https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/secret-societies-global-control--7194037
Each episode follows stories surrounding covert organizations, coded beliefs, and claims of influence that have captured public imagination across different eras. Rather than treating every rumor as fact, the show explores why certain ideas persist and what makes concealed power so compelling. Sometimes the disturbing part is not proving that someone controls everything—it is realizing how little we actually know about what happens beyond public view.]]>enSociety & Culture© 2026 OBOMEDIA Creatorshttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ae281fbf957091cd8705b1114d72e960.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/secret-societies-global-control--7194037Wed, 28 Oct 2026 23:00:20 +0000Creator at ObomediaCreator at Obomediacreators@obomedia.comYou notice the same unfamiliar symbol in two places that should have nothing to do with each other. At first it feels accidental. Then you learn that people have connected similar signs to private groups, hidden traditions, and theories of influence...
Each episode follows stories surrounding covert organizations, coded beliefs, and claims of influence that have captured public imagination across different eras. Rather than treating every rumor as fact, the show explores why certain ideas persist and what makes concealed power so compelling. Sometimes the disturbing part is not proving that someone controls everything—it is realizing how little we actually know about what happens beyond public view.]]>false66cb57bc-8505-567f-9832-05fdb6b76ca4episodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/she-pressed-her-palm-flat-against-the-iron-and-held-it-there--73137899
Imagine walking a trail and finding a fireproof box the size of a dictionary with a forced latch and, inside, a sealed plastic liner containing a layer of dried red rose petals pressed into a spiral notebook. Those petals came from flowers left at a grave two years earlier and survived thirty-seven days in a North Carolina July sealed without oxygen. Why would someone hide a man’s personal effects and the last physical trace of his wife in the woods?

In this episode, we examine how Keith Novak used a forged grief to recruit recently bereaved people into the Fenwick Continuance Group and a four-acre farmhouse scheme. We follow Troy Gallagher’s path from caregiver to group member, the investigative reporting that unraveled Novak Restorative LLC, and the evidence that exposed a long con built on fabricated loss.

Person: Troy Gallagher
Person: Keith Novak
Event: Discovery of sealed fireproof box
Location: Curtis Sheridan Trail, Brackett State Forest North Carolina
Period: 2008-2011

- On July 9, 2011 Diane Purcell found a forced fire-resistant box about two hundred yards past the creek crossing on the Curtis Sheridan Trail.
- Inside the box investigators found Troy Gallagher’s laminated ID, house keys, a spiral notebook, and a vacuum-sealed layer of red rose petals.
- Troy had given approximately $22,000 to the group’s “continuance fund” and moved from his apartment to live at the Orchard Basin Road farmhouse.
- Keith Novak used a forged death certificate and a false story of losing a wife named Ellen to present himself as a continuance facilitator.
- A member named Paul Gentry heat-sealed Troy’s pressed rose petals and hid the box in the woods thirty-seven days before Troy left the farm.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137899Wed, 28 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaShe pressed her palm flat against the iron and held it there Imagine walking a trail and finding a fireproof box the size of a dictionary with a forced latch and, inside, a sealed plastic liner containing a layer of dried red rose petals pressed...
Imagine walking a trail and finding a fireproof box the size of a dictionary with a forced latch and, inside, a sealed plastic liner containing a layer of dried red rose petals pressed into a spiral notebook. Those petals came from flowers left at a grave two years earlier and survived thirty-seven days in a North Carolina July sealed without oxygen. Why would someone hide a man’s personal effects and the last physical trace of his wife in the woods?

In this episode, we examine how Keith Novak used a forged grief to recruit recently bereaved people into the Fenwick Continuance Group and a four-acre farmhouse scheme. We follow Troy Gallagher’s path from caregiver to group member, the investigative reporting that unraveled Novak Restorative LLC, and the evidence that exposed a long con built on fabricated loss.

Person: Troy Gallagher
Person: Keith Novak
Event: Discovery of sealed fireproof box
Location: Curtis Sheridan Trail, Brackett State Forest North Carolina
Period: 2008-2011

- On July 9, 2011 Diane Purcell found a forced fire-resistant box about two hundred yards past the creek crossing on the Curtis Sheridan Trail.
- Inside the box investigators found Troy Gallagher’s laminated ID, house keys, a spiral notebook, and a vacuum-sealed layer of red rose petals.
- Troy had given approximately $22,000 to the group’s “continuance fund” and moved from his apartment to live at the Orchard Basin Road farmhouse.
- Keith Novak used a forged death certificate and a false story of losing a wife named Ellen to present himself as a continuance facilitator.
- A member named Paul Gentry heat-sealed Troy’s pressed rose petals and hid the box in the woods thirty-seven days before Troy left the farm.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1483falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/inside-sitting-on-top-of-a-stack-of-papers-was-a-sealed-plastic-liner--73137897
Imagine finding a red binder wedged in the fork of a sycamore root above the Kessler River, its cover stamped THE ACCOUNTING. FINAL CYCLE. CLOSE JUNE 3 and its pages inexplicably dry sixteen days after that date. The ledger pointed to money moved, a failed prophecy, and a leader who had prepared an exit long before the ceremony he promised would change everything. Who built the system that turned spiritual language into financial extraction?

In this episode, we follow Beverly Nelson into the Seventh Seal Assembly and trace Marvin Sharp’s construction of a spiritual and agricultural cooperative that culminated in a June 3 ceremony and the disappearance of $94,218. We examine how records, a reporter’s investigation, and a binder pulled from a river revealed methodical preparation and an orchestrated liquidation.

Person: Marvin Sharp
Person: Beverly Nelson
Location: Tremaine orchard, Brackett County
Event: June 3 ceremony / "final cycle"
Amount: $94,218

- Sharon Farrell found a red binder labeled THE ACCOUNTING wedged four inches above the waterline of the Kessler River on June 19 2011.
- Nineteen people moved into the Tremaine orchard and surrendered money framed as a "release of material attachment."
- Beverly Nelson transferred $412, her entire checking account balance, to the cooperative within one week of moving in.
- Marvin Sharp moved $12,000 in April 2011 into a storage unit under another name two months before the June 3 ceremony.
- After June 3 ninety four thousand two hundred and eighteen dollars moved through three transfers into an account registered solely in Sharp's name.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137897Tue, 27 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaInside, sitting on top of a stack of papers, was a sealed plastic liner Imagine finding a red binder wedged in the fork of a sycamore root above the Kessler River, its cover stamped THE ACCOUNTING. FINAL CYCLE. CLOSE JUNE 3 and its pages...
Imagine finding a red binder wedged in the fork of a sycamore root above the Kessler River, its cover stamped THE ACCOUNTING. FINAL CYCLE. CLOSE JUNE 3 and its pages inexplicably dry sixteen days after that date. The ledger pointed to money moved, a failed prophecy, and a leader who had prepared an exit long before the ceremony he promised would change everything. Who built the system that turned spiritual language into financial extraction?

In this episode, we follow Beverly Nelson into the Seventh Seal Assembly and trace Marvin Sharp’s construction of a spiritual and agricultural cooperative that culminated in a June 3 ceremony and the disappearance of $94,218. We examine how records, a reporter’s investigation, and a binder pulled from a river revealed methodical preparation and an orchestrated liquidation.

Person: Marvin Sharp
Person: Beverly Nelson
Location: Tremaine orchard, Brackett County
Event: June 3 ceremony / "final cycle"
Amount: $94,218

- Sharon Farrell found a red binder labeled THE ACCOUNTING wedged four inches above the waterline of the Kessler River on June 19 2011.
- Nineteen people moved into the Tremaine orchard and surrendered money framed as a "release of material attachment."
- Beverly Nelson transferred $412, her entire checking account balance, to the cooperative within one week of moving in.
- Marvin Sharp moved $12,000 in April 2011 into a storage unit under another name two months before the June 3 ceremony.
- After June 3 ninety four thousand two hundred and eighteen dollars moved through three transfers into an account registered solely in Sharp's name.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1510falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/at-four-fifteen-in-the-morning-on-june-nineteenth--73137896
Imagine a county surveyor crouching by a concrete boundary marker and finding a fogged Kansas driver's license set into the wet cement like a message that could not be censored. The card bore the name Karen Jensen and it pointed back to a twelve-acre farm run as the Meridian Compact, where rules, confiscated IDs, and a controlled vocabulary kept people from leaving. What did one pressed license reveal about the system that held a family for years?

In this episode, we trace how Dennis and Karen Jensen were drawn into Brian Stewart's Harwick Meridian Holdings scheme, how Karen lived inside the Compact for three years, and how a single act of pressing her license into concrete began the unraveling without immediately resolving who exposed Stewart's prior identity.

Person: Karen Jensen
Person: Brian Stewart (formerly Brian Stewart Stowers)
Location: Opal County, Kansas
Organization: Harwick Meridian Holdings / Meridian Compact
Period: 2007-2011

- Dennis Jensen wired $60,000 to Brian Stewart in June 2007 and had invested $120,000 by October 2007.
- Harwick Meridian Holdings was formed in 2004 and purchased the twelve-acre farm in Opal County in 2006 for $304,000.
- Karen hid her Kansas driver's license in her sock then pressed it face-down into freshly poured concrete on the farm's western border in summer 2009.
- County surveyor Judith Fleming discovered the license in the concrete in May 2011 and photographed it before notifying the sheriff.
- Brian Stewart was sentenced to fourteen years in September 2011 after investigators found an annotated Illinois civil complaint showing a repeated, decades-long scheme

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137896Mon, 26 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaAt four fifteen in the morning on June nineteenth Imagine a county surveyor crouching by a concrete boundary marker and finding a fogged Kansas driver's license set into the wet cement like a message that could not be censored. The card bore the...
Imagine a county surveyor crouching by a concrete boundary marker and finding a fogged Kansas driver's license set into the wet cement like a message that could not be censored. The card bore the name Karen Jensen and it pointed back to a twelve-acre farm run as the Meridian Compact, where rules, confiscated IDs, and a controlled vocabulary kept people from leaving. What did one pressed license reveal about the system that held a family for years?

In this episode, we trace how Dennis and Karen Jensen were drawn into Brian Stewart's Harwick Meridian Holdings scheme, how Karen lived inside the Compact for three years, and how a single act of pressing her license into concrete began the unraveling without immediately resolving who exposed Stewart's prior identity.

Person: Karen Jensen
Person: Brian Stewart (formerly Brian Stewart Stowers)
Location: Opal County, Kansas
Organization: Harwick Meridian Holdings / Meridian Compact
Period: 2007-2011

- Dennis Jensen wired $60,000 to Brian Stewart in June 2007 and had invested $120,000 by October 2007.
- Harwick Meridian Holdings was formed in 2004 and purchased the twelve-acre farm in Opal County in 2006 for $304,000.
- Karen hid her Kansas driver's license in her sock then pressed it face-down into freshly poured concrete on the farm's western border in summer 2009.
- County surveyor Judith Fleming discovered the license in the concrete in May 2011 and photographed it before notifying the sheriff.
- Brian Stewart was sentenced to fourteen years in September 2011 after investigators found an annotated Illinois civil complaint showing a repeated, decades-long scheme

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1554falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/at-seven-forty-five-on-the-morning-of-april-fourteenth--73137894
Imagine a single warm meal tray left on a picnic table beside a dark lodge a gravel drive and a car caked in pollen - a scene that prompted a septic contractor to call nine-one-one and unraveled a decade of carefully constructed lies. That tray led investigators to a retreat where private journals were read aloud and a forged professional identity was the cornerstone of control. How did a woman with no doctorate convince grieving people they could not - or should not - leave?

In this episode, we follow the story of Beverly Whitfield and Clearwater Restorative Haven, a nonprofit wellness retreat on Harrow Creek where residents arrived for grief support but found their phones narrowed their schedules contracted and their journals used against them. We trace the path from a 2009 seminar tactic to a 2019 welfare check that exposed fabricated credentials and financial exploitation without conventional physical violence.

Person: Beverly Whitfield
Location: Harrow Creek property, Tilden County Oregon
Period: 2009-2019
Event: Welfare check and entry on April 14, 2019
Charges: Fraud unlawful financial exploitation practicing psychology without a license

- At 7:45 a.m. on April 14, 2019 septic contractor Holly Henderson found a fresh meal tray on a picnic table outside the lodge and called 9-1-1.
- Beverly claimed a doctorate and fifteen years of clinical practice though Vermont's university and Oregon licensing records showed no such credentials.
- Susan Zeller arrived at Clearwater on September 2, 2018 and contributed $22,000 across three payments while her outside contacts were restricted.
- A notarized power of attorney dated 2016 showed Stuart Mace signing authority over to Beverly while his wife Lori Mace was isolated on the property.
- Beverly was convicted in 2020 sentenced to seven years and in 2024 admitted she fabricated credentials and deliberately used residents' journal contents to prevent them from leaving

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137894Sun, 25 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaAt seven forty-five on the morning of April fourteenth Imagine a single warm meal tray left on a picnic table beside a dark lodge a gravel drive and a car caked in pollen - a scene that prompted a septic contractor to call nine-one-one and...
Imagine a single warm meal tray left on a picnic table beside a dark lodge a gravel drive and a car caked in pollen - a scene that prompted a septic contractor to call nine-one-one and unraveled a decade of carefully constructed lies. That tray led investigators to a retreat where private journals were read aloud and a forged professional identity was the cornerstone of control. How did a woman with no doctorate convince grieving people they could not - or should not - leave?

In this episode, we follow the story of Beverly Whitfield and Clearwater Restorative Haven, a nonprofit wellness retreat on Harrow Creek where residents arrived for grief support but found their phones narrowed their schedules contracted and their journals used against them. We trace the path from a 2009 seminar tactic to a 2019 welfare check that exposed fabricated credentials and financial exploitation without conventional physical violence.

Person: Beverly Whitfield
Location: Harrow Creek property, Tilden County Oregon
Period: 2009-2019
Event: Welfare check and entry on April 14, 2019
Charges: Fraud unlawful financial exploitation practicing psychology without a license

- At 7:45 a.m. on April 14, 2019 septic contractor Holly Henderson found a fresh meal tray on a picnic table outside the lodge and called 9-1-1.
- Beverly claimed a doctorate and fifteen years of clinical practice though Vermont's university and Oregon licensing records showed no such credentials.
- Susan Zeller arrived at Clearwater on September 2, 2018 and contributed $22,000 across three payments while her outside contacts were restricted.
- A notarized power of attorney dated 2016 showed Stuart Mace signing authority over to Beverly while his wife Lori Mace was isolated on the property.
- Beverly was convicted in 2020 sentenced to seven years and in 2024 admitted she fabricated credentials and deliberately used residents' journal contents to prevent them from leaving

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1448falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-yellow-lunchbox-zip-tied-to-a-fence-post-in-thirty-one-degree-air--73137892
Imagine finding a yellow lunchbox fastened to a fence post at dawn containing a fifteen-year-old denial letter and seven human teeth. That small, deliberate object sat at the gate of a rural property outside Enfield Crossing, Missouri and became the only record of an exit from a closed farming community called the Remnant. What did that lunchbox reveal about the man who called himself Jason Mason and the lives he asked thirty-two people to give over?

In this episode, we trace how Leon Lewis, recruited at a VFW dinner, moved to Haller Creek and gradually discovered that the Morning Light Land Trust held $412,000 routed through shell entities and a denied church registration from 2004. We follow Leon’s midnight retrieval of his mother’s teeth and a denial letter and the dispersal and prosecution that followed without resolving every survivor’s experience.

Person: Leon Lewis
Organization: The Remnant / Morning Light Land Trust
Person: James Norman Kettrick (aka Jason Mason)
Location: Haller Creek, near Enfield Crossing, Missouri
Date: March 14, 2019

- Birdwatcher Kathleen Padgett found a yellow lunchbox zip-tied to a gate post at 7:00 a.m. on March 14, 2019.
- The lunchbox contained a two-thousand-and-four denial letter from the Missouri Secretary of State and seven human teeth.
- Thirty-two people had moved to the Haller Creek farm in February 2018 and followed a morning accountability routine at 5:15 a.m.
- Investigators traced $412,000 routed through three shell entities administered from a UPS Store mailbox in Warrensburg.
- James Norman Kettrick was arrested in summer 2019 and later cooperated revealing three document caches including one buried under the barn floor.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137892Sat, 24 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaA yellow lunchbox, zip-tied to a fence post in thirty-one-degree air Imagine finding a yellow lunchbox fastened to a fence post at dawn containing a fifteen-year-old denial letter and seven human teeth. That small, deliberate object sat at the gate...
Imagine finding a yellow lunchbox fastened to a fence post at dawn containing a fifteen-year-old denial letter and seven human teeth. That small, deliberate object sat at the gate of a rural property outside Enfield Crossing, Missouri and became the only record of an exit from a closed farming community called the Remnant. What did that lunchbox reveal about the man who called himself Jason Mason and the lives he asked thirty-two people to give over?

In this episode, we trace how Leon Lewis, recruited at a VFW dinner, moved to Haller Creek and gradually discovered that the Morning Light Land Trust held $412,000 routed through shell entities and a denied church registration from 2004. We follow Leon’s midnight retrieval of his mother’s teeth and a denial letter and the dispersal and prosecution that followed without resolving every survivor’s experience.

Person: Leon Lewis
Organization: The Remnant / Morning Light Land Trust
Person: James Norman Kettrick (aka Jason Mason)
Location: Haller Creek, near Enfield Crossing, Missouri
Date: March 14, 2019

- Birdwatcher Kathleen Padgett found a yellow lunchbox zip-tied to a gate post at 7:00 a.m. on March 14, 2019.
- The lunchbox contained a two-thousand-and-four denial letter from the Missouri Secretary of State and seven human teeth.
- Thirty-two people had moved to the Haller Creek farm in February 2018 and followed a morning accountability routine at 5:15 a.m.
- Investigators traced $412,000 routed through three shell entities administered from a UPS Store mailbox in Warrensburg.
- James Norman Kettrick was arrested in summer 2019 and later cooperated revealing three document caches including one buried under the barn floor.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1584falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cake-had-the-number-forty-seven-piped-in-blue-frosting--73137890
A sixteen-year-old paperboy finds a folding table in a frozen gravel lot with a birthday cake, a handwritten card, and car keys-then a sheriff's deputy opens an empty building that had housed twelve adults. The cake's single blue "47" and the card that reads "This was always yours. I'm sorry it took so long." become the first threads of a story about trust, money, and a fabricated credential. How did a wrong-numbered cake come to mark the end of a community?

In this episode, we trace how Lloyd Dalton built the Dalton Circle from a library talk into a rented compound on Aldercroft Road, how Chad Bell and eleven others were drawn into a program called Directed Living and its predecessor Aligned Path, and how a green ledger notebook and a fake Whitmore Institute certificate helped investigators unravel financial exploitation without fully explaining why some members stayed.

Person: Lloyd Dalton
Organization: Directed Living / Dalton Circle
Person: Chad Bell
Event: Discovery of empty building and cake
Location: Aldercroft Road, Merritt Falls

- On February 9, 2019 Leon Green found a folding table with a cake piped "47" a handwritten card and keys in a frozen gravel lot.
- Lloyd Dalton announced Directed Living at the Solvane County Public Library in spring 2017 with a framed Whitmore Institute certificate dated 2013.
- The Whitmore Institute had ceased accepting Oregon registrations in 2008 and its founder had been fined for operating unlicensed education.
- Investigators recovered a green composition notebook listing names amounts and program phrases that showed escalating fees and financial entanglement.
- Chad Bell checked into a Dunleigh motel on his birthday paid cash and left a cake in the lot before being found there nineteen days later alive and later testifying against Dalton.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137890Fri, 23 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe cake had the number forty-seven piped in blue frosting A sixteen-year-old paperboy finds a folding table in a frozen gravel lot with a birthday cake, a handwritten card, and car keys-then a sheriff's deputy opens an empty building that had...
A sixteen-year-old paperboy finds a folding table in a frozen gravel lot with a birthday cake, a handwritten card, and car keys-then a sheriff's deputy opens an empty building that had housed twelve adults. The cake's single blue "47" and the card that reads "This was always yours. I'm sorry it took so long." become the first threads of a story about trust, money, and a fabricated credential. How did a wrong-numbered cake come to mark the end of a community?

In this episode, we trace how Lloyd Dalton built the Dalton Circle from a library talk into a rented compound on Aldercroft Road, how Chad Bell and eleven others were drawn into a program called Directed Living and its predecessor Aligned Path, and how a green ledger notebook and a fake Whitmore Institute certificate helped investigators unravel financial exploitation without fully explaining why some members stayed.

Person: Lloyd Dalton
Organization: Directed Living / Dalton Circle
Person: Chad Bell
Event: Discovery of empty building and cake
Location: Aldercroft Road, Merritt Falls

- On February 9, 2019 Leon Green found a folding table with a cake piped "47" a handwritten card and keys in a frozen gravel lot.
- Lloyd Dalton announced Directed Living at the Solvane County Public Library in spring 2017 with a framed Whitmore Institute certificate dated 2013.
- The Whitmore Institute had ceased accepting Oregon registrations in 2008 and its founder had been fined for operating unlicensed education.
- Investigators recovered a green composition notebook listing names amounts and program phrases that showed escalating fees and financial entanglement.
- Chad Bell checked into a Dunleigh motel on his birthday paid cash and left a cake in the lot before being found there nineteen days later alive and later testifying against Dalton.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1544falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-diploma-on-his-wall-had-the-wrong-font-on-the-university-seal--73137889
Imagine driving past a remote gate at eight degrees Fahrenheit and spotting a woman sitting upright in the frozen dirt clutching a glass of juice a stranger left for her. That roadside moment unravels a meticulously built community called the Pineward Fellowship where rituals, confessions, and finances were engineered to keep people inside. How did a fabricated doctoral certificate become the linchpin for twenty-two months of control and nearly half a million dollars in transfers?

In this episode, we follow Emily Cox, a thirty-one-year-old medical billing specialist who spent twenty-two months at Breckett Ranch under Kenneth Cook’s Pineward Fellowship. We trace recruitment from a Marriott seminar to the compound routine, the Renewal Fund transfers, Sandra Peele’s secret lockbox, and the notebooks that documented confessions without revealing why some insiders turned on their leader.

Person: Emily Cox
Person: Kenneth Cook
Organization: Pineward Fellowship
Location: Breckett Ranch Delmar County New Mexico
Period: March 2007-January 2009

- A road-grader operator named Bruce Tillman found Emily Cox sitting beside County Road Forty-One in eight-degree weather on January 14.
- Emily Cox had lost fourteen pounds in her first three months at the compound on a diet of rice legumes and greenhouse vegetables.
- Kenneth Cook framed a framed doctoral certificate with an incorrectly typeset university seal that a registrar later confirmed was fraudulent.
- Sandra Peele photocopied financial records and a copy of the fake certificate for nineteen months and stored them in a Roswell lockbox.
- Investigators later seized records showing Cook transferred approximately $412,000 from the Renewal Fund into a personal Nevada account.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137889Thu, 22 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe diploma on his wall had the wrong font on the university seal Imagine driving past a remote gate at eight degrees Fahrenheit and spotting a woman sitting upright in the frozen dirt clutching a glass of juice a stranger left for her. That...
Imagine driving past a remote gate at eight degrees Fahrenheit and spotting a woman sitting upright in the frozen dirt clutching a glass of juice a stranger left for her. That roadside moment unravels a meticulously built community called the Pineward Fellowship where rituals, confessions, and finances were engineered to keep people inside. How did a fabricated doctoral certificate become the linchpin for twenty-two months of control and nearly half a million dollars in transfers?

In this episode, we follow Emily Cox, a thirty-one-year-old medical billing specialist who spent twenty-two months at Breckett Ranch under Kenneth Cook’s Pineward Fellowship. We trace recruitment from a Marriott seminar to the compound routine, the Renewal Fund transfers, Sandra Peele’s secret lockbox, and the notebooks that documented confessions without revealing why some insiders turned on their leader.

Person: Emily Cox
Person: Kenneth Cook
Organization: Pineward Fellowship
Location: Breckett Ranch Delmar County New Mexico
Period: March 2007-January 2009

- A road-grader operator named Bruce Tillman found Emily Cox sitting beside County Road Forty-One in eight-degree weather on January 14.
- Emily Cox had lost fourteen pounds in her first three months at the compound on a diet of rice legumes and greenhouse vegetables.
- Kenneth Cook framed a framed doctoral certificate with an incorrectly typeset university seal that a registrar later confirmed was fraudulent.
- Sandra Peele photocopied financial records and a copy of the fake certificate for nineteen months and stored them in a Roswell lockbox.
- Investigators later seized records showing Cook transferred approximately $412,000 from the Renewal Fund into a personal Nevada account.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1396falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-man-with-patient-eyes-and-very-good-granola--73137888
Imagine climbing a utility pole and looking down at sixteen hand-painted wooden signs staked in a circle around a cold fire pit, each bearing a child's name and a single left boot at its base. That image was the first visible trace of a community that had quietly gathered people, money, and language over more than a decade. What did those sixteen names mean and why were they never explained?

In this episode, we follow Amanda Weber from a Tuesday night board game group to eleven years inside "the Stewardship" led by Thomas Draper, tracing how slow cultivation, a shared bank account, and an invented vocabulary produced control and ultimately a criminal conviction without answering every mystery.

Person: Thomas Draper
Person: Amanda Weber
Location: Pineward Road, Kellum County
Event: Discovery by utility technician Linda Long
Amount: $340,000

- On December 9 a utility technician named Linda Long found sixteen hand-painted signs around a fire pit and a single left boot at each sign.
- Thomas Draper began attending Amanda's library board game night in February and later visited with homemade granola in April.
- Members deposited savings into a communal operating fund that eventually totaled three hundred and forty thousand dollars.
- A splice hiding an illegal tap into Tristate Rural Electric was found on the Pineward line and reported to the sheriff's dispatch.
- The sixteen names on the signs did not match any member records or databases and remain unexplained.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137888Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaA man with patient eyes and very good granola Imagine climbing a utility pole and looking down at sixteen hand-painted wooden signs staked in a circle around a cold fire pit, each bearing a child's name and a single left boot at its base. That...
Imagine climbing a utility pole and looking down at sixteen hand-painted wooden signs staked in a circle around a cold fire pit, each bearing a child's name and a single left boot at its base. That image was the first visible trace of a community that had quietly gathered people, money, and language over more than a decade. What did those sixteen names mean and why were they never explained?

In this episode, we follow Amanda Weber from a Tuesday night board game group to eleven years inside "the Stewardship" led by Thomas Draper, tracing how slow cultivation, a shared bank account, and an invented vocabulary produced control and ultimately a criminal conviction without answering every mystery.

Person: Thomas Draper
Person: Amanda Weber
Location: Pineward Road, Kellum County
Event: Discovery by utility technician Linda Long
Amount: $340,000

- On December 9 a utility technician named Linda Long found sixteen hand-painted signs around a fire pit and a single left boot at each sign.
- Thomas Draper began attending Amanda's library board game night in February and later visited with homemade granola in April.
- Members deposited savings into a communal operating fund that eventually totaled three hundred and forty thousand dollars.
- A splice hiding an illegal tap into Tristate Rural Electric was found on the Pineward line and reported to the sheriff's dispatch.
- The sixteen names on the signs did not match any member records or databases and remain unexplained.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1462falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/it-stood-on-a-muddy-trail-in-dellbrook-county--73137887
Imagine a powder-coated white Victorian birdcage, three feet tall, left on a muddy trail at 6:15 a.m. inside sat thirty-seven dollars in small bills, a handwritten list of eleven first names, and a laminated membership card expired November 1, 2019. The abandoned cage became the loose end that led investigators into a forty-acre co-housing scheme that unraveled clause by clause. How did a charter people trusted turn into the mechanism that stole their equity?

In this episode, we trace the rise and fall of the Pineward Compact and the man who called himself the Steward. We follow fourteen members who pooled savings to buy land in rural Oregon and uncover how Grant Olson allegedly rewrote eleven clauses across six revisions to strip members of their withdrawal rights while he transferred ownership to a Nevada LLC.

Person: Grant Olson
Location: Pineward property, Dellbrook County Oregon
Period: March 2018 to November 2019
Organization: Dunmore Land Holdings (Nevada LLC)
Event: Consolidation Phase announcement November 2019

- Connie Schultz found a white Victorian birdcage on a Dellbrook County trail on the morning of November 14, 2019.
- Fourteen members purchased forty acres in March 2018 for $912,000 under the Pineward Compact charter.
- Eleven clauses were quietly revised across roughly six amendments removing equity-withdrawal rights and adding irrevocability after twelve months.
- Grant Olson was later found with $68,000 in a duffel bag and confessed to theft by deception and fraudulent conveyance.
- The deed remained held by Dunmore Land Holdings, a single-member Nevada LLC whose beneficial owner was listed as Grant Olson.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137887Tue, 20 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaIt stood on a muddy trail in Dellbrook County Imagine a powder-coated white Victorian birdcage, three feet tall, left on a muddy trail at 6:15 a.m. inside sat thirty-seven dollars in small bills, a handwritten list of eleven first names, and a...
Imagine a powder-coated white Victorian birdcage, three feet tall, left on a muddy trail at 6:15 a.m. inside sat thirty-seven dollars in small bills, a handwritten list of eleven first names, and a laminated membership card expired November 1, 2019. The abandoned cage became the loose end that led investigators into a forty-acre co-housing scheme that unraveled clause by clause. How did a charter people trusted turn into the mechanism that stole their equity?

In this episode, we trace the rise and fall of the Pineward Compact and the man who called himself the Steward. We follow fourteen members who pooled savings to buy land in rural Oregon and uncover how Grant Olson allegedly rewrote eleven clauses across six revisions to strip members of their withdrawal rights while he transferred ownership to a Nevada LLC.

Person: Grant Olson
Location: Pineward property, Dellbrook County Oregon
Period: March 2018 to November 2019
Organization: Dunmore Land Holdings (Nevada LLC)
Event: Consolidation Phase announcement November 2019

- Connie Schultz found a white Victorian birdcage on a Dellbrook County trail on the morning of November 14, 2019.
- Fourteen members purchased forty acres in March 2018 for $912,000 under the Pineward Compact charter.
- Eleven clauses were quietly revised across roughly six amendments removing equity-withdrawal rights and adding irrevocability after twelve months.
- Grant Olson was later found with $68,000 in a duffel bag and confessed to theft by deception and fraudulent conveyance.
- The deed remained held by Dunmore Land Holdings, a single-member Nevada LLC whose beneficial owner was listed as Grant Olson.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1475falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-surrounding-concrete-was-rimed-white-with-frost--73137886
Imagine finding thirty-seven pages of manuscript paper clipped open to a movement titled "Contrition" and propped by river stones in a frozen utility corridor outside a conservatory. The score was inexplicably dry in twenty-nine-degree air, a detail that led investigators to a thermal sleeve, a handwritten journal and a scheme that blurred authorship, authority and money. How did one piece of music begin to unravel an entire artistic collective?

In this episode, we follow journalist Chad Wallace, former member Keith Burns and investigators as they trace conductor Gregory Snyder's Aldermere Music Education Trust, the converted Victorian conservatory on Dunmore's edge, and the revelation that key compositions were copied from the late Dwight Feller without attribution.

Person: Gregory Snyder
Person: Keith Burns
Location: Aldermere Music Conservatory, Dunmore, Ohio
Organization: Aldermere Music Education Trust
Amount: $241,000

- Brenda Armstrong found a thirty-seven page manuscript clipped open to "Contrition" in the conservatory utility corridor on March 4, 2019 at 8:47 a.m.
- The surrounding concrete was rimed with frost and the paper was dry despite a night low of twenty-nine degrees Fahrenheit.
- Members had memorized Snyder's scores passage by passage and treated them as primary texts for the ensemble's practice.
- Financial records show $241,000 moved into a single-account trust controlled solely by Snyder with no public nonprofit filings.
- A storage-unit search turned up a thermal sleeve used to keep paper dry in cold conditions and a journal outlining a "corridor cache plan" detailing which passages to store and cycle.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137886Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe surrounding concrete was rimed white with frost Imagine finding thirty-seven pages of manuscript paper clipped open to a movement titled "Contrition" and propped by river stones in a frozen utility corridor outside a conservatory. The score was...
Imagine finding thirty-seven pages of manuscript paper clipped open to a movement titled "Contrition" and propped by river stones in a frozen utility corridor outside a conservatory. The score was inexplicably dry in twenty-nine-degree air, a detail that led investigators to a thermal sleeve, a handwritten journal and a scheme that blurred authorship, authority and money. How did one piece of music begin to unravel an entire artistic collective?

In this episode, we follow journalist Chad Wallace, former member Keith Burns and investigators as they trace conductor Gregory Snyder's Aldermere Music Education Trust, the converted Victorian conservatory on Dunmore's edge, and the revelation that key compositions were copied from the late Dwight Feller without attribution.

Person: Gregory Snyder
Person: Keith Burns
Location: Aldermere Music Conservatory, Dunmore, Ohio
Organization: Aldermere Music Education Trust
Amount: $241,000

- Brenda Armstrong found a thirty-seven page manuscript clipped open to "Contrition" in the conservatory utility corridor on March 4, 2019 at 8:47 a.m.
- The surrounding concrete was rimed with frost and the paper was dry despite a night low of twenty-nine degrees Fahrenheit.
- Members had memorized Snyder's scores passage by passage and treated them as primary texts for the ensemble's practice.
- Financial records show $241,000 moved into a single-account trust controlled solely by Snyder with no public nonprofit filings.
- A storage-unit search turned up a thermal sleeve used to keep paper dry in cold conditions and a journal outlining a "corridor cache plan" detailing which passages to store and cycle.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1536falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-barn-door-had-been-sealed-with-a-simple-latch--73137885
Frank Cole expected to drop off canned goods. Instead he found 340 mason jars lined across a dirt floor, each filled with a pale amber liquid and labeled only with a numeric code. Beside them lay a notebook recording dates, milliliter amounts, and the repeated phrase "Administered - patient cooperative - readings improving." What did those jars and that ledger really measure, and who were the people reduced to numbers inside a converted horse barn?

In this episode, we follow the Renewal Collaborative and its founder John Snyder, a man who sold a six-week "Corrective Nutritional Sequencing" program to people with chronic ailments and then expanded into secret injections. We trace how participants like Cynthia Adams and Donna Hartley were enrolled, medicated without disclosure, and how a volunteer delivering soup ultimately exposed the operation.

Person: John Snyder
Organization: Renewal Collaborative
Location: Millhaven area, central Tennessee
Period: Spring 2015-August 2019
Event: Discovery of administration log and 340 mason jars

- Frank Cole opened a utility barn and found 340 labeled mason jars filled with pale amber liquid on the dirt floor.
- John Snyder promoted a six-week residential program for $4,200 called Corrective Nutritional Sequencing starting with a Knoxville seminar in February 2015.
- The administration log recorded 31 names with dates, milliliter measurements, and the phrase "Administered - patient cooperative - readings improving."
- Forensic analysis identified elevated lithium carbonate and a sedative compound consistent with low-dose benzodiazepine derivatives in the amber liquid.
- Donna Hartley, age 44, received injections, left the property eight weeks before her death from cardiac arrhythmia, and her death certificate listed natural cause.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137885Sun, 18 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe barn door had been sealed with a simple latch Frank Cole expected to drop off canned goods. Instead he found 340 mason jars lined across a dirt floor, each filled with a pale amber liquid and labeled only with a numeric code. Beside them lay a...
Frank Cole expected to drop off canned goods. Instead he found 340 mason jars lined across a dirt floor, each filled with a pale amber liquid and labeled only with a numeric code. Beside them lay a notebook recording dates, milliliter amounts, and the repeated phrase "Administered - patient cooperative - readings improving." What did those jars and that ledger really measure, and who were the people reduced to numbers inside a converted horse barn?

In this episode, we follow the Renewal Collaborative and its founder John Snyder, a man who sold a six-week "Corrective Nutritional Sequencing" program to people with chronic ailments and then expanded into secret injections. We trace how participants like Cynthia Adams and Donna Hartley were enrolled, medicated without disclosure, and how a volunteer delivering soup ultimately exposed the operation.

Person: John Snyder
Organization: Renewal Collaborative
Location: Millhaven area, central Tennessee
Period: Spring 2015-August 2019
Event: Discovery of administration log and 340 mason jars

- Frank Cole opened a utility barn and found 340 labeled mason jars filled with pale amber liquid on the dirt floor.
- John Snyder promoted a six-week residential program for $4,200 called Corrective Nutritional Sequencing starting with a Knoxville seminar in February 2015.
- The administration log recorded 31 names with dates, milliliter measurements, and the phrase "Administered - patient cooperative - readings improving."
- Forensic analysis identified elevated lithium carbonate and a sedative compound consistent with low-dose benzodiazepine derivatives in the amber liquid.
- Donna Hartley, age 44, received injections, left the property eight weeks before her death from cardiac arrhythmia, and her death certificate listed natural cause.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1439falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/at-four-seventeen-in-the-morning-on-august-fourteenth--73137884
Imagine a laminated Meridex employee badge threaded through a chain-link fence at chest height, its plastic-sealed back bearing eleven words in neat black marker: "If I am not here, I was never allowed to leave." The badge had been laminated the day before the holder's first shift and left seven and a half months later where a dog walker would find it at dawn. What did that prepared, pre-emptive message reveal about the life Sarah Hansen stepped into and the plan it foreshadowed?

In this episode, we follow Sarah Hansen's journey from a dependable twenty-two-year-old in Pikesville to a Constant in the Vanguard Crew Initiative and the role Gail Stevens played in building a productivity group that became coercive. We trace the paperwork trail, the redirected wages to Constant Works LLC, the dormitory on Fenwick Lane, and the discovery that brought investigators and reporters into the same story.

Person: Sarah Hansen
Person: Gail Stevens
Organization: Vanguard Crew Initiative / Constant Works LLC
Location: Fenwick Lane and Meridex Plastics in Garver County
Date: January-August 2019

- Sarah Hansen wrote eleven words on a Meridex ID badge on January 1 2019 and had it laminated the next day.
- The Vanguard Crew Initiative met Sundays in a rented basement on Fenwick Lane and added Wednesday "clarity" meetings by March 2019.
- Three members redirected sixty to eighty dollars per pay period into an account for Constant Works LLC in March 2019.
- Deputies found Sarah upstairs in a room with four cots and a whiteboard of "Fourth Shift Principles" after a welfare check on August 14 2019.
- Gail Stevens kept a fireproof lockbox under a concrete block containing signed ID-surrender agreements and Sarah's driver's license and debit card.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137884Sat, 17 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaAt four seventeen in the morning on August fourteenth Imagine a laminated Meridex employee badge threaded through a chain-link fence at chest height, its plastic-sealed back bearing eleven words in neat black marker: "If I am not here, I was never...
Imagine a laminated Meridex employee badge threaded through a chain-link fence at chest height, its plastic-sealed back bearing eleven words in neat black marker: "If I am not here, I was never allowed to leave." The badge had been laminated the day before the holder's first shift and left seven and a half months later where a dog walker would find it at dawn. What did that prepared, pre-emptive message reveal about the life Sarah Hansen stepped into and the plan it foreshadowed?

In this episode, we follow Sarah Hansen's journey from a dependable twenty-two-year-old in Pikesville to a Constant in the Vanguard Crew Initiative and the role Gail Stevens played in building a productivity group that became coercive. We trace the paperwork trail, the redirected wages to Constant Works LLC, the dormitory on Fenwick Lane, and the discovery that brought investigators and reporters into the same story.

Person: Sarah Hansen
Person: Gail Stevens
Organization: Vanguard Crew Initiative / Constant Works LLC
Location: Fenwick Lane and Meridex Plastics in Garver County
Date: January-August 2019

- Sarah Hansen wrote eleven words on a Meridex ID badge on January 1 2019 and had it laminated the next day.
- The Vanguard Crew Initiative met Sundays in a rented basement on Fenwick Lane and added Wednesday "clarity" meetings by March 2019.
- Three members redirected sixty to eighty dollars per pay period into an account for Constant Works LLC in March 2019.
- Deputies found Sarah upstairs in a room with four cots and a whiteboard of "Fourth Shift Principles" after a welfare check on August 14 2019.
- Gail Stevens kept a fireproof lockbox under a concrete block containing signed ID-surrender agreements and Sarah's driver's license and debit card.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1548falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/he-reached-into-the-submerged-willow-root-anyway--73137883
Imagine a leather binder pulled from six feet of river water with its pages miraculously dry and bearing a careful, defensive voice that insists a community was merely practicing close reading. That binder was found on July 9, 2019, and it tied a single man’s decades-long pattern of fabrications to an archive of other people’s inner lives. What was inside those pages and why did he try to make them disappear?

In this episode, we trace the rise and fall of the Ardent Page Collective and its founder Warren Harris, the First Reader who built a literary community that funneled manuscripts, letters, and private correspondence into a climate-controlled archive. We follow Valerie Young’s path from respected eighth-grade teacher to nearly four years inside the farmhouse and the sequence of discoveries that led to Harris’s arrest and conviction.

Person: Warren Harris
Person: Valerie Young
Event: Recovery of leather binder from Cassaway River
Organization: Ardent Page Collective / Pagemark Holdings
Date: July 2019

- Eric Phillips, a fisherman, found a leather binder wedged in a submerged willow root on July 9, 2019 containing sixty-one dry pages.
- Warren Harris founded the Ardent Page Collective in spring 2015 and called himself the First Reader while fabricating academic and editorial credentials.
- Members paid between $400 and $1,200 per month and payments flowed through an entity called Pagemark Holdings to a personal account totaling $280,000.
- Investigators recovered sixty-three banker's boxes from a Faircroft storage unit containing manuscripts letters journals and emails organized by author and date.
- Warren Harris was arrested July 8 2019 convicted of fraud unlawful interception of communications and financial exploitation and sentenced to nine years.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137883Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaHe reached into the submerged willow root anyway Imagine a leather binder pulled from six feet of river water with its pages miraculously dry and bearing a careful, defensive voice that insists a community was merely practicing close reading. That...
Imagine a leather binder pulled from six feet of river water with its pages miraculously dry and bearing a careful, defensive voice that insists a community was merely practicing close reading. That binder was found on July 9, 2019, and it tied a single man’s decades-long pattern of fabrications to an archive of other people’s inner lives. What was inside those pages and why did he try to make them disappear?

In this episode, we trace the rise and fall of the Ardent Page Collective and its founder Warren Harris, the First Reader who built a literary community that funneled manuscripts, letters, and private correspondence into a climate-controlled archive. We follow Valerie Young’s path from respected eighth-grade teacher to nearly four years inside the farmhouse and the sequence of discoveries that led to Harris’s arrest and conviction.

Person: Warren Harris
Person: Valerie Young
Event: Recovery of leather binder from Cassaway River
Organization: Ardent Page Collective / Pagemark Holdings
Date: July 2019

- Eric Phillips, a fisherman, found a leather binder wedged in a submerged willow root on July 9, 2019 containing sixty-one dry pages.
- Warren Harris founded the Ardent Page Collective in spring 2015 and called himself the First Reader while fabricating academic and editorial credentials.
- Members paid between $400 and $1,200 per month and payments flowed through an entity called Pagemark Holdings to a personal account totaling $280,000.
- Investigators recovered sixty-three banker's boxes from a Faircroft storage unit containing manuscripts letters journals and emails organized by author and date.
- Warren Harris was arrested July 8 2019 convicted of fraud unlawful interception of communications and financial exploitation and sentenced to nine years.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1580falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-clay-around-it-was-rain-softened-and-smooth--73137882
Imagine walking a shallow ravine and finding a three-layer birthday cake with hand-piped blue roses and a single pink candle, unlit, sitting on rain-softened clay with no footprints and no road for 140 feet. A county surveyor's casual discovery would soon expose a sixty-foot tunnel system, a padlocked concrete hatch, and a constructed world beneath an ordinary field. How did a man build an underground community long before anyone agreed to join it?

In this episode, we trace how Todd Cooper assembled the Steadfast Ground Collective around fabricated credentials and predated paperwork, and how Amy Barnes and other members were moved underground into a tunnel complex on leased Terra Anchor Holdings land without recognizing the premeditation behind it.

Person: Todd Cooper
Person: Amy Barnes
Location: Millhaven, Garner County
Organization: Steadfast Ground Collective / Terra Anchor Holdings
Period: Fourteen months active, eight months underground for Amy

- Rhonda Casey, a Garner County surveyor, found a three-layer white frosted cake with blue roses and a single pink unlit candle on June 14.
- Cooper had leased a forty-acre parcel under the business name Terra Anchor Holdings and ordered laborers to dig tunnels months before recruiting members.
- Power of attorney agreements bearing member signatures were dated six weeks before the Collective formally existed.
- A filing cabinet in the storage corridor contained asset agreements travel receipts and a folder of fabricated credentials including a stock photo and a nonexistent FEMA department.
- Todd Cooper left the cake and the filing cabinet when he fled through the hatch and was later convicted on eight counts and sentenced to nineteen years.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137882Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe clay around it was rain-softened and smooth Imagine walking a shallow ravine and finding a three-layer birthday cake with hand-piped blue roses and a single pink candle, unlit, sitting on rain-softened clay with no footprints and no road for...
Imagine walking a shallow ravine and finding a three-layer birthday cake with hand-piped blue roses and a single pink candle, unlit, sitting on rain-softened clay with no footprints and no road for 140 feet. A county surveyor's casual discovery would soon expose a sixty-foot tunnel system, a padlocked concrete hatch, and a constructed world beneath an ordinary field. How did a man build an underground community long before anyone agreed to join it?

