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Tales From A Cult Insider

Tales From A Cult Insider

By Jared Garrett

Here is a podcast where I tell stories about growing up in a fairly well-known cult. Starting as the Process Church of the Final Judgement in the UK and morphing into the Foundation Faith of God in the US - it was controversial in many ways. It evolved over the years and now has no religion, functioning solely as Best Friends Animal Society.

There's much that hasn't been told about 30+ kids that were 'raised' in this cult. Cult orphans is a fair way to describe us. These are stories of my growing up in this cult along with lessons learned and some episodes with my sister.

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Episode 7: Dallas Angry Beans

Tales From A Cult InsiderNov 25, 2018

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29:28
Tales from a Cult Insider - I'm Out

Tales from a Cult Insider - I'm Out

I needed to record some truly final thoughts while actually on Best Friends property. So I recorded on my phone near a highway and you'll hear cars going by and me being reflective as I take the final step of the journey this podcast has taken me on. 

I can't overstate how much it means to me that you have taken this journey with me. I hope you've gained hope and optimism for the future and have gotten a glimpse at the amount of power you have in your life to change and improve and make yourself what you want. 

My new show, The Lance, is going to be live in about two days. Join me and my family members and friends as we geek out over our favorite stories in every medium. And our least favorite stuff in every medium. No malice, no mean-spiritedness, just jousting and using verbal lances to have a great time. 

Love, blessings, and peace. Life is short. Love unabashedly. Find beauty. 

Your support is also beautiful! Please review, share, spread the word. You can support by clicking the link or even Venmo at @Jared-Garrett-writes. 

Feb 09, 202210:39
Episode 44: Grand Finale Recorded with a Live Audience

Episode 44: Grand Finale Recorded with a Live Audience

This is the grand finale episode, recorded in Kanab, only seven miles from Best Friends. Poetic by design! And with a live, not exactly studio, audience! 

This is a wrap-up episode aimed to provide some closure to myself and all of you wonderful listeners. I think it worked. I share my deepest feelings about all of this and I have hope and optimism and am blessed with all I could ever need. 

-- also yes, there's a bit of a bonus 'outro' episode after this...

Please review, share, spread the word. You can support by clicking the link or even Venmo at @Jared-Garrett-writes.

Feb 09, 202256:52
Episode 43: Punches Sort of Thrown and Final Thoughts

Episode 43: Punches Sort of Thrown and Final Thoughts

This is the final of three long, deep episodes with my wonderful sister, Emma. You can find more of her perspective and also her excellent talents on TikTok at spicyemmapanada

We make sure we say what needs to be said, not out of malice but because we will tell the story and we are responsible for telling all of it, both for ourselves and for the world to have truth. So join us for the ride. And stay tuned for the final episode in a few short days, recorded in a super cool location!  

Feb 04, 202257:41
Episode 42: Kids and Siblings and Parents Healing Together... and TikTok

Episode 42: Kids and Siblings and Parents Healing Together... and TikTok

My sister Emma joins me for another wide-ranging, mildly cathartic episode in which we dive into the trauma of constant instability and how that looks today. We also talk about how the cult did our parents dirty and really was a wrecking ball of crap. 

Start for the silly inside jokes, stay for the sweet chat about The Little Mermaid. Which is obviously more than a chat about a movie with a series of questionable messages. 

Jan 29, 202201:03:24
Episode 41: Another Cult Insider - My Sister

Episode 41: Another Cult Insider - My Sister

The podcast is back. Not epilogues, not bonus episodes. Back with stories and more truth that needs telling. Back with my sister, Emma, for at least the next several episodes. 

I'm still not trying to bring down the whole thing that used to be the cult that we grew up in. But I'm not happy about keeping some of the story untold out of a desire to 'be nice' or whatever. So when I heard my sister telling some of what she experienced, stuff I didn't know about, I knew it was time to, well, throw a punch or two. 

So here we are. My wonderful sister Emma and I talking about her experience and me being somewhat surprised at some of the significant commonalities between us. 

