In one of the most disturbing cases of parental abuse and spiritual coercion in recent years, 8 Passengers momfluencer Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt—founder of the “life coaching” group Connexions—were arrested after Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped their home emaciated and bound with duct tape. What began as family vlogging and “tough love” parenting spiraled into a high-control, cult-like system of punishment justified as spiritual correction.

In this episode, we unpack how a culture obsessed with moral purity and family image helped enable the abuse—and how Jodi’s radicalized “truth vs. distortion” teachings turned ordinary discipline into psychological warfare. We explore the intersection of religious perfectionism, influencer culture, and manipulation, asking: how did a mother who claimed to be protecting her children end up harming them in the name of love?

Along the way, we look at Utah’s unique vulnerability to high-control groups, Jodi’s transformation from Mormon therapist to self-styled prophet, Ruby’s descent from suburban mom to co-abuser, and the courtroom statements that blurred the line between remorse and self-delusion.

It’s a chilling reminder of what happens when spiritual authority, shame, and control collide—and how the language of “truth” can be weaponized to justify unthinkable harm.

Content Warning: child abuse, brainwashing, spiritual manipulation