9 episodes
Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment Wondery
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- True Crime
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3.7 • 6.8K 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
Episode 5 still missing
Ep 8 is playing instead of 5 - irritating.
Powerful storytelling
This was powerful journalism about a story that I needed to hear. I’m especially grateful for the focus on responsible practices in the self-help industry. James Arthur Ray may not have been a cult leader per se, but we need to discuss the manipulation tactics he utilized that show up in many abusive authority figures. Grateful for what I learned and considered from listening to this show.
Missing episode
Great show but hey, Wondery, episode 8 plays in place of episode 5. Please fix it.