Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

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A podcast about cults, extreme belief, and manipulation – from two hosts who’ve actually lived it. Hosted by Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth.Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or manipulation? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at Trust Me Pod @gmail.comINSTAGRAM:@TrustMePodcast@oohlalola@meaganelizabeth11TWITTER:@TrustMeCultPod@ohlalola@baberahamhicksTIKTOK:@TrustMeCultPodcast

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Recent Reviews
  • sha_nnon
    One of My Most Recommended Podcasts
    Trust Me is one of my absolute favorite podcasts! It’s taught me so much—not just about cults, but about life in general. Lola, thank you for using your platform to highlight important issues at the start of some episodes—we need more voices like yours! I can’t help but think that the people who are triggered by your perspectives might be the ones who need this podcast the most.
  • happpppppyyyyyy2222222
    Talk about cults not politics
    I love listening to the interviews and hate the beginning about politics. I wish you left politics out of this podcast.
  • Fairness and Truth
    Awesome podcast and great guests
    I loved the episodes about TwinRay. Megan and Lola are awesome interviewers. They were both in a cult. They are smart, entertaining, and they really get it!!
  • nixfinity
    Gone to Far this Time Ladies
    Scientology is not a cult so much as The Ramones. Why don’t you address America’s largest and most violent and dangerous cult of Donnie trump and his maca followers, rather than some screwball who disconnected from the cans or follows ufo nonsense?
  • Pants 60
    Nope
    When you turn your podcast into your political views I’m done.
  • SeraDee777
    Love this!
    I love this podcast. It’s rare I can listen to a pod for so long and still really enjoy it. The guests are interesting and the hosts are wonderful. The respect for the serious topics, guests and stories is so important with interviews like this. I will say I didn’t enjoy the interview with the playboy guest because I feel like the hosts didn’t uphold the same respect for her as they did with others which was disappointing. But overall it’s really a great listen!
  • Carly B!
    So insightful, interesting, and eye-opening!
    Love the show!
  • LadyRavenway
    Weekly listener
    I check this for updates every week. It’s a good podcast with interesting guests and fun hosts. I really also appreciate you speaking up about Gaza on your platform. Thank you.
  • KatrinaAnnRN
    Great podcast
    Lola and Megan are such great interviewers and ask the questions that end up telling these stories so beautifully.
  • dndjxjbebx
    You guys are amazing💗
    I love Lola and Meagan! I listen to you guys throughout my work day. Meagan you have a sexy voice don’t listen to the haters. And please keep saying “mmmhm” when interviewing. Do whatever you guys want because it’s your podcast and for some people to write a comments about what you should and shouldn’t do is a little cultish 👀 Do you babes!
  • Dr. Nomecat
    Odinists
    Richard Allen has no ties to Odinists (per LEO sworn statements) and only “confessed” while being tortured in prison (not jail, despite being pre-trial) by guards that wore Odin patches on their actual state uniforms, which they confirmed in formal depositions. I suggest R&M productions or CriminaliTy channels on YouTube for information regarding this case. Thank you, sincerely, for having guests on who are willing to connect these religious and familial high control groups to the goals of right wing authoritarianism in politics. Warmly, Dr NB
  • pam sa.
    Love this pod!
    So glad I found this pod. I don’t listen to each episode but some noteworthy ones include the MS:13 episode and Qanon. Thanks so the insightful guests and questions.
  • Jenna81818
    So good
    Just discovered you and love listening to back to back episodes! I will be sad when I’m caught up. You ladies are the best!
  • mgreekchickie
    Great podcast
    I have listened to every single episode of this podcast & really enjoyed it. Only comment - please stop saying “mmhmm” while interviewee speaks. It’s extremely distracting. Just let your guests speak without the “mmhmm”s.
  • Piper_Lillian
    Fantastic
    So happy to have found this podcast. Interesting topic and wonderful, thoughtful hosts!
  • AnnaROGOME
    LOVE!!
    I love they give a platform for people to seek about what they went through.
  • Memishel
    Compassion, care and wit while dealing with Cult and high control as the topic
    The ladies on this podcast provide the right level of inane chat, and deep and informed discussions. The folks they’ve interviewed have been stellar. The best part is that it is focused, with great questions, on the guest(s). I appreciate the hosts including their personal experiences and knowledge, offered for additional meaning not seeking recognition. Great show I highly recommend!
