Good Cult

<p>River Donaghey grew up in a cult. Or at least that’s what some people called it. His parents called it a “personal-growth seminar group.” Its leader called it “one big happy family.” But there was a dark side to the world River grew up in. One he never heard about as a kid. </p> <p>In the 1970s and 80s, a self-help company called Lifespring took America by storm. Hundreds of thousands of people walked out of Lifespring as true believers, convinced that the seminars had the power to change the world. But dozens of trainees claimed that after taking a seminar, they had a psychotic break. Some spent months in the hospital. Others attempted suicide. And at least four people died. </p> <p>River spent the past year digging into the bizarre, untold story of Lifespring and its controversial leader: a convicted felon turned New Age guru named John Hanley. What he uncovered made him question everything he thought he knew about his childhood. And about the seminars that are still changing lives—and ruining them—to this day.</p>

6 of 6: So What? Now What?

"Your idea of how this came about ain't at all how it came about."   Listen to Good Cult ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus Listen to Good Cult ad-free on Amazon Music   Thank you to our sponsors: Zocdoc: Then start your search for a top-rated doctor today at Zocdoc.com/GOODCULT Splendid Spoon: Get $120 off your first three boxes at SplendidSpoon.com/GOODCULT. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-12
36:22

5 of 6: The Red-Black Game

"I see the value in transformation, but I also see its shortcomings."   Listen to Good Cult ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus Listen to Good Cult ad-free on Amazon Music   Thank you to our sponsors: Zocdoc: Then start your search for a top-rated doctor today at Zocdoc.com/GOODCULT BetterHelp: Get 10% off at Betterhelp.com/GOODCULT Jordan Harbinger Show: Check out cult-related episodes at jordanharbinger.com/start See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-05
38:46

4 of 6: Casualties

"We were never a cult and we wanted to remove everything that gave the appearance of being a cult."   Listen to Good Cult ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus Listen to Good Cult ad-free on Amazon Music   Thank you to our sponsors: Jordan Harbinger Show: watch cult-related episodes at jordanharbinger.com/start See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-28
36:56

3 of 6: This is About the Rest of Your Life

"He was like a rockstar. He was a very attractive man. He was the Lifespring celebrity."   Listen to Good Cult ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus Listen to Good Cult ad-free on Amazon Music   Thank you to our sponsors: BetterHelp: Get 10% off at Betterhelp.com/GOODCULT Splendid Spoon: Get $120 off your first three boxes at SplendidSpoon.com/GOODCULT. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-21
34:09

2 of 6: The Leader

"He thought being put in that casket was the best thing that ever happened to him."   Listen to Good Cult ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus Listen to Good Cult ad-free on Amazon Music   Thank you to our sponsors: BetterHelp: Get 10% off at Betterhelp.com/GOODCULT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-14
35:41

1 of 6: The Mom-Dad Dyad

"It's the single most impactful thing that ever happened in my life. You always have to say the birth of your child was the biggest impact. But I never would have had a child if it hadn't been for the seminars!"   Listen to Good Cult ad-free, with bonus content, at KastMedia.com/KastPlus Listen to Good Cult ad-free on Amazon Music   Thank you to our sponsors: BetterHelp: Get 10% off at Betterhelp.com/GOODCULT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-14
32:27

Good Cult: Coming September 14, 2022

"Hey, it might be a cult, but at least it's a good cult!"    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-02
01:58

Nita Atkinson

I appreciate the thoroughness and nuance. Thanks for being open to other's experiences and also for sharing your own. I think it's a great illustration of how trying to do good things can turn bad when the elements of individuality and autonomy are threatened.

01-31 Reply

jenn chicky

Wow, you sound like an entirely different person in the recording about the seminar & gathering $1000 to continue. Btw... I love this podcast, great job. Keep up the journalistic & informative work you're doing.

11-21 Reply

Alayna Baker

thank you for how honest you are when talking about all of this it really adds to the authenticity of the show

09-22 Reply

Mark Kurs

more episodes please. really enjoying your podcast.

09-21 Reply

Yoonki Min

it's like one of those ep from sitcoms taking place in a police station like Brooklyn 99 but with lil more seriousness...it's good anyways..keep going ^-^

09-18 Reply

09-15

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