172 episodes

A podcast about cults, extreme belief, and manipulation – from two hosts who’ve actually lived it. Hosted by Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth.

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or manipulation? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com

INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation PodcastOne

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 165 Ratings

A podcast about cults, extreme belief, and manipulation – from two hosts who’ve actually lived it. Hosted by Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth.

Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or manipulation? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.com

INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11

TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks

TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast

    Warren Kohl, Part 2 - The Pressures of Preaching in a Secretive Cult

    Warren Kohl, Part 2 - The Pressures of Preaching in a Secretive Cult

    Today is part two with Warren Kohl, former member and religious leader within the 2x2s (Meagan's secretive childhood group that technically has no name). Today we'll hear how Warren left behind his dreams of medical school to become a "worker" (a minister who stays in people's homes). He'll talk about the pressure to speak with some kind of authority, how he was scolded for genuinely trying to connect with the members, being told to stay out of a domestic violence situation within the group, how his mental health deteriorated, how he finally left, and his message to those still in the religion.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!

    Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme 

    Need a place? Check out Apartments.com - THE place to find a place! 

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Warren Kohl, Part 1 - Preparing to Preach in a Secretive Cult

    Warren Kohl, Part 1 - Preparing to Preach in a Secretive Cult

    Today's guest is Warren kohl, a fifth generation member and former “worker” (or minister) in the 2x2’s, the group that Meagan grew up in. Warren shares how devout he was to the group at a very young age, having your entire life controlled, and how utter heartbreak in high school led him to celibacy and a deeper commitment to the group.

    Trust Me is sponsored by ZocDoc! Find and book a top-rated doctor at Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
    Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
    INSTAGRAM:
    @TrustMePodcast
    @oohlalola
    @meaganelizabeth11
    TWITTER:
    @TrustMeCultPod
    @ohlalola
    @baberahamhicks
    TIKTOK:
    @TrustMeCultPodcast 

    • 48 min
    Nadine Macaluso - Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds

    Nadine Macaluso - Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds

    Psychologist, trauma bond expert, and author of Run Like Hell: A Therapist's Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds, Nadine Macaluso share about her relationship with ex-husband Jordan Belfort (aka The Wolf of Wall Street) and how it led her to become a therapist with a focus on trauma bonds. They also discuss "mind mapping", intermittent reinforcement, the difference between intensity and intimacy, the three phases of trauma bonds and how violence can play into them, why Nadine uses the term "pathological lover" instead of narcissist, how to tell if you're currently in a trauma bond, and green flags that are the sign of a healthy relationship.

    Check out our great sponsors!

    Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!

    Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme

    BUY OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch 
    Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
    INSTAGRAM:
    @TrustMePodcast
    @oohlalola
    @meaganelizabeth11
    TWITTER:
    @TrustMeCultPod
    @ohlalola
    @baberahamhicks
    TIKTOK:
    @TrustMeCultPodcast 

    • 1 hr 27 min
    Zoe & Lillian, Part 2 - Troubled Teens, Midwest Academy, and Solitary Confinement

    Zoe & Lillian, Part 2 - Troubled Teens, Midwest Academy, and Solitary Confinement

    In part two with Zoe and Lilly, survivors of Midwest Academy, one of the abusive troubled teen programs in the same organization that was spotlighted in the docuseries The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping, we dig deeper into Lily’s experience. She’ll tell us how she was in solitary confinement for two months, and how her reaction was to rebel in any way she could. We’ll get into how they both left, and how no one believed them for years - in some cases, up until just last month - how this was and still is a multi-billion dollar industry, and where they’re both at in their healing journey.

    Trust me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit BetterHelp.com/trust to get 10% off your first month!

    Learn more about WWASP awareness below:
    https://icapanetwork.org/ 
    https://wwaspsurvivors.com/ 

    CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch  
    Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
    INSTAGRAM:
    @TrustMePodcast
    @oohlalola
    @meaganelizabeth11
    TWITTER:
    @TrustMeCultPod
    @ohlalola
    @baberahamhicks
    TIKTOK:
    @TrustMeCultPodcast 

    • 53 min
    Zoe & Lillian, Part 1 - The Program, Ivy Ridge and Casa by the Sea

    Zoe & Lillian, Part 1 - The Program, Ivy Ridge and Casa by the Sea

    Survivors of the infamous WWASP schools, Zoe & Lillian, share about their experiences being forced to join Ivy Ridge, Midwest Academy, and Casa by the Sea; All schools featured in the current Netflix docudrama, The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping. Lola & Meagan dig into how these programs were marketed to parents, the dramatic ways Zoe & Lillian were brought to the facilities as teenagers, the levels inside the program that were impossible to climb, how they could only communicate with their eyes, and how they were kept from their families.

    Check out our great sponsors!!

    Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to Quince.com/trust for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!

    Shopify: Run a business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/trustme 

    ZocDoc: Need a doctor? Go to Zocdoc.com/trustme and download the Zocdoc app for FREE!

    CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch 
    Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
    INSTAGRAM:
    @TrustMePodcast
    @oohlalola
    @meaganelizabeth11
    TWITTER:
    @TrustMeCultPod
    @ohlalola
    @baberahamhicks
    TIKTOK:
    @TrustMeCultPodcast 

    • 55 min
    Roberta Blevins, Part 2 - Leaving The LuLaRoe Family

    Roberta Blevins, Part 2 - Leaving The LuLaRoe Family

    In part two with former LuLaRoe seller, Roberta Blevins, they discuss everything about LuLaRoe's founder DeAnne Brady and her family, the mother figure role DeAnne provided in Roberta's life, dealing with toxic positivity, and a thorough list of MLM red flags to look out for. Plus, how Roberta finally realized that she was in a cult and how starting her own podcast helped with her recovery.

    Trust Me is sponsored by Prose hair care! Get your FREE consultation and 50% off at Prose.com/trust 
    CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! bit.ly/trustmemerch
    Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
    INSTAGRAM:
    @TrustMePodcast
    @oohlalola
    @meaganelizabeth11
    TWITTER:
    @TrustMeCultPod
    @ohlalola
    @baberahamhicks
    TIKTOK:
    @TrustMeCultPodcast   

    • 58 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
165 Ratings

165 Ratings

MarvelDCGirl ,

Canadian Fan

I had a glorious review and thoughts written out and then my device turned off to install an update. I think you both are awesome and I could just listen to having conversations about almost anything. Congratulations on being so informing, knowledgeable and bringing up topics that society would like to present doesn’t exist or it couldn’t happen to them. I also enjoy your humor that will laugh out loud at work.

Ayhicks ,

A review from one fangirl who’s experienced it

Currently at 38 episodes left unplayed, starting to panic. These girls are my safety podcast. I love their dark humour and the chit chat before and honestly during each episode. These women aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions but keep it respectful and actually seem to make friends with all their guests. Everyone feels so comfortable which makes me comfortable. The fact they are so open about their struggles makes this podcast such a safe space. I feel like I know Meagan and Lola personally and laugh along with them. Please give these girls a listen. Outside of their amazing personalities the content of these pods is genius. I’ve learned so much and have an appreciation for EVERYONES susceptibility. Lots of love! 🥰 -Allana

Rosiewh ,

Favourite podcast!!!!

Love listening to these ladies!!!! Best part of my day 🥰

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