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Artwork for Oops! I'm In A Cult

Oops! I'm In A Cult

Oops Media LLC
The Living Word Fellowship
John Robert Stevens
Misogyny
Christianity
Submission
Gary Hargrave
Abuse
Family Dynamics
Manipulation
Apostolic Fathering Ministry
Inquisition
Witch Hunts
Mexico
Cults
Women’s Rights
Shalom Letters
Occult
Cult Dynamics
Accountability In Leadership
Cult Tactics

Born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship, hosts Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi discuss their experiences growing up in this modern day cult, founded by John Robert Stevens in the 1950s. Together they conduct in-depth interviews with other former members and explore the hidden truths of an organization that masqueraded as a non-denominational Christian church for over 70 years, at its peak ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes38Founded2 years ago
Categories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Oops! I'm In A Cult

Latest Episodes

Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years bu... more

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After a former member of The Living Word released letters exposing sexual abuse cover up in the Fellowship, local Living Word churches struggled with their identity and future as a community. In Colorado, Sam and Michaela Teres had a front row seat t... more

YouTube

The Living Word Fellowship fostered a culture that demanded total submission to those in authority. Members were conditioned to accept inappropriate levels of involvement in their personal lives, to include Shepherds coming between spouses. Sam and M... more

YouTube

In 2018 The Living Word Fellowship’s seventy-year reign came to end, collapsing after hundreds of current and former members began to expose years of rampant abuse on social media. Within two weeks after these revelations began, Gary Hargrave resigne... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Kristy Pfeifer
Former member of the Living Word Fellowship and plaintiff in lawsuits against the organization
Episode: The Living Word Fellowship’s Secret Society: Interview With Kristy Pfeifer
Jean Alice
Former member of The Living Word Fellowship, shares experiences of cult life and finding self-love.
Episode: Finding Your Tribe and Embracing Self-Love: Interview with Jean Alice
Rebekah Stassinopoulos
Former member of a cult with significant personal trauma tied to her upbringing.
Episode: Breaking Generational Trauma | Interview with Rebekah Stassinopoulos
Arlivia Fisher
Former member of The Living Word Fellowship
Episode: Courted by a Cult | Interview with Arlivia Fisher
Rick Alan Ross
Founder and Executive Director of The Cult Education Institute.
The Cult Education Institute
Episode: The Framework of Thought Reform | Interview with Cult Expert Rick Ross
Charlie Hajek
Co-host of Snapping Out Of It
Snapping Out Of It
Episode: Oops! I'm Snapping Out of It | Interview with Charlie Hajek and Mike White
Mike White
Co-host of Snapping Out Of It
Snapping Out Of It
Episode: Oops! I'm Snapping Out of It | Interview with Charlie Hajek and Mike White
John Collins
Author and webmaster of William Branham Historical Research
Episode: Cult Leaders William Branham and John Robert Stevens | Interview with John Collins
LuAnn Banoczi
Former member of The Living Word Fellowship and witness to the cult's abuses
Episode: Apostolic Abuse | Interview with LuAnn Banoczi

Hosts

Scott Barker
Co-host discussing personal experiences within cult dynamics, focusing on mental health and recovery awareness.
Charity Navalesi
Co-host who shares her journey and candid discussions on recovering from a cult upbringing, focusing on emotional trauma and self-acceptance.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 95 ratings
  • Best episode to demo the true gaslighting of a cult

    I’ve listened to and learned so much from the other amazing episodes of this podcast.

    This episode clearly shows how the cult leaders hid their hand in making members jump through hoops to belong. The crazy making! How awful it had to feel that you were weird for doing exactly what was demanded. Even in obeying you were not doing it right. Thank you for sharing this.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    eeOfficeManager
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great show

    Take it easy and don’t join a cult… words to live by.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ArtMich
    United Statesa year ago
  • Courageous

    I admire their courage to speak out,previous member of this group

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    happylady17
    United States2 years ago
  • Wonderful show, the hosts have great dialogue

    I’m really enjoying listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nerdgrrrrl87
    United States2 years ago
  • A perfect next step

    I couldn’t be more grateful to the makers and guests for committing to create this podcast. The dialog between the two hosts is helpful, listening in on a conversation between sane people talking about a shared crazy past. It’s so well-made, too. And fun, if that even makes sense. I was listening today while at the gym and literally laughed out loud from the absurdity of it all at at least a handful of times. But just as many times (if not more) I found myself overcome with emotion taking in the... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CJPlante
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many remarks focus on how the podcast serves as a healing tool for those affected by cult experiences.
Listeners appreciate the deep insights shared by survivors, finding them both moving and informative.
It's noted that the content is well-researched and produced, making it an essential resource for understanding cult dynamics.
The hosts are praised for their engaging dialogue and ability to tackle difficult subjects with sensitivity.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cult Leaders William Branham and John Robert Stevens | Interview with John Collins
Q: What made you realize this was all wrong?
Collins shares how he began to see issues with the teachings and practices of his childhood church after asking simple questions.
Cult Leaders William Branham and John Robert Stevens | Interview with John Collins
Q: How did this spin into the extensive research that you're doing now?
Collins explains that his traumatic experiences pushed him to question his upbringing and dive deep into research, eventually mapping out connections among various cults and figures related to Branham.
Rediscovering Christianity Post-Cult: Interview with Caleb LaPlante
Q: Can you tell us what led to the realization that your former church is a cult?
Caleb reflects on questions raised by his wife during a camping trip, particularly about why they were praying for leaders rather than Jesus. This led to deeper questioning of the church's practices and the realization that it was not aligned with mainstream Christianity.
Breaking Generational Trauma | Interview with Rebekah Stassinopoulos
Q: Can you explain how did you end up at 14 moving from the Midwest to San Diego?
Rebekah was sent to stay with an aunt in San Diego, where she was brought to church every day, and eventually chose to stay for good.
Courted by a Cult | Interview with Arlivia Fisher
Q: Can I ask, were you planning when you first filed her divorce, were you planning on trying to stay in the church after the divorce?
Yes, I did.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Oops! I'm In A Cult

What is Oops! I'm In A Cult about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the hidden realities of cult life, Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi, both former members of The Living Word Fellowship, share their personal journeys and insights on what it means to grow up in a cult disguised as a church. The conversations span emotional trauma, manipulation, and the complex psychological impacts of being raised in a high-control environment while providing a platform for other survivors to share their stories. Each episode often features compelling interviews with individuals who recount their personal traumas, shedding light on the darker sides of cult dynamics, emphasizing recovery, community, and the quest for self-love post-experience. Listeners can expect an engaging mix of heartfelt storytelling, investi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Oops! I'm In A Cult?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Oops! I'm In A Cult:

1. The Cult Next Door
2. Was I In A Cult?
3. Betrayal: Weekly
4. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
5. Crime Junkie

How many episodes of Oops! I'm In A Cult are there?

Oops! I'm In A Cult launched 2 years ago and published 38 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 Oops! I'm In A Cult?

Recent guests on Oops! I'm In A Cult include:

1. Kristy Pfeifer
2. Jean Alice
3. Rebekah Stassinopoulos
4. Arlivia Fisher
5. Rick Alan Ross
6. Charlie Hajek
7. Mike White
8. John Collins

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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