• Elise's Journey from Assemblies of God: Institutional Corruption and Her Fight for Change
    Dec 14 2025

    Join Ari Sherwood on the DisAllusioned Podcast as she interviews Elise Delamare, a former minister and survivor of the Assemblies of God Church. Elise shares her compelling journey from feeling called to ministry at a young age, facing challenges within the church, such as negative perceptions of women in ministry, leading to her involvement in the Assemblies of God church. Elise discusses the intensive ministry boot camp, demanding hours, and tactics of coercive control utilized within the church. Discover her path to healing and advocacy as she exposes the hidden truths and seeks change within religious institutions. This episode is a powerful testament to resilience and the pursuit of truth.


    Thank you for watching DisAllusioned Podcast! Don't forget to like and subscribe for more discussions with survivors of coercive control.


    Follow Elise Delamare:


    TikTok:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@truth.in.the.sanctuary


    AG Anonymous:

    AGAnonymous.com


    If you have been a victim of affiliates of Assemblies of God church and would like to submit your story, please contact Elise at AGanonymousstories@gmail.com

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    #religiousabuse #religioustrauma #coercivecontrol #healing #resilience #womeninministry #religiouscult #survivorstories #podcast

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Cult Survivors and Storytelling: Pressures, Ethics, and Perfectionism
    Dec 7 2025

    In the season 3 premiere of DisAllusioned Podcast, host Ari Sherwood dives into the profound responsibility of sharing cult survivor stories. As podcasters and producers, it's crucial to prioritize the mental health and well-being of our guests, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for them to share their experiences. This episode explores the ethical considerations of interviewing survivors, emphasizing the importance of providing resources, respecting each individual's readiness to tell their story, and the importance for survivors to take care of their well being first. Join us as she discusses the delicate balance of advocacy, storytelling, and putting the survivor's needs first.



    #cultsurvivor #cults #podcast #coercivecontrol #cultrecovery #mentalhealth #survivorstories #survivor #ethics

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    18 mins
  • The Indoctrination of America: Facing the Normalization of Violence and Extremism
    Sep 13 2025

    In this pop-up episode of the DisAllusioned Podcast, host Ari Sherwood discusses the recent wave of violence in the United States, particularly focusing on school shootings and the radicalization of youth. She reflects on the emotional toll of these events, the normalization of violence in schools, and the role of educators in crisis situations. Ari further emphasizes the need to address extremism and the importance of maintaining humanity in the face of political division. She calls for a collective effort to protect children's rights and to rise above hate and division in society.


    IMPORTANT NOTE: As we have learned new information about current events, there is some misinformation in this episode of DisAllusioned Podcast that I’d like to address. At the time of recording, we were misinformed that Tyler Robinson was right leaning, and it has been revealed that he is allegedly left leaning. On DisAllusioned Podcast, I strive to provide accurate, factual, and consistent information through fact checking and providing sources, so my sincerest apologies for this mistake.


    While I do not want to spread misinformation, the undertones of this episode does not change with this new information, and so it will remain available for the time being.





    #cultsurvivor #radicalization #change #extremism



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    32 mins
  • Who am I? Figuring out your Identity after a Cult Experience
    Aug 24 2025

    In the season 2 finale of DisAllusioned Podcast, host Ari Sherwood dives into the profound challenges cult survivors encounter as they strive to reclaim their identities. Through personal reflections and insightful interviews, Ari explores the journey from indoctrination to self-discovery, highlighting the courage it takes to question long-held beliefs and embrace one's true self. She explores the deep impact of coercive control on personal identity, and the struggle to reclaim decision-making abilities. Ari emphasizes the importance of individual stories while reminding listeners that they are so much more than their past experiences.


    Thank you for watching season 2 of DisAllusioned Podcast! If you are a survivor of coercive control and ready to share you story, please feel free to contact Ari Sherwood at: DisAllusionedPodcast@gmail.com.


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    #cults #cultsurvivor #identity #philosophy #cultrecovery #autonomy

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    29 mins
  • Unveiling the Cult of North Korea
    Aug 17 2025

    In this episode of the DisAllusioned Podcast, host Ari Sherwood and guest-host Jay dive into the complex and often disturbing realities of North Korea, exploring its history, the rise of Kim Il-sung, the impact of the Korean War, and the ongoing cult of personality surrounding its leaders. They discuss the Songbun system that categorizes citizens based on loyalty and the role of propaganda in maintaining isolation. The conversation also touches on the future of the regime, particularly in light of Kim Jong-un's lack of heirs, and the chilling parallels between North Korea's control mechanisms and those of cults. Ari and Jay discuss various themes including the historical context of racism and child marriage, the role of lawmakers in perpetuating these issues, and the authoritarian control seen in different societies. They explore the manipulation of food as a control tactic, the impact of propaganda on public perception, and the importance of freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.


