Before he was your favorite podcast host, Tyler Measom was… just a dude with a camera and a crush.

It was 2005, and Tyler found himself driving deep into FLDS polygamist territory - with his co-director-slash-maybe-love-interest (hey, Jennilyn) - to make a documentary about the "Lost Boys" exiled from a fundamentalist Mormon cult run by none other than slimeball Warren Jeffs. That little film? Sons of Perdition premiered at Tribeca.

And one of the mothers at the heart of that story? Jorjina Broadbent.

This week, Jorjina, mother of twelve (yes, twelve), former sister-wife - joins us to recount what life was really like inside the FLDS: arranged marriage, relentless obedience, magical underwear, and raising a family in a trailer where babies sometimes had to sleep in drawers.

And the escape is hair raising. And Tyler was there to capture it.

This is Part One of Jorjina’s extraordinary story.

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WATCH THE FILM:

Sons of Perdition (Tyler’s baby)

Stream on Amazon, Tubi, Apple TV, YouTube TV, Sling, Plex

FREE for Patreon members!

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Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse.

You’ve seen them — maybe at the airport with pamphlets, or quietly shopping at a farmer’s market. Dressed in starched shirts, tie-back bonnets, pressed skirts. Singing in gentle harmonies. Smiling softly. The Holdeman Mennonites, they’ll tell you, are just humble people of faith.

Quiet.

Nonviolent.

Pure.

But purity can be a costume. And obedience, a weapon.

Today’s guest, Billy Holdeman-Bass grew up in that world.

And there were things that didn’t get sung about.

Doors that stayed locked.

And a question his mother never answered: “Why do you always follow me to the bathroom?”

Behind the hymnals and homemade apple pies lies a truth that can’t stay buried forever. In this episode, that truth begins to speak.

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Follow Us for More Culty Content:

Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult

Support the Show:

This show is listener-powered. If Billy’s story moved you—please rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon.

Share Your Story:

Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it.

Email us at info@wasiinacult.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Content Warning: This episode contains references to sexual abuse, coercion, and emotional trauma.

Last week, we met Zipporah—a woman who spent 44 years inside a Utah cult so small and obscure, most people never even knew it existed. That is, until 1978, when a horrific tragedy made national headlines.

The cult was led by Emmanuel David, a self-declared prophet who eventually proclaimed himself God. After his suicide, his wife—his most devoted follower—carried out an unspeakable murder-suicide that took the lives of their children.

All but one.

Their daughter Rachel survived—and in many ways, because she did, so did the cult. It should’ve died with its leader. But for a small group of devoted followers, it didn’t.

Zipporah was one of them.

This is Part 2 of her story… how the cult kept its grasp on her for the next 40 years until she finally was able to break free.

________

Follow Us for More Culty Content:

Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult

Support the Show:

This show is listener-powered. If Zipporah’s story moved you—please rate, review, and share.

Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon.

Share Your Story:

Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it.

Email us at info@wasiinacult.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.