Best 2x2s Podcasts (2025)

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Arabelle Sicardi - Plastic Surgery in Mormonism, Biohacking, and the Beauty Industry 1:06:25

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6h ago1:06:25

1:06:25

This week, the girls are joined by Arabelle Sicardi, writer, image theorist, and author of The House of Beauty: Lessons from the Image Industry. Lola and Meagan confess the cosmetic procedures they've each had, and Arabelle explores how the beauty industry preys on our deepest fears, giving us a false sense of control and training us to worship ide…

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160 | Why God Doesn't Need Your Hustle: Learning to Rest in Him 35:53

4d ago35:53

35:53

What if God can do more without your hustle than with it? Lisa Fields of the Jude 3 Project shares her journey from workaholic apologist to discovering that God doesn't need our striving—He wants our trust, our healed hearts, and our willingness to rest in His sufficiency. 💡 Key Scripture: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders' labor is i…

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Anthony Cesar Duncan: ChatGPT Psychosis and the Dangers of AI 1:03:43

4h ago1:03:43

1:03:43

By Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

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Aaron Goldenberg - Homeschool, Conversion Therapy, and Finally Coming Out 1:17:18

14d ago1:17:18

1:17:18

Aaron Goldenberg, actor, comedian, and (hilarious) content creator, joins Lola and Meagan to talk about being gay as a Christian child, what it was like learning Bill Gothard’s IBLP homeschool curriculum as a boy, and how his parents discovered his queerness and sent him to conversion therapy. He talks about Exodus International, a now-disbanded “e…

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159 | Carry The Gospel: How One Conversation Changed Everything 36:42

14d ago36:42

36:42

This incredible testimony from Verity Conference 2024 will transform how you think about everyday evangelism. Leila shares her powerful story from Muslim family to Christian ministry, and reveals the four practical ways we can all carry God's Kingdom into our daily lives. Four Ways to Carry the Kingdom: - Pursue Kingdom Priorities - Aligning your a…

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Sarah Stankorb - Quiverfull, Christian Nationalism, and Why Evangelical Women Are Leaving 1:13:38

22d ago1:13:38

1:13:38

Journalist Sarah Stankorb comes on the show to talk about her book, Disobedient Women, and the deep dive she did on why a series of evangelical women in America began to leave their communities as the internet came into prominence. They discuss patriarchal teachings within cultures like the Quiverfull movement, including stories like Vyckie Garriso…

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158 | Speak Your Story: How Your Testimony Changes the World 43:28

24d ago43:28

43:28

This powerful conference session connects directly to our previous episode about our 5-month podcast break. While the last episode shared the "happy ending" of our infertility journey with baby Olivera's birth, this session was recorded in the middle of that same story - during failed fertility treatments with no promise of resolution. In This Sess…

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Erika Lantz & Elin Lantz Lesser - Book Burnings, Rapture Drills, & the River Road Fellowship 1:22:30

29d ago1:22:30

1:22:30

Guests Erika Lantz and Elin Lantz Lesser join to discuss season 3 of their investigative podcast The Turning, which follows the journey of a young woman named Lindsay, a former member of a Christian group in Minnesota called River Road Fellowship. They talk about the background of the leader Victor Bernard, how Lindsay’s parents moved the family to…

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157 | Living Out Theology in Pain: The Real Story Behind Our 5 Month Break 22:56

25d ago22:56

22:56

After an unexpected 5-month podcast break, we're back with our most vulnerable episode yet. While Every Woman A Theologian kept going, we had to pause the podcast to navigate some of life's biggest challenges. What does it look like to live out theology in the middle of pain and difficulty? Here's the real story of why we stepped back from podcasti…

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Jane Borden - Cults Like Us: Puritans, Demagogues, and America’s Doomsday Obsession 1:01:56

