Best Growing Up In Polygamy Podcasts (2025)

1
When 'Self-Help' Becomes a Cult | How Control Looks the Same Without Religion 24:20

2h ago24:20

24:20

In this episode, we dive into another story from How I Escaped My Cult — this time focusing on NXIVM, a group that didn’t claim to be religious, but promised personal growth and empowerment. We break down how NXIVM used the language of self-improvement to lure people in, and how, despite the different promises, the control, manipulation, and abuse …

1
Kody Brown CONFESSES: I Loved Them All — And My Ego Couldn't Handle Losing Them! 27:41

1d ago27:41

27:41

In Sister Wives Season 19 Episode 22, Kody Brown finally opens up in a way we’ve rarely seen before. He admits that he truly did love his wives — and that their leaving shattered his ego and confidence. In today’s video, we react to Kody’s confession, where he shares that his sense of self-worth was built on constant validation from his large famil…

1
Can a Mega Church become a Cult? | La Luz del Mundo Reaction 25:20

6d ago25:20

25:20

La Luz del Mundo is one of the largest religious organizations in the world—so how did it end up at the center of shocking abuse allegations and cult accusations? In this episode, we react to a powerful “How I Escaped My Cult” story from someone who grew up inside La Luz del Mundo. We explore what makes a church cross the line into cult territory: …

1
Why Is Kody Still Using His Church’s Words? | Sister Wives S19E21 Reaction 23:57

9d ago23:57

23:57

In this episode of Sister Wives Season 19, we watch as Janelle begins a new chapter of her life in North Carolina, surrounded by love and support. Meri starts to question whether her relationship with Robyn was ever genuine—or just something she clung to in order to stay connected to the family. Meanwhile, Kody baptizes Aurora in her church… but us…

1
Escaping the Kingston Group: Lu Ann’s Fight for Freedom & Hope After Polygamy 1:11:18

13d ago1:11:18

1:11:18

At just 15 years old, Lu Ann Cooper was forced to marry her first cousin within the Kingston Group—also known as “The Order.” Trapped in a system of control, secrecy, and abuse, Luann felt suicide was her only way out. Leaving wasn’t even an option—until one day, it was. In this powerful interview, Lu Ann opens up about her heartbreaking experience…

1
Big Love Season 5 Finale REACTION: When Polygamy Falls Apart 44:25

16d ago44:25

44:25

In this episode, we react to the explosive final season of Big Love — and wow, the Henricksons are truly in freefall. Now that they’re publicly out as a polygamist family, the backlash is intense, and the cracks in their relationships are impossible to ignore. We break down everything from Marge’s underage marriage at 16, Barb’s spiritual awakening…

1
He Turned His Family Into a Cult | Pilgrim Family Reaction 29:08

20d ago29:08

29:08

In this video, we react to How I Escaped My Cult, a chilling story about the Pilgrim Family—where one man used control, fear, and spiritual manipulation to turn his own household into a cult. This is a powerful example of how cult tactics don't always require thousands of followers—sometimes, it's just one family suffering in silence. We break down…

1
Bill’s Revelation or Manipulation? | Big Love Season 4 55:14

23d ago55:14

55:14

Bill Henrickson gets a revelation to run for senator in Season 4 of Big Love—but is it really divine inspiration, or just pure manipulation? In this reaction video, we dive deep into the chaos Bill causes as he chases political power at any cost.Not only is he hiding the fact that he’s a polygamist, but he’s also concealing a child out of wedlock, …

1
Escaping the Nuwaubian Nation: One Man’s Polygamous Cult Empire 26:14

27d ago26:14

26:14

In this video, we react to the harrowing story of someone who escaped the Nuwabian Nation—a cult led by a self-proclaimed prophet who built a compound in Georgia to expand his twisted empire. While preaching spiritual enlightenment, he created a system of polygamy where only he could take multiple wives—many of them underage girls. He manipulated h…

