HeyJaredCult Diaries
Welcome to Cult Diaries, a podcast where courageous voices come together to share the raw, real stories of life after cults.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 6
- Latest publication
- Sep 21, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 13, 2026
Latest episodes
Burn It Down & Rebuild: Kim Luague's Story Of Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses (opens the original)
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What happens when you stop surviving the life you were given and begin choosing a life that is truly your own? In this powerful episode of Cult Diaries , Brooke sits down with Kim Luague to explore her journey through religious control, childhood sexual trauma, family dysfunction, and the long road toward reclaiming her identity. Kim shares her experience growing up within the Jehovah’s Witness religion while navigating profound childhood trauma, eventually reaching a point where she could no lo
Can It Happen to You? The Truth About Cult Recruitment (opens the original)
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What if the most dangerous groups aren't the ones that immediately feel controlling—but the ones that feel like everything you've been searching for? On this episode of Cult Diaries , I sit down with award-winning investigative journalist, author of Cult Trip , and founder of DeCult, Anke Richter , for a fascinating conversation about coercive control, manipulation, belonging, and what makes intelligent, capable people susceptible to high-control groups. And Anke brings a perspective few people
Healing Fear, Attachment & Identity After a High-Control Religion (opens the original)
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When you leave a cult, the programming doesn't always leave with you. Many survivors believe that walking away from a high-control religion is the finish line, only to discover that the fear, conditioning, and attachment wounds continue to shape their lives long after they've left. Why do so many former cult members struggle to trust themselves, recreate unhealthy relationship patterns, or feel trapped by fear even after gaining their freedom? In this powerful episode of Cult Diaries , Brooke si
When Loyalty Costs You Everything: Malia Calles Story of Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses (opens the original)
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What happens when you've spent your entire life trying to prove your love for God... only to discover you've been serving a system that never allowed you to trust yourself? In this deeply moving episode of Cult Diaries , Brooke sits down with former Jehovah's Witness and former Circuit Overseer's wife Malia Calles , whose story challenges everything we think we know about devotion, identity, and the true cost of loyalty. From setting spiritual goals at just four years old to dedicating over 25 y
HOLY DISOBEDIENCE: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows (opens the original)
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What happens when the faith that was meant to bring you hope becomes the very thing that causes your deepest wounds? In this powerful episode of Cult Diaries , Brooke sits down with award-winning essayist, screenwriter, and religious trauma advocate Melissa Duge Spiers to explore her journey of breaking free from religious abuse, reclaiming her voice, and transforming pain into purpose. Melissa shares her personal story with honesty and courage, offering hope to anyone questioning their beliefs,
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