Part 2: Origins

After months of reporting, Jennings goes to Utah for one final interview with Teal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A look back at a strange chapter of American history known as the Satanic Panic—and how it connects to Teal.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this exploration of Teal’s online empire, we’ll meet some of the people whose lives have changed because of her teachings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jennings meets Teal at her retreat center in Costa Rica. He spends a week there, observing her therapy methods and getting to know some of the people who leave their lives behind to live with Teal and run her spiritual startup. It all starts with a death meditation, and it only gets stranger from there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jennings travels to Utah, where Teal grew up and began her spiritual career. He learns more about the upbringing that shaped her teachings on suicide, and he meets the people who were closest to a Teal follower who took her own life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In April 2017 YouTube recommended reporter Jennings Brown watch a self-help video from Teal Swan, a spiritual guru with a global online following. He’d spend the next year trying to understand whether or not she’s dangerous.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Follow Gizmodo reporter Jennings Brown as he investigates an internet spiritual guru, named Teal Swan, and the deaths of some of her followers. The Gateway premieres on May 30th. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices