Cults to Consciousness

Life After Swartzentruber AMISH: From No Electricity to Social Media Stardom ft. Lovina Zook

No electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing.  Lovina Zook grew up in one of the strictest Amish settlements started by her own family. Highly demanding gender roles were enforced leaving Lovina with no other choice than to marry a relative and become a busy housewife, or be considered an old maid at 24. She had high ambitions and knew she had to escape and trade her entire family and community to be free to live her dreams. Her stardom has grown exponentially on social media where she teaches others how to cook and bake like she did while in the Amish. Join us to find out how she managed to do it and any struggles she faced along the way.  Click here to watch on YouTube [https://youtube.com/live/OxRyrwmpRgk] Watch Lovina's initial interview [https://youtu.be/keUYKRnHLic?si=yxgqBK6cWOv2-s2h] Find Lovina on social media! YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos] IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/ [https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook [https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook] Website: https://socialsbylovina.com/ [https://socialsbylovina.com/] Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Swartzentruber AMISH: My Midnight Escape From One of the Strictest Settlements ft. Lovina Zook

No electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing.  Lovina Zook grew up in one of the strictest Amish settlements started by her own family. It was common to marry cousins as most people there were related by blood and a woman would be considered an “old maid” if still single by 24 yrs old. Lovina discusses the hardest parts including struggling with mental heath, strict rules and not receiving any love or affection from parents of family members. As soon as she turned 18, she ran away in the middle of the night with the intention to become more than the Amish would ever allow. Lovina would then find a massive following on social media.  Click here to watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/keUYKRnHLic] Watch our follow up LIVE with Lovina answering your questions [https://www.youtube.com/live/OxRyrwmpRgk?si=rWnFgCaiSJ3Yl3sH] Find Lovina on social media! YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos] IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/ [https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook [https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook] Website: https://socialsbylovina.com/ [https://socialsbylovina.com/] Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:17 Lovina's Amish settlement 00:06:01 How leadership is determined 00:10:52 Strict dress code 00:17:18 Importance of covering hair in Amish tradition 00:20:42 What family like was like for Lovina 00:26:30 Lack of affection within the household 00:34:17 Hygiene standards within the community 00:42:38 Why she ran away 00:48:52 Marrying cousins & s*xual repression 00:55:46 Smuggl*ng books 00:58:10 Why Lovina didn't want to be baptized 01:04:25 When Lovina left 01:15:29 Difficulties after leaving 01:28:01 How her parents treated her after leaving 01:33:15 Linda, listen See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

LDS Abuse Coverups: Protecting Predators & Assets ft. Alyssa Grenfell

Surviving Mormonism is a new limited series hosted by Real Housewife of Salt Lake City Heather Gay where she interviews people with harrowing stories of how the LDS church failed them. It is a heartbreaking series that reveals the reality of a systemic problem that is not only covered up by church officials, but amplified by their only true intentions…avoiding lawsuits and avoiding bad media. Thousands of people have shared their stories of abuse and coverups at the hands of their leaders who were supposed to protect them. In a church that claims to be the one true church of God, their priorities of protecting their assets over their most vulnerable members, leaves us all bewildered and angry. Episode by episode, Alyssa Grenfell and Shelise recount these stories as shown on the show and give their thoughts as former Mormons.  Click here to watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/l7bimvKA7OA] Check out Alyssa interview’s with Shelise on her Channel:  https://youtu.be/YEoxZu4Q8Ws [https://youtu.be/YEoxZu4Q8Ws] Find Alyssa on social media! YT: www.youtube.com/@alyssadgrenfell/ [http://www.youtube.com/@alyssadgrenfell/] IG: https://www.instagram.com/alyssadgrenfell [https://www.instagram.com/alyssadgrenfell] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@alyssadgrenfell [https://www.tiktok.com/@alyssadgrenfell] Thumbnail Photo of Alyssa provided by Ilana Panich-Linsman website Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:52 Who is Heather Gay 00:07:20 How Mormon critics of the Church are shut out and silenced 00:11:28 Did Alyssa feel she knew enough about the truth behind Mormonism when she served a mission trip 00:13:43 Mormonism equates secrets with spirituality 00:17:24 Bishops are instructed to call the law firm instead of report SA cases 00:21:35 The church doesn't recognize being gay (David Matheson) 00:45:37 Nick Jones, the former Bishop, who stepped down for moral reasons 00:51:16 CW: CSA Cover up- Episode 3 01:00:40 Cognitive dissonance from the church members 01:07:41 How dissenters and critics have changed LDS policy 01:15:29 The insane ending to the show! 01:19:09 Linda, Listen See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

