Takes One to Write One

Cults - Part Three

In the final part of this candid and emotionally resonant series, Katherine sits down with our anonymous guest for a wide-ranging conversation on reclaiming life, identity, and freedom after leaving a cult. Through reflection, analysis, and moments of both levity and gravity, they explore what comes after escape: the long process of unlearning, healing, and re-entering the world. This episode dives into pop culture, spirituality, horror as catharsis, and what documentaries get right—and wrong—about cult life. You’ll hear powerful reflections on trust, autonomy, and the ongoing journey of writing a new story after surviving a system of control. TIMESTAMPS 00:01:32 What other gossip was happening amongst the church? 00:02:38 You said a hundred people. Was there like a flow of there was a minimum, there was a maximum? 00:03:15 Was it ever discouraged going to the doctor? 00:04:05 Tell me more about healing hands. 00:04:47 Were there some church members that were a little louder than others? 00:05:35 Was that truly believed to a level of, like, yes, women are healers, but God is ultimate? 00:06:52 Is Aunt Bessie a reference to something? 00:08:40 Was it just God or was there like the Trinity of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit? 00:09:40 What were you able to watch as a kid? 00:10:40 Once you were out, and you could watch relatively anything, how did that feel? 00:12:15 Are there any [bible] verses that you might still hold close to you because you like them? 00:14:38 What was it like regaining your freedom of choice? 00:16:11 Did you have to learn how to trust yourself? 00:17:43 What's the difference between a cult and a military? 00:19:29 Did you find comfort being in the military after your experience in the cult? 00:21:18 When you say that you're learning this dark humor, how does that come about? 00:23:27 What tactics have you utilized to get the pop culture refresh into your brain? 00:24:32 What is it about horror that you're able to enjoy? 00:27:32 Were there ever doomsday prophecies with the cult? 00:29:03 You and I have watched a few documentaries on Cults, the Twin Flames documentary, the Keep Sweet and Obey documentary. What about these documentaries do you feel get it right? 00:34:07 “As to what the documentaries got wrong, I can't speak to too much because every cult is different.” 00:35:05 Would you like to see something being made about the cult that you were a part of? 00:36:38 ”Anybody could fall victim to a cult.” 00:37:44 What traits would that leader have to have? 00:38:28 What resources would you suggest writers utilize to better write about Cults, either fictional or realistic, in their own writing? 00:39:34 If I were to only watch one documentary to get that cultness through, what would it be? 00:41:15 What is the best way to heal from a cult experience? 00:44:54 What might you want to say to somebody listening who is questioning the organization that they are currently in, that it may also be of a cult persuasion? WEBSITE https://takesonetowriteone.com/ [https://takesonetowriteone.com/] SOCIALS Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram] Threads: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads] Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky] YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube] Pinterest: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest] Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify] YouTube Music: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTubeMusic

