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Artwork for Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult

Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult

American NIghtmares
Zion Society
Emotional and Sexual Abuse
Arvin Shreeve
Sexual Abuse
Child Sexual Abuse
Arvind Shreev
Erin Anderson
Child Abuse
Jeff Peterson
Northwood
Law Enforcement
Coercive Mind Control
Mormon Church
Forced Marriage
Arvin Shreve
Mike King
Arvin
Cult Dynamics
Memory and Trauma
Excommunication

It was just another quiet neighborhood in small town America. At least, that's how it looked. But the immaculately groomed yards, trimmed hedges, and brightly colored flower gardens hid an insidious secret.

More than a hundred residents were members of a cult called The Zion Society. Hiding in plain sight, they hoarded guns and ammunition. They created, sold, and modeled sexy lingerie. They took c... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes11Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult

Latest Episodes

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 series A Closer Look, we examine the lasting psychological impact of growing up inside the Zion Society cult. Survivors describe a childhood de... 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

Arvin, Carla and others see their day in court, but was justice served? Most of the Zion Society children are either uncooperative or unable to testify. Mike King and Reed Richards do everything they can to avoid re-traumatizing those who do testify.... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Jeff Peterson
Father of Shelly, involved in advocating for children
Family of Zion Society survivor
Episode: E7 - Standing Tall
Erin Anderson
First to bring the case to light, survivor
Zion Society survivor
Episode: E6 - Tell Me Everything
Cheryl Noggle
Private investigator's wife who went undercover
Private investigation team
Episode: E6 - Tell Me Everything
Joan Hellstrom
Advocate for children who led efforts at the Children's Justice Center
Children's Justice Center advocate
Episode: E6 - Tell Me Everything
Mike King
Detective and investigator on the Zion Society case
Ogden Police Department
Episode: E6 - Tell Me Everything
Dave Lucas
Detective and investigator on the Zion Society case
Ogden Police Department
Episode: E6 - Tell Me Everything
Arvin Shreev
Leader of the Zion Society, subject of investigation
Zion Society
Episode: E6 - Tell Me Everything
Marcy Korganski
Detective, Ogden Police Department
Ogden Police Department
Episode: E5 - Deliver Us From Evil

Host

Aaron Mason
Writer, narrator, and audio producer.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 196 ratings
  • Excellent and informative!

    So inspired by these brave women who were willing to participate in this podcast! I did not know this was how the children’s justice center came to be.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KATYYRUNNER
    United States20 days ago
  • Entertaining

    This is an excellent podcast that fascinated Utahans for years. Told by the lead Investigator and gives great insight into Cult mentality. Highly recommend this.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ebrundo
    United States22 days ago
  • Hooked

    I didn’t know about this community until hearing this podcast. The narration is really well done and written. I love how the author structured the order of information, it keeps the listeners hooked. As an avid listener of Crime Junkie by Ashley Flowers, I’m sad this is only 7 episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    skalroba
    Canadaa month ago
  • 5 Stars!

    I cannot say enough great things about this podcast. Clear, concise and professionally delivered. So very refreshing to listen to a podcast without the idiotic chatter and opinions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    treehouse50
    United Statesa month ago
  • Mormon weirdness again

    Good expose, gives shades of Lori Vallow Daybell nonsense !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    horibondi
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

The subject matter is noted to be sensitive yet necessary, with many praising the bravery of the guests sharing their stories.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth storytelling and emotional narratives of survivors, which are compelling and thought-provoking for those interested in true crime.
Some reviews express admiration for the hosts' ability to approach difficult topics with respect and compassion.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#89
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#107
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#190
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#195
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#98
Taiwan/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#113
Japan/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

CLOSER LOOK, E1: Get Over It, Kids are Resilient
Q: Why is resilience an insufficient description of survivors' experiences?
Resilience describes adaptation, not the underlying harm or the long-term changes in identity, relationships, and nervous system; it can mask ongoing trauma and need for healing.
CLOSER LOOK, E1: Get Over It, Kids are Resilient
Q: What is the core mechanism that keeps people in a cult like the Zion Society even when abuse is evident?
Recruitment through love bombing, followed by isolating the individual from outside support, creates a sense of belonging that is hard to give up, and the charismatic leader's power makes leaving terrifying and uncertain.
E2 - To Hell And Back
Q: What was it like for Amber at the time she started experiencing memory loss related to her past?
Amber describes that the burden of not knowing what happened to her became unbearable, causing her to feel suicidal.
E2 - To Hell And Back
Q: Can you speak to the panic and fear of the world that comes from living with such trauma?
Andrea explains that for a long time, the panic and fear of the world stayed with her, making her feel that people would do bad things to her.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast explores the harrowing narratives surrounding a cult known as the Zion Society, which operated covertly in a seemingly idyllic small-town neighborhood. Episodes feature personal accounts from survivors that uncover layers of manipulation, abuse, and the chilling realities of life under cult control. The storytelling delves into the psychological dynamics at play, revealing the devastating impact on individuals and families caught up in the cult's web. Notable for its in-depth interviews and gripping narrative style, the content is both a cautionary tale and a powerful testament to resilience, highlighting the importance of awareness and the profound consequences of such hidden societal threats.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Profiling Evil
2. American Nightmares - Gardens of Evil: Inside The Zion Society Cult
3. Trace of Suspicion
4. Love Trapped
5. Betrayal Season 5

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 11 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jeff Peterson
2. Erin Anderson
3. Cheryl Noggle
4. Joan Hellstrom
5. Mike King
6. Dave Lucas
7. Arvin Shreev
8. Marcy Korganski

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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