Cult On Leave https://cultonleave.podbean.com Two friends who said, “Let’s start a podcast,” and the universe said, “Here’s a cult instead.” We’re just trying our best. Snacks help.

]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:00:00 -0700 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Religion & Spirituality 1440 episodic A chaotic deep dive into cults and cult‑adjacent groups, served with snacks, wild questions, and unapologetic disorder. Join us… or don’t. We’ll be here unraveling the strange, the manipulative, and the downright bizarre — one messy episode at a time. cultonleave cultonleave No true https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22519619/Final_Logo_1600x160078x0f.png Cult On Leave https://cultonleave.podbean.com 144 144 Gloriavale: The Commune That Rebranded, Rebuilt, and Repeated Red Flags for 40 Years Gloriavale: The Commune That Rebranded, Rebuilt, and Repeated Red Flags for 40 Years https://cultonleave.podbean.com/e/gloriavale-the-commune-that-rebranded-rebuilt-and-repeated-red-flags-for-40-years/ https://cultonleave.podbean.com/e/gloriavale-the-commune-that-rebranded-rebuilt-and-repeated-red-flags-for-40-years/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:00:00 -0700 cultonleave.podbean.com/2cf6bcce-f3fc-387e-a845-2623b9adbff3 What happens when a Christian commune turns into a multi‑generational system of control? In this episode, we explore Gloriavale, the isolated New Zealand community founded by Neville Cooper — later known as Hopeful Christian. From arranged marriages and unpaid labor to government investigations and court rulings, Gloriavale’s story is one of devotion, secrecy, and decades of red flags.

We’ll unpack:

How Gloriavale began as a revival movement and evolved into a closed society.

The leadership structure and belief system that kept members compliant.

The scandals, lawsuits, and investigations that exposed systemic abuse.

What life looks like for those who’ve escaped — and those still inside.

Grab your snacks, brace for chaos, and join us as we ask: When does faith become control — and how do people find freedom after decades inside?

Referenced Sources Royal Commission into Abuse in Faith-Based Institutions (NZ)

Employment Court rulings on Gloriavale workers (2022–2023)

New Zealand Police investigations into forced labor and servitude

Documentaries: “Gloriavale: The Children of Heaven” (TVNZ), “Gloriavale: New Zealand’s Secret Cult” (BBC)

News coverage from RNZ, Stuff NZ, and The Guardian

Help & Support Resources Type Resource Description New Zealand Support Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust Provides housing, counseling, and legal aid for former members.   Safe to Talk (0800 044 334) Free, confidential sexual harm helpline available 24/7.   Citizens Advice Bureau (0800 367 222) Guidance on legal rights, housing, and employment. 🌍 International Support International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) Education and recovery resources for people leaving high‑control groups.   Freedom of Mind Resource Center Founded by Steven Hassan, offers recovery tools and counseling referrals.   Recovering from Religion (recoveringfromreligion.org) Peer support for those leaving religious or spiritual abuse.   National Domestic Violence Hotline (US) — 1‑800‑799‑SAFE 24/7 confidential support for anyone experiencing coercion or abuse.       If you grew up in a high‑control group or are questioning your own involvement, you’re not alone. Healing from coercive control takes time, community, and compassion.    

]]> What happens when a Christian commune turns into a multi‑generational system of control?
In this episode, we explore Gloriavale, the isolated New Zealand community founded by Neville Cooper — later known as Hopeful Christian. From arranged marriages and unpaid labor to government investigations and court rulings, Gloriavale’s story is one of devotion, secrecy, and decades of red flags.

We’ll unpack:

How Gloriavale began as a revival movement and evolved into a closed society.

The leadership structure and belief system that kept members compliant.

The scandals, lawsuits, and investigations that exposed systemic abuse.

What life looks like for those who’ve escaped — and those still inside.

Grab your snacks, brace for chaos, and join us as we ask:
When does faith become control — and how do people find freedom after decades inside?

Referenced Sources
Royal Commission into Abuse in Faith-Based Institutions (NZ)

Employment Court rulings on Gloriavale workers (2022–2023)

New Zealand Police investigations into forced labor and servitude

Documentaries: “Gloriavale: The Children of Heaven” (TVNZ), “Gloriavale: New Zealand’s Secret Cult” (BBC)

News coverage from RNZ, Stuff NZ, and The Guardian

Help & Support Resources Type Resource Description New Zealand Support Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust Provides housing, counseling, and legal aid for former members.   Safe to Talk (0800 044 334) Free, confidential sexual harm helpline available 24/7.   Citizens Advice Bureau (0800 367 222) Guidance on legal rights, housing, and employment. 🌍 International Support International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) Education and recovery resources for people leaving high‑control groups.   Freedom of Mind Resource Center Founded by Steven Hassan, offers recovery tools and counseling referrals.   Recovering from Religion (recoveringfromreligion.org) Peer support for those leaving religious or spiritual abuse.   National Domestic Violence Hotline (US) — 1‑800‑799‑SAFE 24/7 confidential support for anyone experiencing coercion or abuse.       If you grew up in a high‑control group or are questioning your own involvement, you’re not alone. Healing from coercive control takes time, community, and compassion.    



]]> cultonleave true No 2792 2 full Teaser Teaser https://cultonleave.podbean.com/e/teaser/ https://cultonleave.podbean.com/e/teaser/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:17:06 -0700 cultonleave.podbean.com/6ae8d423-77ac-348d-8948-ecd99e68ab57 Come hang out—or don’t. We’ll still be messily exploring cults and cult‑adjacent weirdness with snacks in hand, wild questions on deck, and chaos guaranteed.

]]> Come hang out—or don’t. We’ll still be messily exploring cults and cult‑adjacent weirdness with snacks in hand, wild questions on deck, and chaos guaranteed.

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