web02.fireside.fm Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:07:17 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) On Belief: A Podcast About Cults - Episodes Tagged with “Shoko Asahara” https://onbelief.fireside.fm/tags/shoko%20asahara Tue, 28 May 2019 07:00:00 -0400 We all would like to think that we're immune to being persuaded, but were that true, advertising wouldn't work, the best candidates would always get elected, and our personal relationships would always be equitable. On Belief examines why, with so much information available to us to dissuade us from joining harmful groups. I ask people who have had first hand experience with harmful groups and sects how they were seduced, how they were tricked, and how they got out. en episodic On Belief is about why none of us are immune from coercive thought reform Karen Geier We all would like to think that we're immune to being persuaded, but were that true, advertising wouldn't work, the best candidates would always get elected, and our personal relationships would always be equitable. On Belief examines why, with so much information available to us to dissuade us from joining harmful groups. I ask people who have had first hand experience with harmful groups and sects how they were seduced, how they were tricked, and how they got out. yes religion, spirituality, cults, belief, quiverfull, FLDS, apostate, aum shinrikyo, Falun Gong Karen Geier info@onbelief.com Episode 104: Aum Shinrikyo with Guest Sarah Hightower https://onbelief.fireside.fm/104 d49e381b-93bc-4964-9a20-c0bc92b1c7a6 Tue, 28 May 2019 07:00:00 -0400 Karen Geier 104 Aum Shinrikyo with Guest Sarah Hightower full 1 Karen Geier The story of the Aum affair may seem like a uniquely Japanese event, but the reality is that it could have happened anywhere. Sarah Hightower joins us to explain why. 16:37 yes Content warning: Frank discussion of abuse and murder You may vaguely remember the Tokyo Subway Sarin attack, but that's not where the Aum Shinrikyo story begins or ends. Guest Sarah Hightower explains: How Shoko Asahara was an opportunist and bully from childhood How Asahara was a multiple time grifter before settling on creating a cult The day-to-day lives of adherents What Poa was Why a failed bid to intall Aum members in Japanese Parliament spurred Asahara to pursue chemical and biological weapons And more... Special Guest: Sarah Hightower. cults, sects, religions, yoga, aum shinrikyo, shoko asahara, sarah hightower, karen geier, sarin, terrorism, biological weapons, chemical weapons, dirty bombs, poisoning Content warning: Frank discussion of abuse and murder

You may vaguely remember the Tokyo Subway Sarin attack, but that's not where the Aum Shinrikyo story begins or ends.

Guest Sarah Hightower explains:

  • How Shoko Asahara was an opportunist and bully from childhood
  • How Asahara was a multiple time grifter before settling on creating a cult
  • The day-to-day lives of adherents
  • What Poa was
  • Why a failed bid to intall Aum members in Japanese Parliament spurred Asahara to pursue chemical and biological weapons
  • And more...

Special Guest: Sarah Hightower.

Support On Belief: A Podcast About Cults

]]> Content warning: Frank discussion of abuse and murder

You may vaguely remember the Tokyo Subway Sarin attack, but that's not where the Aum Shinrikyo story begins or ends.

Guest Sarah Hightower explains:

  • How Shoko Asahara was an opportunist and bully from childhood
  • How Asahara was a multiple time grifter before settling on creating a cult
  • The day-to-day lives of adherents
  • What Poa was
  • Why a failed bid to intall Aum members in Japanese Parliament spurred Asahara to pursue chemical and biological weapons
  • And more...

Special Guest: Sarah Hightower.

Support On Belief: A Podcast About Cults

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