Let's Start A Cult

Bruno Gröning & The Circle of Friends w/ Lindsay Valenty

We did it, Fred! We finally found a cult that isn't horrible! Because today we are going to be talking about Bruno Groning and The Circle of Friends. A cult whose leader died before it formed but whose followers managed to create a worldwide cult that believes in positive thinking to heal its followers. Consider supporting the podcast by becoming a Patreon Follow us on the socials: Instagram YouTube Website Ye Olde Crime: Twitter Instagram Website Pineapple Pizza Podcast: Twitter Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aum Shinrikyo | The Military Cult That Injured Thousands

In 1989, the Metropolitan Government of Tokyo officially recognized “Aum Shinrikyo” as a legitimate religious movement.Little did they know that five years later, that same group would carry out a violent terrorist attack on the city, leaving 13 dead and a thousand others severely injured.Follow us on the socials:TwitterFacebookInstagramYouTubeWebsite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Ellison & The Covenant w/ Shots and Thoughts

In 1976, James Ellison moved to Arkansas, intending to establish a self-sustaining fundamentalist Christian commune made up of like-minded individuals who wanted nothing more than to dedicate themselves to God.But by 1978 – a mere two years later – he and his followers had become domestic terrorists who believed in white supremacy and were willing to resort to violent means to overthrow the government of the United States.Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our Cultiv8 Podcast Network PatreonFollow us on the socials:TwitterFacebookInstagramYouTubeWebsiteShots And Thoughts:TwitterInstagramWebsite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August Engelhardt & The Coconut Cult w/ The Dumb, Found Dead

Cults are not always sinister. Similarly, cult leaders are not always manipulative sociopaths. Sometimes, all they need is one deluded man. August Engelhardt, born with a silver spoon, was many things, and one of them was delusional, something he shared with other cults and their leaders. You might wonder the peculiarities of Engelhardt’s delusion. It is nothing other than the obsessive yet interesting relationship he developed with the fruit with one of the hardest shells. This is a man that decided to give everything up for a life of nudity and a diet consisting of nothing other than coconuts.Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our Cultiv8 Podcast Network PatreonFollow us on the socials:TwitterFacebookInstagramYouTubeWebsiteThe Dumb, Found Dead:TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsiteMentioned in this episode:AudibleGet 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today!AudibleAudibleGet 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today!Audible Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Church of Scientology Part 2: The Indoctrination Process

For many, Tom Cruise is a good-looking actor who rose to fame after starring in blockbusters like “Top Gun,” “Mission Impossible,” and “Risky Business.”But for Scientologists, Tom Cruise is a demigod who has become “Operating Thetan VII.” According to them, this status has allowed him to gain a wide range of superpowers, such as telekinesis, leaving his body at will, and controlling the behaviour of other living things – including humans. In fact, former Scientologist and actress Leah Remini once said, quote, “Being critical of Tom Cruise is being critical of Scientology itself. You are a person who is anti– the aims and goals of Scientology. You are evil.” End quote. It’s crazy to think that a belief system created in the 1950s managed to become so powerful that it was able to turn an ordinary human being into a deity worshipped by members. Get Ad-Free episodes and episodes A Week Early on our Cultiv8 Podcast Network PatreonFollow us on the socials:TwitterFacebookInstagramYouTubeWebsiteWeird Distraction Podcast:TwitterFacebookInstagramWebsiteMentioned in this episode:AudibleGet 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today!AudibleAudibleGet 1-month free of Audible! That's one free book and access to hundreds of free books and podcasts! Start reading today!Audible Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices