Episode 79: Cults, Coercion & the Control of Women
Why are there often more women than men in cults, and is it harder for women to leave? What is reproductive coercion? How is it used in cults to control the freedoms and choices of women? Join the Cult Chat trio for this important conversation as they explore the unique vulnerabilities that women have in cults and how these vulnerabilities are often targeted and exploited. Trigger warning - discussion of suicide.Show notesPodcast - Cult Chat Episode 24 - Coercive Control - What is it? https://youtu.be/HO5TRYdZCX4?si=-X5pB7RIBx2ly6PJPodcast - Cult Chat Episode 25 - Coercive Control - Is it Legal? https://youtu.be/z93AopyG6Pk?si=OHvQLFzEnyYkhwLoWebsite - Cult-Informed Professional Network - www.cipnetwork.orgPodcast - Cult Chat Episode 77 - Life for Women in 2x2s with Veronica & Lindsay (P2) https://youtu.be/ZRwOSFL_VKo?si=lVFcaOGCyjUQUuvJJournal article - The health impacts of women's low control in their living environment: A theory-based systematic review of observational studies in societies with profound gender discrimination - Pennington et al Health Place Journal 2018 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29482064/Thesis - Understanding Reproductive Coercion in Cults and Destructive Group Settings by Ashlen Weltz https://library.internationalculticstudies.org/24nbuck/~~PdfSource/0Article - As Belgium Races to Save U.S.A.I.D. Contraception, Some Supplies Are Reported Ruined - New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/world/europe/belgium-usaid-contraception.htmlWebsite - Briell Decker - FLDS survivor and wife of Warren Jeffs - https://www.brielldecker.com/about-1
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Episode 78: Coercive Control, Family Violence & Cults
Get ready for a challenging but extremely important conversation with Debbs Murray, founder of Eclipse Family Violence Services. Caz and Debbs chat about the overlap between the world of family violence and cultic harm and how coercive control presents similarly and differently in these parallel contexts. Trigger warning - discussion of suicide and sexual violence.Show NotesWebsite: https://www.eclipsefamilyviolenceservices.co.nz/Documentary: American Murder - Gabby Petito https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35590630/Legislation: Family Violence Act 2018 - https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2018/0046/latest/lms112966.htmlBook: One Soul One Survivor by Debbs Murray - https://www.eclipsefamilyviolenceservices.co.nz/debbs-story
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Episode 77: Life for Women in the 2x2's with Veronica and Lindsay (Part 2)
Join us for Part two of our brave interview with Veronica and Lindsay as they share what life was really like for women growing up in the 2x2's (The Truth, The Way, The Church With No Name). Hear their stories of rules (but no rules), control, silence, resilience, and freedom. Then listen in to the Cult Chat Trio as they discuss the interview.
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Episode 76: Life for Women in the 2x2's with Veronica and Lindsay (Part 1)
Join us for a brave discussion as Veronica and Lindsay share what life was really like for women growing up in the 2x2's (also known as The Truth, The Way, The Church With No Name). These women are among the first in New Zealand to speak publicly about their experiences inside this secretive religious group. Hear their stories of rules (but no rules), control, silence, resilience, and freedom. Part two next week!
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Episode 75: What's so Good about Cults?
John Lennon’s famous song "Imagine" paints a vision of a perfect world — and cults often promise something similar. So in the spirit of fairness, this week, we take a surprising detour to explore the good things and the benefits that members say about life inside: belonging, structure, shared ideals, and hope for something better. These dreams are powerful — and they can make leaving hard. But are they just an illusion? Listen in, and let us know if we have done the topic justice!Show NotesArticle: Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust 10 Reasons People Remain at GloriavaleArticle: BBC Australian sect members guilty of causing girl's death - information about the Elizabeth Struhs deathDocumentary: Wild Wild Country - Netflix previewCult Chat episode 31: Sam Jahara (Part 1) The Children of Rajneesh and Centrepoint
Join Dr Caroline Ansley, Lindy Jacomb and Liz Gregory as they traverse the cultiverse. Journey with them as they unpack the cult playbook, talk to leavers of coercive and controlling groups in New Zealand, and share their stories. On “Cult Chat” our hosts talk with experts to gain greater understanding of cultishness and call for Kiwis to cult-proof their lives. "Cult Chat" is a home-grown Kiwi podcast where each of the hosts are uniquely positioned to host a survivor-centric podcast, bringing their individual experiences of high control groups to the conversation.
New Zealand