Why do we love to talk about Cults and Subcultures? | In Conversation with Guinevere Turner

Closed religious communities are the subject of great, lurid fascination. I know this very well because I come from the Hasidic community. People love to hear the stories of the unusual customs and darker sides. For instance, KZbin is full of channels that tell ex-Hasidic, ex-Mormon, ex-Amish and ex-Cult stories and these videos draw hundreds of thousands of views.
Guinevere Turner grew up in a cult. In the Lyman Family cult. Is it a cult? Is it a commune? It's all up for discussion!
What's unique about her is that she doesn't give the audience the lurid story they want. She also has written about how cults are talked about in the larger society. Her essay in the New Yorker, 'My Childhood in a Cult', influenced my own writing, 'Is the Hasidic Community A Cult?' She also published a book about her life, 'When the World Didn't End.'
In this episode, Guinevere joins me to discuss our experiences as women with life stories that draw so much fascination. We talk about why we think the world wants our stories, and why we might not want to give them up. We discuss the Lyman family cult and other groups that are perhaps communes, perhaps cults. A discussion that touches the tip of the iceberg!
Links are here:
Guinevere's memoir: amzn.to/3Y77FkM
Essay in the New Yorker: www.newyorker....
Guinevere on instagram: / guinevereturner
My essay titled 'Is the Hasidic Community a Cult?': friedavizel.co...

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

You can buy Guinevere’s memoir here: amzn.to/3Y77FkM 😊

[@ashextraordinaire]

What fascinates me about closed/insular communities is the way they shape their members' framework for understanding the world and their place in it. I had a pretty typical suburban (if lower-class) American childhood in the 80s, and that shaped the way I see things. There are people who grew up at the same time and in the same country who have wildly different perspectives, and I want to hear them all (preferably over a cup of coffee and some cultural treats). Thank you, Frieda and Guinevere, for sharing your viewpoints with the wider world!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

What a great point. I think I share the tremendous fascination with how childhood shapes us and insular societies shape us in such a profound way.

[@brucecatbirdcat4909]

Hi, I truly love the open,honest and informative flow of your channel . So nice to experience your subjects in the real without today’s weird false narratives. This lady is amazing. I hope this channel gets more attention, it got mine a while ago and I’m in the great state of Georgia. 😺

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Love the great state of Georgia! ❤ thanks for watching.

[@MsSherryjh]

Thank you, Frieda. As usually , such an interesting interview. I understand how people can get sucked into cults, but can only have a better understanding through other people talking about their experience.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Very good point. It helps us understand the appeal, and how we too can be drawn to it, and recognize the weakness in it.

[@PoppyOak]

This was such an amazing interview and topic - as you always do! ❤👏👏🏆 I appreciate her sharing her story! ❤️ Her reluctance to be sensational reminded me of a bit from Margaret Atwood’s novel The Testaments that I always liked: “I hope you will remember, too, that we all have some nostalgia for whatever kindness we have known as children, however bizarre the conditions of that childhood may seem to others. […] you must permit me some space to mourn the good that will be lost.”

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

wow, profound quote.

[@alainaaugust1932]

Appreciate the compassionate comments below that make clear that it’s not “lurid fascination” that interests us.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I don’t think for instance the viewers of this channel come with a lurid fascination! (I also don’t think the Hasidic community is a cult, mind you.) I was talking about the people who tune in for formulaic escape stories in which the insular culture is made out to be horrible and weird and abusive with no redeeming qualities. I often feel like people want me to write that memoir about the Hasidic community (tell us how awful and weird it was). Guinevere has written about feeling teh same pressures. On this channel I’ve been so blessed to have an audience that’s nuanced, curious, open minded and looking for a much deeper story than the “it’s a cult!” story that makes for a lot of pop culture entertainment. Do you understand the distinction? I’m not sure if I’m clear here.

[@betsyetoddlerteacher]

I can really relate to this post. I studied religion in my 20's and spent time in an ashram that is connected to a tradition that has had ups and downs in American society. My experience was not all negative. I don't regret my time there or the time i spent seeking and studying. Yet, i can recognize the problems. Thank you for this reflection on my Sunday morning at home.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Yes! I bet you have a story to tell

[@betsyetoddlerteacher]

@FriedaVizelBrooklyn The funny thing is that my interest in Judaism grew there. I am from small town Southern culture. At the ashram, the majority of people there were Jewish (reformed/conservative) and from New York City. I couldn't understand why they didn't just go to Brooklyn to study Hasidic Judaism. I learned as much Yiddish, Torah, and Kosher law as I did Sanskrit, Vedas, and Vegetarian cooking.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@betsyetoddlerteacher wow!!!

