Generation Cult's live show and literary event happened on stage at The Lost Church San Francisco (https://thelostchurch.org/) in front of a fabulous audience on June 26, 2025. If you missed it, you're in luck because the recording is finally out now!
It was a late night in North Beach deep down in the Victorian speakeasy-style venue that hosted our show and book signing featuring the three authors who were our guests: Sarito Carroll, Anke Richter and Janja Lalich (https://janjalalich.com/). Host Dhyana Levey moderated the discussion about children raised in cults, the authors' books, and what to watch out for in a potentially abusive group.
Sure, the conversations got a bit intense. But everyone still had a good time. How could we not with Johnny Tripod bartending and cool tunes on the sound system by local SF Bay Area band The Chaw?
Sarito celebrated the release of her new memoir, In the Shadow of Enlightenment, detailing her upbringing in the Osho Rajneesh cult 40 years after the infamous commune’s collapse. And, yeah, we talked a little about the Netflix documentary "Wild Wild Country (https://www.netflix.com/title/80145240)" and its star Ma Anand Sheela ... but there is just so much more to this story. You'll have to listen to this episode and read Sarito's book to find out. saritocarroll.com (https://saritocarroll.com)
We also got a big-time expert to weigh in on our discussions and share a bit about the harsh political cult she spent a decade in. Researcher, educator and author Janja Lalich graced the stage with insight and stayed overtime to sign her book Escaping Utopia, based on interviews with 65 people who grew up in high-demand groups. janjalalich.com (https://janjalalich.com)
And tying the whole night together, we had German investigative journalist and author Anke Richter in town to visit all the way from her home base in New Zealand. Her book Cult Trip: Inside the world of coercion & control (Harper Collins), researched the aftermath of sex cults around the world. ankerichter.net (https://ankerichter.net)
What a night! And you didn't even have to buy tickets. Enjoy the Generation Cult podcast Season 4 finale recorded in front of a live audience.
Includes discussions of child sexual abuse, please listen with discretion
*stage recording by Peter Clarke
*set up/other audio by Brett Cline
*editing by Dhyana Levey
*photography by Laura Casey and Nic Roethlisberger
*music by The Chaw
23 May 2025
Opening the 2X2s Floodgates with Mike
Mike recounts the experience of leaving the 2x2s religion, starting a support group, and uncovering widespread sexual abuse that led to an FBI investigation in this interview episode.
5 Mar 2025
Special Film Edition: Beyond the Fence with Lindsey and Ashlen
We're dropping back in with a Special Film Edition as Generation Cult's Season 4 draws to a close! For this bonus episode, we're bringing back our old friend and former Season 3 co-host Ashlen, who's been hard at work helping people recover from controlling groups through her LLC People Leave Cults, and has become a source of education on the topic in the media. In addition to appearing on the latest Hulu docuseries "How I Escaped My Cult," Ashlen is now an executive producer on the film "Beyond the Fence (https://www.beyondthefencemovie.com/)," which is now in development.
Our other guest is the writer, director and producer of this film, Lindsey Paulette, who is going to tell us more about the project and the story, which can be purchased as a book. "Beyond the Fence" is about about four sisters growing up in and escaping an extreme, controlling group in Appalachia. It explores themes such as family relationships, cult dynamics and patriarchal abuse. Ashlen said she'd like to eventually use the film as a medium for psychoeducation.
*Music by Lee Dunn, opening/closing song by The Chaw
*Editing by Dhyana Levey
For more information or to watch the concept trailer go to: beyondthefencemovie.com/
To purchase the book go to: amazon.com/dp/B0DCG2FTD2
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
5,034
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
82 ratings
Spotify
4.7 / 5
96 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
76
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
95
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