In this episode, we trace how Todd Cooper assembled the Steadfast Ground Collective around fabricated credentials and predated paperwork, and how Amy Barnes and other members were moved underground into a tunnel complex on leased Terra Anchor Holdings land without recognizing the premeditation behind it.

Person: Todd Cooper
Person: Amy Barnes
Location: Millhaven, Garner County
Organization: Steadfast Ground Collective / Terra Anchor Holdings
Period: Fourteen months active, eight months underground for Amy

- Rhonda Casey, a Garner County surveyor, found a three-layer white frosted cake with blue roses and a single pink unlit candle on June 14.
- Cooper had leased a forty-acre parcel under the business name Terra Anchor Holdings and ordered laborers to dig tunnels months before recruiting members.
- Power of attorney agreements bearing member signatures were dated six weeks before the Collective formally existed.
- A filing cabinet in the storage corridor contained asset agreements travel receipts and a folder of fabricated credentials including a stock photo and a nonexistent FEMA department.
- Todd Cooper left the cake and the filing cabinet when he fled through the hatch and was later convicted on eight counts and sentenced to nineteen years.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1514falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/she-was-standing-waist-deep-in-a-service-trench-on-kellner-road--73137881
Imagine pulling debris from a septic intake and finding a leather-bound ledger sealed in heat-fused plastic and weighted with a river stone that has stayed bone dry through two seasons of standing water. That impossible preservation suggests deliberate concealment and a bookkeeping system built to survive scrutiny. What did the pages inside reveal about the man who promised ancestral meaning and the community he constructed around that promise?

In this episode, we investigate Roger Brown and the Meridian Bloodline Society, a nine-year operation in Callum Falls, Missouri, that sold a fabricated pre-colonial European lineage. We follow Duane West’s entry and escape, the ledger’s discovery by Peggy Williams, and how that book ultimately unraveled Brown’s scheme without resolving the deeper wounds he exploited.

Person: Roger Brown
Location: Kellner Road campus, Callum Falls, Missouri
Organization: Meridian Bloodline Society / Meridian Institute of Hereditary Studies
Period: Nine years
Outcome: Convicted on fraud and exploitation charges

- Peggy Williams found a leather-bound ledger sealed inside heat-fused plastic and weighted with a flat river stone in a septic tank the third week of May.
- The Meridian Bloodline Society incorporated as a nonprofit with a $300 enrollment fee and grew to 130 members across six states.
- Residents surrendered phones, ate fixed meals, and lived on a six-hour sleep window while paying $800 a month for room and "archival immersion."
- Forensic analysis linked the ledger entries to Roger Brown and member funds to a Cayman Islands account held under the name Roland Beaumont.
- Brown was convicted of eleven counts of wire fraud two counts of tax evasion and three counts of elder financial exploitation and sentenced to nineteen years.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137881Wed, 14 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaShe was standing waist-deep in a service trench on Kellner Road Imagine pulling debris from a septic intake and finding a leather-bound ledger sealed in heat-fused plastic and weighted with a river stone that has stayed bone dry through two seasons...
Imagine pulling debris from a septic intake and finding a leather-bound ledger sealed in heat-fused plastic and weighted with a river stone that has stayed bone dry through two seasons of standing water. That impossible preservation suggests deliberate concealment and a bookkeeping system built to survive scrutiny. What did the pages inside reveal about the man who promised ancestral meaning and the community he constructed around that promise?

In this episode, we investigate Roger Brown and the Meridian Bloodline Society, a nine-year operation in Callum Falls, Missouri, that sold a fabricated pre-colonial European lineage. We follow Duane West’s entry and escape, the ledger’s discovery by Peggy Williams, and how that book ultimately unraveled Brown’s scheme without resolving the deeper wounds he exploited.

Person: Roger Brown
Location: Kellner Road campus, Callum Falls, Missouri
Organization: Meridian Bloodline Society / Meridian Institute of Hereditary Studies
Period: Nine years
Outcome: Convicted on fraud and exploitation charges

- Peggy Williams found a leather-bound ledger sealed inside heat-fused plastic and weighted with a flat river stone in a septic tank the third week of May.
- The Meridian Bloodline Society incorporated as a nonprofit with a $300 enrollment fee and grew to 130 members across six states.
- Residents surrendered phones, ate fixed meals, and lived on a six-hour sleep window while paying $800 a month for room and "archival immersion."
- Forensic analysis linked the ledger entries to Roger Brown and member funds to a Cayman Islands account held under the name Roland Beaumont.
- Brown was convicted of eleven counts of wire fraud two counts of tax evasion and three counts of elder financial exploitation and sentenced to nineteen years.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1297falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/on-a-tuesday-morning-in-april-of-two-thousand-nineteen--73137880
Imagine a laminated FEMA auxiliary badge, its printed expiration dated November 2009, threaded on a brand-new lanyard and placed on a concrete piling four miles from the nearest house. The old credential and the fresh lanyard didn’t match - and that mismatch set in motion an investigation that would unspool a twelve-year volunteer network built on borrowed authority. What did that solitary badge reveal about the Meridian Corps, and why was it left where anyone could find it?

In this episode, we follow Megan Callahan’s discovery and the eleven-month probe that uncovered Jeffrey Underwood’s fabricated disaster history, a shell company skimming donations, and the people who noticed and acted. We trace how a preparedness group that raised $412,000 between 2012 and 2018 became a vehicle for fraud and how members like Connie Russo and Debra Shin helped expose it.

Person: Jeffrey Underwood
Organization: Meridian Corps
Event: Discovery of FEMA auxiliary badge at Sutter Marsh
Location: Sutter Marsh Wildlife Area and Bering, Caldwell County
Period: 2007-2019

- Birdwatcher Megan Callahan found a laminated FEMA auxiliary badge on a concrete piling at Sutter Marsh on April 9, 2019.
- The badge’s expiration read November 2009 while the lanyard holding it had been purchased in late March 2019 in Millhaven.
- Between 2012 and 2018 the Meridian Corps received approximately $412,000 in donations.
- Aldgate Holdings received $400 monthly in rent deposits tied to the Corps and listed Patricia Dunmore as its sole officer.
- Investigators recovered roughly forty FEMA auxiliary badges from a cardboard box in Underwood’s rental and he confessed on November 14, 2019 confirming the shell company and fabricated Louisiana history.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137880Tue, 13 Oct 2026 23:00:01 +0000Creator at ObomediaOn a Tuesday morning in April of two thousand nineteen Imagine a laminated FEMA auxiliary badge, its printed expiration dated November 2009, threaded on a brand-new lanyard and placed on a concrete piling four miles from the nearest house. The old...
Imagine a laminated FEMA auxiliary badge, its printed expiration dated November 2009, threaded on a brand-new lanyard and placed on a concrete piling four miles from the nearest house. The old credential and the fresh lanyard didn’t match - and that mismatch set in motion an investigation that would unspool a twelve-year volunteer network built on borrowed authority. What did that solitary badge reveal about the Meridian Corps, and why was it left where anyone could find it?

In this episode, we follow Megan Callahan’s discovery and the eleven-month probe that uncovered Jeffrey Underwood’s fabricated disaster history, a shell company skimming donations, and the people who noticed and acted. We trace how a preparedness group that raised $412,000 between 2012 and 2018 became a vehicle for fraud and how members like Connie Russo and Debra Shin helped expose it.

Person: Jeffrey Underwood
Organization: Meridian Corps
Event: Discovery of FEMA auxiliary badge at Sutter Marsh
Location: Sutter Marsh Wildlife Area and Bering, Caldwell County
Period: 2007-2019

- Birdwatcher Megan Callahan found a laminated FEMA auxiliary badge on a concrete piling at Sutter Marsh on April 9, 2019.
- The badge’s expiration read November 2009 while the lanyard holding it had been purchased in late March 2019 in Millhaven.
- Between 2012 and 2018 the Meridian Corps received approximately $412,000 in donations.
- Aldgate Holdings received $400 monthly in rent deposits tied to the Corps and listed Patricia Dunmore as its sole officer.
- Investigators recovered roughly forty FEMA auxiliary badges from a cardboard box in Underwood’s rental and he confessed on November 14, 2019 confirming the shell company and fabricated Louisiana history.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1500falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/at-four-fifty-in-the-morning-on-march-eleventh--73137879
Imagine a rusted milk box on a Victorian porch and a laminated card inside that should not have been there - hand-sealed, dry, and bearing the words "Clarity Covenant - Member in Good Standing." The card was placed deliberately and quietly by a resident who could not use the phone or leave without oversight. Could a small object pulled from a mailbox at dawn undo an entire manufactured world inside a sober house?

In this episode, we follow Tammy Myers, a Calloway County woman who entered a residential recovery program in February 2007 and slowly found her life redirected by Jerry Miller and his fabricated Clarity Covenant. We trace how a fraudulent credential, rising fees, restricted contact with family, and journals detailing deliberate manipulation culminated in a welfare check after a paperboy found the membership card.

Person: Tammy Myers
Organization: Clarity Covenant
Person: Jerry Miller
Event: Milk box discovery
Date: March 11, 2009

- Tammy Myers entered Clarity Covenant in February 2007 seeking a structured recovery after a car accident and oxycodone dependence.
- The program charged $320 monthly initially and raised fees to $480 with a new $60 community fund line in fall 2007.
- Over twenty-six months approximately $41,000 moved from the community fund into Miller's personal bank account.
- Investigators found seventeen handwritten journals in Miller's storage unit documenting the deliberate replacement of twelve-step meetings with his seven-stage Clarity Covenant.
- Miller's journals named Biscuit the cat and described the cat's twice daily insulin schedule as psychological leverage to manage Tammy.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137879Mon, 12 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaAt four fifty in the morning on March eleventh Imagine a rusted milk box on a Victorian porch and a laminated card inside that should not have been there - hand-sealed, dry, and bearing the words "Clarity Covenant - Member in Good Standing." The...
Imagine a rusted milk box on a Victorian porch and a laminated card inside that should not have been there - hand-sealed, dry, and bearing the words "Clarity Covenant - Member in Good Standing." The card was placed deliberately and quietly by a resident who could not use the phone or leave without oversight. Could a small object pulled from a mailbox at dawn undo an entire manufactured world inside a sober house?

In this episode, we follow Tammy Myers, a Calloway County woman who entered a residential recovery program in February 2007 and slowly found her life redirected by Jerry Miller and his fabricated Clarity Covenant. We trace how a fraudulent credential, rising fees, restricted contact with family, and journals detailing deliberate manipulation culminated in a welfare check after a paperboy found the membership card.

Person: Tammy Myers
Organization: Clarity Covenant
Person: Jerry Miller
Event: Milk box discovery
Date: March 11, 2009

- Tammy Myers entered Clarity Covenant in February 2007 seeking a structured recovery after a car accident and oxycodone dependence.
- The program charged $320 monthly initially and raised fees to $480 with a new $60 community fund line in fall 2007.
- Over twenty-six months approximately $41,000 moved from the community fund into Miller's personal bank account.
- Investigators found seventeen handwritten journals in Miller's storage unit documenting the deliberate replacement of twelve-step meetings with his seven-stage Clarity Covenant.
- Miller's journals named Biscuit the cat and described the cat's twice daily insulin schedule as psychological leverage to manage Tammy.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1728falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-road-was-forbidden-after-nine-at-night--73137877
At six in the morning on February 11, 2019, a snowplow operator nearly ran over a dry sketchbook lying on an access road outside the Aldren mill after eleven days of continuous snowfall. The pages were bone dry and intentionally blank, bearing Erin Stewart's name and two photocopies of a vocational certificate that would unravel the Foundry Collective. Why did she set that book where a plow would find it and then walk back inside?

In this episode, we trace Erin Stewart's twenty-six months inside the Foundry Collective and how director John Hughes used isolation, rigorous schedules, and contractual ownership clauses to control artists. We follow the discovery of a thirty-three-year-old sign-painting certificate, a hidden lease discrepancy, and the journalist whose reporting triggered charges against Hughes without revealing the final personal aftermath.

Person: Erin Stewart
Organization: The Foundry Collective
Person: John Hughes
Event: Sketchbook found on access road
Date: February 11, 2019

- Erin Stewart, 51, brought a sketchbook from Dellport and kept every page blank while living at the Aldren mill residency.
- The Foundry Collective charged residents $800 a month and housed as many as 22 artists at its peak.
- County records showed the Aldren mill lease was $2,200 a month while Hughes claimed $9,000 creating a $12,000 monthly surplus.
- Erin photocopied a 1986 vocational sign-painting certificate in Hughes's name and hid copies in her blank sketchbook.
- The sketchbook with Erin's name and the certificate copies was placed on a forbidden road at 4:30 a.m. and later entered into evidence in Hughes's fraud and theft conviction.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137877Sun, 11 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe road was forbidden after nine at night At six in the morning on February 11, 2019, a snowplow operator nearly ran over a dry sketchbook lying on an access road outside the Aldren mill after eleven days of continuous snowfall. The pages were...
At six in the morning on February 11, 2019, a snowplow operator nearly ran over a dry sketchbook lying on an access road outside the Aldren mill after eleven days of continuous snowfall. The pages were bone dry and intentionally blank, bearing Erin Stewart's name and two photocopies of a vocational certificate that would unravel the Foundry Collective. Why did she set that book where a plow would find it and then walk back inside?

In this episode, we trace Erin Stewart's twenty-six months inside the Foundry Collective and how director John Hughes used isolation, rigorous schedules, and contractual ownership clauses to control artists. We follow the discovery of a thirty-three-year-old sign-painting certificate, a hidden lease discrepancy, and the journalist whose reporting triggered charges against Hughes without revealing the final personal aftermath.

Person: Erin Stewart
Organization: The Foundry Collective
Person: John Hughes
Event: Sketchbook found on access road
Date: February 11, 2019

- Erin Stewart, 51, brought a sketchbook from Dellport and kept every page blank while living at the Aldren mill residency.
- The Foundry Collective charged residents $800 a month and housed as many as 22 artists at its peak.
- County records showed the Aldren mill lease was $2,200 a month while Hughes claimed $9,000 creating a $12,000 monthly surplus.
- Erin photocopied a 1986 vocational sign-painting certificate in Hughes's name and hid copies in her blank sketchbook.
- The sketchbook with Erin's name and the certificate copies was placed on a forbidden road at 4:30 a.m. and later entered into evidence in Hughes's fraud and theft conviction.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1273falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/she-expected-a-tripped-breaker-maybe-a-corroded-contact--73137876
At 6:40 a.m. on January 9, 2014, a utility lineman expected a routine repair but instead found a yellow lunch pail perched on a 480-volt transformer containing a laminated membership card, a hand-drawn map, and a cassette labeled "Final Broadcast." That small, misplaced object unraveled a years-long apparatus of control, a parallel financial and property network, and a countdown designed to move an entire congregation on a single signal. What would have happened if the tape had aired as planned?

In this episode, we trace how Ryan Campbell used a late-night radio program called The Still Small Hour to build Heron Hollow, how gradual rules about sleep, language, and work consolidated control, and how a routine service call six days before a planned emergency relay broadcast collapsed his plan without a firefight.

Person: Ryan Campbell
Organization: Heron Hollow / The Listening Circle
Location: Alderman Road switching yard, Dunbar, Arkansas
Event: Discovery of lunch pail and cassette on January 9, 2014
Period: 2004-2014

- Janet Fleming, an Ozark Valley Electric lineman, found a yellow lunch pail on a 480-volt transformer at 6:40 a.m. on January 9, 2014.
- Inside the lunch pail were a laminated membership card belonging to Kimberly Foster a hand-drawn map of the yard and a cassette labeled "Final Broadcast."
- Ryan Campbell had moved the Listening Circle into a forty-acre property called Heron Hollow in 2007 and consolidated finances through a common account in 2006.
- Campbell purchased a twenty-foot strip of land adjacent to the switching yard in 2010 through Heron Hollow LLC to access an emergency relay panel.
- The two-hour cassette instructed members to sever family contact and transfer all assets to accounts controlled by Ryan Campbell.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137876Sat, 10 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaShe expected a tripped breaker, maybe a corroded contact At 6:40 a.m. on January 9, 2014, a utility lineman expected a routine repair but instead found a yellow lunch pail perched on a 480-volt transformer containing a laminated membership card, a...
At 6:40 a.m. on January 9, 2014, a utility lineman expected a routine repair but instead found a yellow lunch pail perched on a 480-volt transformer containing a laminated membership card, a hand-drawn map, and a cassette labeled "Final Broadcast." That small, misplaced object unraveled a years-long apparatus of control, a parallel financial and property network, and a countdown designed to move an entire congregation on a single signal. What would have happened if the tape had aired as planned?

In this episode, we trace how Ryan Campbell used a late-night radio program called The Still Small Hour to build Heron Hollow, how gradual rules about sleep, language, and work consolidated control, and how a routine service call six days before a planned emergency relay broadcast collapsed his plan without a firefight.

Person: Ryan Campbell
Organization: Heron Hollow / The Listening Circle
Location: Alderman Road switching yard, Dunbar, Arkansas
Event: Discovery of lunch pail and cassette on January 9, 2014
Period: 2004-2014

- Janet Fleming, an Ozark Valley Electric lineman, found a yellow lunch pail on a 480-volt transformer at 6:40 a.m. on January 9, 2014.
- Inside the lunch pail were a laminated membership card belonging to Kimberly Foster a hand-drawn map of the yard and a cassette labeled "Final Broadcast."
- Ryan Campbell had moved the Listening Circle into a forty-acre property called Heron Hollow in 2007 and consolidated finances through a common account in 2006.
- Campbell purchased a twenty-foot strip of land adjacent to the switching yard in 2010 through Heron Hollow LLC to access an emergency relay panel.
- The two-hour cassette instructed members to sever family contact and transfer all assets to accounts controlled by Ryan Campbell.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1499falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/it-is-six-fifteen-in-the-morning-on-december-ninth-two-thousand-nineteen--73137875
Imagine a purple backpack left perfectly upright beneath a footbridge after two days of freezing rain, dry inside and holding forty-seven handwritten flash cards, a half-eaten granola bar, and a fourth-grade workbook stamped "PATHWAY LEARNING COOPERATIVE - CLEARED FOR HOME USE." That small, precise object unspooled a decade of planning, fabricated credentials, and a residential compound where eleven children lived under a curriculum rewritten by one man. How did one backpack become the single hinge that opened this world?

In this episode, we trace how Todd Perry built the Pathway Learning Cooperative from an information session to a nine-acre farmhouse compound, how Jessica Moore lived inside and then escaped by walking two miles through frozen brush, and how a journalist and a discarded workbook helped expose fraud and child neglect without fully answering how far the pattern extended.

Person: Todd Perry
Person: Jessica Moore
Location: Dellwood farmhouse, Harwick, Indiana
Event: Discovery of purple backpack and subsequent warrant
Date: December 9-12, 2019

- Runner Ralph Harrison found a purple backpack upright beneath the Sycamore Flats footbridge on December 9, 2019 and called police at 6:41 a.m.
- Inside the backpack were forty-seven handwritten flash cards, a half-eaten granola bar and a grade-four workbook with post-1945 history pages replaced by Perry's handwriting.
- Todd Perry claimed a graduate degree in educational psychology from Alderton College but his transcript showed only a 1999 bachelor's in business administration.
- Foundational Track families were charged an undisclosed fee tier of approximately $11,000 a month routed through Clearview Educational Services, a paper-only LLC with Perry as sole officer.
- Nine families and eleven children aged four to fourteen were on the Dellwood property when the warrant was executed and Perry was later convicted of fraud child educational neglect and financial exploitation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137875Fri, 09 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaIt is six fifteen in the morning on December ninth, two thousand nineteen Imagine a purple backpack left perfectly upright beneath a footbridge after two days of freezing rain, dry inside and holding forty-seven handwritten flash cards, a...
Imagine a purple backpack left perfectly upright beneath a footbridge after two days of freezing rain, dry inside and holding forty-seven handwritten flash cards, a half-eaten granola bar, and a fourth-grade workbook stamped "PATHWAY LEARNING COOPERATIVE - CLEARED FOR HOME USE." That small, precise object unspooled a decade of planning, fabricated credentials, and a residential compound where eleven children lived under a curriculum rewritten by one man. How did one backpack become the single hinge that opened this world?

In this episode, we trace how Todd Perry built the Pathway Learning Cooperative from an information session to a nine-acre farmhouse compound, how Jessica Moore lived inside and then escaped by walking two miles through frozen brush, and how a journalist and a discarded workbook helped expose fraud and child neglect without fully answering how far the pattern extended.

Person: Todd Perry
Person: Jessica Moore
Location: Dellwood farmhouse, Harwick, Indiana
Event: Discovery of purple backpack and subsequent warrant
Date: December 9-12, 2019

- Runner Ralph Harrison found a purple backpack upright beneath the Sycamore Flats footbridge on December 9, 2019 and called police at 6:41 a.m.
- Inside the backpack were forty-seven handwritten flash cards, a half-eaten granola bar and a grade-four workbook with post-1945 history pages replaced by Perry's handwriting.
- Todd Perry claimed a graduate degree in educational psychology from Alderton College but his transcript showed only a 1999 bachelor's in business administration.
- Foundational Track families were charged an undisclosed fee tier of approximately $11,000 a month routed through Clearview Educational Services, a paper-only LLC with Perry as sole officer.
- Nine families and eleven children aged four to fourteen were on the Dellwood property when the warrant was executed and Perry was later convicted of fraud child educational neglect and financial exploitation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1643falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-shoebox-was-small-enough-to-have-once-held-a-child-s-sneakers--73137873
Imagine a child's shoebox tucked in kelp behind a processing shed containing forty-one current Oregon commercial fishing licenses all listing the same emergency contact. The box sat where kelp does not grow and it was photographed by a meter reader on a cold November morning in 2019. Who would convince dozens of adults to sign over their livelihoods and then hide the proof in a shoebox?

In this episode, we follow Emily Barrett and the Harwick Collective - a worker-owned fishing cooperative that consolidated members' licenses into the Ganner Slough Trust. We trace the financial trail, the fabricated credentials and the small decisions that kept nineteen adults dependent long enough for hundreds of thousands of dollars to be diverted.

Person: Emily Barrett
Organization: Ganner Slough Trust / Harwick Collective
Location: Ganner Slough, Harwick County, Oregon
Period: 2015-2019
Event: Discovery of forty-one commercial fishing licenses

- Vernon Wright, a Pacific Gas and Water meter reader, found a shoebox with forty-one Oregon commercial fishing licenses on November 9, 2019.
- Every license listed the same emergency contact: Emily Barrett on a landline registered to the Harwick Collective.
- The Ganner Slough Trust received more than $900,000 in catch revenue between 2015 and 2019.
- Total distributions to members over that period were less than $38,000 and the Gas Reserve absorbed over $400,000.
- Barrett was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to fourteen years with the shoebox entered into evidence as Exhibit One.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137873Thu, 08 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe shoebox was small enough to have once held a child's sneakers Imagine a child's shoebox tucked in kelp behind a processing shed containing forty-one current Oregon commercial fishing licenses all listing the same emergency contact. The box sat...
Imagine a child's shoebox tucked in kelp behind a processing shed containing forty-one current Oregon commercial fishing licenses all listing the same emergency contact. The box sat where kelp does not grow and it was photographed by a meter reader on a cold November morning in 2019. Who would convince dozens of adults to sign over their livelihoods and then hide the proof in a shoebox?

In this episode, we follow Emily Barrett and the Harwick Collective - a worker-owned fishing cooperative that consolidated members' licenses into the Ganner Slough Trust. We trace the financial trail, the fabricated credentials and the small decisions that kept nineteen adults dependent long enough for hundreds of thousands of dollars to be diverted.

Person: Emily Barrett
Organization: Ganner Slough Trust / Harwick Collective
Location: Ganner Slough, Harwick County, Oregon
Period: 2015-2019
Event: Discovery of forty-one commercial fishing licenses

- Vernon Wright, a Pacific Gas and Water meter reader, found a shoebox with forty-one Oregon commercial fishing licenses on November 9, 2019.
- Every license listed the same emergency contact: Emily Barrett on a landline registered to the Harwick Collective.
- The Ganner Slough Trust received more than $900,000 in catch revenue between 2015 and 2019.
- Total distributions to members over that period were less than $38,000 and the Gas Reserve absorbed over $400,000.
- Barrett was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to fourteen years with the shoebox entered into evidence as Exhibit One.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1398falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-language-that-trapped-them-velith-s-unspoken-prison--73137872
Imagine a room with eleven pairs of shoes, neatly arranged, facing a whiteboard covered in an unreadable script, yet no people are present and there's no sign of struggle. This chilling scene was discovered by a retired postal worker in an abandoned textile mill, but the people who left those shoes were not victims of violence or prisoners. What held them captive was a constructed language, Velith, with no word for "leaving" that didn't also mean failure. How did a language become a prison?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of Paula Rafferty, a reliable volunteer who vanished for nearly two years after joining a language class in Maben, Tennessee. The class taught Velith, a sophisticated constructed language, and its creator, Brian Morgan, used it to draw students into a residential program at a decommissioned mill. We explore how Velith, with its unique phonology and embedded linguistic traps, became an inescapable system for its speakers.

Person: John Brooks
Date: October 2014
Location: Maben, Tennessee
Event: Discovery of an abandoned mill
Topic: Constructed language Velith

- Eleven pairs of shoes were found neatly arranged in a decommissioned textile mill.
- The whiteboard in the mill was covered in an unreadable script later identified as Velith.
- Paula Rafferty, 20 years old, volunteered twice a week at a literacy center for two and a half years before disappearing.
- Brian Morgan, 43, taught Velith, claiming a graduate degree from the University of New Mexico and an affiliation with an Oregon university, neither of which were verifiable.
- Dr. James Feeney, a linguistics professor at Vanderbilt, assessed Velith and found it had approximately two thousand root words and borrowed structural elements from Láadan.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137872Wed, 07 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Language That Trapped Them: Velith's Unspoken Prison Imagine a room with eleven pairs of shoes, neatly arranged, facing a whiteboard covered in an unreadable script, yet no people are present and there's no sign of struggle. This chilling scene...
Imagine a room with eleven pairs of shoes, neatly arranged, facing a whiteboard covered in an unreadable script, yet no people are present and there's no sign of struggle. This chilling scene was discovered by a retired postal worker in an abandoned textile mill, but the people who left those shoes were not victims of violence or prisoners. What held them captive was a constructed language, Velith, with no word for "leaving" that didn't also mean failure. How did a language become a prison?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of Paula Rafferty, a reliable volunteer who vanished for nearly two years after joining a language class in Maben, Tennessee. The class taught Velith, a sophisticated constructed language, and its creator, Brian Morgan, used it to draw students into a residential program at a decommissioned mill. We explore how Velith, with its unique phonology and embedded linguistic traps, became an inescapable system for its speakers.

Person: John Brooks
Date: October 2014
Location: Maben, Tennessee
Event: Discovery of an abandoned mill
Topic: Constructed language Velith

- Eleven pairs of shoes were found neatly arranged in a decommissioned textile mill.
- The whiteboard in the mill was covered in an unreadable script later identified as Velith.
- Paula Rafferty, 20 years old, volunteered twice a week at a literacy center for two and a half years before disappearing.
- Brian Morgan, 43, taught Velith, claiming a graduate degree from the University of New Mexico and an affiliation with an Oregon university, neither of which were verifiable.
- Dr. James Feeney, a linguistics professor at Vanderbilt, assessed Velith and found it had approximately two thousand root words and borrowed structural elements from Láadan.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1678falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-teacher-who-became-miriam-the-widow--73137871
A theatrical red trunk, found unlatched in a drainage ditch 40 feet off a trail, contained the laminated badge of "Miriam, The Widow." This discovery would unravel a decade-long operation involving a missing third-grade teacher, Joanne Fitch, who had vanished 14 months prior. How did a stable, beloved teacher become a woman known only by a cryptic badge?

In this episode, we explore the disappearance of Joanne Fitch, a 41-year-old third-grade teacher and drama club coach from Fenwick Crossing, whose life seemingly stopped without explanation. Her car was left in her apartment lot, her belongings untouched, and no one close to her had heard from her. What investigators found inside that trunk would reveal a sophisticated system of psychological control and financial exploitation.

Person: Joanne Fitch
Age: 41
Occupation: Third-grade teacher
Location: Fenwick Crossing
Event: Disappearance

- Beverly Donnelly, a professional dog groomer, found the trunk 40 feet off a trail in Cutter's Bluff State Park.
- Joanne Fitch had taught third grade for nine years and coached the after-school drama club.
- Her car was left in her apartment parking lot for two days before anyone called it in.
- The Lantern Road Theatre Company, which Joanne was involved with, operated out of Greaver, 40 miles east of Fayburn.
- The company's founder, Gordon Owens, made approximately four thousand dollars a month in unlabeled withdrawals from the commons fund.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137871Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Teacher Who Became Miriam, The Widow A theatrical red trunk, found unlatched in a drainage ditch 40 feet off a trail, contained the laminated badge of "Miriam, The Widow." This discovery would unravel a decade-long operation involving a missing...
A theatrical red trunk, found unlatched in a drainage ditch 40 feet off a trail, contained the laminated badge of "Miriam, The Widow." This discovery would unravel a decade-long operation involving a missing third-grade teacher, Joanne Fitch, who had vanished 14 months prior. How did a stable, beloved teacher become a woman known only by a cryptic badge?

In this episode, we explore the disappearance of Joanne Fitch, a 41-year-old third-grade teacher and drama club coach from Fenwick Crossing, whose life seemingly stopped without explanation. Her car was left in her apartment lot, her belongings untouched, and no one close to her had heard from her. What investigators found inside that trunk would reveal a sophisticated system of psychological control and financial exploitation.

Person: Joanne Fitch
Age: 41
Occupation: Third-grade teacher
Location: Fenwick Crossing
Event: Disappearance

- Beverly Donnelly, a professional dog groomer, found the trunk 40 feet off a trail in Cutter's Bluff State Park.
- Joanne Fitch had taught third grade for nine years and coached the after-school drama club.
- Her car was left in her apartment parking lot for two days before anyone called it in.
- The Lantern Road Theatre Company, which Joanne was involved with, operated out of Greaver, 40 miles east of Fayburn.
- The company's founder, Gordon Owens, made approximately four thousand dollars a month in unlabeled withdrawals from the commons fund.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1629falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-ledger-house-she-tracked-every-lie--73137870
Imagine finding a three-ring binder on a trotline in a creek, its pages sealed in a zip-lock bag, containing nine years of meticulous financial records from a community. What dark secrets could such a ledger, titled "Treasury Record - Year Nine," hold about a cult's hidden operations?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Michelle Nelson, a precise billing coordinator who joined a seemingly innocent intentional living group called The Opened Gate, only to become its Treasury Record. We explore how her gift for tracking every detail led her to record the financial evolution of a community that demanded increasing surrender from its members.

Person: Michelle Nelson
Date: August 14, 2023
Location: Pryor Creek, Dunmore
Organization: The Opened Gate
Role: Treasury Record

- Kelly Zeller found a three-ring binder on his trotline along Pryor Creek.
- The binder contained 112 pages of financial records spanning nine years.
- Michelle Nelson, 62, worked 19 years as a billing coordinator at Dunmore Regional Medical Center.
- By 2019, Michelle's monthly contribution to The Opened Gate reached $3,400.
- The group, The Opened Gate, started with eight people moving into a farmhouse on Oster Road.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137870Mon, 05 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Ledger House: She Tracked Every Lie Imagine finding a three-ring binder on a trotline in a creek, its pages sealed in a zip-lock bag, containing nine years of meticulous financial records from a community. What dark secrets could such a ledger,...
Imagine finding a three-ring binder on a trotline in a creek, its pages sealed in a zip-lock bag, containing nine years of meticulous financial records from a community. What dark secrets could such a ledger, titled "Treasury Record - Year Nine," hold about a cult's hidden operations?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Michelle Nelson, a precise billing coordinator who joined a seemingly innocent intentional living group called The Opened Gate, only to become its Treasury Record. We explore how her gift for tracking every detail led her to record the financial evolution of a community that demanded increasing surrender from its members.

Person: Michelle Nelson
Date: August 14, 2023
Location: Pryor Creek, Dunmore
Organization: The Opened Gate
Role: Treasury Record

- Kelly Zeller found a three-ring binder on his trotline along Pryor Creek.
- The binder contained 112 pages of financial records spanning nine years.
- Michelle Nelson, 62, worked 19 years as a billing coordinator at Dunmore Regional Medical Center.
- By 2019, Michelle's monthly contribution to The Opened Gate reached $3,400.
- The group, The Opened Gate, started with eight people moving into a farmhouse on Oster Road.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1477falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-shoebox-cult-47-cards-200k-one-escape--73137869
Imagine discovering a child's shoebox in a hollow oak, containing 47 laminated membership cards for a group with no public presence, each signed by "Russell Reynolds, Facilitator of Light." This cult leader extracted $200,000 from grieving individuals over 18 months, operating entirely in the dark. What hidden truths did these cards reveal about the "Open Hand" group?

In this episode, we uncover how Russell Reynolds built a secret organization from nothing, preying on vulnerable people like 23-year-old Tammy Hansen after her mother's sudden death. We explore the fabricated stories, the slow process of control, and the unexpected way a local newspaper exposed the truth, leading to one woman's escape.

Person: Russell Reynolds
Date: March 2012
Location: Dunnfield
Status: Cult leader
Event: Discovery of 47 laminated membership cards

- A county surveyor found a child's shoebox with 47 laminated membership cards in a hollow oak in July 2014.
- Russell Reynolds, "Facilitator of Light," extracted $200,000 from grieving people over 18 months.
- Tammy Hansen, 23, worked as a receptionist and lost her mother in November 2011.
- Reynolds, 41, introduced himself as a former counselor from Ohio who had lost his younger brother to an overdose, a story later proven fabricated.
- A $40 online document search by Phil Garrett revealed no Ohio counseling license for Reynolds and no death record for a younger brother.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137869Sun, 04 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Shoebox Cult: 47 Cards, $200K, One Escape Imagine discovering a child's shoebox in a hollow oak, containing 47 laminated membership cards for a group with no public presence, each signed by "Russell Reynolds, Facilitator of Light." This cult...
Imagine discovering a child's shoebox in a hollow oak, containing 47 laminated membership cards for a group with no public presence, each signed by "Russell Reynolds, Facilitator of Light." This cult leader extracted $200,000 from grieving individuals over 18 months, operating entirely in the dark. What hidden truths did these cards reveal about the "Open Hand" group?

In this episode, we uncover how Russell Reynolds built a secret organization from nothing, preying on vulnerable people like 23-year-old Tammy Hansen after her mother's sudden death. We explore the fabricated stories, the slow process of control, and the unexpected way a local newspaper exposed the truth, leading to one woman's escape.

Person: Russell Reynolds
Date: March 2012
Location: Dunnfield
Status: Cult leader
Event: Discovery of 47 laminated membership cards

- A county surveyor found a child's shoebox with 47 laminated membership cards in a hollow oak in July 2014.
- Russell Reynolds, "Facilitator of Light," extracted $200,000 from grieving people over 18 months.
- Tammy Hansen, 23, worked as a receptionist and lost her mother in November 2011.
- Reynolds, 41, introduced himself as a former counselor from Ohio who had lost his younger brother to an overdose, a story later proven fabricated.
- A $40 online document search by Phil Garrett revealed no Ohio counseling license for Reynolds and no death record for a younger brother.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1573falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-locked-room-we-are-still-here--73137868
Imagine finding a padlock on the inside of a sealed room, its windows screwed shut, with a calendar marking an "ARRIVAL" that never came. What kind of cult would leave behind such a chilling mystery?

In this episode, we uncover the story of a group led by Diane Tucker, whose "Radiant Threshold" organization promised transformation but delivered isolation and control. We explore how Donald Simmons, a man grieving his wife, was drawn into Tucker's world, and the disturbing details of her previous group, Clarity Ground Associates.

Case: The Radiant Threshold
Person: Diane Tucker
Location: Harlan County, Nebraska
Event: The Arrival
Date: March 4, 2019

- A decommissioned egg-processing facility in Harlan County, Nebraska, was found sealed from the inside.
- A whiteboard calendar inside the room marked "ARRIVAL" on March 4, 2019, with all subsequent dates crossed out.
- Donald Simmons transferred $22,000 to Diane Tucker's organization after attending a "Clarity Ground."
- Tucker's previous group, Clarity Ground Associates, saw a member die after his medication was withheld.
- Twenty-three members of Tucker's Harlan County group were accounted for in a departure log, but one name, Connie Haas, was missing.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137868Sat, 03 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Locked Room: We Are Still Here Imagine finding a padlock on the inside of a sealed room, its windows screwed shut, with a calendar marking an "ARRIVAL" that never came. What kind of cult would leave behind such a chilling mystery? In this...
Imagine finding a padlock on the inside of a sealed room, its windows screwed shut, with a calendar marking an "ARRIVAL" that never came. What kind of cult would leave behind such a chilling mystery?

In this episode, we uncover the story of a group led by Diane Tucker, whose "Radiant Threshold" organization promised transformation but delivered isolation and control. We explore how Donald Simmons, a man grieving his wife, was drawn into Tucker's world, and the disturbing details of her previous group, Clarity Ground Associates.

Case: The Radiant Threshold
Person: Diane Tucker
Location: Harlan County, Nebraska
Event: The Arrival
Date: March 4, 2019

- A decommissioned egg-processing facility in Harlan County, Nebraska, was found sealed from the inside.
- A whiteboard calendar inside the room marked "ARRIVAL" on March 4, 2019, with all subsequent dates crossed out.
- Donald Simmons transferred $22,000 to Diane Tucker's organization after attending a "Clarity Ground."
- Tucker's previous group, Clarity Ground Associates, saw a member die after his medication was withheld.
- Twenty-three members of Tucker's Harlan County group were accounted for in a departure log, but one name, Connie Haas, was missing.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1514falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-tricycle-in-the-padlocked-shed-a-cult-s-dark-secret--73137867
Imagine finding a child's red tricycle, recently wiped clean, propped inside a padlocked shed on a property searched just days before. This chilling discovery, made by a retired postal clerk, became a pivotal piece of evidence in a case where normalcy was a carefully constructed facade. What dark secret did this tricycle conceal?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of a man who meticulously built a version of trust, leading people to surrender their businesses, money, and daily lives. We explore the initial lies and calculated moves that set the stage for a profound deception, starting with a seemingly chance encounter at a trade meeting.

Person: Alice Boyd
Date: May 14, 2019
Location: Garfield Township, Wisconsin
Business: Novak Ag Supply
Event: Discovery of a child's tricycle

- Alice Boyd found a child's red tricycle on May 14, 2019, at 6:40 AM.
- The tricycle was inside a padlocked outbuilding on a property searched six days prior.
- A florist's bow of dried orange ribbon was tied to the handlebar of the tricycle.
- Terry Novak, 31, returned to Novak Ag Supply in 2015 after his father's stroke.
- Eric Mueller's financial entity, Lakeridge Agricultural Partners, was registered eleven weeks before he met Terry Novak.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137867Fri, 02 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Tricycle in the Padlocked Shed: A Cult's Dark Secret Imagine finding a child's red tricycle, recently wiped clean, propped inside a padlocked shed on a property searched just days before. This chilling discovery, made by a retired postal clerk,...
Imagine finding a child's red tricycle, recently wiped clean, propped inside a padlocked shed on a property searched just days before. This chilling discovery, made by a retired postal clerk, became a pivotal piece of evidence in a case where normalcy was a carefully constructed facade. What dark secret did this tricycle conceal?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of a man who meticulously built a version of trust, leading people to surrender their businesses, money, and daily lives. We explore the initial lies and calculated moves that set the stage for a profound deception, starting with a seemingly chance encounter at a trade meeting.

Person: Alice Boyd
Date: May 14, 2019
Location: Garfield Township, Wisconsin
Business: Novak Ag Supply
Event: Discovery of a child's tricycle

- Alice Boyd found a child's red tricycle on May 14, 2019, at 6:40 AM.
- The tricycle was inside a padlocked outbuilding on a property searched six days prior.
- A florist's bow of dried orange ribbon was tied to the handlebar of the tricycle.
- Terry Novak, 31, returned to Novak Ag Supply in 2015 after his father's stroke.
- Eric Mueller's financial entity, Lakeridge Agricultural Partners, was registered eleven weeks before he met Terry Novak.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1492falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-bone-dry-shoe-how-one-woman-unraveled-stillwater--73137866
A bone-dry suede pump, tied with a neat bow, sat on the roof of a rain-beaded white van at 6:15 AM, photographed by a 14-year-old on her paper route. This single image became the most discussed piece of evidence in the investigation into Stillwater Renewal Center, a place where participants paid $2,200 upfront and three people did not leave when they were supposed to. What secrets did this unusual discovery unlock about the cult-like program?

In this episode, we delve into the Stillwater Renewal Center, a program described as structured rest and somatic renewal, and the story of Judith Gardner, a dental hygienist who attended in April 2019. We explore how the program was built, how it affected its participants, and how one woman's midnight decision exposed its true nature.

Person: Judith Gardner
Location: Crestwood Road
Date: April 2019
Cost: $2,200
Center: Stillwater Renewal Center

- A dark navy suede pump was found bone dry on the roof of a white van at 6:15 AM.
- Judith Gardner, 51, worked as a dental hygienist for 19 years and visited her sister Nancy Ostrowski weekly.
- Scott Crawford, 44, the founder, had no verifiable training, with his foundational credential tracing to an unregistered 40-hour course.
- Crawford had previously run similar operations, Clearpath Residential in Tennessee and recovery intensives in Virginia.
- In Tennessee, one person was held for 41 days, leading to a sealed civil settlement.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137866Thu, 01 Oct 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Bone-Dry Shoe: How One Woman Unraveled Stillwater A bone-dry suede pump, tied with a neat bow, sat on the roof of a rain-beaded white van at 6:15 AM, photographed by a 14-year-old on her paper route. This single image became the most discussed...
A bone-dry suede pump, tied with a neat bow, sat on the roof of a rain-beaded white van at 6:15 AM, photographed by a 14-year-old on her paper route. This single image became the most discussed piece of evidence in the investigation into Stillwater Renewal Center, a place where participants paid $2,200 upfront and three people did not leave when they were supposed to. What secrets did this unusual discovery unlock about the cult-like program?

In this episode, we delve into the Stillwater Renewal Center, a program described as structured rest and somatic renewal, and the story of Judith Gardner, a dental hygienist who attended in April 2019. We explore how the program was built, how it affected its participants, and how one woman's midnight decision exposed its true nature.

Person: Judith Gardner
Location: Crestwood Road
Date: April 2019
Cost: $2,200
Center: Stillwater Renewal Center

- A dark navy suede pump was found bone dry on the roof of a white van at 6:15 AM.
- Judith Gardner, 51, worked as a dental hygienist for 19 years and visited her sister Nancy Ostrowski weekly.
- Scott Crawford, 44, the founder, had no verifiable training, with his foundational credential tracing to an unregistered 40-hour course.
- Crawford had previously run similar operations, Clearpath Residential in Tennessee and recovery intensives in Virginia.
- In Tennessee, one person was held for 41 days, leading to a sealed civil settlement.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1486falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-ordination-was-fake-the-cult-was-real--73137865
Imagine finding a laminated card in deep snow, weeks after the last snowfall, near a padlocked farm. The card reads "APPOINTED BY FIRE" and invites you to a place that should be empty. Who was still operating, and from where, in this chilling cult mystery?

In this episode, we explore the origins of a mysterious community at the Tiller Farm, led by Patricia Watson, a woman with a past and a talent for making the extraordinary seem unremarkable. Discover how a seemingly benign community transformed, leading to a son's growing unease about his mother's disappearance into the group.

Person: Patricia Watson
Location: Hartwell, Dawes County
Event: Discovery of a laminated card
Date: March fourth
Property: Tiller Farm

- A road-grader operator found a laminated card in eight inches of snow on Township Road 7.
- The Tiller Farm was padlocked by Dawes County Sheriff's deputies since November twenty-ninth.
- Patricia Watson had a civil judgment from Talbott County to repay about fourteen thousand dollars.
- Vicki Reed, a third-grade teacher, moved into the Tiller Farm, which housed up to eleven people.
- The Tiller Farm was leased for eight hundred dollars a month on a two-year agreement.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137865Wed, 30 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Ordination Was Fake. The Cult Was Real Imagine finding a laminated card in deep snow, weeks after the last snowfall, near a padlocked farm. The card reads "APPOINTED BY FIRE" and invites you to a place that should be empty. Who was still...
Imagine finding a laminated card in deep snow, weeks after the last snowfall, near a padlocked farm. The card reads "APPOINTED BY FIRE" and invites you to a place that should be empty. Who was still operating, and from where, in this chilling cult mystery?

