Crime House True Crime Stories is the ultimate destination for true crime fans. Every episode

features two notorious cases from that week in crime history, tied by a common theme like

infamous serial killers, mysterious disappearances, tragic murders, and more. Every Monday,

uncover the full stories behind the headlines as host Vanessa Richardson takes you through

high-profile investigations like the murder of Gabby Petito, the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart,

and the mass suicide of the Heaven's Gate cult. Follow Crime House True Crime Stories — a

Crime House Original — wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of child abuse and sexual coercion.

It started with a pizza party for single moms. But soon, there were purple-lit temples, custom medallions, and a man who called himself “Donato the Christ”. What could possibly go wrong?

In Part 1 of Frankie Tease’s gripping story, we follow her teen years inside Long Beach, California’s Morningland—a so-called spiritual community where rituals masked control, and devotion was slowly weaponized.

Manipulation. Isolation. Grooming disguised as enlightenment—and a disturbing undercurrent of coercion that only grew darker with time. Frankie lived it all. And this is just the beginning.

Next week brings even more revelations… as well as Frankie’s road to freedom.

LINKS:

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Support the show: If Was I in a Cult? has impacted you, please rate and review—it really helps more people find us! And consider joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more.

Have a story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to: 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.

Whitney wanted a Friday night dress. She got a pink Cadillac and a cult instead.

At 21, she joined Mary Kay just trying to pay her $200 rent. What she got was a crash course in manipulation disguised as empowerment, a swirl of culty catchphrases, and a trunk full of sparkle-dusted dreams.

In this episode, Whitney takes us on her journey from California cake decorator to one of Mary Kay’s youngest Sales Directors—and eventually, to the other side, where she finds healing, purpose, and a life that’s truly her own.

No pins. No pearls. No plastic praise.

LINKS:

Come see us LIVE at the Napa Valley Streaming Festival!

Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult

Support the show: If Was I in a Cult? has impacted you, please rate and review—it really helps more people find us! And consider joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus culty goodness.

Have a dark and sparkly story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Reach out anytime: 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.