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Podcast Episode Summary: Cults - Part One

  • Writer: Katherine Arkady
    Katherine Arkady
  • 6 days ago
  • 5 min read
church steeple | Takes One to Write One

Introduction

What happens when the faith community you’ve always known turns out to be something far more controlling—and dangerous?


In this episode of Takes One to Write One, I speak with a guest who grew up in a high-control religious group that, over time, revealed itself to be a cult. They share their firsthand experience of indoctrination, strict rules, financial exploitation, and the emotional toll of leaving.


This conversation is raw, honest, and sometimes difficult to hear, but it’s an important look at how these groups operate and the lasting impact they have. If you’ve ever wondered how people get drawn into these organizations—or what it takes to escape—this episode is for you.


Here's a link to the podcast episode on my website. Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other major platforms!



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



Key Takeaways:

  1. Cult vs. Church – A Blurred Line:

    Many groups that operate under the guise of religious communities share high-control tactics with what we traditionally define as cults. The guest reflects on the realization that what they were part of was, in fact, a cult.

  2. Childhood Indoctrination:

    Early memories revolved around strict homeschooling, Bible memorization, and discipline tied to religious teachings. These environments shaped not only beliefs but also behavior, often using fear-based tactics.

  3. Strict Gender Roles & Control Over Daily Life:

    From clothing restrictions to matchmaking, the group imposed rigid rules, particularly on women. The "Rule of Thumb" and other oppressive ideologies dictated personal freedoms.

  4. Financial Exploitation:

    Tithing was required—often beyond 10%—and the church leaders benefited financially while lower-ranking members struggled. Questions about where the money went were met with scrutiny.

  5. Isolation & Emotional Manipulation:

    Despite being constantly surrounded by community members, the guest described feeling deeply isolated. Mental health was dismissed, and any doubts about the group’s teachings were met with pressure to "prove" commitment.

  6. Leaving Isn’t Simple – It’s a Process:

    The guest touches on the difficulty of leaving a cult. Many who leave one high-control group unknowingly seek another to fill the void. Deconstruction takes time.

  7. The Cult Still Exists:

    Despite recognizing its harmful practices, the guest confirms that versions of this group continue to operate, with similar tactics used to recruit and control members.



Editor's Note:

Stories of high-control groups, whether fictional or nonfictional, are deeply layered—they’re not just about the rules and restrictions but about the people who live under them. The psychology of control, the slow erosion of autonomy, the tension between faith and fear—these are all elements that can bring authenticity to a story.


If you’re a writer exploring cults or coercion in your work, consider the human side of these experiences. How does belief shift over time? What small moments spark doubt? How does isolation warp a character’s sense of reality? Survival isn’t just about physically escaping—it’s about reclaiming identity, critical thinking, and trust.


This episode isn’t just an account of what happened; it’s a map of emotional landscapes that can be explored in fiction. If you’re writing about these topics, approach them with care, research, and an understanding of the deep impact they leave on a person’s life.




Links & Resources:

Support Groups

Books on Cults & High-Control Groups (For Research & Inspiration)

Writing Guides & Storytelling Resources

And they hold conferences!




Question, listen, write with intention,

Katherine Arkady

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© 2024 by Katherine Arkady | Takes One to Write One. All Rights Reserved.

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