Cults - Part Two

In Part Two of Takes One to Write One: Cults, Katherine sits down again with her anonymous guest as they dig deeper into life inside a high-control religious group. This episode explores the long-term impact of spiritual abuse, how loyalty was weaponized, and what happens when someone begins to question everything they’ve ever been taught. Together, they unpack relationships, identity, and the emotional unraveling that often follows the first steps toward freedom. It’s an honest, intense, and insightful look into the psychological grip these groups can have—even long after someone leaves. Trigger warnings include trauma, spiritual and emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care. TIMESTAMPS 00:01:26 What differences did you notice in these “biblified” holidays?  00:03:41 What were birthdays like? 00:04:13 Speaking of siblings and their names from the bible… 00:05:50 And y'all could have pets like typical household families? 00:08:44 To have siblings that weren't around for the cult, that are growing up in a different way. How do you feel about that? 00:10:24 You touched on the sex education or rather lack of. Is that the only way —abstinence? 00:11:53 Was there any talk about the health of like, hey, you're, this is what happens with puberty? 00:13:18 What is in the Bible regarding menstruation? 00:15:51 Did you experience other women in the church being pregnant? 00:18:21 You mentioned at five years old, you knew who you were, quote unquote, destined to marry. Did you have a friendship with the person, or relationship? 00:20:02 What sex education do you suppose the guys got? 00:21:56 “I know one of the guys that assaulted me, assaulted one of my sisters.” 00:22:33 Is that out of shame that you didn't share with each other? 00:24:09 So now that you're not involved, and you exited, what was the removal process like for you? 00:26:45 You mentioned earlier how overwhelming it was to be in the greater world of things. How did you cope with that? 00:29:16 “I never even saw the r*pes as r*pe until I was in college.” 00:33:14 So when you were trying one of every [drug], did you find answers out of those experiences? 00:35:23 What was ultimately something that really helped you start the healing? 00:36:39 This may have been weeks ago, perhaps an off comment, where you were figuring out like, there's not a hell, there's not this, there's not, and it was like, your whole belief system was crashing around you. How long did that take to get over? 00:38:13 “Since the day I was born, I was told these shoulders are going to send me to hell.” 00:39:35 Tell me more about you looking into Greek mythologies. 00:44:32 “I have struggled with s*icid*l ideation adhesion since leaving the cult because suicide is a sin, according to the Bible and according to the cult.” 00:46:13 Is an identity crisis the right term to use for that? 00:46:49 Do you find more solace from talking to folk that were also involved in cults, or do you find more solace from folk that have never been in cults? 00:50:08 So these claims, it seems very your word against everybody else's. Does stuff like this get caught in that rumor mill and all of the gossip? WEBSITE https://takesonetowriteone.com/ [https://takesonetowriteone.com/] SOCIALS Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram] Threads: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads] Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky] YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube] Pinterest: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest] Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify] YouTube Music: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTubeMusic Read less

Cults - Part One

In this first episode of Takes One to Write One: Cults, Katherine sits down with a guest who bravely shares their experience growing up in a high-control group and their journey to breaking free. Through their anonymous account, we explore what it means to be raised in a cult, the tactics used to maintain control, and the emotional toll of leaving. This conversation is raw, honest, and at times heavy—so please listen with care. Trigger warnings include coercion, trauma, psychological manipulation, spiritual and emotional abuse, and physical assault. Your well-being comes first. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:27 Trigger Warnings: coercion, trauma, physical assault, psychological manipulation, spiritual abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, self-harm, suicide, and gaslighting. 00:02:05 Did the cult have a name, or was it a cult? 00:04:26 What are your first memories or experiences with being in the organization? 00:06:20 Who was doing the homeschooling? 00:08:40 I imagine in an unfortunate circumstance, you got really good at knowing the Bible verses. 00:09:20 Bible verses for discipline 00:10:51 With these church services, were they the same no matter what day of the week or were they like, it's Monday, so this day is about this? 00:11:55 What's the difference between the kids' service and the adult service? 00:13:40 Could you elaborate more on these responsibilities? 00:16:14 How did your parents get involved? 00:17:37 Matchmaking 00:19:14 The bible taught the Rule of Thumb  00:20:40 What would you experience in these church services? 00:23:31 Would anybody who's been at a church service be able to find similarities with the church services that you attended? 00:25:09 What was the view with working— having an unrelated job? 00:25:25 Members of the church, what sort of jobs did they have? 00:26:42 Tithing with 10 percent but definitely more  00:29:44 With these clothes, was it retail stores that you went to? Were they made sewn? 00:30:20 Was there like a uniform, like were there specific things that you needed to wear? 00:31:02 If I were to put a dollar at the top of my knee, the shorts had to be longer than where the dollar ended going up my knee. 00:32:07 Carrying religious traumas  00:32:56 What was youth group like? 00:35:28 What does one do to become a leader? 00:37:29 So overall, in the grand scheme of things, rather recently, a couple of years ago and I was like, hey, this is a cult, right? 00:39:35 Because one does not simply leave a cult, they just replace it. 00:39:53 What was the difference between the original and now the new or second? 00:40:39 Are these cults still operating? 00:41:06 You mentioned at the church services that people questioned commitment. What was that verbiage like? 00:42:57 Was the pastor who was getting all the money, who was clearly not doing what he was saying he was going to do with the money, was he living a flashier life than the rest of the members? 00:44:58 So, you were with this group, always doing stuff, always keeping busy, studying, doing X, Y, Z. And then you mentioned how isolating it was at the same time. I imagine there wasn't mental health support of, hey, you're feeling this way. 00:46:08 Was there a big presence of Satan? 00:46:57 Let's take a break WEBSITE https://takesonetowriteone.com/ [https://takesonetowriteone.com/] SOCIALS Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram] Threads: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads] Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky] YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube] Pinterest: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest] Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify] YouTube Music: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTubeMusic

Motorcycle Clubs - Part Two

In the second part of this two-part series, Katherine continues her conversation with Todd, a lifer in the motorcycle club world. With 18 years of experience, Todd shares his thoughts on what it means to be a part of a club, the emotional ups and downs that come with the territory, and how the landscape of motorcycle clubs has evolved over time. From the challenges of managing relationships within the club to navigating the perceptions of the wider world, Todd pulls back the curtain on what really happens in the day-to-day life of a seasoned member. Learn about the balance between fear and respect, the importance of community meals, and what the future might look like for motorcycle clubs. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:51 Are there such things as posers with the guys that have the motorcycles that have like leather jackets, but no patches sort of thing? 00:01:40 What gets you excited about the Motorcycle Club? 00:02:13 Follow up question, what about it drains you? 00:02:55 Can we talk about you being a lifer and what that means? 00:03:28 Would you say that being a part of the club, you get a full range of emotions? 00:04:35 Now, going off with, you know, figuring out the burial and whatnot, would you mind talking a little about how you take on, you know, some responsibilities with that? 00:07:31 There are folk with, you know, criminal records that are perhaps coming back from jail. How’s the reception when they come back? 00:08:42 What do these community meals mean to you? 00:09:38 What foods do you yourself have in your refrigerator? 00:12:14 As far as scents and smells and flavors, what sort of smells and scents and flavors do you associate with the club or with the motorcycle? 00:13:58 If you were to make a candle for your motorcycle club, what fragrances would it have? 00:14:32 How important has your sixth sense been on your journey in this motorcycle club world? 00:16:13 What's something that is perhaps often overlooked or forgotten when it comes to motorcycle clubs? 00:17:02 Do you guys have like a rule book or legislation amongst the club that you have to follow? 00:18:22 What advice do you have for individuals that are aspiring to join a motorcycle club? 00:19:43 If, if somebody were to come up to you while you're, I don't know, at a, not at a club affiliated thing and say, hey, I see that you're part of this, is that something that you would have a conversation or is that just not a time or place? 00:20:24 What's something that you think most people in motorcycle clubs might, like, change about the field? 00:21:25 Once you become a member of a motorcycle club and then you find out maybe it's not for you, is there like, are you allowed to then go to a different club? 00:22:15 You've mentioned that going online, for information about motorcycle clubs, you'll find some stuff that's true and some stuff that's not true, and to recommend going to other clubs, or going to clubs to get more information. Is there anywhere else where people could find information, specifically writers, finding information on motorcycle clubs? 00:23:20 Would you agree that it's like the media and entertainment that vilifies and adds this mystification to it? 00:24:02 Are there things with motorcycle clubs that have gone out of date, or would you see the same sort of stuff happening today that happened in the 50s? 00:25:02 You've been involved with motorcycle clubs for 18 years. What have you seen the most change in? 00:25:44 What sort of tech in a motorcycle has changed? 00:26:55 Speaking about the ladies, how do they love the motorcycle clubs? 00:29:51 Going off of my question about things going out of date, what is something with motorcycle clubs that is perhaps future proof, or it could be 200, 300 years from now, and it will still always be part of the club? 00:32:05 If you read blank, if you read something in a book or saw something on TV regarding motorcycle clubs, what would that thing be where you would know that the writer did their research? 00:34:37 And you've asked me this question before, to which I answered incorrectly and you told me why. Where you asked, is it better to be feared or respected? 00:36:48 You mentioned the fear of getting kicked out. Is that super possible with, like, anything, or does it take lengths to do it? 00:45:50 Do you foresee a time where you'll be unbothered by the government and society and outsiders? 00:47:56 If somebody wasn't in a motorcycle club, they would never believe what. WEBSITE https://takesonetowriteone.com/ [https://takesonetowriteone.com/] SOCIALS Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram] Threads: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads] Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky] YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube] Pinterest: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest] Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify] YouTube Music: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTubeMusic

Motorcycle Clubs - Part One

In part one of this two-part series, Katherine sits down with Todd, a seasoned member of a long-standing motorcycle club. With years of experience under his belt, Todd shares his unique perspective on the world of motorcycle clubs and their impact on society. From the myths surrounding club life to the realities of maintaining brotherhood, Todd goes into the history, structure, and personal significance of being a club member. He addresses commonly held stereotypes, the importance of club patches and colors, and gives insight into the role of philanthropy in the motorcycle community. Join us for an eye-opening discussion about the real world of motorcycle clubs that you won't see on TV. TIMESTAMPS 00:01:12 How is it that you got started with the club? 00:02:44 Fact or Fiction 00:03:06 Harley Davidson is the one and only choice for real motorcycle club members. 00:04:12 What does the CC mean? 00:05:07 Motorcycle clubs are only for people who don't fit mainstream society, like ex-convicts, rebels, or troublemakers. 00:06:03 Motorcycle club members are all heavy drinkers and partiers, and that clubs are shown hosting wild parties fueled by booze, drugs, and chaos. 00:07:23 Motorcycle club members are always heavily tattooed, always wear leather jackets and vests and have to look tough. 00:08:52 Motorcycle clubs frequently feud with rival clubs and club wars and turf battles are a constant reality, leading to shootouts and revenge plots. 00:11:47 Motorcycle clubs control small towns and communities, and that motorcycle clubs exert influence over local businesses, law enforcement, and politics as seen on all of these TV shows. 00:14:54 Motorcycle clubs have strict hierarchies and roles. 00:17:07 What makes a motorcycle unsafe? 00:17:36 Women are not allowed to be full-fledged members and that women are depicted as property or mere accessories to male motorcycle club members. 00:21:28 A club patch or colors are considered untouchable and disrespecting them leads to serious consequences. 00:24:32 Timeline of being accepted into a club 00:25:15 History of motorcycle clubs, specifically in Detroit. 00:30:59 Regarding being in the club, how important is observation and attention to detail? 00:33:43 What challenges occur when maintaining a peaceful environment at the clubhouse and what happens when you host other clubs? 00:35:04 How often does your club host other clubs at the clubhouse? 00:35:45 Are there acronyms or code words that you'll see used in other motorcycle clubs or amongst yourselves to communicate? 00:36:32 Resources for writers 00:37:54 Philanthropy with the clubs (and not so much with the government) 00:40:40 Lawyers for the club 00:41:12 Like jewelers have dirty and burned hands, like farmers get wicked tans. Would anything on your body give away that you are in a motorcycle club? 00:42:52 What does this brotherhood mean to you? 00:43:50 In a lot of media, there's shows like Sons of Anarchy that really get into the motorcycle clubs. What about these shows do they get right, and what about these shows do they get wrong? 00:45:14 Could you describe a visually memorable experience that has stuck with you through your years in the motorcycle clubs? 00:47:38 Sounds of being a club member  00:52:50 What music genres do you think most of the club listens to? 00:54:00 Do bikes automatically have a stereo outfitted, or is that like an extra accessory that people bring? 00:54:47 If you're just driving in your hearse and you hear a bike going down the road and you hear something from that bike, what would you hear where it's like, man needs to get that checked out? 00:55:51 What extra precautions do motorcyclists have to take while on the road with other vehicles? 00:57:34 How do these club nicknames come to fruition? 01:01:02 What sort of protective gear does one wear while riding? 01:01:56 What sort of accessories do you see people outfitting their motorcycles with? 01:02:27 Do people most often only have one bike or is it like, once you have one, you get 12? 01:03:18 And when people do the outfits with aftermarket stuff, are there certain websites that folk go to, or is it just whatever you find? WEBSITE https://takesonetowriteone.com/ [https://takesonetowriteone.com/] SOCIALS Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Instagram] Threads: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Threads] Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Bluesky] YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTube] Pinterest: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Pinterest] Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify [https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-Spotify] YouTube Music: https://tinyurl.com/T1tW1-YouTubeMusic