I Was Groomed & Trafficked into a TANTRIC YOGA SEX CULT

In 2017, Miranda signed up for classes at Tara Yoga Centre in London — a studio associated with the larger network Atman federation (also sometimes called MISA in other countries). At first, the classes were marketed as esoteric or tantric yoga — spiritual practices about inner work, self-improvement and body awareness. As time went on, students were encouraged to date the teachers, blurring lines and creating a toxic power dynamic. Only the true seekers attended the many expensive retreats, which groomed her into desiring a tantric session with the all powerful Guru nobody had met. Slowly, things would become more sexual in nature and those who didn’t participate were seen as prude. After demonstrating her devotion, she was sent to meet the Guru in Paris at an undisclosed location with blacked out windows and other women coming and going blindfolded. She would then be forced into a “spiritual initiation” with the Guru which left her feeling empty and confused. After the ritual, most women were taken to another location where they were told to liberate the world, they needed to be Cam girls. In November 2023, Bivolaru was arrested in France along with many associates. Authorities accused him and the group of kidnapping, trafficking, and sexual exploitation of women under the guise of spiritual practice. Miranda continues to speak out about her experiences. Click here to watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/n50bzbmqhmQ] Find Miranda on Social Media! IG:  https://www.instagram.com/gracefullawakenings/ [https://www.instagram.com/gracefullawakenings/] https://www.facebook.com/usyogaacademy [https://www.facebook.com/usyogaacademy] US Branch atmancultalert.org [http://atmancultalert.org] https://atmanyogafederation.org [https://atmanyogafederation.org] https://atmancultalert.org [https://atmancultalert.org] resources in multiple languages with media on the organization to date Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:33 Miranda's experience telling her story 00:10:07 Group background 00:14:11 How Miranda got involved 00:15:46 When Miranda realized what she'd gotten into 00:26:03 Miranda's experience at the retreat 00:36:19 Meeting the "spiritual guide" 00:54:05 Noticing red flags 01:12:21 How Miranda felt after leaving 01:15:40 Miranda's deconstruction 01:21:30 Prosecution 01:27:29 What brings Miranda joy now 01:32:22 Linda, Listen See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

How the Billion Dollar “Troubled Teen” Industry Scams & Profits From Parents’ Desperation

Alexandra struggled with her parents’ treatment of her, as well as suffering SA which led to a deterioration of her mental health. Her parents then took drastic measures by paying for her to be kidnapped and taken to a wilderness camp in the dead of Utah winter. They were forced to hike every other day further into the mountains carrying a 60 pound backpack with very little food and warmth for 13 weeks straight. When hazardous conditions resulted in sores on their bodies, they would be asked to strip down in a tent where photos would be taken and sent off.  Alexandra will share the detrimental effects during college while deconstructing her total of 9 months in the TT industry and we will further discuss better alternatives. Now, Alexandra is a Youth Rights Activist who advocates about the troubled-teen system— typically residential treatment centers, wilderness-therapy programs, “boot camps,” and therapeutic boarding schools aimed at adolescents deemed “at risk,” “troubled,” or having behavioral, emotional, substance-use, or academic issues.  She calls for awareness and reform speaking out about her time in TTI on social media.  Less than a week ago (after 4 years) she has unmasked.  Click here to watch on YouTube [https://youtube.com/live/qVACOX3kze8] Watch Alexandra's initial interview [https://youtu.be/Xd2lZzi2_8U?si=G2E9okVW70aPxI5i] Follow Alexandra on social media! Instagram: IG @trail.seasoning  [https://www.instagram.com/trail.seasoning/] TikTok: @trailseasoning  [https://www.tiktok.com/@trailseasoning] Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].