Professor, survivor of The Field, and author of Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult, Michelle Dowd, discusses growing up in the cult founded by her grandfather in the 1930s, how it started as an after school program for boys and evolved into something more sinister, the wild claims that her grandfather made, traveling to perform plays while serving as a magician's assistant and poodle conductor, how children were trained to talk to authorities and outsiders, and being taught to prioritize survival above all else.

Learn more about Michelle's work here! https://mdowd.substack.com

Follow Michelle here! https://www.instagram.com/michelledowdz

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Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com

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@TrustMePodcast

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@TrustMeCultPod

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@TrustMeCultPodcast

Professor, survivor of The Field, and author of Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult, Michelle Dowd, discusses growing up in the cult founded by her grandfather in the 1930s, how it started as an after school program for boys and evolved into something more sinister, the wild claims that her grandfather made, traveling to perform plays while serving as a magician's assistant and poodle conductor, how children were trained to talk to authorities and outsiders, and being taught to prioritize survival above all else.
Learn more about Michelle's work here! <a href="https://mdowd.substack.com/" target="_blank">https://mdowd.substack.com</a>
Follow Michelle here! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/michelledowdz/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/michelledowdz</a>
Check out our great sponsors!
Quince: Love affordable luxury? Go to <a href="http://Quince.com/trust" target="_blank">Quince.com/trust</a> for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!
Trust Me is sponsored by BetterHelp! Visit <a href="http://BetterHelp.com/trust" target="_blank">BetterHelp.com/trust</a> to get 10% off your first month!
Shopify: Run your own business? Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at <a href="http://shopify.com/trustme" target="_blank">shopify.com/trustme</a> 
CHECK OUT OUR MERCH!! <a href="http://bit.ly/trustmemerch" target="_blank">bit.ly/trustmemerch</a> 
Got your own story about cults, extreme belief, or abuse of power? Leave a voicemail or text us at 347-86-TRUST (347-868-7878) OR shoot us an email at TrustMePod@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM:
@TrustMePodcast
@oohlalola
@meaganelizabeth11
TWITTER:
@TrustMeCultPod
@ohlalola
@baberahamhicks
TIKTOK:
@TrustMeCultPodcast

Trust Me is a weekly interview podcast about cults, extreme belief, and the fine line between devotion and delusion—told through firsthand accounts from the people who lived it. Hosted by two women who’ve been in cults themselves, Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth, the show features survivors from groups like Heaven’s Gate, the Manson Family, NXIVM, OneTaste and more–sharing personal stories of how they got in, how they got out, and everything in between.

Each week, they invite these guests alongside experts who can dive deep into seductive leaders, the darker aspects of organized religion, and the subtler shades of groupthink and the psychology of influence. Trust Me explores it all with unfiltered honesty, dark humor, and a lot of heart. This isn’t a sensationalized deep dive into cults—it’s a compassionate, first-person exploration of what it means to believe, to belong, and to break free. At the end of the day, wanting to believe in something bigger than yourself is one of the most human instincts there is.

Trust Me is a weekly interview podcast about cults, extreme belief, and the fine line between devotion and delusion&mdash;told through firsthand accounts from the people who lived it.&nbsp;Hosted by two women who&rsquo;ve been in cults themselves, Lola Blanc and Meagan Elizabeth, the show&nbsp;features survivors from groups like Heaven&rsquo;s Gate, the Manson Family, NXIVM, OneTaste and more&ndash;sharing personal stories of how they got in, how they got out, and everything in between.
Each week, they invite&nbsp;these guests&nbsp;alongside experts who can dive deep into seductive leaders, the darker aspects of organized religion, and the subtler shades of groupthink and the psychology of influence. Trust Me explores it all with unfiltered honesty, dark humor, and a lot of heart.&nbsp;This isn&rsquo;t a sensationalized deep dive into cults&mdash;it&rsquo;s a compassionate, first-person exploration of what it means to believe, to belong, and to break free.&nbsp;At the end of the day, wanting to believe in something bigger than yourself is one of the most human instincts there is.

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

Michelle Dowd, Part 1 - Becoming a Forager in The Field

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/eb3230a8-13c6-4dd9-8d00-b2de0124436f/transcript

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