[@kkendell954]

Everything that happens in a Cult happens in the outside world . However in the cult it’s much more magnified, more extreme and the leadership has literally all the power and the followers are much more compliant… there is no push back , those who don’t agree have to leave as their is no place for critics.

[@KatM-S]

I can’t wait to watch this later today ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Looking forward to your thoughts!

[@KatM-S]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I was just able to watch and finish this interview. I relate to this as I was also in a cult and I just wanted to say that I’ve been watching your channel for a few months now and I really appreciate your content. I’m happy that I stumbled upon your channel and always look forward to your new posts.

[@marystrackstevenson9716]

What an incredible interview, it was so informative and thoughtful. Thank you ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you for watching!

[@ElizabethEllisCoach]

Well done. Thank you as always for the space you hold for people to be authentic. I would love to share some ideas with Guinevere related to some ways she can make a difference with others. When she shared the desire of possibly getting trained as a therapist to help other survivors, it caught my attention. I may have some ideas that would be helpful that she hasn’t considered. Powerful interview, thank you to both of you.

[@martinelanglois3158]

Thank you to you Frieda and to your guest for this very interesting discussion.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you Martine!

[@fernandab2518]

Another great interview,, thank you.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

What a kind gift, thank you, you made my morning on this solar eclipse day :)

[@cengel6344]

You mentioned in your show that you would never get sucked in by money. But that's because you are doing fine on the money end. Picture a scenario of an independent woman getting married and being dragged under by her husband's emotional abuse. She slowly but surely loses all sense of self and becomes one of his possessions so to speak. Due to her shaky emotional state, she cannot leave, as she doesn't know how she will support herself. However, she may become desperate to leave and will reach out to anyone who offers her a safe haven. This is especially true if the person reaching out is kind and financially stable - or at least that's what she thinks at the time. This is coming from someone that was always independent and has a mind of her own. Wishing you much success

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Yeah, thanks for pointing that out. II think I don’t think well about money, if I’m not desperate for it then it’s out of my mind. But I’ve been desperate and I do have a sense of how a woman’s whole life, all her freedom, all her family, her children, etc can rest on her financial situation. Could be heartbreaking.

[@kaynewling3455]

Fascinating interview Freida. Your observation about dynamics that grow out of, or are promoted by, our individualized society I think is extremely pertinent.

[@summerlake356]

You formulate it perfectly. I have a story that is sensational and tabloid worthy, about my childhood. But I do not want to capitalise on being a "victim". I don't want the self righteous mainstream narrative crowd shouting that I am a survivor... All I did was follow the only path I felt I could. You could have it much worse - it is simply that people are intrigued and provoked by dress codes and conservative values. "Leaving" was not the goal, it was just a phase to get through. I sometimes listen to this kind of stuff, as therapy.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Wow! I am so moved by these words here! 💕

[@summerlake356]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn You are being super classy about your experience, I think. Instead of being bitter and full of revenge, you are trying to understand and explain - tackling this culture from all different angles, in a neutral and informative way. Nobody could hold a grudge or accuse you of anything other than respectfully sharing information and facts.

[@andreaf7886]

Another very thoughtful and insightful interview. I recently mentioned your channel to a friend. I told her how much I have learned from you and how you approach each topic or person with great sensitivity--something that has become all too rare in today's world.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you so much dear Andrea! It’s been so nice to have you as a regular viewer of this channel and to get your thoughtful comments.

[@andreaf7886]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I'm so happy to see your videos reaching more and more viewers. I simply want you to know how special you are to so many of us. Thank you!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@andreaf7886 ❤️

[@tecora7419]

You got new glasses they are beautiful and look great Freida ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Not so new, more like newly refound! True story: these glasses were the same shape as an old pair that broke so they just transferred lenses. I came out almost richer for the whole purchase!

