So surprisingly great to hear lingo I’ve only heard from occasional conversations with family or from myself futilely attempting to explain my background haha Also very surprising to hear so many similar thoughts and conclusions that I’ve come to recently about my own wcg experience and so very helpful. Thank you. Brilliant idea to share so many different perspectives instead of the typical “cult pods” that I’ve listened to.

Money from the third tithe was used in the worldwide church of God for the widows and orphans BUT the widow had to PAY IT BACK! So that made the third tithe stolen funds from the church members who was treated like trained dogs. We weren’t even allowed to ask a question we was told if you question the church then that means you are not saved. That church did not and still don’t believe in Jesus Christ for Salvation. They are another anti-Christ religious group. And they cover up sexual sin on children. They put widows and orphans in the most unsecured unsafe places to stay during the Feast Of Tabernacles, our motel room wouldn’t lock, the bed had blood on the sheets, and told me the church doesn’t like helping people like you! By the feast coordinator. I was had no clue what that meant other than you are beneath us. I became severely depressed after a few years and told I had demon issues. Well the demon issues was the church I was a 3rd generation and my children was 4th generation. I have since left that church and it took me years to overcome the lies the mind control and I now know who Jesus is He is my Savior by Grace through Faith! No other name not this plus Jesus all the while being told we are an embryo not yet born again as we were so often told! Sick crazy stuff! If you’re in a splinter get out all they did was whitewash the crimes HWA committed along with his false teaching. They are built on sinking sand!

This podcast is well-produced and fascinating. I highly recommend it!

I was raised in WWCG from birth until it’s dismantling (about 11-12 years). I became a born again Christian several years after getting out. I appreciate this podcast because it gave me insight into other peoples perspectives and experiences. My memories aren’t terrible. I was blessed with amazing parents, in particular a dad who was often the “rebel” of the church, asking questions and holding secret Bible studies, which led to him being disciplined several times. My parents met and were married at Ambassador in the 70s and are still married today. We made life long friends in the church. While I am grateful to be out and see the truth that it was a cult, I am also grateful for the experiences and relationships that came out of it. Thank you for sharing this with the world in this format.

There are a couple positives about my time in the “church”. My family made some lifetime friends friends with other families. Our podcast host’s family is one. Our mothers were good friends. Hmmm.. I can’t think of another right now!

I was born into the Worldwide Church of God, was there for 15 years and stopped going to the church over 25 years ago; it’s incredible the lasting impact that experience still has on my life. The host does an amazing job relating the stories in the experiences the feelings brought on from being a member of this cult.This is such a powerful podcast for me and I just really want to appreciate everyone who works to make this possible.

This story line is extremely fascinating especially considering what is being uncovered in the mainstream Christian world today. It would be easy for the host to give only negative views and perspectives based on her experiences but I applaud her for giving a well rounded and balanced view in spite of her experiences in the church. Keep the stories coming!!!

Very well done. This exploration on the impact of Armstrong’s peculiar madness proves very illuminating into American society as a whole. If you want to understand the strains of the US populace drawn toward a crazed, racist talk show host as a political new messiah — this is a very good place to start.

I have mixed feelings about this…. What’s the purpose? To “beat a dead horse”? Is the host coming from a Liberal/Progressive Christian perspective?

Excellent work covering the impacts of the dark elements in the history of this church which has left a legacy that corresponds so many destructive ideas like British Israelism which is a concept that can be seen in ideas around manifest destiny and American exceptionalism that we still deal with in society today.