1M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Journalist Jane Borden joins the girls to discuss her book Cults Like Us, a gripping investigation into how cultic thinking is woven into the fabric of American life. Jane delves into the radical roots of early Protestant settlers, how the deep-rooted American mythology of a strong rebel cowboy who can save us from the bad guys makes us more suscep…

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Megan Elizabeth Cox - The Remnant Fellowship, Gwen Shamblin, and the Worship of Skinny 1:17:13

1M ago1:17:13

1:17:13

Megan Elizabeth Cox–not to be confused with our Meagan Elizabeth–shares how she first started Gwen Shamblin’s weight loss program as a child, when her mom began listening to the cassette tapes in the 90s. She opens up about what it was like growing up in a family that was fixated on weight loss, how it felt meeting Shamblin, the high-haired woman b…

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Claire Hoffman - The Rise and Vanishing of Evangelist Megastar Aimee Semple McPherson 54:23

2M ago54:23

54:23

Journalist Claire Hoffman joins us again, this time to discuss her new book Sister, Sinner: the unbelievable true story of Aimee Semple McPherson, a glamorous Pentecostal preacher who pioneered entertainment evangelism. McPherson was so famous in the 1920s she could have been a Kardashian. Claire talks about how the early televangelist used theatri…

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Claire Hoffman - Levitation, Meditation, and a Childhood in a Transcendental Meditation Trailer Park 39:56

2M ago39:56

39:56

In Part 1 of our interview with journalist Claire Hoffman, Claire shares what it was like growing up in an Iowa trailer park community built around the Transcendental Meditation (or TM) movement and its charismatic leader, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi–whose followers included The Beatles. Claire shares what the daily routine was like in the TM community, …

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Carol Merchasin - The Cult Assassin: Suing High-Control Groups 1:11:50

2M ago1:11:50

1:11:50

Attorney Carol Merchasin didn’t set out to expose cults, but after investigating allegations about a high-control Buddhist organization and discovering that the abuse had run more rampant than she’d imagined, she became a lawyer and focused her practice on getting justice for survivors of cults and abusive groups. Carol discusses the legal ins and …

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Akina Cox - Part 2: The Moonies, ICE, and the Cult Tactics of Trump 53:11

2M ago53:11

53:11

Artist and writer Akina Cox returns to share more about her experience growing up in the Unification Church (also known as the Moonies), its physical punishment rituals, and where the church stands now. The girls then transition from the topic of her particular cult to a discussion on the cult-like patterns of the current American political landsca…

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Akina Cox - Part 1: Unification Church, Mass Weddings, and Unpaid Labor 1:03:31

3M ago1:03:31

1:03:31

Artist and writer Akina Cox shares about her childhood growing up in the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies. They discuss the background of the church and its late leader Reverend Moon, how her parents both joined after hitchhiking in the 70s, and what it was like growing up in the group. She shares how it felt participating in a mass we…

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Live Show in San Francisco: Season 4 finale 1:22:37

3M ago1:22:37

1:22:37

Generation Cult's live show and literary event happened on stage at The Lost Church San Francisco 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 featu…

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Introducing Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation 1:24

3M ago1:24

1:24

Trust Me is the podcast that pulls back the curtain on cults, high-control groups and the psychology of belief. Hosted by cult survivors Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth, the show features raw, first-hand accounts from people who’ve been manipulated, love-bombed and pulled into systems of control—and lived to tell the tale. Each week, Lola and Meaga…

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REWIND: Dianne Lake - The Manson Family, Part 1: Meeting Charlie 1:06:36

3M ago1:06:36

1:06:36

Trust Me has joined Exactly Right Media. Hosts Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth will be back with new episodes on Wednesday, July 30th. You’re a teenage girl in the late 60s, bouncing between communes, when a charismatic man and his group of young women welcome you with open arms. You were looking for a family, and now you’ve found one. In part one of…

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REWIND: Glynn Washington - The Worldwide Church of God 57:59