[@tecora7419]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn they look good on you

[@katriel8693]

This is easily the most thought- provoking channel on you tube. Especially for any of us who grew up with a strictly religious background, and the inner conflict that ensues. Though now I embrace my Jewish heritage, I grew up in a very strict catholic environment that wasn’t a necessarily healthy one, where values seem to vary wildly and hypocrisy abounds. This is completely acceptable in society, the way Hasidic communities are. The cult culture definition ( I think), depends on whether individuals are allowed to think and act freely without condemnation. It’s one thing to lose friends and community, who don’t identify with your beliefs that differ from theirs, it’s another to not be able to leave. There is an overlap. If you can truly think freely, you realise that you can still love people who have fanatical beliefs that differs from yours and appreciate the history behind them. Within any religious or political belief, it’s not just the message that is promoted , but the method it’s promoted that matters.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you SO much for such a thought provoking comment. I so enjoyed reading it. Much food for thought.

[@eleanorbrown342]

When I was at school, in the sixth form (aged 16-18) we had fortnightly talks from external speakers. The teacher who organised them said he thought the talk from a cult survivor was the most important session - I've found myself thinking back to it fairly often, given how quickly a 'normal' man had fallen into a high control group and the decades he'd taken to get out of it. I think that's part of the fascination - as well as the 'my life isn't that bad' driver for interest in cults, there's also an element of 'what if it happened to me?'. This was a really great interview - I was particularly struck that you talked more about yourself in this interview than you usually do!

[@Maggies87]

Excellent interview, worth watching again.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks for watching!

[@kathleentierney9496]

I just realized who your guest is!!! I remember seeing her film Go Fish back when I was a young lesbian living in Boston. Enjoyed the film and this fantastic interview.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Ha ha, yes!

[@stephanottawa7890]

I remember going to one session for people coming out of cults and thinking that my experience was not so bad. I went because a friend who was also in a small group as a kid, thought that I needed it. After just one session, I really did not want to hear other people going on and on about how bad their experiences were when they really were not. It seemed to me that they were lucky to have spent time in nature in rural communities, not wasted so much time on the internet, had good food to eat rather than the junk sold in supermarkets today and two concerned (if not also strict) parents.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

So interesting! I kind of had a similar reaction to Guinevere’s story.

[@kkendell954]

I think that you are both survivors in different ways……..BRAVO ladies

[@Meganec3810]

Excellent interview thank you!

[@juliaagnes7]

As always, great presentation. I appreciate how you have balanced conversations and show the fullness of groups and a full POV. Well done, lots to think about and read.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you, her book is a great read too!

[@lindakindlon2383]

Frieda is a great interviewer!

[@RachG]

Another really great interview and I thought you asked some really thoughtful questions. I found it particularly interesting to hear Guinevere talk about the impact on family and friend relationships- not necessarily negative, just different. I also enjoyed your discussion about not judging people. It’s true, it can be easily to think that we would never find ourselves in these situations; however, you’re right, we all have our vulnerabilities.

[@SignalHillHiker]

This was fascinating. I had work obligations so had to watch it over a couple days, hehe, and LOVED every second. I'm especially struck by how she shares the sense that has clearly come across in your videos of... care, of wanting to be honest about the problems in the community you came from, but not wanting to give ammunition to people who ONLY want to abuse that community. It's a bizarre situation to find yourself in, I imagine, having to defend the humanity, the many good things, about a community you left for very legitimate reasons. But... as hard as I imagine that must be, isn't the struggle you both are going through really good practice for just being a good and decent human being? I think we all should strive to assess the nuance of our lives, to want to address the issues in our communities but not portray them as being only those issues. I like the terminology of "high control groups" being the common thread connecting you to groups like Turner's, Mormons, Amish, whatever you like... that term, I think, really targets the actual, primary difference between all these communities and their mainstream equivalents, as well as mainstream, secular society. The high control. If I haven't said it enough, again, 10/10 channel. Just spectacular. The value of what you are putting out into the world, the goodness and positive impact of it, is profound. I'm learning so much, and your channel and the community around it is such a... welcoming, comforting, safe... place to explore these (from my distant point of view) interests, acknowledging it's far more than just "interests" for most of the people here.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you thank you thank you! I feel understood. I do feel like me and Guinevere struggle with the issue you exactly portray. What happens when we tell our stories, and instead of people hearing it, they hear all the horrible stuff only? Then it isn’t our stories anymore is it. So we then don’t want to all at all, or we work really hard to show the humanity of the world that didn’t work for us. I feel like maybe the heart of the interview didn’t come through for a lot of people in a way because Guinevere seems so reluctant to talk too much about her cult story. Which is so much an example of the exact problem that drew me to her! In her book she comes off as incredibly forthcoming and emotionally intelligent, but she wrote it in a way that she won’t be used by the cult enthusiasts who want to latch on to the dark side. I wish people would appreciate this crux and listen to high control group stories for its full complexity! Thanks for a very helpful comment that I now read twice. ❤️

