Is spirituality really about finally winning, or surrendering, a battle with one's self?

How are you going to hope if you don't want to have a long, hard look at something things that could do with fixing?

In this episode, we unpack one of the most persistent narratives in religious history: the claim that polygamy was necessary to “build up the kingdom,” increase fertility, and rapidly populate the church. Leaders and advocates often framed plural marriage as a divine solution to demographic growth. A sacred strategy to multiply believers and secure the future of the faith.But when you actually examine the historical outcomes, the results tell a very different story.Rather than dramatically increasing birth rates, concentrated polygamy funneled marriage opportunities toward a smaller group of high-status men, leaving many other men without partners. Instead of strengthening community stability, it created structural imbalances; socially, emotionally, and economically. In many cases, women bore the emotional and physical burden of these arrangements, while lower-status men were pushed to the margins.Ironically, the very system that was justified as “necessary for growth” often produced the opposite effect:Fewer men with familiesIncreased competition and social stratificationHeightened male isolationStrain within householdsThis episode connects those historical dynamics to modern conversations about the so-called “male loneliness epidemic.” When access to partnership becomes unevenly distributed, large groups of men are structurally excluded, not because of personal failure, but because of how the system is arranged. Polygamous concentration is one of the clearest historical examples of how that imbalance can happen.We also explore the deeper moral question: What happens when ancient religious narratives are used as blanket justification for modern social systems? Stories from the Bible are often cited to defend polygamy, patriarchy, or strict gender hierarchies. But descriptive stories are not necessarily moral prescriptions. Just because something appears in scripture does not automatically make it ethically transferable to modern society.Ultimately, this episode challenges listeners to separate myth from measurable outcome, and to ask whether systems justified as “divine necessity” actually produce the flourishing they promise.If you’ve ever wondered how historical religious structures still influence modern gender dynamics (especially in Utah), and whether some of today’s social anxieties are echoes of yesterday’s theology, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Elected officials in Ohio are publicly announcing that they are donating campaign contributions from Columbus businessman Les Wexner to charitable organizations. Wexner is scheduled to be deposed by members of the U.S. House on Wednesday. According to a release from a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the deposition is being conducted in connection to the committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner was originally subpoenaed on Jan. 23. Some of the politicians who announced on social media about donating Wexner's campaign contributions include Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio-District 15), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio-District 3), State Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin. In posts on social media, officials said their decisions were made after recently released documents referenced Wexner and his interactions with Epstein. READ MORE: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/ohio/ohio-lawmakers-donate-les-wexner-campaign-contributions-amid-looming-deposition-with-congress/530-04ae5d57-a78e-40e1-a635-93882f17f2e5 At 3News, we’re here to share the stories that you say matter most to you. Share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and engage in conversations about the communities in which we all call home. Follow 3News on Social: https://www.facebook.com/wkyc.channel3/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wkyc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkyc3/ Visit our site: https://www.wkyc.com/ And be sure to download our app here: https://wkyc.com/app -- At 3News, we’re not here to tell you the news, we’re here to share the stories that you say matter most to you. Share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and engage in conversations about the communities in which we all call home. Follow 3News on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wkyc.channel3/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wkyc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkyc3/ Visit our site: https://www.wkyc.com/ And be sure to download our app here: https://wkyc.com/app

Today as it Happened on Monday, February 16, 2026: A diary written by a young girl details graphic accounts of abuse involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The handwritten pages describe trauma she says she endured. Dozens of diary pages that were made public in the release of Epstein-related investigative materials focus on what the girl describes as repeated abuse, including multiple pregnancies. She provides detailed accounts of childbirth with Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly in the room and of a baby, born alive, being taken away. The first year of President Trump's push to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants was a financial boon for two companies that own and operate private detention centers. CoreCivic and The GEO Group both reported their year-end earnings for 2025. Each company reported seeing a boost in revenue of more than 13 percent, both making more than $2 billion. GEO Group's executive chairman George Zoley called 2025 the "most successful year for new business wins in our company's history." The two companies opened nine new detention centers across the country under contracts with ICE, adding thousands more beds able to hold arrested immigrants who are awaiting deportation hearings. And the FBI late last week told Minnesota investigators it would not share any information or evidence related to the shooting death of Alex Pretti, who died in Minneapolis in January. ------------------------------------- Join our newsletter at https://bit.ly/2q1tepr Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scrippsnews/ Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/scrippsnews Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scrippsnews/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scrippsnews

