On July 7, 2005, at 8:49 AM, three bombs detonated in three separate trains in the London Underground. How did Samantha Lewthwaite, the British wife of one of the suspects known as the White Widow, go on to become one of the world’s most wanted individuals for her roles in multiple terrorist attacks across several continents?

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Theme music: War Machine (The Purpose of a System Is What It Does) by Sister Ray Davies. Check them out: https://www.instagram.com/sisterraydavies

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From 19th-century mentalists to multi-millionaires, we trace how a fringe theology promising health and wealth became a global juggernaut among evangelical Christians.

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Theme music: War Machine (The Purpose of a System Is What It Does) by Sister Ray Davies. Check them out: https://www.instagram.com/sisterraydavies

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Aamer takes us inside the Saudi social media phenomenon of 'free masked men' — anonymous videos complaining about declining living standards and calling for the head of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

But like everything in the Kingdom, it may not be all that seems...

Check out the videos here: https://www.middleeasteye.net/trending/masked-saudi-youths-spark-online-movement-calling-end-crown-princes-rule

Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at helltopaypodcast@gmail.com

Theme music: War Machine (The Purpose of a System Is What It Does) by Sister Ray Davies. Check them out: https://www.instagram.com/sisterraydavies

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Recorded prior to the United States bombing Iran, in this episode Elle and Aamer discuss the history behind why American Christians have become so obsessed with defending the state of Israel — no matter the cost.

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Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at helltopaypodcast@gmail.com

Theme music: War Machine (The Purpose of a System Is What It Does) by Sister Ray Davies. Check them out: https://www.instagram.com/sisterraydavies

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Aamer and Elle are joined by journalist Gareth Gore, author of Opus, an expose on Opus Dei — a secretive, ultra-conservative Catholic sect — and its long history of cosying up to dictators, human trafficking, and siphoning billions of dollars from one of the world’s largest banks.

Buy Gareth’s book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opus/Gareth-Gore/9781668016145

Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at helltopaypodcast@gmail.com

Theme music: War Machine (The Purpose of a System Is What It Does) by Sister Ray Davies. Check them out: https://www.instagram.com/sisterraydavies

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Reactionary nihilism, ideological world building, and kitty litters in classrooms: in this episode, journalist and author Katherine Stewart takes us inside the power center of American conservatives.

Katherine's substack: https://substack.com/@katherinestewartbooks

Katherine's latest book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/money-lies-and-god-9781635578546/

Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at helltopaypodcast@gmail.com

Theme music: War Machine (The Purpose of a System Is What It Does) by Sister Ray Davies. Check them out: https://www.instagram.com/sisterraydavies

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• Why did Apollo Quiboloy, a charismatic preacher who claimed he could stop earthquakes by yelling at them, and with close ties to the former president and his daughter, the current vice president — stage a dramatic and violent siege at his compound?

• And why did the Filipino government finally decide to arrest him after almost four decades of crimes?

  Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

  Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at helltopaypodcast@gmail.com

  Theme music: War Machine (The Purpose of a System Is What It Does) by Sister Ray Davies. Check them out: https://www.instagram.com/sisterraydavies

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Episode Description:

In this episode of Hell to Pay, Sipho Hlongwane and Elle Hardy are joined by journalist and author Pontsho Pilane to unravel the rise — and flight — of Shepherd Bushiri, the self-proclaimed prophet turned fugitive. From prosperity preaching and financial fraud to allegations of sexual abuse, we explore how faith, wealth, and impunity collide in the megachurch era. Plus: how Bushiri fits into a broader African religious landscape shaped by power, inequality, and spiritual manipulation.

Sources:

• Bushiris: How the couple fled South Africa for Malawi" – BBC News

• "Bushiri faces additional charges after he fled SA – Minister Kubayi" – SABC News"Bushiri's return to Malawi threatens relations with South Africa" – Al Jazeera

• "Shepherd Bushiri: Prophet or pretender?" – BBC NewsThe prosperity gospel excuses poverty and its true causes in Africa" – Mail & Guardian

• "When crime is cloaked as religion" – Mail & Guardian (Thought Leader)

• "Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso released from custody pending appeal against prohibited person decision" – Daily Maverick

Where to buy Pontsho’ book: https://www.nb.co.za/en/view-book?id=9780624093084

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