    Thank you for watching DisAllusioned Podcast! Don't forget to subscribe to watch compelling interviews with survivors of cults and coercive control.


    Follow DisAllusioned Podcast:


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    #fascism #cults #northkorea #cultofpersonality #history

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    1 hr and 55 mins
  • Exposing the City Builders Cult: The Road to Advocacy
    Aug 10 2025

    Join host Ari Sherwood in a compelling conversation with Clare Heath-McIvor, a survivor of the City Builders Church and a passionate advocate for cult survivors. Clare shares her journey growing up in a high-control religious group as the daughter of leader Brian Hearth. Her story is incredible as she details her deconstruction from evangelical fundamentalism, to becoming a whistleblower and advocate for legislative reform. Clare, along with other cult survivors, have been leading advocates on the parliamentary inquiry into cults and fringe groups in Victoria, Australia, which aims to address coercive control in cults and high-control groups, marking a pivotal step in recognizing and legislating against such behaviors. Clare emphasizes the psychological impact of cults and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights within religious contexts, highlighting the need for awareness and legislative action, and the importance of survivor-centered advocacy. Thank you for watching DisAllusioned Podcast! Don't forget to subscribe to hear more incredible stories of coercive control, survival, and advocacy!

    Follow Clare:


    TikTok:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@clareheathmcivor


    Unchurchable Podcast:

    https://open.spotify.com/show/0l3gXv1VUjU4AkGoxXv8Ov


    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/unchurchablepod/


    Victoria Cult Survivor's Network Facebook Group:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1207865294020176/


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    Parliamentary Inquiry into Cults and Fringe Groups Victoria:https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/cofg


    #cultsurvivor #cult #citybuilders #religioustrauma #cultinquiry #cultawareness

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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • The Cult of Eugenics: Historical Roots and Modern Implications
    Aug 3 2025

    On this episode of DisAllusioned Podcast, host Ari Sherwood and guest Jay dive into the complex and troubling history of eugenics, exploring its roots in ancient philosophy, the uprise of the eugenics movement in America, and its resurgence in modern advertising. They discuss the ethical implications of eugenics, the nature vs. nurture debate, and the cultural biases that have shaped perceptions of intelligence and worth. They also examine the impact of eugenics on immigration policies and economic inequality, highlighting the ongoing relevance of these issues in contemporary society. Ari and Jay talk about the intersections of religion, history, and politics, exploring how belief systems can shape societal narratives and influence actions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of awareness and responsibility in understanding the patterns of history and their relevance in contemporary society.


    Thank you for watching DisAllusioned Podcast! Don't forget to subscribe to hear incredible stories from survivor's of cults and coercive control.


    Follow DisAllusioned Podcast:


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    Eugenics Crusade PBS documentary:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmRb-0v5xfI


    #history #cultsurvivors #cults #eugenics #patterns #culture #plato #philosophy

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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • Church Abuse Survivor's Day: A Call to Solidarity
    Jul 27 2025

    In this episode of DisAllusioned Podcast, host Ari Sherwood speaks with Geoff Etherton, a former youth pastor in the Church of England, about his experiences in the church and the creation of Church Abuse Survivor's Day. Geoff was a pioneer in the church, and with creative freedom, he was able to establish a coffee shop in the church as a means for meaningful engagement with the public, regardless of religious beliefs. With a sudden change in leadership, he was quickly thrown into coercive dynamics. He discusses the challenges faced within church leadership, the failure to address abuse cases, and the church's perspectives and criticisms of mental health, detailing his experiences being pushed out of ministry for having depression. Geoff shares his personal journey of deconstruction and the significance of community support for those who have experienced church abuse. This led Geoff to start Church Abuse Survivor's Day, in order to give recognition, validation, and solidarity to those who have survived religious abuse. Show your own solidarity and support for fellow survivors by lighting a candle on March 20th at 7:00 pm.


    Thank you for watching DisAllusioned Podcast! Subscribe for more stories by survivors of coercive control, high control religions, and cult dynamics.


    Follow Geoff Etherton:


    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/churchabusesurvivorsday/


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    #churchabuse #religioustrauma #survivors #cult #cultsurvivors #awareness #badleadership

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    48 mins