Cults to Consciousness

Following up our recent interview​ @lovina_zook about Amish pregnancies, today we are going LIVE with her to further discuss what it was like being parented in the strictest Amish settlement— the Swartzentruber Amish— versus how she now plans to parent outside of it. Watch our initial interview with Lovina: https://youtu.be/keUYKRnHLic Watch our follow up LIVE with Lovina answering your questions: https://www.youtube.com/live/OxRyrwmpRgk?si=rWnFgCaiSJ3Yl3sH Ourt latest interview with Lovina: https://youtu.be/KqroNtaO47c Find Lovina on social media! YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lovina_zook/videos IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook Website: https://socialsbylovina.com/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips 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 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@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. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

James Luceno is a former fifth degree ranked member of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), an initially welcoming, symbol-rich spiritual society rooted in Aleister Crowley’s philosophy of Thelema. According to James, it gradually reveals a hierarchical, secretive structure emphasizing obedience, loyalty, and authority through rituals and initiations, while presenting ideals like personal freedom and enlightenment, yet in practice, the organization fosters enmeshment, suppresses criticism, and protects high-ranking members accused of misconduct—including serious SA allegations—while discouraging accountability. Over time, what begins as an immersive and meaningful community experience becomes increasingly controlling and ethically troubling, ultimately leading James to view it as a h*rmful, cult-like system. One in which he had to step away from, getting him ostracized from the community he invested 11 years into. Follow and support James! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Entelecheia Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/turningofthesky Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turningsky/ X: https://x.com/LapisMercurii Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips 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 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon https://twitter.com/cultstocon Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:23 OTO background 00:08:41 How James got involved with OTO 00:18:55 The initiation 00:26:20 Thelema 00:32:32 Red Flags 00:35:58 Moving up within the OTO 00:39:46 S*x Magic 00:46:44 When James started questioning OTO 00:48:31 CW: SA 00:56:52 Reprecussions of leaving 01:09:36 Why it was hard to see the truth 01:13:22 How James feels about OTO now 01:21:04 Linda, listen **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. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

IN SEARCH OF indigenous people who experienced cultural/identity erasure by being a part of the Mormon “Indian Student Placement Program”. Apply to be a guest by using the link in our about section.

@lovina_zook grew up in a strict Amish community where s*x education was virtually nonexistent and anything related to the body, s*x, or pregnancy was treated as taboo and often shameful. ChiIdren were not taught basic anatomy or reproduction, forcing her to piece together understanding through secretly reading books, accidental discoveries, and observation, often leading to confusion and misinformation well into her teens and even adulthood. Pregnancy, while expected and valued in terms of having chiIdren, was paradoxically hidden and associated with embarrassment, reinforcing a culture of silence and modesty. After leaving the Amish at 18, Lovina struggled initially but eventually found success on social media by embracing her background, and she now reflects on how her upbringing shaped her views on pregnancy, autonomy, and education. Watch our latest LIVE with Lovina furthering this discussion: https://www.youtube.com/live/zF3ccJD5i74?si=i2Ax5Y9BQqJBjjrd Watch our initial interview with Lovina: 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 IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovina_zook/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovina_zook Website: https://socialsbylovina.com/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips 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 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon https://twitter.com/cultstocon Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:11:23 S*x education in the Amish 00:21:34 Learning about pregnancy 00:26:06:24 The shame of pregnancy in the Amish 00:35:00 Amish options for pregnancy, delivery, and medical emergencies 00:46:04 Balancing Amish life and bre*stfeeding 00:53:15 Lovina's due date 00:56:48 Lovina's decisions about her pregnancy 01:05:04 Bringing Amish practices into natal and prenatal care 01:12:26 More on Lovina's pregnancy 01:19:33 Continuing to wear Amish clothing 01:27:17 Final thoughts & Linda listen **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. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

Meg was raised in the Jehovah’s Witnesses and grew up under intense pressure, surveillance, and emotional control. Her upbringing lead to isolation, fear, and a lack of understanding around autonomy and consent. After experiencing SA in young adulthood, she blamed herself due to purity-based teachings and remained in the relationship out of guilt before ultimately confessing to church elders, where she endured invasive and degrading questioning. She was then disfellowshipped, resulting in total social shunning by her community and much of her family, which deepened her shame, loneliness, and self-destructive coping behaviors. Even after being cut off, during a traumatizing miscarriage, she refused a blood transfusion out of devotion to the Jehovah’s Witness blood doctrine that nearly took her life.though she eventually found support outside the group and began rebuilding her sense of identity and independence. Find and Support Meg IG @megreadsandreads https://www.instagram.com/megreadsandreads/ Relentless Shadows: A Book of Poetry https://amzn.to/4cugWtQ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips 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 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon https://twitter.com/cultstocon Chapter marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:15 ChiIdhood & background 00:10:07 The reality of door knocking as a shy teen Jehovah's Witness 00:14:39 How Meg had to conform within her family 00:23:30 College 00:24:23 CW: Suic*de attempt 00:25:43 CW: SA 00:34:48 Confessing s*xual sin 00:43:26 CW: M*scarriage- Bl**d transfusion refusal 00:55:37 Meg avoided telling her therapist she was a JW 01:06:36 What brings Meg joy now 01:14:31 Linda, listen **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. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