4M ago57:59

57:59

Trust Me has joined Exactly Right Media. Hosts Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth will be back with new episodes on Wednesday, July 30th. End time prophecies? Memorizing the bible? Required church vacations your family can't afford? Snap Judgment host and creator Glynn Washington shares his experiences growing up in the apocalyptic religion the Worldwid…

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REWIND: Hoyt Richards - From Supermodel to Cult Member 1:19:50

4M ago1:19:50

1:19:50

Trust Me has joined Exactly Right Media. Hosts Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth will be back with new episodes on Wednesday, July 30th. What do you model your life after? For producer, actor, and former supermodel Hoyt Richards, it was the teachings of a charming man from Nantucket who spoke about the impending apocalypse and a distant star named Arct…

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REWIND: Lola's Mom - Mormon-Offshoot Cult 1:13:39

4M ago1:13:39

1:13:39

Trust Me has joined Exactly Right Media. Hosts Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth will be back with new episodes on Wednesday, July 30th. In their first ever episode, Lola and Meagan interviewed Christine Marie, Lola's mom, about her and Lola's experiences believing in a self-proclaimed Mormon prophet. They discuss how they came to believe in him, their…

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An Exciting Update from Lola and Meagan! 0:35

4M ago0:35

0:35

The rumors are true—Trust Me is coming back this summer on the Exactly Right podcast network! This teaser has everything you need to know about our next chapter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

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Opening the 2X2s Floodgates with Mike 38:19

5M ago38:19

38:19

Mike and Abbi grew up going to something they called "the truth" or "the way" or sometimes it didn't have a name at all. But it wasn't a church. A church was something the other kids attended. They went to "meetings" at people's houses and had leaders called "workers" who stayed with them. After they got married and left the religion, or whatever i…

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156 | Chatting with a 4th Generation Member of "The Way" 2x2s 46:04

7M ago46:04

46:04

In this week's special podcast episode, Phylicia interviews Angelika Rasper, former 4th generation member of "the Way", also known as the 2x2 sect. In this interview Gel shares what the 2x2s are, what her experience was like growing up in the group, why she left and how she has healed since then. This interview is included in our new Freedom from L…

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155 | Do Christians Need to Obey Old Testament Law? 25:45

7M ago25:45

25:45

Salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ alone—a truth that stands in contrast to a growing movement in the West of “Torah Observant Christians” who argue that Gentile believers must follow Old Testament laws to secure salvation. Phylicia, however, emphasizes a key distinction: while Jewish Christians may observe these laws as part of their…

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154 | How Believable Ideas Lead to Dangerous Beliefs - Unmasking Marcionism 29:22

7M ago29:22

29:22

⭐️In this episode Phylicia explores Marcionism's heretical views on the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of understanding scripture in light of personal biases and promoting the Old Testament's foundational role in Christianity. Mentioned in this episode: ⭐️ 10 Myths About the Old Testament: https://everywomanatheologian.myflodesk.com/oldt…

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Amanda Rae - The Kingston Clan and Escaping Polygamy 1:19:13

7M ago1:19:13

1:19:13

Today our guest is Amanda Rae, host of YouTube channel by the same name and former member of the Kingston Clan, or the Order, a polygamist group in Utah, not to be confused with the FLDS. Some of you may remember our previous guest Priscilla from the same group - both of these gals were on Escaping Polygamy. Amanda’s going to tell us who the Kingst…

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153 | Understanding Lent: Traditions, Sacrifices, and Spiritual Growth 6:33

7M ago6:33

6:33

Join us in this enlightening mini-episode as we delve into the rich history and profound spiritual meaning of Lent! In this video, you'll discover the origins of Lent, what makes up it's three pillars, and more about the traditions that surround this annual event leading up to the highest of Holy Holidays. Join us as we prepare our hearts for the c…

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Special Film Edition: Beyond the Fence with Lindsey and Ashlen 26:20