As ever, please review this podcast and share it all over the place. 

May 04, 202154:53
Epilogue 6: Reactions from Me and Others to the Religion News Service Article

Epilogue 6: Reactions from Me and Others to the Religion News Service Article

Back in January of 2020, before all the crazy, I was contacted by Bob Smietana, who was then the Editor-in-Chief of Religion News Service, a rather impressive and wonderful news outlet that reports on the religious angle of all the newsworthy stuff going down. Bob had found this podcast and was interested in discussing my childhood and experiences and we ended up doing an interview some weeks later. He also talked to my dad and sister. The article ultimately came out on October 14 and you can find it here:  https://religionnews.com/2020/10/14/process-church-final-judgment-best-friends-animal-rescue-foundation-faith-jared-garett-latter-day-saint-cult-scientology-satanist-pet-rescue/

I shared it around and had some fascinating reactions. First off, it sounds like my dad and a few other former members aren't happy with how 'Satanist' the cult sounds. Additionally, there's at least one factual error. More importantly, one of the guys I grew up with got Facebook-angry and I wound up doing an informal poll of others that I grew up with regarding how we grew up. 

Turns out we have very different takes on our experience. 

I'll address all of these things in this episode, as well as share my own thoughts as I read my own words and experience as filtered through a very good journalist's brain and writing. 

As ever, please consider supporting this podcast in any of several ways: clicking on the support link, reviewing, telling your friends, and sharing with your family at your holiday gatherings! And on your snapchat. And Tik Tok. And all the things. 

Oct 31, 202040:49
Epilogue 5: What It's Like to Visit Best Friends Now

Epilogue 5: What It's Like to Visit Best Friends Now

You can probably imagine that visiting Best Friends now is odd. In this epilogue episode, I share stories to illustrate some of the strange and disconnected feelings I have visiting there. Spoiler: it's odd. But cool and chill. 

Remember to review and share this podcast with your chums and bums! 

Sep 19, 202038:39
Epilogue 4: My Reaction to the Documentary

Epilogue 4: My Reaction to the Documentary

I learned a lot from watching the documentary that Neil Edwards at TwoFour Entertainment put together. It's a very good documentary with an impressive amount of primary sources, interviews, and footage and audio. Very cool stuff. 

I had several visceral reactions to this thing. I considered writing them all down, but didn't want to go to the effort. So I recorded an episode. 

This one is me being a little less guarded than usual. Not out of vindictiveness, but truth has to be spoken. Not 'my truth' either - just actual truth. 

And keep talking about this thing. Studies show that podcasts gain new listeners primarily and almost solely through word of mouth. Studies also show that cake is a great breakfast. The first statement is true, but the cake one is not. 

Enjoy! 


Aug 14, 202051:46
Epilogue 3: Nearly Thirty Years Later - I Know What the Cult Believed
Aug 08, 202041:55
Epilogue 2: Finding Parts of Myself - Even Today

Epilogue 2: Finding Parts of Myself - Even Today

Did I ever tell you I was a firefighter? Well, I was. My first call was to rescue young bulls from a truck accident. My first fire was a dumpster fire. 

No, literally. 

Also, I talked a lot about how important books were to me, but I don't think I emphasized the power and importance of music in my formative years. It provided unfettered exhilaration and pretend and I will always be thankful to it. I recently rediscovered an artist and album and it took me to a place I was delighted to revisit. 

Anyway, I'm finding parts of myself even today - things that have been and will be a part of me forever. And I'm coming to terms with that. 

So tune in and hear me rave and tell more stories. Thanks for listening. As always, I'd love it if you would tell friends about this crazy podcast.  And review and rate it! 

Maybe tell three friends, and if those three friends told three friends, and so on and so on - well, that's what an MLM is, my friends. 

