Cults to Consciousness

By: Shelise Ann Sola
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  • Summary

  • Cult survivor stories. Hi! I’m Shelise Ann Sola— former devout Mormon. On C2C, my husband Jonathan and I dive deep into the nuance of cultic organizations and coercive manipulators. We are not anti-religious, but anti-abuse, and shed light in dark places to bring compassion, understanding and accountability. Together we discover how our guests find independence and healing through awareness and true individual sovereignty. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cults-to-consciousness/support
    Shelise Ann Sola
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Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Escaping SAUDI ARABIA: How She Became FIRST Documented Ex-Muslim Woman to Flee Without Repercussion

    Escaping SAUDI ARABIA: How She Became FIRST Documented Ex-Muslim Woman to Flee Without Repercussion
    Nov 4 2024
    A product of the first generation of bi-ethnic children in Saudi Arabia, as an Italian-Arab, Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson faced new challenges. She lived a double life. One which was very Western, liberal and open and another which was Eastern, focused on Islamic law and extremely strict. Her heart yearned for a western life, but situation didn’t allow for it. Determined to flee to America with a man she fell in love with, she tricked her father into giving legal permission for her to travel on her own. He didn’t know she would never return. Find and Support Jasmin! IG: @jasmin.faulk.dickerson Website: https://www.jasminfaulkdickerson.com Book: The Last Sandstorm Use “sandstorm” code for 15% off through the end of July! Amazon Podcast: I Want you to Meet Our Merch! Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Website CultsToConsciousness.com Find Shelise on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:13 Growing up with a progressive Italian mother and conservative Saudi father 00:08:14 The difference between culture, race, and religion 00:14:00 Jasmin's upbringing, and the value of a woman 00:16:56 When young girls officially become "women" 00:18:35 Jasmin hid the fact that she had gotten her period 00:20:48 Jasmin clarifies about her region-specific experience 00:23:35 Why young Jasmin thought she had to wear a veil 00:25:15 The s*xualization of chiIdren 00:27:40 Did Jasmin's progressive mom embrace Muslim culture? 00:29:50 What teen life was like for Jasmin 00:32:27 Did Jasmin believe in the religious doctrine? 00:36:28 The shame and guilt 00:38:36 Jasmine breaks down engagements, weddings, marriage from the woman's perspective 00:47:37 Trying to escape by getting married young 00:57:52 How Jasmine tricked her father into getting permission to leave 01:00:57 The tense moment at the airport during Jasmine's escape 01:07:09 Life in Wyoming with her 2nd husband 01:09:09 Jasmine's life turning upside because of 9II 01:11:47 Jasmine finding her own identity 01:16:05 What came of Jasmine's relationship with her family? 01:18:39 Women need male guardian's to give them permission 01:24:07 A devastating end to her 2nd husband's life 01:27:35 Jasmine's new life with her current husband 01:29:03 What brings Jasmin joy now 01:33:31 Linda, listen Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.** --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cults-to-consciousness/support
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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • I Fell in Love with a Professional Predator

    I Fell in Love with a Professional Predator
    Nov 2 2024

    Blinded by what appeared to be special psychic gifts and years of professional accreditation, Lauren Geertsen fell hard for an energy worker who manipulated her emotionally, financially and spiritually. A predator who had many other victims simultaneously. This is the story of a whistleblower who risked it all and lost almost everything to expose him. Check out Lauren's book: The Scorpion and the Lion Find and support Lauren: YT: @LaurenGeertsen IG: @body_connection_coach
    Our Merch!

    Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness

    Venmo @sheliseann

    Website CultsToConsciousness.com


    Find Shelise on Social media!

    Instagram @cultstoconsciousness

    Host Instagram @sheliseann

    TikTok @cults.to.consciousness

    Twitter @cultstocon


    Chapter Marks 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:34 Spiritual truth paradox 00:05:30 Defining grooming 00:09:11 When someone is unable to give informed consent 00:11:32 Lauren's upbringing and how it laid the groundwork for future ab*se 00:16:16 How religious and purity culture prevents awareness of signs of a predator 00:22:14 S*xual repression in Purity Culture 00:26:06 Going from one end of the spectrum to the other 00:28:04 A divine pathway and higher purpose 00:31:26 The signs of grooming 00:36:50 Spiritual gaslighting 00:40:54 Using spiritual power as a manipulation tactic 00:45:20 Figuring out the truth 01:00:20 Using trauma as an excuse for toxic and bad behavior 01:04:13 Having to dissolve the business 01:08:17 Friendships during the healing journey 01:12:37 Being an example for others on the same journey 01:18:19 How Lauren is doing today 01:22:25 Linda, listen 01:23:07 Outro Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cults-to-consciousness/support
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Groomed to Practice Polygamy in Incestuous Cult as a Gay Man

    Groomed to Practice Polygamy in Incestuous Cult as a Gay Man
    Nov 1 2024

    One of the most sacred tenants of The Order, a fundamentalist polygamous break of sect of the mainstream mormon/LDS church, is living polygamy. Nephi knew he was gay, but hid it most of his life because living authentically was never an option for him. He was essentially assigned a wife at a young age and had 7 children before he realized he couldn’t pretend anymore. His father, who had 14 wives and over 160 children was pushing him to take another wife, so he came out to him. Nephi was told he was gay for various reasons such as eating too much chicken and he needed to stay faithful lest he go to the depths of Hell. Thankfully, he didn’t listen, got out and isn’t hiding his true self any longer.

    Click here to watch on YouTube Connect with Nephi! FB: Nephi Robinson If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org
    Our Merch!

    Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness

    Venmo @sheliseann

    Website CultsToConsciousness.com


    Find Shelise on Social media!

    Instagram @cultstoconsciousness

    Host Instagram @sheliseann

    TikTok @cults.to.consciousness

    Twitter @cultstocon


    Chapter Markers: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:13 Nephi's polygamous family dynamic 00:03:59 Oldest of 13 kids in immediate family- parentification at 8-10 yrs old 00:05:40 Women are responsible for the chiIdren and income 00:08:42 ChiId labor in The Order 00:11:22 What Nephi's dad Daniel was like 00:15:03 Pre-destined families 00:20:28 Dance cards for betrothals at 16 yrs old 00:26:30 Allowed genres and dance styles for the dances 00:28:08 Being gay was not an option 00:29:55 TW: suic*de ideation 00:32:28 The struggles of being gay with no support 00:34:07 Daniel chose Nephi's college major 00:38:35 The courting process of The Order- no dating till engaged 00:41:53 Nephi's engagement 00:43:28 Plural wives get to make up their last name 00:45:09 Getting married & being pressured to take another wife 00:52:07 Nephi's mom's medical negligence 00:58:19 How Daniel reacted when Nephi came out to him 01:06:45 Nephi's family's reaction to him coming out and leaving 01:09:22 Conversion therapy? 01:15:21 When Nephi left to start a new life, what was it like? 01:18:35 How Nephi is doing now 01:20:28 Linda, Listen Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cults-to-consciousness/support
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins

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