Growing Up In Polygamy

Growing Up In Polygamy
  • 4.8 (131)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

Sam sharing what it was like growing up in the polygamous FLDS group, his experiences leaving the group when he was 18 and his journey to where he is now. His wife Melissa is his co-host, asking the questions that everyone from the outside is thinking.

  1. The Warning Signs Were There All Along | Unchosen Finale Reaction

    4d ago

    The Warning Signs Were There All Along | Unchosen Finale Reaction

    In the finale of Unchosen, the story takes a disturbing turn as manipulation, control, and blind trust collide in ways that felt all too familiar to us. As former members of high-control religious groups, we break down the warning signs that were present from the beginning, how charismatic individuals gain influence, and why closed communities can become vulnerable to manipulation. Throughout this reaction, we compare the events of Unchosen to our own experiences growing up in Mormonism and the FLDS, exploring the psychology behind obedience, authority, and belief. What starts as a search for belonging and purpose gradually reveals deeper questions about power, trust, and the dangers of unquestioned leadership. Did you see the warning signs before the ending? Let us know in the comments. 👍 Like this video if you've enjoyed our Unchosen reaction series 🔔 Subscribe for more reactions, interviews, and discussions about Mormonism, fundamentalism, polygamy, and high-control religious groups #Unchosen #Netflix #CultDocumentary #FLDS #MormonFundamentalism #ExFLDS #CultPsychology #ReligiousTrauma #SamuelBateman #WarrenJeffs #NetflixReaction #UnchosenNetflix #Polygamy #CultSurvivor #ExMormon If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

    39 min
  2. Given to Samuel Bateman | Nomz Reveals What Happened Next | Pt. 2

    May 23

    Given to Samuel Bateman | Nomz Reveals What Happened Next | Pt. 2

    In Part 2 of our interview with Nomz from the documentary Trust Me: The False Prophet, we continue her powerful story as she opens up about being given to Samuel Bateman and what life was really like under his control. Nomz answers questions about the documentary, shares details about her time in prison, and explains the emotional and mental process of breaking free from the beliefs she was raised with under both Warren Jeffs and Samuel Bateman. We discuss the fear, manipulation, and conditioning that kept people loyal for so long — and what it actually took for her to begin questioning everything she had been taught since childhood. She also shares what starting over has looked like, the challenges of rebuilding her identity, and how she’s learning to create a new life outside of the FLDS mindset. This conversation is raw, honest, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at the same time. #SamuelBateman #WarrenJeffs #FLDS #TrustMeTheFalseProphet #ExFLDS #Polygamy #CultSurvivor #MormonFundamentalism #TrueStory Support Nomz! Tiktok @nomzia_b Insta @nomzia_b Facebook Nomzia Bistline Venmo @nomzia_b CashApp $NomziBistline If you are struggling with hopelessness, fear, suicidal thoughts, or feeling trapped, please know you are not alone. In the U.S. and Canada, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7.If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

    48 min
  3. Raised Under Warren Jeffs… Then Chosen by Samuel Bateman | Nomz Interview Pt. 1

    May 20

    Raised Under Warren Jeffs… Then Chosen by Samuel Bateman | Nomz Interview Pt. 1

    In Part 1 of our interview with Nomz from the documentary Trust Me: The False Prophet, she shares what life was really like growing up inside the FLDS under the control of Warren Jeffs, long before Samuel Bateman entered her life. Nomz opens up about losing her father after he was sent away by the church, becoming part of the United Order, and living in an environment where individuality and creativity were punished instead of encouraged. She explains how fear, obedience, and control shaped every part of daily life in the FLDS, and how those experiences made her vulnerable to manipulation later on. She also shares the disturbing way Samuel Bateman began secretly targeting and harassing her, convincing her that terrible things happening around her were somehow her fault because she refused to “give herself” to him. Eventually, she felt trapped into believing that going with him was the only way to protect the people she loved. This is the beginning of a powerful and heartbreaking story about religious control, fear, grooming, and survival. #FLDS #SamuelBateman #WarrenJeffs #TrustMeTheFalseProphet #ExFLDS #Polygamy #CultSurvivor #MormonFundamentalism Support Nomz! Tiktok ⁨@nomzia_b⁩ Insta ⁨@nomzia_b⁩ Facebook Nomzia Bistline Venmo ⁨@nomzia_b⁩ CashApp $NomziBistline If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

    1h 4m
  4. Netflix’s Unchosen Gets Disturbingly Close to the FLDS Reality | Ep 2&3 Reaction

    May 16

    Netflix’s Unchosen Gets Disturbingly Close to the FLDS Reality | Ep 2&3 Reaction

    In Episodes 2 & 3 of Netflix’s Unchosen, we were shocked by how many similarities we recognized from our own experiences growing up in Mormon culture and the FLDS world. We break down the control tactics, fear-based teachings, isolation, obedience, gender roles, and “us vs. them” mindset shown in the series — and compare them to what we personally witnessed in both the FLDS and mainstream LDS environments. While Unchosen is fictional, some of the dynamics felt disturbingly real to us. In this reaction and discussion, we share our honest thoughts on what the show gets right, what stood out to us most, and why these kinds of belief systems can become so dangerous when power goes unchecked. If you’ve watched Episodes 2 & 3 of Unchosen, let us know what stood out to you most in the comments. If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

