In Toowoomba, Australia, a small Christian sect led by Brendan Stevens rejected medicine in favour of divine healing. In January 2022, those beliefs ended in tragedy when nine-year-old Elizabeth Struhs died after her insulin was withheld. This episode examines the rise of The Saints, life inside the group, Elizabeth's death, and the extraordinary trial that saw all fourteen adult members convicted of manslaughter.
Part 1 – Brendan Stevens: Pentecostal Roots, the Break from RCI, and the Formation of The Saints Part 2 – Becoming the True Family: Recruitment, Baptism, and Separation from the Outside World Part 3 – Elizabeth Struhs: Diabetes, the 2019 Warning, and the Escalation After Kerrie’s Release Part 4 – Six Days Without Insulin: Elizabeth's Death and the Thirty-Six-Hour Wait for Resurrection Part 5 – Fourteen Defendants: The Supreme Court Trial, Manslaughter Convictions, and the End of The Saints
From silent compounds to subway attacks, from charismatic prophets to catastrophic ends, Hidden Cults is a documentary-style podcast that digs deep into the world's most extreme, elusive, and explosive fringe groups. Each episode unpacks a different cult with investigative depth, emotional clarity, and gripping storytelling. You'll hear the full timeline: from the origins and ideology, to the rise of control, to the final descent into chaos. We're not here for the sensational. We're here for the truth. If you've ever wondered how ordinary people fall into extraordinary belief systems, and what happens when those systems implode, you're in the right place.
New episodes weekly Listener stories always welcome Anonymity guaranteed.
Listener stories: hiddencultspodcast@gmail.com
International Resources
International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) https://www.icsahome.com Provides information, recovery support, referrals, and events for survivors and concerned families.
Open Minds Foundation https://www.openmindsfoundation.org Offers education and support about undue influence and manipulative organizations.
The Hotline (USA – Domestic Abuse) https://www.thehotline.org 📞 1-800-799-7233 — 24/7 support for victims of domestic, emotional, and religious abuse.
Freedom of Mind Resource Center (Steven Hassan) https://freedomofmind.com Resources on cult recovery, exit counseling, and mind control education.
FaithTrust Institute https://www.faithtrustinstitute.org Support and resources for survivors of religious abuse, especially within faith communities.
United States
Cult Recovery Hotline (ICSA) 📞 1-239-514-3081 Referral and support line for ex-members, families, and researchers.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) https://www.rainn.org 📞 1-800-656-4673 — Confidential support for trauma survivors.
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