
The Endless Goalposts That Keep Followers Trapped | How to Become a Cult Leader Ep. 3 Reaction
Growing Up In PolygamyShow Notes
Download the FREE Upside App here https://yt.link/TJbkwvE and use code growingup to get an extra 25 cents back per gallon on your first tank of gas! Thank you Upside for sponsoring this video!
In Episode 3 of How to Become a Cult Leader, we explore the Buddhafield community and its leader, Jaime Gomez, examining the subtle but powerful tactics used to keep followers deeply invested.
From endless service and constantly moving spiritual goalposts to the promise of exclusive experiences that only a select few can attain, many of these methods felt strikingly familiar to us.
As former members of the FLDS and mainstream Mormonism, we discuss how similar patterns appear across many high-control groups. While the beliefs may differ, the systems of control often look remarkably alike. Followers are encouraged to give more, serve more, sacrifice more, and always believe that the next level of acceptance, enlightenment, or approval is just around the corner.
In this reaction, we compare the Buddhafield community with the FLDS and other groups we've studied over the years, asking an important question:
Why do so many high-control groups rely on the same psychological tactics?
Our goal isn't to criticize faith or spirituality. It's to better understand how manipulation works so people can recognize these patterns before they become trapped by them.
Have you ever noticed these same tactics in other groups or organizations? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about documentaries, high-demand religions, survivor stories, and the psychology of influence and control, be sure to subscribe and join us each week.
#HowToBecomeACultLeader #Buddhafield #JaimeGomez #GrowingUpInPolygamy #CultAwareness #HighControlGroups #ReligiousTrauma #DocumentaryReaction #FLDS #ExMormon #Psychology #TrueCrime #CultRecovery
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
At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."
If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy
Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles
Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected]
Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
More from Growing Up In Polygamy
Celebrate your commitment to Sister Wives with Christine's "Not a Quitter" shirts! https://christine-woolley.myshopify.com/products/not-a-quitter-t-shirtThe marriages may be over, but the Sister Wives are discovering that moving on from Kody doesn't necessarily mean moving on from each other!In our reaction to Sister Wives Season 21 Episode 3, we talk about the reality of being a "basement wife," the hierarchy within polygamous families, and how those experiences compare to Sam's upbringing in the FLDS.We also watch the women come together to share family recipes, memories, and traditions as they navigate what their relationships might look like outside of plural marriage.But one of the biggest things that stood out to us is how their children continue to give them a reason to stay connected. Even though their marriages to Kody have ended, they share decades of history and children who still connect their lives.Are they genuinely working toward rebuilding relationships, or will their differences ultimately keep them apart? And can they find common ground now that Kody is no longer at the center of their relationships?Join us as we break down Episode 3 and discuss why the Brown family was never just about Kody!#SisterWives #SisterWivesSeason21 #KodyBrown #ChristineBrown #JanelleBrown #MeriBrown #Polygamy #GrowingUpInPolygamyIf 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.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
⚠️ **TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of physical child abuse and religiously justified corporal punishment. Please watch with care.**In Part 2 of our reaction to "Secrets of the 12 Tribes", we explore one of the documentary's most disturbing topics: the physical punishment of children and how religious teachings are used to justify it.As former members of the FLDS and mainstream Mormonism, we discuss what happens when religious beliefs are used to defend harmful practices, especially when children are involved.We also take a deeper look at FOUR law enforcement raids involving religious communities—two involving the Twelve Tribes and two involving the FLDS. We compare how these raids were carried out, the different approaches authorities took, and the consequences for the families and children involved.But this raises an even bigger question: "What actually makes a raid successful?"Is success measured by arrests, removing children from potentially dangerous situations, holding leaders accountable, or creating lasting change without causing additional harm?Join us as we unpack these difficult questions and discuss the complicated balance between religious freedom, protecting children, and government intervention.💬 "What do you think makes a law enforcement raid successful when children are at risk?" We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.#SecretsOfThe12Tribes #TwelveTribes #FLDS #GrowingUpInPolygamy #DocumentaryReaction #ReligiousAbuse #ChildProtectionIf 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.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
The Sister Wives are coming together again in Season 21 Episode 2, but can they really build new relationships after everything they've been through?
We're only halfway through *Secrets of the 12 Tribes*, and we're already seeing some surprising similarities between the Twelve Tribes community, mainstream Mormonism, and the FLDS! In this reaction, we explore the shared beliefs and practices of restorationist religious movements, including missionary work, receiving new names, dusting off one's feet, and the belief in the literal gathering of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. We also discuss how the Twelve Tribes' communal lifestyle, close-knit communities, and separation from mainstream society remind us of Sam's experience growing up in the FLDS. Although these religious groups have different histories and teachings, some of the similarities are hard to ignore. Join us as we react to the first half of *Secrets of the 12 Tribes* and share our perspectives as former members of fundamentalist and mainstream Mormonism. 💬 **What similarities surprised you the most?** Let us know in the comments! #SecretsOfThe12Tribes #TwelveTribes #FLDS #Mormonism #GrowingUpInPolygamy #DocumentaryReaction 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 At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world." If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy Insta: @growingupinpolygamy www.growingupinpolygamy.com Theme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us! [email protected] Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa
Sister Wives Season 21 is officially here—and there is A LOT to unpack from Episode 1!We react to everyone finding out that Kody and Robyn will no longer be filming Sister Wives and what their reactions might tell us about how things ended behind the scenes.We also dive into the Coyote Pass “back door deal” and whether Janelle and Meri actually got the closure they deserved after everything they went through with the property.And what about David? We talk about why we think he may have gotten a pretty rough edit in this episode—and why he could be coming across as much less supportive of Christine than he actually is.Join us as we break down the Sister Wives Season 21 premiere from our perspective growing up around polygamy and Mormon fundamentalism.#SisterWives #SisterWivesSeason21 #KodyBrown #RobynBrown #CoyotePass #TLCIf 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.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa