Lisa Joins a Cult
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.
Episodes
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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 controversi...
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 experienc...
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 epice...
Welcome, welcome, welcome, one and all. You’re listening to the inaugural episode of Lisa Joins a Cult. A show that explores the world of cultic organizations through real life encounters and lived-in research. In each episode, you’ll hear a conversation about a group Lisa VanArsdale has infiltrated in her curious quest to understand faith and the belief systems of others. Joining Lisa in these conversations is co-host Syran Warner...
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