Hidden Cults

by Nik Hunter

From silent compounds to subway attacks, from charismatic prophets to catastrophic ends, Hidden Cults is a documentary-style podcast that digs deep into the world's most extreme, elusive, and explosive fringe groups. Each episode unpacks a different cult with investigative depth, emotional clarity, and gripping storytelling. You'll hear the full timeline: from the origins and ideology, to the rise of control, to the final descent into chaos. We're not here for the sensational. We're here for the truth. If you've ever wondered how ordinary people fall into extraordinary belief systems, and what happens when those systems implode, you're in the right place. New episodes weekly. Listener stories always welcome. Anonymity guaranteed. Listener stories: hiddencultspodcast@gmail.com International Resources International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) https://www.icsahome.com Provides information, recovery support, referrals, and events for survivors and concerned families.Open Minds Foundation https://www.openmindsfoundation.org Offers education and support about undue influence and manipulative organizations.The Hotline (USA – Domestic Abuse) https://www.thehotline.org 📞 1-800-799-7233 — 24/7 support for victims of domestic, emotional, and religious abuse.Freedom of Mind Resource Center (Steven Hassan) https://freedomofmind.com Resources on cult recovery, exit counseling, and mind control education.FaithTrust Institute https://www.faithtrustinstitute.org Support and resources for survivors of religious abuse, especially within faith communities.United States Cult Recovery Hotline (ICSA) 📞 1-239-514-3081 Referral and support line for ex-members, families, and researchers.RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) https://www.rainn.org 📞 1-800-656-4673 — Confidential support for trauma survivors.Canada Cult & Trauma Support Resources 🧠Info-Cult / Info-Secte (Montreal-based, Canada-wide) Website: https://infosecte.orgPhone: 📞 514-274-2333Email: infosecte@qc.aira.comCanada’s leading organization for individuals and families affected by cults, coercive groups, and spiritual abuse.Offers confidential support, referrals, and information in English and French. United Kingdom The Family Survival Trust https://familysurvivaltrust.org Support and advocacy for those affected by cults and coercive control.Cults Information Centre and Family Support https://cults.org.uk UK-based information and guidance for cult survivors and families.Mind UK (Mental Health Support) https://www.mind.org.uk 📞 0300 123 3393 — Non-judgmental mental health advice and support.Australia Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) https://www.cifs.org.au National support for individuals and families affected by cults. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hidden-cults--6633392/support.

Chart trend

Position in the Documentary chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#100#199JunJulAugSep

#125

all-time peak

113

days in the top 200 since Dec 2025

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Ep.63 The Saints

In Toowoomba, Australia, a small Christian sect led by Brendan Stevens rejected medicine in favour of divine healing. In January 2022, those beliefs ended in tragedy when

Jul 26
52 min

Ep.62 Lev Tahor

Founded in Israel in 1988, Lev Tahor presented itself as a return to pure Judaism under the leadership of Rabbi Shlomo Helbrans. Over the following decades, the group cro

Jul 12
39 min

Ep.61 The Superior Universal Alignment

The Superior Universal Alignment began in Brazil in 1981 as a small UFO-inspired religious movement led by the self-proclaimed prophet Valentina de Andrade. Promising spi

Jul 5
34 min

Ep.60 Colonia Dignidad

Colonia Dignidad began as a secluded German religious settlement in rural Chile, promising faith, hard work, and a better future. Behind its fences, however, Paul Schäfer

Jun 28
43 min

Ep.59 The Sullivanians

The Sullivan Institute began in New York during the 1950s as an unconventional psychotherapy movement that promised personal liberation, emotional growth, and freedom fro

Jun 21
41 min

Ep.58 The Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult

In 2010, a recently released ex-convict named Larry Ray moved into his daughter’s dormitory at Sarah Lawrence College. What began as friendly dinners, life advice, and me

Jun 14
47 min

Ep.57 3HO The Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization

Tonight on Hidden Cults, we explore 3HO, the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization, the spiritual movement founded in 1969 by Yogi Bhajan. What began as a counterculture yoga

Jun 7
50 min

Ep.56 Japa Meditation Ireland

Tonight on Hidden Cults, we examine Japa Meditation Ireland and the rise of Irish spiritual teacher Dennis Curran. What began as meditation groups built around mantra pra

May 31
38 min

Ep.55 Desteni

Tonight on Hidden Cults, we explore Desteni, the bizarre internet-era movement founded by Bernard Poolman in South Africa. Blending channeling, reptilian conspiracies, se

May 24
37 min

Ep.54 Nation of Yahweh

The Nation of Yahweh began in Miami in the late 1970s under the leadership of Yahweh ben Yahweh, born Hulon Mitchell Jr., who preached that Black Americans were the true

May 17
32 min

Ep.53 Aggressive Christianity Missionary Training Corps

The Aggressive Christianity Missionary Training Corps began as a small communal group led by James Green and Deborah Green, who moved from counterculture living into a ri

May 10
24 min

Ep.52 Gloriavale Christian Community

Gloriavale is a remote Christian community in New Zealand, built on strict belief, total commitment, and a system that controls daily life from work to family structure.

May 3
29 min

Ep.51 Hare Krishna Movement (ISKCON)

The Hare Krishna movement, also known as ISKCON, began with one man arriving in New York with a message rooted in devotion to Krishna. A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad

Apr 26
36 min

Ep.50 Alamo Christian Foundation

The Alamo Christian Foundation started in Hollywood in the late 1960s, offering faith, purpose, and community to those searching for direction. Over time, it became somet

Apr 19
47 min

Ep.49 Remnant Fellowship

Tonight’s episode explores the rise, transformation, and ongoing controversy surrounding the Remnant Fellowship. What began in the 1980s as a faith-based weight loss prog

Apr 12
30 min

Ep.48 House of Prayer Cult (Achill Island)

In this episode, we travel to Achill Island off the west coast of Ireland to examine the controversial religious movement known as the House of Prayer. Founded by Christi

Apr 5
33 min

Ep.47 Universe People

In this episode we travel to the Czech Republic to explore one of the strangest UFO cults to emerge in modern Europe. Known as the Universe People, or the Cosmic People o

Mar 29
30 min

Ep.46 University of Cosmic Intelligence

This episode of Hidden Cults explores the University of Cosmic Intelligence, an online movement led by Rashad Jamal that grew rapidly through social media and conspiracy-

Mar 22
31 min

Ep.45 Church Universal and Triumphant

In this episode of Hidden Cults, we explore the rise, expansion, and controversy surrounding the Church Universal and Triumphant. Founded on the teachings of Mark L. Prop

Mar 15
43 min

Ep.44 Fiat Lux (Uriella)

In this episode of Hidden Cults, we examine the rise and fall of Fiat Lux, a small but controversial European religious movement led by the self proclaimed prophet Uriell

Mar 8
41 min