Can you imagine yourself as a powerless young child who, over the years, is punished and beaten for “not listening” and for being “disobedient” when in fact you couldn’t hear properly? How would you feel if you witnessed someone experiencing a seizure but instead of them being given appropriate medical attention a group of adults and children alike gather around and an exorcism is performed in order to cast out the devil? What if you were writhing in agony, scared that you might die, but despite begging to be taken to a hospital, you are told that you are being punished by God for some supposed moral failure and that prayer alone can heal you?

Throughout the month of September, we will be focusing on faith-based medical neglect. We will be examining how the cult’s dangerous doctrine and ideology surrounding faith-based healing and a reliance on prayer and rituals alone as treatment of disease and injury had catastrophic consequences for its followers; including immeasurable severe and preventable pain, long-term health problems, permanent disability, and even deaths.

Under the leadership of the now-deceased founder and leader David Berg and his co-founding wife Karen Zerby, sickness, diseases, and disabilities were framed as moral issues; as evidence of spiritual sin; ignorance of God; or even of demonic possession. Both Berg and Zerby publicly condemned, belittled, shamed and humiliated cult members for seeking medical care, receiving treatment and / or undergoing surgery and created a coercive control environment where widespread medical neglect was resultant and commonplace. Preventive and screening measures including immunizations, blood lead-level tests, hearing tests, vision examinations, dental examinations, and access to evidence-based information and instruction about disease were practically unheard of.

This month, we will feature survivor testimonies on medical neglect within COG-TFI and examine key excerpts and quotes from various cult publications by Berg and Zerby which provide indisputable proof that they are guilty of the reckless endangerment of countless cult members and the violation of the basic human rights of thousands upon thousands of children.

Just finished speaking with Chris Shelton about Liana Shanti. Coming soon! @freemelissaparker unless the end of the world comes first.. #cult #cults #cultleader #cultexpert #conartist #spiritualteacher #onlineguru #conspirators #truecrimecommunity #truecrimepodcast #cultpodcast #scientology #culteducation #criticalthinking #criticalthinking #coercivecontrol https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp1BdYaI6E-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

culteducation com/warningsigns

Informative

As we continue to explore the world of cults throughout this month, this fascinating YouTube video presented by Mental Floss and hosted by Justin Dodd, provides an excellent breakdown of some of the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding cults.

Ep. 236 out now - River Road Fellowship. @thesurvivorexperience talks about her life growing up in Victor Barnard’s “River Road Fellowship”. When Victor Barnard believed he could run his own ministry better, he left The Way International to set up his own church. Finally, he settled his group in a place that would become known as the River Road Fellowship. It was within this community that Barnard would exploit his religious position, his access to vulnerable women and children and his status as leader of the group. Barnard was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges including sexual abuse after several women came forward to tell their stories of abuse and coercion. Listen to Christa tell the story of River Road, Victor Barnard, her family’s involvement and how she was able to escape. Pic 1 - Christa pictured with Barnard Pic 2 - Christa in conversation with Barnard Pic 3 - Barnard with a group of “Maiden’s” Pic 4 - Barnard leading a sermon #cult #cults #cultleader #theway #thewayinternational #riverroad #riverroadfellowship #victorbarnard #culteducation #cultabuse #cultsurvivors #cultsurvivor #religiousabuse #religiousabusesurvivor #spiritualabuse #spiritualtrauma #truecrime #truecrimecommunity #truecrimepodcast #truecrimestories #cultpodcast #podcastinterview #podcasthost https://www.instagram.com/p/CppckyhI-W6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

February’s #monthlymemoir giveaway is a copy of @authorofcultgirls “Cult Girls”. 1 review stated - “A must read book in the form of a comic book about the restrictive life of being raised in the Jehovah Witnesses cult! I thoroughly enjoyed this way of getting the real "truth" of what goes on only after you've been fully indoctrinated into the organization/cult.” For a chance to win a copy of this award-winning graphic novel, the first of its kind, simply: FOLLOW this account LIKE this post COMMENT and tag friends, all handles included. Giveaway taking place across multiple social media platforms, with a winner picked at random. International giveaway, ends midnight BST February 28th. Winner will be privately contacted March 1st. Good Luck! #cult #cults #cultgirls #cultleader #cultabuse #cultsurvivors #cultsurvivor #cultrecovery #culteducation #graphicnovels #graphicnovelart #memoir #memoirwriting #giveawayuk #giveawayworldwide #bookgiveaway #bookgiveaways #bookstagramuk #podcasthost #podcastinterview #truecrimebooks #truecrimecommunity #exjw #jwfriends #exjehovahswitness #jehovahswitnesses #jehovah https://www.instagram.com/p/CpLBa5XISzE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

