Lisa Joins a Cult

Lisa VanArsdale

A show that explores the world of cultic organizations through real-life encounters and lived-in research. Joins hosts Lisa VanArsdale & John Verner as they explore the world of secret societies, cults, & offbeat religious groups in an attempt to learn about their practices & culture.

  1. 08/24/2025

    Season Two Finale: Fundamentalist Christianity

    In this episode, Lisa and John explore the pervasive influence of Fundamentalist Christianity in America. Lisa recounts her personal experiences visiting various evangelical landmarks, including Liberty University, Focus on the Family headquarters, Salvation Mountain, Holy Land USA, and the Billy Graham Library. They discuss the psychological control mechanisms of figures like James Dobson, and the impact of religious leaders such as Jerry Falwell and Billy Graham. Throughout, they highlight the darker underbelly of these seemingly benign institutions and their contributions to authoritarianism and Christian nationalism. Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad 🎧 More from Lisa: 🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com 📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult 📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog 📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale 🎙️ More from John: 🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity 🌐 Website: jverner.com 📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner 🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner ✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com

  2. 08/17/2025

    S2Ep5: Revisited | The Moonies

    In this episode, Lisa and John dive into the provocative and dangerous world of Rod of Iron Ministries, an offshoot of the Unification Church led by Sean Moon. They explore the group's intense practices, including militaristic church services, bizarre rap sermons, and apocalyptic ideologies. Sean Moon's transformation into 'King Bullethead' and his use of rap to spread radical, often transphobic and misogynistic messages are discussed. Lisa recounts her firsthand experiences attending the church's open-carry events and services, where she witnessed the group's extreme political stances and cult-like devotion to gun culture and Donald Trump. 🎭 Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad 🎧 More from Lisa: 🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com 📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult 📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog 📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale 🎙️ More from John: 🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity 🌐 Website: jverner.com 📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner 🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner ✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com

  3. 08/10/2025

    S2Ep4: Revisited | The Twelve Tribes

    Join hosts Lisa and John as they delve into the intricate and often controversial world of the Twelve Tribes. In this episode, Lisa shares her extensive experiences visiting various Twelve Tribes communities over the past year, including locations in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Colorado. The discussion encompasses the ideology and practices of the group, ranging from their communal living and rejection of modernity to their problematic views on race and hierarchy. Lisa also shares personal stories of group members, the challenges of living in such a structured environment, and John shares recent legal controversies surrounding the group. 🎭 Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad 🎧 More from Lisa: 🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com 📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult 📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog 📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale 🎙️ More from John: 🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity 🌐 Website: jverner.com 📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner 🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner ✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com

  4. 08/03/2025

    S2Ep3: Christian Science

    Join Lisa and John as they delve into the unique world of Christian Science. In this episode, Lisa recounts her visit to the Mother Church in Boston, providing an in-depth look at the history, beliefs, and practices of Christian Scientists. They discuss the church's inception by Mary Baker Eddy, its stance on medical care, and the complex blend of faith and healing that defines it. The conversation also explores the controversies surrounding faith healing and the modern-day decline of this fascinating and deadly religious movement. Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad 🎧 More from Lisa: 🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com 📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult 📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog 📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale 🎙️ More from John: 🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity 🌐 Website: jverner.com 📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner 🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner ✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com

  5. 07/27/2025

    S2Ep2: Swedenborgianism

    In this episode, hosts Lisa and John explore the intriguing world of Swedenborgianism. They explore the theological vision of Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th-century Swedish scientist who claimed to have visions of the spiritual realm. The discussion covers Swedenborg's ideas, his writings on heaven and hell, and the foundational beliefs of The New Church, also known as the Church of the New Jerusalem. Lisa shares her experiences visiting Swedenborgian landmarks in Pennsylvania, including a notable cathedral. They touch upon Swedenborg's influence on followers like Johnny Appleseed, Helen Keller, and Robert Frost, and discuss the complicated legacy and various branches of this unique Christian offshoot. 🎭 Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad 🎧 More from Lisa: 🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com 📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult 📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog 📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale 🎙️ More from John: 🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity 🌐 Website: jverner.com 📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner 🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner ✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com

  6. 07/20/2025

    S2Ep1: Scientology

    Join hosts Lisa and John as they dive into the world of Scientology. In this episode, Lisa shares her diverse experiences with Scientology, from her interactions with their recruitment efforts in New York City subways to a more in-depth visit to their well-funded Church in Times Square. Lisa reminisces about her house of worship day and her many run-ins with Scientology, including personal audits and a visit to the cult's epicenter in Clearwater, Florida. New co-host John, an accomplished journalist and host of "The Cult of Christianity" podcast, also shares his experiences investigating his local Scientology church. They discuss the cult’s tactics in recruiting members, the controversies surrounding its celebrity followers like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, and the oppressive experiences of Sea Org members. 🎭 Watch Lisa's Full One-Woman Show – Only $10: 👉 Lisa Joins a Cult on Gumroad 🎧 More from Lisa: 🌐 Website: lisajoinsacult.com 📘 Facebook: Lisa Joins a Cult 📝 Blog: Lisa's Blog 📸 Instagram: @lisa_vanarsdale 🎙️ More from John: 🔊 Podcast: The Cult of Christianity 🌐 Website: jverner.com 📸 Instagram: @johnmyronverner 🧵 Threads: @johnmyronverner ✍️ Substack: johnverner.substack.com

  7. 04/27/2024

    S1Ep8: The Amish

    In this episode, Lisa delves into her immersive experience among the Amish community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, known for its significant Amish population. Staying with an elderly Amish couple, Lisa explores the intricacies of the Amish lifestyle, emphasizing their strict adherence to traditional practices and their aversion to modern conveniences. Her intimate encounter provides a rare insight into the personal and community dynamics of the Amish, revealing the complexities and contradictio...

  8. 04/18/2024

    S1Ep7: 12 Tribes

    When Lisa embarked on her exploration of the 12 Tribes, what she encountered was a microcosm of communal living that operates at the intersection of Christian communalism and retro-hippie idealism, underscored by a unique self-sufficiency reminiscent of a Mennonite settlement. The 12 Tribes, with their self-governing ethos and economic reliance on internal businesses like the Yellow Deli, illustrate a potent example of how religious and communal identities can shape economic structures and da...

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4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

A show that explores the world of cultic organizations through real-life encounters and lived-in research. Joins hosts Lisa VanArsdale & John Verner as they explore the world of secret societies, cults, & offbeat religious groups in an attempt to learn about their practices & culture.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa VanArsdale
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lisa VanArsdale
  • Show Website
    Lisa Joins a Cult