Ep. #96 Matched, Married, Manipulated: The Dark Reality of the Moonies

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In this episode of Cultimatum, host Anonymous Andrew and co-host Melody interview Jonghee Celeste, a survivor of the Moonies cult. Jonghee shares her experiences growing up in the cult, the history and beliefs of the Moonies, and the impact of mass weddings. She discusses her family's involvement, the struggles with mental health, and her eventual escape from the cult. Jonghee also talks about her journey towards converting to Judaism and offers advice for those questioning their involvement in similar organizations.

Takeaways

~Jonghee Celeste is a survivor of the Moonies cult.

~The Moonies cult was founded by Sun Myung Moon in 1954.

~Mass weddings were a significant practice in the Moonies, often arranged by Reverend Moon.

~Jonghee's parents met at a matching ceremony and had five daughters.

~Despite leaving the cult, Jonghee's parents remain active members.

~Cults often use sexual control and manipulation as a means of power.

~Jonghee experienced doubts about the cult from a young age.

~Her turning point came during a forced mission trip to Guatemala.

~Jonghee is now pursuing a conversion to Judaism.

~Trusting one's gut feeling is crucial when questioning cult involvement.

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***Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on Cultimatum are personal and for informational purposes only, not intended as legal or professional advice.***

Ep. #95 Divorcing Religion: What Happens When You Walk Away from Everything You Believed

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In this conversation, Janice Selbie shares her personal journey of grappling with faith, the expectations of living a biblical life, and the heartbreaking moment that led her to explore new spiritual paths. Through her experiences, she reflects on the struggles of faith, the innocence of a child's questions, and the transformative journey of moving beyond traditional religious beliefs.

Takeaways

~Janice felt immense pressure to live a biblical life.

~She experienced a sense of being constantly judged.

~A pivotal moment was overhearing her sick daughter pray.

~Her daughter's innocent question sparked a desire for exploration.

~Janice began to question her faith and beliefs.

~She sought permission to explore other religions.

~The journey involved a divorce from traditional religion.

Janice's Contact Info:

Janice's Website Link

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Janice's Book Link

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***Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on Cultimatum are personal and for informational purposes only, not intended as legal or professional advice.***

Ep,#94 ORGSM: The Memoir OneTaste Doesn’t Want You to Read

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In this episode, Ruwan Meepagala shares his personal journey as a former member of the One Taste cult, discussing the psychological impact of cult indoctrination, the nuances of the Netflix documentary about the group, and his memoir 'ORGSM : a Memoir'. He explores the manipulation tactics used by cult leaders, the challenges of leaving a high-control group, and the importance of understanding the complexities of cult experiences. Ruwan also reflects on the role of female leadership in cults and offers advice for those who may find themselves in similar situations.

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***Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on Cultimatum are personal and for informational purposes only, not intended as legal or professional advice.***

Ep.#92 The Courage to Leave: The Briggs’ Story of Faith, Freedom, and Healing

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In this episode, Shannon and John D. Briggs share their profound journey of leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses and the challenges they faced along the way. They discuss their personal struggles with addiction, domestic violence, and the impact of their upbringing in a high-control group. Through their experiences, they emphasize the importance of self-advocacy, doing personal research, and the healing process that comes from rebuilding one's identity. They also highlight the need for support and community for those who have left or are considering leaving similar organizations.

John & Shannon's Contact Info.

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Shannon's Book:

Triumph Over Darkness: My Journey: A Powerful Testimony to Inspire Hope and Healing on the Path to Freedom from Domestic Violence

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***Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on Cultimatum are personal and for informational purposes only, not intended as legal or professional advice.***

Ep. #92 Level 6 and the Breaking Point: Inside the Training in Power Cult

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In this episode of Cultimatum, Sharon Stopforth recounts her experience in the Training in Power cult, detailing how she was recruited, drawn deeper through various training levels, and eventually recognized the group’s manipulative nature. She shares the intimidation tactics used to maintain control, the red flags she overlooked, and the pivotal moment that led her to leave. Sharon also reflects on her healing journey, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, intuition, and trusting one’s body when navigating spiritual communities and recovering from trauma.