Jul 11, 202039:36
Epilogue 1: My Mission to Brazil

Epilogue 1: My Mission to Brazil

This is the first of at least three epilogues. The way I grew up led me to a mission in Brazil and I found a home in the warmth, goodness, and welcome of those people. And I learned and was changed fundamentally. This episode shares some of the more impactful stories from my mission and you will be able to see how this experience provided everything I had wanted my whole life. Sincerity, genuine faith, and things that in my old cynical mind I considered cheesy and dumb. 

Now I believe they're those cheesy things- those sincere things, are the treasure of this world and life. That is entirely because of my mission. 

Enjoy. 

Mar 25, 202044:55
Episode 40: Post Cult Story 3 - How I Met Their Mother

Episode 40: Post Cult Story 3 - How I Met Their Mother

Spoiler: I have never seen that show. Not even a single episode - and I'm a big fan of Alyson Hannigan. This episode brings the podcast full-circle from where I started: I wanted a family, to where I am now: I have a family. It's longer because there's a lot of juicy details and intermittently mortifying memories. I tell how I met my dear wife and how we got to know each other and got engaged. So buckle up, this is the last episode until I have a few epilogues done in a few months or two. 

Also, I speak Portuguese in a couple parts because of you lovely listeners in Brazil. Amo voces! 

As always, thank you for listening. Tell your friends. Share on social media. Rate and review! 


Feb 08, 202051:17
Episode 39: Bonfires, Poetry, Metallica, Girls, and not LSD

Episode 39: Bonfires, Poetry, Metallica, Girls, and not LSD

This episode starts with me singing, moves on into me reading a very small part of a poem by Walt Whitman, and then just keeps to that epically high standard. I mean, might as well go out with a bang. 

But really though, this episode is all about the things that helped me find my identity, my voice, my love, and my passion. Things that helped me see and recognize beauty. 

Also, it's about Dead Poets Society, that amazing movie. 

So check it out and remember to review, share, and rate! 

Jan 31, 202032:46
Episode 38: Life Immediately After

Episode 38: Life Immediately After

So it's not like the story of my life in the cult and then out of the cult is ever really going to end. I am who I am due to my circumstances and my choices and I wouldn't go back for anything. That said, we're winding up this big arc and the podcast is going to come to an end soon - with some epilogues here and there over the next few months or so. 

This episode is where I share anecdotes and situations and funny and even important experiences in my immediately post-cult life. In fact, I share the story of my very first actual girlfriend. And frankly, I'll never not be grateful to the people of Kanab, Utah, for being warm, welcoming, and just exactly weird enough for me as I fought to find my feet. 

Remember you can support this podcast via: listening, sharing, word of mouth, reviewing, and rating. And everything you do, I appreciate. Reach me at jared@jaredgarrett.com or on Twitter @jaredgarrett. #CultInsider

Jan 25, 202033:38
Episode 37: The Great Escape

Episode 37: The Great Escape

It's the episode you might have been waiting for! I talk about how I finally actually got out of the cult. For a guy whose bread and butter is telling stories, I recognize that this story might be somewhat anti-climactic, but it's not. It's true in all the right ways. I made my choices all the way along and those choices helped me get out of the negative, abusive situation and start healing. 

So give it a listen and find out how I found the physical freedom I'd sought for so long - although I'd found emotional freedom sometime before. 

As always, tell your friends, family, and enemies. And hug your loved ones. 

Jan 18, 202034:01
Episode 36: The Promenade and Easing In and Out

Episode 36: The Promenade and Easing In and Out

Okay friends, we're closing in on the story of my escape. But before that, some things changed for us kids. This episode focuses on all of us kids in the Dallas Branch-- also called the Children's Center. I mention a few things I've talked about in the past and put it all together, doing my best to share what it felt like to be an older teenager in this cult. There was a normalcy, even though it was still bizarre. The conversations I had with new friends were a bit of a taste of what I would experience for the rest of my life when making new friends-- the cult was the focus. 

Enjoy the anecdotes and such. Fans of Peter Gabriel will appreciate the final story. 

As always, thank you for listening. Don't forget: sharing is caring. 

