The Truth About Ruby Franke | Part 1
Digest
This episode of Infamous begins a five-part series about Ruby Frankie, a Mormon mom influencer who gained millions of followers for her parenting advice, but behind the scenes, her methods were much more sinister than anyone realized. The episode introduces Tammy Wright, a neighbor of Ruby's in Utah, who shares her experiences with Ruby and her family. Tammy describes Ruby as a seemingly overwhelmed but friendly mom who was always outside with her kids. However, Tammy also noticed some concerning behavior from Ruby, including yelling at her children and spanking them. Tammy's gut feeling told her something was wrong, but she didn't intervene. The episode also explores the role of Mormonism in Ruby's life and how her faith influenced her parenting style. John DeLynn, a former Mormon and host of the Mormon Stories Podcast, explains that Mormon doctrine emphasizes the woman's role as the nurturer of the children while the husband is the provider. Ruby and her husband, Kevin, seemed to follow this model, with Ruby staying at home with the kids while Kevin worked as an assistant professor at Brigham Young University. The episode also discusses the rise of mommy vlogging and how the Mormon church encouraged influencers to project a positive image of Mormon family life to the world. Ruby's videos were filled with domestic labor, parenting advice, and references to her faith. The episode ends with Tammy reflecting on her regret for not intervening when she saw Ruby's concerning behavior and how she wishes she could have helped Sherry, Ruby's daughter.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast Infamous and the new series about Ruby Frankie, a Mormon mom influencer. The episode will explore the dark side of Ruby's parenting methods and the impact it had on her family and those around her.
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Tammy Wright's Story
This Chapter features Tammy Wright, a neighbor of Ruby Frankie's in Utah. Tammy shares her experiences with Ruby and her family, describing Ruby as a seemingly friendly mom but also noting some concerning behavior, including yelling at her children and spanking them. Tammy's gut feeling told her something was wrong, but she didn't intervene.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Mormonism and Ruby's Life
This Chapter explores the role of Mormonism in Ruby's life and how her faith influenced her parenting style. John DeLynn, a former Mormon and host of the Mormon Stories Podcast, explains that Mormon doctrine emphasizes the woman's role as the nurturer of the children while the husband is the provider. Ruby and her husband, Kevin, seemed to follow this model, with Ruby staying at home with the kids while Kevin worked as an assistant professor at Brigham Young University.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Mommy Vlogging and the Mormon Church
This Chapter discusses the rise of mommy vlogging and how the Mormon church encouraged influencers to project a positive image of Mormon family life to the world. Ruby's videos were filled with domestic labor, parenting advice, and references to her faith. The episode also explores the business side of mommy vlogging and how the algorithm favors family content.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Tammy's Reflections
This Chapter features Tammy reflecting on her regret for not intervening when she saw Ruby's concerning behavior and how she wishes she could have helped Sherry, Ruby's daughter. The episode ends with a preview of the next episode, which will delve deeper into Ruby's parenting methods and the consequences of her actions.
Keywords
Ruby Frankie
Ruby Frankie is a Mormon mom influencer who gained millions of followers for her parenting advice. However, behind the scenes, her methods were much more sinister than anyone realized. She was known for her strict parenting style and her use of punishment to teach her children right from wrong. Her story is the subject of the Infamous podcast series "The Truth About Ruby Frankie."
Mormonism
Mormonism is a religion based on the teachings of Joseph Smith, who claimed to have received revelations from God. Mormons believe in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which they consider to be another testament of Jesus Christ. Mormonism is known for its emphasis on family, community, and service. The church has a strong influence on the lives of its members, and many Mormons live in close-knit communities where they support each other and participate in church activities. Mormonism has been the subject of much debate and controversy, particularly regarding its teachings on polygamy, gender roles, and sexuality. However, it remains a popular religion with millions of followers worldwide.
Mommy Vlogging
Mommy vlogging is a genre of vlogging that focuses on the lives of mothers and their families. Mommy vloggers often share their experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, and everyday life. They may also provide advice on parenting, offer product reviews, or share their personal stories. Mommy vlogging has become a popular and lucrative industry, with many mommy vloggers gaining millions of followers and earning significant income through advertising and sponsorships. The genre has also been criticized for its focus on idealized versions of motherhood and its potential to contribute to unrealistic expectations and pressure on mothers.
Parenting Influencer
A parenting influencer is a person who uses their online platform to share their expertise and opinions on parenting. They may create content on a variety of topics, such as child development, discipline, education, and family life. Parenting influencers often have a large following of parents who look to them for advice and support. They may also work with brands to promote products and services related to parenting. Parenting influencers can be a valuable resource for parents, but it is important to be critical of their content and to remember that every child is different. It is also important to be aware of the potential for bias and conflict of interest in parenting influencer content.
Infamous Podcast
Infamous is a true crime podcast that explores the dark side of human nature. The podcast features in-depth investigations of real-life crimes, including murders, disappearances, and other mysteries. Infamous is known for its compelling storytelling, its use of archival audio and interviews, and its commitment to uncovering the truth. The podcast has been praised for its ability to shed light on the complexities of crime and the human condition. It has also been criticized for its graphic content and its potential to sensationalize crime.
Q&A
What was Ruby Frankie's online persona?
Ruby Frankie was a Mormon mom influencer who gained millions of followers for her parenting advice. She presented herself as a loving and devoted mother who was always there for her children. Her videos were filled with domestic labor, parenting advice, and references to her faith.
What did Tammy Wright notice about Ruby's behavior?
Tammy Wright, a neighbor of Ruby's, noticed some concerning behavior from Ruby, including yelling at her children and spanking them. She also heard loud noises coming from Ruby's house, including thumps against the wall and a child crying. Tammy's gut feeling told her something was wrong, but she didn't intervene.
How did Mormonism influence Ruby's life?
Mormon doctrine emphasizes the woman's role as the nurturer of the children while the husband is the provider. Ruby and her husband, Kevin, seemed to follow this model, with Ruby staying at home with the kids while Kevin worked as an assistant professor at Brigham Young University. Ruby's faith also influenced her parenting style, which was strict and focused on discipline.
What is the significance of mommy vlogging in the context of Ruby's story?
Mommy vlogging has become a popular and lucrative industry, with many mommy vloggers gaining millions of followers and earning significant income through advertising and sponsorships. The Mormon church encouraged influencers to project a positive image of Mormon family life to the world, and Ruby's videos were part of this effort. However, the episode suggests that there was a disconnect between Ruby's online persona and her real-life behavior.
What is Tammy's biggest regret?
Tammy's biggest regret is that she didn't intervene when she saw Ruby's concerning behavior. She wishes she could have helped Sherry, Ruby's daughter, and she feels guilty for not following her gut instinct.
Show Notes
Stay-at-home mom Ruby Franke starts a YouTube channel, joining a popular niche of Mormon women sharing their lives online as mommy vloggers. While Ruby gains a following for her videos of the everyday life of a big Mormon family, we hear from Ruby's former neighbor, who sensed that something dark was going on in her home.
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A Campside Media & Sony Music Entertainment production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices