Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

Cults

Mental Health

Manipulation

Scientology

Christianity

High-Control Groups

2x2s

John Of God

FLDS

Cultural Revolution

Spirituality

Mao Zedong

Domestic Violence

Psychosis

Mormonism

Sexual Abuse

Red Guards

Financial Exploitation

Warren Jeffs

Soulcycle

Trust Me is a weekly interview podcast about cults, extreme belief, and the fine line between devotion and delusion—told through firsthand accounts from the people who lived it. Hosted by two women who’ve been in cults themselves, Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth, the show features survivors from groups like Heaven’s Gate, the Manson Family, NXIVM, OneTaste and more–sharing personal stories of how ... more

4.7k ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	275	Founded	6 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Society & CultureTrue Crime

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Latest Episodes

Laci Mosley – Scams vs. Cults, and the Many Forms of Fraud

This week, the girls are joined by Laci Mosley, comedian, actress, and host of the Scam Goddess podcast and TV show (and author of Scam Goddess the book), to talk about the many types of frauds that are out there, from romance scams to financial frau... more

26 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 14 min

Michele McPhee – The Polygamist, the Criminal, and Their Multibillion-Dollar Scam

This week, Meagan and Lola sit down with Michelle McPhee, investigative reporter and host of podcast Kingdom of Fraud, to discuss how Jacob Kingston, a fundamentalist Mormon from the secretive polygamist sect known as the Kingston clan, or the “Order... more

19 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 5 min • Most popular

Anke Richter, Part 2 - Harem Culture, Leaving ISTA, and DeCult

This week is part 2 with Anke Richter, journalist, author of Cult Trip, former member of Tantric group ISTA, and founder and director of New Zealand’s cult conference DeCult. In part 2 with Anke, she explains how the founder of International School o... more

12 Aug 2026 • 43 min

Anke Richter, Part 1 - Ecstatic Dancing, Tantric Sex, and Joining ISTA

Today is part 1 with Anke Richter, journalist, author of Cult Trip, former member of Tantric group International School of Temple Arts, and founder and director of New Zealand’s cult conference DeCult. In this week’s episode she shares how she began ... more

5 Aug 2026 • 59 min

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Was I in a Cult?Liz Iacuzzi

A Little Bit CultySarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames

Cults to ConsciousnessShelise Ann Sola, Jonathan C Rosales

Recent Guests

Michele McPhee

Investigative journalist and host of Kingdom of Fraud

Kingdom of Fraud / Michele McPhee

Episode: Michele McPhee – The Polygamist, the Criminal, and Their Multibillion-Dollar Scam

Anke Richter

Journalist, author of Cult Trip, former member of ISTA

International School of Temple Arts (ISTA)

Episode: Anke Richter, Part 1 - Ecstatic Dancing, Tantric Sex, and Joining ISTA

Sophie Fergi

Former child influencer featured in Netflix docu-series Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing

Netflix

Episode: Sophie Fergi, Part 2 - Living with Piper, Constant Control, and Being Shunned by the Squad

Jasper Hoffman

Writer, podcaster, and former Mennonite

Episode: Jasper Hoffman, Part 2 - Undercover Therapy, Leaving the Mennonites, and the Aftermath

Christine Marie

Dr. Christine Marie (Christine Marie)

Self/Guest

Episode: Dr. Christine Marie - Undercover in a Cult Town: Taking Down False Prophet Sam Bateman

Nikki G.

Host of Surviving the Black Church, survivor of multiple cults

Surviving the Black Church

Episode: Nikki G, Part 1 - Down the Rabbit Hole, Cult Hopping, and Surviving the Black Church

Maria Bamford

Legendary comic, actor, and author of Sure I'll Join Your Cult

Author/Comedian

Episode: Maria Bamford - 12 Step Programs, OCD, and How to Join Every Group

Sarah Edmondson

Survivor of NXIVM and host of A Little Bit Culty

NXIVM survivor, author of Scarred and co-host of A Little Bit Culty

Episode: Sarah Edmondson, Part 1 - Joining NXIVM, Meeting Keith Raniere, and Moving Up the Ranks

Nomz Bistline

Nomzia Bistline, survivor of FLDS, discussed her experience with Sam Bateman

FLDS community

Episode: Nomzia Bistline, Part 1 - The False Prophet: Growing Up FLDS & Marrying Sam Bateman

Hosts

Lola Blanc

Host with lived experience in cult dynamics; longtime interviewer and survivor lens on manipulation, accountability, and healing.

Meagan Elizabeth

Co-host with survivor perspective; known for empathetic, rigorous explorations of high-control groups and culture.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 4.7k ratings

Good and bad
I enjoy some of the interviews and content but can not stand the way the one girl tries to talk in a sexy voice. It is clearly very deliberate and it’s gross. I can’t stand the 15 minutes of talk in the beginning either but like when you can skip past it without having go just keep going minute by minute to see when it ends. Lola is great
Apple Podcasts
3
Crime podcast junkie 25
United States20 days ago
Love it
Listen to this show every week! It’s super interesting. Great guests and very cool interviews.
Apple Podcasts
5
lauraly2020
United States20 days ago
Spanglish ads are so annoying
I love the show but the fake Spanglish ads are terrible!
Apple Podcasts
1
GUMari1964
United States20 days ago
Amazing show
I have been loving this show for months now and finally getting around to rating it! As I dive deeper into the cult universe and continue to unravel the systems of coercive control, I find your show to be the most entertaining and informative podcast that I have found. Even though I listen to others, I always come
back to yours - informative and also lighthearted in the delivery of what can be extremely dark information. Love Lola’s music too. I’m a huge fan !! Keep “em
Coming!
Apple Podcasts
5
I’ll join your cult!!
United Statesa month ago
Loving it
I do love a good cult tell all. The ins and outs, the ups and downs, the parallels and the vast differences.
Remembering where the two of you have come from, I think it’s remarkable the work you are doing.
One small request, is there any way to get Jasper‘s mom in an interview? I feel like that could be an entire separate thing. Understanding why she let her daughter go outside of the community to seek therapy. Anyway! Love you ladies.
Apple Podcasts
5
Manda_Panda17
United States2 months ago

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Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate deep research and practical takeaways for safety and healing.

Empathetic hosts who handle victims with care and offer rigorous analysis.

Balanced, compassionate approach that avoids sensationalism while exploring difficult topics.

High regard for hosts' personal experiences informing discussions.

Strong guest lineup and insightful questions, though some listeners feel branding shifts can affect tone.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#216	United States/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts	#234	Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts	#108	United Arab Emirates/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts	#165	Singapore/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts	#190	South Africa/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts	#219	Chile/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sophie Fergi, Part 2 - Living with Piper, Constant Control, and Being Shunned by the Squad

Q: What's the most shocking thing you learned about the operation?

The scale of control, including 70 cats and the commodification of family members' labor and money, along with the use of fabricated drama to maintain dominance, was deeply disturbing and shaped Sophie's trauma.

Sophie Fergi, Part 2 - Living with Piper, Constant Control, and Being Shunned by the Squad

Q: How did the environment affect your relationship with Piper outside of filming?

They formed a genuine, off-camera friendship that felt like sisterhood, but the same dynamic was weaponized to isolate Sophie and her mom when conflicts arose, contributing to long-term trust and relationship challenges.

Sophie Fergi, Part 2 - Living with Piper, Constant Control, and Being Shunned by the Squad

Q: What was it like living with Tiffany and Piper, and how did it start?

Sophie explains the initial appeal and later the escalation: living together promised opportunities and a sense of family, but quickly devolved into restrictive, exhausting filming schedules, punitive discipline, and controlling behavior that shaped every aspect of daily life.

Jasper Hoffman, Part 1 - From Atheists to Mennonites

Q: How did the family transition from non-denominational to Mennonite life?

The transition was gradual, influenced by community connections from homeschool groups to church networks, with revival weeks sparking exposure to Mennonite beliefs, leading to a move toward more established Mennonite practices and a relocation to the Midwest, where they found a church and school aligned with their goals.

Jasper Hoffman, Part 1 - From Atheists to Mennonites

Q: First of all, what does 'plain people' refer to?

Plain People is a term used for conservative Anabaptist churches, including Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren, describing communities that aim to separate from worldly influences; Jasper explains the spectrum and how these groups interact, including revival efforts and the role of education and community structure.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

This show provides first-person accounts from survivors and experts to unpack how high-control groups and manipulation shape belief, belonging, and exit. Across episodes, listeners hear intimate narratives—from cults and religious movements to influencer ecosystems and extremist communities—paired with thoughtful analysis of coercive dynamics, consent, and accountability. The tone blends empathy with rigorous context, aiming to illuminate how seductive leaders operate and how people rebuild agency after leaving. A notable strength is the hosts' lived experience, which informs nuanced conversations without sensationalism, making complex social psychology accessible to curious, impact-focused audiences.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
2. The Knife: A True Crime Podcast
3. Was I in a Cult?
4. A Little Bit Culty
5. Cults to Consciousness

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 275 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. Michele McPhee
2. Anke Richter
3. Sophie Fergi
4. Jasper Hoffman
5. Christine Marie
6. Nikki G.
7. Maria Bamford
8. Sarah Edmondson

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