February’s #monthlymemoir giveaway is a copy of @authorofcultgirls “Cult Girls”. 1 review stated - “A must read book in the form of a comic book about the restrictive life of being raised in the Jehovah Witnesses cult! I thoroughly enjoyed this way of getting the real "truth" of what goes on only after you've been fully indoctrinated into the organization/cult.” For a chance to win a copy of this award-winning graphic novel, the first of its kind, simply: FOLLOW this account LIKE this post COMMENT and tag friends, all handles included. Giveaway taking place across multiple social media platforms, with a winner picked at random. International giveaway, ends midnight BST February 28th. Winner will be privately contacted March 1st. Good Luck! #cult #cults #cultgirls #cultleader #cultabuse #cultsurvivors #cultsurvivor #cultrecovery #culteducation #graphicnovels #graphicnovelart #memoir #memoirwriting #giveawayuk #giveawayworldwide #bookgiveaway #bookgiveaways #bookstagramuk #podcasthost #podcastinterview #truecrimebooks #truecrimecommunity #exjw #jwfriends #exjehovahswitness #jehovahswitnesses #jehovah https://www.instagram.com/p/CozX07Eo4w7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Out now - my interview with @danielbarbanlevin where we discuss his gut-wrenching memoir “Slonim Woods 9” and discuss the upcoming exclusive @hulu documentary “Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence”. You can listen to us discuss how Larry Ray was able to slowly manipulate a group of vulnerable students through coercive control. #cult #cults #stolenyouth #hulu #sarahlawrence #sarahlawrencecollege #cultleader #culteducation #cultabuse #cultsurvivors #culteducation #coercivecontrol #larryray #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirs #truecrimepodcast #truecrimepodcasts #truecrimecommunity #truecrime #cultpodcast #podcasthost #podcastinterview https://www.instagram.com/p/CoYO6qEoXRz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Cult News 18 is Out Now! Looking at Lawrence Ray being sentenced, calls for information on the whereabouts of both Miscavige’s and more - https://youtu.be/QlK4RBdOumA #cult #cults #cultleader #cultnews #truecrimepodcast #truecrimecommunity #truecrime #cultawareness #culteducation #cultpodcast https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1hZ-do3_C/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Across the month of December, I will be highlighting the various authors who have contributed to the show by sharing their writing. @daniellamyoung_ has been kind enough to do 2 interviews with me on the podcast, pre and post memoir publication. Being able to read UNCULTURED after these discussions has added so much to the show and my own education. Daniella is a powerhouse, a force to be reckoned with and I hope to read more of her writing soon! For your own copy - https://amzn.to/3HJ4uI2 And for our most recent interview, check out episode 205. #cult #cults #cultleader #cultrecovery #culteducation #cog #childrenofgod #familyinternational #thefamilyinternational #thechildrenofgod #cogtfi #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirs #endchildabuse #endchildabusenow #endchildtrafficking #humantrafficking #humantraffickingawareness #veteranbuilt #usarmyveteran #cultpodcast #truecrimepodcast #truecrimecommunity #truecrime #podcastinterview #podcasthost https://www.instagram.com/p/CmUhXvBIM_v/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Across the month of December, I will be highlighting the various authors who have contributed to the show by sharing their writing. I don’t think I need to offer much context or explanation for today’s spotlight. @janja_lalich has been a supporter of the show since the beginning - offering answers to questions, interviews and even sent signed books to listeners and patrons of the show. Janja is an invaluable asset to the community, to cult-recovery and education. Thank you Janja! You can find our chat on episode 52 and grab a copy of TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE here - https://amzn.to/3Y87T8S #cult #cults #culteducation #cultexpert #janjalalich #janja #takebackyourlife #emeritas #expert #experts #cultpodcast #truecrime #truecrimecommunity #truecrimepodcast #cultpodcast https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl9pjElI1NI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Across the month of December, I will be highlighting the various authors who have contributed to the show by sharing their writing. Mary’s book “Abnormal Normal - My Life in The Children of God” was an enlightening read for me. I found myself asking “how could anyone stay?” And of course its so much more than that. This writing offered the beginning of that learning curve. For your own copy 👉🏼 https://amzn.to/3UDL3TE Find our conversation at episode 154. #cult #cults #cultleader #childrenofgod #familyinternational #cog #tfi #cogtfi #cultsurvivors #cultsurvivor #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirs #davidberg #culteducation #cultpodcast #truecrime #truecrimecommunity #truecrimepodcast #truecrimepodcasts #podcasthost #podcastinterview https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl4IE0XIEnr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Today is Giving Tuesday - a day dedicated to the global generosity movement, a chance to give, share & collaborate. As an independent podcaster, Ive worked tirelessly for almost 3 years to put out 1000+ hours of content. If you’ve ever benefitted from it, you can donate! I’ve been incredibly lucky to receive support from patrons & sponsors. You can sign up at Patreon.com/thecultvault or even donate through PayPal to [email protected] - each donation goes towards allowing me to continue podcasting with a young family. Likewise, if you’d like to team up or if I can share your work/story in any way, please reach out. #givingtuesday #donate #donations #patreon #patron #sponsorship #podcastdonation #podcasthost #truecrimepodcast #cult #cults #religioustrauma #spiritualabuse #highcontrol #coercivecontrol #culteducation https://www.instagram.com/p/CliotUyI3mA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Thank you @samjahr for your time and for sharing your story on growing up in the Rajneesh movement. Part 2 looks at Sam’s escape from the Rajneesh movement and the incredible career she has built for herself as a psychotherapist and counsellor. What an incredible journey. #cults #cults #cultleader #osho #stopquotingosho #rajneesh #bhagwanshreerajneesh #wildwildcountry #sannyasin #cultrecovery #culteducation #psychotherapist #psychotherapy #counsellor #podcasthost #podcastinterview #truecrime #truecrimepodcast https://www.instagram.com/p/ClJBT2joYV8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The @icsa_home conference starts today! Hundreds of hours of content all available now in the one place. Who else will I see there? #cult #cults #cultawareness #culteducation #cultsurvivors #cultrecovery #cultleader #cultlife #podcasthost #podcasthosts https://www.instagram.com/p/CfLodlVIU9Z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Who else is attending this year’s @icsa_home event? The International Cultic Studies Association hosts a conference every year with tonnes of incredible speakers. This year there are experts, professionals, survivors, activists and allies all speaking about the most pressing issues and newest research in the area of cultic studies. I cannot wait to watch the panels and further my own education. Sign up now while you can, it will be so worth it!! #conference #cults #cult #podcasthost #culteducation #cultinformation #icsa https://www.instagram.com/p/CfCPXGpI1tZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=