7M ago26:20

26:20

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…

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Maggie Rowe - Sinning Bravely and Moral Scrupulosity 1:20:12

7M ago1:20:12

1:20:12

Today our guest is Maggie Rowe, former writer on Arrested Development and author of Sin Bravely, a book about her experiences with moral scrupulosity, or sin-focused OCD. We talk a lot about OCD on this show, so here’s a guest who wrote an entire book about growing up with religious obsessions! She’ll tell us about her first obsessions about what w…

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Caleb Ward, Part 2 - Disneyland for Christians and Exiting the Church 54:14

8M ago54:14

54:14

Former evangelical Christian and pastor's son Caleb Ward continues his story of growing up in evangelical culture in the early 2000s. We discuss some of the touchstones of his youth including Heritage USA (Disneyland for Christians) and Christian rock event Creation Festival, as well as his fear of losing his virginity before marriage, what hell to…

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152 | How Gnosticism Contradicts Christian Teaching 30:54

8M ago30:54

30:54

Join us as we explore the intriguing doctrine of Gnosticism, one of the early church's most significant heresies, and its impact on Christianity today. Discover how Gnostics viewed matter as evil and sought salvation through mystical knowledge, challenging traditional beliefs about the body and spirit. We'll also reflect on contemporary parallels t…

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Caleb Ward, Part 1 - Kingdom Life Ministries and Evangelical Youth Culture 57:07

8M ago57:07

57:07

Former pastor's son Caleb Ward joins Lola and Meagan to share his experience about the height of evangelical culture in the early 2000s in a church called Kingdom Life Ministries. Caleb discusses growing up in an environment where everyone was speaking in tongues and having loud prophecies in the middle of church, the pressures that come with being…

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Uriah Wesman, Part 2 - Growing Up in Three Cults (The Hearts Center and The Ideal Society) 1:05:00

8M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

Today is part 2 with Uriah Wesman, former member of THREE different cults. This week he’ll talk to us more about cult #2, the Hearts Center (which was an offshoot of cult #1 from last week), what it was like being a rebellious emo kid slowly starting to realize inconsistencies in the church, and how his dad discovered cult #3 in Canada, the Ideal S…

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151 | Understanding the Ancient False Doctrine Behind Jehovah's Witness and LDS 30:03

8M ago30:03

30:03

Phylicia Masonheimer delves into the historical heresy of Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ, highlighting its unexpected resurgence in the theologies of Jehovah's Witnesses and Latter-Day Saints. You'll explore a detailed examination of how these groups subtly alter biblical scripture and reinterpret key passages to portray J…

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Uriah Wesman, Part 1 - The First Cult: Church Universal and Triumphant 53:05

8M ago53:05

53:05

Creator of the one man show 3 Cults Walk Into a Bar, Uriah Wesman, shares about his FIRST cult experience in Church Universal and Triumphant, how they combined Christianity and New Age ideas, the paranoia that was created by beliefs surrounding demons, his mom's mental deterioration that led her to accuse his father of being a demon, and his parent…

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150 | Protect Your Faith: Learn to Discern False Teachers 27:34

9M ago27:34

27:34

In this episode, we kick off a series that will teach us how to discern false teachings within Christianity. Discover the key scriptural principles and practical strategies to identify deception, focusing on the character of teachers and the truth of Jesus Christ. Join us this week as we emphasize the importance of humility, prayer, and a deep reli…

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Philip Deslippe & Stacie Stukin - 3HO,Kundalini yoga, & Yogi Bhajan 1:33:07

9M ago1:33:07

1:33:07

Today our guests are historian Philip Deslippe and writer Stacie Sutkin, who together have done investigative reporting on 3HO (“happy, healthy, holy organization”), Kundalini yoga, and Yogi Bhajan. They’re going to tell us how they got started writing about 3HO, both interacting with Kundalini yoga in different ways, who Yogi Bhajan was and whethe…