『Cult Stories』のカバーアート

Cult Stories

Cult Stories

著者： Creator at Obomedia
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Ever wondered what really happens behind closed doors in the most secretive societies? Cult Stories uncovers the chilling truths and untold narratives of the world's most infamous cults and their charismatic leaders.

Dive deep into the psychology of manipulation, the allure of belonging, and the devastating consequences for those ensnared. We go beyond the headlines to explore the complex human stories at the heart of these groups, from their origins to their often tragic ends.

New episodes of Cult Stories are released daily, Monday through Sunday, at 9:00 AM. Each installment provides a meticulously researched, standalone account, offering a comprehensive look at a different group or a key aspect of cult dynamics. You'll gain insight into the dark psychology that drives these organizations.

This podcast is for anyone fascinated by true crime, social psychology, and the darker side of human belief. If you're compelled by stories of mind control, religious extremism, and the resilience of survivors, you've found your next obsession.

Subscribe to Cult Stories and start listening now.© 2026 OBOMEDIA Creators 世界
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  • The Espresso Machine and the Missing Volunteer

    The Espresso Machine and the Missing Volunteer
    2026/08/07
    The Espresso Machine and the Missing Volunteer

    Imagine stumbling upon an abandoned agricultural shed, only to find a commercial espresso machine running, two wet cups on its drip tray, and no one in sight. This $3,100 machine, registered to Compass Holdings, became key evidence in a federal fraud case involving eleven people and over $380,000. What dark secret did this discovery reveal about a personal development circle operating quietly in a Dallas suburb?

    In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Dennis York, a man who built a "personal development circle" in Fenwick Hills, a quiet suburb north of Dallas. We explore how he drew in individuals like Laura Larsen, a dependable volunteer who suddenly vanished, and how his methods led to significant financial loss and emotional damage.

    Date: February 2019
    Location: Fenwick Road, Fenwick Hills, north of Dallas
    Person: Michelle Barnes, Laura Larsen, Dennis York
    Case: Federal fraud case
    Company: Compass Holdings

    - Michelle Barnes discovered a running commercial espresso machine inside an agricultural shed on Fenwick Road.
    - The espresso machine cost $3,100 and was registered to Compass Holdings.
    - Eleven people handed over more than $380,000 to Dennis York.
    - Laura Larsen, 47, had volunteered at the Fenwick Hills Food Pantry every Thursday for six years without absence.
    - Dennis York, 53, arrived in Fenwick Hills in the summer of 2016 and formed the Compass Holdings with eleven adults within three months.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    22 分
  • The Notebook: I Don't Know How To Leave

    The Notebook: I Don't Know How To Leave
    2026/08/06
    The Notebook: I Don't Know How To Leave

    A hidden notebook, wrapped in plastic and containing 112 handwritten pages, was discovered in a septic housing unit, eventually leading to a man's federal imprisonment. This man had vanished six days earlier, leaving behind a closed community on 43 acres of California rangeland. What secrets did the notebook hold about his escape from this cult-like group?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of the Pastoral Wellness Covenant, a residential wellness community that rose and collapsed, told from the inside out. It begins with a forklift accident in Redding and ends with a storage unit registered to a man who did not exist.

    Person: Rachel Stewart
    Date: January 9, 2011
    Location: Sutter County, California
    Event: Discovery of a notebook

    - Rachel Stewart found a notebook wrapped in plastic behind an access panel on a septic housing unit.
    - The notebook contained 112 handwritten pages with dates, names, and dollar amounts.
    - Gary Schmidt, a warehouse supervisor, turned 31 in the spring of 2009.
    - Gary met Jeffrey Anderson at the Redding Natural Health Expo in 2009.
    - Gary moved to Fenwick Ranch on County Road Seven in Drover Flats, Sutter County, in November 2009.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    22 分
  • The Lemon Tree in the Freezer: A Cult's Quiet Collapse

    The Lemon Tree in the Freezer: A Cult's Quiet Collapse
    2026/08/05
    The Lemon Tree in the Freezer: A Cult's Quiet Collapse

    Imagine discovering a fruiting lemon tree inside a chest freezer, propped open in an abandoned summer camp in Oregon, in December. This bizarre find was just the beginning of unraveling the quiet collapse of a cult, a chilling scene that left deputies stunned by its stillness. What secrets did the Whispering Pines community hold, and how did its leader maintain control for so long?

    In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of Dean Stewart and the Verdant Path community, exploring how a seemingly ordinary man built a deceptive world around ecological restoration and sustainable living. We trace the journey of Lori Lawson, a dental hygienist who sought an intentional community and found herself drawn into Stewart's carefully constructed illusion.

    Person: Dean Stewart
    Location: Sutter Creek Road, Oregon
    Date: December 2011
    Event: Discovery of a lemon tree in a freezer

    - A birdwatcher found a white chest freezer with a lemon tree inside on a December morning in 2011.
    - Thirty-one people had already left Whispering Pines by the time deputies arrived, with six remaining.
    - Lori Lawson transferred $41,000 to the community trust within 60 days of her arrival in 2005.
    - The Verdant Path Community Trust received $1.2 million in member contributions between 2003 and 2010.
    - Dean Stewart paid himself $412,000 as the sole director of the trust under "leadership development."

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    23 分
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