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The New Mexico Legislature has passed HR1 tonight to convene a Truth Commission and investigate Epstein’s crimes in NM, including at Zorro Ranch, led by State House Reps. Andrea Romero and Marianna Anaya. The committee will hold its first meeting TOMORROW, Feb. 17 at 10:30am at the State Capitol, Room 315 and will be webcast at www.nmlegis.gov. NM demands accountability.

I am delighted to have been interviewed by compassionate and knowledgeable therapist and fellow DID system Monika for @healingmyparts podcast, talking about cult torture, programming/mind control, DID, and healing with compassion. The episode releases this Thursday, and I talk about how programming operates and how we can work to change it, subtle indicators that may suggest a history of cult torture that a therapist or the survivor may pick up on, what therapists can do to help, how we can work with cult created folks inside, and more. I hope you'll tune in. #ramcoa #didsystem #dissociativeidentitydisorder #ramcoasystem #cultsurvivor

'Jaw dropping': Alabama billboard demands accountability from President Trump over Epstein files WVTM13 is your home for Alabama breaking news and weather. For your latest Alabama news and weather visit: https://www.wvtm13.com/ For licensing inquiries: https://www.wvtm13.com/licensing

Is it a "spiritual attack" or a medical condition? We are breaking down the viral claims made by Anna Dysett regarding the intersection of faith and sleep disorders. This reaction explores the growing trend of spiritualizing sleep paralysis, chronic insomnia, and lucid dreaming, questioning the potential risks of labeling neurological events as demonic oppression. We discuss the importance of distinguishing between spiritual warfare and mental health, the impact of religious trauma on sleep, and why seeking professional medical help is vital for those struggling with night terrors. Join the conversation as we unpack the exvangelical perspective on how modern theology can sometimes bypass science at the cost of personal well-being. Links: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11344621/ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/sleep-paralysis-causes-symptoms-and-treatments https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11119155/ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_do_dreams_look_like_across_cultures https://dreams.ucsc.edu/Library/fmid6.html #religioustrauma #religiousabuse #sleepparalysis #insomnia #deconstruction

Kirsten and Megan both grew up LDS. After leaving the Mormon church, they decided to teach people what it's like to be raised in the LDS Church by sharing their Book of Mormon Stories. Join us for an adult beverage and a snarky time! book of mormon,mormon stories,book of mormon musical,lds,mormon,exmormon,exmormon stories

My thoughts on corporate America being a cult. About Me: @KnittingCultLady/videos/short I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as the Knitting Cult Lady, I knit and talk about cults on the internet. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. My second book, The Culting of America, delves even deeper into the ways that cultic systems and coercive control show up in every day life. Preorder your copy here: https://bit.ly/3H0YuMO Support my Work and Learn About Me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/4muxbu6 / @knittingcultladychat Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 Etsy Store: https://bit.ly/4gewkdh #CultScholar#cultexpert#CultSurvovor#knittingcultlady#CultingofAmerica#Uncultured#groupbehaviorgal#groupbehaviorgal#Cults#CoerciveControl

For most ex-cult members, telling their story reveals a point called the "crack in the brainwashing," where cognitive dissonance becomes too uncomfortable to ignore. This crack can be caused by various things, such as medical emergencies, witnessing obvious abuse, About Me: @KnittingCultLady/videos/short I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as the Knitting Cult Lady, I knit and talk about cults on the internet. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. My second book, The Culting of America, delves even deeper into the ways that cultic systems and coercive control show up in every day life. Preorder your copy here: https://bit.ly/3H0YuMO Support my Work and Learn About Me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/4muxbu6 / @knittingcultladychat Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 Etsy Store: https://bit.ly/4gewkdh #CultScholar#cultexpert#CultSurvovor#knittingcultlady#CultingofAmerica#Uncultured#groupbehaviorgal#groupbehaviorgal#Cults#CoerciveControl

