Rephonic
Artwork for Cults to Consciousness
Mental Health
Cults
Jehovah's Witnesses
Child Sexual Abuse
Child Abuse
Polygamy
Mormonism
Mormon Church
High-Control Groups
Abuse
Family Dynamics
Christianity
Emotional Abuse
Teen Mania
Scientology
FLDS
Twelve Tribes
Apostolic United Brethren
Sexual Abuse
LDS Church

Survivor stories of claiming independence after leaving high-control groups & people.

Cults to Consciousness is a YouTube channel and podcast, hosted by Shelise Ann Sola (a former devout Mormon & CSA survivor) and her Producer husband, Jonathan Rosales.

C2C delves into the nuanced experiences of individuals who have escaped a broad spectrum of high-control groups and coercive environments. The... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes450Founded4 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Cults to Consciousness

Latest Episodes

Bonnie Piesse shares the deeply personal story of how a successful acting and music career in Hollywood left her feeling spiritually empty, ultimately making her vulnerable to the promises of NXIVM. She was introduced to the organization by her futur... more

YouTube

After our powerful conversation with former NXIVM insider and filmmaker Mark Vicente about The Narcissist's Playbook, we're sitting down with him once again for a special live discussion to go even deeper. This time, we're moving beyond understanding... more

YouTube

Filmmaker and former NXIVM member Mark Vicente returns to discuss his new documentary, The Narcissist's Playbook, using both his experience exposing NXIVM and years of research into narcissistic personalities to explain why destructive leaders across... more

YouTube

Following up the enlightening interview with Ember Hudson, today she joins us LIVE to further discuss Native slavery, which is the least discussed aspects of early Utah history. Early Mormon settlement in Utah profoundly impacted Native communities ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Was I in a Cult?Liz Iacuzzi
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Recent Guests

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
Liz Dieatrick
Guest sharing survivor story about life in a high-control religious environment
Former member of Assemblies of God, Live Dead participant
Episode: I Was Groomed to Die for God
Kathleen Brooks
High-ranking member who became leader of the Chi Alpha chapter and later deconstructed the group
Chi Alpha / Assemblies of God
Episode: The Dark Truth Behind a Sinister Christian College Ministry (I Ended Up Leading)
Amanda Rae
Guest on the episode discussing the Order/Kingston Clan and Mormon tithing
Episode: You Have to Pay HOW MUCH to Get Into Mormon Heaven? ft. Amanda Rae
Hoyt Richards
Former top-earning male model who joined and later escaped a long-running cultic group with extraterrestrial themes
Modeling industry / Documentary subject
Episode: I Gave an Alien Cult $5 Million and 20 Years (Confessions of a Male Supermodel)
Kyson Dana
Former Mormon missionary and filmmaker who spoke about his Russia mission and deconstruction
Self/Documentary creator
Episode: Why Devout Mormon Missionary Denounced it All
Sofia May Comedy
Comedian and survivor of Tara Mandala abuse
Self
Episode: My Buddhist Guru Convinced Me Her Abuse Was Enlightenment
Sofia May
Guest sharing her experience as Lama Sultrim's assistant at Tara Mandala
Tara Mandala / Lama Sultrim Allione
Episode: I Fell Prey to a Sadistic Guru in a Tibetan Buddhist Cult

Host

Shelise Ann Sola
Host of Cults to Consciousness

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • 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 Statesa month 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 States2 months ago
  • Love it!

    I felt a little skeptical of this podcast at first because the photos and headlines kinda feel like tabloids, but the host is truly lovely and I’m very inspired by her. She listens to people with no personal agenda and because of that people can go deep in their sharing. Being fully listened to is very rare and it’s just beautiful to witness it. It’s a bit like listening to memoirs. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tegz24
    United States3 months ago
  • Professional, compassionate, insightful

    I appreciate the trauma informed approach this podcast takes. Shelise is compassionate, professional, well paced, and insightful in the way she guides interviews. Each person’s lived experience provides a through line to the intentionality of the podcast. Also, I appreciate the YouTube interviews, Q&A lives, and multiple streaming platforms

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Semi Techy Working Mom & Wife
    United States3 months ago
  • Meaningful

    This is so insightful and deep. Wonderful interviewer done w such empathy, knowledge, and care.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cattery77
    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.

How Mormons Enslaved & Erased Native American Children
Q: How did the 1852 Utah slavery acts affect Native children and communities?
The acts formalized a system of indentured servitude for Native children, enabling coercive removal from communities and long-term subjugation under a racialized legal framework.
How Mormons Enslaved & Erased Native American Children
Q: What was the Indian Placement Program and what were its long-term effects on culture?
It was pitched as a benevolent program to help Native children, but historians and the speaker argue it led to significant cultural loss, language erosion, and a forced shift toward Mormon identity.
How Mormons Enslaved & Erased Native American Children
Q: Can you explain a little bit why people viewed Lamanites as lesser and how that impacted you?
The narrative framed Native Americans within the Book of Mormon as being both righteous and wicked, and used to justify assimilation pressures; this influenced how Native members navigated identity, worth, and belonging within the church.
Why This Incestuous Polygamous Cult Turns Families Into Enemies (ft. Amanda Rae Grant)
Q: When did you recognize there was something not right, Amanda?
There wasn't a single moment; it happened gradually as multiple red flags accumulated, and eventually the realization that leaving was necessary became undeniable after a painful process of questioning and seeing the harm caused to others, especially children.
You Have to Pay HOW MUCH to Get Into Mormon Heaven? ft. Amanda Rae
Q: What is the origin of tithing in the church, and how does that history relate to current practices?
The hosts explain that tithing began as a way to fund clergy salaries and later evolved into a 10 percent contribution tied to temple access, with continued emphasis on surplus rather than net income; Amanda Rae adds perspective on whether this is still necessary or fair today.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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. The Cult Next Door
4. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
5. Life After MLM

How many episodes of Cults to Consciousness are there?

Cults to Consciousness launched 4 years ago and published 450 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. Mark Vicente
2. Ember Hudson
3. Liz Dieatrick
4. Kathleen Brooks
5. Amanda Rae
6. Hoyt Richards
7. Kyson Dana
8. Sofia May Comedy

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