Rephonic
Artwork for Cults to Consciousness
Cults
Mental Health
Jehovah's Witnesses
Child Sexual Abuse
FLDS
Polygamy
Child Abuse
Mormonism
High-Control Groups
Family Dynamics
Christianity
Emotional Abuse
Teen Mania
Scientology
Twelve Tribes
Apostolic United Brethren
Warren Jeffs
Purity Culture
Seventh-Day Adventism
Trauma

For the curious & compassionate. Firsthand Survivor Stories of escaping cults, high-control groups & people.

The Cults to Consciousness Podcast (and YouTube channel) is Hosted by Shelise Ann Sola (a former devout Mormon / CSA survivor) and her Producer husband, Jonathan Rosales. Not anti-religious but firmly anti-abuse, they aim to shed light on manipulative practices and systems, while promoting... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes468Founded4 years ago
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Artwork for Cults to Consciousness

Latest Episodes

Jehovah’s Witnesses have changed their blood doctrine again. In Governing Body Update #6, a major shift was announced regarding red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma—components that Jehovah’s Witnesses were previously instructed n... more

Mae returns LIVE to answer viewer questions and dive deeper into the parts of her childhood story we couldn’t fully explore in our first conversation. We’ll unpack more of the extreme isolation and religious control she experienced, what happened aft... more

YouTube

Raised in an intensely devout Mormon household, Justin Shoemaker believed happiness and salvation came from following every rule exactly… until religious scrupulosity and intrusive thoughts sent him into a devastating mental-health crisis on his miss... more

YouTube

How did one of America’s most notorious serial killers convince a religious community that he was one of them, and for a time, that he couldn't possibly be guilty? Today we are joined LIVE with Hannah and Jess of the “ @PostmormonPostmortem ” Podcas... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Justin Shoemaker
Member of Cults to Consciousness team, editor behind the scenes
Cults to Consciousness
Episode: The Mormon Mission That Sent Him Into a Mental Health Crisis
Mae Vanders
Creator of a personal channel sharing her survivor story; former child abuse survivor
Mae Vanders Channel / Maiden.photo (photography)
Episode: She Spent 16 Years Trapped in ONE ROOM by Her Tyrannical Hoarder Father
Donna Lamb
Survivor of sex work and Aesthetic Realism cult member
Aesthetic Realism (cult)
Episode: She Escaped a Pimp… Then Spent 30 Years in a Cult
Mitch Cunico
Former pastoral staff member in World Mission Society Church of God
World Mission Society Church of God
Episode: I Became a Leader in a Korean Cult — My Arranged Wife Was Used to Spy On Me
Christine Marie Katis
Infiltrated Sam Bateman's cult and helped expose him; featured in the documentaryTrust Me, The False Prophet
Cults to Consciousness (guest)
Episode: She Infiltrated Sam Bateman’s Cult and JUST Watched Him Get Sentenced
Sienna Jeffs
Guest who grew up in the FLDS and later left
FLDS ex-member
Episode: Warren Jeffs’ Daughter Reveals What REALLY Happened Inside the FLDS
Bonnie Piesse
Actress and former Nxivm member who contributed to exposing the group
Nxivm (historical)
Episode: Inside NXIVM Cult’s Collapse and the Hollywood Actress Behind It (ft. Bonnie Piesse)
Mark Vicente
Filmmaker and former Nxivm insider featured in The Vow
Cults to Consciousness guest
Episode: I Interviewed Real Narcissists... What They Admitted Terrified Me (ft.Mark Vicente)
Ember Hudson
Native American, raised in Oregon, Native rights advocate
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Episode: The Mormon Church Called Me Chosen... and Cursed

Host

Shelise Ann Sola
Host of Cults to Consciousness

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Love this so informative

    Thank you for this brave and important podcast! Listening and learning in Sweden ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lollotheswede
    Swedena month ago
  • Smart, incisive

    This savvy show about systems of control is also deeply humane in its approach to survivors and frankly all of us.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lulu the cat
    United States2 months ago
  • Helping Me Learn Language To Tell My Own Story

    So much is going on in my life right now and coming here and being able to identify and assign words to the things I’m struggling through is incredibly healthy and healing and assuring. Maybe one day I’ll reach out to see if I can tell my story…for right now I’m in the thick of it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EmkLuv
    United States2 months ago
  • My favorite podcast show by far!

