HeyJaredCult Chat
Join Dr Caroline Ansley, Lindy Jacomb and Liz Gregory as they traverse the cultiverse. Journey with them as they unpack the cult playbook, talk to leavers of coercive and controlling groups in New Zealand, and share their stories.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 8
- Latest publication
- Sep 8, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 14, 2026
Latest episodes
Episode 103 - The Cult Assasin? Lawyer Carol Merchasin (opens the original)
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They call her the “Cult Assassin” - and for good reason. Attorney Carol Merchasin has helped take on powerful cult leaders through the courts, using legal remedies to expose abuse and force accountability. We talk about why coercive control is having a global moment, what stronger legislation could look like, and why lawyers, advocates, survivors and policymakers need to work together. Carol also shares what she hopes to achieve in her new role as Chair of the International Cultic Studies Associ
Episode 102 - Gems from ICSA - New Research & Thinking about Cults with Heidi Hewett & Maria Esguerra (opens the original)
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What makes someone become a cult leader? Do they deliberately set out to harm others, or can destructive leadership develop over time? And are some people more vulnerable to cult recruitment? Caz shares insights from the 2026 ICSA Conference, including conversations with Maria Esguerra, Heidi Hewett and others. We explore emerging research on cult leaders, recruitment, vulnerability, coercive control and accountability - plus encouraging developments in survivor advocacy and recognising cultic h
Episode 101 - Judge Slams labour Inspectorate over Gloriavale with Serena Pilgrim and Steve Patterson (opens the original)
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Former Gloriavale member Serena Pilgrim and lawyer Steve Patterson join Liz Gregory to unpack a damning new Employment Court judgment finding the Labour Inspector made “numerous reviewable errors” when investigating serious concerns about child labour, forced labour, servitude and slavery at Gloriavale. The Court describes decisions as “irrational” and “manifestly unreasonable” — but what did those failures mean for the people who were left inside? And now that the leavers have won, what should
Episode 100 - Happy Birthday to Cult Chat! (opens the original)
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Today’s episode is our 100th and we are so excited! In the spirit of the celebration we run through how we got to where we are, some interesting facts about the show and we share some behind the scenes secrets. We read out some feedback from our listeners, talk about some key events, share a blooper or two and look to the future. This one is silly and light hearted and there is even a cake. (Confession time - see if you can spot the odd use of AI). Happy birthday to us!
Episode 99: Redemption or Rebranding? John Ready on the new Gloriavale doco, Devotion (Part 2) (opens the original)
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Part 2: Former Gloriavale member John Ready continues his powerful reflection on Devotion: The Gloriavale Story , asking whether the documentary revealed the truth - or simply another perspective. He explores coercive control, accountability, repentance, and the journey of rebuilding life after leaving a high-control group. Liz, Lindy and Caz then unpack John's insights, debate the documentary's ethics, and discuss the voices and context they believe were missing.
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