[@jreese8284]

When you mention "high control" you should also know that, for some, it translates to a high level of comfort. One doesn't have to make those hard decisions, ask those questions; because it's all settled and one can just get on with daily life. We should remember that not everyone WANTS to be in charge; some just want to be safe and comfortable.

[@dlday7821]

Thanks!❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you so much ❤️🌹

[@hollywebster6844]

This was excellent!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you!

[@jessicanorthey2321]

I love your channel and I love Guinevere Turner--it's so great you got to talk to her and posted it here!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I'm SO HAPPY to hear from her fans!

[@user-vs1vq3qm9k]

Today a Hasidic family came by work. I work for a hospital in the medical field in Philadelphia. They asked me what park they could take their children to so they could play. I told them about several parks but suggested one that was in a family friendly neighborhood that also had an attached dog park on the river. The father had a kosher phone. I had so many questions but I chose not to ask them. I didn't want to appear rude. We have many Jewish residents and visitors in Philadelphia. Not many are Hasidic. I am so thankful for your channel and the knowledge you share with all of us.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you for sharing! I think most Hasidim are humored when asked and are more than glad to answer. I wonder how they did with the dog park because many are afraid of dogs!

[@golesnik]

This is a great interview, thank you! Having lived on a (secular) commune when I was in my 20s, I agree with Guinevere Turner that there are always power dynamics that emerge in communities (any kind of communities), and that communes could turn into cults if they're not careful. But, I want to emphasize that people who live in healthy, functional communes are aware of that, and they actually *are* extremely careful to put checks and balances and buffers in place to make it so that positions of power can't be easily corrupted or manipulated. They know all the concerning red flags (e.g. can people have their own money; can they be in touch with their families; can they leave at will; etc.) and ensure that they're not nudging close to any of them.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Very much appreciate your points. We need community, we need it, and so we can't run from it but we must also remain vigilant.

[@Potato5115]

I think there's something about facing (or denying) our own vulnerability to groups or ideas or systems that promise something deeper than our current end-stage capitalistic, heteropatriarchal, individualistic society, that attracts some of us to cult stories. you did it, so I don't have to! it helps me to be less vulnerable in that way, I hope, without hardening my heart to genuine connections, and even utopian dreams.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Excellent comment I think you have a great point.

[@alainaaugust1932]

To define a cult, see Stephen Hassan’s works from 1988 to today. He defines it.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I’ve seen it and written about it. I’m not sure it totally works to narrow down what subculture is a cult and what’s not.

[@summerlake356]

​​@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I agree. There is something off about him and the things he says. And on what grounds is he more of an expert than the rest of us? Of course, his approach works perfectly for anyone who wants to make out that they are a "cult survivor".

[@nicolaarchibald3171]

So interesting!

[@RachG]

It’s interesting reading about people feeling that Guinevere didn’t share very much. Of course I see that in some ways and can understand why. For me, however, that’s part of why I really liked this interview . It was more about her rather than the details of things that may have happened. I thought that in some ways, she was quite open. Anyway, great conversation . ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you Rachel dear! I so appreciate hearing that! I think there’s a brave soul who fights to tell the story they want to tell and not the story the world wants them to tell! I think Guinevere is a very open person. She just doesn’t seem to want to tell the story of her cult/commune. Would you consider reading her book? There’s trigger warning of very painful sexual abuse in adolescence.