I was a 3rd generation member of the church & was raised in the PCG. I spent 3 summers at the PYC camp in Oklahoma. This podcast is so spot on. Listening to it has really allowed me to reflect on my experiences. From the hymns that I found myself singing along to, to the talks about how inclusive the FoT felt, to being so incredibly grateful that #IGotOut when I did.. This podcast has done a wonderful job of shedding light on the terrible realities of the church while recognizing the members as normal human beings. I can’t thank you enough for this

Great job with this podcast! I can’t help thinking how my life would be different if I hadn’t been a part of this church🧐. I want to say I am so scarred by it but- reality? I am a much better person than I think I would have been thanks to meeting my wife at AC (neensx3). The evolution inside our marriage has allowed me to see myself and change my programming by the church toward women. I am truly blessed to have a strong, independent thinking wife and 2 daughters. Thanks for shining a spotlight on this topic.

Great Pod Cast. I was in the group as a child until my mid 30s. I remember the families without a Dad because they came into the cult and had been divorced.

Excellent podcast to highlight the narratives of individuals conducted in a thoughtful and engaging manner! While the episodes tell the past experiences and consequences of individuals in a group - the concepts are applicable to the society today as some continue to be drawn towards charismatic leaders, strict political ideologies, group think, us vs. them mentality, and special ‘truth’ disconnected from critical thinking.

..And this podcast captures perfectly what it was like. It is a well-produced and thoughtful trip down memory lane. The clips of hymns played really take me back. While the church wasn’t all bad memories or experiences for me, I am grateful to have escaped it when I did.

I was a third generation church member born into this church in 1979. My mom was married to my dad (who was NOT a member). I remember very vividly the family divide that this caused because they weren’t equally yoked. I hope at some point these types of issues are talked about more. So far I’m loving the content. It’s made me think about some of the teachings and how they shaped me. I remember the sermons about interracial dating and marriage but haven’t given much thought about that.

My father had a pretty horrible accident and when he recovered I guess he was looking for something and was in a vulnerable state of mind when our family joined. I guess that’s how seemingly “normal” people get sucked into these organizations.The beliefs WWC held directly contrasted my entire existence. I was mixed race, both of my parents had been married once before, and my family believed in vaccines and medical treatment(thank goodness!) But my parents still made go every Saturday to church. Eventually when the changes became too much for my dad in the mid 90’s we switched over for a couple of years to Philadelphia church of god until he was eventually kicked out for questioning too much. For as many members as we had I never seemed to meet anyone who knew about WWCG and could understand what it felt like growing up in it. This podcast just confirms that I’m not crazy and it did happen and it is just as weird as I thought it was growing up.

Thanks for doing this. My family had 3 generations in this church, and it was an interesting up bringing that shaped me into a person who has unique stories, but also needs therapy. 😂

I was born into this cult in 1970, and left ASAP my senior year in high school Just wanted to congratulate you for your time involved in creating this awesome podcast ❤️ Nailed it, spot on in my opinion, especially when feeling as a kid that the only time that I felt normal was when I was away from it all😢

I spent nearly 35 years in the WCG since the age of 6. Leaving almost 30 years ago was so liberating. Great podcast. So true in every aspect.

Such a good listen, can’t wait for the rest of the season.

What a perfect summary of the hundreds of conversations I have had over the last 25 years. So well done!!!

Thank you for doing this and bringing awareness to Armstrongism. So many families have been destroyed because of this so called religion.

The first 3 episodes are great and such an accurate reflection of my 25 year experience, starting at 5 years old. Can’t wait for more and want to share with friends to help them understand why I’m a bit screwed up:)

Heading out to the Place of Safety! Who's with me?

My parents joined the Worldwide Church of God when I was a baby. My mother had a family member in the church since the 60s. My father was familiar with the radio program. “The Church” was an integral part of my life. WWCG had a DISTINCT culture and your even more “distinct” culture as a black family. Growing up in it, my brothers and I matriculated from sleeping on the mats by our parents in services, going to class in YES, activities in YOU, and traveling all over the county to attend the Feast … I believed in the church doctrine. I was convinced I was a member of God’s one true church. Phrases like: “The World Tomorrow,” “The place of safety,” “the broadcast,” and “Holy Days”, all have meaning to me. We moved while in HS, and I was still locked into the culture. I eventually attended AC as well. It wasn’t until my 20’s that I started to question what was going on. Actions/thought processes I thought were normal; it was becoming clear to me that it was NOT normal. The veil started to be removed from my eyes. It was a rough time for me as I felt betrayed. This church tainted my view of organized religion for a LONG time. Interestingly enough, sometimes I miss some of the activities as I have fond memories of the events and the people I met worldwide. However, this organization had a troubling history and outlandish viewpoints. Looking forward to hearing some of the stories from others who were also in “The Church.”

