The Cult Queen of Canada from Uncover

Rachel Browne, investigative journalist who reported on the Romana Didulo story, walks through how online extremism seeped into a small Saskatchewan town. She covers Romana’s rise from online influencer to self-styled royalty. Short, vivid accounts include the Telegram decrees, a cross-country RV tour, community protests, legal fallout, and the real harms inflicted on residents.

A dramatic RCMP dawn raid on a school ends a years-long standoff and leads to arrests and legal back-and-forth. Claims of sewer sabotage, contamination fears, and a reported firearm tip escalate tensions. Live-streamed arrests, replica weapons seized, and a health authority condemnation add to the town’s shock. The aftermath reveals community divisions and concerns about vulnerable followers being exploited.

It's Election Day in Richmound. The town votes for a new mayor in a desperate battle to heal the divide caused by Queen Romana's cult. Amidst the high-stakes political maneuvering, the cult's true danger is revealed through one vulnerable family.

A viral creepy clown video and a flag-burning stunt unsettle a small town. Residents clash over a returning cult, failed bylaws, and underground sabotage like a plugged sewer. A local shop becomes a battleground as shopping rules and walkie-talkie surveillance spark threats. Tensions erupt into a heated town meeting and a mayoral race where added names on land titles could tip the vote.

An unexpected victory quickly unravels when a hidden network of cult supporters in Richmound is exposed. Violent conflict erupts between neighbors, revealing a dark side to the divided community as the battle for the town escalates.

Rachel Browne explores the true identity of "Queen Romana," a serial hustler and QAnon influencer who mobilized her "digital soldiers" with "Royal Decrees." We track her chaotic cross-country "Royal Tour" and find out why it ended in Richmound.Hear episodes early and ad-free on our Apple Podcasts channel, or hear all episodes now on our YouTube.

Shauna Sane, a longtime Richmound teacher and community organizer, recounts standing up as her small town faces Romana Didulo's takeover. She describes the school turned compound, anonymous death threats, a roaring protest with honks and megaphones, and the RCMP's tense standoff. The episode highlights local divisions and fears of escalation in a community under siege.

Coming February 23. A tiny Saskatchewan town faces a surreal crisis when a cult leader calling herself “The Queen of Canada” occupies an abandoned school. As neighbours turn on each other, a retired teacher leads resistance in a story about what happens when online extremism spills into the real world. Hosted by Rachel Browne.Hear episodes early and ad-free by subscribing to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Allison Mack, the former Smallville star, opens up about her harrowing journey from child actor to a key figure in the NXIVM scandal. She reflects on her early life, the allure of NXIVM's self-help promises, and her first unsettling encounters with its leader, Keith Raniere. Allison candidly discusses her emotional struggles, the seductive power dynamics within the group, and her eventual role in its darkest activities, including recruitment and branding. This revealing conversation delves into the manipulation that ensnared her and the road to reclaiming her identity.

Allison Mack, known for her role in Smallville, shares her harrowing journey into NXIVM. She explains her decision to move to Albany and the initial allure of the group's teachings. As she delves deeper, her perception of Keith Raniere shifts dramatically—from a mentor to a manipulative figure with secret relationships. Mack reveals the emotional toll of her indoctrination, the blurred lines between empowerment and submission, and her experiences with a secretive women's group that demanded absolute loyalty. Her candid reflections expose the darker sides of vulnerability and exploitation.