Jan 07, 202031:56
Episode 35: Memoir Chapter 6: Are You My Father?

Episode 35: Memoir Chapter 6: Are You My Father?

I share another chapter of my memoir, in which I tell some stories about learning who my real father is, how my biological family sort of evolved, being a ring-bearer at a cult wedding, and more. 

I also pose some questions to you, dear listener. I await your response. 

Merry Christmas! 

Dec 20, 201929:60
Episode 34: The Children's Ministry

Episode 34: The Children's Ministry

If I were a clickbait headline writer, this episode's title would be: Hypocrisy Made Him This. Click To Be Shocked!
The truth is that the name The Children's Ministry might not mean what you think it means. And in this episode, I finally reveal a deep, dark secret that perhaps two people outside of the Dallas Branch kids know. Or really, those two people might not even remember me telling them.
So you get to find it out.
Also, this episode covers one of the most bizarre disconnects that I experienced growing up. But through that disconnect, I found I had a talent for performing, so that's okay. And I tie balloons very well. And I teach you how to use a helium tank.
Just listen already. And support this podcast and review it and share with your crew. Posse? Tribe? What do the kids say these days?
Dec 11, 201933:41
Episode 33: History and Life of Brian's Bright Side

Episode 33: History and Life of Brian's Bright Side

Given how sort of all over the place the history of the cult is being told in this podcast, I thought it might be useful to really hone the thing's evolution down into a simple explanation of facts, with my own perspective on some of the popular myths about the cult. For example, was it a Satanist cult? Answer in the podcast (spoiler: no).
Also, even in major trauma or very harsh conditions, the human spirit is strong and will find joy. Luckily, this cult was not good but was nowhere near as bad as millions in this world have it. And there were sometimes some really fun things that we got to do. I talk about those here.
As always, thanks for your support, your reviews, and your word of mouth!
Dec 03, 201938:53
November 30, 2019

November 30, 2019

Nov 30, 201900:60
Episode 32: Memoir Chapter 22: The Cult's Life and Death, But Not Really

Episode 32: Memoir Chapter 22: The Cult's Life and Death, But Not Really

If you're a long time listener (first time caller :-) ), you know I've written my memoir. I'm revising it now preparatory to sending it to agents. I wanted to share chapter 22 with you, in which I sum up the cult's evolution, and mine as well. It's also a chapter in which I give the cult's founders a much needed message. This chapter was incredibly healing for me to write. I hope you enjoy it.
Remember you can email me, support this podcast, review it, and share it with your crew!
Nov 26, 201925:27
Episode 31: We Were Robbed

Episode 31: We Were Robbed

It's episode 31 and I'm talking all about being robbed. I also share some interesting experiences I had with old cult cronies over the last weekend and I answer a listener's excellent question about holidays. 

The being robbed thing was ongoing, really. But this episode is also about the actual thing when our home was burgled. Crazy, right? 

As always, thanks for tuning in. Remember to review and share! 

Nov 13, 201931:03
Episode 30: Post-Cult Story 2 - Don't Cut Off My Hand, Bro!

Episode 30: Post-Cult Story 2 - Don't Cut Off My Hand, Bro!

This title will become self-explanatory, but spoiler: this episode will especially please theater geeks. Stage acting and everything associated with it blessed my life and changed it fundamentally. My baby face might have gotten me roles, but my roles helped me find a voice. 

I tell the stories of my very first ever part in a play, along with my very first solo act, and sort of getting paid to act professionally for a time. Also, theater helped me meet and marry a great lady. Not kidding. 

Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by. May I suggest you review this podcast and talk about it with your pals? 

Oct 26, 201934:12
Episode 29: Night Time Anxiety and Other Ailments (Like Allergies)

Episode 29: Night Time Anxiety and Other Ailments (Like Allergies)

Being sick in the Foundation Faith of God was not fun. Especially when it was an ongoing anxiety about sleeping. I mean, think about it. Who do you tell when you haven't slept well? Your spouse? Your parent? Your coworker or siblings? 