  • Mattbigs1775
    Interesting stories, but keep your politics to yourself
    The stories are interesting, but I don’t like being told I’m in a cult because I lean one way in politics. Not professional at all.
  • PLF123
    Episodes with Derek.
    Fantastic. Glad you shared their story.
  • not my birthday
    Love the pod
    Show is insightful & funny. Questions are always poignant and they show the utmost respect to all guest & backgrounds. It’s taught me a lot. Appreciate your hard work & tackling necessary, uncomfortable conversations. 👏🏽💙
  • katie bug 1313
    Disappointed
    I just want one dang cult topic oriented podcast that isn’t so obviously hosted by a bunch of irritating lib women with grating voices and an undeserving sense of self importance. I think it could be a great podcast but dang keep your politics to yourself! It’s super off putting to a lot of people.
  • MrTimmy1969
    It’s Alright
    Like these pods. Someone called Lola a narcissist. Found that fascinating. Because if she is a narcissist she’ll believe it’s your fault. If it’s not true, it’s just a hurtful word. The show itself is really good. It does feel a little patronizing at times, but I just ignore that stuff. The information is still good. Also, these pods are beginning to define cult a little too vaguely. We should define a cult differently from HCGs, etc. anyway, 5 stars because it’s good… well it’s alright.
  • Sheila MaRee
    Stupid women
    Making fun of people who sing TS songs as part of recovery?!…. I mean dude, whatever it takes. These two should take a hike.
  • Kemasp
    new podcast obsession
    i am currently obsessed with your pod and am binging it every day while i work! you guys should reach out to Kibby Linga on TikTok, her mother was a high priestess of a cult!
  • emily7c
    Unique podcast about cults
    *Update: I recommend you put your merch link at the end of each episode and on the show page. People want to support you and don’t know how!* I love the perspective the 2 hosts bring because they are former cult members of different cults. It’s fascinating learning about their cults and experiences throughout the episodes. I was a little turned off initially because of their voices and banter, but I’ve grown to love it. I know Lola speaks fast, but I really enjoy it. Maybe others could slow down the podcast in their settings? Also, you can also skip through the banter. They start with a segment “what’s the cultiest thing you’ve experienced this week”, have the interview, then do a segment on if Megan would join the cult or not. They have lots of guests with different specialities (experts) or experiences (former cult members). Sometimes the guest is both a former cult member and expert in cult recovery. I like the variety. Some experts seem more knowledgeable and trustworthy while others don’t. I think it’s brilliant that the hosts push back sometimes with the guests. It makes for a more honest and genuine conversation with a goal of knowledge versus marketing a certain personal or idea. Give it a chance! Listen to a few since they can vary greatly. Keep up the awesome work Lola and Megan. This is my favorite podcast right now and I’m learning SO much. It’s also helping me recover from a toxic relationship surprisingly. I just thought I had an interest in cults which is how I discovered the podcast. I wasn’t expecting it to be helpful in my personal life.
  • duchess111
    Great pod, Lola is an amazing host
    Been listening to the podcast for awhile now and really enjoying the varying topics and groups they dive into. But lately I have been especially happy to hear Lola talk about the genocide happening in Palestine, so many other podcasts are too afraid to talk about it but I admire Lola’s strength and knowledge that has led her to speak out multiple times. I wish Meagan would do the same because she’s the reason I started listening (used to listen to her old podcast) but happy that Lola is using her platform for good 🤍 Thank you for speaking out and making your muslim and palestinian listeners feel heard
  • mandymck123
    Big Fan
    I listen to so many cult podcasts and this has become my favorite. I love how they have so many testimonies and seem to honor those people and their stories well. I also like that we are getting a wide range of small cults vs the main ones.
  • Osun Seyi
    Addicted
    I love to hear about cult idk why. Jim Jones hit my hard because my mom is from Guyana. But I love the inside look at how people get drawn in and fight there way out.
  • queenfarma
    I love your podcast
    I love your podcast, I’m listening to the last episode right now! I need more lol you guys should look into the new cult in my hometown Ashland, Oregon. They are called Twinray. They just started before the pandemic.