In this episode, we explore the origins of a mysterious community at the Tiller Farm, led by Patricia Watson, a woman with a past and a talent for making the extraordinary seem unremarkable. Discover how a seemingly benign community transformed, leading to a son's growing unease about his mother's disappearance into the group.

Person: Patricia Watson
Location: Hartwell, Dawes County
Event: Discovery of a laminated card
Date: March fourth
Property: Tiller Farm

- A road-grader operator found a laminated card in eight inches of snow on Township Road 7.
- The Tiller Farm was padlocked by Dawes County Sheriff's deputies since November twenty-ninth.
- Patricia Watson had a civil judgment from Talbott County to repay about fourteen thousand dollars.
- Vicki Reed, a third-grade teacher, moved into the Tiller Farm, which housed up to eleven people.
- The Tiller Farm was leased for eight hundred dollars a month on a two-year agreement.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1326falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-frozen-chairs-a-cult-s-chilling-invitation--73137864
Imagine discovering eleven chairs in a perfect semicircle on frozen grass, each holding a sealed envelope with a name, yet no one is home and no power has been drawn for weeks. What chilling secret do these frozen chairs hold about the Clarity Circle cult?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery made by a utility lineman at a seemingly abandoned house and trace the path of Douglas Reed, a bookkeeper drawn into the enigmatic Clarity Circle. We uncover the incremental changes that transformed a community seminar into a controlling environment, leading to a mysterious disappearance.

Person: Douglas Reed
Location: Harwick, Ohio
Group: Clarity Circle
Event: Seminar "Building Clarity in a Distracted World"
Date: February ninth

- Eleven folding chairs were found in a perfect semicircle on frozen grass, each with a sealed manila envelope.
- Six names on the envelopes matched current residents of the house, while five matched former members.
- Douglas Reed, 26, moved to Harwick with his beagle, Cotter, and worked as a bookkeeper.
- The seminar was held at the Harwick Public Library, led by Todd Sullivan, who spoke for ninety minutes without notes.
- Douglas stopped volunteering at the Harwick Public Rescue after Sullivan called his shifts "misaligned obligations."

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137864Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Frozen Chairs: A Cult's Chilling Invitation Imagine discovering eleven chairs in a perfect semicircle on frozen grass, each holding a sealed envelope with a name, yet no one is home and no power has been drawn for weeks. What chilling secret do...
Imagine discovering eleven chairs in a perfect semicircle on frozen grass, each holding a sealed envelope with a name, yet no one is home and no power has been drawn for weeks. What chilling secret do these frozen chairs hold about the Clarity Circle cult?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery made by a utility lineman at a seemingly abandoned house and trace the path of Douglas Reed, a bookkeeper drawn into the enigmatic Clarity Circle. We uncover the incremental changes that transformed a community seminar into a controlling environment, leading to a mysterious disappearance.

Person: Douglas Reed
Location: Harwick, Ohio
Group: Clarity Circle
Event: Seminar "Building Clarity in a Distracted World"
Date: February ninth

- Eleven folding chairs were found in a perfect semicircle on frozen grass, each with a sealed manila envelope.
- Six names on the envelopes matched current residents of the house, while five matched former members.
- Douglas Reed, 26, moved to Harwick with his beagle, Cotter, and worked as a bookkeeper.
- The seminar was held at the Harwick Public Library, led by Todd Sullivan, who spoke for ninety minutes without notes.
- Douglas stopped volunteering at the Harwick Public Rescue after Sullivan called his shifts "misaligned obligations."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1315falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-lunchbox-that-unraveled-a-desert-cult--73137863
Imagine finding a dented metal lunchbox in the desert that holds the key to nearly eight years of calculated deception and the unraveling of a cult. This isn't a story of bodies or missing persons, but of twenty-one people who, in the eyes of the court, chose to live under a framework of rules. What secrets did this lunchbox contain that brought down a man who called doubt "frequency interference"?

In this episode, we explore the Meridian Body, a closed community in the high desert of central New Mexico, and the deliberate machinery that kept people inside it. We follow the journey of Mark Roberts, a former biology teacher, whose personal tragedy led him into this compound and eventually to provide the crucial evidence investigators couldn't find.

Person: Ronald Weber
Date: January 14, 2019
Location: Rancho Beaumont, Corwin, New Mexico
Community: The Meridian Body
Leader: Curtis Berry

- Ronald Weber, 53, discovered a dented metal lunchbox at 6:26 AM on January 14, 2019.
- Twenty-one people lived on the Rancho Beaumont property by choice, under rules they agreed to follow.
- Mark Roberts, a 52-year-old former biology teacher, joined the community in May 2011.
- Within four months, Mark Roberts transferred $64,000 from his wife's life insurance to the Meridian Body.
- The Western Institute of Somatic Health, whose diploma hung on Berry's wall, did not exist and was confirmed by journalist Linda Myers in late 2013.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137863Mon, 28 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Lunchbox That Unraveled a Desert Cult Imagine finding a dented metal lunchbox in the desert that holds the key to nearly eight years of calculated deception and the unraveling of a cult. This isn't a story of bodies or missing persons, but of...
Imagine finding a dented metal lunchbox in the desert that holds the key to nearly eight years of calculated deception and the unraveling of a cult. This isn't a story of bodies or missing persons, but of twenty-one people who, in the eyes of the court, chose to live under a framework of rules. What secrets did this lunchbox contain that brought down a man who called doubt "frequency interference"?

In this episode, we explore the Meridian Body, a closed community in the high desert of central New Mexico, and the deliberate machinery that kept people inside it. We follow the journey of Mark Roberts, a former biology teacher, whose personal tragedy led him into this compound and eventually to provide the crucial evidence investigators couldn't find.

Person: Ronald Weber
Date: January 14, 2019
Location: Rancho Beaumont, Corwin, New Mexico
Community: The Meridian Body
Leader: Curtis Berry

- Ronald Weber, 53, discovered a dented metal lunchbox at 6:26 AM on January 14, 2019.
- Twenty-one people lived on the Rancho Beaumont property by choice, under rules they agreed to follow.
- Mark Roberts, a 52-year-old former biology teacher, joined the community in May 2011.
- Within four months, Mark Roberts transferred $64,000 from his wife's life insurance to the Meridian Body.
- The Western Institute of Somatic Health, whose diploma hung on Berry's wall, did not exist and was confirmed by journalist Linda Myers in late 2013.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1635falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-41-pairs-of-shoes-pointing-to-the-trees--73137862Imagine finding 41 pairs of shoes, laces tied, all pointing towards a tree line, with no one in them. This eerie discovery on a quiet December morning in 2009 launched an investigation into a secluded community. What unsettling truth did these shoes reveal about the Clearwater Youth Foundation?

In this episode, we delve into the origins of the Clearwater Youth Foundation, an organization led by Wayne Henderson, a man whose charisma and fabricated credentials drew in 41 adults seeking purpose. We explore the initial appeal of Clearwater, the subtle signs that something was amiss, and the eventual unraveling of a carefully constructed facade.

Person: Karen Patterson
Date: December 2009
Location: Brightpine Road, Mercer Lake
Organization: Clearwater Youth Foundation
County: Calhoun County

- Karen Patterson found 41 pairs of shoes arranged in the mud, toes pointing toward the tree line.
- Wayne Henderson, 52, arrived in Morganfield in 2006, claiming 12 years of youth programs experience.
- Henderson's graduate degree in developmental psychology from a Portland university was fabricated.
- Ross Wells, 20, moved into Cabin Four at the Mercer Lake property in March 2007.
- Electricity records showed 480 kilowatt-hours per month averaged over 14 months for the officially dormant property.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137862Sun, 27 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe 41 Pairs of Shoes Pointing to the Trees Imagine finding 41 pairs of shoes, laces tied, all pointing towards a tree line, with no one in them. This eerie discovery on a quiet December morning in 2009 launched an investigation into a secluded...Imagine finding 41 pairs of shoes, laces tied, all pointing towards a tree line, with no one in them. This eerie discovery on a quiet December morning in 2009 launched an investigation into a secluded community. What unsettling truth did these shoes reveal about the Clearwater Youth Foundation?

In this episode, we delve into the origins of the Clearwater Youth Foundation, an organization led by Wayne Henderson, a man whose charisma and fabricated credentials drew in 41 adults seeking purpose. We explore the initial appeal of Clearwater, the subtle signs that something was amiss, and the eventual unraveling of a carefully constructed facade.

Person: Karen Patterson
Date: December 2009
Location: Brightpine Road, Mercer Lake
Organization: Clearwater Youth Foundation
County: Calhoun County

- Karen Patterson found 41 pairs of shoes arranged in the mud, toes pointing toward the tree line.
- Wayne Henderson, 52, arrived in Morganfield in 2006, claiming 12 years of youth programs experience.
- Henderson's graduate degree in developmental psychology from a Portland university was fabricated.
- Ross Wells, 20, moved into Cabin Four at the Mercer Lake property in March 2007.
- Electricity records showed 480 kilowatt-hours per month averaged over 14 months for the officially dormant property.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1683falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-untouched-plate-what-one-cult-leader-left-behind--73137860
Imagine a single plate of food, untouched for eleven days, at the head of a table set for twelve, in a dining room frozen in time. This chilling scene was discovered on a thirty-acre parcel in Blevins County, the former home of a small intentional community. What secrets did this cult leader leave behind?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Millbrook Commons, from its meticulous beginnings to the unsettling discovery of an abandoned property. We explore how Roy Marshall, a charismatic leader, drew people like Susan Rice into his vision, and the stark reality of what they truly owned.

Person: Rhonda Larsen
Date: November 14, 2019
Location: Blevins County
Community: Millbrook Commons
Leader: Roy Marshall

- The untouched plate of food had been sitting for at least eleven days.
- Susan Rice contributed twenty-two thousand dollars to Millbrook Commons.
- The property was a thirty-acre parcel.
- Roy Marshall was the sole owner of the land, despite the community charter.
- Mornings at Millbrook Commons began precisely at five o'clock.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137860Sat, 26 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Untouched Plate: What One Cult Leader Left Behind Imagine a single plate of food, untouched for eleven days, at the head of a table set for twelve, in a dining room frozen in time. This chilling scene was discovered on a thirty-acre parcel in...
Imagine a single plate of food, untouched for eleven days, at the head of a table set for twelve, in a dining room frozen in time. This chilling scene was discovered on a thirty-acre parcel in Blevins County, the former home of a small intentional community. What secrets did this cult leader leave behind?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Millbrook Commons, from its meticulous beginnings to the unsettling discovery of an abandoned property. We explore how Roy Marshall, a charismatic leader, drew people like Susan Rice into his vision, and the stark reality of what they truly owned.

Person: Rhonda Larsen
Date: November 14, 2019
Location: Blevins County
Community: Millbrook Commons
Leader: Roy Marshall

- The untouched plate of food had been sitting for at least eleven days.
- Susan Rice contributed twenty-two thousand dollars to Millbrook Commons.
- The property was a thirty-acre parcel.
- Roy Marshall was the sole owner of the land, despite the community charter.
- Mornings at Millbrook Commons began precisely at five o'clock.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1676falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-music-stand-in-the-cedar-breaks-a-cult-s-final-note--73137859
Imagine stumbling upon a music stand, pristine and perfectly centered in a remote clearing, with no tracks or footprints around it. This strange discovery, made by a dog groomer in 2019, unveiled the final note of a mysterious musical piece and a cult's hidden history. What secrets did this isolated music stand hold about the people who believed in the "Cathedral Sequence"?

In this episode, we uncover the story behind the discovery of a music stand in the cedar breaks and the unraveling of a choral group led by Brian West. We explore how a community formed around the promise of a unique musical work, and the financial and emotional cost of their belief.

Date: October 9, 2019
Location: Sallow Creek, Cedar Breaks
Person: Ruth Bowers
Musical Work: The Cathedral Sequence
Leader: Brian West

- A dog named Biscuit led his owner off a trail to discover an upright music stand in a clearing.
- The laminated page on the stand was unfogged, unscratched, and completely clean.
- Over $400,000 collected to fund the "Cathedral Sequence" was never spent on music.
- Tammy Ford, a retired elementary music teacher, joined the choral group in 2015.
- Ellen Pace, a former member, kept a rejection letter from the Cincinnati Academy for two years before contacting a journalist.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137859Fri, 25 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Music Stand in the Cedar Breaks: A Cult's Final Note Imagine stumbling upon a music stand, pristine and perfectly centered in a remote clearing, with no tracks or footprints around it. This strange discovery, made by a dog groomer in 2019,...
Imagine stumbling upon a music stand, pristine and perfectly centered in a remote clearing, with no tracks or footprints around it. This strange discovery, made by a dog groomer in 2019, unveiled the final note of a mysterious musical piece and a cult's hidden history. What secrets did this isolated music stand hold about the people who believed in the "Cathedral Sequence"?

In this episode, we uncover the story behind the discovery of a music stand in the cedar breaks and the unraveling of a choral group led by Brian West. We explore how a community formed around the promise of a unique musical work, and the financial and emotional cost of their belief.

Date: October 9, 2019
Location: Sallow Creek, Cedar Breaks
Person: Ruth Bowers
Musical Work: The Cathedral Sequence
Leader: Brian West

- A dog named Biscuit led his owner off a trail to discover an upright music stand in a clearing.
- The laminated page on the stand was unfogged, unscratched, and completely clean.
- Over $400,000 collected to fund the "Cathedral Sequence" was never spent on music.
- Tammy Ford, a retired elementary music teacher, joined the choral group in 2015.
- Ellen Pace, a former member, kept a rejection letter from the Cincinnati Academy for two years before contacting a journalist.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1349falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-card-she-went-to-the-water-because-the-doctor-said-it-was-time--73137857
A woman's body found in the Cassaway River, saturated by the cold, fast current, yet a laminated card clipped to her lanyard was completely dry. This impossible detail would unravel a dark secret, reopening a closed drowning case and exposing a man who preyed on the vulnerable. What hidden truths did the dry card conceal?

In this episode, we delve into the chilling details surrounding the death of Judith Crane, whose body was discovered by Paul Edwards. We explore the mysterious "Complete Nutritional Protocol" program she was involved in, the alarming changes her family observed, and the man at its center, Gary Keller, whose past was as deceptive as the program he ran.

Person: Judith Crane
Date: September fourteenth
Location: Cassaway River
Program: Complete Nutritional Protocol
Investigator: Dale Powell

- Judith Crane was 41 years old and had been in the program for 14 months.
- Her last notebook entry read: "going to the water because the doctor said it was time."
- Amy Bell, 24, gave the program $11,000 and her meal card specified approximately 800 calories per day.
- Gary Keller, 51, had no medical license and a civil court found he misrepresented himself as a physician.
- The Aldine Road farmhouse, where documents were kept, was less than a quarter mile from the Cassaway River.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137857Thu, 24 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Card: She Went To The Water Because The Doctor Said It Was Time A woman's body found in the Cassaway River, saturated by the cold, fast current, yet a laminated card clipped to her lanyard was completely dry. This impossible detail would...
A woman's body found in the Cassaway River, saturated by the cold, fast current, yet a laminated card clipped to her lanyard was completely dry. This impossible detail would unravel a dark secret, reopening a closed drowning case and exposing a man who preyed on the vulnerable. What hidden truths did the dry card conceal?

In this episode, we delve into the chilling details surrounding the death of Judith Crane, whose body was discovered by Paul Edwards. We explore the mysterious "Complete Nutritional Protocol" program she was involved in, the alarming changes her family observed, and the man at its center, Gary Keller, whose past was as deceptive as the program he ran.

Person: Judith Crane
Date: September fourteenth
Location: Cassaway River
Program: Complete Nutritional Protocol
Investigator: Dale Powell

- Judith Crane was 41 years old and had been in the program for 14 months.
- Her last notebook entry read: "going to the water because the doctor said it was time."
- Amy Bell, 24, gave the program $11,000 and her meal card specified approximately 800 calories per day.
- Gary Keller, 51, had no medical license and a civil court found he misrepresented himself as a physician.
- The Aldine Road farmhouse, where documents were kept, was less than a quarter mile from the Cassaway River.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1264falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-badge-hung-by-a-ghost-stolen-by-a-cult--73137856
Imagine discovering a laminated badge, unweathered and clean, hanging in a remote scrub pine area, only to learn it had been missing for fourteen months and the man in the photo hadn't been seen in two years. This isn't a ghost story, but a chilling tale of a cult's grip. What did six people give up before one of them finally walked out and never went back?

In this episode, we delve into the story of the Kellam Second Shift group and its enigmatic founder, Richard Thompson. We explore how Thompson targeted individuals at their lowest points, offering an "invitation" that masked a sinister agenda, and how a simple self-improvement group evolved into a demanding cult.

Person: Richard Thompson
Location: Hartwell Fabrication
Date: August (discovery of badge), Spring 2009 (Lisa Simpson hired)
Organization: Kellam Second Shift group
Status: Cult

- A laminated badge was found hanging from a paracord loop in scrub pine off Route Nine.
- The badge had been reported missing fourteen months earlier.
- Lisa Simpson was 45 years old when she joined Hartwell Fabrication in 2009.
- The group's monthly contribution rose from $100 to $250 by spring 2010.
- The Linden Institute for Human Performance dissolved in 1998 following a fraud investigation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137856Wed, 23 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Badge: Hung By A Ghost, Stolen By A Cult Imagine discovering a laminated badge, unweathered and clean, hanging in a remote scrub pine area, only to learn it had been missing for fourteen months and the man in the photo hadn't been seen in two...
Imagine discovering a laminated badge, unweathered and clean, hanging in a remote scrub pine area, only to learn it had been missing for fourteen months and the man in the photo hadn't been seen in two years. This isn't a ghost story, but a chilling tale of a cult's grip. What did six people give up before one of them finally walked out and never went back?

In this episode, we delve into the story of the Kellam Second Shift group and its enigmatic founder, Richard Thompson. We explore how Thompson targeted individuals at their lowest points, offering an "invitation" that masked a sinister agenda, and how a simple self-improvement group evolved into a demanding cult.

Person: Richard Thompson
Location: Hartwell Fabrication
Date: August (discovery of badge), Spring 2009 (Lisa Simpson hired)
Organization: Kellam Second Shift group
Status: Cult

- A laminated badge was found hanging from a paracord loop in scrub pine off Route Nine.
- The badge had been reported missing fourteen months earlier.
- Lisa Simpson was 45 years old when she joined Hartwell Fabrication in 2009.
- The group's monthly contribution rose from $100 to $250 by spring 2010.
- The Linden Institute for Human Performance dissolved in 1998 following a fraud investigation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1660falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-notebook-six-hands-one-unspoken-escape-plan--73137854
Imagine finding a notebook filled with the same sentence, copied over and over in six different handwritings, hidden in a septic tank. This isn't a ghost story or a hostage situation, but a chilling account of a residential literary collective where leaving felt impossible. What secret did this notebook hold, and what did it reveal about the hidden acts of resistance within a cult-like system?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Folded Page Press, an eleven-acre property in Woster County that became the center of a profound psychological struggle. We explore the journey of Chad O'Connor, a copy-editor and aspiring writer, who joined the collective in 2017, and the system built by George Smith that made individual thought and freedom disappear.

Date: July 2019
Location: Pelham, Woster County
Event: Discovery of a hidden notebook
Person: Edward Hill
Organization: Folded Page Press

- A county septic inspector found the notebook tucked beneath a tank access panel.
- The notebook contained the same sentence copied repeatedly in six different handwritings.
- The discovery was the first physical record to leave the property in nearly eight years.
- Chad O'Connor, 31, joined Folded Page Press in February 2017.
- The property housed a letterpress printing operation and had six other residents upon Chad's arrival.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137854Tue, 22 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Notebook: Six Hands, One Unspoken Escape Plan Imagine finding a notebook filled with the same sentence, copied over and over in six different handwritings, hidden in a septic tank. This isn't a ghost story or a hostage situation, but a chilling...
Imagine finding a notebook filled with the same sentence, copied over and over in six different handwritings, hidden in a septic tank. This isn't a ghost story or a hostage situation, but a chilling account of a residential literary collective where leaving felt impossible. What secret did this notebook hold, and what did it reveal about the hidden acts of resistance within a cult-like system?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Folded Page Press, an eleven-acre property in Woster County that became the center of a profound psychological struggle. We explore the journey of Chad O'Connor, a copy-editor and aspiring writer, who joined the collective in 2017, and the system built by George Smith that made individual thought and freedom disappear.

Date: July 2019
Location: Pelham, Woster County
Event: Discovery of a hidden notebook
Person: Edward Hill
Organization: Folded Page Press

- A county septic inspector found the notebook tucked beneath a tank access panel.
- The notebook contained the same sentence copied repeatedly in six different handwritings.
- The discovery was the first physical record to leave the property in nearly eight years.
- Chad O'Connor, 31, joined Folded Page Press in February 2017.
- The property housed a letterpress printing operation and had six other residents upon Chad's arrival.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1594falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-birthday-cake-nobody-lit-underground-for-a-cult--73137853
Imagine discovering a hidden underground bunker with bunk beds for thirty-one people, a propane stove, and a birthday cake with unlit candles for a six-year-old girl. This isn't a story about monsters, but about people who willingly walked into a hidden world, forgetting the surface they came from. What makes someone abandon their life for a cult?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery of a sophisticated underground compound and the story of Marie Dempsey, a woman who, after a personal tragedy, became entangled with a charismatic leader named John Carter. We uncover the meticulous methods used to recruit and isolate individuals, and the slow, unseen machinery of a group that operated for years beneath the surface.

Date of discovery: June 14, 2019
Location of discovery: Millhaven, Nebraska
Person discovered: Marie Dempsey
Person of interest: John Carter
Organization: The Covenant

- The underground chambers included bunk beds for thirty-one people and a propane stove.
- A six-year-old girl named Amy had a birthday cake with unlit candles, four days after her birthday.
- Marie Dempsey was forty-five years old when her husband Phil died in October 2010.
- John Carter had a notebook detailing how to identify and separate new recruits from their trusted connections.
- Marie transferred the title of her truck and moved thirty-one thousand dollars into the Interior Fund by June 2013.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137853Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Birthday Cake Nobody Lit: Underground for a Cult Imagine discovering a hidden underground bunker with bunk beds for thirty-one people, a propane stove, and a birthday cake with unlit candles for a six-year-old girl. This isn't a story about...
Imagine discovering a hidden underground bunker with bunk beds for thirty-one people, a propane stove, and a birthday cake with unlit candles for a six-year-old girl. This isn't a story about monsters, but about people who willingly walked into a hidden world, forgetting the surface they came from. What makes someone abandon their life for a cult?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery of a sophisticated underground compound and the story of Marie Dempsey, a woman who, after a personal tragedy, became entangled with a charismatic leader named John Carter. We uncover the meticulous methods used to recruit and isolate individuals, and the slow, unseen machinery of a group that operated for years beneath the surface.

Date of discovery: June 14, 2019
Location of discovery: Millhaven, Nebraska
Person discovered: Marie Dempsey
Person of interest: John Carter
Organization: The Covenant

- The underground chambers included bunk beds for thirty-one people and a propane stove.
- A six-year-old girl named Amy had a birthday cake with unlit candles, four days after her birthday.
- Marie Dempsey was forty-five years old when her husband Phil died in October 2010.
- John Carter had a notebook detailing how to identify and separate new recruits from their trusted connections.
- Marie transferred the title of her truck and moved thirty-one thousand dollars into the Interior Fund by June 2013.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1594falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-binder-left-on-the-van-she-documented-everything--73137852
Imagine discovering a three-inch binder on a van, containing 114 pages of meticulously documented secrets, including a family tree and unsent letters. This binder, found by a 15-year-old on his paper route, became Exhibit One in a trial, but who left it there and why?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Christine Mueller, a methodical paralegal who found herself drawn into the Hearthline Society, a group led by Gordon Allen Olson, who claimed to identify individuals by a specific "Hallmark Line" bloodline. What led this careful woman to document everything, and how did her habits expose the truth of what was happening at Pellard Farm?

Person: Christine Mueller
Date: May 14, 2009
Location: Dunmore, central Indiana
Organization: Hearthline Society
Property: Pellard Farm

- A 15-year-old boy named Charles Quinn found a three-inch binder on a white Ford Econoline van.
- The binder contained 114 pages, including receipts, dates, names, and two drafts of a letter.
- Christine Mueller, a 44-year-old paralegal, attended a genealogical conference in Indianapolis in spring 2007.
- Gordon Allen Olson, 52, claimed to have a doctorate in historical genealogy from Millhaven College in Ohio.
- By February 2008, Christine had contributed fourteen thousand dollars to Ancestral Hearth LLC.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137852Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Binder Left on the Van: She Documented Everything Imagine discovering a three-inch binder on a van, containing 114 pages of meticulously documented secrets, including a family tree and unsent letters. This binder, found by a 15-year-old on his...
Imagine discovering a three-inch binder on a van, containing 114 pages of meticulously documented secrets, including a family tree and unsent letters. This binder, found by a 15-year-old on his paper route, became Exhibit One in a trial, but who left it there and why?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Christine Mueller, a methodical paralegal who found herself drawn into the Hearthline Society, a group led by Gordon Allen Olson, who claimed to identify individuals by a specific "Hallmark Line" bloodline. What led this careful woman to document everything, and how did her habits expose the truth of what was happening at Pellard Farm?

Person: Christine Mueller
Date: May 14, 2009
Location: Dunmore, central Indiana
Organization: Hearthline Society
Property: Pellard Farm

- A 15-year-old boy named Charles Quinn found a three-inch binder on a white Ford Econoline van.
- The binder contained 114 pages, including receipts, dates, names, and two drafts of a letter.
- Christine Mueller, a 44-year-old paralegal, attended a genealogical conference in Indianapolis in spring 2007.
- Gordon Allen Olson, 52, claimed to have a doctorate in historical genealogy from Millhaven College in Ohio.
- By February 2008, Christine had contributed fourteen thousand dollars to Ancestral Hearth LLC.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1519falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fema-badge-found-tied-to-a-cinder-block--73137850
Imagine finding a clean, dry FEMA ID badge, fourteen months after its owner was reported missing, deliberately tied to a cinder block at an emergency staging ground. This chilling discovery points to a dark manipulation that began with genuine goodwill and a devastating flood. What twisted path led Donna Murphy, a dedicated public health student and pharmacy supervisor, to such a fate?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Donna Murphy, a woman whose desire to help after a real disaster led her into a meticulously constructed deception. We explore how a seemingly legitimate relief organization, the Harwick Relief Corps, used a natural catastrophe to ensnare well-meaning volunteers, revealing a sinister architecture built on trust and exploitation.

Person: Donna Murphy
Date: April 9th
Location: Harwick County emergency staging grounds
Object: FEMA laminated ID badge
Organization: Harwick Relief Corps

- A county road-grader operator found a FEMA ID badge tied to a cinder block at 6:15 AM.
- The cinder block was stamped "HARWICK RELIEF CORPS, EST. 2017."
- Donna Murphy, the name on the badge, had been reported missing approximately fourteen months earlier.
- Bruce Sawyer, 44, claimed a decade of disaster-relief work and a Tennessee Emergency Management Agency certification.
- Seventeen people eventually lived at the farm property outside Milner, believing they were coordinating ongoing disaster relief.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137850Sat, 19 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe FEMA Badge Found Tied to a Cinder Block Imagine finding a clean, dry FEMA ID badge, fourteen months after its owner was reported missing, deliberately tied to a cinder block at an emergency staging ground. This chilling discovery points to a...
Imagine finding a clean, dry FEMA ID badge, fourteen months after its owner was reported missing, deliberately tied to a cinder block at an emergency staging ground. This chilling discovery points to a dark manipulation that began with genuine goodwill and a devastating flood. What twisted path led Donna Murphy, a dedicated public health student and pharmacy supervisor, to such a fate?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Donna Murphy, a woman whose desire to help after a real disaster led her into a meticulously constructed deception. We explore how a seemingly legitimate relief organization, the Harwick Relief Corps, used a natural catastrophe to ensnare well-meaning volunteers, revealing a sinister architecture built on trust and exploitation.

Person: Donna Murphy
Date: April 9th
Location: Harwick County emergency staging grounds
Object: FEMA laminated ID badge
Organization: Harwick Relief Corps

- A county road-grader operator found a FEMA ID badge tied to a cinder block at 6:15 AM.
- The cinder block was stamped "HARWICK RELIEF CORPS, EST. 2017."
- Donna Murphy, the name on the badge, had been reported missing approximately fourteen months earlier.
- Bruce Sawyer, 44, claimed a decade of disaster-relief work and a Tennessee Emergency Management Agency certification.
- Seventeen people eventually lived at the farm property outside Milner, believing they were coordinating ongoing disaster relief.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1454falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-chair-14-names-1-missing--73137849
Imagine discovering a perfectly dry folding chair on a wet concrete pad after hours of rain, with no footprints leading to or from it. This eerie scene, found by a Harmon Electric lineman, revealed a laminated card with fourteen names-but one was missing. What dark secret did this seemingly innocuous object conceal about the Clearwater Recovery Foundation?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery of a dry chair that exposed the hidden world of the Clearwater Recovery Foundation, a residential program Ronald Norris joined voluntarily. We explore Ronald's journey from a stable life to seeking recovery, and the subtle, then overt, changes within the foundation that led to a shocking disappearance.

Person: Sandra Hunt
Date: March 4, 2019
Location: Cutter Road
Organization: Clearwater Recovery Foundation
Missing Person: Ronald Norris

- Sandra Hunt, a Harmon Electric lineman with eleven years of experience, found the chair at 7:40 AM.
- The laminated index card on the chair listed fourteen names, with three belonging to no one at the address.
- Two names on the card belonged to people who had left months earlier, and nine belonged to current residents.
- Ronald Norris, who turned fifty-three in January 2019, had been sober for most of the previous year.
- Edward Osborne, the director and founder of the Clearwater Recovery Foundation, had a non-existent certification.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137849Fri, 18 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Chair: 14 Names, 1 Missing Imagine discovering a perfectly dry folding chair on a wet concrete pad after hours of rain, with no footprints leading to or from it. This eerie scene, found by a Harmon Electric lineman, revealed a laminated...
Imagine discovering a perfectly dry folding chair on a wet concrete pad after hours of rain, with no footprints leading to or from it. This eerie scene, found by a Harmon Electric lineman, revealed a laminated card with fourteen names-but one was missing. What dark secret did this seemingly innocuous object conceal about the Clearwater Recovery Foundation?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery of a dry chair that exposed the hidden world of the Clearwater Recovery Foundation, a residential program Ronald Norris joined voluntarily. We explore Ronald's journey from a stable life to seeking recovery, and the subtle, then overt, changes within the foundation that led to a shocking disappearance.

Person: Sandra Hunt
Date: March 4, 2019
Location: Cutter Road
Organization: Clearwater Recovery Foundation
Missing Person: Ronald Norris

- Sandra Hunt, a Harmon Electric lineman with eleven years of experience, found the chair at 7:40 AM.
- The laminated index card on the chair listed fourteen names, with three belonging to no one at the address.
- Two names on the card belonged to people who had left months earlier, and nine belonged to current residents.
- Ronald Norris, who turned fifty-three in January 2019, had been sober for most of the previous year.
- Edward Osborne, the director and founder of the Clearwater Recovery Foundation, had a non-existent certification.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1522falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-that-stole-their-art-not-their-freedom--73137848
Imagine finding a finished oil painting, 36 by 48 inches, propped against a fence in the February dark, legally owned by a collective but left there by its creator. This wasn't a theft or an abandonment, but a deliberate act by an artist who had given up his work, not his freedom. What kind of collective could inspire such a profound sacrifice?

In this episode, we delve into the Ironfield Arts Collective, a group that drew artists seeking community and purpose, only to claim ownership of their creations. We explore the subtle mechanisms of control that led residents to sign away their intellectual property and the journey of Stanley Underwood, a young painter who sought artistic freedom but found his art, and perhaps himself, belonging to someone else.

Person: Troy Cook
Date: February 9, 2014
Location: Santine River towpath, Kellum, northeastern Ohio
Organization: Ironfield Arts Collective
Object: Oil painting, 36 by 48 inches

- A painting was found leaning against a fence at the old Kellum Fabricating building.
- The painting had a brass plate stating "PROPERTY OF THE IRONFIELD ARTS COLLECTIVE - NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL SALE OR REMOVAL."
- Stanley Underwood arrived at Ironfield at age twenty-one in late March of 2012.
- The residency agreement specified that all work produced was the property of the collective.
- Reflection sessions, initially optional, became implicitly mandatory twice a week.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137848Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult That Stole Their Art, Not Their Freedom Imagine finding a finished oil painting, 36 by 48 inches, propped against a fence in the February dark, legally owned by a collective but left there by its creator. This wasn't a theft or an...
Imagine finding a finished oil painting, 36 by 48 inches, propped against a fence in the February dark, legally owned by a collective but left there by its creator. This wasn't a theft or an abandonment, but a deliberate act by an artist who had given up his work, not his freedom. What kind of collective could inspire such a profound sacrifice?

In this episode, we delve into the Ironfield Arts Collective, a group that drew artists seeking community and purpose, only to claim ownership of their creations. We explore the subtle mechanisms of control that led residents to sign away their intellectual property and the journey of Stanley Underwood, a young painter who sought artistic freedom but found his art, and perhaps himself, belonging to someone else.

Person: Troy Cook
Date: February 9, 2014
Location: Santine River towpath, Kellum, northeastern Ohio
Organization: Ironfield Arts Collective
Object: Oil painting, 36 by 48 inches

- A painting was found leaning against a fence at the old Kellum Fabricating building.
- The painting had a brass plate stating "PROPERTY OF THE IRONFIELD ARTS COLLECTIVE - NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL SALE OR REMOVAL."
- Stanley Underwood arrived at Ironfield at age twenty-one in late March of 2012.
- The residency agreement specified that all work produced was the property of the collective.
- Reflection sessions, initially optional, became implicitly mandatory twice a week.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1494falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-terrarium-a-cult-s-last-chilling-secret--73137847
Imagine a utility worker discovering a terrarium with thriving basil plants in 19-degree Fahrenheit weather, with no heat or light, outside a farmhouse empty for weeks. This strange discovery was the final trace of a cult that had been slowly dying by design. What chilling secrets did this seemingly impossible garden hold?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Overnight Congregation, a group built around a late-night radio voice and a man who constructed a community on fabricated credentials. We explore how an ordinary person, with stable social ties and a life of modest durability, could be drawn into a world where personal savings were depleted and private record-keeping was discouraged.

Date: January 9, 2014
Person: Lloyd Bailey
Location: Garrison Hollow Road
Cult Name: The Overnight Congregation
Radio Show: The Open Signal

- A utility worker found basil growing in an open terrarium at 19 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cheryl Johnson, a medical billing coordinator, contributed $22,000 to the communal Signal Fund.
- Gary Allen Peterson's radio show, The Open Signal, broadcast from 11 PM to 2 AM, five nights a week.
- Peterson claimed years of solitary study in the desert Southwest, specifically New Mexico, in the late 1990s.
- State records showed Peterson was in remedial courses in a Columbus, Ohio suburb during his claimed desert study years.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137847Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Terrarium: A Cult's Last, Chilling Secret Imagine a utility worker discovering a terrarium with thriving basil plants in 19-degree Fahrenheit weather, with no heat or light, outside a farmhouse empty for weeks. This strange discovery was the...
Imagine a utility worker discovering a terrarium with thriving basil plants in 19-degree Fahrenheit weather, with no heat or light, outside a farmhouse empty for weeks. This strange discovery was the final trace of a cult that had been slowly dying by design. What chilling secrets did this seemingly impossible garden hold?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Overnight Congregation, a group built around a late-night radio voice and a man who constructed a community on fabricated credentials. We explore how an ordinary person, with stable social ties and a life of modest durability, could be drawn into a world where personal savings were depleted and private record-keeping was discouraged.

Date: January 9, 2014
Person: Lloyd Bailey
Location: Garrison Hollow Road
Cult Name: The Overnight Congregation
Radio Show: The Open Signal

- A utility worker found basil growing in an open terrarium at 19 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cheryl Johnson, a medical billing coordinator, contributed $22,000 to the communal Signal Fund.
- Gary Allen Peterson's radio show, The Open Signal, broadcast from 11 PM to 2 AM, five nights a week.
- Peterson claimed years of solitary study in the desert Southwest, specifically New Mexico, in the late 1990s.
- State records showed Peterson was in remedial courses in a Columbus, Ohio suburb during his claimed desert study years.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1316falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-widow-s-desk-a-cult-s-perfect-mark--73137845
A child's wooden school desk, eleven handwritten worksheets, and a sixty-two-year-old widow's careful script. What happened on Aldgate Road that December morning, and why was it not a crime scene in any conventional sense?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Patricia Rafferty, a meticulous bookkeeper who found purpose in a cooperative learning group, only to become entangled in a web of financial transfers and a charismatic leader's hidden agenda. How did a commitment to education lead her to transfer over forty thousand dollars to a man who saw her as a "legacy credentialing asset"?

Person: Patricia Rafferty
Age: 62
Group: Full Measure Learning Circle
Location: Harlow, Weston County
Amount Transferred: $41,000

- Patricia Rafferty was a 62-year-old bookkeeper who lived on Aldgate Road.
- She spent 14 months as part of the Full Measure Learning Circle.
- Patricia transferred $41,000 of her own money into the group's operating account.
- Glenn Armstrong, the group's founder, rented a property four miles from Patricia's farmhouse.
- By August, 11 families had joined the learning group, growing to 17 by October.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137845Tue, 15 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Widow's Desk: A Cult's Perfect Mark A child's wooden school desk, eleven handwritten worksheets, and a sixty-two-year-old widow's careful script. What happened on Aldgate Road that December morning, and why was it not a crime scene in any...
A child's wooden school desk, eleven handwritten worksheets, and a sixty-two-year-old widow's careful script. What happened on Aldgate Road that December morning, and why was it not a crime scene in any conventional sense?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Patricia Rafferty, a meticulous bookkeeper who found purpose in a cooperative learning group, only to become entangled in a web of financial transfers and a charismatic leader's hidden agenda. How did a commitment to education lead her to transfer over forty thousand dollars to a man who saw her as a "legacy credentialing asset"?

Person: Patricia Rafferty
Age: 62
Group: Full Measure Learning Circle
Location: Harlow, Weston County
Amount Transferred: $41,000

- Patricia Rafferty was a 62-year-old bookkeeper who lived on Aldgate Road.
- She spent 14 months as part of the Full Measure Learning Circle.
- Patricia transferred $41,000 of her own money into the group's operating account.
- Glenn Armstrong, the group's founder, rented a property four miles from Patricia's farmhouse.
- By August, 11 families had joined the learning group, growing to 17 by October.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1504falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-unsent-letters-of-greymouth-cove--73137844
Imagine discovering dozens of unsent letters, hidden inside a missing Coast Guard buoy, revealing a hidden world where words traveled no further than a hillside hollow. This is the chilling beginning of a story about a hidden cult, a collective built on a dangerous logic, and the small gap that brought it all crashing down. What dark secrets did these unsent letters hold about the Greymouth Collective?

In this episode, we uncover the origins of the Greymouth Collective, tracing its leader, Wade Stewart, from a prior breach of fiduciary duty case in 2013 to his arrival in Greymouth in 2016. We explore how Stewart lured eleven people into his cooperative, including Kevin Tucker, a young man seeking a life at sea, and the subtle shifts that alerted Kevin's mother, Diane Okafor, to her son's disappearance.

Person: Crystal Williams
Date: November 9, 2019
Location: Greymouth Cove
Organization: Greymouth Collective
Document: Tidal Covenant

- A Coast Guard navigation buoy, reported missing in 2017, was found packed with dozens of unsent letters.
- Wade Stewart, the organizer, was 39 years old when he arrived in Greymouth in 2016.
- The Tidal Covenant transferred harvest rights, labor allocation, and earned income to a collective trust.
- Kevin Tucker's mother, Diane Okafor, reported her son missing to the Coastal Record in February 2019.
- The Greymouth Collective purchased 260 days of diesel fuel but filed only 90 days of documented fishing effort.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137844Mon, 14 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Unsent Letters of Greymouth Cove Imagine discovering dozens of unsent letters, hidden inside a missing Coast Guard buoy, revealing a hidden world where words traveled no further than a hillside hollow. This is the chilling beginning of a story...
Imagine discovering dozens of unsent letters, hidden inside a missing Coast Guard buoy, revealing a hidden world where words traveled no further than a hillside hollow. This is the chilling beginning of a story about a hidden cult, a collective built on a dangerous logic, and the small gap that brought it all crashing down. What dark secrets did these unsent letters hold about the Greymouth Collective?

In this episode, we uncover the origins of the Greymouth Collective, tracing its leader, Wade Stewart, from a prior breach of fiduciary duty case in 2013 to his arrival in Greymouth in 2016. We explore how Stewart lured eleven people into his cooperative, including Kevin Tucker, a young man seeking a life at sea, and the subtle shifts that alerted Kevin's mother, Diane Okafor, to her son's disappearance.

Person: Crystal Williams
Date: November 9, 2019
Location: Greymouth Cove
Organization: Greymouth Collective
Document: Tidal Covenant

- A Coast Guard navigation buoy, reported missing in 2017, was found packed with dozens of unsent letters.
- Wade Stewart, the organizer, was 39 years old when he arrived in Greymouth in 2016.
- The Tidal Covenant transferred harvest rights, labor allocation, and earned income to a collective trust.
- Kevin Tucker's mother, Diane Okafor, reported her son missing to the Coastal Record in February 2019.
- The Greymouth Collective purchased 260 days of diesel fuel but filed only 90 days of documented fishing effort.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1364falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-s-language-he-called-murder-a-correction--73137843
Imagine a language so powerful it could replace your own thoughts, designed by a man who called murder a "correction that cannot be undone." What happens when someone spends three years writing in such a language, only to hide seven English words at the bottom of a river?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Veth Language Institute, a place where a constructed language became a tool for control and a woman's desperate act of communication. We explore how a seemingly innocent academic pursuit transformed into a compound where residents were remade, and how a hidden binder became a silent witness to the events within.

Person: Debra Adams
Date: March 3, 2014
Location: Calloway River
Event: Discovery of a three-ring binder
Organization: Veth Language Institute

- A woman found a 142-page handwritten binder, sealed in two layers of plastic, in the Calloway River.
- The last seven words of the binder were in English: "I am leaving this here for someone."
- Debra Adams, 43, worked 11 years as a volunteer coordinator at a local Food Pantry, never missing a shift.
- Warren Owens, 51, presented the Veth Language Institute in April 2009, despite withdrawing from a graduate linguistics program after one semester in 1993.
- The Veth Advancement Group LLC purchased a 40-acre former summer camp in Garver County, where 30 to 40 adults lived at any given time.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137843Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult's Language: He Called Murder a Correction Imagine a language so powerful it could replace your own thoughts, designed by a man who called murder a "correction that cannot be undone." What happens when someone spends three years writing in...
Imagine a language so powerful it could replace your own thoughts, designed by a man who called murder a "correction that cannot be undone." What happens when someone spends three years writing in such a language, only to hide seven English words at the bottom of a river?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Veth Language Institute, a place where a constructed language became a tool for control and a woman's desperate act of communication. We explore how a seemingly innocent academic pursuit transformed into a compound where residents were remade, and how a hidden binder became a silent witness to the events within.

Person: Debra Adams
Date: March 3, 2014
Location: Calloway River
Event: Discovery of a three-ring binder
Organization: Veth Language Institute

- A woman found a 142-page handwritten binder, sealed in two layers of plastic, in the Calloway River.
- The last seven words of the binder were in English: "I am leaving this here for someone."
- Debra Adams, 43, worked 11 years as a volunteer coordinator at a local Food Pantry, never missing a shift.
- Warren Owens, 51, presented the Veth Language Institute in April 2009, despite withdrawing from a graduate linguistics program after one semester in 1993.
- The Veth Advancement Group LLC purchased a 40-acre former summer camp in Garver County, where 30 to 40 adults lived at any given time.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1548falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-witness-on-the-rack-she-knew-too-much--73137842
Imagine discovering a costume rack in an abandoned summer camp, each theatrical outfit tagged with a real person's name, and the ground beneath it suspiciously damp despite no rain for nine days. This bizarre scene in Calder County was just the beginning of unraveling a four-year systematic dismantling of ordinary lives. What secrets did these costumes hold about the people they represented?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery made by land surveyor James Dalton on September 4, 2019, and trace the origins of the Meridian Players, a traveling performance collective. We explore how Heather Jenkins, a perceptive 31-year-old, was drawn into this world by Cheryl Weaver, a woman whose theatrical credentials were entirely fabricated, and how this system was designed to make leaving feel like a failure.

