Rephonic
Artwork for American Nightmares

American Nightmares - Gardens of Evil: Inside The Zion Society Cult

Gamut Podcast Network
Daron Wint
Savopoulos Family
Washington D.C.
Vera Figueroa
Darren Wint
True Crime
Savopoulos Family Murders
Murder Trial
Mansion Murders
DC Superior Court
Justice System
Glenn Kirschner
Darron Wint
Abigail Savopoulos
Psychology Of Crime
Zion Society
Washington, D.C.
Victim Impact Statements
Sherry Crandell
Coercive Mind Control

Every headline hides a deeper story. American Nightmares pulls you into the most unsettling true crime cases—one season, one case at a time. These are the crimes that kept detectives awake, shattered families, and left entire communities on edge.Told through raw interviews, gripping investigative detail, and cinematic storytelling, each season reveals how these nightmares unfolded—and the long roa... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes70Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for American Nightmares

Latest Episodes

Following the story of Zion, survivors share the moments, memories, and manipulation that couldn’t be fully captured the first time. Jackie and Ron reflect on the turning point that led them to leave, as Arvin Shreve’s behavior grew increasingly dist... more

What happens when you return to the place where it all began?

In Episode 2 of Gardens of Evil – A Closer Look Inside The Garden, hosted by Mike King, survivors revisit the neighborhoods where their childhoods were shaped, and where trauma still ling... more

After the events of Gardens of Evil, the story doesn’t end for the survivors.

In the first episode of our bonus series A Closer Look, we examine the lasting psychological impact of growing up inside the Zion Society cult. Survivors describe a childh... more

Starting March 31st, Gardens of Evil – A Closer Look Inside The Garden, hosted by Mike King. will go beyond the headlines to explore what happens after survival, diving deeper into the hidden impact of coercive control, child abuse, and life inside t... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dr. Judy Ho
Clinical forensic neuropsychologist, Pepperdine University professor
Pepperdine University
Episode: CLOSER LOOK, E2: When Memories Return And Puzzles Are Solved
Dr. Patrice Berry
Clinical psychologist
Independent practice / academic
Episode: CLOSER LOOK, E2: When Memories Return And Puzzles Are Solved
Erin Anderson
Survivor who brought the case to light
Zion Society survivor
Episode: S5 E6 - Tell Me Everything
Jeff Peterson
Father fighting for custody of his children from the Zion Society cult
Episode: S5 E4 - The Buyer
Cheryl Noggle
Wife of private investigator; went undercover to gather evidence against Zion Society
Episode: S5 E4 - The Buyer
Philip Noggle
Private investigator; collaborated with Cheryl to document the cult's actions
Episode: S5 E4 - The Buyer
Bruce Paddock
Brother of Stephen Paddock, discusses his perspective on his brother and the aftermath of the shooting.
Episode: Introducing Profiling Evil: Las Vegas Massacre, The Dark Legacy of Stephen Paddock
Eric Paddock
Another brother of Stephen Paddock who shares insights about their family's background and their brother's behavior.
Episode: Introducing Profiling Evil: Las Vegas Massacre, The Dark Legacy of Stephen Paddock
Chris Bruckman
Prosecutor in the Daron Wint case
U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C.
Episode: S4 E13 - The Appeal: A Second Look

Hosts

Megan Cloherty
Host of American Nightmares; co-host and lead interviewer in various seasons; known for thorough, respectful true-crime storytelling with survivor-focused interviews
Mike King
Host of Profiling Evil; retired law enforcement investigator with homicide, missing persons, and serial offender experience

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 11.3k ratings
  • Poorly edited

    This story is intriguing, but it’s is told in such a confusing manner, it’s difficult to follow. I found myself wondering if I had accidentally listened to an episode twice because it repeated the same stories, but they were not in chronological order. Not a great edit.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    aekaufman
    United Statesa month ago
  • Thoughtful and engaging

    Excellent reporting, careful treatment of victims and their families, an all around winner. I would only suggest tightening the editing of interviews, which often drag.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nattytiii
    United Statesa month ago
  • I wish

    this podcast was a binge. It’s so good. Such a sad and scary story well told.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeedleJM
    United Statesa month ago
  • An AD in the trailer?

    Is this for real? I wanted to check out the trailer before jumping into a new show. But I’m listening to ads currently. Wow. Great work. Way to hook new listeners…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Michael_Lynn_Jean
    United Statesa month ago
  • Repetitive

    There are so many reused audio clips and so much of the content repeats

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    A5hlwy
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the interviews and survivor perspectives compelling and respectfully presented.
Listeners praise the show's careful handling of sensitive topics, high production quality, and strong investigative reporting.
A few listeners mention ads or pacing as detractors, and some critics feel certain seasons recycle earlier content rather than offering new insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#182
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#26
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#95
Poland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#98
Singapore/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#107
South Africa/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#156
Israel/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

CLOSER LOOK, E1: Get Over It, Kids are Resilient
Q: How do outside observers misjudge why people stay in or leave cults?
Observers often overlook the social dynamics like love bombing and the need for belonging, recognizing that recruitment targets people who already have resources and social ties, and that leaving is a gradual, complex process.
S5 E2 - To Hell And Back
Q: What were some of the initial challenges faced by the victims of the Zion Society?
Both Amber and Andrea struggled with intense psychological trauma and memory loss surrounding their experiences in the cult.
Introducing Profiling Evil: Las Vegas Massacre, The Dark Legacy of Stephen Paddock
Q: What are the types of clues that you think will reveal why he did this?
There are no types of clues that can explain his actions clearly.
Paul Wagner sits down with Mike King to discuss the Sherry Crandell case
Q: What became the major roadblocks in this case that prevented it from being solved quickly?
The police thought the assailant was somebody who worked in the hospital and undertook a DNA dragnet from every man that worked there, but ruled them all out. The killer's DNA wasn't in CODIS because he had committed his violent crimes before laws required DNA to be collected.
Paul Wagner sits down with Mike King to discuss the Sherry Crandell case
Q: Can you take us back to January 13th, 1998, and kind of let everybody know what we're talking about today and what the case is about?
Sherry Crandell had just turned 50 years old. She was a nurse administrator at Prince George's Hospital Center, which was a trauma center right outside of Washington, DC. She was working late that night when she was found raped and murdered in her office.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About American Nightmares

What is American Nightmares about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Explores high-impact true crime cases with a strong emphasis on investigations, survivor perspectives, and the human fallout of cults and violent crime. Across seasons, the show blends archival reporting, firsthand testimony, and updates that bring long-running cases into sharper focus—often revisiting past stories with new interviews and revelations. A notable throughline is the careful treatment of victims and witnesses, paired with rigorous storytelling and expert commentary from investigators and legal professionals. A standout aspect is the ongoing, multi-season re-examination of complex crimes, which keeps listeners informed about new developments while honoring those affected.

This program is particularly compelling for listeners wh... more

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Which podcasts are similar to American Nightmares?

These podcasts share a similar audience with American Nightmares:

1. Trace of Suspicion
2. Bridge of Lies
3. Focus: Adults in the Room
4. The Binge Crimes: Fatal Fantasy
5. Love Trapped

How many episodes of American Nightmares are there?

American Nightmares launched 7 years ago and published 70 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on American Nightmares?

Recent guests on American Nightmares include:

1. Dr. Judy Ho
2. Dr. Patrice Berry
3. Erin Anderson
4. Jeff Peterson
5. Cheryl Noggle
6. Philip Noggle
7. Bruce Paddock
8. Eric Paddock

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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