The Cult on the Cape

Episode 49 Stories from the Eastham Stand

What does it take to help someone leave the only world they’ve ever known? In this episode of The Cult on the Cape, we share voices from Rock Harbor Truth’s Stand for Tr

Episode 48 The Ocean I Swam In Part 3

Building a Life, Losing Myself: Elizabeth Alina’s Story (Part 3) What happens when you leave the world you grew up in and try to build a life of your own—but discover th

Episode 47 The Ocean I swam in Part 2

Elizabeth Alina describes the time leading up to and including her exit from the Community of Jesus in Orleans Ma.

Episode 46 The Ocean I Swam In

The Ocean I Swam In: Elizabeth Alina’s Story Elizabeth Alina’s earliest memories are memories of growing up inside the Community of Jesus. She remembers sleeping in a b

Episode 45 Voices of Truth Live from UUC Brewster

What happens when survivors tell their stories—and a community chooses to listen? On September 20th, over 100 people gathered at First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universa

Episode 44 Stories from the Stand

Rock Harbor Truth gathered in Brewster for a Stand for Truth near the Performing Arts Center—a building survivors say was constructed, in part, through the labor of child

Episode 43 Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse Part 2

Bonnie continues her discussion with psychotherapist Kari Fillian, LICSW, about how faith can become a weapon in high-control environments. Together, they explore ways to

Episode 42 Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse Part 1

In this deeply personal conversation, Bonnie speaks with psychotherapist Kari Fillian, LICSW, about how faith can become a weapon in high-control environments. Together,

Episode 41 When God Becomes Your First Abuser Part 2

In Part Two of her story, Becky reflects on parenting a daughter with profound autism, confronting the lasting effects of Grenville and The Community of Jesus, and questi

Episode 40 When God Becomes Your First Abuser

Becky Hathaway Dirksen was seven years old when her family moved to Grenville Christian College to live the life mandated by the Community of Jesus. What followed was a c

Episode 39 A Disney Horror Movie

Author Heather King came to the Community of Jesus expecting a Benedictine retreat. Then she Googled “Community of Jesus Cult.”

Episode 38 Voices from The Stand

On Sunday, survivors, allies, and community members gathered on Cape Cod for Stand for Truth — a public show of support for those harmed by the Community of Jesus and tho

Episode 37 We Were An Experiment Part 2

After spending her entire life inside the Community of Jesus, Magdelene Leon—known to many as Katie Buddington—believed her future had already been decided. In Part 2 of

Episode 36 We Were An Experiment Part 1

Katie Buddington (Magdalene Leon) was the first child born into the Community of Jesus. In this episode, she shares what it was like to grow up inside a high-control reli

Episode 35 When Faith becomes Control Part 2

Visit Todd's website for robust resources for those escaping coercive control. Resource for Life - A place to find healing and support after leaving abuse and coercive co

Episode 34 When Faith Becomes Control: Part 1

In Part 1 of Todd Lynch's story, we hear what it was like to enter the Community of Jesus as a teenager after being raised in a loving family outside the group. What bega

Episode 33 The Boy who Built the Theater

Before he became the plaintiff in a federal lawsuit, Oliver “Ollie” Ortolani was a child growing up inside the Community of Jesus. In this episode of The Cult on the Cap

Episode 32 From Holland to Hell Part 2

After 17 years as a sister in the Community of Jesus, Suzan shares the painful and courageous journey that led her to leave everything she knew behind. In this powerful

Episode 31 From Holland to Hell

At 18, Suzan Ewton left Holland for what was supposed to be a three-month summer job at Rock Harbor Manor on Cape Cod. It was 17 years before she left. What began as an

Episode 30 Why We Walk: The Walk for Truth Summer Series

In this special episode of The Cult on the Cape, Bonnie Zampino reflects on the first Community Walk for Truth and the powerful response from survivors, family members, s