Sinister Societies

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TRUE CRIME
UPDATED WEEKLY

Their promises are alluring and their influence oh-so-subtle. Every week on Sinister Societies, friends Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire examine the unbelievable crimes and everyday insidiousness of cults. Expect plenty of prophets, apocalypses, and doom... alongside everything from bunkers and booze to utopias and URLs. A Spotify Original from Parcast.

06/09/2022

Colonia Dignidad

A former compound in Chile is getting a second life as a German-themed resort. But it was once the home of a notorious religious group led by a Nazi. Hannah and Suruthi dive into the dark history of Colonia Dignidad (“Dignity Colony”), its pedophile leader Paul Schaefer, and his alliance with the brutal dictator Augusto Pinochet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

38 min
30/08/2022

Brother Julius and The Work

Donning a robe and a single gold earring, the so-called “Sinful Messiah” preached doom to hundreds of followers in the 1970s. Hannah and Suruthi analyze the life of Julius Schacknow — how he manipulated women into sleeping with him for the sake of their own salvation, how he created a company worth millions, and the tumultuous end to his bizarre cult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34 min
23/08/2022

Movement for the Restoration of the 10 Commandments of God

It was supposed to be a return to a purer form of Catholicism. Instead, it led to one of the largest cult-related killings in history. Fueled by messages from the Virgin Mary, Credonia Mwerinde and Joseph Kibwetere preached the apocalypse in Uganda. Then they created one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34 min
16/08/2022

The Kirtland Cult Murders

In the winter of 1990, authorities uncovered five bodies that had been buried in a barn. An apocalyptic cult had put them there — convinced that human sacrifice was essential for Jesus Christ’s return. Hannah and Suruthi investigate the gruesome murders, dangerous beliefs, and spotted history of the man at the center of it all: Jeffrey Lundgren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

32 min
09/08/2022

Children of Thunder: Magic, Extortion & Murder

Taylor Helzer was a devout Mormon who was excommunicated from his church in the ‘90s. He toyed with starting an escort group, but ultimately settled on trying to usher in the “perennial reign of Christ.” Hannah and Suruthi discuss everything from his 12 Principles of Magic to the murders he committed during an extortion scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 min
02/08/2022

Satanic Torture: The Ripper Crew

Just as America was entering its Satanic Panic era, a group of Devil worshippers led by Robin Gecht abducted and killed over a dozen people — mostly women — for gruesome Satanic rituals. Hannah and Suruthi cover Robin’s eerie work history, teenage followers, and the “chapel” he kept in his attic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

33 min
26/07/2022

Order of the Solar Temple

In the 1990s, an occult group led by Luc Jouret and Joseph Di Mambro had members throughout the world. They embraced New Age philosophy and believed nature’s destruction would bring about the apocalypse. Their survival plan included “making a transit” to the star Sirius. But to get there, they’d first have to die. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34 min
19/07/2022

Shoko Asahara’s “Supreme Truth”

They were a billion-dollar organization with followers all over the world. At their helm sat Shoko Asahara, who plotted to end the world in nuclear war. Hannah and Suruthi dive into the wealth and biochemical weapons of Aum Shinrikyo — one of the most dangerous cults that ever existed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

37 min

See All (49)

TRAILER

Introducing: Sinister Societies

Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala are teaming up with Parcast Network to bring you an unprecedented look into the world’s most secretive groups — the occult, the collegiate, the vampiric, and so much more. Premieres Tuesday, October 19th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15/10/2021

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1 min

Their promises are alluring and their influence oh-so-subtle. Every week on Sinister Societies, friends Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire examine the unbelievable crimes and everyday insidiousness of cults. Expect plenty of prophets, apocalypses, and doom... alongside everything from bunkers and booze to utopias and URLs. A Spotify Original from Parcast.