he left The Work 00:14:23 What happened to Calvin's marriage, and relationship with family after he left 00:16:51 Calvin's thoughts on how leaving has affected his chiIdren 00:21:40 Does Calvin's ex wife feel obligated to shun him? 00:23:32 Is Calvin worried his daughter may be forced into polygamy? 00:27:37 Is there life after the cult? 00:30:27 Calvin's relationship with his father after he left 00:36:54 Building a community after being cut off from his family 00:42:18 What happened when Calvin went back to his Father on the his death bed 00:51:51 When you leave a cult and question if it was the right decision 00:59:32 How cults make you demonize your intuition 01:03:01 Calvin reads hate comments directed at him 01:03:47 Threatening the beliefs of cult members by not believing 01:06:31 What would Calvin do if his daughter wanted to be a plural wife? 01:12:32 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.

CW:  Fatal Terrorist Attack  Joined live today with Yasmine Mohammed, we discussed the most recent terrorist attacks in both New Orleans on Bourbon street on New Year’s Eve, and Magdeburg Germany on December 20th.  Yasmine was acquainted with the alleged attacker in Germany who could be considered Anti-Islam. We discuss how both sides of extremism are not the answer and bring awareness to the events that claimed many lives and injured over 200. Watch full video on @cultstoconsciousness YouTube channel Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Our Merch! Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Website CultsToConsciousness.com Find Shelise on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **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.

Chad Harris' family joined the Shiny Happy People cult when he was just 7 years old, after a doctor convinced his parents to attend a seminar with cult leader Bill Gothard. Chad spent the next almost 20 years being indoctrinated and brainwashed with extreme fundamental Christian teachings before he finally found the truth and ultimately shared his experience on Prime Video's #1 documentary series, "Shiny Happy People." ⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠ Follow Chad on social media: TikTok: @archradish IG: ⁠@archradish85 ⁠⁠https://responsiblehomeschooling.org/⁠ Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. ⁠Our Merch!⁠ Patreon:⁠ Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness⁠ Venmo @sheliseann Website ⁠CultsToConsciousness.com⁠ Find Shelise on Social media! Instagram ⁠@cultstoconsciousness⁠ Host Instagram ⁠@sheliseann⁠ TikTok⁠ @cults.to.consciousness⁠ Twitter ⁠@cultstocon⁠ Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:22 What filming the documentary “Shiny Happy People” was like 00:06:14 How Chad's family fell into the clutches of the IFB movement 00:13:33 The ethics of pushing women to have as many chiIdren as possible regardless of the health risks 00:17:50 Even more restrictions after joining IBLP 00:22:44 Enforcing gender roles in IFB and IBLP 00:24:08 A chiIdhood ruled by IBLP 00:27:31 The Umbrella of Authority and its purpose in controlling families 00:29:04 How fear was used as a control tactic 00:34:01 Pun*shments in the IBLP 00:36:27 How children go from chiIdhood straight to adulthood in the IBLP 00:39:17 Chad's experience with A.L.E.R.T. Cadet 00:44:38 Chad's awareness of and relationship with the outside world 00:49:10 From isolated to extremely isolated 00:51:54 Spreading the IBLP message as missionaries 01:01:21 Chad's experience with courtships 01:04:17 The cracks in IBLP begin to show for Chad 01:16:07 What Chad's up to now 01:18:56 Linda, listen Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **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.

Content Warning: SA, CA, CSA, mentions of rape Misty Griffin returns to the studio to further discuss her experience growing up at the hands of her tortuous mother and step father, who isolated her and her sister on a mountainside, then forced her into an Amish settlement at 18 years old. Unfortunately, claiming religious exemption means a parent can fly under the radar ab*sing their chiIdren. Misty now fights back, on a mission to help chiIdren in similar situations, stuck in ab*sive environments, that have no voice. Misty has created a petition called "Child Rights Act" that she hopes will one day become a bill, asking congress to step up and protect these voiceless chiIdren locked in cults. Currently at 33,000+ signatures, she hopes that with your help, in signing, and sharing this video / petition, she can gather enough signatures to get the attention of congress and get this bill passed. Sign petition here: Http://www.Change.org/childrightsact Watch her original interview Find and Support Misty! Buy her book "Tears of the Silenced" IG @mistyelainegriffin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067656562700&mibextid=LQQJ4d Website: https://www.mistygriffin.com Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Our Merch! Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Website CultsToConsciousness.com Find Shelise on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon Chapter Marks 00:01:13 Intro 00:02:52 How to help/get involved with the Child Rights Act 00:03:24 What is the goal of the Childs Rights Act? 00:04:41 How mandated reporters help prevent ab*se 00:08:13 What Misty's chiIdhood in the Amish was like 00:13:32 The control and isolation Misty experienced as a chiId 00:23:45 Misty's education and homeschooling experience 00:28:18 How Misty's parents evaded any government interference while homeschooling 00:30:42 Misty joins the Amish and witnesses the perpetual ab*se in the community 00:39:41 How the Child Rights Act addresses the right to religious freedom 00:48:59 Is the problem really bad enough for a federal law? 00:52:32 What is means to take action and make real change Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **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… Featured in “Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals” a new four-part docu-series exposing the pred*tory and insidious behavior within the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Churches – survivor, Ruthy Heiler, shares her account of ab*se as a chiId at the hands of her bible teacher, Aaron Willand. Insidious efforts to cover up pastors’ ab*se, silence survivors, manipulation and suspected cover-ups of other members, Ruthy explains the troubling culture within the IFB, and the stronghold the churches have on its members. As well as her experience pursuing justice against her ab*ser. Watch this episode on YouTube Ruthy is the founding member of the Blind Eye Movement: https://www.instagram.com/blindeyemovement Our Merch! Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Website CultsToConsciousness.com Find Shelise on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:55 Filming “Let Us Prey” 00:04:56 Ruthy's chiIdhood in the IFB 00:06:43 Positive memories in the IFB 00:07:01 Not so positive memories 00:10:17 Ruthy's family rules 00:12:47 Keeping sweet in the IFB 00:13:04 Changing churches 00:14:37 Did family rules change? 00:15:36 Ruthy's family's experience at the new church 00:17:07 Ruthy's sisters come back from the girls' home 00:19:25 Ruthy's mom's experience at the new church 00:20:27 Ruthy's job as a baby sitter for her ab*ser 00:22:27 Ruthy's ab*ser takes steps to get closer to her 00:24:55 How IFB teachings perpetuate ab*se 00:25:42 Ruthy's relationship with her ab*ser's family and their involvement 00:27:43 Lack of s*x education 00:29:09 Ruthy's mental health 00:30:03 When did Ruthy realize what happened? 00:33:28 Going to the police vs the church pastors 00:36:06 Ruthy and her mom go to the police 00:37:16 Timeline of events 00:40:43 Going to Washington for the summer 00:43:59 First court proceedings 00:47:49 The case in Michigan reopens 00:54:00 The Blind Eye Movement 00:55:14 The consistent issue of victims being turned away by church leaders 00:57:44 Should pastors and other church leaders be liable for knowing about and not reporting ab*se? 01:01:25 Where is Ruthy now? 01:02:43 Ruthy's future advocacy plans 01:04:08 Linda, listen Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **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.