Person: James Dalton
Date: September 4, 2019
Location: Calder County
Organization: Meridian Players
Founder: Cheryl Weaver

- James Dalton, a land surveyor with eleven years of fieldwork, discovered the rack.
- Twenty-six theatrical costumes were found on a wheeled rack, each tagged with a real person's name.
- The ground beneath the rack was dark and damp in a near-perfect rectangle, despite no rain for nine days.
- Heather Jenkins joined the Meridian Players eleven days after meeting Cheryl Weaver.
- The Meridian Players traveled on two converted charter buses with sixteen performers at the start.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137842Sat, 12 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Witness on the Rack: She Knew Too Much Imagine discovering a costume rack in an abandoned summer camp, each theatrical outfit tagged with a real person's name, and the ground beneath it suspiciously damp despite no rain for nine days. This...
Imagine discovering a costume rack in an abandoned summer camp, each theatrical outfit tagged with a real person's name, and the ground beneath it suspiciously damp despite no rain for nine days. This bizarre scene in Calder County was just the beginning of unraveling a four-year systematic dismantling of ordinary lives. What secrets did these costumes hold about the people they represented?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery made by land surveyor James Dalton on September 4, 2019, and trace the origins of the Meridian Players, a traveling performance collective. We explore how Heather Jenkins, a perceptive 31-year-old, was drawn into this world by Cheryl Weaver, a woman whose theatrical credentials were entirely fabricated, and how this system was designed to make leaving feel like a failure.

Person: James Dalton
Date: September 4, 2019
Location: Calder County
Organization: Meridian Players
Founder: Cheryl Weaver

- James Dalton, a land surveyor with eleven years of fieldwork, discovered the rack.
- Twenty-six theatrical costumes were found on a wheeled rack, each tagged with a real person's name.
- The ground beneath the rack was dark and damp in a near-perfect rectangle, despite no rain for nine days.
- Heather Jenkins joined the Meridian Players eleven days after meeting Cheryl Weaver.
- The Meridian Players traveled on two converted charter buses with sixteen performers at the start.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1591falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-ledger-in-the-septic-tank-who-hid-it--73137841
Imagine a septic contractor pulling a waterproof bundle from a tank, only to discover a 412-page ledger that unravels a closed community and a missing $480,000. This discovery in a septic tank exposed the secrets of a cult operating under the guise of cooperative living. Who hid this crucial evidence, and why did they want it found?

In this episode, we delve into the origins of Meridian Covenant, a group that started as a modest study group and evolved into a communal farm with 22 members. We explore the story of Dean Richardson, a lonely HVAC technician drawn into the group by its charismatic leader, Norman York, and the system of "drift" that controlled its members.

Date: August 2011
Location: Caulfield Township
Person: Charles Andrews
Community: Meridian Covenant
Missing Funds: $480,000

- A septic contractor found a waterproof bundle containing a 412-page binder in an abandoned farm's septic tank.
- The binder was sealed in two zip-lock freezer bags with electrical tape.
- Meridian Covenant began with eight adults and grew to twenty-two people on a farm.
- Norman York, the leader, lived two states away under a third name.
- Dean Richardson's name appeared 47 times in the binder's "drift" log over 27 months.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137841Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Ledger in the Septic Tank: Who Hid It? Imagine a septic contractor pulling a waterproof bundle from a tank, only to discover a 412-page ledger that unravels a closed community and a missing $480,000. This discovery in a septic tank exposed the...
Imagine a septic contractor pulling a waterproof bundle from a tank, only to discover a 412-page ledger that unravels a closed community and a missing $480,000. This discovery in a septic tank exposed the secrets of a cult operating under the guise of cooperative living. Who hid this crucial evidence, and why did they want it found?

In this episode, we delve into the origins of Meridian Covenant, a group that started as a modest study group and evolved into a communal farm with 22 members. We explore the story of Dean Richardson, a lonely HVAC technician drawn into the group by its charismatic leader, Norman York, and the system of "drift" that controlled its members.

Date: August 2011
Location: Caulfield Township
Person: Charles Andrews
Community: Meridian Covenant
Missing Funds: $480,000

- A septic contractor found a waterproof bundle containing a 412-page binder in an abandoned farm's septic tank.
- The binder was sealed in two zip-lock freezer bags with electrical tape.
- Meridian Covenant began with eight adults and grew to twenty-two people on a farm.
- Norman York, the leader, lived two states away under a third name.
- Dean Richardson's name appeared 47 times in the binder's "drift" log over 27 months.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1552falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-grief-cult-she-lost-everything-then-found-him--73137840
Imagine losing everything, then finding a community that truly "sees" you, only to discover it's a meticulously engineered system of control. This cult story reveals how a seemingly legitimate grief support group became a trap for the most vulnerable, built on a foundation of profound loss. What happens when the very comfort you seek becomes your undoing?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling case of a grief cult that preyed on individuals who had lost everything. It details the journey of Linda Rice, a science teacher who, after the death of her husband, found herself drawn into a group led by Gregory Griffin, a man who presented himself as an ordained minister.

Person: Linda Rice
Person: Gregory Griffin
Location: Cookeville, Tennessee
Event: Discovery of a fake hospital badge
Date: July 14, 2019

- Paula Sanders found a hospital volunteer badge wedged in a willow snag at Sorrow Creek Reservoir.
- Pineville Regional Medical Center had never issued the discovered badge to anyone.
- Linda Rice taught middle-school science for sixteen years in Cookeville, Tennessee.
- Her husband, Tom Rice, died in October 2015 at forty-seven years old.
- By summer 2017, twelve people had moved to a thirty-one-acre leased property called Pathway Home.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137840Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Grief Cult: She Lost Everything, Then Found Him Imagine losing everything, then finding a community that truly "sees" you, only to discover it's a meticulously engineered system of control. This cult story reveals how a seemingly legitimate...
Imagine losing everything, then finding a community that truly "sees" you, only to discover it's a meticulously engineered system of control. This cult story reveals how a seemingly legitimate grief support group became a trap for the most vulnerable, built on a foundation of profound loss. What happens when the very comfort you seek becomes your undoing?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling case of a grief cult that preyed on individuals who had lost everything. It details the journey of Linda Rice, a science teacher who, after the death of her husband, found herself drawn into a group led by Gregory Griffin, a man who presented himself as an ordained minister.

Person: Linda Rice
Person: Gregory Griffin
Location: Cookeville, Tennessee
Event: Discovery of a fake hospital badge
Date: July 14, 2019

- Paula Sanders found a hospital volunteer badge wedged in a willow snag at Sorrow Creek Reservoir.
- Pineville Regional Medical Center had never issued the discovered badge to anyone.
- Linda Rice taught middle-school science for sixteen years in Cookeville, Tennessee.
- Her husband, Tom Rice, died in October 2015 at forty-seven years old.
- By summer 2017, twelve people had moved to a thirty-one-acre leased property called Pathway Home.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1507falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-leader-who-waited-for-arrest-with-cake--73137839
Imagine a cult leader, awaiting arrest, calmly sipping coffee beside a birthday cake with 33 burned-out candles and the chilling message "WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE." This strange scene unfolded on a quiet road, revealing the unraveling of a cult leader's eleven-year plan. What led 41 adults to surrender their lives to a man who wasn't who he claimed to be?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Eugene Hill and the Threshold Circle, a community that prepared for a "Crossing" that never came. Discover how seemingly ordinary people were drawn into a life of communal living, surrendered phones, and pooled savings, all based on a leader's elaborate deception.

Person: Eugene Hill (alias), Marcia Gardner, Pam Gardner, Laura Vogel, Bette Ingram, Tom Vickers
Date: June 14, 2009 (arrest), September 21, 2005 (last undisturbed call)
Location: Sycamore Flat Road, Dellbrook Township, Tennessee
Group: Threshold Circle
Duration: 11 years (Hill's decoding claim), 5 years (Hill lived at property)

- A 15-year-old paper carrier discovered the cult leader waiting for arrest at 6:14 AM.
- The birthday cake had blue frosting letters that read: WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE.
- Marcia Gardner transferred eleven thousand dollars into the Crossing Fund by March 2006.
- Sixty-three people lived on the property by 2007.
- Members were allowed ten minutes of supervised phone time each week.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137839Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult Leader Who Waited For Arrest With Cake Imagine a cult leader, awaiting arrest, calmly sipping coffee beside a birthday cake with 33 burned-out candles and the chilling message "WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE." This strange scene unfolded on a...
Imagine a cult leader, awaiting arrest, calmly sipping coffee beside a birthday cake with 33 burned-out candles and the chilling message "WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE." This strange scene unfolded on a quiet road, revealing the unraveling of a cult leader's eleven-year plan. What led 41 adults to surrender their lives to a man who wasn't who he claimed to be?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Eugene Hill and the Threshold Circle, a community that prepared for a "Crossing" that never came. Discover how seemingly ordinary people were drawn into a life of communal living, surrendered phones, and pooled savings, all based on a leader's elaborate deception.

Person: Eugene Hill (alias), Marcia Gardner, Pam Gardner, Laura Vogel, Bette Ingram, Tom Vickers
Date: June 14, 2009 (arrest), September 21, 2005 (last undisturbed call)
Location: Sycamore Flat Road, Dellbrook Township, Tennessee
Group: Threshold Circle
Duration: 11 years (Hill's decoding claim), 5 years (Hill lived at property)

- A 15-year-old paper carrier discovered the cult leader waiting for arrest at 6:14 AM.
- The birthday cake had blue frosting letters that read: WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE.
- Marcia Gardner transferred eleven thousand dollars into the Crossing Fund by March 2006.
- Sixty-three people lived on the property by 2007.
- Members were allowed ten minutes of supervised phone time each week.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1708falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-that-stole-her-voice-her-business-her-life--73137838
Imagine finding a fireproof safe with $42,000 in cash and documents for a mysterious group called Lamp and Plow Fellowship, alongside a certificate proclaiming "Honesty in every home"-all without a trace of how it got there. This discovery in a drainage ditch hints at a deeper, unsettling story of a small group in western Iowa and the woman who unknowingly lost everything. What secrets did this strange find reveal about the cult that stole her voice, her business, and her life?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Frances Petersen, a capable businesswoman who ran her family's heating and cooling company for years before encountering Glenn Boyd and his Lamp and Plow Fellowship. We explore how a community built on "practical faith and mutual support" gradually stripped Frances of her independence, her finances, and even her long-standing passion for singing in the church choir.

Person: Frances Petersen
Location: Dellmont, western Iowa
Organization: Lamp and Plow Fellowship
Business: Petersen Family Heating and Cooling
Year: 2019

- A road-grader operator found a fireproof safe containing $42,000 in banded cash and documents for the Lamp and Plow Fellowship.
- Frances Petersen had run her family business for eleven years after her father's death without serious financial trouble.
- She had sung alto in the Dellmont Lutheran choir every Thursday evening for twenty-two years.
- Glenn Boyd, a minister, met Frances Petersen at a choir rehearsal in April 2015.
- By September 2015, Frances signed paperwork transferring operational oversight of her business accounts to Lamp and Plow Fellowship.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137838Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult That Stole Her Voice, Her Business, Her Life Imagine finding a fireproof safe with $42,000 in cash and documents for a mysterious group called Lamp and Plow Fellowship, alongside a certificate proclaiming "Honesty in every home"-all...
Imagine finding a fireproof safe with $42,000 in cash and documents for a mysterious group called Lamp and Plow Fellowship, alongside a certificate proclaiming "Honesty in every home"-all without a trace of how it got there. This discovery in a drainage ditch hints at a deeper, unsettling story of a small group in western Iowa and the woman who unknowingly lost everything. What secrets did this strange find reveal about the cult that stole her voice, her business, and her life?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Frances Petersen, a capable businesswoman who ran her family's heating and cooling company for years before encountering Glenn Boyd and his Lamp and Plow Fellowship. We explore how a community built on "practical faith and mutual support" gradually stripped Frances of her independence, her finances, and even her long-standing passion for singing in the church choir.

Person: Frances Petersen
Location: Dellmont, western Iowa
Organization: Lamp and Plow Fellowship
Business: Petersen Family Heating and Cooling
Year: 2019

- A road-grader operator found a fireproof safe containing $42,000 in banded cash and documents for the Lamp and Plow Fellowship.
- Frances Petersen had run her family business for eleven years after her father's death without serious financial trouble.
- She had sung alto in the Dellmont Lutheran choir every Thursday evening for twenty-two years.
- Glenn Boyd, a minister, met Frances Petersen at a choir rehearsal in April 2015.
- By September 2015, Frances signed paperwork transferring operational oversight of her business accounts to Lamp and Plow Fellowship.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1523falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-kneeling-17-figures-41-degrees-no-coats--73137837
Imagine a utility worker, 32 feet up a pole, witnessing 17 people kneeling on frost-hardened ground at 41 degrees, without coats, facing a cedar building. This chilling scene was just the beginning of a cult investigation that uncovered 23 individuals, a padlocked gate, and a systematic transfer of personal funds. What led these people to such an extreme ritual?

In this episode, we explore the events leading up to that cold April morning, tracing the story back eight months to a small Tennessee town and a young man with a spiral notebook. We uncover the gradual escalation of control, from voluntary contributions to the loss of access to personal finances, and the charismatic figure at the center of it all.

Person: Carl Schultz
Date: April 14, 2009
Location: Route Nine and Fenwick Mill Road
Event: Discovery of kneeling figures
Topic: Cult investigation

- Carl Schultz, a lineman of 14 years, discovered 17 people kneeling on frost-hardened ground at 6:40 AM.
- The temperature was 41 degrees, and none of the kneeling figures wore coats.
- Investigators found a total of 23 people at Fenwick Parcel two hours and thirty-two minutes later.
- Financial records showed a systematic transfer of personal funds into a communal account.
- A fireproof lockbox containing crucial documents was found buried beneath the cedar building.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137837Mon, 07 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Kneeling: 17 Figures, 41 Degrees, No Coats Imagine a utility worker, 32 feet up a pole, witnessing 17 people kneeling on frost-hardened ground at 41 degrees, without coats, facing a cedar building. This chilling scene was just the beginning of...
Imagine a utility worker, 32 feet up a pole, witnessing 17 people kneeling on frost-hardened ground at 41 degrees, without coats, facing a cedar building. This chilling scene was just the beginning of a cult investigation that uncovered 23 individuals, a padlocked gate, and a systematic transfer of personal funds. What led these people to such an extreme ritual?

In this episode, we explore the events leading up to that cold April morning, tracing the story back eight months to a small Tennessee town and a young man with a spiral notebook. We uncover the gradual escalation of control, from voluntary contributions to the loss of access to personal finances, and the charismatic figure at the center of it all.

Person: Carl Schultz
Date: April 14, 2009
Location: Route Nine and Fenwick Mill Road
Event: Discovery of kneeling figures
Topic: Cult investigation

- Carl Schultz, a lineman of 14 years, discovered 17 people kneeling on frost-hardened ground at 6:40 AM.
- The temperature was 41 degrees, and none of the kneeling figures wore coats.
- Investigators found a total of 23 people at Fenwick Parcel two hours and thirty-two minutes later.
- Financial records showed a systematic transfer of personal funds into a communal account.
- A fireproof lockbox containing crucial documents was found buried beneath the cedar building.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1657falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-empty-chair-and-412-bibles-a-cult-s-last-act--73137836
Imagine a perfect oval of 412 Bibles, standing upright in a frozen field, a single empty chair at its center, with no footprints leading to it. This chilling scene was the final, meticulously planned act of a cult leader who systematically dismantled 31 lives. What dark secrets led to this bizarre discovery?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story of Janet Fitzgerald, a woman who arrived in a quiet Indiana town and, within months, transformed a loyal church congregation into a community under her complete control. We uncover the methods she used to manipulate her followers and the financial deception that funded her sinister agenda.

Person: Russell Marshall
Date: March 9, 2011
Location: Hardin Township, Indiana
Number of Bibles: 412
Amount of Money Transferred: $240,000

- Russell Marshall discovered 412 Bibles arranged in a 60-foot oval in a field.
- The Bibles were found on March 9, 2011, at 6:15 AM.
- Janet Fitzgerald arrived in Kellerman County in September 2009.
- Dale Padgett, the community's steward of material resources, joined in January 2010.
- $240,000 in community funds was transferred to Janet's personal account between June 2010 and February 2011.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137836Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Empty Chair and 412 Bibles: A Cult's Last Act Imagine a perfect oval of 412 Bibles, standing upright in a frozen field, a single empty chair at its center, with no footprints leading to it. This chilling scene was the final, meticulously...
Imagine a perfect oval of 412 Bibles, standing upright in a frozen field, a single empty chair at its center, with no footprints leading to it. This chilling scene was the final, meticulously planned act of a cult leader who systematically dismantled 31 lives. What dark secrets led to this bizarre discovery?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story of Janet Fitzgerald, a woman who arrived in a quiet Indiana town and, within months, transformed a loyal church congregation into a community under her complete control. We uncover the methods she used to manipulate her followers and the financial deception that funded her sinister agenda.

Person: Russell Marshall
Date: March 9, 2011
Location: Hardin Township, Indiana
Number of Bibles: 412
Amount of Money Transferred: $240,000

- Russell Marshall discovered 412 Bibles arranged in a 60-foot oval in a field.
- The Bibles were found on March 9, 2011, at 6:15 AM.
- Janet Fitzgerald arrived in Kellerman County in September 2009.
- Dale Padgett, the community's steward of material resources, joined in January 2010.
- $240,000 in community funds was transferred to Janet's personal account between June 2010 and February 2011.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1490falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-birthday-cake-that-vanished-with-troy-reynolds--73137835
Imagine discovering a birthday cake for a 60-year-old, nine place settings, and a single burned-down candle, but the man it was for had turned 62 and was nowhere to be found. This unsettling scene was the first clue that something was terribly wrong in a quiet Caldwell Township home, but what dark secret was building for nearly two years before anyone noticed?

In this episode, we uncover the disappearance of Troy Reynolds, a methodical widower whose life took an unexpected turn after joining a group called the Meridian Circle. We explore how a careful man, who meticulously managed his life and finances, became entangled in a structure designed to isolate him, and how a meter reader's keen observation began to unravel the mystery.

Person: Troy Reynolds
Age: 62 (at disappearance)
Location: Caldwell Township
Group: The Meridian Circle
Event: Disappearance

- Charles Nelson, a meter reader, found a birthday cake with "60" written on it, despite Troy Reynolds being 62.
- Nine paper plates and nine plastic forks were found on the table, along with one burned-down candle.
- The table had been sitting there for an estimated three to five weeks before discovery.
- Troy Reynolds retired at 59 from a Zanesville procurement firm.
- The Meridian Circle's monthly fee for "Practitioner" level was four hundred dollars, increasing to eight hundred for "Core" members.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137835Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Birthday Cake That Vanished with Troy Reynolds Imagine discovering a birthday cake for a 60-year-old, nine place settings, and a single burned-down candle, but the man it was for had turned 62 and was nowhere to be found. This unsettling scene...
Imagine discovering a birthday cake for a 60-year-old, nine place settings, and a single burned-down candle, but the man it was for had turned 62 and was nowhere to be found. This unsettling scene was the first clue that something was terribly wrong in a quiet Caldwell Township home, but what dark secret was building for nearly two years before anyone noticed?

In this episode, we uncover the disappearance of Troy Reynolds, a methodical widower whose life took an unexpected turn after joining a group called the Meridian Circle. We explore how a careful man, who meticulously managed his life and finances, became entangled in a structure designed to isolate him, and how a meter reader's keen observation began to unravel the mystery.

Person: Troy Reynolds
Age: 62 (at disappearance)
Location: Caldwell Township
Group: The Meridian Circle
Event: Disappearance

- Charles Nelson, a meter reader, found a birthday cake with "60" written on it, despite Troy Reynolds being 62.
- Nine paper plates and nine plastic forks were found on the table, along with one burned-down candle.
- The table had been sitting there for an estimated three to five weeks before discovery.
- Troy Reynolds retired at 59 from a Zanesville procurement firm.
- The Meridian Circle's monthly fee for "Practitioner" level was four hundred dollars, increasing to eight hundred for "Core" members.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1595falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-vermont-snow-globe-and-eighteen-missing-souls--73137834
Imagine finding a "WELCOME TO BURLINGTON, VERMONT" snow globe weeping liquid onto a desert windowsill in Arizona in January. This bizarre discovery led investigators to an empty ranch where eighteen people had lived and then vanished without a trace. What happened to these missing souls, and what secrets did their controlled community hide?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling case of eighteen individuals who disappeared from a foreclosed ranch in Saguaro Flats, Arizona. We begin with the story of Jeffrey Draper, a young man seeking purpose, and the charismatic Mark Larsen, who offered a path that led to a secluded property and a fabricated identity.

Date: January 9, 2011
Location: Saguaro Flats, Arizona
Person: Marcia Smith
Object: Snow globe
Number of missing people: Eighteen

- A volunteer found a snow globe on a bunkroom windowsill, perfectly intact, in a pool of clear liquid.
- The snow globe read "WELCOME TO BURLINGTON, VERMONT."
- Eighteen people had lived at the foreclosed ranch property and were gone.
- Jeffrey Draper, 23, met Mark Larsen, 44, who claimed to be a practitioner of somatic healing.
- Larsen's "Harland Institute for Integrative Medicine" in Vermont was a fabrication; its listed address was a closed UPS Store.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137834Fri, 04 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Vermont Snow Globe and Eighteen Missing Souls Imagine finding a "WELCOME TO BURLINGTON, VERMONT" snow globe weeping liquid onto a desert windowsill in Arizona in January. This bizarre discovery led investigators to an empty ranch where eighteen...
Imagine finding a "WELCOME TO BURLINGTON, VERMONT" snow globe weeping liquid onto a desert windowsill in Arizona in January. This bizarre discovery led investigators to an empty ranch where eighteen people had lived and then vanished without a trace. What happened to these missing souls, and what secrets did their controlled community hide?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling case of eighteen individuals who disappeared from a foreclosed ranch in Saguaro Flats, Arizona. We begin with the story of Jeffrey Draper, a young man seeking purpose, and the charismatic Mark Larsen, who offered a path that led to a secluded property and a fabricated identity.

Date: January 9, 2011
Location: Saguaro Flats, Arizona
Person: Marcia Smith
Object: Snow globe
Number of missing people: Eighteen

- A volunteer found a snow globe on a bunkroom windowsill, perfectly intact, in a pool of clear liquid.
- The snow globe read "WELCOME TO BURLINGTON, VERMONT."
- Eighteen people had lived at the foreclosed ranch property and were gone.
- Jeffrey Draper, 23, met Mark Larsen, 44, who claimed to be a practitioner of somatic healing.
- Larsen's "Harland Institute for Integrative Medicine" in Vermont was a fabrication; its listed address was a closed UPS Store.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1677falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-lanyard-how-a-child-s-craft-unraveled-a-cult--73137833
A child's lanyard, found snagged on a fence in a snowy forest, led to the discovery of a secluded community. But with no child's footprints in the snow, and adult shoe prints pointing outwards from inside the fence, what secrets did this "Pinehaven Summer Camp" hold?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling truth behind a seemingly peaceful residential community. We explore the journey of Sandra Olson, a dedicated teacher drawn into Randy Mason's Pineview Educational Trust, and the disturbing reality that unfolded behind the gates of Pinehaven.

Person: Sandra Olson
Date: December 9, 2019
Location: Dellwood State Forest, Morrow County
Status: Unraveled a cult
Case: Pinehaven Summer Camp

- A dry, green and yellow plastic lanyard with the name "DANNY" was found on a fence.
- The property, Pinehaven Summer Camp, consisted of 42 acres, two spring-fed ponds, and a timber-frame lodge.
- Nineteen adults lived at Pinehaven, which operated as a year-round residential community.
- Randy Mason, director of the Pineview Educational Trust, had filed a fabricated curriculum vitae with the state agency in 2012.
- Investigators found a wooden box in Randy Mason's office containing unopened letters from the families of at least seven residents.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137833Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Lanyard: How a Child's Craft Unraveled a Cult A child's lanyard, found snagged on a fence in a snowy forest, led to the discovery of a secluded community. But with no child's footprints in the snow, and adult shoe prints pointing outwards from...
A child's lanyard, found snagged on a fence in a snowy forest, led to the discovery of a secluded community. But with no child's footprints in the snow, and adult shoe prints pointing outwards from inside the fence, what secrets did this "Pinehaven Summer Camp" hold?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling truth behind a seemingly peaceful residential community. We explore the journey of Sandra Olson, a dedicated teacher drawn into Randy Mason's Pineview Educational Trust, and the disturbing reality that unfolded behind the gates of Pinehaven.

Person: Sandra Olson
Date: December 9, 2019
Location: Dellwood State Forest, Morrow County
Status: Unraveled a cult
Case: Pinehaven Summer Camp

- A dry, green and yellow plastic lanyard with the name "DANNY" was found on a fence.
- The property, Pinehaven Summer Camp, consisted of 42 acres, two spring-fed ponds, and a timber-frame lodge.
- Nineteen adults lived at Pinehaven, which operated as a year-round residential community.
- Randy Mason, director of the Pineview Educational Trust, had filed a fabricated curriculum vitae with the state agency in 2012.
- Investigators found a wooden box in Randy Mason's office containing unopened letters from the families of at least seven residents.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1524falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-of-trust-stolen-land-stolen-lives--73137832
Imagine a community built on shared meals and a common vision, where trust was the very foundation-until it was systematically dismantled. What happens when the promise of land ownership turns out to be a carefully constructed deception, and the legal documents you signed are worthless?

In this episode, we explore the quiet fraud that unfolded in Nolan County, centered around a man who convinced ordinary people to hand over their life savings for land they would never legally own. We uncover the story of Hartwell Commons, a supposed shared-equity residential community, and the shocking discovery that exposed its true nature.

Person: Steven Lawson
Date: November 14, 2011
Location: Pender Creek, Nolan County
Event: Discovery of Steven Lawson's ID card
Topic: Property fraud

- Steven Lawson's laminated ID card traveled eleven miles in cold water before being found.
- He had saved eleven thousand dollars by early 2010, which he handed over to Stanley Bennett.
- The original Hartwell Commons charter was twenty-two pages, spiral-bound, and signed by members.
- The property at 44 Orchard Spur Lane was registered solely in Stanley R. Bennett's name since June 2009.
- A second version of the charter, found in October 2011, stated "residential license, revocable at the discretion of the founding coordinator."

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137832Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult of Trust: Stolen Land, Stolen Lives Imagine a community built on shared meals and a common vision, where trust was the very foundation-until it was systematically dismantled. What happens when the promise of land ownership turns out to be...
Imagine a community built on shared meals and a common vision, where trust was the very foundation-until it was systematically dismantled. What happens when the promise of land ownership turns out to be a carefully constructed deception, and the legal documents you signed are worthless?

In this episode, we explore the quiet fraud that unfolded in Nolan County, centered around a man who convinced ordinary people to hand over their life savings for land they would never legally own. We uncover the story of Hartwell Commons, a supposed shared-equity residential community, and the shocking discovery that exposed its true nature.

Person: Steven Lawson
Date: November 14, 2011
Location: Pender Creek, Nolan County
Event: Discovery of Steven Lawson's ID card
Topic: Property fraud

- Steven Lawson's laminated ID card traveled eleven miles in cold water before being found.
- He had saved eleven thousand dollars by early 2010, which he handed over to Stanley Bennett.
- The original Hartwell Commons charter was twenty-two pages, spiral-bound, and signed by members.
- The property at 44 Orchard Spur Lane was registered solely in Stanley R. Bennett's name since June 2009.
- A second version of the charter, found in October 2011, stated "residential license, revocable at the discretion of the founding coordinator."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1518falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-score-music-lies-and-a-cult-s-unseen-system--73137831
Imagine discovering a perfectly dry, handwritten musical score in a roofless shed in rural Tennessee, defying all logic and weather. This strange find was just the first clue in uncovering a hidden system of manipulation and deceit. What dark secrets did this unusual discovery reveal about a local music group and its enigmatic leader?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of Robert Fisher and the Foundational Choir, a group that drew in unsuspecting members like Beverly Peterson. We explore how a seemingly innocent arts program masked a deeper, more sinister operation, built on a foundation of lies and carefully constructed identity.

Person: Robert Fisher
Location: Sparta, Tennessee
Date: October 2009
Event: Discovery of a dry musical score

- Gary Stroud, a land walker for Macon County, discovered a 47-page handwritten musical score in a roofless grain storage shed.
- The paper was completely dry despite being exposed to the elements in October, suggesting it had been protected.
- Robert Fisher, the leader of the Foundational Choir, had no conservatory degree, only two semesters at a community college.
- Beverly Peterson, a 51-year-old alto singer, joined the Foundational Choir after attending a county arts council workshop.
- Money collected from choir members, amounting to $3,000 to $4,000 monthly in cash, went directly into Fisher's personal bank account.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137831Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Score: Music, Lies, and a Cult's Unseen System Imagine discovering a perfectly dry, handwritten musical score in a roofless shed in rural Tennessee, defying all logic and weather. This strange find was just the first clue in uncovering a...
Imagine discovering a perfectly dry, handwritten musical score in a roofless shed in rural Tennessee, defying all logic and weather. This strange find was just the first clue in uncovering a hidden system of manipulation and deceit. What dark secrets did this unusual discovery reveal about a local music group and its enigmatic leader?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of Robert Fisher and the Foundational Choir, a group that drew in unsuspecting members like Beverly Peterson. We explore how a seemingly innocent arts program masked a deeper, more sinister operation, built on a foundation of lies and carefully constructed identity.

Person: Robert Fisher
Location: Sparta, Tennessee
Date: October 2009
Event: Discovery of a dry musical score

- Gary Stroud, a land walker for Macon County, discovered a 47-page handwritten musical score in a roofless grain storage shed.
- The paper was completely dry despite being exposed to the elements in October, suggesting it had been protected.
- Robert Fisher, the leader of the Foundational Choir, had no conservatory degree, only two semesters at a community college.
- Beverly Peterson, a 51-year-old alto singer, joined the Foundational Choir after attending a county arts council workshop.
- Money collected from choir members, amounting to $3,000 to $4,000 monthly in cash, went directly into Fisher's personal bank account.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1551falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fake-doctor-who-starved-her-followers--73137830
A spotless, laminated badge for "Susan Carter, M.D." from Vanderbilt, found in a raised garden bed, unraveled a decade of deception. What kind of cult leader would pose as a doctor to starve her followers?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Meridian Body Institute, a residential program that promised healing but delivered something far more sinister. We explore how a seemingly credible program drew in individuals like Clifford Campbell, a careful man seeking solutions for chronic illness, and the shocking truth behind its founder's identity.

Person: Susan Carter
Location: Harwick Crossing, central Tennessee
Event: Meridian Body Institute
Number of followers: Sixty
Cost of program: Eighteen hundred dollars for twelve weeks

- Edward Williams, a well-service contractor, found the fake badge.
- Clifford Campbell, a logistics manager, paid twenty-three thousand four hundred dollars to the Institute.
- The compound was located on three hundred forty acres.
- Residents woke at five fifteen in the morning and lights were off at nine thirty at night.
- Dietary investigators estimated members consumed fewer than nine hundred calories a day in the final year.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137830Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Fake Doctor Who Starved Her Followers A spotless, laminated badge for "Susan Carter, M.D." from Vanderbilt, found in a raised garden bed, unraveled a decade of deception. What kind of cult leader would pose as a doctor to starve her followers?...
A spotless, laminated badge for "Susan Carter, M.D." from Vanderbilt, found in a raised garden bed, unraveled a decade of deception. What kind of cult leader would pose as a doctor to starve her followers?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Meridian Body Institute, a residential program that promised healing but delivered something far more sinister. We explore how a seemingly credible program drew in individuals like Clifford Campbell, a careful man seeking solutions for chronic illness, and the shocking truth behind its founder's identity.

Person: Susan Carter
Location: Harwick Crossing, central Tennessee
Event: Meridian Body Institute
Number of followers: Sixty
Cost of program: Eighteen hundred dollars for twelve weeks

- Edward Williams, a well-service contractor, found the fake badge.
- Clifford Campbell, a logistics manager, paid twenty-three thousand four hundred dollars to the Institute.
- The compound was located on three hundred forty acres.
- Residents woke at five fifteen in the morning and lights were off at nine thirty at night.
- Dietary investigators estimated members consumed fewer than nine hundred calories a day in the final year.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1636falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-folding-chair-the-cult-and-the-missing-key--73137829
Imagine finding a pressed shirt draped over a folding chair in a reservoir, with a legal pad listing 31 names and a single car key nearby. This unsettling discovery leads to a deeper mystery involving a supposed mutual aid society and its charismatic leader. What dark secrets lie beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary town?

In this episode, we explore the strange events that began with a discovery at Henley Reservoir and led to the unraveling of the Ferric Brotherhood. We delve into the lives of night-shift workers in Pratt's Crossing, Indiana, and the man who drew them into his orbit, raising questions about trust, deception, and the allure of belonging.

Person: Alan McCarthy
Date: August 14, 2019
Location: Henley Reservoir, Harwick County, Indiana
Organization: Ferric Brotherhood
Vehicle: 2011 Chevrolet Malibu

- Alan McCarthy found a shirt on a folding metal chair in eight inches of water at 6:40 AM.
- A legal pad with 31 names and four-digit numbers was found beneath the chair.
- A single car key, found three feet away, opened a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu.
- Dean Watson, 44, started the Ferric Brotherhood in late summer 2017, collecting funds from members.
- Dellard Fabrication's HR forms were offset-printed on 60-pound card stock, while the Brotherhood forms were laser-printed on 24-pound copy paper.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137829Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Folding Chair, The Cult, and The Missing Key Imagine finding a pressed shirt draped over a folding chair in a reservoir, with a legal pad listing 31 names and a single car key nearby. This unsettling discovery leads to a deeper mystery...
Imagine finding a pressed shirt draped over a folding chair in a reservoir, with a legal pad listing 31 names and a single car key nearby. This unsettling discovery leads to a deeper mystery involving a supposed mutual aid society and its charismatic leader. What dark secrets lie beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary town?

In this episode, we explore the strange events that began with a discovery at Henley Reservoir and led to the unraveling of the Ferric Brotherhood. We delve into the lives of night-shift workers in Pratt's Crossing, Indiana, and the man who drew them into his orbit, raising questions about trust, deception, and the allure of belonging.

Person: Alan McCarthy
Date: August 14, 2019
Location: Henley Reservoir, Harwick County, Indiana
Organization: Ferric Brotherhood
Vehicle: 2011 Chevrolet Malibu

- Alan McCarthy found a shirt on a folding metal chair in eight inches of water at 6:40 AM.
- A legal pad with 31 names and four-digit numbers was found beneath the chair.
- A single car key, found three feet away, opened a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu.
- Dean Watson, 44, started the Ferric Brotherhood in late summer 2017, collecting funds from members.
- Dellard Fabrication's HR forms were offset-printed on 60-pound card stock, while the Brotherhood forms were laser-printed on 24-pound copy paper.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1404falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-warm-typewriter-and-the-basement-archive--73137827
Imagine finding a warm typewriter on a doormat with a note that unravels a literary collective's dark secrets. This isn't just a story of a cult, but a chilling look into how control is built word by word, rule by rule, over years. What hidden truths did a woman uncover in a basement archive that led her to leave everything behind?

In this episode, we explore the origins of Greyline Press, a literary collective in Dunmore, Ohio, that began as a place for writers but transformed into something else entirely. We follow the journey of Erin Hamilton, a proofreader who joined the group, and the gradual shift from a creative community to a controlled environment. At what point does a community become a cage?

Person: Cheryl Farrell
Location: Dunmore, Ohio
Organization: Greyline Press
Object: Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter
Year: 2003

- A fifteen-year-old girl named Cheryl Farrell found a warm Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter on a doormat.
- The paper in the typewriter contained two lines: "ERIN HAMILTON IS NOT A MEMBER. SHE NEVER AGREED TO THIS. / LOOK IN THE BASEMENT ARCHIVE."
- Alan Novak, 41, founded Greyline Press in 2003, describing himself as a former senior editor from Vermont.
- Erin Hamilton, 47, joined Greyline Press by the spring of 2004, becoming one of eight initial members.
- Members met three times a week at 44 Renner Place, a former commercial print shop Novak leased around 2003.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137827Sat, 29 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Warm Typewriter and the Basement Archive Imagine finding a warm typewriter on a doormat with a note that unravels a literary collective's dark secrets. This isn't just a story of a cult, but a chilling look into how control is built word by...
Imagine finding a warm typewriter on a doormat with a note that unravels a literary collective's dark secrets. This isn't just a story of a cult, but a chilling look into how control is built word by word, rule by rule, over years. What hidden truths did a woman uncover in a basement archive that led her to leave everything behind?

In this episode, we explore the origins of Greyline Press, a literary collective in Dunmore, Ohio, that began as a place for writers but transformed into something else entirely. We follow the journey of Erin Hamilton, a proofreader who joined the group, and the gradual shift from a creative community to a controlled environment. At what point does a community become a cage?

Person: Cheryl Farrell
Location: Dunmore, Ohio
Organization: Greyline Press
Object: Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter
Year: 2003

- A fifteen-year-old girl named Cheryl Farrell found a warm Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter on a doormat.
- The paper in the typewriter contained two lines: "ERIN HAMILTON IS NOT A MEMBER. SHE NEVER AGREED TO THIS. / LOOK IN THE BASEMENT ARCHIVE."
- Alan Novak, 41, founded Greyline Press in 2003, describing himself as a former senior editor from Vermont.
- Erin Hamilton, 47, joined Greyline Press by the spring of 2004, becoming one of eight initial members.
- Members met three times a week at 44 Renner Place, a former commercial print shop Novak leased around 2003.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1384falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-birthday-cake-left-in-the-snow-no-footprints--73137826
A birthday cake, perfectly round with blue icing spelling "twenty-three," was found on a frozen gravel road in January, with no box, no note, and no footprints around it. How could someone leave a cake in the snow without a trace?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious discovery of a birthday cake and the story of Donald Underwood, a young man from Dellwood, Minnesota, whose natural inclination for preparedness led him to a seminar that would change his life. What was the true purpose of the cake, and who was it meant for?

Person: Paula Patterson
Location: County Road fourteen, Dellwood, Minnesota
Date: January
Event: Discovery of a birthday cake
Organization: Harmon Readiness Cooperative

- Paula Patterson, who had driven County Road fourteen for eleven winters, found the cake.
- Donald Underwood was born on January seventeenth, two thousand.
- He volunteered every Thursday at the Dellwood Food Shelf.
- Donald moved underground on June second, two thousand twenty-two.
- The Harmon Readiness Cooperative charged $200 per year for membership and $800-$1200 per month for residential participation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137826Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Birthday Cake Left in the Snow. No Footprints A birthday cake, perfectly round with blue icing spelling "twenty-three," was found on a frozen gravel road in January, with no box, no note, and no footprints around it. How could someone leave a...
A birthday cake, perfectly round with blue icing spelling "twenty-three," was found on a frozen gravel road in January, with no box, no note, and no footprints around it. How could someone leave a cake in the snow without a trace?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious discovery of a birthday cake and the story of Donald Underwood, a young man from Dellwood, Minnesota, whose natural inclination for preparedness led him to a seminar that would change his life. What was the true purpose of the cake, and who was it meant for?

Person: Paula Patterson
Location: County Road fourteen, Dellwood, Minnesota
Date: January
Event: Discovery of a birthday cake
Organization: Harmon Readiness Cooperative

- Paula Patterson, who had driven County Road fourteen for eleven winters, found the cake.
- Donald Underwood was born on January seventeenth, two thousand.
- He volunteered every Thursday at the Dellwood Food Shelf.
- Donald moved underground on June second, two thousand twenty-two.
- The Harmon Readiness Cooperative charged $200 per year for membership and $800-$1200 per month for residential participation.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1616falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/recorded-the-cult-that-nailed-your-wedding-photo--73137823
Imagine finding your own wedding photo, nailed to a porch post with the word "RECORDED" scrawled across it, a chilling message from a past you didn't know still existed. Thirty-one adults vanished from a farmhouse, leaving behind only this unsettling clue. What dark secret did this cult hold, and what happened to its members?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of a community from a Fenwick Township farmhouse, uncovering how a seemingly innocent offer of genealogical research became a two-year trap. We delve into the origins of the Fenwick Heritage Preservation Trust and the man behind its deceptive facade.

Person: Duane Coleman
Date: May 7
Location: Ralston Road farmhouse, Fenwick Township
Event: Discovery of an abandoned community
Organization: Fenwick Heritage Preservation Trust

- Duane Coleman, a utility lineman, found a silver-framed wedding photograph nailed to a porch post.
- The word "RECORDED" was written across the photograph in black permanent marker.
- Thirty-one adults had lived in the Ralston Road farmhouse before their sudden disappearance.
- The Fenwick Heritage Preservation Trust was incorporated in 2011, two years before its first meeting.
- Jerry Norris, who claimed to be a genealogist, presented a fake certificate from the non-existent Halsted Institute.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137823Thu, 27 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaRECORDED: The Cult That Nailed Your Wedding Photo Imagine finding your own wedding photo, nailed to a porch post with the word "RECORDED" scrawled across it, a chilling message from a past you didn't know still existed. Thirty-one adults vanished...
Imagine finding your own wedding photo, nailed to a porch post with the word "RECORDED" scrawled across it, a chilling message from a past you didn't know still existed. Thirty-one adults vanished from a farmhouse, leaving behind only this unsettling clue. What dark secret did this cult hold, and what happened to its members?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of a community from a Fenwick Township farmhouse, uncovering how a seemingly innocent offer of genealogical research became a two-year trap. We delve into the origins of the Fenwick Heritage Preservation Trust and the man behind its deceptive facade.

Person: Duane Coleman
Date: May 7
Location: Ralston Road farmhouse, Fenwick Township
Event: Discovery of an abandoned community
Organization: Fenwick Heritage Preservation Trust

- Duane Coleman, a utility lineman, found a silver-framed wedding photograph nailed to a porch post.
- The word "RECORDED" was written across the photograph in black permanent marker.
- Thirty-one adults had lived in the Ralston Road farmhouse before their sudden disappearance.
- The Fenwick Heritage Preservation Trust was incorporated in 2011, two years before its first meeting.
- Jerry Norris, who claimed to be a genealogist, presented a fake certificate from the non-existent Halsted Institute.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1621falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-leader-s-last-supper-a-deserted-table-mystery--73137822
Imagine a folding card table, set for two with ceramic plates, wine glasses, and cloth napkins, found in a deserted field with no tire tracks for forty feet. The plates were used and washed, two blue polo shirts folded neatly on chairs, and a handwritten card read: "Thank you for your service." Who set this mysterious scene, and what does it have to do with a cult leader and missing funds?

In this episode, we delve into the strange discovery of a dinner table in a field and the story of Douglas Thompson, a man arrested for fraud who led the Meridian Relief Corps. We explore how Roger Hunt, a man seeking purpose after loss, became deeply involved in Thompson's organization and what he uncovered about its operations.

Person: Alan Hicks
Location: Fenwick County fairgrounds
Date: Tuesday morning
Organization: Meridian Relief Corps
Amount: $230,000

- A jogger found a folding card table set for two in a drainage field at 6:15 AM.
- The table's legs had sunk into the ground, indicating it had been there for at least twelve hours.
- Douglas Thompson was arrested at 4:00 AM on preliminary fraud charges.
- Thompson allegedly redirected $230,000 in member contributions and grants over four years.
- Roger Hunt, 61, joined the Meridian Relief Corps in the spring of 2015 after his wife's death.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137822Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult Leader's Last Supper: A Deserted Table Mystery Imagine a folding card table, set for two with ceramic plates, wine glasses, and cloth napkins, found in a deserted field with no tire tracks for forty feet. The plates were used and washed,...
Imagine a folding card table, set for two with ceramic plates, wine glasses, and cloth napkins, found in a deserted field with no tire tracks for forty feet. The plates were used and washed, two blue polo shirts folded neatly on chairs, and a handwritten card read: "Thank you for your service." Who set this mysterious scene, and what does it have to do with a cult leader and missing funds?

In this episode, we delve into the strange discovery of a dinner table in a field and the story of Douglas Thompson, a man arrested for fraud who led the Meridian Relief Corps. We explore how Roger Hunt, a man seeking purpose after loss, became deeply involved in Thompson's organization and what he uncovered about its operations.

Person: Alan Hicks
Location: Fenwick County fairgrounds
Date: Tuesday morning
Organization: Meridian Relief Corps
Amount: $230,000

- A jogger found a folding card table set for two in a drainage field at 6:15 AM.
- The table's legs had sunk into the ground, indicating it had been there for at least twelve hours.
- Douglas Thompson was arrested at 4:00 AM on preliminary fraud charges.
- Thompson allegedly redirected $230,000 in member contributions and grants over four years.
- Roger Hunt, 61, joined the Meridian Relief Corps in the spring of 2015 after his wife's death.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1378falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-house-that-swallowed-her-voice--73137821
Imagine finding a glass of water, a laminated card, and an unsealed letter on a concrete pad outside a house that’s been empty for eleven days. The condensation ring is still wet, yet no one has reported anything missing. What happened inside 440 Asher Mill Road that left such an unsettling trace?

In this episode, we explore the Clear Foundation, a recovery residence that operated for seven years, and the story of Connie Boyd, who arrived there with a serious intention to stay. We uncover the subtle shifts in her letters home that signaled a profound change, and the man behind the operation whose credentials had lapsed years before.

