Generation Cult

Generation Cult's live show and literary event happened on stage at The Lost Church San Francisco in front of a fabulous audience on June 26, 2025. If you missed it, you're in luck because the recording is finally out now! It was a late night in North Beach deep down in the Victorian speakeasy-style venue that hosted our show and book signing featuring the three authors who were our guests: Sarito Carroll, Anke Richter and Janja Lalich. Host Dhyana Levey moderated the discussion about children raised in cults, the authors' books, and what to watch out for in a potentially abusive group. Sure, the conversations got a bit intense. But everyone still had a good time. How could we not with Johnny Tripod bartending and cool tunes on the sound system by local SF Bay Area band The Chaw? Sarito celebrated the release of her new memoir, In the Shadow of Enlightenment, detailing her upbringing in the Osho Rajneesh cult 40 years after the infamous commune's collapse. And, yeah, we talked a little about the Netflix documentary "Wild Wild Country" and its star Ma Anand Sheela ... but there is just so much more to this story. You'll have to listen to this episode and read Sarito's book to find out. saritocarroll.com We also got a big-time expert to weigh in on our discussions and share a bit about the harsh political cult she spent a decade in. Researcher, educator and author Janja Lalich graced the stage with insight and stayed overtime to sign her book Escaping Utopia, based on interviews with 65 people who grew up in high-demand groups. janjalalich.com And tying the whole night together, we had German investigative journalist and author Anke Richter in town to visit all the way from her home base in New Zealand. Her book Cult Trip: Inside the world of coercion & control (Harper Collins), researched the aftermath of sex cults around the world.  ankerichter.net What a night! And you didn't even have to buy tickets. Enjoy the Generation Cult podcast Season 4 finale recorded in front of a live audience. Includes discussions of child sexual abuse, please listen with discretion *stage recording by Peter Clarke *set up/other audio by Brett Cline *editing by Dhyana Levey *photography by Laura Casey and Nic Roethlisberger *music by The Chaw      

Mike and Abbi grew up going to something they called "the truth" or "the way" or sometimes it didn't have a name at all. But it wasn't a church. A church was something the other kids attended. They went to "meetings" at people's houses and had leaders called "workers" who stayed with them.   After they got married and left the religion, or whatever it was, they felt isolated from friends and family, which was understandable -- they, too, had broken contact  with people who left when they were in it. They felt bad about that, though, and started a support group for other people who walked away from what they now called the 2X2s.  That's when things started to go wild. A posted letter on their support group's Facebook page about sexual abuse in the 2X2s (now the preferred name by survivors of the organization) gave way to an avalanche of more disturbing information. It rocked their world. And then the FBI got involved.  Join us for a conversation with Mike about how this all went down. To contribute to the FBI investigation go to: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-2x2-investigation *Includes discussion of sexual abuse *Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw *Editing by Dhyana Levey For more information about Mike and Abbi's work: https://linktr.ee/our2x2story GENERATION CULT IS HAVING A LIVE SHOW JUNE 26 in SAN FRANCISCO Tickets on sale now: https://tinyurl.com/ChildrenfromCults $3 off Earlybird tickets (use code earlybird14 at checkout)  https://www.facebook.com/events/670324172421203

We're dropping back in with a Special Film Edition as Generation Cult's Season 4 draws to a close! For this bonus episode, we're bringing back our old friend and former Season 3 co-host Ashlen, who's been hard at work helping people recover from controlling groups through her LLC People Leave Cults, and has become a source of education on the topic in the media. In addition to appearing on the latest Hulu docuseries "How I Escaped My Cult," Ashlen is now an executive producer on the film "Beyond the Fence," which is now in development. Our other guest is the writer, director and producer of this film, Lindsey Paulette, who is going to tell us more about the project and the story, which can be purchased as a book. "Beyond the Fence" is about about four sisters growing up in and escaping an extreme, controlling group in Appalachia. It explores themes such as family relationships, cult dynamics and patriarchal abuse. Ashlen said she'd like to eventually use the film as a medium for psychoeducation. *Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw *Editing by Dhyana Levey   For more information or to watch the concept trailer go to: beyondthefencemovie.com/ To purchase the book go to: amazon.com/dp/B0DCG2FTD2

Brenda was "mentored" by the former leader of Students of Light, a Toronto-based esoteric group inspired by teachings by Carl Jung and H.P. Blavatsky, from the age of 11 to almost 17. She pursued legal action against him in 1997, and he was eventually arrested in 2019 and extradited to Canada to be charged with rape and assault of a minor.  Her case was plagued with delays and procedural mishaps from the get go, and her abuser went free in 2023 on a technicality. Now Brenda is due back in court this month to face the Canadian police constable accused of neglecting her case.  But she's already lived a lifetime of gaslighting and victim blaming that shut down her ability to report crimes and even pursue mental health treatment. It was enough to keep her silent for years.  Now she wants to tell her story.  Join us to discuss the breakdown of family, legal and medical systems that perpetuated Brenda's abuse since the 1970s.  ***This is an intense episode with disturbing content describing child sexual assault and torture. Please listen with care or skip this one is you're squeamish.  News coverage about the arrest in the San Francisco Bay Area: https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/08/canadian-fugitive-suspected-of-raping-girl-in-students-of-light-religious-group-arrested-in-bay-area/  https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/24/chosen-by-god-former-leader-of-religious-group-extradited-from-bay-area-to-canada-to-face-1975-rape-charge/ *Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw *Editing by Dhyana Levey Reach out to Brenda at [email protected]