    I’ve always been super interested in the subject of cults, as well as the LDS church in general, and am fascinated by all that I’m learning from this show. It’s pretty much playing 5+ hours a day, and there are so many episodes and stories I can’t wait to get to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CamposQueen
    United States3 months ago
  • Best host for sensitive interviews

    I absolutely love this podcast and the host. She asks how people are doing instead of just focusing on their past traumas. We still also get the full story, but I just find her so charming, caring and charismatic.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tiner107
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience notes high-quality guests and thoughtful, respectful conversations.
Listeners consistently praise empathetic interviewing and careful handling of difficult topics.
Many listeners value the practical takeaways for healing and advocacy, plus credible context around sensitive subjects.
Critiques often reference pacing or topic focus, but overall appreciation for the host's compassionate approach.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Cult Controlled How I Had Sex and With Who: Inside Aesthetic Realism
Q: Why are so many cults against psychiatric medication?
Donna explains that the stance is part of a broader control mechanism and aligns with rival movements like Scientology, where medical treatment is discouraged to maintain influence over members.
She Infiltrated Sam Bateman’s Cult and JUST Watched Him Get Sentenced
Q: If any of the listeners are watching right now and considering leaving a high-control group, what resources would you recommend?
Shelise and Christine advocate for education about mind control, recommend specific resources like Combating Cult Mind Control, and stress finding a safe, trusted person to help with the transition and referrals to community resources.
She Infiltrated Sam Bateman’s Cult and JUST Watched Him Get Sentenced
Q: Did you ever see his demeanor shift, especially during the arrest or sentencing, and could that reveal something about his control over followers?
Christine describes a lack of visible remorse in the courtroom, noting his behavior as largely cold or detached, which aligns with the survivors' belief that he remains manipulative and self-centered.
She Infiltrated Sam Bateman’s Cult and JUST Watched Him Get Sentenced
Q: And now we are covering the trial that just happened, where he was sentenced again for longer prison time. Christine, what do you want to tell us about this whole court case?
Christine explains the broader context of the sentencing, the nature of the charges, and the impact on the survivors, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the ongoing healing process for those who escaped the cult.
JUST SENTENCED: Ex-Wives to Polygamist Cult Leader Reveal What Happened in Court
Q: What was his sentence after the verdict?
He received a total of 74 years, combining the federal sentence and the state term, effectively a life sentence.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cults to Consciousness

What is Cults to Consciousness about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Survivor-focused conversations that explore high-control groups, coercive systems, and the path to independence after leaving restrictive environments. Guests share firsthand experiences from a wide range of backgrounds, including polygamous families, Hasidic and Amish communities, Jehovah's Witnesses, NXIVM, FLDS, and other high-control groups, with emphasis on healing, autonomy, and accountability. The host fosters compassionate, non-judgmental dialogue that centers survivor narratives, practical resources, and public advocacy, while maintaining rigorous boundaries around sensitive topics. Notable throughlines include family dynamics under scrutiny, the impact of media exposure, the ethics of documentation and disclosure, and practical gu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cults to Consciousness?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cults to Consciousness:

1. A Little Bit Culty
2. Was I in a Cult?
3. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
4. Mormon Stories Podcast
5. Life After MLM

How many episodes of Cults to Consciousness are there?

Cults to Consciousness launched 4 years ago and published 468 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 Cults to Consciousness?

Recent guests on Cults to Consciousness include:

1. Justin Shoemaker
2. Mae Vanders
3. Donna Lamb
4. Mitch Cunico
5. Christine Marie Katis
6. Sienna Jeffs
7. Bonnie Piesse
8. Mark Vicente

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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