Person: Connie Boyd
Date: March 11, 2019
Location: Harwick, North Carolina
Organization: Clear Foundation
Founder: Robert Perry

- On March 11, 2019, a utility worker found a glass of water, a laminated card, and an unsealed letter outside 440 Asher Mill Road.
- The house had been empty for eleven days, and the condensation ring beneath the glass was not yet dry.
- Connie Boyd arrived at Clear Foundation in March 2017 with her eight-year-old greyhound, Pell.
- Robert Perry, the founder, had been operating without a valid counseling certification for three years by the time Connie arrived.
- Between April and July 2017, Connie's letters home changed, with specific observations replaced by recurring words like "alignment" and "foundation."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137821Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe House That Swallowed Her Voice Imagine finding a glass of water, a laminated card, and an unsealed letter on a concrete pad outside a house that’s been empty for eleven days. The condensation ring is still wet, yet no one has reported anything...
Imagine finding a glass of water, a laminated card, and an unsealed letter on a concrete pad outside a house that’s been empty for eleven days. The condensation ring is still wet, yet no one has reported anything missing. What happened inside 440 Asher Mill Road that left such an unsettling trace?

In this episode, we explore the Clear Foundation, a recovery residence that operated for seven years, and the story of Connie Boyd, who arrived there with a serious intention to stay. We uncover the subtle shifts in her letters home that signaled a profound change, and the man behind the operation whose credentials had lapsed years before.

Person: Connie Boyd
Date: March 11, 2019
Location: Harwick, North Carolina
Organization: Clear Foundation
Founder: Robert Perry

- On March 11, 2019, a utility worker found a glass of water, a laminated card, and an unsealed letter outside 440 Asher Mill Road.
- The house had been empty for eleven days, and the condensation ring beneath the glass was not yet dry.
- Connie Boyd arrived at Clear Foundation in March 2017 with her eight-year-old greyhound, Pell.
- Robert Perry, the founder, had been operating without a valid counseling certification for three years by the time Connie arrived.
- Between April and July 2017, Connie's letters home changed, with specific observations replaced by recurring words like "alignment" and "foundation."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1629falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-painting-that-unraveled-a-cult--73137820
A large oil painting, found leaning against an old building in eight-degree weather, held a hidden message: "She did not give this to them. It was always hers." What secret did this artwork conceal, and what cult did it help dismantle?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Hollow Light Foundation, an organization that promised artists a place to thrive but instead became a trap. We explore how a seemingly innocent invitation led artist Alice Henderson into a world where her work and her identity were slowly consumed.

Person: Alice Henderson
Date: March 2017
Location: Pelham, Indiana
Organization: Hollow Light Foundation
Director: Curtis Davis

- Marcia Stevens found a large painting leaning against the east wall of the old Ironworks building in Pelham, Indiana.
- Alice Henderson, a 47-year-old oil portrait painter, received an invitation from the Hollow Light Foundation in early 2017.
- The Foundation's contract included a 40% licensing share on work made during the residency and an 18-month post-departure clause.
- Curtis Davis, the 51-year-old founder, rented the Ironworks building from an absentee owner since January 2015.
- Alice's weekly calls with her brother Tom, which had occurred for eleven years, became less regular after she joined the Foundation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137820Mon, 24 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Painting That Unraveled a Cult A large oil painting, found leaning against an old building in eight-degree weather, held a hidden message: "She did not give this to them. It was always hers." What secret did this artwork conceal, and what cult...
A large oil painting, found leaning against an old building in eight-degree weather, held a hidden message: "She did not give this to them. It was always hers." What secret did this artwork conceal, and what cult did it help dismantle?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Hollow Light Foundation, an organization that promised artists a place to thrive but instead became a trap. We explore how a seemingly innocent invitation led artist Alice Henderson into a world where her work and her identity were slowly consumed.

Person: Alice Henderson
Date: March 2017
Location: Pelham, Indiana
Organization: Hollow Light Foundation
Director: Curtis Davis

- Marcia Stevens found a large painting leaning against the east wall of the old Ironworks building in Pelham, Indiana.
- Alice Henderson, a 47-year-old oil portrait painter, received an invitation from the Hollow Light Foundation in early 2017.
- The Foundation's contract included a 40% licensing share on work made during the residency and an 18-month post-departure clause.
- Curtis Davis, the 51-year-old founder, rented the Ironworks building from an absentee owner since January 2015.
- Alice's weekly calls with her brother Tom, which had occurred for eleven years, became less regular after she joined the Foundation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1496falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-notebook-of-obedience-112-pages-to-control-you--73137819
Imagine discovering a spiral-bound notebook, hidden for years, containing 112 pages of step-by-step instructions on how to subordinate another person's will. This chilling artifact, found five days after its last entry, became central to unraveling a closed group of forty people in rural Missouri. What dark secrets did this notebook hold, and how did it come to control so many?

In this episode, we explore the meticulous, decade-long construction of a system designed to make people feel seen, then dependent. We follow the story of Cynthia Marshall, a young woman whose life took an unexpected turn after calling into a late-night radio program, leading her into the orbit of Duane Bauer and his carefully crafted community.

Person: Cynthia Marshall
Date: January 14, 2011
Location: Sallow River bluffs, rural Missouri
Item: Spiral-bound notebook
Pages: 112

- A pointer dog found the notebook nine feet up in a limestone crack on the Sallow River bluffs.
- The notebook contained 112 pages of instructions, written over nine years.
- The last entry in the notebook was dated January 9, 2011, five days before its discovery.
- A group of forty people formed around Duane Bauer's radio voice in rural Missouri.
- Cynthia Marshall was 22 years old in early 2002 and spoke on air for eleven minutes with Duane Bauer.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137819Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Notebook of Obedience: 112 Pages to Control You Imagine discovering a spiral-bound notebook, hidden for years, containing 112 pages of step-by-step instructions on how to subordinate another person's will. This chilling artifact, found five...
Imagine discovering a spiral-bound notebook, hidden for years, containing 112 pages of step-by-step instructions on how to subordinate another person's will. This chilling artifact, found five days after its last entry, became central to unraveling a closed group of forty people in rural Missouri. What dark secrets did this notebook hold, and how did it come to control so many?

In this episode, we explore the meticulous, decade-long construction of a system designed to make people feel seen, then dependent. We follow the story of Cynthia Marshall, a young woman whose life took an unexpected turn after calling into a late-night radio program, leading her into the orbit of Duane Bauer and his carefully crafted community.

Person: Cynthia Marshall
Date: January 14, 2011
Location: Sallow River bluffs, rural Missouri
Item: Spiral-bound notebook
Pages: 112

- A pointer dog found the notebook nine feet up in a limestone crack on the Sallow River bluffs.
- The notebook contained 112 pages of instructions, written over nine years.
- The last entry in the notebook was dated January 9, 2011, five days before its discovery.
- A group of forty people formed around Duane Bauer's radio voice in rural Missouri.
- Cynthia Marshall was 22 years old in early 2002 and spoke on air for eleven minutes with Duane Bauer.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1373falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-teacher-who-stole-seven-years-of-childhood--73137818
Imagine finding a waterlogged binder in a pond, weighted down with concrete, containing evidence of a private belief system designed for children. This discovery would expose how a man with no credentials and multiple aliases built a closed world around fourteen families, promising education but delivering isolation. What hidden truths did this binder reveal about the Covenant Learning Cooperative?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Teresa Hansen, a single mother who, seeking the best for her daughter Molly, enrolled her in a learning cooperative that promised individualized progression. We explore how Curtis Reynolds, despite having no teaching license or documented credentials, gradually isolated families and controlled their lives for seven years.

Person: Curtis Reynolds
Event: Discovery of a waterlogged binder
Location: Lander's Pond, New Hampshire
Period: Seven years
Organization: Covenant Learning Cooperative

- A fisherman named Troy Sheridan found a three-ring binder weighted with a concrete block in Lander's Pond on December 9, 2014.
- Teresa Hansen, 51, left a farm compound three weeks before the binder's discovery, having not spoken freely with her sister in over six years.
- Curtis Reynolds, 44, had no documented credentials or teaching license in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine.
- Molly, Teresa's daughter, entered the cooperative at 12 and was 19 when it ended, without a single state-recognized academic credential.
- Reynolds had previously operated similar arrangements for eight months in Rutland, Vermont, eleven months in Keene, New Hampshire, and eight months in Pryor's Crossing, Maine.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137818Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Teacher Who Stole Seven Years of Childhood Imagine finding a waterlogged binder in a pond, weighted down with concrete, containing evidence of a private belief system designed for children. This discovery would expose how a man with no...
Imagine finding a waterlogged binder in a pond, weighted down with concrete, containing evidence of a private belief system designed for children. This discovery would expose how a man with no credentials and multiple aliases built a closed world around fourteen families, promising education but delivering isolation. What hidden truths did this binder reveal about the Covenant Learning Cooperative?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Teresa Hansen, a single mother who, seeking the best for her daughter Molly, enrolled her in a learning cooperative that promised individualized progression. We explore how Curtis Reynolds, despite having no teaching license or documented credentials, gradually isolated families and controlled their lives for seven years.

Person: Curtis Reynolds
Event: Discovery of a waterlogged binder
Location: Lander's Pond, New Hampshire
Period: Seven years
Organization: Covenant Learning Cooperative

- A fisherman named Troy Sheridan found a three-ring binder weighted with a concrete block in Lander's Pond on December 9, 2014.
- Teresa Hansen, 51, left a farm compound three weeks before the binder's discovery, having not spoken freely with her sister in over six years.
- Curtis Reynolds, 44, had no documented credentials or teaching license in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine.
- Molly, Teresa's daughter, entered the cooperative at 12 and was 19 when it ended, without a single state-recognized academic credential.
- Reynolds had previously operated similar arrangements for eight months in Rutland, Vermont, eleven months in Keene, New Hampshire, and eight months in Pryor's Crossing, Maine.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1374falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-that-stole-their-savings-and-their-souls--73137817
Imagine discovering a children's sled zip-tied to a dock, holding a binder with 41 signed promissory notes, each surrendering a portion "in trust of the harvest." What kind of organization would collect such documents, and why did it not legally exist anywhere in Oregon?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Tidemark Collective, an unregistered organization that drew 22 people to a remote peninsula on the northern Oregon coast. We explore how Lloyd Lawson, at 43 and recently divorced, was drawn into this community by a man named Steven Griffin, and how the Collective operated with a unique grammar that obscured its true nature.

Person: Grant Holt
Date: November 2019
Location: Pelican Flat, Oregon
Item: Binder with 41 promissory notes
Organization: Tidemark Collective

- A county surveyor found a binder with 41 signed promissory notes on a dock.
- The Tidemark Collective was never registered as an LLC, nonprofit, or DBA in Oregon.
- Lloyd Lawson transferred $4,200 and moved to Pelican Flat in November 2017.
- Twenty-two members lived in converted outbuildings and repurposed trailers on the peninsula.
- Every Tidemark Collective vessel had a blank laminated sheet in place of its required operating license.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137817Fri, 21 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult That Stole Their Savings and Their Souls Imagine discovering a children's sled zip-tied to a dock, holding a binder with 41 signed promissory notes, each surrendering a portion "in trust of the harvest." What kind of organization would...
Imagine discovering a children's sled zip-tied to a dock, holding a binder with 41 signed promissory notes, each surrendering a portion "in trust of the harvest." What kind of organization would collect such documents, and why did it not legally exist anywhere in Oregon?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Tidemark Collective, an unregistered organization that drew 22 people to a remote peninsula on the northern Oregon coast. We explore how Lloyd Lawson, at 43 and recently divorced, was drawn into this community by a man named Steven Griffin, and how the Collective operated with a unique grammar that obscured its true nature.

Person: Grant Holt
Date: November 2019
Location: Pelican Flat, Oregon
Item: Binder with 41 promissory notes
Organization: Tidemark Collective

- A county surveyor found a binder with 41 signed promissory notes on a dock.
- The Tidemark Collective was never registered as an LLC, nonprofit, or DBA in Oregon.
- Lloyd Lawson transferred $4,200 and moved to Pelican Flat in November 2017.
- Twenty-two members lived in converted outbuildings and repurposed trailers on the peninsula.
- Every Tidemark Collective vessel had a blank laminated sheet in place of its required operating license.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1562falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-woman-baker-handled-her-name-was-never-spoken--73137816
Imagine finding a woman writing in an unknown language, her notebook filled with symbols invented by a man now serving consecutive sentences. This discovery was not a cry for help, but something far more unsettling. What secret did these forty-seven pages hold, and what did they reveal about the Aldenmoor Fellowship?

In this episode, we explore the story of Wendy Webb, a woman who gave her savings, her phone, and her language to a constructed reality. We uncover the details of Philip Baker's Valdric workshops and the Aldenmoor Fellowship, and how a single footnote led to the unraveling of a carefully constructed deception.

Person: Wendy Webb
Date: October 14, 2011
Location: Aldenmoor Fellowship granary
Status: Philip Baker is serving consecutive sentences
Topic: Constructed language and financial fraud

- Wendy Webb was found writing in a notebook filled with 47 pages of symbols in an alphabet invented by Philip Baker.
- She had been inside the Aldenmoor Fellowship for two and a half years, having given her savings, phone, and language.
- Philip Baker, 41, taught his first Valdric workshop in a rented room above a print shop in Medford.
- Monthly dues for the Aldenmoor Fellowship began at $300 and climbed to $900 per month for Wendy by January 2011.
- Steven Platt, a former member, discovered a structural error in a citation within Baker's "Valdric: Origins and Scholarship" document.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137816Thu, 20 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Woman Baker "Handled": Her Name Was Never Spoken Imagine finding a woman writing in an unknown language, her notebook filled with symbols invented by a man now serving consecutive sentences. This discovery was not a cry for help, but something...
Imagine finding a woman writing in an unknown language, her notebook filled with symbols invented by a man now serving consecutive sentences. This discovery was not a cry for help, but something far more unsettling. What secret did these forty-seven pages hold, and what did they reveal about the Aldenmoor Fellowship?

In this episode, we explore the story of Wendy Webb, a woman who gave her savings, her phone, and her language to a constructed reality. We uncover the details of Philip Baker's Valdric workshops and the Aldenmoor Fellowship, and how a single footnote led to the unraveling of a carefully constructed deception.

Person: Wendy Webb
Date: October 14, 2011
Location: Aldenmoor Fellowship granary
Status: Philip Baker is serving consecutive sentences
Topic: Constructed language and financial fraud

- Wendy Webb was found writing in a notebook filled with 47 pages of symbols in an alphabet invented by Philip Baker.
- She had been inside the Aldenmoor Fellowship for two and a half years, having given her savings, phone, and language.
- Philip Baker, 41, taught his first Valdric workshop in a rented room above a print shop in Medford.
- Monthly dues for the Aldenmoor Fellowship began at $300 and climbed to $900 per month for Wendy by January 2011.
- Steven Platt, a former member, discovered a structural error in a citation within Baker's "Valdric: Origins and Scholarship" document.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1571falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-widow-s-mirror-how-a-cult-stole-identities-in-plain-sight--73137815
Imagine finding a five-foot mirror, weighing sixty-three pounds, propped against a dead silver maple in a remote marsh, with the name "CONSTANCE - THE WIDOW" taped across it. Four sets of footprints faced inward, toward the glass, suggesting a ritual, not a discard. What dark secret did this mirror hold, and who was Constance?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story behind that mirror, tracing it back three years to a small Missouri town where ordinary people were quietly given new identities and lives inside a building called the Calloway Mill. We uncover how a charismatic leader systematically isolated and transformed individuals, leaving loved ones to grapple with the sudden, inexplicable changes in those they knew best.

Case: The Widow's Mirror
Location: Calloway Flats, Dunning, Missouri
Date: September 14, 2011
Person: Heather McCarthy
Organization: Amber Stage Cultural Cooperative

- A five-foot, sixty-three-pound theatrical mirror was found in a wetland marsh.
- The mirror had "CONSTANCE - THE WIDOW" written on it in black marker.
- Four sets of footprints were found pressed into the mud around the mirror's base.
- Heather McCarthy transferred forty-one thousand dollars to the cooperative in March 2009.
- James Myers, the founder, falsely claimed conservatory training in London in the 1980s.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137815Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Widow's Mirror: How a Cult Stole Identities in Plain Sight Imagine finding a five-foot mirror, weighing sixty-three pounds, propped against a dead silver maple in a remote marsh, with the name "CONSTANCE - THE WIDOW" taped across it. Four sets...
Imagine finding a five-foot mirror, weighing sixty-three pounds, propped against a dead silver maple in a remote marsh, with the name "CONSTANCE - THE WIDOW" taped across it. Four sets of footprints faced inward, toward the glass, suggesting a ritual, not a discard. What dark secret did this mirror hold, and who was Constance?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story behind that mirror, tracing it back three years to a small Missouri town where ordinary people were quietly given new identities and lives inside a building called the Calloway Mill. We uncover how a charismatic leader systematically isolated and transformed individuals, leaving loved ones to grapple with the sudden, inexplicable changes in those they knew best.

Case: The Widow's Mirror
Location: Calloway Flats, Dunning, Missouri
Date: September 14, 2011
Person: Heather McCarthy
Organization: Amber Stage Cultural Cooperative

- A five-foot, sixty-three-pound theatrical mirror was found in a wetland marsh.
- The mirror had "CONSTANCE - THE WIDOW" written on it in black marker.
- Four sets of footprints were found pressed into the mud around the mirror's base.
- Heather McCarthy transferred forty-one thousand dollars to the cooperative in March 2009.
- James Myers, the founder, falsely claimed conservatory training in London in the 1980s.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1418falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-girl-they-left-behind-bellhaven-s-last-member--73137814
Imagine waking to find everyone you know gone, leaving you as the sole survivor of a mysterious disappearance. This is the chilling reality that faced Donna Duncan, the last member of the Bellhaven community, when 17 people vanished overnight. What secrets did a filing cabinet left on a gravel road reveal about the cult leader who orchestrated their lives?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story of Donna Duncan, a young woman who joined the Thornfield Network, a group led by Norman Powell, and found herself at the center of a baffling event. We uncover the calculated methods Powell used to draw in susceptible young adults and the dramatic morning when his carefully constructed world unraveled.

Person: Donna Duncan
Date: August 14, 2011
Location: Bellhaven Farm, Tillman County
Event: Disappearance of 17 community members
Group: Thornfield Network

- Ryan Young, 16, discovered a gray, four-drawer filing cabinet with papers fanned out eight feet wide.
- 18 people lived at Bellhaven Farm; 17 were gone by the morning of August 14, 2011.
- Donna Duncan, 20, was found sitting on the back step of the farmhouse with a cold mug of coffee.
- Norman Powell, 51, founded the Thornfield Network and purchased 112 acres for Bellhaven.
- Donna had completed two years of community college studying early childhood education before joining the group.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137814Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:00:03 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Girl They Left Behind: Bellhaven's Last Member Imagine waking to find everyone you know gone, leaving you as the sole survivor of a mysterious disappearance. This is the chilling reality that faced Donna Duncan, the last member of the Bellhaven...
Imagine waking to find everyone you know gone, leaving you as the sole survivor of a mysterious disappearance. This is the chilling reality that faced Donna Duncan, the last member of the Bellhaven community, when 17 people vanished overnight. What secrets did a filing cabinet left on a gravel road reveal about the cult leader who orchestrated their lives?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story of Donna Duncan, a young woman who joined the Thornfield Network, a group led by Norman Powell, and found herself at the center of a baffling event. We uncover the calculated methods Powell used to draw in susceptible young adults and the dramatic morning when his carefully constructed world unraveled.

Person: Donna Duncan
Date: August 14, 2011
Location: Bellhaven Farm, Tillman County
Event: Disappearance of 17 community members
Group: Thornfield Network

- Ryan Young, 16, discovered a gray, four-drawer filing cabinet with papers fanned out eight feet wide.
- 18 people lived at Bellhaven Farm; 17 were gone by the morning of August 14, 2011.
- Donna Duncan, 20, was found sitting on the back step of the farmhouse with a cold mug of coffee.
- Norman Powell, 51, founded the Thornfield Network and purchased 112 acres for Bellhaven.
- Donna had completed two years of community college studying early childhood education before joining the group.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1552falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-diabetic-cat-that-escaped-a-cult--73137812
A meticulously organized woman, devoted to her diabetic cat, suddenly abandons it with only a note detailing its insulin schedule. What compelled her to leave everything behind, and how did a three-ring binder full of redacted letters expose a hidden cult?

In this episode, we explore the strange circumstances surrounding Marie Hughes's disappearance from a communal farmhouse and the unusual clues that led investigators to uncover a secretive group. We delve into the gradual manipulation that drew her in and the desperate act that ultimately revealed the truth.

Person: Gina Duncan
Date: July 3, 2011
Location: County Route 9
Animal: Biscuit
Group: Fenwick Grief and Loss Support Circle

- Gina Duncan, a road grader operator, found a three-ring binder with dozens of letters along County Route 9.
- The letters had rectangular cuts where names and places had been removed with scissors.
- Marie Hughes, 38, worked in medical billing at Fenwick Grief Hospital for eleven years.
- She joined the Fenwick Grief and Loss Support Circle in September 2009, 14 months after her mother's death.
- By spring 2011, eleven people were living communally in a farmhouse on Colbert Road, seven miles east of Fenwick.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137812Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Diabetic Cat That Escaped a Cult A meticulously organized woman, devoted to her diabetic cat, suddenly abandons it with only a note detailing its insulin schedule. What compelled her to leave everything behind, and how did a three-ring binder...
A meticulously organized woman, devoted to her diabetic cat, suddenly abandons it with only a note detailing its insulin schedule. What compelled her to leave everything behind, and how did a three-ring binder full of redacted letters expose a hidden cult?

In this episode, we explore the strange circumstances surrounding Marie Hughes's disappearance from a communal farmhouse and the unusual clues that led investigators to uncover a secretive group. We delve into the gradual manipulation that drew her in and the desperate act that ultimately revealed the truth.

Person: Gina Duncan
Date: July 3, 2011
Location: County Route 9
Animal: Biscuit
Group: Fenwick Grief and Loss Support Circle

- Gina Duncan, a road grader operator, found a three-ring binder with dozens of letters along County Route 9.
- The letters had rectangular cuts where names and places had been removed with scissors.
- Marie Hughes, 38, worked in medical billing at Fenwick Grief Hospital for eleven years.
- She joined the Fenwick Grief and Loss Support Circle in September 2009, 14 months after her mother's death.
- By spring 2011, eleven people were living communally in a farmhouse on Colbert Road, seven miles east of Fenwick.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1609falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-birthday-cake-was-still-burning-they-were-gone--73137811
Imagine discovering a birthday cake with 37 burning candles, yet not a single person is in sight on a secluded compound. All 43 sleeping bags are neatly rolled, enough food for a year is stored, and a generator hums, but the eleven residents are gone. What happened to the people of the Seventh Meridian?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of a group from a compound on Braddock Mill Road, leaving behind a burning birthday cake and an empty property. We delve into the origins of the Seventh Meridian, tracing its beginnings to a grief support group in Carver Falls, Pennsylvania, and the man who orchestrated its formation.

Person: Rebecca O'Connor
Date: June 14, 2011
Location: Braddock Mill Road compound
Document: The Boundary Record
Group: The Seventh Meridian

- Rebecca O'Connor found 37 white candles burning on a cake, with wax pooled eleven millimeters down.
- The fire marshal determined the cake had been lit less than 90 minutes before O'Connor's arrival.
- All 43 sleeping bags were found rolled and neatly tied inside the main hall.
- The root cellar contained enough preserved food to last for one year.
- Rhonda Schultz, a medical billing coordinator, joined the Seventh Meridian in October 2007 with $94,000 in savings.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137811Sun, 16 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Birthday Cake Was Still Burning. They Were Gone Imagine discovering a birthday cake with 37 burning candles, yet not a single person is in sight on a secluded compound. All 43 sleeping bags are neatly rolled, enough food for a year is stored,...
Imagine discovering a birthday cake with 37 burning candles, yet not a single person is in sight on a secluded compound. All 43 sleeping bags are neatly rolled, enough food for a year is stored, and a generator hums, but the eleven residents are gone. What happened to the people of the Seventh Meridian?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of a group from a compound on Braddock Mill Road, leaving behind a burning birthday cake and an empty property. We delve into the origins of the Seventh Meridian, tracing its beginnings to a grief support group in Carver Falls, Pennsylvania, and the man who orchestrated its formation.

Person: Rebecca O'Connor
Date: June 14, 2011
Location: Braddock Mill Road compound
Document: The Boundary Record
Group: The Seventh Meridian

- Rebecca O'Connor found 37 white candles burning on a cake, with wax pooled eleven millimeters down.
- The fire marshal determined the cake had been lit less than 90 minutes before O'Connor's arrival.
- All 43 sleeping bags were found rolled and neatly tied inside the main hall.
- The root cellar contained enough preserved food to last for one year.
- Rhonda Schultz, a medical billing coordinator, joined the Seventh Meridian in October 2007 with $94,000 in savings.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1668falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-yellow-rocking-chair-a-cult-s-unexplained-secret--73137810
A woman on her morning run discovered a yellow rocking chair outside a storage unit, leading to the unraveling of a two-year operation that cost families their savings and mineral rights. What unexplained secret did this seemingly innocuous object conceal about the Steadfast Assembly?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Chad O'Brien, a dedicated bowler and hardware store worker whose sudden disappearance from his routine raised alarms among his teammates. We explore how his involvement with Terry Whitfield and the Steadfast Assembly at Grelen led to the mysterious opening of a lockbox containing forty-seven savings bonds.

Person: Tammy York
Date: May 7, 2009
Location: Carver County
Organization: Steadfast Assembly
Crime: Wire fraud

- Tammy York found a yellow rocking chair and documents at 6:40 AM on May 7, 2009.
- Inside storage unit thirty-one, investigators uncovered evidence of a two-year operation.
- Chad O'Brien, a young man with a 212 bowling average, vanished from his Tuesday league in June 2007.
- Terry Whitfield, the leader of the Steadfast Assembly, was 41 years old and had a history of check fraud and misappropriation of communal funds.
- Forty-seven savings bonds purchased for Chad O'Brien over a decade went missing from a lockbox at O'Brien Hardware.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137810Sat, 15 Aug 2026 23:00:03 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Yellow Rocking Chair: A Cult's Unexplained Secret A woman on her morning run discovered a yellow rocking chair outside a storage unit, leading to the unraveling of a two-year operation that cost families their savings and mineral rights. What...
A woman on her morning run discovered a yellow rocking chair outside a storage unit, leading to the unraveling of a two-year operation that cost families their savings and mineral rights. What unexplained secret did this seemingly innocuous object conceal about the Steadfast Assembly?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Chad O'Brien, a dedicated bowler and hardware store worker whose sudden disappearance from his routine raised alarms among his teammates. We explore how his involvement with Terry Whitfield and the Steadfast Assembly at Grelen led to the mysterious opening of a lockbox containing forty-seven savings bonds.

Person: Tammy York
Date: May 7, 2009
Location: Carver County
Organization: Steadfast Assembly
Crime: Wire fraud

- Tammy York found a yellow rocking chair and documents at 6:40 AM on May 7, 2009.
- Inside storage unit thirty-one, investigators uncovered evidence of a two-year operation.
- Chad O'Brien, a young man with a 212 bowling average, vanished from his Tuesday league in June 2007.
- Terry Whitfield, the leader of the Steadfast Assembly, was 41 years old and had a history of check fraud and misappropriation of communal funds.
- Forty-seven savings bonds purchased for Chad O'Brien over a decade went missing from a lockbox at O'Brien Hardware.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1649falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/eleven-empty-cups-the-sycamore-path-deception--73137809
Imagine discovering a scene of eerie abandonment: eleven ceramic cups, neatly arranged, but with no one left to drink from them. This chilling image was the first clue in a case of alleged deception at a seemingly peaceful wellness retreat in rural Tennessee. What dark secrets did these empty cups conceal?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of Sycamore Path, a wellness center that promised healing but delivered something far more sinister. We explore how a man named Carl Morris allegedly exploited the vulnerabilities of women seeking help, using meticulously gathered personal information to extend their stays and drain their finances.

Case: Sycamore Path Deception
Location: Harwick, Tennessee
Period: 2015-2019
Person: Carl Morris
Victims: Eleven participants

- On April 14, 2019, a utility meter reader discovered eleven white ceramic cups, each bearing a "Sycamore Path" logo, at an abandoned property.
- Inside one cup, investigators found a key that unlocked a room containing detailed paperwork on participants' vulnerabilities and finances.
- Carl Morris, the founder, allegedly charged eleven participants $68,000 between 2015 and 2019.
- Morris claimed two fake credentials: a master's degree from a college shut down in 2012 and a certification from a non-existent council.
- Amanda Hamilton, a participant, unknowingly signed an automatic extension clause authorizing weekly charges of $1,100.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137809Fri, 14 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaEleven Empty Cups: The Sycamore Path Deception Imagine discovering a scene of eerie abandonment: eleven ceramic cups, neatly arranged, but with no one left to drink from them. This chilling image was the first clue in a case of alleged deception at...
Imagine discovering a scene of eerie abandonment: eleven ceramic cups, neatly arranged, but with no one left to drink from them. This chilling image was the first clue in a case of alleged deception at a seemingly peaceful wellness retreat in rural Tennessee. What dark secrets did these empty cups conceal?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling story of Sycamore Path, a wellness center that promised healing but delivered something far more sinister. We explore how a man named Carl Morris allegedly exploited the vulnerabilities of women seeking help, using meticulously gathered personal information to extend their stays and drain their finances.

Case: Sycamore Path Deception
Location: Harwick, Tennessee
Period: 2015-2019
Person: Carl Morris
Victims: Eleven participants

- On April 14, 2019, a utility meter reader discovered eleven white ceramic cups, each bearing a "Sycamore Path" logo, at an abandoned property.
- Inside one cup, investigators found a key that unlocked a room containing detailed paperwork on participants' vulnerabilities and finances.
- Carl Morris, the founder, allegedly charged eleven participants $68,000 between 2015 and 2019.
- Morris claimed two fake credentials: a master's degree from a college shut down in 2012 and a certification from a non-existent council.
- Amanda Hamilton, a participant, unknowingly signed an automatic extension clause authorizing weekly charges of $1,100.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1443falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-clocks-all-stopped-inside-the-harlan-road-cult--73137807
Imagine finding thirty-one clocks, all stopped at 4:47 AM, their pins pushed in by hand, in a farmhouse that has been empty for three days. This chilling scene was just the beginning of a mystery that would unravel into a disturbing story of control and manipulation. What really happened on Harlan Road?

In this episode, we explore the story of eighteen people who surrendered their lives to a man they called their teacher, focusing on the unsettling details of their journey into a cult. We delve into how a seemingly ordinary rummage sale led Diane Quinn, a reliable woman from Evers, Indiana, into the Covenant of Restored Light, and the profound changes that followed.

Person: Diane Quinn
Date: March 2017
Location: Harlan Road
Group: Covenant of Restored Light
Leader: Robert Simmons

- Thirty-one clocks were found stopped at 4:47 AM in a farmhouse.
- Eighteen adults transferred their personal savings into a shared fund.
- Diane Quinn, 31, resigned from her job in July 2017 after attending 41 consecutive meetings.
- Robert Simmons, 53, presented himself as a survivor of serious illness with a spiritual calling.
- The group grew to nineteen regular attendees by autumn of 2017.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137807Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Clocks All Stopped: Inside the Harlan Road Cult Imagine finding thirty-one clocks, all stopped at 4:47 AM, their pins pushed in by hand, in a farmhouse that has been empty for three days. This chilling scene was just the beginning of a mystery...
Imagine finding thirty-one clocks, all stopped at 4:47 AM, their pins pushed in by hand, in a farmhouse that has been empty for three days. This chilling scene was just the beginning of a mystery that would unravel into a disturbing story of control and manipulation. What really happened on Harlan Road?

In this episode, we explore the story of eighteen people who surrendered their lives to a man they called their teacher, focusing on the unsettling details of their journey into a cult. We delve into how a seemingly ordinary rummage sale led Diane Quinn, a reliable woman from Evers, Indiana, into the Covenant of Restored Light, and the profound changes that followed.

Person: Diane Quinn
Date: March 2017
Location: Harlan Road
Group: Covenant of Restored Light
Leader: Robert Simmons

- Thirty-one clocks were found stopped at 4:47 AM in a farmhouse.
- Eighteen adults transferred their personal savings into a shared fund.
- Diane Quinn, 31, resigned from her job in July 2017 after attending 41 consecutive meetings.
- Robert Simmons, 53, presented himself as a survivor of serious illness with a spiritual calling.
- The group grew to nineteen regular attendees by autumn of 2017.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1493falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-letters-he-knew-all-their-fears--73137806
Imagine finding 47 perfectly dry letters in a frozen culvert, each addressed to a real person by first name only, each revealing a deeply private fear. How did these secrets, ranging from medical worries to financial shame, end up exposed in such an unsettling way?

In this episode, we delve into the discovery of these mysterious letters and the group behind them, the Clarity Circle, led by Michael Bennett. We explore how Bennett, despite false credentials, built a following by making people feel truly heard, collecting their deepest fears in confidential "clarity interviews."

Event: Discovery of 47 letters
Date: February 9, 2021
Location: Marie Gray Trail, Crellan County
Person: Diane Moss (dog groomer), Michael Bennett (Clarity Circle leader)
Group: The Clarity Circle

- A clear plastic binder containing 47 letters was found on a frozen culvert after four days of snow and sleet.
- Each letter was addressed by first name only and contained a private fear disclosed in confidence.
- Michael Bennett, 44, introduced himself with a graduate certificate in behavioral psychology and experience at a trauma-recovery nonprofit, neither of which were true.
- The Clarity Circle started in early 2017, holding meetings in the basement of a Lutheran church in Portsmith Township.
- By early 2019, six members were living full-time in a four-bedroom rental, referred to as the "clarity house."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137806Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Letters: He Knew All Their Fears Imagine finding 47 perfectly dry letters in a frozen culvert, each addressed to a real person by first name only, each revealing a deeply private fear. How did these secrets, ranging from medical worries to...
Imagine finding 47 perfectly dry letters in a frozen culvert, each addressed to a real person by first name only, each revealing a deeply private fear. How did these secrets, ranging from medical worries to financial shame, end up exposed in such an unsettling way?

In this episode, we delve into the discovery of these mysterious letters and the group behind them, the Clarity Circle, led by Michael Bennett. We explore how Bennett, despite false credentials, built a following by making people feel truly heard, collecting their deepest fears in confidential "clarity interviews."

Event: Discovery of 47 letters
Date: February 9, 2021
Location: Marie Gray Trail, Crellan County
Person: Diane Moss (dog groomer), Michael Bennett (Clarity Circle leader)
Group: The Clarity Circle

- A clear plastic binder containing 47 letters was found on a frozen culvert after four days of snow and sleet.
- Each letter was addressed by first name only and contained a private fear disclosed in confidence.
- Michael Bennett, 44, introduced himself with a graduate certificate in behavioral psychology and experience at a trauma-recovery nonprofit, neither of which were true.
- The Clarity Circle started in early 2017, holding meetings in the basement of a Lutheran church in Portsmith Township.
- By early 2019, six members were living full-time in a four-bedroom rental, referred to as the "clarity house."

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1389falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-badge-that-undid-a-cult-s-perfect-lie--73137805
A plastic badge, found in a creek at dawn, revealed a chilling secret: a "PROVISIONAL MEMBER" card for a woman who, according to internal records, should have been a full member for months. This discrepancy exposed a hidden system of control within a seemingly benign wellness group, raising the question of how many others were trapped in its web.

In this episode, we uncover the story of Sherry Tate, a dedicated nurse from Missouri, and her two-year journey inside the Pure Meridian Health Fellowship. We explore how a single badge, discovered by a stranger, became the key to unraveling a cult built on deception and the manipulation of vulnerable individuals.

Person: Sherry Tate
Location: Callow Creek, Denton County
Date: January 14, 2011
Organization: Pure Meridian Health Fellowship
Leader: Frank Brooks

- A volunteer fisherman found a badge reading "PROVISIONAL MEMBER" in Callow Creek.
- Records showed the woman named on the badge had been promoted to Full Standing nine months prior.
- Sherry Tate, a licensed practical nurse, had $32,000 in savings after her divorce in 2007.
- Frank Brooks, the Fellowship's leader, had no verifiable credentials and had operated a similar group in Peoria, Illinois, under the name Frank Brooks.
- Sherry transferred her entire $32,000 savings into Brooks's "Land Trust."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137805Tue, 11 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Badge That Undid a Cult's Perfect Lie A plastic badge, found in a creek at dawn, revealed a chilling secret: a "PROVISIONAL MEMBER" card for a woman who, according to internal records, should have been a full member for months. This discrepancy...
A plastic badge, found in a creek at dawn, revealed a chilling secret: a "PROVISIONAL MEMBER" card for a woman who, according to internal records, should have been a full member for months. This discrepancy exposed a hidden system of control within a seemingly benign wellness group, raising the question of how many others were trapped in its web.

In this episode, we uncover the story of Sherry Tate, a dedicated nurse from Missouri, and her two-year journey inside the Pure Meridian Health Fellowship. We explore how a single badge, discovered by a stranger, became the key to unraveling a cult built on deception and the manipulation of vulnerable individuals.

Person: Sherry Tate
Location: Callow Creek, Denton County
Date: January 14, 2011
Organization: Pure Meridian Health Fellowship
Leader: Frank Brooks

- A volunteer fisherman found a badge reading "PROVISIONAL MEMBER" in Callow Creek.
- Records showed the woman named on the badge had been promoted to Full Standing nine months prior.
- Sherry Tate, a licensed practical nurse, had $32,000 in savings after her divorce in 2007.
- Frank Brooks, the Fellowship's leader, had no verifiable credentials and had operated a similar group in Peoria, Illinois, under the name Frank Brooks.
- Sherry transferred her entire $32,000 savings into Brooks's "Land Trust."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1599falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-where-swings-moved-themselves--73137804
Imagine stumbling upon an abandoned property where swings move on their own, on a windless day, in freezing temperatures. This chilling discovery outside Belvane, Tennessee, led authorities to an empty compound with 73 cots, financial ledgers, and a notebook detailing infractions and punishments. What dark secrets did the Perpetual Season Learning Community hide, and how did it vanish without a trace?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Lakeview Pines, a supposed residential learning community founded by Dawn Stroud, a charismatic woman who lured vulnerable individuals like Dean Johnson into her orbit. We explore the community's daily life, its financial demands, and the shocking truth about Stroud's past. How did this cult operate invisibly for so long, and what was the true cost to those who joined?

Date: December 14, 2019
Location: Belvane, Tennessee
Discovery: Empty compound with 73 cots
Founder: Dawn Stroud (aka Sandra Moray)
Victim: Dean Johnson

- Terry Walker observed two swings moving rhythmically for four minutes on a windless day.
- Deputies found a sign above a dining hall door reading "Every day is the first day of camp."
- The property contained a locked metal cabinet with identity documents for eighteen adults.
- Dawn Stroud, 44, introduced herself at a public library game night in early February 2017.
- Dean Johnson, 27, handed over $11,000, including proceeds from selling his deceased father's truck.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137804Mon, 10 Aug 2026 23:00:03 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult Where Swings Moved Themselves Imagine stumbling upon an abandoned property where swings move on their own, on a windless day, in freezing temperatures. This chilling discovery outside Belvane, Tennessee, led authorities to an empty...
Imagine stumbling upon an abandoned property where swings move on their own, on a windless day, in freezing temperatures. This chilling discovery outside Belvane, Tennessee, led authorities to an empty compound with 73 cots, financial ledgers, and a notebook detailing infractions and punishments. What dark secrets did the Perpetual Season Learning Community hide, and how did it vanish without a trace?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Lakeview Pines, a supposed residential learning community founded by Dawn Stroud, a charismatic woman who lured vulnerable individuals like Dean Johnson into her orbit. We explore the community's daily life, its financial demands, and the shocking truth about Stroud's past. How did this cult operate invisibly for so long, and what was the true cost to those who joined?

Date: December 14, 2019
Location: Belvane, Tennessee
Discovery: Empty compound with 73 cots
Founder: Dawn Stroud (aka Sandra Moray)
Victim: Dean Johnson

- Terry Walker observed two swings moving rhythmically for four minutes on a windless day.
- Deputies found a sign above a dining hall door reading "Every day is the first day of camp."
- The property contained a locked metal cabinet with identity documents for eighteen adults.
- Dawn Stroud, 44, introduced herself at a public library game night in early February 2017.
- Dean Johnson, 27, handed over $11,000, including proceeds from selling his deceased father's truck.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1586falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-shredder-was-still-warm-they-gave-everything--73137803
Imagine discovering a paper shredder still warm, its output basket empty, and thin strips of deed paper scattered across the ground. What happened to the community of eight to fourteen adults who believed they were building something that would outlast them, and why did they give up everything?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery made by a septic contractor in rural Tennessee and trace the origins of a community built on a vision that concealed a hidden agenda. We uncover the story of Neil Hunter, a man who presented himself as a community planning specialist, and the legal architecture he engineered to quietly reclassify ownership stakes, leaving members with nothing.

Date: November 4, 2009
Location: Dunnfield, Western Tennessee
Person: Robert Slater
Organization: Shared Living Resource Collaborative
Event: Disappearance of Meridian Compact Residential Trust members

- A paper shredder was found running on an orange extension cord, its output basket empty.
- The whiteboard in the barn read: "MERIDIAN IS THE ONLY TITLE THAT MATTERS."
- The community housed between eight and fourteen adults who had signed documents and some had given up life savings.
- Neil Hunter, 41, presented a blue-covered charter document at a seminar in Nashville in 2004.
- The operative document, filed with the state of Tennessee in March 2003, differed from the blue-covered version in twelve provisions.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137803Sun, 09 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Shredder Was Still Warm: They Gave Everything Imagine discovering a paper shredder still warm, its output basket empty, and thin strips of deed paper scattered across the ground. What happened to the community of eight to fourteen adults who...
Imagine discovering a paper shredder still warm, its output basket empty, and thin strips of deed paper scattered across the ground. What happened to the community of eight to fourteen adults who believed they were building something that would outlast them, and why did they give up everything?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery made by a septic contractor in rural Tennessee and trace the origins of a community built on a vision that concealed a hidden agenda. We uncover the story of Neil Hunter, a man who presented himself as a community planning specialist, and the legal architecture he engineered to quietly reclassify ownership stakes, leaving members with nothing.

Date: November 4, 2009
Location: Dunnfield, Western Tennessee
Person: Robert Slater
Organization: Shared Living Resource Collaborative
Event: Disappearance of Meridian Compact Residential Trust members

- A paper shredder was found running on an orange extension cord, its output basket empty.
- The whiteboard in the barn read: "MERIDIAN IS THE ONLY TITLE THAT MATTERS."
- The community housed between eight and fourteen adults who had signed documents and some had given up life savings.
- Neil Hunter, 41, presented a blue-covered charter document at a seminar in Nashville in 2004.
- The operative document, filed with the state of Tennessee in March 2003, differed from the blue-covered version in twelve provisions.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1648falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-of-the-scored-word-she-walked-out-barefoot--73137801
Imagine stumbling upon a stack of handwritten musical scores, a shattered watch, and a cryptic note: "She has been returned to the source." This was the scene a retired postal worker discovered, leading to the unraveling of a hidden cult in Braford, Georgia. What secrets did the music hold, and who was the young woman who escaped its grasp?

In this episode, we explore the origins and operations of a secretive group built around a charismatic composer and his "tonal memory" theory. We learn how a community college student, drawn by the promise of meaningful music, became entangled in a system that extracted over ninety thousand dollars from its members.

Person: Nancy Vaughn
Location: Braford, Georgia
Event: Discovery of handwritten scores
Date: October 21, 2017
Topic: Cult activity

- Scott Hicks found forty handwritten pages of musical scores and a shattered wristwatch.
- Nancy Vaughn, 22, walked 2.5 miles barefoot to a payphone to call her sister.
- Dean Hansen, 44, arrived in Braford in spring 2016, claiming to be a composer.
- A journalist confirmed that Dean Hansen and Professor Albert Soane did not exist at the Wickham School of Music.
- Sandra Poole, a bookkeeper, noted that $8,000 in group contributions only matched $400 in identifiable costs.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137801Sat, 08 Aug 2026 23:00:04 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult of the Scored Word: She Walked Out Barefoot Imagine stumbling upon a stack of handwritten musical scores, a shattered watch, and a cryptic note: "She has been returned to the source." This was the scene a retired postal worker discovered,...
Imagine stumbling upon a stack of handwritten musical scores, a shattered watch, and a cryptic note: "She has been returned to the source." This was the scene a retired postal worker discovered, leading to the unraveling of a hidden cult in Braford, Georgia. What secrets did the music hold, and who was the young woman who escaped its grasp?

In this episode, we explore the origins and operations of a secretive group built around a charismatic composer and his "tonal memory" theory. We learn how a community college student, drawn by the promise of meaningful music, became entangled in a system that extracted over ninety thousand dollars from its members.