I didn't have any of that. We were all just trying to make it through, man. 

So enjoy the stories about ailments in the Foundation. Cringe at your leisure. I'm fine now, so don't worry about it. 

And don't forget to review, share, and support this podcast! 

Oct 11, 201931:42
Episode 28: What Was Our Religion, Anyway?

Episode 28: What Was Our Religion, Anyway?

You'd think that a cult would have a single, controlling doctrine that informed every moment and every action in the lives of its adherents, wouldn't you? Something like this world is an illusion, so everything we do is an attempt to break the illusion. Or our existence is a simulation. Or animals are the actual gods. 

Or something else. 

But the Foundation Faith of God didn't really, in my experience, have a single uniting doctrine. I explore more about this, why it was the case, and more about the evolution of the cult/commune from Scientology offshoot to, ultimately, the very productive and wonderful Best Friends Animal Society. 

Remember to review, share with your friends, and support this podcast! 

Oct 02, 201937:37
Episode 27: Post Cult Story 1 - Painfully Shy

Episode 27: Post Cult Story 1 - Painfully Shy

Part of my growing up in a cult has actually been the growing up I've done outside of the cult. This is a story about good, friendly, generous people helping me find my feet, find my voice a little, and also start finding myself. Because when I got out of that cult, I was in a thick, shy shell. But that wasn't my end form, friends. That was me in embryo, and this story is the story of me breaking free. 

At least a little. 

So join me at high school dances full of bangs and perms. And remember to review this podcast and tell your friends about it. 

Sep 21, 201933:49
Episode 26: Random Double Standards

Episode 26: Random Double Standards

Let's get into some of the intricacies of the day-to-day of cult/commune living. In this episode, I share some of the bizarre, sometimes alienating double standards propagated by the Foundation and its members. Things to do with sex, the terrible outside world, and more. Tune in and remember to leave a review!

Sep 11, 201932:06
Episode 25: I Will Not Be Erased

Episode 25: I Will Not Be Erased

I'm usually down with just telling my stories and being as chill as possible. But several things combined to make this episode necessary. And talking about being essentially erased over and over again by the people who 'raised' me was necessary- because voices will be heard. I will be heard. There appears to be a little anger left in the basement, which I'd like to excise, so this episode was even therapeutic. 

Please understand, my intent is not to tear down or deliver a scathing indictment or even to write an exposé of the organization the cult has become. I admire their work. But I can admire their work and want it to continue and still speak the truth. We were there. They had us, abandoned us, used us to do hard labor, and neglected and even abused many of us. All that mixed in with plenty of good times. 

Truth needs to be spoken. I have committed to not live a life of fear. So I spoke the truth- with no animosity for anyone. 

Sep 04, 201930:49
Episode 24: Okay, I Had A Crush

Episode 24: Okay, I Had A Crush

For the final episode of Season 1, a lengthy story about a major crush I had. Yes, a crush. On a Scottish girl. The years that I carried this torch became incredibly formative for me and I'm grateful for all I learned and all I did to improve myself. 

The last little bit of the episode is a reflection on a moment I had tonight with one of my kids and the juxtaposition of that moment with my life growing up. I get a little... energetic about that. 

As always, thank you for tuning in. Thank you for sharing. Remember to click on the support link below. And on Instagram and Twitter and other social media, you can use #TalesFromACultInsider and #CultInsider to find a community of listeners. 

Mar 28, 201939:03
Episode 23: A Hippie With A Temper Part 2

Episode 23: A Hippie With A Temper Part 2

It's part two of the short series about my mother. Our relationship, as I tried to describe in the last episode, was odd at best. We ate Chinese food sometimes. We both read horror novels. We spoke sometimes. But when I shared my honest feelings, it made her angry, so I learned to not do that. She had a life full of what was important to her and surprised me by a late-in-life emergence as a businesswoman. Listen and you will soon discover I have mommy issues. 