I was not born into the Church. I joined and was baptized by choice. I was convinced that this group possessed the capital T truth. Of course when you’re fresh out of an active addiction, lost your marriage, and have no great family supports - capital T truth is mighty tempting. Looking forward to this! 🙂

I was born into the WCG. My mother was brought in before I was born by my aunt on my dad’s side who ironically never attended. When my mother joined (before I was born) she had been divorced and remarried. Because the church believed divorce was a sin, my mom actually separated from her then husband. It still blows my mind to this day. They still both attended regularly. I went to the camps and even the University in Big Sandy. I can’t wait to hear the stories from other members.

Even though the experience of growing up in this church caused most of us to feel very isolated and separated from “the world”, even the intro of this series produces powerful nostalgia. Can’t help wanting to hear every second of each episode!

Can't wait to hear this whole series! The impact this church has had on people for decades is very real, and continues today.

I grew up in WCG, so I am really excited for this podcast.

I don’t know what the name of this song and haven’t heard it in 30 years but don’t you know, I knew every word. 😱

I used to work near Ambassador University and am excited to hear this series. Great preview!

I first memories of the WWCOG was listening to HWA on the radio at the age of 8. My grandmother had been listening for some time and talked my mother into listening. In 1953 we traveled to Big Sandy for Passover service at Roy Hammers home,and soon after we had a visit with two men of the church in Pasadena. That did it , my mother was hooked but my dad was not. Dad was a veteran of ww2 and was very upset about the church’s view on military service. But he finally gave in to keep peace with my mother. Many years later I went to work for the College in Big Sandy and worked there for 11 years. My parents were dedicated to the church and soon were made deacons. But later on the powers that be suggested Dad become a preacher. All through the years my home was filled with used clothing, and they visited the sick people in the church and dad was Capt of Thousands during the annual Feast and spent the entire time solving problems for the campground, which were many. Then they ran a computer check on my dad and found out he was not paying enough tithes. Next thing was they took their deaconship away and required they sit on the front row at church so they could preach about tithing. My dad told them he took care of his family first and paid all he could after that. My mother held my dad responsible for all of this and soon left him and they divorced. Soon I was kicked out for paying a visit with GTA after he was kicked out of the church. I could go on and on about the 30 or so years I spent in the WWCOG, but enough for now.

My brothers and I were never members of this cult, but we still pay for it like we were! It’s absurd how horrible Mr. Armstrong was and yet so, SO fascinating—but that might be the generational trauma talking.

The teaser has hooked me! I can't wait to hear more. First person perspective about a doomsday cult? Tell me everthing!

Having grown up in this, I am very interested in the topic and greatly looking forward to each episode!

This isn’t just someone doing research and bringing you an entertaining podcast, this is from those who have lived it. Highly informative and entertaining.

Is interracial marriage. Yup. Armstrong actually said that.

Have friends that are former members of this church and seeing how much damage they may have experienced makes listening to this podcast something I’m really looking forward to.

What they did, how and perhaps why—Tricia is a fabulous interviewer and this series will not disappoint.

Looks like it will be oral history of former members of this apocalyptic cult. Makes me think of When Prophecy Fails by Leon Festinger. If the future episodes are as good as this teaser, this will be an A+ series!

Such an important story that hasn’t been told yet!

Loved hearing the trailer, can’t wait for the series to premiere.