11 episodes
Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment Wondery
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- True Crime
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4.2 • 33 Ratings
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When we face challenges in life, we seek answers from people we believe can help us. When tragedy strikes an exclusive retreat with a self-help superstar, many people are left to wonder: how far is too far? James Arthur Ray was an Oprah-endorsed self-help teacher who achieved fame, fortune, and influence. But friends and family members of his followers questioned his unorthodox methods, and tried to stop him. From Wondery, the makers of “Dirty John,” “Dr. Death,” and “The Shrink Next Door,” comes a story about the dark side of enlightenment. Hosted by journalist Matt Stroud.
Available exclusively on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
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Spiritual Warriors
Ginny and her daughter Kirby attend an event featuring self-help superstar James Arthur Ray. Ginny has some concerns about him, but Kirby is drawn in. She spends her life savings to travel for a week-long event in the desert. But when things turn deadly, Ginny is left to figure out what went wrong.
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Black Bags
Eight rounds. Scalding fire rocks. Oppressive heat. What happened to Kirby and the other participants at “Spiritual Warrior”?
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James’ Good Story
When Detective Ross Diskin first arrives in Angel Valley in Sedona, he wonders if what he’s seeing is the result of a mass suicide . Now, his search for answers will take him from Angel Valley into James’ history. And it will lead him back to one particularly famous talk show host.
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“Remember, You Must Die”
Ginny flies to Arizona seeking justice. But will a jury decide what happened in Angel Valley was an accident or a crime?
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Play Full On
The trial may be over, but Ginny’s family are not finished with James. And when another incident from James’ past comes to light, they get another chance to confront him.
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The Business of Redemption
Ginny gets an unwelcome interruption before Thanksgiving. And a fan of James Ray’s faces a stark choice.
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Customer Reviews
Super show, well told podcast
Really good podcast, very interesting and scary story about how people can be manipulated. Would have given five out of five but wanted more information on criminal trials and civil trials. Other than that it’s a great podcast and well worth a download.
Good so far
I’m four episodes in and it’s good! The narrator is kind of over dramatic for my liking, but I think it’s aiming towards American listeners. The story itself is good, so I’ll keep listening.
I’m not too bothered by the ads - they need to make their money somehow, and I’m grateful to have free content!
Star removed for the dramatics - I’d just rather the facts.
Interesting
I like the style & production quality of it so far, more factual & with eyewitness accounts, than the sometimes embellished ‘storytelling’ in terms of delivery. Interested to see where it goes.
Yes there’s a lot of ads unfortunately, for products not even in this country, as with all the Wondery podcasts, but usually 2-4 taps of the 30s skip button takes care of that & sometimes they do highlight a podcast worth trying too!