Sarah & Nippy, creators of the podcast “A Little Bit Culty” and former NXIVM members, reveal how people are drawn into high-control groups and how man*pulation operates beneath the surface. What started as an empowering, goal-driven self-improvement program in NXIVM gradually revealed itself as a calculated system of manipulation, where trust, financial commitment, and personal vulnerabilities were leveraged to override instincts and deepen involvement. Through subtle psychological pressure, social proof, and a sense of higher purpose, members are often justified red flags along the way—while leader Keith Raniere and those around him expertly explo*ted emotional wounds and desires for validation. What most people didn’t know, was that self-proclaimed-celibate Keith, had a secret harem of women and a growing, devious, “master/slave” program called DOS that Sarah’s best friend recruited her into. Find and support Sarah & Nippy! Their new book: “A Little Bit Culty: Navigating Cults, Control and Coercion” https://amzn.to/4vpo2rg Sarah’s Memoir: “Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, The Cult that Bound My Life” https://amzn.to/3Olkk0W Instagram: @sarahedmondson https://www.instagram.com/sarahedmondson/ @anthonyames11 https://www.instagram.com/anthonyames11/ @alittlebitculty https://www.instagram.com/alittlebitculty/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alittlebitculty Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips 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 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon https://twitter.com/cultstocon Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:06:43 What was NXIVM ? 00:11:14 How Nippy was recruited into NXIVM 00:19:33 How Sarah was recruited into NXIVM 00:25:46 How was Keith Raniere able to trick so many people? 00:32:38 How Keith started a s*x cult within a cult 00:37:19 Allison Mack telling her story after pr*son 00:41:16 What it was like for Sarah being a recruiter 00:50:11 How Sarah & Nippy's instincts were hi jacked 00:52:41 Breakthrough moments while interviewing other cult survivors 00:59:44 When Sarah & Nippy left NXIVM, were they still looking for someone for answers? 01:09:56 The process behind writing "A Little Bit Culty" book 01:11:38 Shelise's take-aways from reading the book 01:18:02 Linda, listen **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. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

Nicole Daedone, founder and former CEO of OneTaste, was JUST sentenced to 9 years in federal prison following a conviction for forced labor conspiracy. She was found guilty of leading a scheme that subjected members to economic, s*xual, emotional, and psychological ab*se, along with indoctrination and surveillance. Today we are joined LIVE with Ellen Huet, the investigative journalist for Bloomberg News who wrote the viral article that exposed the dark sides of OneTaste and Daedone, and is author of “EMPIRE OF ORG*SM: S*x, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult” on the rise and fall of OneTaste, to further discuss the case. Find and support Ellen! Ellen’s Book “Empire of Org*sm: S*x, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult” https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604196/empireoforgasm/ Website: https://www.ellenhuet.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/ehuet/ Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips 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 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@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. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

BREAKING: Former reality TV TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" star Joseph Duggar has pleaded "Not Guilty" to his charges in Florida, almost five years after his brother Josh, who also starred in the TLC show, was convicted of similar charges. Joining us is Eric from @PreacherBoys Podcast to give us the full follow up scoop. Watch our initial LIVE when the news first broke: https://www.youtube.com/live/ck86S5rqVKM?si=ZffBS-e_4ZGsdpB2 Find and support Eric! Website: https://www.preacherboyspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PreacherBoys FB: https://www.facebook.com/preacherboysdoc/ IG: @preacherboysdoc https://www.instagram.com/preacherboysdoc/ TikTok: @preacherboyspod https://www.tiktok.com/@preacherboyspod Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips 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 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@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. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**

Join us LIVE as we go in depth with former guest and current lawyer Kolby Reddish to further discuss the case involving CSA claims, and the potential legal outcome, of Judge Brent Basden in Washington’s Clallam County under investigation following serious allegations of LDS bias and misconduct in family court cases. Formal Complaint: https://workdrive.zohoexternal.com/external/e71bb724977a0926e80e53d8eb625cc0896312bd4fb0202dca0ff420c1b839c0 Follow Kolby’s new Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LetsDisagreeShow Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips 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 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@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. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**