Person: Nancy Vaughn
Location: Braford, Georgia
Event: Discovery of handwritten scores
Date: October 21, 2017
Topic: Cult activity

- Scott Hicks found forty handwritten pages of musical scores and a shattered wristwatch.
- Nancy Vaughn, 22, walked 2.5 miles barefoot to a payphone to call her sister.
- Dean Hansen, 44, arrived in Braford in spring 2016, claiming to be a composer.
- A journalist confirmed that Dean Hansen and Professor Albert Soane did not exist at the Wickham School of Music.
- Sandra Poole, a bookkeeper, noted that $8,000 in group contributions only matched $400 in identifiable costs.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1474falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-jar-on-the-doorstep-cellular-yield-confirmed--73137799
A glass jar with pale amber liquid, found on a doorstep, confirmed "cellular yield" and unraveled a three-year deception by a man posing as a physician. This single object, discovered after a house sat locked for eleven days, exposed the dark secrets of a cult. What was inside the jar, and what did it reveal about the Purification Collective?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Lauren Sanders, a methodical woman diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder, who sought help from Harvey Campbell's residential wellness program. We explore how Campbell, a man with no medical license, built the Purification Collective and the devastating cost to those who believed in his promises of "cellular-level recalibration."

Person: Lauren Sanders
Location: Eastern Collier Springs, Ohio
Organization: The Purification Collective
Program Cost: $1,800 (three-month residential program)
Year: 2018

- A 15-year-old girl found the jar wedged between a screen door and frame.
- The house had been locked for eleven days when the jar was discovered.
- Lauren Sanders was 38 years old when she enrolled in Harvey Campbell's program.
- Campbell charged three participants a combined $41,000 for "supplementary clinical services."
- The residential program was located in Dunmore Acres, a converted farmstead near Patton Wells.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137799Fri, 07 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Jar on the Doorstep: Cellular Yield Confirmed A glass jar with pale amber liquid, found on a doorstep, confirmed "cellular yield" and unraveled a three-year deception by a man posing as a physician. This single object, discovered after a house...
A glass jar with pale amber liquid, found on a doorstep, confirmed "cellular yield" and unraveled a three-year deception by a man posing as a physician. This single object, discovered after a house sat locked for eleven days, exposed the dark secrets of a cult. What was inside the jar, and what did it reveal about the Purification Collective?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Lauren Sanders, a methodical woman diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder, who sought help from Harvey Campbell's residential wellness program. We explore how Campbell, a man with no medical license, built the Purification Collective and the devastating cost to those who believed in his promises of "cellular-level recalibration."

Person: Lauren Sanders
Location: Eastern Collier Springs, Ohio
Organization: The Purification Collective
Program Cost: $1,800 (three-month residential program)
Year: 2018

- A 15-year-old girl found the jar wedged between a screen door and frame.
- The house had been locked for eleven days when the jar was discovered.
- Lauren Sanders was 38 years old when she enrolled in Harvey Campbell's program.
- Campbell charged three participants a combined $41,000 for "supplementary clinical services."
- The residential program was located in Dunmore Acres, a converted farmstead near Patton Wells.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1534falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-id-badge-that-refused-to-stay-buried--73137798
Imagine an ID badge, lost and found, then stolen and found again on the exact same stretch of road seventeen months later. This isn't a coincidence; it's a chilling echo from a closed group in Irongate, Wisconsin. What dark secrets did this fellowship hide that made a simple badge refuse to stay buried?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Connie Voss's ID badge and the unusual circumstances surrounding its reappearance. We delve into the Irongate Fellowship, a small, closed group led by Ruth Fitzgerald, and the documented events that reveal how a search for stability led to a pattern of manipulation.

Person: Connie Voss
Location: Irongate, Wisconsin
Organization: Irongate Fellowship
Source: Public court records, investigative reporting, county maintenance logs, testimony

- Jessica Becker found an orange, laminated ID badge on County Road Seven.
- The badge, belonging to Connie Voss, had a date-stamp from seventeen months earlier.
- The badge had been found once before, cataloged, and stored in a county maintenance shed before being stolen.
- Ruth Fitzgerald, 51, started the "Circle meetings" with nine men from Tullen Fabrication.
- Members of the Fellowship contributed fifteen percent of their net pay to an "Operating Fund."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137798Thu, 06 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe ID Badge That Refused to Stay Buried Imagine an ID badge, lost and found, then stolen and found again on the exact same stretch of road seventeen months later. This isn't a coincidence; it's a chilling echo from a closed group in Irongate,...
Imagine an ID badge, lost and found, then stolen and found again on the exact same stretch of road seventeen months later. This isn't a coincidence; it's a chilling echo from a closed group in Irongate, Wisconsin. What dark secrets did this fellowship hide that made a simple badge refuse to stay buried?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Connie Voss's ID badge and the unusual circumstances surrounding its reappearance. We delve into the Irongate Fellowship, a small, closed group led by Ruth Fitzgerald, and the documented events that reveal how a search for stability led to a pattern of manipulation.

Person: Connie Voss
Location: Irongate, Wisconsin
Organization: Irongate Fellowship
Source: Public court records, investigative reporting, county maintenance logs, testimony

- Jessica Becker found an orange, laminated ID badge on County Road Seven.
- The badge, belonging to Connie Voss, had a date-stamp from seventeen months earlier.
- The badge had been found once before, cataloged, and stored in a county maintenance shed before being stolen.
- Ruth Fitzgerald, 51, started the "Circle meetings" with nine men from Tullen Fabrication.
- Members of the Fellowship contributed fifteen percent of their net pay to an "Operating Fund."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1526falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-typewriter-that-typed-the-editor-approves-47-times--73137797
Imagine finding a 1960s Olympia typewriter, bone dry despite five centimeters of rain, sitting neatly at the base of a power pole on a muddy road. The paper loaded in its carriage reads "The editor approves" 47 times, the same phrase repeated without variation. What dark secret connects this mysterious discovery to a group of aspiring writers living less than four miles away?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story of the Folded Page Collective, a program that promised an immersive writing environment but became a mechanism of control. Discover how a person's deepest need for validation can be exploited, leading to financial exploitation and desperate escapes.

Date: July 11, 2011
Location: Wrentham Mill Road, Kessler County
Object: Portable Olympia typewriter
Phrase: "The editor approves"
Number of repetitions: 47

- A utility worker found a dry 1960s Olympia typewriter on a muddy road after five centimeters of rain.
- The typewriter contained a sheet of paper with the phrase "The editor approves" typed 47 times.
- Nineteen people were living on a twelve-acre property less than four miles away, paying $400 a month to be part of the Folded Page Collective.
- One member escaped by crawling through a fence at 11:40 PM, carrying 81 handwritten pages.
- Denise Tucker transferred $14,000 from a co-signed account to Folded Page Publishing LLC within three months of joining.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137797Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Typewriter That Typed "The Editor Approves" 47 Times Imagine finding a 1960s Olympia typewriter, bone dry despite five centimeters of rain, sitting neatly at the base of a power pole on a muddy road. The paper loaded in its carriage reads "The...
Imagine finding a 1960s Olympia typewriter, bone dry despite five centimeters of rain, sitting neatly at the base of a power pole on a muddy road. The paper loaded in its carriage reads "The editor approves" 47 times, the same phrase repeated without variation. What dark secret connects this mysterious discovery to a group of aspiring writers living less than four miles away?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling story of the Folded Page Collective, a program that promised an immersive writing environment but became a mechanism of control. Discover how a person's deepest need for validation can be exploited, leading to financial exploitation and desperate escapes.

Date: July 11, 2011
Location: Wrentham Mill Road, Kessler County
Object: Portable Olympia typewriter
Phrase: "The editor approves"
Number of repetitions: 47

- A utility worker found a dry 1960s Olympia typewriter on a muddy road after five centimeters of rain.
- The typewriter contained a sheet of paper with the phrase "The editor approves" typed 47 times.
- Nineteen people were living on a twelve-acre property less than four miles away, paying $400 a month to be part of the Folded Page Collective.
- One member escaped by crawling through a fence at 11:40 PM, carrying 81 handwritten pages.
- Denise Tucker transferred $14,000 from a co-signed account to Folded Page Publishing LLC within three months of joining.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1475falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-hand-that-reached-from-underground--73137796
Imagine discovering a hand reaching from underground on your daily walk-a hand that belongs to someone who has been missing for fourteen months. This chilling discovery reveals a hidden world where twelve people willingly went underground, convinced the world above had already ended. What dark conviction led them to such an extreme choice?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Marie Lewis, a beloved community member in Crestfall, Tennessee, and how she came to be one of twelve individuals living in a subterranean shelter. We explore the subtle engineering of danger that made a radical choice seem like a natural extension of community.

Person: Marie Lewis
Location: Crestfall, Tennessee
Date: June 9, 2019
Event: Discovery of a hand reaching from the earth
Organization: The Ridge Preparedness Club

- Amy Webb discovered a hand emerging from the earth at 6:47 AM on June 9, 2019.
- Marie Lewis, 46, had been underground for fourteen months with eleven other people.
- The Ridge Preparedness Club, led by Roger Hensley, held its first meeting in spring 2017.
- Thirteen people agreed to join the dedicated facility, signing a Residency Compact that transferred their assets.
- Doug Farber liquidated $41,000 from his savings account before sending a suspicious note to his sister.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137796Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Hand That Reached From Underground Imagine discovering a hand reaching from underground on your daily walk-a hand that belongs to someone who has been missing for fourteen months. This chilling discovery reveals a hidden world where twelve...
Imagine discovering a hand reaching from underground on your daily walk-a hand that belongs to someone who has been missing for fourteen months. This chilling discovery reveals a hidden world where twelve people willingly went underground, convinced the world above had already ended. What dark conviction led them to such an extreme choice?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Marie Lewis, a beloved community member in Crestfall, Tennessee, and how she came to be one of twelve individuals living in a subterranean shelter. We explore the subtle engineering of danger that made a radical choice seem like a natural extension of community.

Person: Marie Lewis
Location: Crestfall, Tennessee
Date: June 9, 2019
Event: Discovery of a hand reaching from the earth
Organization: The Ridge Preparedness Club

- Amy Webb discovered a hand emerging from the earth at 6:47 AM on June 9, 2019.
- Marie Lewis, 46, had been underground for fourteen months with eleven other people.
- The Ridge Preparedness Club, led by Roger Hensley, held its first meeting in spring 2017.
- Thirteen people agreed to join the dedicated facility, signing a Residency Compact that transferred their assets.
- Doug Farber liquidated $41,000 from his savings account before sending a suspicious note to his sister.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1567falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/they-gave-their-dna-he-crossed-out-their-faces--73137795
Imagine discovering forty-one binders, each three inches thick, with a photograph of a person on the cover-every single face deliberately crossed out with red marker. These binders, soaked by rain, were labeled "LINEAGE VERIFICATION - CONFIDENTIAL," and contained the DNA and portraits of forty-one individuals. What exactly had these people given up, and to whom?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery of these binders and the year-long investigation that followed, revealing a closed world with its own language and hierarchy. We explore the origins of the Kinnect Society, a genealogical research organization, and the man at its center who had a history of walking away clean.

Date: May 22, 2019
Location: Fallbrook, Indiana
Discovery: 41 binders
Item: DNA samples
Organization: The Kinnect Society

- Tracy Brown found 41 three-inch-thick binders stacked against a wall.
- Each binder cover featured a photograph of a person, crossed out with two lines of red marker.
- The binders were labeled "LINEAGE VERIFICATION - CONFIDENTIAL."
- The Kinnect Society had been operating since 2015 and had 64 active members by June 2017.
- Frank Deluca found that 11 of the 23 primary sources cited in his 47-page Convergence Index report did not exist.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137795Mon, 03 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThey gave their DNA. He crossed out their faces Imagine discovering forty-one binders, each three inches thick, with a photograph of a person on the cover-every single face deliberately crossed out with red marker. These binders, soaked by rain,...
Imagine discovering forty-one binders, each three inches thick, with a photograph of a person on the cover-every single face deliberately crossed out with red marker. These binders, soaked by rain, were labeled "LINEAGE VERIFICATION - CONFIDENTIAL," and contained the DNA and portraits of forty-one individuals. What exactly had these people given up, and to whom?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery of these binders and the year-long investigation that followed, revealing a closed world with its own language and hierarchy. We explore the origins of the Kinnect Society, a genealogical research organization, and the man at its center who had a history of walking away clean.

Date: May 22, 2019
Location: Fallbrook, Indiana
Discovery: 41 binders
Item: DNA samples
Organization: The Kinnect Society

- Tracy Brown found 41 three-inch-thick binders stacked against a wall.
- Each binder cover featured a photograph of a person, crossed out with two lines of red marker.
- The binders were labeled "LINEAGE VERIFICATION - CONFIDENTIAL."
- The Kinnect Society had been operating since 2015 and had 64 active members by June 2017.
- Frank Deluca found that 11 of the 23 primary sources cited in his 47-page Convergence Index report did not exist.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1480falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-41-fake-fema-badges-left-behind--73137793
Imagine finding 41 fake FEMA badges, neatly arranged on a table in a stripped-bare building, after its inhabitants vanished. What kind of organization leaves behind such a chilling clue?

In this episode, we explore the sudden disappearance of a group from a converted agricultural shed in Tennessee, leaving behind a mystery that quickly involved the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. We delve into the origins of Still Water Corps and the woman behind it, tracing her path from recruitment dinners to a new organization, and ask what led 22 adults to abandon their lives for a remote property.

Person: Janet Rogers
Date: Approximately four days after the group left
Location: Kellner Road, Tennessee
Organization: Still Water Corps
Journalist: Cynthia Graham

- Janet Rogers, a 53-year-old church volunteer, discovered 41 government-looking credentials on a folding table.
- The group had been gone for approximately four days when the discovery was made.
- The woman who founded Still Water Corps was later found with $3,000 in cash and materials for a new organization.
- Debra Romano, a 51-year-old office manager, joined Still Water Corps after attending a disaster relief coordination meeting.
- Members of Still Water Corps averaged roughly five and a half hours of sleep per night according to Debra's account.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137793Sun, 02 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe 41 Fake FEMA Badges Left Behind Imagine finding 41 fake FEMA badges, neatly arranged on a table in a stripped-bare building, after its inhabitants vanished. What kind of organization leaves behind such a chilling clue? In this episode, we...
Imagine finding 41 fake FEMA badges, neatly arranged on a table in a stripped-bare building, after its inhabitants vanished. What kind of organization leaves behind such a chilling clue?

In this episode, we explore the sudden disappearance of a group from a converted agricultural shed in Tennessee, leaving behind a mystery that quickly involved the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. We delve into the origins of Still Water Corps and the woman behind it, tracing her path from recruitment dinners to a new organization, and ask what led 22 adults to abandon their lives for a remote property.

Person: Janet Rogers
Date: Approximately four days after the group left
Location: Kellner Road, Tennessee
Organization: Still Water Corps
Journalist: Cynthia Graham

- Janet Rogers, a 53-year-old church volunteer, discovered 41 government-looking credentials on a folding table.
- The group had been gone for approximately four days when the discovery was made.
- The woman who founded Still Water Corps was later found with $3,000 in cash and materials for a new organization.
- Debra Romano, a 51-year-old office manager, joined Still Water Corps after attending a disaster relief coordination meeting.
- Members of Still Water Corps averaged roughly five and a half hours of sleep per night according to Debra's account.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1465falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-buried-notebook-escaping-a-cult-s-lies--73137792
Imagine discovering a buried notebook that exposes a cult's dark secrets. What if the very system designed to help you recover from addiction became a trap, twisting your doubts into symptoms of illness?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Clearwater Step House, a program that operated for four years in rural eastern Tennessee, and how one woman documented its inner workings before escaping. We explore how a dog's discovery of a buried notebook led to the unraveling of a fraudulent system.

Person: Cheryl Armstrong
Location: Dellard County, eastern Tennessee
Organization: Clearwater Step House
Duration: Four years
Total Confirmed Fraud: Approximately $214,000

- A three-year-old vizsla named Copper discovered a composition notebook sealed in a freezer bag and bound with orange electrician's tape.
- Randy Rogers, 51, was arrested on charges including fraud and practicing counseling without a license.
- Cheryl Armstrong, 44, entered Clearwater Step House in October, seeking recovery from alcohol dependency.
- Rogers introduced 26 handwritten "Clearwater Step" that residents were required to hand-copy weekly.
- Cheryl found a bank statement for Randy Rogers's personal checking account with a balance of approximately $62,000, matching resident contribution dates.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137792Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Buried Notebook: Escaping a Cult's Lies Imagine discovering a buried notebook that exposes a cult's dark secrets. What if the very system designed to help you recover from addiction became a trap, twisting your doubts into symptoms of illness?...
Imagine discovering a buried notebook that exposes a cult's dark secrets. What if the very system designed to help you recover from addiction became a trap, twisting your doubts into symptoms of illness?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Clearwater Step House, a program that operated for four years in rural eastern Tennessee, and how one woman documented its inner workings before escaping. We explore how a dog's discovery of a buried notebook led to the unraveling of a fraudulent system.

Person: Cheryl Armstrong
Location: Dellard County, eastern Tennessee
Organization: Clearwater Step House
Duration: Four years
Total Confirmed Fraud: Approximately $214,000

- A three-year-old vizsla named Copper discovered a composition notebook sealed in a freezer bag and bound with orange electrician's tape.
- Randy Rogers, 51, was arrested on charges including fraud and practicing counseling without a license.
- Cheryl Armstrong, 44, entered Clearwater Step House in October, seeking recovery from alcohol dependency.
- Rogers introduced 26 handwritten "Clearwater Step" that residents were required to hand-copy weekly.
- Cheryl found a bank statement for Randy Rogers's personal checking account with a balance of approximately $62,000, matching resident contribution dates.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1532falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-47-goodbye-letters-found-in-a-frozen-river--73137791
Forty-seven unsent goodbye letters, each hand-addressed and sealed, were discovered in a gallon-size freezer pouch, perfectly dry, at the bottom of a frozen river. How did these letters end up there, and what dark secret did they conceal about the lives of those who wrote them?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery made by a fisherman in a frozen river and the story of a man who built an artistic collective that became a trap for its members. We delve into the life of George Holmes, a young artist whose weekly calls to his mother suddenly stopped, leading to a chilling revelation about the Verdant Collective.

Event: Discovery of 47 unsent letters
Date: February 11, 2019
Location: Maris River, four miles south of Callum
Person: Roy Porter (fisherman)
Organization: Verdant Collective (Silo Nine)

- A fisherman found a canvas tote bag with 47 sealed, hand-addressed envelopes in a submerged willow root.
- The temperature at the time of discovery was twenty-two degrees.
- George Holmes, a twenty-seven-year-old photographer, stopped calling his mother every Wednesday at ten-thirty at night.
- The Verdant Collective was housed in a converted five-story textile mill.
- Residents of Silo Nine signed the Commons Agreement, which stipulated that 60% of outside income went to an operational fund.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137791Fri, 31 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe 47 Goodbye Letters Found in a Frozen River Forty-seven unsent goodbye letters, each hand-addressed and sealed, were discovered in a gallon-size freezer pouch, perfectly dry, at the bottom of a frozen river. How did these letters end up there,...
Forty-seven unsent goodbye letters, each hand-addressed and sealed, were discovered in a gallon-size freezer pouch, perfectly dry, at the bottom of a frozen river. How did these letters end up there, and what dark secret did they conceal about the lives of those who wrote them?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery made by a fisherman in a frozen river and the story of a man who built an artistic collective that became a trap for its members. We delve into the life of George Holmes, a young artist whose weekly calls to his mother suddenly stopped, leading to a chilling revelation about the Verdant Collective.

Event: Discovery of 47 unsent letters
Date: February 11, 2019
Location: Maris River, four miles south of Callum
Person: Roy Porter (fisherman)
Organization: Verdant Collective (Silo Nine)

- A fisherman found a canvas tote bag with 47 sealed, hand-addressed envelopes in a submerged willow root.
- The temperature at the time of discovery was twenty-two degrees.
- George Holmes, a twenty-seven-year-old photographer, stopped calling his mother every Wednesday at ten-thirty at night.
- The Verdant Collective was housed in a converted five-story textile mill.
- Residents of Silo Nine signed the Commons Agreement, which stipulated that 60% of outside income went to an operational fund.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1559falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-buried-radio-and-the-voice-that-vanished-her--73137789
Imagine unearthing a cream-colored Grundig Traveller II radio, sealed in a bag, with new batteries, tuned to a station that went silent three years prior. This strange discovery was made just twelve feet from where the remains of 61-year-old retired teacher Lois Prater were found, after she had been missing for over three years. What dark secrets did this radio hold about her disappearance?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Lois Prater, her connection to a late-night radio show host named Gordon Collins, and the community he built around "attentive living." We explore how a voice on the radio could lead someone to vanish and the chilling threads that connect a buried radio to a tragic end.

Person: Lois Prater
Date: January 14, 2009
Location: Calverton Parish, Louisiana
Object: Grundig Traveller II radio
Frequency: 1490 AM

- A county surveyor found a Grundig Traveller II radio, the size of a hardcover book, sealed in a gallon zip-lock bag.
- The radio's antenna was fully extended, and its batteries were new.
- It was tuned to 1490 AM, a station that had been silent for over three years.
- Lois Prater, a 61-year-old retired schoolteacher, had been missing since the fall of 2005.
- She liquidated approximately $80,000 in savings and donated the full amount to the Heron Path Fellowship.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137789Thu, 30 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Buried Radio and the Voice That Vanished Her Imagine unearthing a cream-colored Grundig Traveller II radio, sealed in a bag, with new batteries, tuned to a station that went silent three years prior. This strange discovery was made just twelve...
Imagine unearthing a cream-colored Grundig Traveller II radio, sealed in a bag, with new batteries, tuned to a station that went silent three years prior. This strange discovery was made just twelve feet from where the remains of 61-year-old retired teacher Lois Prater were found, after she had been missing for over three years. What dark secrets did this radio hold about her disappearance?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Lois Prater, her connection to a late-night radio show host named Gordon Collins, and the community he built around "attentive living." We explore how a voice on the radio could lead someone to vanish and the chilling threads that connect a buried radio to a tragic end.

Person: Lois Prater
Date: January 14, 2009
Location: Calverton Parish, Louisiana
Object: Grundig Traveller II radio
Frequency: 1490 AM

- A county surveyor found a Grundig Traveller II radio, the size of a hardcover book, sealed in a gallon zip-lock bag.
- The radio's antenna was fully extended, and its batteries were new.
- It was tuned to 1490 AM, a station that had been silent for over three years.
- Lois Prater, a 61-year-old retired schoolteacher, had been missing since the fall of 2005.
- She liquidated approximately $80,000 in savings and donated the full amount to the Heron Path Fellowship.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1575falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-notebook-a-child-s-secret-in-a-vanished-cult--73137788
Imagine finding a child's dry notebook after four days of freezing rain, on an abandoned property where a cult vanished without a trace. This chilling discovery was the first clue into the mysterious disappearance of the Cornerstone Learning Fellowship. What secrets did it hold?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of a routine septic system call that revealed a meticulously hidden world. We explore the seemingly ordinary beginnings of the Cornerstone Learning Fellowship and the subtle ways it drew in families like the Burnses, leading to their eventual disappearance.

Person: Bruce Patterson
Date: Second Tuesday of December
Location: Caldwell County
Organization: Cornerstone Learning Fellowship
Duration: Approximately ten years

- Bruce Patterson found a dry black-and-white composition notebook at a secondary septic hatch.
- The notebook contained sixty-one consecutive days of handwritten entries by a ten-year-old girl named Sophie Greer.
- William Vickers, 54, ran the Cornerstone Learning Fellowship, claiming a master's degree from a Virginia seminary that had closed 14 years prior.
- Lisa Burns, 22, and her mother moved into a two-room unit on the Cornerstone property within eight months of Lisa's first meeting.
- The daily schedule at Cornerstone Learning ran from 5:45 AM to 9:00 PM, with a single shared phone in Vickers's office.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137788Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Notebook: A Child's Secret in a Vanished Cult Imagine finding a child's dry notebook after four days of freezing rain, on an abandoned property where a cult vanished without a trace. This chilling discovery was the first clue into the...
Imagine finding a child's dry notebook after four days of freezing rain, on an abandoned property where a cult vanished without a trace. This chilling discovery was the first clue into the mysterious disappearance of the Cornerstone Learning Fellowship. What secrets did it hold?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of a routine septic system call that revealed a meticulously hidden world. We explore the seemingly ordinary beginnings of the Cornerstone Learning Fellowship and the subtle ways it drew in families like the Burnses, leading to their eventual disappearance.

Person: Bruce Patterson
Date: Second Tuesday of December
Location: Caldwell County
Organization: Cornerstone Learning Fellowship
Duration: Approximately ten years

- Bruce Patterson found a dry black-and-white composition notebook at a secondary septic hatch.
- The notebook contained sixty-one consecutive days of handwritten entries by a ten-year-old girl named Sophie Greer.
- William Vickers, 54, ran the Cornerstone Learning Fellowship, claiming a master's degree from a Virginia seminary that had closed 14 years prior.
- Lisa Burns, 22, and her mother moved into a two-room unit on the Cornerstone property within eight months of Lisa's first meeting.
- The daily schedule at Cornerstone Learning ran from 5:45 AM to 9:00 PM, with a single shared phone in Vickers's office.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1632falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-card-that-marked-her-grave--73137787
Imagine a lone birdwatcher on Pelican Spit, discovering a laminated membership card pinned upright in the sand by a rusted marlin spike. The card reads "Crew Member. Sacrifice Grade Three" with the name Denise Padgett, yet there are no footprints around it. What dark secret does this mysterious card hold, and what happened to Denise?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of Denise Padgett, a skilled fisherwoman from North Carolina, and her entanglement with the Pelican Spit Cooperative. We explore how a seemingly legitimate business model became a system of inescapable debt and the shocking discovery that launched an investigation into a hidden compound.

Person: Denise Padgett
Date: November 14, 2009
Location: Pelican Spit, Pamlico County
Organization: Pelican Spit Cooperative
Event: Discovery of membership card

- A birdwatcher found a laminated membership card for the Pelican Spit Cooperative pinned in the sand.
- The card identified Denise Padgett as a "Crew Member" with "Sacrifice Grade Three."
- Three days later, Bruce Duncan was arrested, and nine people were found in a compound on Grayson Sound.
- All nine individuals discovered in the compound were found to be permanently in debt.
- Denise Padgett transferred her ownership share in the trawler "The Cormorant" to the cooperative's pooled assets by October 2007.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137787Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Card That Marked Her Grave Imagine a lone birdwatcher on Pelican Spit, discovering a laminated membership card pinned upright in the sand by a rusted marlin spike. The card reads "Crew Member. Sacrifice Grade Three" with the name Denise...
Imagine a lone birdwatcher on Pelican Spit, discovering a laminated membership card pinned upright in the sand by a rusted marlin spike. The card reads "Crew Member. Sacrifice Grade Three" with the name Denise Padgett, yet there are no footprints around it. What dark secret does this mysterious card hold, and what happened to Denise?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of Denise Padgett, a skilled fisherwoman from North Carolina, and her entanglement with the Pelican Spit Cooperative. We explore how a seemingly legitimate business model became a system of inescapable debt and the shocking discovery that launched an investigation into a hidden compound.

Person: Denise Padgett
Date: November 14, 2009
Location: Pelican Spit, Pamlico County
Organization: Pelican Spit Cooperative
Event: Discovery of membership card

- A birdwatcher found a laminated membership card for the Pelican Spit Cooperative pinned in the sand.
- The card identified Denise Padgett as a "Crew Member" with "Sacrifice Grade Three."
- Three days later, Bruce Duncan was arrested, and nine people were found in a compound on Grayson Sound.
- All nine individuals discovered in the compound were found to be permanently in debt.
- Denise Padgett transferred her ownership share in the trawler "The Cormorant" to the cooperative's pooled assets by October 2007.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1613falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-language-they-made-you-speak--73137786
Imagine finding 41 identity cards with names in an unknown language, left on a loading dock before dawn. This discovery in Halverton led investigators to a closed residence and an organization that collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from its members. What secrets were hidden behind the doors of the Halverton Institute for Applied Linguistics?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling case of Marilyn Smith, a reliable volunteer who became deeply involved with a mysterious nonprofit. We uncover how a constructed language called Veranthi became central to an organization that quietly reshaped the lives of its members, leading to a shocking discovery.

Person: Carol Tillman
Date: October 2018
Location: Halverton
Organization: Halverton Institute for Applied Linguistics
Founder: Steven Andrews

- Carol Tillman, a 15-year-old paper carrier, found 41 laminated, pale blue cards.
- Each card had a photograph, a date of birth, a seven-digit number, and a name in an unreadable script.
- The organization collected between $300,000 and $400,000 from its members over 22 months.
- Marilyn Smith, 61, donated $4,000 to the Institute in March 2017.
- English was banned inside the residential annex of the Institute by June 2017.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137786Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Language They Made You Speak Imagine finding 41 identity cards with names in an unknown language, left on a loading dock before dawn. This discovery in Halverton led investigators to a closed residence and an organization that collected...
Imagine finding 41 identity cards with names in an unknown language, left on a loading dock before dawn. This discovery in Halverton led investigators to a closed residence and an organization that collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from its members. What secrets were hidden behind the doors of the Halverton Institute for Applied Linguistics?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling case of Marilyn Smith, a reliable volunteer who became deeply involved with a mysterious nonprofit. We uncover how a constructed language called Veranthi became central to an organization that quietly reshaped the lives of its members, leading to a shocking discovery.

Person: Carol Tillman
Date: October 2018
Location: Halverton
Organization: Halverton Institute for Applied Linguistics
Founder: Steven Andrews

- Carol Tillman, a 15-year-old paper carrier, found 41 laminated, pale blue cards.
- Each card had a photograph, a date of birth, a seven-digit number, and a name in an unreadable script.
- The organization collected between $300,000 and $400,000 from its members over 22 months.
- Marilyn Smith, 61, donated $4,000 to the Institute in March 2017.
- English was banned inside the residential annex of the Institute by June 2017.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1297falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-coat-and-the-missing-daughter--73137785
A perfectly dry coat and polished shoes found hanging in a rain-soaked clearing in Pemberton County, Ohio, hint at a disturbing disappearance. What happened to the woman who vanished, leaving behind only a meticulously staged scene?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery that led authorities to a man claiming to be "Henry Aldgate - The Patriarch," a name with no official record. We explore the story of Ruth Lawson, a talented theater designer drawn into a traveling company called the Meridian Players, and the slow, insidious changes that began to erode her identity.

Date: September 23, 2011
Location: Pemberton County, Ohio
Person: Ruth Lawson
Organization: Meridian Players
Center: Claremont Behavioral Center

- Sheriff's deputies found a dry frock coat and polished dress shoes in a clearing after four days of rain.
- The coat had a name card inside the lapel: HENRY ALDGATE - THE PATRIARCH.
- The man found sleeping in a van nearby claimed to be Henry Aldgate, but no such person was in Ohio records.
- Ruth Lawson, 23, joined the Meridian Players in the fall of 2009.
- Charles York, the company's leader, had a 1993 patient file under the name Charles Yardley, noting "history of identity fabrication."

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137785Sun, 26 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Coat and the Missing Daughter A perfectly dry coat and polished shoes found hanging in a rain-soaked clearing in Pemberton County, Ohio, hint at a disturbing disappearance. What happened to the woman who vanished, leaving behind only a...
A perfectly dry coat and polished shoes found hanging in a rain-soaked clearing in Pemberton County, Ohio, hint at a disturbing disappearance. What happened to the woman who vanished, leaving behind only a meticulously staged scene?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery that led authorities to a man claiming to be "Henry Aldgate - The Patriarch," a name with no official record. We explore the story of Ruth Lawson, a talented theater designer drawn into a traveling company called the Meridian Players, and the slow, insidious changes that began to erode her identity.

Date: September 23, 2011
Location: Pemberton County, Ohio
Person: Ruth Lawson
Organization: Meridian Players
Center: Claremont Behavioral Center

- Sheriff's deputies found a dry frock coat and polished dress shoes in a clearing after four days of rain.
- The coat had a name card inside the lapel: HENRY ALDGATE - THE PATRIARCH.
- The man found sleeping in a van nearby claimed to be Henry Aldgate, but no such person was in Ohio records.
- Ruth Lawson, 23, joined the Meridian Players in the fall of 2009.
- Charles York, the company's leader, had a 1993 patient file under the name Charles Yardley, noting "history of identity fabrication."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1597falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-42-empty-plates-who-vanished-from-pine-notch--73137784
Imagine 42 plates of untouched food, glasses of cold orange juice, and chairs pushed back, not knocked over-all found in an empty compound where 42 people had been living in silence. What terrifying event could make an entire community vanish without a trace?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling discovery made by a utility lineman on Dunmore Creek Road and the chilling details of the Renewal Covenant Assembly of Sycamore County. We explore the story of Shannon Farrell, a woman seeking solace who joined the community, and the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Hollis, whose absence from the Assembly's meticulous records raised alarming questions.

Date: August 7, 2011
Location: Dunmore Creek Road, Sycamore County
Event: Discovery of an empty residential compound
Number of Missing Persons: 42
Organization: Renewal Covenant Assembly of Sycamore County

- A utility lineman discovered 42 untouched plates of food and cold orange juice in an empty compound.
- The Renewal Covenant Assembly of Sycamore County registered as a nonprofit in 2005.
- Shannon Farrell contributed sixty-eight thousand dollars of her savings to join the Assembly in February 2011.
- Members' contact with family was rationed to two 10-minute monitored calls per month.
- Investigators found an entry for "N.H." in the Assembly's ledgers, showing a $62,000 contribution in October 2007, with no exit notation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137784Sat, 25 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe 42 Empty Plates: Who Vanished From Pine Notch? Imagine 42 plates of untouched food, glasses of cold orange juice, and chairs pushed back, not knocked over-all found in an empty compound where 42 people had been living in silence. What...
Imagine 42 plates of untouched food, glasses of cold orange juice, and chairs pushed back, not knocked over-all found in an empty compound where 42 people had been living in silence. What terrifying event could make an entire community vanish without a trace?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling discovery made by a utility lineman on Dunmore Creek Road and the chilling details of the Renewal Covenant Assembly of Sycamore County. We explore the story of Shannon Farrell, a woman seeking solace who joined the community, and the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Hollis, whose absence from the Assembly's meticulous records raised alarming questions.

Date: August 7, 2011
Location: Dunmore Creek Road, Sycamore County
Event: Discovery of an empty residential compound
Number of Missing Persons: 42
Organization: Renewal Covenant Assembly of Sycamore County

- A utility lineman discovered 42 untouched plates of food and cold orange juice in an empty compound.
- The Renewal Covenant Assembly of Sycamore County registered as a nonprofit in 2005.
- Shannon Farrell contributed sixty-eight thousand dollars of her savings to join the Assembly in February 2011.
- Members' contact with family was rationed to two 10-minute monitored calls per month.
- Investigators found an entry for "N.H." in the Assembly's ledgers, showing a $62,000 contribution in October 2007, with no exit notation.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1543falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-birthday-cake-for-a-child-who-never-existed--73137783
An abandoned car on a gravel road, a birthday cake for a child who never existed, and twelve unlit candles in the July heat. What dark secret does this strange scene outside Morrow Falls, Ohio, conceal?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling case of Russell Turner, a man who exploited profound grief to manipulate eleven individuals, taking their savings, routines, relationships, and even their homes. We explore how a seemingly innocuous grief support group, Waymark, transformed into something far more sinister.

Case: Russell Turner
Location: Morrow Falls, Ohio
Date: July 22, 2014
Source: Court records, Harwick Courier, former Waymark member Marcia Long
Topic: Grief exploitation

- Paul Petersen found the birthday cake for "Diane" at 6:15 AM during his run.
- Russell Turner was found in a motel room twelve miles east of Morrow Falls.
- Eleven people had given everything to Turner by July 22, 2014.
- Marcia Long, a dental hygienist, joined Waymark after her mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2012.
- Turner's booklet, "The Work of Remaining," contained at least seven paragraphs lifted from Dr. Patricia Huang's pamphlet.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137783Fri, 24 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Birthday Cake for a Child Who Never Existed An abandoned car on a gravel road, a birthday cake for a child who never existed, and twelve unlit candles in the July heat. What dark secret does this strange scene outside Morrow Falls, Ohio,...
An abandoned car on a gravel road, a birthday cake for a child who never existed, and twelve unlit candles in the July heat. What dark secret does this strange scene outside Morrow Falls, Ohio, conceal?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling case of Russell Turner, a man who exploited profound grief to manipulate eleven individuals, taking their savings, routines, relationships, and even their homes. We explore how a seemingly innocuous grief support group, Waymark, transformed into something far more sinister.

Case: Russell Turner
Location: Morrow Falls, Ohio
Date: July 22, 2014
Source: Court records, Harwick Courier, former Waymark member Marcia Long
Topic: Grief exploitation

- Paul Petersen found the birthday cake for "Diane" at 6:15 AM during his run.
- Russell Turner was found in a motel room twelve miles east of Morrow Falls.
- Eleven people had given everything to Turner by July 22, 2014.
- Marcia Long, a dental hygienist, joined Waymark after her mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2012.
- Turner's booklet, "The Work of Remaining," contained at least seven paragraphs lifted from Dr. Patricia Huang's pamphlet.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1538falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-untouched-table-forty-three-plates-no-one-there--73137782
Imagine discovering a meticulously set table for forty-three people, every chair pushed in, every plate laden with food, yet utterly devoid of human presence. This unsettling scene was found by a utility worker in a remote Oregon meadow, sparking a mystery that forensic investigators could not solve. What chilling secret did this untouched table conceal about the group that once inhabited the property?

In this episode, we delve into the peculiar discovery of a fully set table and trace its connection to the Eighth Day Covenant Foundation, a seemingly innocuous nonprofit. We explore the foundation's origins, its charismatic leader Wade Erickson, and the individuals drawn into its orbit, including Sandra Bailey and Beverly Ochsner. The narrative uncovers the slow unraveling of a community built on a vision of impending collapse, culminating in a critical discovery that challenged everything its members believed.

Date: June 19, 2012
Location: Fenwick Road, 11 miles east of Gable, Oregon
Person: Debra Richardson
Organization: Eighth Day Covenant Foundation
Leader: Wade Erickson

- Debra Richardson discovered a table set for 43 people with untouched food.
- The Eighth Day Covenant Foundation was registered as an Oregon nonprofit in 2003.
- Wade Erickson's lease for the 63-acre property was dated January 2003.
- Sandra Bailey paid a $4,000 "voluntary stewardship deposit" to join the Foundation in October 2007.
- Beverly Ochsner found a lease document dated January 2003, contradicting Erickson's story of a vision in spring 2003.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137782Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:34 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Untouched Table: Forty-Three Plates, No One There Imagine discovering a meticulously set table for forty-three people, every chair pushed in, every plate laden with food, yet utterly devoid of human presence. This unsettling scene was found by...
Imagine discovering a meticulously set table for forty-three people, every chair pushed in, every plate laden with food, yet utterly devoid of human presence. This unsettling scene was found by a utility worker in a remote Oregon meadow, sparking a mystery that forensic investigators could not solve. What chilling secret did this untouched table conceal about the group that once inhabited the property?

In this episode, we delve into the peculiar discovery of a fully set table and trace its connection to the Eighth Day Covenant Foundation, a seemingly innocuous nonprofit. We explore the foundation's origins, its charismatic leader Wade Erickson, and the individuals drawn into its orbit, including Sandra Bailey and Beverly Ochsner. The narrative uncovers the slow unraveling of a community built on a vision of impending collapse, culminating in a critical discovery that challenged everything its members believed.

Date: June 19, 2012
Location: Fenwick Road, 11 miles east of Gable, Oregon
Person: Debra Richardson
Organization: Eighth Day Covenant Foundation
Leader: Wade Erickson

- Debra Richardson discovered a table set for 43 people with untouched food.
- The Eighth Day Covenant Foundation was registered as an Oregon nonprofit in 2003.
- Wade Erickson's lease for the 63-acre property was dated January 2003.
- Sandra Bailey paid a $4,000 "voluntary stewardship deposit" to join the Foundation in October 2007.
- Beverly Ochsner found a lease document dated January 2003, contradicting Erickson's story of a vision in spring 2003.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1417falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-mason-jar-forty-one-people-vanished--73137781
Imagine discovering a sealed mason jar on a concrete floor, the only trace left after forty-one people vanished without a trace from a closed community. This chilling discovery, six miles north of Harwick, Indiana, contained roughly three hundred dollars in cash, a photograph, and an unsigned deed to forty acres of land. What secrets did this jar hold about the disappearance of an entire group?

In this episode, we explore the events leading up to the morning of May 11, 2019, when Alice Griffin found an abandoned compound instead of a food pantry. We delve into how a persuasive stranger meticulously dismantled a woman's life and assembled a closed community, and what happened when one person noticed before it was too late.

Date: May 11, 2019
Location: Harwick, Indiana
Person: Alice Griffin
Item: Mason jar
Contents of jar: Cash, photograph, unsigned deed

- Alice Griffin found 41 people gone without a trace.
- The mason jar contained approximately $300 in cash.
- The deed inside the jar was for 40 acres of land.
- Terry Chambers was enrolled in a business management certificate program during the weeks he claimed to be in the wilderness.
- Monica Hall inherited Creston Gardens after her father's death in 2012.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137781Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:30 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Mason Jar: Forty-One People Vanished Imagine discovering a sealed mason jar on a concrete floor, the only trace left after forty-one people vanished without a trace from a closed community. This chilling discovery, six miles north of Harwick,...
Imagine discovering a sealed mason jar on a concrete floor, the only trace left after forty-one people vanished without a trace from a closed community. This chilling discovery, six miles north of Harwick, Indiana, contained roughly three hundred dollars in cash, a photograph, and an unsigned deed to forty acres of land. What secrets did this jar hold about the disappearance of an entire group?

In this episode, we explore the events leading up to the morning of May 11, 2019, when Alice Griffin found an abandoned compound instead of a food pantry. We delve into how a persuasive stranger meticulously dismantled a woman's life and assembled a closed community, and what happened when one person noticed before it was too late.

Date: May 11, 2019
Location: Harwick, Indiana
Person: Alice Griffin
Item: Mason jar
Contents of jar: Cash, photograph, unsigned deed

- Alice Griffin found 41 people gone without a trace.
- The mason jar contained approximately $300 in cash.
- The deed inside the jar was for 40 acres of land.
- Terry Chambers was enrolled in a business management certificate program during the weeks he claimed to be in the wilderness.
- Monica Hall inherited Creston Gardens after her father's death in 2012.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1559falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-stillbrook-institute-where-leaving-wasn-t-an-option--73137780
A laminated badge, found three miles from the nearest road on a remote trail, led investigators to unravel a hidden operation. What happened inside the Stillbrook Restoration Institute's forty-six acres, and why was leaving not an option for its residents?

In this episode, we explore the story of Monica Fitzgerald, a dental office coordinator who sought a fresh start at the Stillbrook Restoration Institute, a residential wellness program. We uncover the dual set of rules that governed the institute and the escalating tactics used to prevent residents from leaving.

Person: Monica Fitzgerald
Date: April 14, 2019
Location: Cutter Ridge trail
Organization: Stillbrook Restoration Institute
Director: Todd Morris

- Rachel McCarthy found a laminated badge with Monica Fitzgerald's name on it.
- The Stillbrook Restoration Institute was located on 46 acres, a former summer camp southeast of Harmon.
- Residents were asked to leave their phones at home upon arrival at Stillbrook.
- The "Deepening Commitment Agreement" required 60 additional days for $12,000.
- Stillbrook Restoration Partners, LLC routed approximately $400,000 to Todd Morris's personal account in 18 months.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137780Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:26 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Stillbrook Institute: Where Leaving Wasn't an Option A laminated badge, found three miles from the nearest road on a remote trail, led investigators to unravel a hidden operation. What happened inside the Stillbrook Restoration Institute's...
A laminated badge, found three miles from the nearest road on a remote trail, led investigators to unravel a hidden operation. What happened inside the Stillbrook Restoration Institute's forty-six acres, and why was leaving not an option for its residents?

In this episode, we explore the story of Monica Fitzgerald, a dental office coordinator who sought a fresh start at the Stillbrook Restoration Institute, a residential wellness program. We uncover the dual set of rules that governed the institute and the escalating tactics used to prevent residents from leaving.

Person: Monica Fitzgerald
Date: April 14, 2019
Location: Cutter Ridge trail
Organization: Stillbrook Restoration Institute
Director: Todd Morris

- Rachel McCarthy found a laminated badge with Monica Fitzgerald's name on it.
- The Stillbrook Restoration Institute was located on 46 acres, a former summer camp southeast of Harmon.
- Residents were asked to leave their phones at home upon arrival at Stillbrook.
- The "Deepening Commitment Agreement" required 60 additional days for $12,000.
- Stillbrook Restoration Partners, LLC routed approximately $400,000 to Todd Morris's personal account in 18 months.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1544falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-annotated-script-how-a-cult-stole-a-man-s-life--73137779
A fisherman found a hospital badge 61 miles from its owner, a man missing for 11 days. The badge belonged to Warren Boyd, a dietary services supervisor, and its discovery in a remote tributary was the first clue in a story that began not with a crime, but with a flyer. How did a methodical, skeptical man come to give away nearly everything he owned to a cult?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Warren Boyd, a man who walked away from his life, his savings, and his identity over two years, losing $41,000 to a group called the Covenant of the Present Hour. We explore how a seemingly ordinary man became entangled in a cult and the hidden past of its leader, Curtis Snyder.

