The Terrifying Organization That Brainwashed America's Elite: NXIVM

Alleged MLM, NXIVM claimed to be a self-help group but was exposed as a Hollywood sex cult that recruited actors and women to get their bodies branded. Merle and Joyce take us through the rise and fall of NXIVM.
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MUSIC
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STILLS
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[@merckmaguddayao6814]

From the Ghoul Boys to the Cult Girls! I stan this new BUN tandem!

[@cherishhighvibes4283]

YessSss! Love this team!💜

[@TheSaneHatter]

@@Chilling_Chilling Neither are yours: goodbye, troll.🤣

[@merckmaguddayao6814]

@@cherishhighvibes4283 hope Buzzfeed keeps them for BUN. I also think they should continue on doing Unsolved True Crime since the Ghoul Boys chose to continue Supernatural on Watcher.

[@RobertoHernandez-cx4yt]

@@cherishhighvibes4283 Me Too

[@jj-if6it]

@@merckmaguddayao6814 hope the boys do true crime too

[@madssocks8532]

I'm always a little worried when I start watching a video about cults, but I really like how you both cover them. I appreciate your empathy with the victims and how you acknowledge that anyone could be roped in to something like that. Keep it up, you're doing great!

[@MerleONeal]

Thank u 🥺

[@Garviel_Loken.]

When you understand how this works, you become more defended against such involvements. Good job from girls and all the people who work with them!

[@alextrivunovic644]

Only idiots fall for stuff like this.

[@KevenTalks]

What's fascinating is that with cults, it's ALWAYS the same themes, the same coercive techniques, the same personality traits among the cult leaders, etc - almost like they're "wired" to go down this path - which makes you think if this is just a part of humanity that will always exist, and that the rest of society just needs to be educated about?

[@lordmuse390]

Is there a difference between a psychopath that is a business men and serial killer?! No. There is a reason of personal means to be something.

[@iamjustice4063]

You literally described all of society. No one is different, special, or unique. But some people choose to believe they are. They then try to get others to become like them. But really, everyone is already always the same no matter what. With varying limits of self control.

[@user-kb8qw7dy4t]

It's part of American culture that will always exist as long as freedom of religion is constitutionally protected. The U.K., for instance, does't have this problem because there's no question that the British monarch is the head of the one authorized Church of England.

[@Ivan-td7kb]

This is because Christianity has kinda normalized cult dynamics. In polytheistic societies, cults don’t gain that much traction.

[@crankypantsmcduff]

Narcacissts have become much more public since lock down. They are everywhere and they have no shame. I deteste them.

[@serenar8772]

Joyce cursing out these men in the end is really cathartic.

[@Garviel_Loken.]

As a white man I feel a little... Oppressed 😬 Liked the info though

[@socksumi]

Nothing as cathartic as judging a whole group of people by the actions of a few or just one.

[@r_saccount77]

@@Garviel_Loken. oh please

[@krystal9188]

FINALLY Buzzfeed making a comeback with some quality content! You ladies are awesome, can’t wait to see more 🎉

[@aleksaradojicic8114]

@@Chilling_Chilling At least these two are solid.

[@astrowolvez]

@@Chilling_Chilling ok.

[@CaseyAvalon]

Yes I love THIS 😍❤️

[@RobertoHernandez-cx4yt]

I Love this too

[@liz_suh]

There’s a show on Hulu that’s about all these cults including NXIVM. So crazy about the branding. Can you two cover Children of God? I find that to be one of the craziest cults.

[@sundrenchedmelancholy]

only 2 episodes and im already obsessed with this series. cults are so interesting to me and i love the idea of trying to figure out which cults i would’ve ended up in or not lol

[@sebp400]

don't become too obsessed though...

[@TheSpotlessMind93]

I am really enjoying this series. The interview segments make this stand out over some other BUN series. It's not just the hosts joking around and it adds a nice balance to it.

[@mixedtape513]

This crap literally happened right around the corner from where I worked at the time. It was mind blowing to hear everything when it all came to light.

[@maeday8971]

fun fact! a NIXVM member/recruiter was invited to my high school to give us a presentation on willing away mental illness and disabilities (specifically tourettes, which, if you don't know, can "go away" with age). his name is Marc Elliot and he still advocates for NIXVM

[@yin-sin]

Why did your high school allow that?

[@CaseyAvalon]

I had some "religious" people try to tell me to will away my spinal stenosis.

[@yin-sin]

@@CaseyAvalon yikes. Like I understand that people go to religion to help with their mental health issues but saying that it can be “willed” or “prayed” away is just a no

[@CaseyAvalon]

@@yin-sin right? I was like hell no. It's sad too because some people are so desperate for affirmation that their problems can be understood and deleted, they fall for this crap.