[@RachG]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I would read her book, having seen this video but it’s not something I would necessarily otherwise seek out, if that makes sense?! I have a lot of respect and understanding for her and for you- telling your stories in the way that you want. I think it’s always interesting to know what shapes people and to hear different experiences but it’s not always necessary to hear every tiny detail. I agree, I think she is an open person. I mean, we live in the world and hear of awful experiences and situations all of the time. Some of which absolutely need to be told and heard and it’s important that we listen. So it’s not that I avoid these stories but I also wouldn’t say that I’m someone that has a fascination with hearing every tiny detail, if that makes sense?! I think that sometimes this fixation on hearing the “bad bits” is dehumanising as we only remember that bit, rather than the individuals and the rest of the story. I’m not like “don’t tell me anything bad”. I wouldn’t be able to do my job if that were the case!!! 🙃

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@RachG I totally get it!

[@RachG]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn ❤️

[@samijo4519]

We’re all just searching from something better, aren’t we? Great interview and lots of fascinating stories!

[@Oldfarmlady]

Love this interview! The cult topic has always interested me and defining it. For instance I grew up jehovah witness and back during the 70's through the 90's I would definitely say they were very cult like. I understand they went through a period of time where they loosened the reigns during the early 2000's, but now are drifting back to that very strict cult like behavior. So it's always something I've questioned. The only thing I can say for me personally would be a cult is any organization that demands you live as they say, they control your entire life, they isolate you from friends, family & the outside world. But again like both of you mentioned this also sounds just like a bad toxic relationship. So now we're back to square one. 😊 It's also very interesting how both the Amish & Jehovah witness teach this idea that it's very important how society sees them, but at the same time the outside world is evil & you must avoid it .

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks so much for your comment. Love this comment and if we met I bet we could talk about this forever!

[@patriciaklosky3664]

Thanks!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you so much, very much appreciated!

[@dawnps5671]

The difference between a cult and a religion is what happens when you leave.

[@mo5ago1]

love this !!

[@brigitte9999]

I am not particularly fascinated with these insular organizations. We all fall into one category or another. The fascination comes from curiosity and trying to understand. Trying to understand the need to isolate from others.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

That’s actually a very good curiosity imo and a good question to probe.

[@renag9475]

Thanks for another great interview. One question that wasnt raised and i remain curious about - since her mother did remain a believer, why did she leave?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I think her mother dated a man who was expelled from the family.

[@bettymaines6305]

I think what can make people vulnerable to “ communities “ is a search for meaning in their individual life and a desire to connect to something greater than our physical self. Which I think is basically the core of why religion and religious culture is so important to many/some people. I guess lesson is be careful what you connect to. Very interesting interview , but I did feel that she was reluctant to talk, at least in depth , about the community. Compared to you , you do focus on the traditions of the Satmar community. Then on the other hand , the Satmar community is rooted in 1000s of years of Jewish religion / tradition compared to a community founded by a community founded in the 60s and based on the meanderings of one person’s mind , and at times under the influence of alcohol and drugs What is scary about an insular community under the strong influence of one , or a small group of people, is it can be more vulnerable to abuse within the community.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

What a great comment, thank you. If I would sum up my view of this interview one way, it would be how you said it in this comment. I especially agree about insular communities under the strong influence of a tiny group of people. It makes me think of the fringe group Lev Tohar which Hasidim largely consider a cult.

[@Zelde-M]

Interesting!

[@joyfairclough4686]

Frieda, I’d love to hear you talk to the comedian Moshe Kasher about his book, Subculture Vulture. He grew up dividing his time between his divorced parents- with his secular mom in San Francisco and his Satmar father in Brooklyn.

[@elizabethfrootloop7814]

I am fascinated because such high control religions come across as institutionalized forms of garden variety toxic family dysfunction that is so common ; and also what I have had to deal with. I relate leaving a cult to the efforts I had to make to become who I am (in this case through gender transition) and leave my toxic family.

[@pyenygren2299]

Here is a comment for the algorithm. ❤ ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Here’s a thanks for… YOU :)

[@brigitte9999]

You can definitely call yourself a cult survivor, especially if you begged to stay!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Why wouldn’t she beg to stay? She was pulled away from the family she lived with the first eleven years, where she was doing pretty well, had friends and lots of interests, and was sent to live with her mother she hardly knew. Which eleven year old wouldn’t beg to stay?

