Cults

Mystery. Manipulation. Murder. Cults are associated with all of these. But what really goes on inside a cult? More specifically, what goes on inside the minds of people who join cults and leaders who start them? Every Tuesday, Greg and Vanessa (co-hosts of the podcast Serial Killers) explore the history and psychology behind the most notorious cults. Cults is a Spotify Original from Parcast.

language

English

notes

2 episodes

time period of hosting

April 2018

presenter (producer)

Greg and Vanessa, Spotify Original from Parcast

see also

Podcast website

Spotify

episodes

Episode
"Rajneeshpuram" - Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

Prophesied to die young and surviving near-death-experiences, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh felt discomfort with his own mortality from a young age. Over time, his spiritual studies and strong beliefs about capitalism and sexuality led Rajneesh to become a charismatic cult leader. This charisma attracted Ma Anand Sheela, the woman who rose from a 20-year-old devotee to a powerful leader in the cult that launched a deadly bioterrorism attack on over 750 Americans.

Date of broadcast : 10 April 2018

Duration : 52:57

Listen to this episode here

Episode notes :

Episode
"Rajneeshpuram Pt.2" - Ma Anand Sheela

Ma Anand Sheela orchestrated Rajneeshpuram’s movement from India to Oregon. As Rajneesh himself faded into the shadows, the cult’s grabs for political power led to wiretapping, poisoning, fraud and murder plots. We examine how Sheela was driven towards chaos by her husband’s death, and Rajneesh’s high expectations.

Date of broadcast : 17 April 2018

Duration : 58:53

Listen to this episode here

Episode notes :