1
Big Love Season 3 Chaos: Betrayal, Excommunication & That Cursed Letter! 56:04

30d ago56:04

56:04

Season 3 of Big Love is an absolute whirlwind, and the second half takes the drama to a whole new level! From Nikki’s nonstop betrayals to Barb’s heartbreaking excommunication, and that one cursed letter that seems to destroy everyone in its path—there’s way too much to unpack. Join us as we break down the never-ending twists, turns, and emotional …

1
When Faith Turns Toxic: Word of Life Cult Exposed | Reaction 30:39

1M ago30:39

30:39

In this video, we react to "How I Escaped My Cult" and the shocking story of the Word of Life Christian Church. What started as a small congregation quickly spiraled into a place of fear, manipulation, and abuse. With public humiliation, forced confessions, and extreme indoctrination, this church controlled its members to devastating effects. Join …

1
The Cracks in Polygamy Are Showing! | Big Love S3 E1-4 44:58

1M ago44:58

44:58

We're diving into the dramatic start of Big Love Season 3, and tensions are running high. Roman Grant's trial is shaking up the community, and Nikki's desperation for her father's approval leads her to betray other women. Barb faces a frightening cancer scare, Margie struggles with the loss of her mother, and despite it all, Bill is still determine…

1
Small Cult, Big Control: The Dark Truth Behind Angel's Landing | Reaction 25:43

1M ago25:43

25:43

In this video, we’re reacting to "How I Escaped My Cult" Episode 2, which covers the chilling story of Angel's Landing. Unlike many cult leaders who seek massive followings, this leader kept his group small — using manipulation and control for financial gain through life insurance scams. As ex-members of high-demand religions, we couldn’t help but …

1
Big Love Season 2 Finale REACTION: Betrayal, Power Struggles & Family Chaos! 36:39

1M ago36:39

36:39

The Big Love Season 2 finale is an absolute rollercoaster, and we’re diving into all the drama! From Bill trying to convince his wives to support his gaming business, to Alby poisoning Roman, to Sarah completely losing respect for her family, and Barb questioning everything about polygamy—this episode is packed with tension, betrayal, and major tur…

1
Cult Leaders Exposed: The Shocking Parallels Between Tony Alamo & Warren Jeffs 33:58

2M ago33:58

33:58

Tony Alamo and Warren Jeffs—two self-proclaimed prophets who built their empires on fear, control, and manipulation. In this video, we react to How I Escaped My Cult: Tony Alamo and break down the disturbing similarities between Alamo’s group and the FLDS under Jeffs. From isolating their followers to taking child brides, both men used their so-cal…

1
Bill's Secret Affair and a Hit on the Prophet: Big Love Reaction 28:42

2M ago28:42

28:42

In Big Love Season 2, Episodes 5-8, things take a dramatic turn as Bill secretly courts a potential fourth wife behind his other wives’ backs—because honesty in polygamy is apparently optional! 😳 But that’s not all—this stretch of the show also introduces a new polygamous group that feels eerily similar to the real-life LeBaron cult, known for its …

1
Amanda Rae - The Kingston Clan and Escaping Polygamy 1:24:45

2M ago1:24:45

1:24:45

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…

1
Reacting to How I Escaped My Cult: The FLDS is Bigger Than They Say 26:59

2M ago26:59

26:59

In this video, we react to How I Left My Cult and its episode on the FLDS and Yearning for Zion Ranch. The documentary does a great job covering Warren Jeffs’ rise to power and the experiences of his 8th wife and her son, but one thing stood out to us—how it makes it seem like the FLDS is down to just a “handful” of people. The truth is, the FLDS i…

1
Big Love Season 2 Ep1-4: Is Juniper Creek Really the FLDS? 27:58

2M ago27:58

27:58

In this episode, we dive into Big Love Season 2 and unpack the aftermath of Barb’s "Mother of the Year" disaster. Is she finally realizing she never truly wanted polygamy? Meanwhile, Roman Grant continues to run Juniper Creek like his personal kingdom—but now, there’s a new prophet on the run, and the similarities to Warren Jeffs are uncanny. So, w…

1
Maggie Rowe - Sinning Bravely and Moral Scrupulosity 1:21:05

2M ago1:21:05

1:21:05

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…

1
My Father's "Disgusting" Revelations From Prison | Part 2 55:20

2M ago55:20

55:20

In part two of our interview with Jaden Jeffs, he reveals the shocking and disturbing revelations that his father, Warren Jeffs, has been sending to his family from prison. As the self-proclaimed prophet of the FLDS, Warren continues to control his followers—even from behind bars. Jaden shares how these messages became too much to bear, the impact …

1
Big Love and FLDS Parallels Are Shocking! | S1 E6-12 Reaction 44:30

2M ago44:30

44:30

Ever wondered how accurate Big Love is when it comes to polygamy? In this reaction to Big Love Season 1, Episodes 6-12, we dive deep into the striking similarities between Juniper Creek and the real FLDS community where Sam was raised. From leadership dynamics to family control, the parallels are shocking. We also break down how the Henrickson fami…

1
Caleb Ward, Part 2 - Disneyland for Christians and Exiting the Church 55:45

2M ago55:45

55:45

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…

1
Life as the Son of FLDS Polygamous Prophet, Warren Jeffs 1:22:39

2M ago1:22:39

1:22:39

What was it like growing up as the son of Warren Jeffs, the infamous FLDS prophet? In this exclusive interview, Jaden Jeffs shares his firsthand experience of life inside the inner circle of the FLDS church. From living in the prophet’s home alongside his 80 wives to moving between secret compounds in Texas and other states, Jaden reveals what life…

1
Big Love Reality Check: Utah, Mormon, & FLDS Culture 46:59

2M ago46:59

46:59

Did Big Love get it right? In this video, we dive into episodes 2-5 of Big Love and break down how the show portrays Utah culture, mainstream Mormonism, and FLDS polygamy. We compare the Henrickson family's version of plural marriage—living "the principle" without religious ties—to real-world polygamous groups. From secrecy and jealousy to the comp…

1
Caleb Ward, Part 1 - Kingdom Life Ministries and Evangelical Youth Culture 1:00:35

2M ago1:00:35

1:00:35

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…

1
Big Love: Comparing Its Real-Life Polygamy Parallels! | S1 E1 29:31

3M ago29:31

29:31

You've been asking for it, and it's finally here—our reaction to Big Love! 🚨 In just the first episode, we're already seeing shocking similarities between this fictional polygamous family and real-life groups like the AUB, FLDS, and even mainstream LDS culture.Join us as we break down the accuracy, the misconceptions, and the hidden parallels to re…

1
Uriah Wesman, Part 2 - Growing Up in Three Cults (The Hearts Center and The Ideal Society) 1:08:24

3M ago1:08:24

1:08:24

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…

1
American Primeval: Unpacking the Dark Truths of Mormon History 32:52

3M ago32:52

32:52

Netflix’s American Primeval dives into the brutal realities of the American frontier, including the complex and often violent relationships between Mormon settlers, the U.S. Army, and Native American tribes. While the show is historical fiction, it clearly portrays Brigham Young and early Mormon leaders as religious extremists willing to do anythin…

1
Janelle Leaves for Good! 🚛 | Sister Wives S19E20 Reaction 25:15

3M ago25:15

25:15

Janelle is officially leaving Flagstaff and starting her new life in North Carolina—with Christine and David right by her side to help her make the big move! In this episode of Sister Wives (Season 19, Episode 20), we break down Janelle’s journey to independence and what this means for her future. Meanwhile, Kody and Robyn have a deep discussion wi…