[@wendystephenson407]

I’m not certain why the lady agreed to the interview.. she doesn’t really want to talk about her experiences… she still seems institutionalised sadly 😪

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

You are not wrong, I really appreciate her agreeing to an interview but I dont think she wanted to share very much. :(

[@kkendell954]

This is terribly interesting but it’s not that unusual as often we can criticize our own family’s shortcomings but if someone else from outside the family joins in we can become very protective of our family. So blood is thicker than water. However, it depends what is actually happening in these closed communities/ cults and who is being hurt…as there is always a hierarchy and my concern is always for vulnerable women, children and animals.

[@DragonflyB-tn7pq]

Family should be chosen. They may be related via dna, marriage, adoption, not at all. Great relationships can be easy but often take at least some work and sometimes a lot of work. If you want that person in your life and they want you in yours then that’s a choice that the persons make each day. I’ve always been fine with my bio dad not being in my life much. His family was and his wife’s family was and I had positive male role models and even healthy marriages/ partnerships. I think a major factor was no one ever said anything negative about my dad to me nor did they lie about how amazing he was. I think either of those situations is what creates “daddy issues” plus not having a positive stable male role model at all and not seeing happy healthy partnerships

[@artofnarure]

keep it real

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I don’t know what this means!

[@lawrencemielnicki5643]

I don’t think we love to talk about Cults and Subcultures per se, but we love to talk about Cults and Subcultures most that are diametrically different than the culture (subculture) in which we are living. It seems natural to me. If we look at Judaism as opposed to my Catholic culture, I’m not at all interested in Reformed Judaism. Reformed Judaism is just like many Christian denominations and they live their lives very similarly to the way I live mine. I am interested in the Hasids and other Haredis because the whole philosophy is different.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Great point! I think I share that fascination. I think though, the viewers of this channel have a different kind of interest perhaps than the viewers of Netflix Cult documentaries, no?

[@summerlake356]

But if you think about it, mainstream is also a cult. It is just the cult of the majority. In the mainstrem cult, you dress sexy, and define your own gender. You prioritise secular education, career and consumerism. Singers, Hollywood, fashion and gadgets are your gods. It is just as culty - if you look at it objectively.

[@kkendell954]

You begged to stay because they brainwashed you about the outside world…you were terrified to go into the unknown. Marbles is adorable…I love animals… I wonder if her mother had borderline personality disorder…narcissism or something in that realm because it’s highly unusual for mothers not to be fiercely protective of their children.

[@b.miller2799]

What’s the name of Guinevere’s podcast ?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

She’s still working on it. It’s not out yet.

[@b.miller2799]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn got it. Thanks for your videos Frieda , you are such a vibe!

[@Willow-rr5ui]

Is this the same family as the Lyman Orchards family in CT?

[@stephanottawa7890]

Yes, the word cult can have some very negative connotations. I remember saying that I liked the cultic aspect of the liturgy, say in a synagogue, and a couple on hearing this was horrified as they understood cult in a more common way and not in the sense of a cult as in French which is simply a way of worship. I think that services in synagogues and churches in French are referred to as cultes and one can see sign boards announcing something to the affect: Culte à 10 heures which might seem a bit funny to English-speaking people. I suppose this is one of the advantages of living in a bilingual city where we can see that words evolve differently in different languages and of course, mean different things.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Very interesting!

[@khazermashkes2316]

I don’t feel comfortable doing a YT membership, but would pay $1-2 per month for Patreon even if there wasn’t any bonus content and more for bonus content

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Mind if I ask why you’re not comfortable with KZbin membership?

[@khazermashkes2316]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklynI don’t want to give Google money

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@khazermashkes2316 makes a lot of sense! I do have a patreon but I can’t make content accessible through Patreon like livestreams. I am going to try to figure out how to do members only zooms instead. Stay tuned!

[@barbaragraceful]

You're such a sensitive interviewer. The interviewee feels like she is still wrestling with a lot, or else she is very introverted and uncomfortable talking, comes across defensive. Also, there is nothing especially pathological about humans being curious about diverse communities and experiences (ie looking at crime shows or even a channel like yours). Its just fascinating.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

❤️ I thought she didn’t like telling her story, for one reason or another. Thanks for your empathetic comment.

[@elizaf.9040]

We love victim stories.

[@k.k.5046]

Mormons fascinate me ,they learn a local language and freely talk to locals .I have spoken to male and female Mormons. But could not convince them to get rid of The Book of Mormon yet ! 😆

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Every Mormon person I knew seemed very engaged with theirs and others faiths. Really interesting and regardless of where they are on the religious spectrum (Mormon or ex Mormon) I’ve enjoyed interacting with them. I thought the broadway show the Book of Mormon was terrible, that’s all I know of the book!