  • Britt3788
    Great hosts and spectrum of topics!
    I have always been interested in the psychology behind cult mentality and abuses of power. The hosts do a great job tackling a variety of stories related to this in a matter of fact way but always with a respectful tone rather than leaning into infotainment. They provide levity when it’s appropriate which is hard to do when dealing with such heavy topics. I love their intro - “what is the cultiest thing that happened to you this week?” - always leads to interesting convos. Keep it up ladies! I dig it.
  • FireflyBright
    It’s ok.
    I’m a cult survivor and I really love some things about this show. I love hearing about the guest’s experiences and how they are doing now BUT- Lola is frequently just straight up condescending and it’s giving narcissism. So, half the time I’m loving the pod and half the time I’m super triggered by her attitude. It’s unfortunate, because these are important stories, and guests don’t deserve to be talked down to, talked over, or condescended to because they still engage in spiritual practices and beliefs that Lola herself doesn’t subscribe to. I know she’s also traumatized, and it seems like her response to her own past cult trauma is to become overly analytical, hyper critical and defensive towards belief or “magical thinking” of any kind. But like- back off of other people’s coping mechanisms. She’s entitled to her own coping mechanisms FOR SURE, but being a know it all and acting like anyone else who processes differently from her is stupid is giving CULT LEADER. Meagan does a really good job of holding space for people and where they are at, and she’s incredibly patient and accepting of Lola, even when Lola is talking down to her and basically telling her she’s stupid for still being a spiritual person. So, good job Meagan.
  • GFnotbychoice
    Mixed Review
    On the positive side, I appreciate the perspectives that the hosts bring as former cult members and the quality of some of the guests. I’ve listened to other podcasts who discussed cults who just wanted to make fun of everything. On the negative side, the intro is too long. Many other podcasts save the personal stuff for the last segment of the podcast so that those who are not interested can skip it. Next, it would be nice if you could skip the political talk. I am so tired of having to hear about Trump. Finally, the vocal fry makes you two sound like Kardashians, which is sad because Lola sounded authoritative on Netflix, but on this podcast you sometimes sound like an adolescent.
  • Sk8591
    Great podcast with considerate hosts!
    The stories and insight into cults are so interesting!! It’s incredible to hear about how easy it is to fall into one and heartbreaking to hear about the many struggles people deal with on their way out. There is much more candidness than I would expect which I attribute to the safe and open environment created by the hosts. Time and again the hosts prove their humanity with the way they speak to their guests and their awareness of what’s happening around the world. Highly recommend!
  • Apiraino13
    Favorite pod!
    This is my favorite pod to listen to during my work day. Love the hosts approach and treatment of their guests. Highly recommend!
  • Hatgirll
    Fact check yourself
    Lola is uneducated and refuses to mention the hostages that terrorists stole from their homes while being “so affected” by Israel defending itself in a war it didn’t start. Stop the performative activism, that’s a cult too.
  • Anastasia Beaverhausen 75
    Struggling Today With The Cognitive Dissonance
    Newsflash - You ladies are part of a political Marxist cult. Just started listening to first few episodes and podcast isn’t bad. Episode I just started, one of the hosts started off about how she is struggling with all of the bad things happening to Palestinians, and I agree some pretty bad stuff is happening to them as the result of what Hamas did. I notice she isn’t struggling with the hostages still being held, tortured and raped. And then she starts talking about mistreatment of LGBTQ populations in Russia…which is terrible. What about the way LGBTQ populations are treated in Gaza? Did you have a problem with that? Your cognitive dissonance is as toxic as some of the cults and terrible people you cover in your show. Please do some research. You’re in a liberal group think cult.
  • Beachespeaches
    Compassionate
    I started listening randomly and did not have particularly high expectations. And yet! I've been consistently impressed with the hosts' treatment of their guests. Often times the folks they are talking to has been through some great trauma, yet they manage to draw out powerful stories in a way that feels respectful and compassionate.
  • GuerillaGirlKitty
    Favorite Podcast hosts!
    I listen to a lot of podcasts and this is the one I look forward to the most each week. Lola and Meagan are smart, funny, and down to earth. A rare combination indeed! They are incredibly well researched and always have interesting guests. I particularly enjoy the laid back style of their interviews. They have a refreshingly honest approach that helps the interviewees feel safe to open up. They are clearly very empathetic individuals and they connect with guests in a way that I don’t find with many other podcast hosts. Keep up the great work, ladies!
  • Jay DeeNola
    Amazing!
    This podcast made me like podcasts! I love the empathy and compassion mixed with funny comments and real stories. It shows how valuable lived expertise is because they are able to interview guests in much more nuanced way.
  • gabbyols
    You two are still in a type of cult called California liberal socialism!
    It is not ok to bash more than 50% of Americans who work hard for every little bit they have. We are not in a cult because we vote conservatively, and bashing our lifestyles and our beliefs just because we don’t believe in big government is not ok. You may need to read and research more about how people are able to retain freedom and liberty and it is not by following Liberal socialist or communist ideals! It was a good show until you began spouting your cultish beliefs and bashing us!
  • Stopthefraud
    Problematic
    When the host, Lola, takes a break from virtue signaling, she indulges in misandry and toxic femininity- concerning
  • SSC 31
    Passionate about Gaza but not hostages?
    Disappointed that you only mention one side at the same time you mention being able to see both sides. What about the hostages?
  • just yaws
    Love. Love. Love
    First of all, I love how sexy your voices are!!! But really I found the podcast a few months ago and have almost listened to them all. I really appreciate the rawness of this show. As a person that struggles with her own traumas, this show makes he feel human and less alone in this. I have also gained so much perspective. Keep talking about hard things ladies!!
  • rubes201
    Could be great but only ok
    Very interesting topics but generally poor to zero production quality. The hosts may have their own personal experience with cults but overall are uneducated and not particularly insightful. Highly recommend “was I in a cult” podcast for the opposite of what I just described.
  • Sarah Angel14
    Authentic, Vulnerable, and Insightful
    Meagan and Lola are incredibly smart, empathetic, and insightful. I love how they connect with guests with so many different backgrounds—from scientists and professors with PhDs to cult and gang survivors (and sometimes guests are both). I think they do a great job of humanizing cult survivors and broadening the conversation to discuss related phenomena, like the science of groupthink, belonging, conspiracy theorists, purity culture, MLMs, etc. I also love all the research Lola does and how both of them do their best to read or watch their guests’ work prior to interviewing them. I used to be a bit annoyed by their style of speaking, which contains a lot of cursing and uncomfortable laughter. But now I appreciate that they are being authentic rather than pretending to be anyone but themselves. Language control, after all, is characteristic of cult-like groups, so I am all about using whatever discourse you want. I’m obsessed and am working my way through all of their episodes.
  • K-Man from Pittsburgh
    Karl S
    Interesting podcast but lose the potty mouth. Makes you sound like immature teenagers trying to sound cool. But it doesn’t. You are contributing to the degradation of social discourse. Kids may be listening. Do you want your children to constantly drop f-bombs? Show some respect for your audience.
  • Kashicat
    You lost me with talk of Israel ceasefire
    For a podcast that claims to be about truth, you have completely bought into lies about Israel. Israel has EVERY RIGHT to defend itself after a Oct 7th. Stop perpetuating Jew hatred if you are supportive of truth and not part of “cult thinking”. I’m done listening to your podcast
  • Ali Thermopolis
    Obsessed
    Yes! Yes! Yes! Cults, comedy, and women talking. This podcast actually combines my favorite things. Y’all are amazing. Y’all are perfection. Y’all are gorgeous and so so smart. I’m obsessed with this podcast and how truly fabulous you guys are. So much love!!
  • deniseatt
    Perfect podcast for my cult obsession!
    I love this podcast. It is consistently high-quality, the stories are fascinating (even when I think I won’t be interested in that episode), and the podcasters are delightful
  • Wild.Feminine.Mystic
    Great content, AD OVERKILL
    These interviews and content are GREAT - focused, personal, important. But once the pod opened itself up to ads, it went ALL THE WAY into massive ad territory, seemingly overnight. There are WAY too many (maybe the most I’ve ever seen?)- the ratio of ads to content feels very out of balance. In the episode I just tried to listen to, there were TEN ads in 38 minutes. TEN. I’m all for creators earning for their work, but this seems excessive and really dilutes the show quality.
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