Person: Warren Boyd
Date: March 9, 2019
Location: Lassiter Fork, Cookeville, Tennessee
Organization: Covenant of the Present Hour
Amount: $41,000

- Ronald Whitaker found Warren Boyd's hospital badge in Lassiter Fork.
- Warren Boyd was found 13 days later in a budget motel room in Crossville.
- Boyd had worked at Dellwood Regional Medical Center for 14 years.
- He had been making the same 2.4-mile round trip walk for nine consecutive years.
- Curtis Snyder, the group leader, had a civil fraud complaint filed against him in 2015 by Joyce Mercer.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137779Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:22 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Annotated Script: How a Cult Stole a Man's Life A fisherman found a hospital badge 61 miles from its owner, a man missing for 11 days. The badge belonged to Warren Boyd, a dietary services supervisor, and its discovery in a remote tributary was...
A fisherman found a hospital badge 61 miles from its owner, a man missing for 11 days. The badge belonged to Warren Boyd, a dietary services supervisor, and its discovery in a remote tributary was the first clue in a story that began not with a crime, but with a flyer. How did a methodical, skeptical man come to give away nearly everything he owned to a cult?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Warren Boyd, a man who walked away from his life, his savings, and his identity over two years, losing $41,000 to a group called the Covenant of the Present Hour. We explore how a seemingly ordinary man became entangled in a cult and the hidden past of its leader, Curtis Snyder.

Person: Warren Boyd
Date: March 9, 2019
Location: Lassiter Fork, Cookeville, Tennessee
Organization: Covenant of the Present Hour
Amount: $41,000

- Ronald Whitaker found Warren Boyd's hospital badge in Lassiter Fork.
- Warren Boyd was found 13 days later in a budget motel room in Crossville.
- Boyd had worked at Dellwood Regional Medical Center for 14 years.
- He had been making the same 2.4-mile round trip walk for nine consecutive years.
- Curtis Snyder, the group leader, had a civil fraud complaint filed against him in 2015 by Joyce Mercer.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1517falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-daisy-piggy-bank-how-a-cult-stole-everything--73137778
Imagine finding a ceramic piggy bank, painted with a single daisy, balanced perfectly on a survey stake in a frozen field with no footprints around it. This strange discovery was the first clue to a chilling story of a cult that operated in Kellerton Township, where ordinary people lost their paychecks and contact with loved ones. What secrets did this innocent object hold about the Clarity Path Institute?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Clarity Path Institute, an intentional community that operated for roughly eighteen months. We explore how its founder, Connie Porter, used language, scheduling, and a non-existent credential to build a system that led people to give up their lives and finances.

Person: Connie Porter
Location: Kellerton Township
Period: 2009-2010
Event: Discovery of a ceramic piggy bank

- A ceramic piggy bank, white with a single daisy, was found on a survey stake in Kellerton Township.
- The Clarity Path Institute operated for approximately eighteen months.
- Connie Porter opened a storefront on Aldine Street in Kellerton in the spring of 2009.
- By February 2010, fourteen adults were living in a house purchased by the institute.
- Morning meetings at the institute started daily at 5:30 AM.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137778Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:18 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Daisy Piggy Bank: How a Cult Stole Everything Imagine finding a ceramic piggy bank, painted with a single daisy, balanced perfectly on a survey stake in a frozen field with no footprints around it. This strange discovery was the first clue to a...
Imagine finding a ceramic piggy bank, painted with a single daisy, balanced perfectly on a survey stake in a frozen field with no footprints around it. This strange discovery was the first clue to a chilling story of a cult that operated in Kellerton Township, where ordinary people lost their paychecks and contact with loved ones. What secrets did this innocent object hold about the Clarity Path Institute?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Clarity Path Institute, an intentional community that operated for roughly eighteen months. We explore how its founder, Connie Porter, used language, scheduling, and a non-existent credential to build a system that led people to give up their lives and finances.

Person: Connie Porter
Location: Kellerton Township
Period: 2009-2010
Event: Discovery of a ceramic piggy bank

- A ceramic piggy bank, white with a single daisy, was found on a survey stake in Kellerton Township.
- The Clarity Path Institute operated for approximately eighteen months.
- Connie Porter opened a storefront on Aldine Street in Kellerton in the spring of 2009.
- By February 2010, fourteen adults were living in a house purchased by the institute.
- Morning meetings at the institute started daily at 5:30 AM.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1711falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-frozen-mug-in-the-restricted-zone--73137777
Imagine finding a frozen coffee mug in a restricted zone, with no footprints in the frost around it, deep inside a property where almost no one was allowed to enter. This mysterious discovery was the first crack in a carefully constructed system that had kept nearly forty people isolated and controlled. What secrets did the frozen mug reveal about the Clearsource Foundation?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Dorrfield Ranch, a 212-acre property operating as a "nonprofit wellness retreat" that was, in reality, a closed residential community. We follow the trail of evidence that led to the unraveling of Gregory Harris's operation and the eventual sentencing of its founder.

Person: Gregory Harris
Location: Calhoun County, New Mexico
Organization: Clearsource Foundation
Sentence: Eleven years

- Sherry Schultz found a frozen coffee mug on a sealed concrete lid at 7:43 AM on a January day.
- Dorrfield Ranch was a 212-acre property where nearly forty people had handed over their savings and legal control of their income.
- Pamela Draper was 36, a medical billing coordinator, and had recently ended a long engagement when she learned about the Foundation.
- Gregory Harris worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Ashford Medical Supply from 1991 to 2003.
- Harris had no medical license in any state and no clinical fellowship on any Oregon Health Authority record.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137777Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:14 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Frozen Mug in the Restricted Zone Imagine finding a frozen coffee mug in a restricted zone, with no footprints in the frost around it, deep inside a property where almost no one was allowed to enter. This mysterious discovery was the first...
Imagine finding a frozen coffee mug in a restricted zone, with no footprints in the frost around it, deep inside a property where almost no one was allowed to enter. This mysterious discovery was the first crack in a carefully constructed system that had kept nearly forty people isolated and controlled. What secrets did the frozen mug reveal about the Clearsource Foundation?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Dorrfield Ranch, a 212-acre property operating as a "nonprofit wellness retreat" that was, in reality, a closed residential community. We follow the trail of evidence that led to the unraveling of Gregory Harris's operation and the eventual sentencing of its founder.

Person: Gregory Harris
Location: Calhoun County, New Mexico
Organization: Clearsource Foundation
Sentence: Eleven years

- Sherry Schultz found a frozen coffee mug on a sealed concrete lid at 7:43 AM on a January day.
- Dorrfield Ranch was a 212-acre property where nearly forty people had handed over their savings and legal control of their income.
- Pamela Draper was 36, a medical billing coordinator, and had recently ended a long engagement when she learned about the Foundation.
- Gregory Harris worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Ashford Medical Supply from 1991 to 2003.
- Harris had no medical license in any state and no clinical fellowship on any Oregon Health Authority record.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1450falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-twelve-strongboxes-what-they-hid-will-terrify-you--73137775
Imagine a quiet December morning, shattered by the discovery of twelve padlocked strongboxes, each bearing a red number and a chilling message: "WHAT YOU WERE BEFORE STAYS HERE." What dark secrets could these boxes hold, and what kind of community would demand such a sacrifice?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Pine Ledge, a seemingly ordinary former summer camp that became a closed community built on borrowed credentials and transferred assets. We explore how a man named Randy Hunter constructed a system designed to slowly remove everything a person needs to leave, and the shocking financial contributions made by its residents.

Person: Tammy Casey
Date: December 14
Location: Dunmore County
Event: Discovery of twelve strongboxes
Organization: The Ledge Foundation

- Tammy Casey discovered twelve metal strongboxes bolted to Cabin Seven's back wall.
- The Ledge Foundation purchased the Pine Ledge property in the spring of 2009.
- Randy Hunter, the registered agent, was 54 years old at the time of the discovery.
- Rachel Tucker contributed $41,000 to the Ledge Foundation over eighteen months.
- Outgoing calls from Pine Ledge dropped by approximately 85% between January 2011 and January 2012.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137775Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:10 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Twelve Strongboxes: What They Hid Will Terrify You Imagine a quiet December morning, shattered by the discovery of twelve padlocked strongboxes, each bearing a red number and a chilling message: "WHAT YOU WERE BEFORE STAYS HERE." What dark...
Imagine a quiet December morning, shattered by the discovery of twelve padlocked strongboxes, each bearing a red number and a chilling message: "WHAT YOU WERE BEFORE STAYS HERE." What dark secrets could these boxes hold, and what kind of community would demand such a sacrifice?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of Pine Ledge, a seemingly ordinary former summer camp that became a closed community built on borrowed credentials and transferred assets. We explore how a man named Randy Hunter constructed a system designed to slowly remove everything a person needs to leave, and the shocking financial contributions made by its residents.

Person: Tammy Casey
Date: December 14
Location: Dunmore County
Event: Discovery of twelve strongboxes
Organization: The Ledge Foundation

- Tammy Casey discovered twelve metal strongboxes bolted to Cabin Seven's back wall.
- The Ledge Foundation purchased the Pine Ledge property in the spring of 2009.
- Randy Hunter, the registered agent, was 54 years old at the time of the discovery.
- Rachel Tucker contributed $41,000 to the Ledge Foundation over eighteen months.
- Outgoing calls from Pine Ledge dropped by approximately 85% between January 2011 and January 2012.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1462falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-red-stool-how-a-cult-leader-vanished-your-savings--73137774
Imagine surrendering your phone and debit card, believing you're building a better future, only to discover a cult leader has secretly rewritten the rules, making all your contributions irrevocably his. How did twelve adults fall prey to a scheme that siphoned over two hundred thousand dollars right under their noses?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of the Millhaven Cooperative Trust, where a charismatic leader, Douglas Green, manipulated a twenty-two-page charter to seize members' savings and control their lives. We explore the journey of Sherry Powell, a young woman seeking sustainable living, who became entangled in a web of deceit, and the subtle clues that eventually exposed the truth.

Case: The Millhaven Cooperative Trust
Person: Douglas Green
Location: Voss property
Total Contributions: Two hundred fourteen thousand dollars
Investigator: Randy Duncan

- Eric Tate, a paperboy, photographed a red plastic stool, the only dry object on a rain-soaked street, unknowingly capturing a key piece of evidence.
- Twelve adults signed a twenty-two-page charter, believing it offered a path to a better future.
- Sherry Powell, 24, left Calloway, Ohio, and surrendered her phone and debit card upon arriving at the Voss property.
- Douglas Green, 51, amended the charter twice without notifying members, changing Section Nine to make all contributions irrevocable property of the Trust.
- Green withdrew sixty-one thousand dollars in seven months, structuring transactions to avoid financial reporting thresholds.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137774Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:06 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Red Stool: How a Cult Leader Vanished Your Savings Imagine surrendering your phone and debit card, believing you're building a better future, only to discover a cult leader has secretly rewritten the rules, making all your contributions...
Imagine surrendering your phone and debit card, believing you're building a better future, only to discover a cult leader has secretly rewritten the rules, making all your contributions irrevocably his. How did twelve adults fall prey to a scheme that siphoned over two hundred thousand dollars right under their noses?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of the Millhaven Cooperative Trust, where a charismatic leader, Douglas Green, manipulated a twenty-two-page charter to seize members' savings and control their lives. We explore the journey of Sherry Powell, a young woman seeking sustainable living, who became entangled in a web of deceit, and the subtle clues that eventually exposed the truth.

Case: The Millhaven Cooperative Trust
Person: Douglas Green
Location: Voss property
Total Contributions: Two hundred fourteen thousand dollars
Investigator: Randy Duncan

- Eric Tate, a paperboy, photographed a red plastic stool, the only dry object on a rain-soaked street, unknowingly capturing a key piece of evidence.
- Twelve adults signed a twenty-two-page charter, believing it offered a path to a better future.
- Sherry Powell, 24, left Calloway, Ohio, and surrendered her phone and debit card upon arriving at the Voss property.
- Douglas Green, 51, amended the charter twice without notifying members, changing Section Nine to make all contributions irrevocable property of the Trust.
- Green withdrew sixty-one thousand dollars in seven months, structuring transactions to avoid financial reporting thresholds.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1620falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-scored-word-he-used-music-as-bait--73137773
Imagine finding a single, handwritten music score, pristine and untouched, after seventeen days below freezing and two snowfalls. This chilling discovery on a concrete pad outside a padlocked practice hall was score number forty-seven, written by a man already in custody, convicted of exploiting those who sought to sing together. What dark secret did this beautiful piece of music hold, crafted by a man who used it as bait?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling transformation of a choral group in central Pennsylvania, starting with Angela Vickers in the spring of 2009. We explore how a seemingly innocent desire to sing together led individuals into a situation where their vulnerabilities were meticulously cataloged and exploited.

Person: Thomas White
Date: February 9, 2014
Location: Hessler access road
Item: Handwritten music score
Number: Forty-seven

- Thomas White, a county road-grader operator, discovered the score after seventeen days below freezing and two snowfalls.
- Angela Vickers, 43, had taught high school chorus for sixteen years before her divorce.
- The first rehearsal had eleven people, led by Douglas Moore, 51, who claimed conservatory training.
- Moore introduced "Reckonings," Wednesday evening sessions where members shared personal vulnerabilities.
- Moore meticulously documented members' vulnerabilities in a brown notebook, creating a ledger of assets, contacts, and breaking points.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137773Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:09:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Scored Word: He Used Music as Bait Imagine finding a single, handwritten music score, pristine and untouched, after seventeen days below freezing and two snowfalls. This chilling discovery on a concrete pad outside a padlocked practice hall was...
Imagine finding a single, handwritten music score, pristine and untouched, after seventeen days below freezing and two snowfalls. This chilling discovery on a concrete pad outside a padlocked practice hall was score number forty-seven, written by a man already in custody, convicted of exploiting those who sought to sing together. What dark secret did this beautiful piece of music hold, crafted by a man who used it as bait?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling transformation of a choral group in central Pennsylvania, starting with Angela Vickers in the spring of 2009. We explore how a seemingly innocent desire to sing together led individuals into a situation where their vulnerabilities were meticulously cataloged and exploited.

Person: Thomas White
Date: February 9, 2014
Location: Hessler access road
Item: Handwritten music score
Number: Forty-seven

- Thomas White, a county road-grader operator, discovered the score after seventeen days below freezing and two snowfalls.
- Angela Vickers, 43, had taught high school chorus for sixteen years before her divorce.
- The first rehearsal had eleven people, led by Douglas Moore, 51, who claimed conservatory training.
- Moore introduced "Reckonings," Wednesday evening sessions where members shared personal vulnerabilities.
- Moore meticulously documented members' vulnerabilities in a brown notebook, creating a ledger of assets, contacts, and breaking points.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1539falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-s-last-meal-one-bowl-of-warm-rice--73137770
Imagine a cult vanishing overnight, leaving behind only 31 stripped mattresses, emptied filing cabinets, and a single bowl of warm rice. What kind of operation is so meticulously planned that it leaves no trace except a chilling note: "PROTOCOL DAY ONE"?

In this episode, we explore the disappearance of 31 people from a 14-acre property in Harwick County, beginning with the discovery made by Sarah Slater. We delve into the story of Sandra Donnelly, a precise dental office worker with an autoimmune condition, and her journey into the Meridian Restoration Program, run by the enigmatic Dr. John Lawson.

Date: September 8, 2011
Location: Stillwater Road, Harwick County
Person: Sandra Donnelly
Program: Meridian Restoration Program
Director: Dr. John Lawson

- Sarah Slater found 31 stripped mattresses stacked against a dormitory wall.
- A laminated card next to a bowl of warm rice read "PROTOCOL DAY ONE."
- Sandra Donnelly was 31 years old in early 2011 and worked at a dental office.
- The Meridian Restoration Program cost $2,200 a month, paid by advance bank transfer.
- Dr. John Lawson held no medical license, and his credentials were fabricated.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137770Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:58 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult's Last Meal: One Bowl of Warm Rice Imagine a cult vanishing overnight, leaving behind only 31 stripped mattresses, emptied filing cabinets, and a single bowl of warm rice. What kind of operation is so meticulously planned that it leaves no...
Imagine a cult vanishing overnight, leaving behind only 31 stripped mattresses, emptied filing cabinets, and a single bowl of warm rice. What kind of operation is so meticulously planned that it leaves no trace except a chilling note: "PROTOCOL DAY ONE"?

In this episode, we explore the disappearance of 31 people from a 14-acre property in Harwick County, beginning with the discovery made by Sarah Slater. We delve into the story of Sandra Donnelly, a precise dental office worker with an autoimmune condition, and her journey into the Meridian Restoration Program, run by the enigmatic Dr. John Lawson.

Date: September 8, 2011
Location: Stillwater Road, Harwick County
Person: Sandra Donnelly
Program: Meridian Restoration Program
Director: Dr. John Lawson

- Sarah Slater found 31 stripped mattresses stacked against a dormitory wall.
- A laminated card next to a bowl of warm rice read "PROTOCOL DAY ONE."
- Sandra Donnelly was 31 years old in early 2011 and worked at a dental office.
- The Meridian Restoration Program cost $2,200 a month, paid by advance bank transfer.
- Dr. John Lawson held no medical license, and his credentials were fabricated.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1534falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-night-shift-cult-how-a-binder-broke-them-all--73137769
Imagine a folding table, upright in a pond, holding a dry binder that would expose a hidden world. Twenty-two people lived inside a closed group for three years, unaware of its true nature. What secrets did this binder hold that could dismantle a cult operating in plain sight?

In this episode, we uncover the story of a unique group that formed within a factory's night shift, targeting individuals not for their desperation, but for their "right kind of grievance." We explore how Neil Roberts built this quiet, efficient system and how a single piece of evidence brought it all crashing down.

Person: Neil Roberts
Location: Telford Stamping
Date: August 14, 2019
Object: Three-ring binder

- On August 14, 2019, a folding banquet table was found in a retention pond behind Telford Stamping.
- The three-ring binder found on the table contained evidence that dismantled a group of twenty-two people.
- Neil Roberts, the group's leader, first appeared at Telford Stamping in March 2016 as a contractor for Devlin HVAC.
- By the fall of 2016, the group, calling themselves the Brotherhood, had grown to twenty-two members.
- Over two years and nine months, fourteen members authorized payroll deductions totaling two hundred and fourteen thousand dollars to the Braddock Foundational Trust.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137769Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:54 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Night Shift Cult: How a Binder Broke Them All Imagine a folding table, upright in a pond, holding a dry binder that would expose a hidden world. Twenty-two people lived inside a closed group for three years, unaware of its true nature. What...
Imagine a folding table, upright in a pond, holding a dry binder that would expose a hidden world. Twenty-two people lived inside a closed group for three years, unaware of its true nature. What secrets did this binder hold that could dismantle a cult operating in plain sight?

In this episode, we uncover the story of a unique group that formed within a factory's night shift, targeting individuals not for their desperation, but for their "right kind of grievance." We explore how Neil Roberts built this quiet, efficient system and how a single piece of evidence brought it all crashing down.

Person: Neil Roberts
Location: Telford Stamping
Date: August 14, 2019
Object: Three-ring binder

- On August 14, 2019, a folding banquet table was found in a retention pond behind Telford Stamping.
- The three-ring binder found on the table contained evidence that dismantled a group of twenty-two people.
- Neil Roberts, the group's leader, first appeared at Telford Stamping in March 2016 as a contractor for Devlin HVAC.
- By the fall of 2016, the group, calling themselves the Brotherhood, had grown to twenty-two members.
- Over two years and nine months, fourteen members authorized payroll deductions totaling two hundred and fourteen thousand dollars to the Braddock Foundational Trust.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1496falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cult-that-stole-412-letters-and-your-life--73137768
Imagine a recycling bin holding 412 handwritten letters, each unread, their rubber bands dissolving in the rain. This wasn't neglect; it was the final step in a system of control, a chilling discovery that unraveled a literary cult. How did an English teacher, seeking to publish her manuscript, become entangled in this web of deception?

In this episode, we uncover the Penrose Editorial Collective, a residential program for writers that promised literary success but delivered something far more sinister. We explore the meticulous deceptions of its director, Jason Smith, and the journey of Christine Doyle, who found herself trapped in a carefully constructed reality.

Person: Christine Doyle
Date: July 14, 2019
Location: Tanner Falls, Indiana
Organization: Penrose Editorial Collective
Object: 412 handwritten letters

- A meter reader found 412 handwritten letters in a recycling bin at 44 Corwin Avenue.
- Christine Doyle was a 43-year-old seventh-grade English teacher with a manuscript she had worked on for eight years.
- Jason Smith, the director, claimed an MFA from the University of Virginia and a decade at Lakeshore Literary, but these credentials were false.
- The monthly program fee for the Penrose Editorial Collective was 940 dollars.
- Residents were required to use handwritten correspondence only, with outgoing mail placed in a tray in the hallway.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137768Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:50 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Cult That Stole 412 Letters and Your Life Imagine a recycling bin holding 412 handwritten letters, each unread, their rubber bands dissolving in the rain. This wasn't neglect; it was the final step in a system of control, a chilling discovery...
Imagine a recycling bin holding 412 handwritten letters, each unread, their rubber bands dissolving in the rain. This wasn't neglect; it was the final step in a system of control, a chilling discovery that unraveled a literary cult. How did an English teacher, seeking to publish her manuscript, become entangled in this web of deception?

In this episode, we uncover the Penrose Editorial Collective, a residential program for writers that promised literary success but delivered something far more sinister. We explore the meticulous deceptions of its director, Jason Smith, and the journey of Christine Doyle, who found herself trapped in a carefully constructed reality.

Person: Christine Doyle
Date: July 14, 2019
Location: Tanner Falls, Indiana
Organization: Penrose Editorial Collective
Object: 412 handwritten letters

- A meter reader found 412 handwritten letters in a recycling bin at 44 Corwin Avenue.
- Christine Doyle was a 43-year-old seventh-grade English teacher with a manuscript she had worked on for eight years.
- Jason Smith, the director, claimed an MFA from the University of Virginia and a decade at Lakeshore Literary, but these credentials were false.
- The monthly program fee for the Penrose Editorial Collective was 940 dollars.
- Residents were required to use handwritten correspondence only, with outgoing mail placed in a tray in the hallway.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1574falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-painted-handle-thirteen-feet-down-one-year-buried--73137767
Imagine a painted handle, the color of dirt, deliberately camouflaged to hide a secret. What kind of cult leader would bury fourteen people alive for over a year, convincing them it was their own choice?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of Vernon Gray, who built an underground world in Packer County and the people he gathered inside it. We explore the gradual process of manipulation that led individuals like Marie Wells to give up their lives above ground.

Person: Vernon Gray
Location: Packer County
Date: June 11, 2019
Event: Discovery of underground structure

- A volunteer found a dirt-colored handle because a 12x20-foot rectangle of grass around it had died.
- Fourteen people were living 30 feet below the handle, having been underground for over a year.
- Marie Wells, 30, lost 19 pounds and had not seen sunlight since spring 2018.
- Vernon Gray, 51, presented himself as an expert, claiming experience with the Army Corps of Engineers.
- Marie Wells, 26, initially joined the Aldermoor Readiness Assembly in 2015, seeking purpose.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137767Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:46 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Painted Handle: Thirteen Feet Down, One Year Buried Imagine a painted handle, the color of dirt, deliberately camouflaged to hide a secret. What kind of cult leader would bury fourteen people alive for over a year, convincing them it was their...
Imagine a painted handle, the color of dirt, deliberately camouflaged to hide a secret. What kind of cult leader would bury fourteen people alive for over a year, convincing them it was their own choice?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of Vernon Gray, who built an underground world in Packer County and the people he gathered inside it. We explore the gradual process of manipulation that led individuals like Marie Wells to give up their lives above ground.

Person: Vernon Gray
Location: Packer County
Date: June 11, 2019
Event: Discovery of underground structure

- A volunteer found a dirt-colored handle because a 12x20-foot rectangle of grass around it had died.
- Fourteen people were living 30 feet below the handle, having been underground for over a year.
- Marie Wells, 30, lost 19 pounds and had not seen sunlight since spring 2018.
- Vernon Gray, 51, presented himself as an expert, claiming experience with the Army Corps of Engineers.
- Marie Wells, 26, initially joined the Aldermoor Readiness Assembly in 2015, seeking purpose.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1538falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-lie-in-every-chart-how-a-cult-stole-everything--73137766
Imagine a cult that could convince dozens of people to hand over their savings and move to a rural Indiana farm, all in pursuit of something called "bloodline sovereignty." What if the key to this deception was found in 240 laminated genealogical charts, sealed in a water-warped box, each one a lie?

In this episode, we explore the disappearance of Erin Dempsey, an eighth-grade social studies teacher whose life of routine was upended by a chance encounter. We delve into the Meridian Bloodline Cooperative, a nonprofit educational organization that promised "lineage clarity" and "inherited purpose" but was built on a foundation of fabricated credentials and a carefully constructed method of manipulation.

Person: Erin Dempsey
Date: May 14, 2015
Location: Harlan Farm, Indiana
Organization: Meridian Bloodline Cooperative
Event: Discovery of 240 genealogical charts

- 240 laminated genealogical charts were found in a drainage ditch behind Harlan Farm.
- The Meridian Bloodline Cooperative incorporated in Indiana in the spring of 2011.
- Annual membership to the Cooperative cost $450.
- Chart certification ranged from $1,200 to $3,500.
- Sandra Bowers claimed credentials from the Crandall Institute for Historical Studies, which never existed.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137766Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:42 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Lie in Every Chart: How a Cult Stole Everything Imagine a cult that could convince dozens of people to hand over their savings and move to a rural Indiana farm, all in pursuit of something called "bloodline sovereignty." What if the key to this...
Imagine a cult that could convince dozens of people to hand over their savings and move to a rural Indiana farm, all in pursuit of something called "bloodline sovereignty." What if the key to this deception was found in 240 laminated genealogical charts, sealed in a water-warped box, each one a lie?

In this episode, we explore the disappearance of Erin Dempsey, an eighth-grade social studies teacher whose life of routine was upended by a chance encounter. We delve into the Meridian Bloodline Cooperative, a nonprofit educational organization that promised "lineage clarity" and "inherited purpose" but was built on a foundation of fabricated credentials and a carefully constructed method of manipulation.

Person: Erin Dempsey
Date: May 14, 2015
Location: Harlan Farm, Indiana
Organization: Meridian Bloodline Cooperative
Event: Discovery of 240 genealogical charts

- 240 laminated genealogical charts were found in a drainage ditch behind Harlan Farm.
- The Meridian Bloodline Cooperative incorporated in Indiana in the spring of 2011.
- Annual membership to the Cooperative cost $450.
- Chart certification ranged from $1,200 to $3,500.
- Sandra Bowers claimed credentials from the Crandall Institute for Historical Studies, which never existed.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1670falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-badge-in-the-creek-he-never-left--73137765
A dry, laminated badge found floating face-up in Sander Creek at 4 AM contradicted an organization's claim that one of its members had left freely. What secrets did the Perpetual Corps hide in the Tennessee hills?

In this episode, we explore the disappearance of Brian Baker and the strange circumstances surrounding the discovery of his badge. We delve into the structure of the Perpetual Corps, a disaster-relief group that operated quietly for over a year, and the man who built it.

Person: Brian Baker
Date: April 9, 2014
Location: Dunlap, Tennessee
Organization: Perpetual Corps
Founder: Ronald Anderson

- A laminated badge was found face-up and dry in Sander Creek at 4 AM on April 9, 2014.
- The Perpetual Corps operated from a forty-acre former summer camp in the hills above Dunlap, Tennessee.
- Brian Baker was 21 years old when he joined the Perpetual Corps in the spring of 2013.
- New recruits, called Floats, started their day at 5:30 AM and received forty dollars a week.
- Ronald Anderson had a civil fraud complaint filed against him in 2004 in Indiana.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137765Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:38 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Badge in the Creek: He Never Left A dry, laminated badge found floating face-up in Sander Creek at 4 AM contradicted an organization's claim that one of its members had left freely. What secrets did the Perpetual Corps hide in the Tennessee...
A dry, laminated badge found floating face-up in Sander Creek at 4 AM contradicted an organization's claim that one of its members had left freely. What secrets did the Perpetual Corps hide in the Tennessee hills?

In this episode, we explore the disappearance of Brian Baker and the strange circumstances surrounding the discovery of his badge. We delve into the structure of the Perpetual Corps, a disaster-relief group that operated quietly for over a year, and the man who built it.

Person: Brian Baker
Date: April 9, 2014
Location: Dunlap, Tennessee
Organization: Perpetual Corps
Founder: Ronald Anderson

- A laminated badge was found face-up and dry in Sander Creek at 4 AM on April 9, 2014.
- The Perpetual Corps operated from a forty-acre former summer camp in the hills above Dunlap, Tennessee.
- Brian Baker was 21 years old when he joined the Perpetual Corps in the spring of 2013.
- New recruits, called Floats, started their day at 5:30 AM and received forty dollars a week.
- Ronald Anderson had a civil fraud complaint filed against him in 2004 in Indiana.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1637falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-sobriety-chip-s-secret-buried-truths-of-pembrook-road--73137764
A surveyor discovered an orange sobriety chip hanging from a pine branch, marking the spot where a steel lockbox was buried. What hidden secrets did this unusual find reveal about a recovery house and a decade and a half of calculated predation?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Pembrook Recovery House, a supposed addiction treatment center, and the disturbing truth behind its operations. We explore the experiences of residents like Peggy Johnson and the fraudulent practices of its founder, Gregory Lewis, raising questions about the true nature of recovery and exploitation.

Person: Kent Richardson
Date: A Tuesday morning in March
Location: Dellard County, northwest corner of a twelve-acre property
Status: Recovery house taken down
Event: Discovery of a buried lockbox

- A surveyor found an orange plastic sobriety chip threaded on a red nylon cord, hanging at eye level.
- Directly below the chip, a steel lockbox was buried, secured with a bowline hitch.
- Peggy Johnson, 37, arrived at Pembrook Recovery House after two unsuccessful outpatient treatment programs.
- Gregory Lewis, 51, operated the house using a fraudulent recovery coach certification belonging to another person.
- Residents paid a monthly fee of four hundred dollars, with less than twelve cents of every dollar reaching charitable purposes.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137764Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:34 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Sobriety Chip's Secret: Buried Truths of Pembrook Road A surveyor discovered an orange sobriety chip hanging from a pine branch, marking the spot where a steel lockbox was buried. What hidden secrets did this unusual find reveal about a...
A surveyor discovered an orange sobriety chip hanging from a pine branch, marking the spot where a steel lockbox was buried. What hidden secrets did this unusual find reveal about a recovery house and a decade and a half of calculated predation?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Pembrook Recovery House, a supposed addiction treatment center, and the disturbing truth behind its operations. We explore the experiences of residents like Peggy Johnson and the fraudulent practices of its founder, Gregory Lewis, raising questions about the true nature of recovery and exploitation.

Person: Kent Richardson
Date: A Tuesday morning in March
Location: Dellard County, northwest corner of a twelve-acre property
Status: Recovery house taken down
Event: Discovery of a buried lockbox

- A surveyor found an orange plastic sobriety chip threaded on a red nylon cord, hanging at eye level.
- Directly below the chip, a steel lockbox was buried, secured with a bowline hitch.
- Peggy Johnson, 37, arrived at Pembrook Recovery House after two unsuccessful outpatient treatment programs.
- Gregory Lewis, 51, operated the house using a fraudulent recovery coach certification belonging to another person.
- Residents paid a monthly fee of four hundred dollars, with less than twelve cents of every dollar reaching charitable purposes.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1422falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-septic-tank-painting-a-cult-s-last-warning--73137763
Imagine discovering a painting, perfectly preserved, inside an active septic tank. This wasn't an accident, but a deliberate message from a former schoolteacher, hidden in plain sight. What dark secret was she trying to reveal about the Irongate Studio Collective?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story behind a nine-by-twelve-inch painting found by a septic systems technician in 2017. We explore the deceptive allure of the Irongate Studio Collective, a supposed haven for artists, and the subtle, yet powerful, control exerted over its residents.

Person: Gloria Sharp
Date: February 2017
Location: Dellford, Pennsylvania
Case: Irongate Studio Collective
Object: Nine-by-twelve-inch painting

- The painting was found perfectly dry and unmarked by moisture or mold inside an active septic tank.
- Gloria Sharp, a 61-year-old retired schoolteacher, deliberately placed the painting in the septic tank.
- The Irongate Studio Collective, located in a century-old converted mill, housed twelve residents at a time.
- The residency agreement was sixteen pages long and included a "breach of creative covenant" clause for early departure.
- Four specific residents, including an administrative liaison, held the keys to the exterior doors, a rotation that never visibly changed.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137763Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:30 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Septic Tank Painting: A Cult's Last Warning Imagine discovering a painting, perfectly preserved, inside an active septic tank. This wasn't an accident, but a deliberate message from a former schoolteacher, hidden in plain sight. What dark...
Imagine discovering a painting, perfectly preserved, inside an active septic tank. This wasn't an accident, but a deliberate message from a former schoolteacher, hidden in plain sight. What dark secret was she trying to reveal about the Irongate Studio Collective?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story behind a nine-by-twelve-inch painting found by a septic systems technician in 2017. We explore the deceptive allure of the Irongate Studio Collective, a supposed haven for artists, and the subtle, yet powerful, control exerted over its residents.

Person: Gloria Sharp
Date: February 2017
Location: Dellford, Pennsylvania
Case: Irongate Studio Collective
Object: Nine-by-twelve-inch painting

- The painting was found perfectly dry and unmarked by moisture or mold inside an active septic tank.
- Gloria Sharp, a 61-year-old retired schoolteacher, deliberately placed the painting in the septic tank.
- The Irongate Studio Collective, located in a century-old converted mill, housed twelve residents at a time.
- The residency agreement was sixteen pages long and included a "breach of creative covenant" clause for early departure.
- Four specific residents, including an administrative liaison, held the keys to the exterior doors, a rotation that never visibly changed.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1514falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-radio-cult-he-never-saw-the-desert--73137762
Imagine stumbling upon a vintage radio, warm to the touch, playing a man's voice describing a desert he'd never seen, deep within a Tennessee forest. This strange discovery hints at a hidden system designed to build loyalty, but what was its true purpose?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious appearance of a 1950s Zenith radio in Pinebrook State Forest and the radio program that led to its placement. We uncover the origins of "The Frequency" and the man behind it, Eugene Hoffman, whose fabricated past and carefully constructed persona drew hundreds of listeners into a five-stage loyalty architecture.

Date: January 12, 2009
Location: Pinebrook State Forest, Varnell, Tennessee
Object: Vintage Zenith console radio
Program: The Frequency
Host: Eugene Hoffman

- A birdwatcher found a warm, vintage Zenith radio on a handbuilt wooden platform in Pinebrook State Forest.
- The radio was playing a loop of recordings featuring a man's voice describing a New Mexico mesa he had never seen.
- Eugene Hoffman launched "The Frequency" on WVNL, a community AM station, in the fall of 1998.
- Hoffman's show, broadcast from midnight to 3 AM, reached approximately 400 listeners across three states due to skywave propagation.
- Judith O'Connor, a listener, experienced the first stage of a five-stage loyalty architecture after calling into the show and feeling "recognized."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137762Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:26 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Radio Cult: He Never Saw the Desert Imagine stumbling upon a vintage radio, warm to the touch, playing a man's voice describing a desert he'd never seen, deep within a Tennessee forest. This strange discovery hints at a hidden system designed...
Imagine stumbling upon a vintage radio, warm to the touch, playing a man's voice describing a desert he'd never seen, deep within a Tennessee forest. This strange discovery hints at a hidden system designed to build loyalty, but what was its true purpose?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious appearance of a 1950s Zenith radio in Pinebrook State Forest and the radio program that led to its placement. We uncover the origins of "The Frequency" and the man behind it, Eugene Hoffman, whose fabricated past and carefully constructed persona drew hundreds of listeners into a five-stage loyalty architecture.

Date: January 12, 2009
Location: Pinebrook State Forest, Varnell, Tennessee
Object: Vintage Zenith console radio
Program: The Frequency
Host: Eugene Hoffman

- A birdwatcher found a warm, vintage Zenith radio on a handbuilt wooden platform in Pinebrook State Forest.
- The radio was playing a loop of recordings featuring a man's voice describing a New Mexico mesa he had never seen.
- Eugene Hoffman launched "The Frequency" on WVNL, a community AM station, in the fall of 1998.
- Hoffman's show, broadcast from midnight to 3 AM, reached approximately 400 listeners across three states due to skywave propagation.
- Judith O'Connor, a listener, experienced the first stage of a five-stage loyalty architecture after calling into the show and feeling "recognized."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1542falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-worksheet-how-a-teenager-uncovered-a-hidden-cult--73137760
Imagine a world where a simple worksheet, found by a teenager on her paper route, could unravel a hidden system designed to control lives for years. What chilling truth did Heather Kowalski uncover at 44 Fernwick Lane on December 11, 2019?

In this episode, we explore how a fifteen-year-old girl's discovery of a peculiar worksheet led to the exposure of the Kessler Educational Cooperative, a homeschooling network that was far more sinister than it appeared. How did this seemingly innocuous organization manage to isolate families and control their lives for so long?

Person: Heather Kowalski
Date: December 11, 2019
Location: Grantville, Pennsylvania
Organization: Kessler Educational Cooperative
Age: 15

- Heather Kowalski, a 15-year-old, found a worksheet taped to a door at 44 Fernwick Lane at 4:55 AM.
- The worksheet contained 14 identical lines of text, all in a child's careful handwriting.
- The Kessler Educational Cooperative involved 22 families and 31 children aged four to sixteen.
- Ryan Bauer, the registered agent, had previously run a similar operation called Meridian Home Learning Circle in Youngstown, Ohio.
- Fees for the Cooperative started at sixty dollars per family per month.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137760Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:22 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Worksheet: How a Teenager Uncovered a Hidden Cult Imagine a world where a simple worksheet, found by a teenager on her paper route, could unravel a hidden system designed to control lives for years. What chilling truth did Heather Kowalski...
Imagine a world where a simple worksheet, found by a teenager on her paper route, could unravel a hidden system designed to control lives for years. What chilling truth did Heather Kowalski uncover at 44 Fernwick Lane on December 11, 2019?

In this episode, we explore how a fifteen-year-old girl's discovery of a peculiar worksheet led to the exposure of the Kessler Educational Cooperative, a homeschooling network that was far more sinister than it appeared. How did this seemingly innocuous organization manage to isolate families and control their lives for so long?

Person: Heather Kowalski
Date: December 11, 2019
Location: Grantville, Pennsylvania
Organization: Kessler Educational Cooperative
Age: 15

- Heather Kowalski, a 15-year-old, found a worksheet taped to a door at 44 Fernwick Lane at 4:55 AM.
- The worksheet contained 14 identical lines of text, all in a child's careful handwriting.
- The Kessler Educational Cooperative involved 22 families and 31 children aged four to sixteen.
- Ryan Bauer, the registered agent, had previously run a similar operation called Meridian Home Learning Circle in Youngstown, Ohio.
- Fees for the Cooperative started at sixty dollars per family per month.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1588falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-box-how-a-cult-trapped-oregon-fishermen--73137758
Imagine finding a dry orange crate in a drainage ditch after four days of hard rain, only to discover it contains the meticulously labeled financial records of a fishing cooperative. This discovery in Tillamook County, Oregon, hints at a deeper, more unsettling story of how a cult exploited the desperation of independent fishermen. What secrets did those forty-seven manila envelopes hold?

In this episode, we explore the origins of the Haul Covenant, a fishing cooperative that promised stability to struggling Oregon fishermen but delivered something far more sinister. We delve into the tactics used by its leader, Glenn Coleman, and the experiences of members like Jerry Bishop and Douglas Pell, who found themselves ensnared by its deceptive agreements.

Person: Glenn Coleman
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon
Event: Discovery of Haul Covenant records
Document: Twelve-page contribution agreement
Financial term: Damages provision

- The orange crate was found in a drainage ditch in Tillamook County, Oregon, on a November morning.
- Inside the box were forty-seven manila envelopes, each with a full name and dollar amount.
- Glenn Coleman arrived in Coos Bay approximately two years before the box was discovered.
- Jerry Bishop, a 31-year-old certified deckhand, signed an agreement to contribute fifteen percent of his seasonal earnings.
- Helen Pell, 71, co-signed her son Douglas's agreement as a secondary obligor, becoming liable for his $11,000 debt.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137758Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:18 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Box: How a Cult Trapped Oregon Fishermen Imagine finding a dry orange crate in a drainage ditch after four days of hard rain, only to discover it contains the meticulously labeled financial records of a fishing cooperative. This discovery...
Imagine finding a dry orange crate in a drainage ditch after four days of hard rain, only to discover it contains the meticulously labeled financial records of a fishing cooperative. This discovery in Tillamook County, Oregon, hints at a deeper, more unsettling story of how a cult exploited the desperation of independent fishermen. What secrets did those forty-seven manila envelopes hold?

In this episode, we explore the origins of the Haul Covenant, a fishing cooperative that promised stability to struggling Oregon fishermen but delivered something far more sinister. We delve into the tactics used by its leader, Glenn Coleman, and the experiences of members like Jerry Bishop and Douglas Pell, who found themselves ensnared by its deceptive agreements.

Person: Glenn Coleman
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon
Event: Discovery of Haul Covenant records
Document: Twelve-page contribution agreement
Financial term: Damages provision

- The orange crate was found in a drainage ditch in Tillamook County, Oregon, on a November morning.
- Inside the box were forty-seven manila envelopes, each with a full name and dollar amount.
- Glenn Coleman arrived in Coos Bay approximately two years before the box was discovered.
- Jerry Bishop, a 31-year-old certified deckhand, signed an agreement to contribute fifteen percent of his seasonal earnings.
- Helen Pell, 71, co-signed her son Douglas's agreement as a secondary obligor, becoming liable for his $11,000 debt.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1590falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-flashcards-and-the-missing-shoe-a-cult-s-last-trace--73137757
Imagine a deserted property, a red wagon in a garden, and a single sneaker left behind. What happened to the people who vanished, leaving only these cryptic clues? This cult's last trace hints at a deeper, more unsettling story.

In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of thirteen individuals from a residential compound, starting with a utility worker's discovery of an abandoned property. We delve into the origins of the Velthari Institute of Applied Language and the man who founded it, Norman Hansen, to understand how people like Gina Barrett were drawn into a world where language itself became a tool of control.

Person: Keith Watson
Date: Second Tuesday of October
Location: Calder Township, nine miles off State Route 88
Event: Disconnection of delinquent electric service
Topic: Velthari Institute of Applied Language

- Keith Watson found a red wagon containing flashcards, reading glasses, and one right-foot sneaker on a fourteen-acre property.
- The electric account was eleven weeks delinquent when Watson arrived.
- Norman Hansen, 47, founded the Velthari Institute, charging $40 for a four-hour introductory workshop.
- Gina Barrett, 50, transferred $41,000 to the Institute within one year and moved to the compound.
- The Velthari language, spoken by only thirteen people, had no word for debt.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137757Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:14 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Flashcards and the Missing Shoe: A Cult's Last Trace Imagine a deserted property, a red wagon in a garden, and a single sneaker left behind. What happened to the people who vanished, leaving only these cryptic clues? This cult's last trace...
Imagine a deserted property, a red wagon in a garden, and a single sneaker left behind. What happened to the people who vanished, leaving only these cryptic clues? This cult's last trace hints at a deeper, more unsettling story.

In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of thirteen individuals from a residential compound, starting with a utility worker's discovery of an abandoned property. We delve into the origins of the Velthari Institute of Applied Language and the man who founded it, Norman Hansen, to understand how people like Gina Barrett were drawn into a world where language itself became a tool of control.

Person: Keith Watson
Date: Second Tuesday of October
Location: Calder Township, nine miles off State Route 88
Event: Disconnection of delinquent electric service
Topic: Velthari Institute of Applied Language

- Keith Watson found a red wagon containing flashcards, reading glasses, and one right-foot sneaker on a fourteen-acre property.
- The electric account was eleven weeks delinquent when Watson arrived.
- Norman Hansen, 47, founded the Velthari Institute, charging $40 for a four-hour introductory workshop.
- Gina Barrett, 50, transferred $41,000 to the Institute within one year and moved to the compound.
- The Velthari language, spoken by only thirteen people, had no word for debt.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1365falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-director-s-chair-how-one-word-erased-a-life--73137756
A single wooden director's chair, found three hundred feet from the nearest fence in an open field, with no path or footprints, bore the stenciled name "Miriam." This bizarre discovery led investigators to forged credentials and a decade of methodical control. How did a chair appear in the middle of nowhere without a trace?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Erin Fisher, a high school English teacher whose stable life began to unravel after encountering a flyer for an immersive theater troupe. We explore the subtle mechanisms of control and the precise language used by the troupe's director, Howard Chambers, to reshape the identities of those who joined.