We've brought back a fan favorite from Season 3 for an update on litigation cult survivors can bring against their abusers, and this time we're also tackling the dreaded topic of defamation. Carol Merchasin, an attorney with the firm McAllister Olivarius, has had some success bringing lawsuits on behalf of people who were sexually abused in Buddhist, yoga and cult-like groups. Her focus has expanded to other types of organizations and litigation, so we're ready for an update. Do you want to speak out but have concerns about a defamation suit being brought against you? You aren't alone. Let's talk about ways to protect yourself and the options available to those who are faced with this threat. Join us for another legal chat with Carol! *Includes discussion of sexual assault Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw Editing by Dhyana Levey For more information about Carol's work, visit mcolaw.com/team/carol-merchasin/ Get in touch with Carol at [email protected]  

Estrangement is a traumatic topic, no matter your family of origin, but it feels unavoidable when you reject your tribe's religious ideologies. Lynn knows this well. She was raised in Salt Lake City on a Mormon pedestal: the great-great grand-niece of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church. It was a bit like being royalty. But then she rejected the whole thing. No one of her family status had done that before. Everyone was shocked. It was even more surprising when the big, whole divided family agreed to go therapy together. Join us to discuss Lynn's struggles with perfectionism and the discoveries she made that changed the course of her life. She's written a memoir, has a blog, and a YouTube channel discussing her own experience as a "heretic," and addresses family estrangement after leaving a high-control group. Spoiler alert: It is possible to reconcile (but not always) For more information, go to lynsmithgregory.com Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw Editing by Dhyana Levey  

Jesse grew up in "the perfect church," or so he was told. The small, albeit pushy congregation his life centered around in the town of Oregon, IL seemed almost ideal as a small child. But then the immortal leader died. She didn't come back to life like she was supposed to. And the new leader liked restrictions. There were so many restrictions. Jesse found himself trapped in a cycle of punishment, abuse and humiliation that made his teen years a prison -- both literally and figuratively. Although he eventually got away, there are certain things (like felonies on his permanent record) that he'll never be able to shake. Join us to discuss the Church of Jesus Christ Forever. ***This episode contains disturbing descriptions of child abuse. Listen with care or skip this one if you're squeamish. Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw Editing by Dhyana Levey             

Most people have heard of Christian Science and passed by the reading rooms, but how much do you know about it?  Hilary grew up as a radical reliant Christian Scientist, which meant her family avoided medical intervention in favor of prayer to try to cure ailments. She lived to talk about it, but others weren't so lucky. As an adult, Hilary became an atheist and started the Leaving Christian Science Podcast on YouTube. Join us to talk about the history of this group, which is primarily made up of families who have stayed connected to it since its early days. We'll also discuss the medical neglect of children and how much pressure church members have experienced in the past to avoid doctors. While this appears to be changing, elderly members still tied to the belief system continue to suffer as they age and fall ill. ***This episode contains descriptions of medical neglect and death. Listen with care. Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw Editing by Dhyana Levey Watch Hilary's show! https://www.youtube.com/@LeavingChristianSciencePodcast

When Susan was 13, her stepdad brought her into what was then known as the Divine Light Mission, an organization led by Prem Rawat (aka Guru Maharaj Ji, aka The Boy Guru, aka Lord of the Universe, aka The Perfect Master. ... etc.) She became a believer and eventually moved into one of the ashrams while she was still a teen. By that time, Susan was grappling with a disturbing incident she and another young girl had experienced. And they weren't the only ones who had problems with a certain mahatma.  Susan tried to tell the guru. She tried so hard. But there was no accountability. When the internet became a thing, she put her story online. Not a whole lot happened. But other people started putting up their stories about the group, too.  One of them was Don, a former high-ranking official of the group, which had changed its name to Elan Vital (it's since changed its name many times). He also has a few things to say on this episode.  Join us for Susan's story (and some of Don's). ***This episode contains descriptions of child sexual abuse. Listen with care. Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw   Editing by Dhyana Levey More information: resourcesforthetruthaboutpremrawat.com 1974 documentary: Lord of the Universe 

Philip and Stacie wrote about a recent reparations program meant to address complaints made for decades against 3HO (Happy, Healthy, Holy Organization), led by the late Yogi Bhajan, who started Kundalini Yoga.  Join us for a discussion with these two writers about the second generation of 3HO. The children of those who joined the organization felt like they were screaming into a void about the abuses they had suffered, especially when they were sent off to boarding schools in India.  The complaints reached a crescendo in 2020, and 3HO offered a reparations program to its former second generation members who reported neglect and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse.  The program just concluded and Stacie and Philip wrote about it recently for Baaz News in an article titled 3HO's Boarding Schools Were A Living Hell https://www.baaznews.org/p/3hos-boarding-schools-abuse-yogi-bhajan  They've covered this group for a while and have much to say about its practices, businesses, treatment of children, and actual efforts to make changes. We'll also have comments from Narangkar, a past guest from Season 2 who grew up in 3HO.  If you haven't already, go back and listen to Narangkar's story, which we just rebroadcast. Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw   Editing by Dhyana Levey