Heaven's Gate

4.6 (4.6K)
HISTORY
SERIES

In 1997, thirty-nine people took their own lives in an apparent mass suicide. The events captivated the media and had people across the planet asking the same question... ‘Why?’ 20 years later, those who lost loved ones and those who still believe - tell their story. Hosted by Glynn Washington of Snap Judgment. "Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults," is now a four-part docuseries inspired by this podcast, streaming on HBO Max.

SEASON 1 TRAILER

Coming soon… Heaven’s Gate

Here’s a first glimpse through Heaven’s Gate - into the group’s decades-long history, as told by family, followers, experts, and the leaders themselves. Whatever you think you know - prepare to be surprised. Subscribe now and hear the first episode on October 18th. More info at www.heavensgate.show.

3 min
10/18/2017

1: The Seekers

The Heaven's Gate faithful weren't freaks or space cadets. They were regular people, hungry for something more. They were Seekers.

36 min
10/25/2017

2: The Two

It's one thing to join a group your mom would call a cult. It's another thing when your mom starts one.

40 min
11/01/2017

3: The Mothers

While The Two are recruiting new members into their nomadic lifestyle, one woman is trying desperately to make contact.

45 min
11/08/2017

4: The Host

Host Glynn Washington shares more from his personal story of growing up in a cult.

38 min
11/15/2017

5: The Tape

After a sudden death in the group, Do sends a private, awkward, illuminating, confusing tape to Terrie Nettles.

40 min
11/29/2017

6: The Choice

Frank and Erika, a couple in love, join a celibate group. Years later, Do poses a fateful question.

41 min
12/06/2017

7: The Programming

Gail Maeder was smart, fun and happy, before she joined Heaven’s Gate. What got into her head?

45 min
12/13/2017

8: The Unknowns

This week - the “what if” questions surrounding Heaven’s Gate. Plus, your stories.

51 min
12/20/2017

9: The Comet

Heaven’s Gate members get the sign they’ve been waiting for.

48 min
12/27/2017

10: The Class

39 people exit their vehicles, and stun the world. Families, classmates and the rest of us grapple with what comes after.

53 min

See All Season 1 (11)

TRAILER

Coming soon… Heaven’s Gate

Here’s a first glimpse through Heaven’s Gate - into the group’s decades-long history, as told by family, followers, experts, and the leaders themselves. Whatever you think you know - prepare to be surprised. Subscribe now and hear the first episode on October 18th. More info at www.heavensgate.show.

S1

•

3 min

Glynn Washington

Host

4.6

out of 5

4,601 Ratings

Beautifully humanising

Oct 20

Phil Byers

This podcast does a wonderful job of humanising the deceased members, the families of those who perished, and the members who still remain. It gives you a better understanding of their beliefs and shows a beautiful kindness that seems to have existed in the group. If you’re looking for salacious - you won’t get it here. If you want to understand different perspectives and feel the humanness of this story and the group members then you will love it.
This is in response to the review that mentions Jones Town

Jul 1

Twin Cam Akiko

Jones Town wasn’t suicide. Jones Town was homicide. They were forced to drink the poison, and those who didn’t were killed. No one was forced to do anything in Heaven’s Gate.
Annoying host ruins it

Sep 21

suzd62

The host is in love with the sound of his own voice and keeps inserting his own spiritual journey into the story. His cult experience sounds interesting but that’s a different podcast and would ideally be narrated by someone else. His style of intoning and bloviating is just annoying. It is expertly edited and I liked some of the space age sound effects. The overwriting borders on the silly in places (“they listened to the sound of salmons swimming”). There’s just a lot that distracts from the core of a good podcast. All the various interviews and especially the academic experts were really interesting to listen to but the podcast is ruined by the intrusive narrator. I finally gave up on it.
Great but slightly inaccurate

May 28

jhexp0727

This is a great series but the narrator keeps referring to 39 people dying as “the worst mass suicide in American history” and that is simply false. Maybe the worst on American soil, but Jonestown killed 918 Americans. It may seem pedantic but facts matter.

In 1997, thirty-nine people took their own lives in an apparent mass suicide. The events captivated the media and had people across the planet asking the same question... ‘Why?’ 20 years later, those who lost loved ones and those who still believe - tell their story. Hosted by Glynn Washington of Snap Judgment. "Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults," is now a four-part docuseries inspired by this podcast, streaming on HBO Max.