Children are the most suppressed class in America and are the easiest to exploit because they do not understand what is happening to them. About Me: @KnittingCultLady/videos/short I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as the Knitting Cult Lady, I knit and talk about cults on the internet. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. My second book, The Culting of America, delves even deeper into the ways that cultic systems and coercive control show up in every day life. Preorder your copy here: https://bit.ly/3H0YuMO Support my Work and Learn About Me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/4muxbu6 / @knittingcultladychat Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 Etsy Store: https://bit.ly/4gewkdh #CultScholar#cultexpert#CultSurvovor#knittingcultlady#CultingofAmerica#Uncultured#groupbehaviorgal#groupbehaviorgal#Cults#CoerciveControl

Newly released Epstein files have reignited questions about the Royal Family, Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew and a network of powerful figures whose relationships with Jeffrey Epstein are under renewed scrutiny. On this episode of Shrinking The World, Dr Raj Persaud — consultant psychiatrist in Harley Street — is joined by historian and royal biographer Andrew Lownie to examine the latest revelations. They explore Fergie’s “marry me” emails, patterns of flattery and intimacy around Epstein, the psychology of entitlement and transactional power, and what these disclosures may mean for the monarchy. The conversation looks at: • Why so many high-profile figures appeared unusually close to Epstein • The psychology of influence, status and boundary-crossing • Prince Andrew’s position within the wider royal institution • Whether the Epstein files represent a reputational tipping point • How elite networks operate behind closed doors This discussion analyses publicly reported material and released documents. It does not make new allegations. All individuals mentioned are innocent unless proven otherwise. 00:00 Introduction – New Epstein Files 00:59 Fergie’s “Marry Me” Emails 02:45 Flattery, Boundaries & Transactional Power 06:13 Entitlement & Why Epstein Was So Attractive to Elites 10:00 Peter Mandelson – Money & Photos 14:17 Did Epstein Offer Sanctuary to the Powerful? 17:20 Prince Andrew – New Images & Behaviour 20:04 Elite Networks & What We Still Don’t Know 23:24 Epstein’s Wealth – Myth vs Reality 26:29 Could This Threaten the Royal Family? 29:10 Protection, Accountability & Media Complicity 33:32 The Royal Rota & Press Deference 37:00 Epstein’s Death – Suicide or Murder? 45:00 Final Reflections Subscribe to Shrinking The World for long-form conversations on psychology, power and public life. #EpsteinFiles #PrinceAndrew #SarahFerguson #RoyalFamily #DrRajPersaud #AndrewLownie #JeffreyEpstein

I have been wanting to post this for months! This is my favorite place I have ever lived (so far) I think a big part of my happiness was getting to experience it with my siblings. In a world that feels so scary right now, I wanted to share something that brings me joy and hopefully it can brighten your day in a similar way ❤️💜

Examining the ATO raids and their significance for understanding high-control groups. This isn't about drama, but clarity and context on what happens when such groups lose their grip. My heart goes out to those still trapped. Watch podcast 162 for full story #PBCC #exclusivebrethren #RapidReliefTeam #OneSchoolGlobal #cult #cultawareness #BruceDHales #plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch #BruceHales #HighControlGroup #Cults #Abuse #Accountability

TW: cult torture, detail. Cult threatened to murder us and they did murder kids many times including by hunting us. it was to keep us in a constant state of terror and obedience and keep us from remembering and talking and trying to escape. #ramcoa #cultsurvivor #ramcoasurvivor #traumatok

