Pod Candy - Cults, Crimes & Killers

What happens when the person you trust most is the one stealing millions from you?At the height of his comedy career, Dane Cook was selling out arenas and making millions, while his own half-brother and business manager, Darryl McCauley, was secretly stealing nearly $12 million right under his nose.This week on Pod Candy: Cults, Crimes and Killers, Stacey and Dori dive into the documentary Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story, exploring a shocking case of family betrayal, greed, and financial fraud.Joined by forensic psychologist Dr. John Mayer, the hosts unpack the psychology behind the deception. Was Darryl driven by jealousy, entitlement, or an addiction to money? How much did his wife, Erica, really know? And how did Dane Cook manage to cope with such a devastating betrayal without letting it destroy him?Of course, it's not all serious. From debating Dane Cook's sex appeal to sharing their own secret cash-hiding spots (including some VERY unconventional suggestions), Stacey, Dori, and Dr. John bring plenty of laughs to a story about what happens when money and family collide.Millions stolen. Trust shattered. And a whole lot of money hidden in some very strange places. Let's get into it!

How does a bitter custody battle turn into a murder-for-hire plot? And what happens when a wealthy, seemingly successful family believes the rules simply don't apply to them?This week on Pod Candy: Cults, Crimes and Killers, Stacey and Dori dive into Hulu's four-part true crime docuseries, Welcome to the Family: The Murder of Dan Markel. The shocking case follows the 2014 murder of a Florida State University law professor whose contentious divorce and custody dispute ultimately exposed a deadly conspiracy involving members of the powerful Adelson family.Joined by forensic psychologist Dr. John Mayer, the hosts unpack the toxic family dynamics, entitlement, greed, and psychological denial that may have fueled the crime. From Donna Adelson's controlling influence to Charlie Adelson's shocking downfall, they explore how money and manipulation can create a dangerous sense of invincibility.Stacey and Dori debate Hollywood casting choices, disastrous dating experiences, and just how much money it would take to commit an unthinkable act.It's a disturbing story of family loyalty gone horribly wrong—and a reminder that sometimes the most dangerous people are the ones convinced they'll never get caught.

In this episode of Pod Candy: Cults, Crimes & Killers, Stacey, Dori, and forensic psychologist Dr. John Mayer unpack Netflix’s Death of the Pastor’s Wife and the troubling story of Micah Miller.The gang digs into coercive control, grooming, religious manipulation, church power, mental health, and the psychological dynamics surrounding Micah’s marriage and death. They also examine the lack of accountability inside powerful religious organizations and the unanswered questions the documentary leaves behind.It’s a heated, emotional, and sometimes darkly funny Pod Candy discussion about faith, control, abuse, and what Dr. Mayer calls “psychological slavery.”

In this episode of Pod Candy: Cults, Crimes & Killers, Stacey and Dori break down Netflix’s The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare, the investigation into the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, and the evidence that led authorities to Kohberger.Forensic psychologist Dr. John Mayer joins the discussion to explore Kohberger’s behavior, isolation, obsession with criminology and the possible psychology behind the crime.The University of Idaho murders shocked the country, and even after Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty, one question still haunts the case: why?This episode is a compelling look at Bryan Kohberger, the Idaho murders, true crime, forensic psychology, criminal psychology, psychopathy, stalking and one of the most disturbing college murder cases in recent history.

For the first time ever, Pod Candy is on video! Now you can finally see Stacey, Dori and Dr. John in the flesh as the show enters a whole new era!  See the full episode on Youtube!This week, Stacey, Dori and Dr. John dive into Gloriavale, the secretive Christian commune in New Zealand featured in the Paramount+ docuseries about life inside the controversial community founded by Neville Cooper, aka “Hopeful Christian.” Stacey and Dori admit the documentary made Gloriavale seem surprisingly less disturbing than some of the cults they’ve covered before. Dr. John strongly disagrees, arguing that the series may have downplayed the abuse and control happening beneath the surface.We answer questions about free will, indoctrination, child labor, religious control, abuse, why people stay, and what finally makes some people leave.  And it wouldn't be a proper episode of Pod Candy without  a few detours involving questionable fashion, attractive shepherds and a possible investigative trip to New Zealand.Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual abuse, including abuse of minors.Source Docuseries: "Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal" on Paramount+