Website for Ex-members 0f Training In Power

Books Recommended by Sharon:

Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships

Terror, Love and Brainwashing

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***Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on Cultimatum are personal and for informational purposes only, not intended as legal or professional advice.***

Ep.#91 The Hidden World of Sri Chinmoy: Celibacy, Celebrity, and Cult Control

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In this episode, Harry Rob Brunner shares his profound journey as a former member of the Sri Chinmoy cult, detailing his experiences, the cult's teachings, and the impact of celebrity influence. He discusses the unique rules of the cult, including celibacy and the guru's control over disciples, as well as his struggles with personal identity and relationships. Harry reflects on the hypocrisy within the cult, particularly regarding sexual repression, and his eventual departure, leading to a journey of personal growth and healing. He now helps others who have been in similar situations to express their experiences creatively.

Takeaways

~Harry spent 18 years in the Sri Chinmoy cult.

~The cult was founded by his aunt and led by an Indian guru.

~Sri Chinmoy's teachings included meditation and healthy living.

~The cult had strict rules about celibacy and relationships.

~Harry struggled with the expectations of celibacy.

~The guru's ego grew over time, leading to controversial acts.

~Harry's departure was influenced by discovering the guru's hypocrisy.

~He now helps others turn their cult experiences into stories.

~Harry emphasizes the importance of questioning cult leaders.

~He believes in being spiritually aware without belonging to a cult.

Link to Harry's Website

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Ep.#90 Polo The EX JW

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In this episode of Cultimatum, host Anonymous Andrew and co-host Melody engage in a deep conversation with Polo, a former Jehovah's Witness who shares his journey from being born into the cult to his eventual departure. The discussion covers the tactics used by cults to recruit vulnerable individuals, the impact of doomsday beliefs, and the challenges faced when leaving such organizations. Polo reflects on his experiences with education, critical thinking, and the importance of questioning beliefs. The conversation also touches on the difficulties of navigating relationships after leaving a cult and the process of deconstructing ingrained beliefs. Ultimately, Polo emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and the freedom that comes with leaving behind restrictive ideologies.

Takeaways

~Polo was born into Jehovah's Witnesses and baptized at 12.

~Cults often target vulnerable individuals, such as immigrants.

~Education was discouraged in the Jehovah's Witness community.

~Doomsday beliefs create a sense of urgency to avoid higher education.

~Leaving a cult can lead to a struggle with identity and relationships.

~Critical thinking was sparked by a college professor's teachings.

~Polo's wife is still deconstructing her beliefs after leaving.

~The process of leaving a cult is often gradual and complex.

~Polo emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance after leaving.

~Cults adapt their teachings to retain members in modern society.

Polo's TikTok Link

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Ep. #89 Jennifer Redcay-Pushing Back The Darkness

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In this episode of the Cultimatum podcast, Jennifer Redcay shares her harrowing journey of growing up in a Christian-based cult, detailing the emotional and physical abuse she endured. Jennifer discusses her early life, the manipulative tactics used by the cult leaders, and the isolation she experienced. She recounts the turning point that led her to leave the cult and her subsequent healing journey, emphasizing the importance of faith and forgiveness. Jennifer also highlights the need for awareness about cults and offers advice for those in similar situations.

Takeaways

~Jennifer's early life was marked by emotional voids.

~The cult used manipulation to gain control over members.

~Isolation was a key tactic used by the cult leaders.

~Jennifer experienced severe physical and emotional abuse.

~The turning point for Jennifer was realizing the cult's true nature.

~Faith played a crucial role in Jennifer's healing process.

~Forgiveness is a significant part of her recovery journey.

~Jennifer's story emphasizes the importance of sharing experiences.

~She encourages others to seek help from trusted individuals.

~There is no statute of limitations for sexual abuse in Pennsylvania.

Jennifer's Contact Info.

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Jennifer's Email Address: pushingbackthedarkness07@gmail.com

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