[@c.w.8200]

This white men be scary 👍

[@austinmejia3210]

So racist

[@saami9606]

@@austinmejia3210 shut it white man

[@ATribeCalledJoyce]

@@austinmejia3210 please baby

[@TheOnlyAdriana]

@@austinmejia3210 nope. Not racist

[@abramslion1]

@@austinmejia3210 He was the leader of the cult. Idk he deserves any simpathy.

[@eringomez-watters7881]

I have been obsessed with learning about cults for yearssss. I try to understand how “normal“ people end up in these cults. It astounds me.

[@fhdkdlbdhdk]

I didn't realise I was in a cult until it was too late. they can appear as normal friendship groups with a shared ideology, they're not always religious etc

[@lorimarie8677]

Same. I got interested when the book Helter Skelter came out. I was hooked. The Manson cult was taken out. Jim Jones took himself and his cult out. The Feds took out Branch Dividians and NXIVM. I just would they would take care of Scientology and MAGA

[@fhdkdlbdhdk]

@SWEET DREAMER exactly!

[@sunshine3914]

Think it was “Wired” that had a cult expert answering questions on the subject. She herself had been lured into a cult.

[@sshukla7975]

Those normal people are never normal. They are deprived of warmth and compassion. There are hints in their life of isolation already and they are looking for that belongingnesa and to be cherished by someone. I know one person. My husband, his mother had exercised control over him all his life, and later he did end up in a big cult and was almost ready to cut ties. But sexual assault aligation came forward in media and he distanced himself from that. But he is really still in control of his mom and inside still thinks about that group of religious people. Don't go in the rant of mother in law bashing. I have wrote a comment that you can go through. My mother in law created "Turpin family" kind of house of horrors. He is educated (that he did himself, she tried hard to stop him), he has a ok job. But no-one would suspect what path he took before all this. The subtle covert control that has been exercised in childhood has long lasting effects. For people in movies, they are mostly isolated already as they are celebs. And a fear is created that anyone getting to know them want something or why else want to know you. In reality they are looking for someone. That's why very normal looking people would be in the cults. I would encourage to read my comment to understand where I was coming from.

[@triscuit9074]

That eye movement thing is great. I've never been to therapy like that but when I was young my mom thought me how to juggle and if I'm stressed and having a hard time thinking about something I'll juggle and it's just easier for my to think when I'm juggling- it connects to the eye thing because you have to pay attention to the objects going from one hand to the other in order to catch them.

[@mariemarie2888]

I’ve been waiting with excitement since last week I love these two ladies. I’m a fan I just subscribed also. This is my new Saturday night in thank you ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@MerleONeal]

Marie yessss so glad you’re liking it!

[@mariemarie2888]

@@MerleONeal oh yes I really do. You are both great at this I hope you go far. Girl power and all that lol 😂❤️

[@nosuchthing8]

I'm so sad Cloe was involved in this monstrosity. Branding people? What?

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

It is not her fault, she was hypnotized by Lex.

[@AMWMWMW]

For more of this story I recommend HBO's The Vow where ex-members talk about their experiences, branding and unconditional submission of women included

[@kwristal00]

This is another reason why I'm happy being broke. No cult courses for me!!

[@sunshine3914]

Just be wary of Jehovah witnesses - they are the poor man’s Scientology.

[@heuthao7027]

So when is the Scientology cult episode dropping? 😂

[@ianlaw1754]

Great stuff. Really glad yall are doing this show. Very informative and fun.

[@VerhoevenSimon]

Always interesting to learn more about these cults.

[@AlleyCatInks]

This story always freaks me out because I live in upstate ny, I’m about an hour an change away from where this cult was founded. We have a Yellow Deli here in town as well, which I used to love eating there till I realized they are ALSO part of a cult 👀

[@Pixel-Pop]

Cult stuff is such an annoying post traumatic disorder. For me it’s not ptsd, it’s ptad lol because it doesn’t cause stress as much as it just causes annoyance since it was all wasted time and money with some racism against me. Workshops $300, counselling sessions $40, and yearly membership was $900. I left after one year, but I didn’t ever consider that it took my mom 16 years until she got kicked out.

[@ambersmith459]

Great new series! I love Joyce and Merle ❤️

[@Tam974eva]

Can you please do a video on the disappearance of amy lynn bradley ? She was said to have disappeared from a cruise ship either through drowning or human trafficking.

[@ladyred1665]

Go Joyce!! Love your work ladies 💘

[@cmax4488]

Psychedelic therapy is going to be huge for people with this kind of trauma

[@bluebelle8823]

This is a fantastic idea for a series. Your perspective is a little different from many of the others. NXIVM is not one I see spoken about a lot but it's complex, as all cults are. I appreciate that point that women are the backbones of cults. If you ever want to do a female cult leader try looking at Anne Hamilton-Byrne and The Family (though the travel aspect would be harder). She was as bad if not worse than some of the men.

[@HorrorHermitofHell]

Another excellent and informative video,thank you!

[@abby78810]

Merle had such a fascinating point when she said the line between victim and perpetrator is blurry. It's so easy in that scenario to be manipulated into changing sides. I was the weird kid who was speaking in full sentences at 1....

[@Tru1Tani]

I really like yalls chemistry! Definitely staying!

[@lyndiwilson2334]

You guys should try doing scientology next

[@littysamuel6061]

Another great episode! Can you guys do the Davidians next?

[@AbstractlyDelen]

Joyce and Merle keeping Buzzfeed alive

[@bebestaxx1383]

@404 error how? And I'm only asking because I'm new to this channel and genuinely want to know ..

[@ATribeCalledJoyce]

@404 error remind yourself that you don’t actually know us people before you talk

[@ATribeCalledJoyce]

@404 error no i won’t cause there isn’t any… did you watch the episode

[@lancel71]

Interesting, insightful, disturbing.

[@darlordvader]

Another great episode. Ya'll should definitely look into Aum Shinryko, that whole situation is just very... 😳

[@Chibiluga]

I love this series!!

[@MerleONeal]

🥹

[@magical8013]

The next one should be on Lovehaswon my girlfriend's sister joined and she has never been the same. They like to take people out in the wilderness and give them acid. Just like Charles Manson.

[@MerleONeal]

I NEEED to look into this one

[@megasrimb]

unwatchable with that voice

[@villainoir]

Here to support the ladies!

[@NiCholeMoody]

The description of the "red flags" of cults sound like my current job. No cap!!

[@lolafairchild88]

Great content, awesome hosts, but those cookies look dry as hell 🤣🤣🤣🤣😭!

[@dfjulesful]

Can't wait for the next episode!

[@NosiphoL__]

As a black woman I can never agree to being a slave to someone so that wouldn't have worked on me but it's sad how Allison Mack deceived those women

[@sisterseverus]

Exactly. I think that's why you see way more white women (and white people in general) falling victim to these cults. Sure everyone knows being a slave is bad, but it's black people that really feel the visceral pain of slavery so the alarm bells go off way more and sooner

[@TaraTHESecretONE]

There is a cult in a town called Manitou Springs, Colorado that is still active. They run a café in that town and I think were called something like Twelve Tribes. I suggest looking into this and warning people that cults still are around. From what I've heard about these people, you sign over your worldly possessions to them when you join and then live in a communal home. Only the community leader has a phone and they don't like to use it, even though there have been medical emergencies! I know there was an article in a local paper about them. There are also local college/university groups who sometimes go to interview them.

[@danielx555]

They are the cult that goes to music festivals and gatherings and tries to pull in unattached wanderers, if it's the group I'm thinking of. Yes, more attention on this horrific group.

[@TaraTHESecretONE]

@Daniel X I am not sure if they go to festivals (I do know that the Rainbow Family goes to festivals, they're a different cult) but, if you appear down on your luck and/or vulnerable if you go to The Maté Factor café they own in Manitou Springs, they try to pitch the idea of joining them.

[@SuperKitty104]

I’m living for Joyce’s outfit!!!

[@griggsz9649]

I miss the guys these 2 just don’t got that chemistry like that like they seem like co workers and the original 2 seemed like friends

[@user-kb8qw7dy4t]

Since when are D-list actors "America's elite"? Never heard of any of these people.

[@alexiswashington4081]

Pure cringe the way it is presented

[@sunshine3914]

@2:08 shows she’s extremely susceptible to going along with what she wants to hear. Had she been told her future self would be a one arm pauper, she wouldn’t be so quick to be manipulated.

[@ATribeCalledJoyce]

No, that’s not the case. Its just a fun tidbit. Not serious at all.

[@user-bothinaam]

I think I found my new obsession 💜

[@woiowoiow190]

Never come to buzzfeed when talking about grown up converstions.

[@queenorange6949]

I did hypnosis too, got me through my fear of heights!

[@bambiholmes]

im mexican, that CHANCLA reference hit close to home hahahaha i would not have gotten away with such bs either hahaha

[@erichfreeman2756]

You are great at exposing the bad and the good of cults. Best regards from Venezuela

[@germnursern]

I’m here to say that I’m living for the wet hair look of the therapist 👏🏽👏🏽

[@hinamasood6898]

I had never heard of this cult before and its alarming how recent it is

[@shmooples]

"these white men be scary" fr fr

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

Yeah there are hundreds of thousands of black men in the inner cites of America that are far more dangerous and scary.

[@maureenmargaret8262]

My neighborhood is where it all went down.

