Dear Franklin Jones

Stitcher & Jonathan Hirsch

4.4 (975)
HISTORY
UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Producer Jonathan Hirsch had a childhood much like yours -- except his family had a secret. They were followers of a controversial spiritual leader named Franklin Jones. To Jonathan’s parents, Franklin Jones was a god, but to people outside the group, Jones was a cult leader. Now, Jonathan is going back, trying to find out what happened -- and whether the group really did become a cult.

07/07/2025

The Mind Is Burning: Epilogue

A preview of my memoir for Dear Franklin Jones listeners. THE MIND IS BURNING: Losing my Father to a Cult and Dementia is available as an audiobook. You can order your copy now from TheMindisBurning.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.

6 min
05/13/2025

The Mind Is Burning: Chapter 1

Purchase The Mind is Burning at themindisburning.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.

19 min
04/22/2025

The Mind Is Burning: Prologue

A preview of my memoir for Dear Franklin Jones listeners. THE MIND IS BURNING: Losing my Father to a Cult and Dementia is on sale May 13th and will only be available as an audiobook. You can pre-order your copy now from TheMindisBurning.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.

8 min
04/11/2025

Introducing: The Mind Is Burning

A very special announcement for fans of Dear Franklin Jones. Introducing my memoir and audiobook. THE MIND IS BURNING: Losing my Father to a Cult and Dementia is on sale May 13th and will only be available as an audiobook. You can pre-order your copy now from TheMindisBurning.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.

2 min
04/11/2018

Chapter 7: Maybe

An epilogue: what happened to my parents, Jones, and me. Music by Ray Lynch: “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “The Oh of Pleasure” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Clouds Below Your Knees ” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com [madison-reed.com]) and Acer (www.acer.com [acer.com]). For more info, go to dearfranklinjones.com.

21 min
04/04/2018

Chapter 6: Gone

Everything falls apart. For more info, go to dearfranklinjones.com. Music by Ray Lynch: “Clouds Below Your Knees ” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “Green Is Here” from the album “Sky of Mind” -- Amazon, iTunes “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “The Oh of Pleasure” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Here & Never Found” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com), Acer (www.acer.com), and Casper (www.casper.com)

22 min
03/28/2018

Chapter 5: Initiation

I choose to join the group and finally meet Jones. For more info, go to dearfranklinjones.com. Music by Ray Lynch: “Here & Never Found” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “What to Remember to Be Happy” from the album “Truth is the Only Profound” -- iTunes “Pastorale” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com) and Acer (www.acer.com).

28 min
03/21/2018

Chapter 4: The Fire

My parents get closer and closer to Jones. Music by Ray Lynch: “Here & Never Found” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “What to Remember to Be Happy” from the album “Truth is the Only Profound” -- iTunes “Pastorale” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com) and Acer (www.acer.com).

23 min
03/14/2018

Chapter 3: The Accusations and The Radiant Presence

The group becomes infamous. Music by Ray Lynch: “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Rhythm in the Pews” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com).

29 min
03/07/2018

Chapter 2: Origin Myths

How a guy from Long Island became ‘the original giver king.' Music by Ray Lynch: “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “The Oh of Pleasure” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Rhythm in the Pews” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Your Feeling Shoulders” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “No Blue Thing” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (madison-reed.com). To listen to all of Dear Franklin Jones now without ads, subscribe to Stitcher Premium.

25 min
02/28/2018

Chapter 1: Waking Up

My mom and dad find each other. And Franklin Jones. For more info, go to dearfranklinjones.com. Music by Ray Lynch: “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/jones. To listen to all of Dear Franklin Jones now without ads, subscribe to Stitcher Premium.

26 min
02/13/2018

Coming Soon: Dear Franklin Jones

Jonathan Hirsch's family had a secret. They followed a controversial spiritual leader named Franklin Jones. Join Hirsch as he embarks on a journey to figure out his past. Subscribe to Dear Franklin Jones now and hear the first episode on February 28th. More info at dearfranklinjones.com.

4 min

See All (22)

TRAILER

Coming Soon: Dear Franklin Jones

Jonathan Hirsch's family had a secret. They followed a controversial spiritual leader named Franklin Jones. Join Hirsch as he embarks on a journey to figure out his past. Subscribe to Dear Franklin Jones now and hear the first episode on February 28th. More info at dearfranklinjones.com.

02/13/2018

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4 min

4.4

out of 5

975 Ratings

Valuable Ambiguity

01/07/2025

OhPleaseComeOnNow

Thanks for your story. I’m realizing that there never can be a true understanding of why a person joins a cult or why they stay in. This ambiguity, I feel, is important for me to be aware of.
Franklin Jones was an EVIL MAN!!

08/16/2021

sequimdaze

I can’t even express the pain that this cult brought to my family. My aunt has been a follower since 1972 and still to this day she believes. Both of her children my cousins were raised in the cult. They endured sexual abuse, neglect, and starvation. PLEASE PLEASE don’t call that evil man a “spiritual advisor”.
Unsatisfied

08/11/2022

mxm313

Well done but did not delve into any details and assumed the listener had adequate knowledge and background of who Franklin Jones was and the associated controversies.
Interesting but ….

07/24/2022

LBS301

I would have liked to have known about the background of his parents, what brought them together, what made them susceptible to following a cult leader and putting up with some pretty weird stuff. What about them made them “drink the kool-aid” and for so long.