Person: Rebecca Carlson
Date: September 11, 2017
Location: Kettrick County
Event: Discovery of a director's chair
Topic: Cults and psychological manipulation

- The director's chair was found three miles into Rebecca Carlson's run.
- Erin Fisher, 41, taught high school English in Dayton, Ohio.
- She contributed approximately nine thousand dollars to the "Living Investment" fund.
- Morning pages, a combination of journaling and recitation, began at 5:30 AM exactly.
- Erin's character name, Miriam, became her primary identity within eight months.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137756Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:10 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Director's Chair: How One Word Erased a Life A single wooden director's chair, found three hundred feet from the nearest fence in an open field, with no path or footprints, bore the stenciled name "Miriam." This bizarre discovery led...
A single wooden director's chair, found three hundred feet from the nearest fence in an open field, with no path or footprints, bore the stenciled name "Miriam." This bizarre discovery led investigators to forged credentials and a decade of methodical control. How did a chair appear in the middle of nowhere without a trace?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Erin Fisher, a high school English teacher whose stable life began to unravel after encountering a flyer for an immersive theater troupe. We explore the subtle mechanisms of control and the precise language used by the troupe's director, Howard Chambers, to reshape the identities of those who joined.

Person: Rebecca Carlson
Date: September 11, 2017
Location: Kettrick County
Event: Discovery of a director's chair
Topic: Cults and psychological manipulation

- The director's chair was found three miles into Rebecca Carlson's run.
- Erin Fisher, 41, taught high school English in Dayton, Ohio.
- She contributed approximately nine thousand dollars to the "Living Investment" fund.
- Morning pages, a combination of journaling and recitation, began at 5:30 AM exactly.
- Erin's character name, Miriam, became her primary identity within eight months.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1361falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-architect-s-ledger-how-one-man-escaped-solace-path--73137755
Imagine a place where the front door is never locked, yet escaping feels impossible. How did a man with a communications degree and a steady job end up in a wellness center that would eventually send its leader to prison for fourteen years?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling details of Solace Path, a supposed wellness and study center that operated out of a converted grain facility. We explore how its founder, known as "the Architect," manipulated its members and the surprising discovery that ultimately led to his downfall.

Person: Roger Mills
Event: Escape from Solace Path
Location: Farlow, Indiana
Date: August 14, 2019

- Kent Webb, a meter reader, discovered the scene at 9:47 AM.
- Roger Mills, 24, joined Solace Path in January 2017.
- Solace Path was located in a converted grain-processing facility in Crestfield County.
- Roger paid an initial $4,000 alignment contribution and approximately $18,000 total in his first year.
- Frank Oliva, a former bookkeeper, maintained 62 "clarity ledgers" for Solace Path.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137755Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:06 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Architect's Ledger: How One Man Escaped Solace Path Imagine a place where the front door is never locked, yet escaping feels impossible. How did a man with a communications degree and a steady job end up in a wellness center that would...
Imagine a place where the front door is never locked, yet escaping feels impossible. How did a man with a communications degree and a steady job end up in a wellness center that would eventually send its leader to prison for fourteen years?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling details of Solace Path, a supposed wellness and study center that operated out of a converted grain facility. We explore how its founder, known as "the Architect," manipulated its members and the surprising discovery that ultimately led to his downfall.

Person: Roger Mills
Event: Escape from Solace Path
Location: Farlow, Indiana
Date: August 14, 2019

- Kent Webb, a meter reader, discovered the scene at 9:47 AM.
- Roger Mills, 24, joined Solace Path in January 2017.
- Solace Path was located in a converted grain-processing facility in Crestfield County.
- Roger paid an initial $4,000 alignment contribution and approximately $18,000 total in his first year.
- Frank Oliva, a former bookkeeper, maintained 62 "clarity ledgers" for Solace Path.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1573falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-tortoises-left-behind-a-cult-s-last-meal--73137754
Imagine finding a forty-gallon tortoise tank still running, filter humming, and automatic feeder half-empty, but every other trace of fourteen adults gone from the building. What could compel people to abandon their lives, leaving only two unbothered tortoises behind?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling transformation of a grief support circle into something far more sinister. We follow the story of Robert West, a man who lost his wife and sought solace, only to find his life unraveling within a group that promised healing.

Person: Robert West
Date: Summer 2017
Location: Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Group: The Restored Order
Event: Welfare check at Kellner property

- The forty-gallon tortoise tank was found still running with an automatic feeder half-empty.
- Fourteen adults had been living in the building, but no furniture or personal items remained.
- Robert West had been married to Nora for twenty-seven years, from 1988 until her death in 2015.
- Clifford Vaughn, 55, claimed his daughter Hannah drowned in 2013, a story for which no evidence exists.
- The Restored Order moved to the Kellner property, leased for $2,200 a month, in June 2016.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137754Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:08:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Tortoises Left Behind: A Cult's Last Meal Imagine finding a forty-gallon tortoise tank still running, filter humming, and automatic feeder half-empty, but every other trace of fourteen adults gone from the building. What could compel people to...
Imagine finding a forty-gallon tortoise tank still running, filter humming, and automatic feeder half-empty, but every other trace of fourteen adults gone from the building. What could compel people to abandon their lives, leaving only two unbothered tortoises behind?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling transformation of a grief support circle into something far more sinister. We follow the story of Robert West, a man who lost his wife and sought solace, only to find his life unraveling within a group that promised healing.

Person: Robert West
Date: Summer 2017
Location: Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Group: The Restored Order
Event: Welfare check at Kellner property

- The forty-gallon tortoise tank was found still running with an automatic feeder half-empty.
- Fourteen adults had been living in the building, but no furniture or personal items remained.
- Robert West had been married to Nora for twenty-seven years, from 1988 until her death in 2015.
- Clifford Vaughn, 55, claimed his daughter Hannah drowned in 2013, a story for which no evidence exists.
- The Restored Order moved to the Kellner property, leased for $2,200 a month, in June 2016.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1428falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-kitchen-timer-what-it-passed-really-meant--73137753
A white enamel kitchen timer, set to zero, was found scratched with two mysterious words: "IT PASSED." What chilling event did this cryptic message signify, and who desperately needed to leave proof of its occurrence?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of the Farrell Compact, a group that began with a seemingly ordinary wellness fair encounter and led to fabricated doctorates, hidden envelopes, and a mother's two-year wait for a phone call that never came. Discover how a seemingly ordinary life can unravel within a cult.

Person: Lauren Doyle
Age: twenty-one
Location: Mercer
Organization: Farrell Compact
Total financial transfers: two hundred thirty-eight thousand dollars

- A dog discovered a white enamel kitchen timer with "IT PASSED" scratched into it.
- Lauren Doyle was twenty-one when she joined the Farrell Compact, not in crisis.
- Norman Farrell, 53, claimed a fabricated doctorate and twelve years of research.
- The Farrell Compact had roughly twenty members at its peak.
- Members carried laminated cards with the date June twenty-second, eleven fifty-nine p.m., called "the Arrival."

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137753Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:58 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Kitchen Timer: What "It Passed" Really Meant A white enamel kitchen timer, set to zero, was found scratched with two mysterious words: "IT PASSED." What chilling event did this cryptic message signify, and who desperately needed to leave proof...
A white enamel kitchen timer, set to zero, was found scratched with two mysterious words: "IT PASSED." What chilling event did this cryptic message signify, and who desperately needed to leave proof of its occurrence?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling story of the Farrell Compact, a group that began with a seemingly ordinary wellness fair encounter and led to fabricated doctorates, hidden envelopes, and a mother's two-year wait for a phone call that never came. Discover how a seemingly ordinary life can unravel within a cult.

Person: Lauren Doyle
Age: twenty-one
Location: Mercer
Organization: Farrell Compact
Total financial transfers: two hundred thirty-eight thousand dollars

- A dog discovered a white enamel kitchen timer with "IT PASSED" scratched into it.
- Lauren Doyle was twenty-one when she joined the Farrell Compact, not in crisis.
- Norman Farrell, 53, claimed a fabricated doctorate and twelve years of research.
- The Farrell Compact had roughly twenty members at its peak.
- Members carried laminated cards with the date June twenty-second, eleven fifty-nine p.m., called "the Arrival."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1425falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-ledger-that-buried-a-town-s-secrets--73137751
Imagine a bone-dry binder, sealed in duct-taped freezer bags, discovered on a creek bank in Ohio, containing 112 pages of handwritten financial ledgers, a deed, and a photograph that would unravel four years of lies. What secrets could be so damning that someone would go to such lengths to hide them?

In this episode, we uncover the story of a small, quiet town in Wayne County, Ohio, and how its residents became entangled in a group built around a stranger's promises. We explore how people gradually lost their money, time, and ordinary lives without ever realizing it was happening.

Person: Bruce Foster
Location: Orrville, Ohio
Date: May 14, 2011
Event: Discovery of financial ledgers
Topic: Millgate Study Group

- A three-ring binder was found sealed in duct-taped freezer bags on a creek bank.
- The binder contained 112 pages of handwritten financial ledgers, a deed of transfer, and a photograph.
- The photograph showed Bruce Foster, who claimed he had never been west of the Mississippi, at a vocational school in Tucson, Arizona.
- Dawn Thompson, a 38-year-old small business owner, attended a free introductory session on "clarity practice" in 2007.
- By early 2008, members of the Millgate Study Group were paying a "clarity tithe" of $100 per month, which rose to $400 per month by spring 2008.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137751Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:54 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Ledger That Buried a Town's Secrets Imagine a bone-dry binder, sealed in duct-taped freezer bags, discovered on a creek bank in Ohio, containing 112 pages of handwritten financial ledgers, a deed, and a photograph that would unravel four years...
Imagine a bone-dry binder, sealed in duct-taped freezer bags, discovered on a creek bank in Ohio, containing 112 pages of handwritten financial ledgers, a deed, and a photograph that would unravel four years of lies. What secrets could be so damning that someone would go to such lengths to hide them?

In this episode, we uncover the story of a small, quiet town in Wayne County, Ohio, and how its residents became entangled in a group built around a stranger's promises. We explore how people gradually lost their money, time, and ordinary lives without ever realizing it was happening.

Person: Bruce Foster
Location: Orrville, Ohio
Date: May 14, 2011
Event: Discovery of financial ledgers
Topic: Millgate Study Group

- A three-ring binder was found sealed in duct-taped freezer bags on a creek bank.
- The binder contained 112 pages of handwritten financial ledgers, a deed of transfer, and a photograph.
- The photograph showed Bruce Foster, who claimed he had never been west of the Mississippi, at a vocational school in Tucson, Arizona.
- Dawn Thompson, a 38-year-old small business owner, attended a free introductory session on "clarity practice" in 2007.
- By early 2008, members of the Millgate Study Group were paying a "clarity tithe" of $100 per month, which rose to $400 per month by spring 2008.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1431falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-chair-in-the-clearing-she-never-asked-for-her-life-back--73137750
A high-backed wooden chair, a folded coat, and a travel case containing a passport and car keys were found sixty feet from an equipment shed in a frost-stiffened clearing. The only footprints belonged to the county surveyor who discovered them. What happened to Jean Vogel, a 63-year-old woman scheduled to leave a grief retreat nine days earlier, whose belongings were left behind but she was not?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling disappearance of Jean Vogel from Hollow Spring, a residential retreat for people navigating grief and major life transitions. We uncover the subtle and deliberate methods used to disorient guests and the chain of events that led to Jean's scheduled departure passing unnoticed by her family.

Person: Jean Vogel
Age: 63
Location: Hollow Spring, Sutter County
Status: Missing
Date of scheduled departure: April 3

- Jean Vogel's passport, car keys, and a printed itinerary were found in a travel case.
- Jean had been scheduled to leave Hollow Spring nine days before her belongings were found.
- Hollow Spring was a residential retreat on forty-three acres in the eastern foothills of Sutter County.
- Guests at Hollow Spring surrendered their phones upon check-in.
- Integration sessions at Hollow Spring were scheduled at irregular intervals, sometimes as early as two or three in the morning.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137750Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:50 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Chair in the Clearing: She Never Asked for Her Life Back A high-backed wooden chair, a folded coat, and a travel case containing a passport and car keys were found sixty feet from an equipment shed in a frost-stiffened clearing. The only...
A high-backed wooden chair, a folded coat, and a travel case containing a passport and car keys were found sixty feet from an equipment shed in a frost-stiffened clearing. The only footprints belonged to the county surveyor who discovered them. What happened to Jean Vogel, a 63-year-old woman scheduled to leave a grief retreat nine days earlier, whose belongings were left behind but she was not?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling disappearance of Jean Vogel from Hollow Spring, a residential retreat for people navigating grief and major life transitions. We uncover the subtle and deliberate methods used to disorient guests and the chain of events that led to Jean's scheduled departure passing unnoticed by her family.

Person: Jean Vogel
Age: 63
Location: Hollow Spring, Sutter County
Status: Missing
Date of scheduled departure: April 3

- Jean Vogel's passport, car keys, and a printed itinerary were found in a travel case.
- Jean had been scheduled to leave Hollow Spring nine days before her belongings were found.
- Hollow Spring was a residential retreat on forty-three acres in the eastern foothills of Sutter County.
- Guests at Hollow Spring surrendered their phones upon check-in.
- Integration sessions at Hollow Spring were scheduled at irregular intervals, sometimes as early as two or three in the morning.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1451falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-sneaker-how-a-child-s-shoe-unmasked-a-cult--73137749
A dry child's sneaker, found after two inches of rain on a farm with no children, launched a 14-month investigation into a quiet architecture of control. How did a single shoe expose a cult's financial deception and fabricated biography?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Gathered Remnant and Shannon Olson, who joined the group at 24. We explore the subtle methods of manipulation used by Michelle Collins to draw in 38 adults and the profound impact it had on their lives.

Case: The Gathered Remnant
Person: Shannon Olson
Leader: Michelle Collins
Location: Mabry Road
Duration: 14 months

- A size-4 white sneaker was found completely dry on a wellhead cap after two inches of rain.
- 38 adults had organized their lives around the group's Wednesday meetings.
- Michelle Collins, 46, led the group, which met three times a week.
- Shannon Olson worked an early shift from 4:30 AM to noon at a warehouse.
- The Mabry Road property consisted of 112 acres with a farmhouse and three outbuildings.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137749Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:46 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Sneaker: How a Child's Shoe Unmasked a Cult A dry child's sneaker, found after two inches of rain on a farm with no children, launched a 14-month investigation into a quiet architecture of control. How did a single shoe expose a cult's...
A dry child's sneaker, found after two inches of rain on a farm with no children, launched a 14-month investigation into a quiet architecture of control. How did a single shoe expose a cult's financial deception and fabricated biography?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Gathered Remnant and Shannon Olson, who joined the group at 24. We explore the subtle methods of manipulation used by Michelle Collins to draw in 38 adults and the profound impact it had on their lives.

Case: The Gathered Remnant
Person: Shannon Olson
Leader: Michelle Collins
Location: Mabry Road
Duration: 14 months

- A size-4 white sneaker was found completely dry on a wellhead cap after two inches of rain.
- 38 adults had organized their lives around the group's Wednesday meetings.
- Michelle Collins, 46, led the group, which met three times a week.
- Shannon Olson worked an early shift from 4:30 AM to noon at a warehouse.
- The Mabry Road property consisted of 112 acres with a farmhouse and three outbuildings.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1533falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/she-changed-the-locks-the-cult-of-amanda-christensen--73137748
Imagine finding a frosted card wedged in a dock post, with a desperate message: "She changed the locks in August. The money is gone. I have nowhere." This isn't a distress signal, but a chilling testament to a woman's need to prove her past before vanishing. What kind of cult leader could engineer such a complete dismantling of a person's life?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Denise Whitley, a woman whose life of quiet consistency was systematically dismantled by Amanda Christensen, the enigmatic leader of the Brightward Circle. We explore the insidious methods used to isolate members and the fabricated credentials that masked a sinister agenda.

Person: Ross Harris
Date: February 11, 2019
Location: Talbert Reservoir
Organization: Brightward Circle
Event: Discovery of a desperate message

- Ross Harris, a retired logistics worker, found a laminated card wedged in a dock post before 7 AM.
- The card had "Brightward Circle" printed on the front and a handwritten message on the back.
- Denise Whitley, 47, volunteered at the Kellner Community Food Pantry for nearly six years.
- Amanda Christensen arrived in Kellner, Ohio, in spring 2016, paying six months' rent in cash.
- The Midwest Institute for Cognitive Development, Amanda's claimed credential, does not exist.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137748Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:42 +0000Creator at ObomediaShe Changed the Locks: The Cult of Amanda Christensen Imagine finding a frosted card wedged in a dock post, with a desperate message: "She changed the locks in August. The money is gone. I have nowhere." This isn't a distress signal, but a chilling...
Imagine finding a frosted card wedged in a dock post, with a desperate message: "She changed the locks in August. The money is gone. I have nowhere." This isn't a distress signal, but a chilling testament to a woman's need to prove her past before vanishing. What kind of cult leader could engineer such a complete dismantling of a person's life?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Denise Whitley, a woman whose life of quiet consistency was systematically dismantled by Amanda Christensen, the enigmatic leader of the Brightward Circle. We explore the insidious methods used to isolate members and the fabricated credentials that masked a sinister agenda.

Person: Ross Harris
Date: February 11, 2019
Location: Talbert Reservoir
Organization: Brightward Circle
Event: Discovery of a desperate message

- Ross Harris, a retired logistics worker, found a laminated card wedged in a dock post before 7 AM.
- The card had "Brightward Circle" printed on the front and a handwritten message on the back.
- Denise Whitley, 47, volunteered at the Kellner Community Food Pantry for nearly six years.
- Amanda Christensen arrived in Kellner, Ohio, in spring 2016, paying six months' rent in cash.
- The Midwest Institute for Cognitive Development, Amanda's claimed credential, does not exist.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1416falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-jar-of-lies-her-escape-from-the-clearance--73137747
Imagine finding a glass jar on a cold Montana morning, containing a driver's license, handwritten notes, and cash, left by a woman who wasn't missing but escaping a cult. This isn't a typical missing person case; it's a calculated move by Lori Anne Anne to leave behind a life she was not yet ready to believe was real. What compelled her to walk away from everything she knew, and what secrets did she leave in that jar?

In this episode, we explore the story of Lori Anne Anne, a pharmacy technician from Montana, who found herself drawn into a group called The Clearance, led by Melvin Roy Williams. We uncover the deceptive practices of Williams and the structured, isolating environment of the Trescott Ranch compound, revealing the subtle ways individuals can be drawn into such groups.

Person: Lori Anne Anne
Date: January 14, 2009
Location: Galvey County, Montana
Organization: The Clearance
Leader: Melvin Roy Williams

- Keith Burns, a fifteen-year-old, found the jar at six forty in the morning.
- The temperature was eleven degrees Fahrenheit when the jar was discovered.
- Lori Anne Anne was thirty-two years old when her license was found in the jar.
- Melvin Roy Williams was fifty-three years old in 2007 when Lori first attended his lecture.
- Brian Kohler lost nineteen pounds in eight months while at the compound.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137747Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:38 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Jar of Lies: Her Escape from The Clearance Imagine finding a glass jar on a cold Montana morning, containing a driver's license, handwritten notes, and cash, left by a woman who wasn't missing but escaping a cult. This isn't a typical missing...
Imagine finding a glass jar on a cold Montana morning, containing a driver's license, handwritten notes, and cash, left by a woman who wasn't missing but escaping a cult. This isn't a typical missing person case; it's a calculated move by Lori Anne Anne to leave behind a life she was not yet ready to believe was real. What compelled her to walk away from everything she knew, and what secrets did she leave in that jar?

In this episode, we explore the story of Lori Anne Anne, a pharmacy technician from Montana, who found herself drawn into a group called The Clearance, led by Melvin Roy Williams. We uncover the deceptive practices of Williams and the structured, isolating environment of the Trescott Ranch compound, revealing the subtle ways individuals can be drawn into such groups.

Person: Lori Anne Anne
Date: January 14, 2009
Location: Galvey County, Montana
Organization: The Clearance
Leader: Melvin Roy Williams

- Keith Burns, a fifteen-year-old, found the jar at six forty in the morning.
- The temperature was eleven degrees Fahrenheit when the jar was discovered.
- Lori Anne Anne was thirty-two years old when her license was found in the jar.
- Melvin Roy Williams was fifty-three years old in 2007 when Lori first attended his lecture.
- Brian Kohler lost nineteen pounds in eight months while at the compound.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1576falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dead-child-s-ribbon-a-cult-s-darkest-secret--73137746
A salmon-colored swim ribbon, marked "CEDAR LIGHT CAMP - FREESTYLE - THIRD PLACE," was found in a drainage ditch with a dead child's Social Security number stamped on its back. How did this ribbon, belonging to a child dead for eight years, end up discarded by the man running a rural retreat where thirty-one adults lived?

In this episode, we delve into the origins of Cedar Light, a former summer camp in Harlan Township, and the story of Peggy Cox, a bookkeeper who sought solace there after a personal loss. We explore how Vernon Burke, the program director, established the retreat and attracted vulnerable individuals, revealing the unsettling truth behind his claims and the hidden history of the property.

Event: Discovery of a child's swim ribbon
Date: December 11, 2019
Location: Harlan Township, Oswell County
Person: Peggy Cox
Organization: Cedar Light

- The ribbon was salmon-colored and had "CEDAR LIGHT CAMP - FREESTYLE - THIRD PLACE" printed on it.
- A Social Security number, belonging to a child dead for eight years, was stamped in blue ink on the back of the ribbon.
- Thirty-one adults were living at Cedar Light when the ribbon was found.
- Peggy Cox, a 52-year-old bookkeeper, moved into Cedar Light by September 2016.
- Cedar Light's nonprofit registration papers listed its founding date as 2013, contradicting Burke's claim of 2009.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137746Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:34 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dead Child's Ribbon: A Cult's Darkest Secret A salmon-colored swim ribbon, marked "CEDAR LIGHT CAMP - FREESTYLE - THIRD PLACE," was found in a drainage ditch with a dead child's Social Security number stamped on its back. How did this ribbon,...
A salmon-colored swim ribbon, marked "CEDAR LIGHT CAMP - FREESTYLE - THIRD PLACE," was found in a drainage ditch with a dead child's Social Security number stamped on its back. How did this ribbon, belonging to a child dead for eight years, end up discarded by the man running a rural retreat where thirty-one adults lived?

In this episode, we delve into the origins of Cedar Light, a former summer camp in Harlan Township, and the story of Peggy Cox, a bookkeeper who sought solace there after a personal loss. We explore how Vernon Burke, the program director, established the retreat and attracted vulnerable individuals, revealing the unsettling truth behind his claims and the hidden history of the property.

Event: Discovery of a child's swim ribbon
Date: December 11, 2019
Location: Harlan Township, Oswell County
Person: Peggy Cox
Organization: Cedar Light

- The ribbon was salmon-colored and had "CEDAR LIGHT CAMP - FREESTYLE - THIRD PLACE" printed on it.
- A Social Security number, belonging to a child dead for eight years, was stamped in blue ink on the back of the ribbon.
- Thirty-one adults were living at Cedar Light when the ribbon was found.
- Peggy Cox, a 52-year-old bookkeeper, moved into Cedar Light by September 2016.
- Cedar Light's nonprofit registration papers listed its founding date as 2013, contradicting Burke's claim of 2009.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1410falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-deed-to-nothing-how-one-man-stole-their-shared-dream--73137745
Imagine contributing over a million dollars to a shared dream, only to discover the land you built on was secretly transferred to one man more than a year before anyone knew. How could a community of twenty-two people, who invested $1,412,000, lose everything to a hidden property deed?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Pineward Compact, an intentional community in Tennessee where members sought a life of shared resources and governance. We explore how a seemingly credible leader and a subtle change in legal documents led to the complete loss of ownership for its members.

Person: Sharon Whitfield
Person: Keith Weaver
Location: Harrow Hill Road, Tennessee
Event: Pineward Compact formation
Date: August 2016

- A utility worker found the Pineward Compact compound empty on November 9, 2019.
- A legal pad listed twenty-two names and their combined contributions of $1,412,000.
- A property deed transferred forty-six acres of shared land to one man.
- Sharon Whitfield, a payroll processor, saved $44,000 before joining.
- The amended charter in March 2018 reclassified member equity as a "participatory license."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137745Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:30 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Deed to Nothing: How One Man Stole Their Shared Dream Imagine contributing over a million dollars to a shared dream, only to discover the land you built on was secretly transferred to one man more than a year before anyone knew. How could a...
Imagine contributing over a million dollars to a shared dream, only to discover the land you built on was secretly transferred to one man more than a year before anyone knew. How could a community of twenty-two people, who invested $1,412,000, lose everything to a hidden property deed?

In this episode, we uncover the story of the Pineward Compact, an intentional community in Tennessee where members sought a life of shared resources and governance. We explore how a seemingly credible leader and a subtle change in legal documents led to the complete loss of ownership for its members.

Person: Sharon Whitfield
Person: Keith Weaver
Location: Harrow Hill Road, Tennessee
Event: Pineward Compact formation
Date: August 2016

- A utility worker found the Pineward Compact compound empty on November 9, 2019.
- A legal pad listed twenty-two names and their combined contributions of $1,412,000.
- A property deed transferred forty-six acres of shared land to one man.
- Sharon Whitfield, a payroll processor, saved $44,000 before joining.
- The amended charter in March 2018 reclassified member equity as a "participatory license."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1295falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-choir-s-secret-a-dead-woman-and-stolen-identity--73137743
A forest-green binder found on a service road revealed a four-day discrepancy in a photograph's date, a small detail that concealed a woman locked in an outbuilding, a man with a history of similar actions, and a system of control disguised as a singing group. What secrets did the Lantern Choir truly hide?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of Cheryl Lewis, a music teacher from Harwick, Tennessee, whose life took an unexpected turn after joining the Lantern Choir. The group, led by Richard Sullivan, a man who had stolen a dead man's identity, began with music but ended in a locked shed and a DNA match.

Person: Cheryl Lewis
Location: Harwick, Tennessee
Event: Disappearance and discovery of a dead woman
Date: October 14, 2011
Group: The Lantern Choir

- A forest-green three-ring binder was found on October 14, 2011, behind the Harwick County fairgrounds.
- The binder contained a photograph with a date that was four days different from the digital record.
- Richard Sullivan, the choir leader, had stolen the identity of a different Richard Sullivan who died in 2003.
- By May 2011, Cheryl Lewis had dropped all her piano students due to the choir's "clearing" concept.
- By May 2011, Cheryl Lewis had moved to a communal farmhouse eight miles outside Harwick with eleven other choir members.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137743Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:26 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Choir's Secret: A Dead Woman and Stolen Identity A forest-green binder found on a service road revealed a four-day discrepancy in a photograph's date, a small detail that concealed a woman locked in an outbuilding, a man with a history of...
A forest-green binder found on a service road revealed a four-day discrepancy in a photograph's date, a small detail that concealed a woman locked in an outbuilding, a man with a history of similar actions, and a system of control disguised as a singing group. What secrets did the Lantern Choir truly hide?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of Cheryl Lewis, a music teacher from Harwick, Tennessee, whose life took an unexpected turn after joining the Lantern Choir. The group, led by Richard Sullivan, a man who had stolen a dead man's identity, began with music but ended in a locked shed and a DNA match.

Person: Cheryl Lewis
Location: Harwick, Tennessee
Event: Disappearance and discovery of a dead woman
Date: October 14, 2011
Group: The Lantern Choir

- A forest-green three-ring binder was found on October 14, 2011, behind the Harwick County fairgrounds.
- The binder contained a photograph with a date that was four days different from the digital record.
- Richard Sullivan, the choir leader, had stolen the identity of a different Richard Sullivan who died in 2003.
- By May 2011, Cheryl Lewis had dropped all her piano students due to the choir's "clearing" concept.
- By May 2011, Cheryl Lewis had moved to a communal farmhouse eight miles outside Harwick with eleven other choir members.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1446falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-saline-drip-that-erased-11-lives--73137742
Imagine discovering a sealed granary with a saline drip swaying inside on a sweltering September day. This unsettling image was the first clue to a closed community where residents had lost the ability to imagine leaving. What dark secret was hidden within these twelve acres of rural Tennessee?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling truth behind a residential wellness program that promised biological reset but delivered something far more sinister. We explore how chronic illness and a seemingly legitimate program led people into a community from which escape became unimaginable, even when doors weren't locked.

Person: Richard Rice
Date: September 2019
Location: Casson Mill Road, Harmon County, Tennessee
Event: Discovery of a saline drip in a granary
Program: The Restored Order Protocol

- Richard Rice, a meter reader, discovered a quarter-full saline drip bag moving inside a sealed granary.
- The investigation centered on a twelve-acre rural property housing eleven people, some for years.
- Erin Russo paid eight thousand dollars for her initial residential stay, which later increased to nineteen thousand dollars.
- The Louvain Center for Biological Restoration, cited as T. Armstrong's training institution, does not exist.
- A resident, Lisa Cho, repeatedly tried to escape through an eight-inch gap in the north fence to get a cell signal.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137742Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:22 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Saline Drip That Erased 11 Lives Imagine discovering a sealed granary with a saline drip swaying inside on a sweltering September day. This unsettling image was the first clue to a closed community where residents had lost the ability to...
Imagine discovering a sealed granary with a saline drip swaying inside on a sweltering September day. This unsettling image was the first clue to a closed community where residents had lost the ability to imagine leaving. What dark secret was hidden within these twelve acres of rural Tennessee?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling truth behind a residential wellness program that promised biological reset but delivered something far more sinister. We explore how chronic illness and a seemingly legitimate program led people into a community from which escape became unimaginable, even when doors weren't locked.

Person: Richard Rice
Date: September 2019
Location: Casson Mill Road, Harmon County, Tennessee
Event: Discovery of a saline drip in a granary
Program: The Restored Order Protocol

- Richard Rice, a meter reader, discovered a quarter-full saline drip bag moving inside a sealed granary.
- The investigation centered on a twelve-acre rural property housing eleven people, some for years.
- Erin Russo paid eight thousand dollars for her initial residential stay, which later increased to nineteen thousand dollars.
- The Louvain Center for Biological Restoration, cited as T. Armstrong's training institution, does not exist.
- A resident, Lisa Cho, repeatedly tried to escape through an eight-inch gap in the north fence to get a cell signal.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1645falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-machine-in-the-soy-field-a-cult-s-last-trace--73137741
Imagine finding a brass box, the size of a parking meter, in the middle of a soybean field with no tracks leading to it. This mysterious object, discovered by Vernon Cooper, was the last physical trace of a closed group that had quietly restructured the lives of fourteen people in Sutter County. What secrets did this strange machine hold about the cult's activities?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery of a peculiar machine in a soybean field and its connection to a secretive group operating in Harlow. We explore the lives of people like Megan Mitchell, a factory worker drawn into the "circle" by a charismatic leader, and uncover the hidden history of its founder.

Person: Vernon Cooper
Location: Aldermoor Road, Harlow
County: Sutter County
Year: 2017
Population: 11,000

- The machine's clock read seven forty-one.
- The group had restructured the lives of fourteen people.
- Megan Mitchell was twenty-two years old in October 2017.
- Paul Wagner was thirty-eight years old in 2017.
- Paul Wagner had six or seven members in his circle.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137741Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:18 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Machine in the Soy Field: A Cult's Last Trace Imagine finding a brass box, the size of a parking meter, in the middle of a soybean field with no tracks leading to it. This mysterious object, discovered by Vernon Cooper, was the last physical...
Imagine finding a brass box, the size of a parking meter, in the middle of a soybean field with no tracks leading to it. This mysterious object, discovered by Vernon Cooper, was the last physical trace of a closed group that had quietly restructured the lives of fourteen people in Sutter County. What secrets did this strange machine hold about the cult's activities?

In this episode, we delve into the unsettling discovery of a peculiar machine in a soybean field and its connection to a secretive group operating in Harlow. We explore the lives of people like Megan Mitchell, a factory worker drawn into the "circle" by a charismatic leader, and uncover the hidden history of its founder.

Person: Vernon Cooper
Location: Aldermoor Road, Harlow
County: Sutter County
Year: 2017
Population: 11,000

- The machine's clock read seven forty-one.
- The group had restructured the lives of fourteen people.
- Megan Mitchell was twenty-two years old in October 2017.
- Paul Wagner was thirty-eight years old in 2017.
- Paul Wagner had six or seven members in his circle.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1369falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-manuscript-he-forgot-18-months-inside-a-cult--73137739
Imagine losing 18 months of your life and forgetting the one thing you carried out of a cult. A canvas mail sack, found in a drainage ditch, held 417 handwritten pages-a novel Robert Brooks spent six years writing, then forgot he hid. What really happened inside Folded Page Creative Residency, and how did a seemingly reliable academic editor become entangled in a cult?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Robert Brooks, a man whose structured life was upended by Douglas Norris and his "creative residency." We explore the subtle, non-violent tactics used to control residents and the profound impact on their lives and work.

Person: Robert Brooks
Age: 38
Location: Garrett County, Maryland
Cult Name: Folded Page Creative Residency
Leader: Douglas Norris

- A canvas mail sack containing 417 handwritten pages was found in a drainage ditch, dry despite 18 hours of rain.
- Douglas Norris took over $300,000 from people by promising to nurture their unfinished work.
- Robert Brooks, an academic editor, spent six years writing his novel but never showed it to anyone before joining the residency.
- Norris falsely claimed a 20-year editorial career at a New York imprint and a Vermont arts fellowship.
- Robert joined Folded Page in October 2017, where his 417-page manuscript was immediately taken as part of an "Archive process."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137739Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:14 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Manuscript He Forgot: 18 Months Inside a Cult Imagine losing 18 months of your life and forgetting the one thing you carried out of a cult. A canvas mail sack, found in a drainage ditch, held 417 handwritten pages-a novel Robert Brooks spent...
Imagine losing 18 months of your life and forgetting the one thing you carried out of a cult. A canvas mail sack, found in a drainage ditch, held 417 handwritten pages-a novel Robert Brooks spent six years writing, then forgot he hid. What really happened inside Folded Page Creative Residency, and how did a seemingly reliable academic editor become entangled in a cult?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Robert Brooks, a man whose structured life was upended by Douglas Norris and his "creative residency." We explore the subtle, non-violent tactics used to control residents and the profound impact on their lives and work.

Person: Robert Brooks
Age: 38
Location: Garrett County, Maryland
Cult Name: Folded Page Creative Residency
Leader: Douglas Norris

- A canvas mail sack containing 417 handwritten pages was found in a drainage ditch, dry despite 18 hours of rain.
- Douglas Norris took over $300,000 from people by promising to nurture their unfinished work.
- Robert Brooks, an academic editor, spent six years writing his novel but never showed it to anyone before joining the residency.
- Norris falsely claimed a 20-year editorial career at a New York imprint and a Vermont arts fellowship.
- Robert joined Folded Page in October 2017, where his 417-page manuscript was immediately taken as part of an "Archive process."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1534falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-exit-document-she-buried-her-own-escape-plan--73137736
A dry wool coat, weighted with a river stone, found on a 91-degree day. What secret did it hold about a woman's disappearance from a rural Iowa town, and the cult she left behind?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling details of Valerie Myers' vanishing, from the discovery of a cryptic "exit document" to the construction of a closed world built on deception. We explore how a community noticed when one of its most reliable members stopped showing up, and the chilling implications of a voice that might not have been hers.

Date: June 14, 2019
Location: Cassen River, Pickett County, Iowa
Person: Valerie Myers
Organization: Prepared Ground
Investigator: Detective Sergeant Lou Graber

- A winter coat was found on the eastern bank of the Cassen River on June 14, 2019, despite a temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Inside the coat's left pocket, investigators found a spiral-bound notebook sealed in a zip-lock bag, dated June 2, 2019.
- Valerie Myers, a 61-year-old retired licensed practical nurse, had missed only two Tuesday volunteer shifts in nine years at the Dellford Food Shelf.
- Debra Finning wrote twelve letters to Valerie between fall 2018 and spring 2019, none of which were delivered.
- Structural engineer Tom Wachtel determined that the construction of Prepared Ground's infrastructure dated to mid-2017 at the earliest, after the group was formed in April 2017.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137736Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:10 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Exit Document: She Buried Her Own Escape Plan A dry wool coat, weighted with a river stone, found on a 91-degree day. What secret did it hold about a woman's disappearance from a rural Iowa town, and the cult she left behind? In this...
A dry wool coat, weighted with a river stone, found on a 91-degree day. What secret did it hold about a woman's disappearance from a rural Iowa town, and the cult she left behind?

In this episode, we uncover the unsettling details of Valerie Myers' vanishing, from the discovery of a cryptic "exit document" to the construction of a closed world built on deception. We explore how a community noticed when one of its most reliable members stopped showing up, and the chilling implications of a voice that might not have been hers.

Date: June 14, 2019
Location: Cassen River, Pickett County, Iowa
Person: Valerie Myers
Organization: Prepared Ground
Investigator: Detective Sergeant Lou Graber

- A winter coat was found on the eastern bank of the Cassen River on June 14, 2019, despite a temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Inside the coat's left pocket, investigators found a spiral-bound notebook sealed in a zip-lock bag, dated June 2, 2019.
- Valerie Myers, a 61-year-old retired licensed practical nurse, had missed only two Tuesday volunteer shifts in nine years at the Dellford Food Shelf.
- Debra Finning wrote twelve letters to Valerie between fall 2018 and spring 2019, none of which were delivered.
- Structural engineer Tom Wachtel determined that the construction of Prepared Ground's infrastructure dated to mid-2017 at the earliest, after the group was formed in April 2017.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1530falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/buried-royal-blood-the-lie-he-hid-from-prison--73137733
Imagine discovering a hidden strongbox containing a genealogical chart that traces your lineage back to European royalty, only to find the man who created it is in prison and denies all knowledge. What secrets lie buried with a man who sold others a story of their origins, then crafted one last lie about himself?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Frank Mills, a man who built a society around fabricated royal lineages in Boone Creek, Tennessee. Discover how a simple flyer led people like Chad Simmons to believe they were part of an unbroken royal line, and the quiet, profound impact of that belief.

Date: May 11, 2019
Location: Boone Creek, Tennessee
Person: Frank Mills
Object: Laminated genealogical chart
Organization: Kindred Lines Society

- A county surveyor found a strongbox sealed with a padlock set to 1991.
- Inside the box was a 24-inch wide genealogical chart tracing 14 generations to a European royal household.
- Frank Mills was in prison for nearly two years when the box was discovered.
- Mills claimed a graduate degree from the University of Edinburgh and a decade at a Belfast archive, neither of which were real.
- Chad Simmons paid an initial research fee of $280 and later $400 a month in stewardship fees.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137733Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:06 +0000Creator at ObomediaBuried Royal Blood: The Lie He Hid From Prison Imagine discovering a hidden strongbox containing a genealogical chart that traces your lineage back to European royalty, only to find the man who created it is in prison and denies all knowledge. What...
Imagine discovering a hidden strongbox containing a genealogical chart that traces your lineage back to European royalty, only to find the man who created it is in prison and denies all knowledge. What secrets lie buried with a man who sold others a story of their origins, then crafted one last lie about himself?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Frank Mills, a man who built a society around fabricated royal lineages in Boone Creek, Tennessee. Discover how a simple flyer led people like Chad Simmons to believe they were part of an unbroken royal line, and the quiet, profound impact of that belief.

Date: May 11, 2019
Location: Boone Creek, Tennessee
Person: Frank Mills
Object: Laminated genealogical chart
Organization: Kindred Lines Society

- A county surveyor found a strongbox sealed with a padlock set to 1991.
- Inside the box was a 24-inch wide genealogical chart tracing 14 generations to a European royal household.
- Frank Mills was in prison for nearly two years when the box was discovered.
- Mills claimed a graduate degree from the University of Edinburgh and a decade at a Belfast archive, neither of which were real.
- Chad Simmons paid an initial research fee of $280 and later $400 a month in stewardship fees.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1635falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-burning-cake-in-the-abandoned-cult-compound--73137732
Imagine finding a birthday cake with eight lit candles burning in a locked storage room of an abandoned agricultural compound. This unsettling discovery, made on April 14, 2019, pointed to something far darker than the truth, but the real mystery had been hiding in plain sight for eight years. What was the true nature of Operational Meridian, the disaster-response corps that never once responded to a disaster?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Gregory Mills, a facilities manager who found a new sense of purpose in what he believed was a legitimate emergency-response nonprofit. We explore how Lloyd Thorpe, the organization's founder, meticulously crafted a closed system that felt purposeful and chosen to its members, and the financial discrepancies that eventually unraveled the deception.

Person: Terry Wilson
Date: April 14, 2019
Location: Bellhaven, Crane County
Organization: Operational Meridian
Founder: Lloyd Thorpe

- A septic technician found a birthday cake with eight lit candles in a locked storage room.
- Operational Meridian was incorporated as a nonprofit in the spring of 2009.
- The compound had space for eight to twelve resident members at a time.
- The membership fee for Operational Meridian was two hundred dollars per year.
- Gregory Mills noticed sixty-four thousand dollars moved to an unrecognized account over eighteen months.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137732Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:07:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Burning Cake in the Abandoned Cult Compound Imagine finding a birthday cake with eight lit candles burning in a locked storage room of an abandoned agricultural compound. This unsettling discovery, made on April 14, 2019, pointed to something...
Imagine finding a birthday cake with eight lit candles burning in a locked storage room of an abandoned agricultural compound. This unsettling discovery, made on April 14, 2019, pointed to something far darker than the truth, but the real mystery had been hiding in plain sight for eight years. What was the true nature of Operational Meridian, the disaster-response corps that never once responded to a disaster?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Gregory Mills, a facilities manager who found a new sense of purpose in what he believed was a legitimate emergency-response nonprofit. We explore how Lloyd Thorpe, the organization's founder, meticulously crafted a closed system that felt purposeful and chosen to its members, and the financial discrepancies that eventually unraveled the deception.

Person: Terry Wilson
Date: April 14, 2019
Location: Bellhaven, Crane County
Organization: Operational Meridian
Founder: Lloyd Thorpe

- A septic technician found a birthday cake with eight lit candles in a locked storage room.
- Operational Meridian was incorporated as a nonprofit in the spring of 2009.
- The compound had space for eight to twelve resident members at a time.
- The membership fee for Operational Meridian was two hundred dollars per year.
- Gregory Mills noticed sixty-four thousand dollars moved to an unrecognized account over eighteen months.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1539falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-pale-cedar-where-recovery-became-a-cult--73137731
Imagine discovering a perfectly set dining table in a remote clearing, a cold glass of water on it, yet no one has been there for hours. This chilling scene was the beginning of the end for a secretive recovery foundation, where a woman's quest for healing led her into a world of control and deception. What dark secrets did the Pale Cedar Recovery Foundation hide?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery made by a retired postal worker and trace its connection to a residential recovery house in Harwick County. We delve into the story of Beverly McCarthy, a high-compliance patient seeking help for prescription painkiller dependency, and the enigmatic founder, Todd Harrison, whose credentials were entirely fabricated.

Person: Donald Hughes
Date: March 11, 2019
Location: Harwick County
Organization: Pale Cedar Recovery Foundation
Founder: Todd Harrison

- Donald Hughes found a dining table with six chairs, a standing lamp, a glass of water, and an open book in a clearing.
- The lamp's serial number matched an item from the Pale Cedar Recovery Foundation, located twelve miles away.
- Beverly McCarthy arrived at Pale Cedar on March 3, 2017, with a laminated feeding schedule for two rescue rabbits.
- Todd Harrison, born Todd Harrison Briggs, legally changed his name in 2012 and presented fabricated credentials.
- In June 2017, "The Pale Cedar Method: A Path Restored" replaced twelve-step workbooks, and the word "recovery" was replaced with "restoration."

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73137731Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:06:58 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Pale Cedar: Where Recovery Became a Cult Imagine discovering a perfectly set dining table in a remote clearing, a cold glass of water on it, yet no one has been there for hours. This chilling scene was the beginning of the end for a secretive...
Imagine discovering a perfectly set dining table in a remote clearing, a cold glass of water on it, yet no one has been there for hours. This chilling scene was the beginning of the end for a secretive recovery foundation, where a woman's quest for healing led her into a world of control and deception. What dark secrets did the Pale Cedar Recovery Foundation hide?

In this episode, we explore the unsettling discovery made by a retired postal worker and trace its connection to a residential recovery house in Harwick County. We delve into the story of Beverly McCarthy, a high-compliance patient seeking help for prescription painkiller dependency, and the enigmatic founder, Todd Harrison, whose credentials were entirely fabricated.

Person: Donald Hughes
Date: March 11, 2019
Location: Harwick County
Organization: Pale Cedar Recovery Foundation
Founder: Todd Harrison

- Donald Hughes found a dining table with six chairs, a standing lamp, a glass of water, and an open book in a clearing.
- The lamp's serial number matched an item from the Pale Cedar Recovery Foundation, located twelve miles away.
- Beverly McCarthy arrived at Pale Cedar on March 3, 2017, with a laminated feeding schedule for two rescue rabbits.
- Todd Harrison, born Todd Harrison Briggs, legally changed his name in 2012 and presented fabricated credentials.
- In June 2017, "The Pale Cedar Method: A Path Restored" replaced twelve-step workbooks, and the word "recovery" was replaced with "restoration."

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1603falsefull