What makes someone believe one group of humans is inherently better than another? In this video I unpack white supremacy not as a headline or a caricature, but as a mindset — one I once lived inside. Growing up, what I thought was “evidence” of superiority turned out to be access, protection, and opportunity. Privilege looked like proof, and ignorance filled in the rest. Understanding how these beliefs form is the first step to dismantling them. Not with shame, but with clarity. Because the most dangerous ideas aren’t always loud — sometimes they feel normal. Watch Senator Chris Murphy's full video here: https://youtu.be/c1dQboF6TlY?si=7RYFGZNsJWM7OLH1 My FREE Subtsack article on being raised White Supremacist is here: https://open.substack.com/pub/lifetaketwo/p/i-was-a-white-supremacist?r=35knav&utm_medium=ios MERCH is so fun! https://www.lifeismyreligion.com/jen-ex Check out my Bead Artist's shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KRaczJewelry 00:00 Senate Hearing Clip on 'Anti-White Discrimination' 01:13 Why This Story Matters: Trump Appointee & the 'White Race Under Threat' Narrative 02:02 I Used to Believe It Too: Growing Up Around Klan Sympathy 02:29 Mormon Doctrine & 'Cursed Skin': How Racism Was Taught as Truth 03:06 What 'White Supremacy' Really Means (and Why It Doesn’t Always Look Like Hate) 04:01 When Your Life 'Proves' the Indoctrination: Limited Exposure & Confirmation Bias 06:28 The Turning Point: Collapse, Divorce, and Discovering Privilege 07:08 Privilege vs. Superiority: The Invisible Advantages Behind Outcomes 07:58 Ignorance, Not Stupidity: The Anthropology of Whiteness 09:27 Receipts: Racist Quotes from Mormon Leaders & Scripture 10:58 Level the Playing Field: A 100-Year Experiment (and a Halftime Show Aside) 12:59 Wrap-Up & Resources: Education, Substack, Merch, and Jewelry Links Legal Disclaimer: This video contains commentary, opinion, and personal experiences for educational and discussion purposes. Any references to public figures or reported events rely on publicly available information and are not presented as statements of undisputed fact. The intent is analysis and social commentary, not defamation or harassment. #WhiteSupremacy #MAGA #Trump #Privilege #Cults #ExMormon #SocialConditioning #Racism #SystemicRacism #HistoryMatters #CulturalCommentary #Feminist #SocialAwareness #Education #CriticalThinking

This deception is out of control. Patreon https://www.patreon.com/JWThoughts PayPal: https://paypal.me/JWThoughts?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US Email: [email protected] exjw ex jehovah's Witness Former Pioneer Former Ministerial Servant Former Elder Watchtower Cult governing body update

In this follow-up episode, Liz and Jesse open up about parenting after faith deconstruction, an experience filled with both healing and unlearning. They reflect on how leaving a high-control church reshaped their ideas of authority, discipline, and what it means to raise kids with curiosity instead of fear. Through personal stories, they share the challenges of guiding children who question everything and the beauty in watching them form their own beliefs. Together, they unpack the shift from obedience to openness, from control to connection, and the daily work of letting their kids feel the full range of being human - joy, pain, doubt, wonder, all of it. It’s a heartfelt conversation about breaking cycles, choosing authenticity, and raising children who feel free to be fully themselves. Your Host You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au To connect with Sam on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/ Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Email [email protected] Also check out https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/

High-control groups and toxic systems use financial strain and dependency as a method of control, making it difficult for members to leave. About Me: I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as the Knitting Cult Lady. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. Support my Work and Learn About Me: Buy the Culting of America: https://bit.ly/4reK0u7 Buy Uncultured: https://bit.ly/42TKNWN Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok :https://bit.ly/4muxbu6 / @knittingcultladychat Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 Etsy Store: https://bit.ly/4gewkdh #CultScholar #cultexpert #CultSurvovor #knittingcultlady #CultingofAmerica #Uncultured #groupbehaviorgal #groupbehaviorgal #Cults #CoerciveControl

#pambondi #scientology

We finish up our series on The Children Of God and it gets super dark...

TW: cult torture, su1c1dal ideation. Cult teaches folks inside with the dissociative identity to want unalive ourselves, teaching them that they will take over once they kill the rest of us. We will never unalive ourselves; there is always hope and healing while we are alive. #ramcoa #cultsurvivor #ramcoasurvivor #ramcoasystem #dissociativeidentitydisorder