As always, I'd love your support. Rate, review, share. You can share on Twitter and Instagram, and if you use #CultInsider as a hashtag, I'll see it. 

See you next week for the next episode! 

Mar 21, 201938:10
Episode 22: A Hippie With a Temper Part 1

Episode 22: A Hippie With a Temper Part 1

Now for two episodes about my mother. There's a lot of me doing my level best to get across the experience/relationship I had with my mother- which wasn't all bad, but was not what most people would understand. So listen and you'll probably get a new appreciation for your own parents ( I really hope so at least) and you will also find out that this world is full of so many variations and relationships. Maybe this will help us all gain more empathy for those we inhabit this world with. 

Don't forget to share, review, rate, and support this podcast. Thank you for being a #cultinsider. 

Mar 07, 201931:50
Episode 21: Water Activities

Episode 21: Water Activities

I love water today. I was scared of it when I was younger. Here's where I tell you why and take the opportunity to share some specific stories about how we commune kids spent our days. The YWCA in Dallas features prominently, as does weird, ritualistic baptism. 

Remember to review! 

Feb 28, 201929:48
Episode 20: Faith School

Episode 20: Faith School

"I'm an equal-opportunity weirdo." Ah, the joys of an unscripted podcast. In this milestone 20th episode, I share lots of details about the school I spent seven years attending. The one created by the cult because of... reasons I can only really speculate about. In many ways, it was awesome. In a few ways, it was meh. It was basically home school, but with less home. 

Don't forget to review, tell your friends about, and maybe even support this podcast!

Feb 21, 201932:47
Episode 19: No Idea How To Mourn

Episode 19: No Idea How To Mourn

This is a slightly longer episode, as the subject matter merits a bit more time. Plus, I had a question submitted that deserved a good answer. This episode is where I share one of the most important events of my childhood and, frankly, how I screwed it up. It's related to my oldest brother's death and how I really made a mess of my own reaction at the time in a way that actually caused trauma to myself. Yep, I scarred myself. I'm talented like that. 

Please remember to review and share! 

Feb 14, 201934:22
Episode 18: Dogs and Cats Living Together

Episode 18: Dogs and Cats Living Together

Mass hysteria! Okay, it wasn't exactly mass hysteria, but being raised by people whose primary focus and goal in life were to rescue animals meant that I was surrounded by furry critters all the time. It wasn't always great. It wasn't always terrible. Listen to learn who the greatest cat ever was. 

Feb 07, 201932:09
Episode 17: A Corner, 5000 Lines, and All Points in Between

Episode 17: A Corner, 5000 Lines, and All Points in Between

It's a long, long description for an episode about the colorful, sometimes terrible and cruel, and sometimes just bizarre punishments that we received in the cult. I quote Ursula from The Little Mermaid because that's always a good idea. 

Remember to review and share! 

Jan 31, 201930:51
Episode 16: I Had A Big Problem - Part 3

Episode 16: I Had A Big Problem - Part 3

The final part of the three-part series on the problem of my temper and the temper of others. I knew my temper was causing problems. I knew I wanted to change that and do better. BE better. Here's the story of how I found healing, strength, and progress in my goal to overcome my temper. 

Remember to review and share! 

Jan 24, 201933:29
Episode 15: I Had A Big Problem - Part 2

Episode 15: I Had A Big Problem - Part 2

Last time we talked about my big problem: a temper. However, we talked a lot more about someone else's temper than mine and what happened to me when he lost it. In this episode, we talk about how my temper was terrible and one day I lost it badly - and how that was a turning point for me. 

Remember to review and share! It makes all the difference to a small podcast like mine. 

Jan 17, 201929:56
Episode 14: I Had A Big Problem - Part 1

Episode 14: I Had A Big Problem - Part 1

Today we get personal. Actually, today and next week, and possibly the following week. This is a multi-episode story about my temper problem. I'm not just talking about my own temper either. Listen in and remember to tell your friends to check out my podcast. I'd love it if you would support the podcast by clicking on the link! 