[@Zelde-M]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I agree. The play was awful.

[@k.k.5046]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Mormons are quite modern people compared to Jewish Hasidim who are 200-400 years behind.They do not use TVs, computers and phones , but all they do is read Talmud ,Tanakh and Siddur all day long . I think they could do much more for the society instead of dancing and singing Hasidic songs .

[@debbie9955]

Mormon’s are a cult.

[@k.k.5046]

@@debbie9955 If Mormon leaders had 5 wives from Monday to Friday = Cult .

[@lindaweigl3982]

Where did the money come from to purchase all of these properties?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I believe people who joined “The Family” had to give all their money to “The Family” which then went to purchasing properties.

[@TheNostalgicKitchen]

Hi Frieda, did you remove your Patreon?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

No, but I did mess around with it. Why, what happened?

[@TonyThomas10000]

I think I prefer the term "high-control group" to cult these days.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Yeah I hear that. I really don’t like the term cult and I’m very vague on when it applies. In some reports, the Lyman family sounded like a cult. In Turner’s report, in my reading it didn’t. High Control Group feels like a neutral term.

[@TonyThomas10000]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Yeah, the term cult has multiple meanings. Some are ominous. Others are not.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@TonyThomas10000 I find that when people generally use it, it’s as an ominous term.

[@mordechaiczellak2358]

Shalom ! Just a quick comment. Every time you mention the book Hasidim a new history, you call it "my book" I have it. You're not mentioned among the contributors

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

It’s not my book omg it was to say “this book I’m referencing here!” I even listed the authors in the video. Complete misunderstanding, I used the term my book to say this book here that I like so much. It’s like saying “and now we will look at my handy dandy little map.” Doesn’t mean I made the map! Never occurred to me anyone would think I claimed authorship especially since I did a long interview with the actual author, and I listed the actual authors in the video. So sorry about the confusion.

[@lindaweigl3982]

Where did the money come from for all of these properties?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@lindaweigl3982 Apparently, everyone had to give their money to Lyman and he used it to buy properties that were I think very rundown but eventually went up in value. That's what I came to understand from trying to answer this same question while looking into Lyman.

[@Shoshana-xh6hc]

You should call them “sects” not cults as they are a “section” of the whole of Judaism.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

we were talking about this woman’s experience in a closed society which people call a cult (I’m not sure it is actually a cult). I don’t think hasidic Judaism is a cult or cults and I discussed this a bit in other segments.

[@Ingi132]

While this interview was mildly informative i found I’ve not really gained any real insight into this ladies experience growing up in a cult. It was like she didn’t want to tell us details. Ive never heard of this particular cult, i looked it up on Wiki. Thanks Frieda x

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I really sympathize with Guinevere in not wanting to keep talking about her life story but I felt that there were broad outlines of the Lyman Family that could easily be shared without it being personal (like an unbiased report/ a Wikipedia article) but I think she was reluctant to go there at all.

[@hib723]

What were they doing in those illegal tunnels with all the bloody stained mattresses?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

No one changed the story. What makes you say that? Are you just trolling?

[@martythomasg]

“I don’t really need this for attention.” And “ I am careful who I share this with” yet she wrote a book, published an article in The New Yorker and appears on KZbin! Important to remember she is an actress.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Ha ha, I think you can want one type of attention and not another. To me she strikes me as needing to promote her work but uncomfortable talking about some parts of her story.

[@ziontours5893]

I'm wondering if her dog has fleas or does she just have a nervous tic

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

The dog seemed to have a nervous tic? I didn’t notice.

[@ziontours5893]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Guinevere was always scratching, so I thought it might be that the dog had fleas.

[@meirahfischer3036]

This lady is far to vague as if in half denial.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I did feel like she didn’t want to share a lot of things.

[@uwsgrrrl9981]

The guest is very evasive & I grew weary of her going round & round.

[@VioletACordy]

🌳🌳🌳🌲💙💜❤🩵🌈😎FRIEDA: THANK YOU + BLESSED PASSOVER ~ SOON🩵😄💙🌷🌷🌷