    31 min
  5. Netflix’s Unchosen vs Trust Me: The False Prophet | REAL Life comparison

    May 9

    Netflix’s Unchosen vs Trust Me: The False Prophet | REAL Life comparison

    What does Netflix get right about closed religious groups… and what does it miss? In this video, we react to Unchosen and break it down through our real-life experiences growing up in and around fundamentalist Mormon communities. As someone raised in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), Sam shares what felt eerily accurate and what didn’t quite line up with reality. From control and isolation to religious authority and family structure, we compare what you see on screen to what life is actually like inside tightly controlled, high-demand religious environments like the FLDS and other branches of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fundamentalism. While the show isn’t directly about figures like Samuel Bateman, we also touch on how modern cases like his reflect similar patterns of control, influence, and belief systems that continue to exist today. If you’ve ever wondered how accurate these portrayals are or how they compare to real experiences, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Subscribe for more real conversations about religion, control, and life after leaving. If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

    34 min
  6. He Wanted His Own Daughter as a Wife… | Insider Interview on Sam Bateman

    Apr 29

    He Wanted His Own Daughter as a Wife… | Insider Interview on Sam Bateman

    In this exclusive interview, Kathryn shares her firsthand experience with Bateman’s family, including her relationship with his ex-wife and the role she played in helping care for their children. She opens up about unsettling interactions she witnessed between Sam Bateman and his first wife, long before he declared himself a prophet. One of the most shocking revelations? The moment that pushed his wife to finally leave—and the disturbing request that changed everything. We also discuss Kathryn’s thoughts on the documentary Trust Me: The False Prophet, and the current state of the FLDS community today—especially as members of her own family are still inside. This is an insider perspective you won’t hear anywhere else. If you’ve been following this story or want a deeper understanding of what really happens behind closed doors in these communities, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

    53 min
  7. Did Samuel Bateman copy Warren Jeffs… or was he taught?

    Apr 25

    Did Samuel Bateman copy Warren Jeffs… or was he taught?

    Did Samuel Bateman copy Warren Jeffs… or was he taught?In this video, we break down a side of the Samuel Bateman case that isn’t being widely discussed. While many believe Bateman may have learned from Warren Jeffs’ journals, we’ve come across firsthand accounts and insights that suggest something much deeper may have been happening inside the FLDS community.We talk about reports from former wives and family members of Warren Jeffs, who describe how some of his wives were allegedly going throughout the community “teaching” others what Warren had done—pairing people together, promoting so-called “revelations,” and continuing behaviors even after Warren was in prison.We also discuss the role of individuals like Moroni Johnson and how these situations may not have been isolated—but part of something already unfolding behind the scenes.We bring our perspective to help explain the mindset, the power structure, and how something like this could spread.This isn’t just about one man. It’s about understanding the system.👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments:Do you think Samuel Bateman was copying Warren Jeffs… or stepping into something that was already happening?Subscribe for more deep dives, reactions, and insider perspectives on Mormonism, polygamy, and cult dynamics.#SamuelBateman #WarrenJeffs #FLDS #TrueCrime #CultDocumentary #ExMormon #Polygamy #BreakingNews #CrimeAnalysis #CultSurvivorIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us!growingupinpolygamy@gmail.comCreate Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

    19 min
  8. FBI Raid, Kidnapping & 50-Year Sentence for Samuel Bateman | Reaction to Ep. 4 (Finale)

    Apr 22

    FBI Raid, Kidnapping & 50-Year Sentence for Samuel Bateman | Reaction to Ep. 4 (Finale)

    How does a story like this finally come to an end… and does it ever really end? In the final episode of Trust Me: A False Prophet, we break down the FBI raid that led to the arrest of Samuel Bateman—and everything that happened after. Even from prison, Bateman continued to control his followers. We talk about how the minors were taken into custody, placed in group homes, and yet were still in contact with him. In a shocking turn, adult followers were instructed to retrieve the girls—leading to a kidnapping that shows just how deep the control ran. We also discuss the heartbreaking betrayal felt by the girls when they learned who had spoken out to authorities, and how difficult it is to break free from that kind of belief system. But this is also where things begin to change. Over time, as the girls were separated and given space away from the influence, they began to speak openly about what had happened—ultimately becoming the key witnesses that led to Bateman being sentenced to 50 years in prison. Many of his followers, including several adult wives and male members, were also held accountable. And yet… even now, some still believe he is a prophet. This final episode is about justice, healing, and the complicated reality of leaving a system like this behind. 👉 Let us know your thoughts in the comments: Why do you think some people still hold on to belief, even after everything? If you’ve been following this series, thank you for being here. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more in-depth reactions and discussions. #TrustMe #FalseProphet #SamuelBateman #CultAwareness #TrueCrime #ExMormon #Polygamy #CultSurvivor #YouTubeReaction If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

    56 min
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4.8
out of 5
131 Ratings

About

Sam sharing what it was like growing up in the polygamous FLDS group, his experiences leaving the group when he was 18 and his journey to where he is now. His wife Melissa is his co-host, asking the questions that everyone from the outside is thinking.

Information

  • Creator
    Growing Up In Polygamy
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    312
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Growing Up In Polygamy
  • Show Website
    Growing Up In Polygamy

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