Jan 10, 201932:13
Episode 13: The Problem of Parents

Episode 13: The Problem of Parents

So glad you're back for more! 

Here I talk about what many of us cult kids talked a lot about: parents. We were raised as if parents were not needed, although that experience varied due to prestige of one's actual parents. Many of us were lied to about at least one parent. Why? Good question. A few anecdotes and some speculation await you in this episode. 

Please consider sharing and reviewing. These two things make all the difference for small podcast like mine. 

Jan 05, 201932:53
Episode 12: I Have Skills

Episode 12: I Have Skills

Hey Cult Insider! Was the cult all bad? No, friends, it was not. I gained a lot from growing up the way I did. Let's talk about bikes, cars, cockroaches, and woodwork. 

But mostly cockroaches. 

Remember! Please share and review. You can help me turn my podcasting into a speaking career! 

Dec 27, 201831:26
Episode 11: Dogs, Their Poo, and Me

Episode 11: Dogs, Their Poo, and Me

I promise this episode isn't gross. You'll laugh, not cringe. I answer some questions about smells and other cults, then I tell the story of scooping large amounts of dog poop and how that was actually a good thing. You'll have to listen if you want to find out how much dog crap I scooped in my lifetime.

Please remember to share and review so more people can hear about dog poo! 

Dec 20, 201828:11
Episode 10: Miles of Trenches

Episode 10: Miles of Trenches

The Process/Foundation/Best Friends bought a giant ranch just north of Kanab, Utah. There was much work to be done and who better to do a large part of it than a bunch of young, sort of fit youths who couldn't say no? Here's where I tell some of those stories, answer some questions, and get a bit emotional.
Dec 13, 201829:35
Episode 9: Why I Hate Hatchbacks

Episode 9: Why I Hate Hatchbacks

This week's episode is not exactly about hatchbacks. It's more about an unexpected goodbye, a hallucination I had at age seven, and somewhat self-imposed loneliness. 

Please consider reviewing and sharing.

Dec 06, 201828:45
Episode 8: Did We Not Have Rent Money?

Episode 8: Did We Not Have Rent Money?

One of the key early features of growing up in the Foundation/Process was that we were nomads. The cult would set up shop, send out its money beggars (as my grandmother called them), and within a couple years move. I was in at least two different pre-schools. Maybe three. I tell stories about this and speculate as to the cause of these moves.
Nov 29, 201830:05
Episode 7: Dallas Angry Beans

Episode 7: Dallas Angry Beans

What do congealed baked beans, anger, sociopathy, and falling socks have to do with each other? Listen and you'll find out.
Nov 25, 201829:28
Episode 6: Excelsior - Farewell Stan Lee

Episode 6: Excelsior - Farewell Stan Lee

I had another episode planned, but then Stan Lee died. Stan was my man. He embodied so much of who and what I want to be and do. I had to devote an episode to him and to the beautiful stories that meant everything to me growing up. And still mean so very much to me now. I mention Teen Titans in this podcast- please know that I am fully aware that they are DC. And Stan was Marvel. I know. Enjoy.

Nov 13, 201828:23
Episode 5: Focus Class

Episode 5: Focus Class

We've established that this was a cult. Here's where you get a look at one of the ways the cult worked on us kids. Turns out it was useful, albeit strange.
Oct 30, 201825:31
Episode 4: Liar Liar Pants on Fire

Episode 4: Liar Liar Pants on Fire

This is a slightly different set of stories, a bit more personal. I used lying as a coping strategy for my situation. I share my goofiest and best ones here.
Oct 19, 201827:37
Episode 3: A Cult Kid and Libraries Saved Me

Episode 3: A Cult Kid and Libraries Saved Me

Here's your long-awaited episode three. I talk about what being a kid in this cult was like-- our living arrangements, who took care of us, moving a lot, and how that turned me into a breathing ball of fury. Also, libraries very likely saved my life.
Aug 30, 201836:17