1
Uriah Wesman, Part 1 - Growing Up in Three Cults (Church Universal and Triumphant) 59:14

3M ago59:14

59:14

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…

1
4 Seconds Cost Me $5 Million | My Beast Games Elimination 30:55

3M ago30:55

30:55

In Episode 3 of Beast Games, Sam faced the toughest moment of his journey. He and two of his closest allies were forced to make an impossible choice—one of them had to self-sacrifice by cuffing themselves to a wall so the other two could move forward. With only 5 hours to decide, they played a game among themselves to determine who would take the f…

1
Meri & Janelle Unite Against Kody! | Sister Wives S19 E19 22:49

3M ago22:49

22:49

In this episode, we dive into Sister Wives Season 19, Episode 19, where Meri and Janelle finally set aside their differences and form an unexpected alliance. With Kody refusing to let them have any say in the future of Coyote Pass—and Robyn constantly flip-flopping on whether to sell—these women are gearing up for a major battle. Chapters: 00:00:00…

1
What BEAST GAMES Episode 1 & 2 Didn’t Show You: My Real Experience in the Challenges! 40:13

3M ago40:13

40:13

Join me as I dive into my experience on Beast Games Episodes 1 and 2! I’m breaking down what the challenges were really like, the behind-the-scenes moments you didn’t get to see, and how it felt to compete under pressure. Were the challenges as tough as they seemed on screen? Were there any surprises or twists? Watch to find out all the details!Joi…

1
Philip Deslippe & Stacie Stukin - 3HO, Kundalini Yoga, & Yogi Bhajan 1:42:16

3M ago1:42:16

1:42:16

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…

1
Sister Wives Break Free While Kody Loses Control | SW S19 E18 21:30

3M ago21:30

21:30

In this episode of Sister Wives Season 19, Christine claims her independence by investing in a new home in Moab, while the rest of the family tries to navigate splitting up Coyote Pass. With Kody refusing to communicate with Meri and Janelle and mistrust brewing among everyone, the tension is higher than ever. To top it off, the ex-wives have retai…

1
Renovating "The Phoenix Room" at the Short Creek Dream Center with Your Donations 14:21

4M ago14:21

14:21

In this video, we take you behind the scenes of an incredible transformation made possible by your generous donations! Together, we renovated a men's common room at the Short Creek Dream Center, turning it into a warm, inspiring, and welcoming space now known as "The Phoenix Room."What makes this project even more meaningful is the history of the b…

1
Sister Wives Repeats Itself: Christine’s Wedding... Again?! 19:55

4M ago19:55

19:55

We’re reacting to Sister Wives Season 19, Episode 17, and it’s giving major déjà vu! Christine’s wedding special feels like a rerun, complete with Kody cutting down trees and endless claims of being "happy" for Christine. Is the show out of ideas? Let’s dive in and break it all down!Join our NEW Patreon HERE: https://patreon.com/growingupinpolygamy…

1
REWIND: Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 2: Breaking Away 38:50

4M ago38:50

38:50

Episode 23: Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth continue to interview Frank Lyford, former member of Heaven's Gate. In part 2, they discuss the growing number of red flags he began to notice after one of the leaders died, including talk of castration, and what led to his decision to finally, after 18 years, break away. He also tells the girls what it was…

1
2X2 Church Leadership Secrets EXPOSED By Former Insider! 1:13:11

4M ago1:13:11

1:13:11

Join Sam and Melissa for a revealing interview with a former member of the 2X2 Church. Discover shocking details about life inside this secretive organization, including how leaders have perpetuated abuse while escaping accountability. This interview exposes the dark mechanisms of control within the church, offering a rare glimpse into a highly pri…

1
REWIND: Frank Lyford - Heaven's Gate, Part 1: The Nomadic Lifestyle 48:00

4M ago48:00

48:00

Episode 22: Lola & Meagan interview Frank Lyford, survivor of Heaven's Gate who left after 18 years--just a few years before discovering his friends and loved ones in the group had died by suicide. In part 1, he tells the girls how he began following the leaders Ti and Do, what it was like living a nomadic lifestyle with his "check partner," and wh…

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