[@AbstractlyDelen]

That’s downstate NY, not upstate, but still

[@SaraHessXXIV]

Hiking trails analogy really opened my eyes.

[@ResilientBiscuit]

Let’s talk cults!

[@freedomcat]

Please do Scientology.

[@alenelevin1757]

Like this station. I'm a true crime buff and this is really interesting.

[@laurelicordero4126]

And it is terrible and sad to see that this son of thousand demons still has a bunch of loyalists. After all the evidence given in trial, they still defend him 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@Nenernener123]

Slowly manipulating them. It’s not as obvious to those within.

[@bradlanger]

It was a pyramid scheme of abuse. There were a lot of victims, but there were a lot of abusers as well, and the lines were pretty blurred between the two.

[@jzsfrk100]

Buzzfeed has let themselves go. it's what it used to be

[@danielx555]

Doing EMDR on scientologists can be triggering. The bilateral stimulation in conjunction with the re-experiencing of a traumatic memory is literally the same thing that scientologists do when they process enturbulation or whatever they call trauma. Scientology auditing is a mind control technique and it gives the organization power over the Scientologist, but it works because it creates an abreaction or a cathartic emotional experience. EMDR creates the same type of experiences, but with a focus on helping a person heal rather than enslaving them to Scientology.

[@lisamaree7528]

love this

[@MJWill1]

"These white men be scary" Wow, that's pretty offensive.

[@ashleyr9946]

NAHH IT WAS LAUNCHED WHERE I LIVE?

[@jayeharrison4533]

Great show ❤️

[@emileebaack6933]

The mind as a hiking trail comparison fucked me up

[@sarahanderson2860]

It would be interesting to see a conspiracy on 9/11 twin towers from Buzzfeed

[@highonlife341]

Is it just me or does the one lady in the middle don’t remember her name I’m stoned but doesn’t she look like Robin from How I Met Your Mother? I think she does. No one has to agree with me

[@Quirkyalonester]

I wish they had talked more about Nancy Salzman who was a cofounder, brought her daughter in, and her daughter is the one that got to Allison Mack. As a co-founder from the beginning, wouldn't she know what's going on? And she seems happy to keep benefiting from the tragedy.

[@stephaniemckeegan5447]

Love the show! I hope it continues! Cult Girls or women I hope you get a Season 2!

[@thebasedone2621]

When she said “hi, in merel” at the beginning she should have said “ hi, my name is merel” like in “my name is earl”

[@amye4131]

I really like this show. I’ve watched so many of these documentaries and it still amazes me that Scientology has gone untouched. I know, money is on their side but just the fact that Miscavige threatened the IRS workers to get the tax exempt status. Why haven’t they reopened this? Crazy.

[@curtiswilson3569]

I am enjoying this series a lot. Glad that Buzzfeed found some good hosts/series since the ghoul boys left. Not a huge fan of the race/politicization of the jonestown episode, but this episode was so well done with the psychology.

[@TheNeojanus1]

Does R. Kelly count?

[@jambalaya974]

"these white men be scary" aand that's when i stopped watching the video

[@mikeballard8404]

Get rid of one girl who swears all the time .

[@jannekevosse8364]

maybe you can do heavensgate cult

[@johnaloe]

Love this video, I think I’ve watched it four times.

[@johnaloe]

@@moggingyou hell nah bro im real see my profile

[@Anne_Onymous]

It's a 20 minute long vid and you commented this minutes after it was posted...

[@caffedinator5584]

This is much better and concise than the HBO series which at times almost promoted the cult.

[@zNxghtmare_7]

I am here!

[@raulnieves2098]

Every description of cults that I've heard on here, clearly fits my enlisted experience.

[@davesherrard4013]

Great insight, fantastic job. Merle is beautiful 😻 Great video, keep it up 👍

[@nathandouvier1976]

Anyone else think Merle looks similar to Olivia Wild?

[@JenniferMcMahonhawaii78]

Have you been watching The Vow on HBO/Max? IT’S HORRIFIC!!!

[@therealblakegermaine]

Do one on Mormons!

[@mauricr1609]

This could've been a so much better quality documentary, having those girls together makes everything like a joke, can we have informative and serious documentaries please buzzfeed?

[@EzioAuditore]

The rise and fall of buzzfeed unsolved

[@couragebuff5060]

Do the Anthill Kids. You will nope the entire time.

[@tradeofalljacks4358]

More Merle!

[@islandhonduras8950]

Cool show!! I Wanna be Friends! Yall are smart and interesting!

[@mikeballard8404]

James Jones was half black. The Honorable Elijah Mohammad was black. What up with all the white man hatred?

[@hahamemonke3875]

Dude this channel fell of watcher Top tier now

[@ima1sthumanonearth8]

i knew J E S U S wasnt real V X 🤭