When you hear someone is charismatic, you think of them as magnetic, hypnotic, larger

than life.

And that's true.

But this episode is about those who have used their charms in evil ways, cult leaders

who have been the most effective in convincing hordes of people to conform to their views

of the world.

It's easy to judge those who join groups that believe and abstract things like most cults

do.

Do it because they were bored.

Behind every successful cult is a leader molding their brains until eventually those abstract

beliefs are all they know.

Hey, all you weirdos, welcome to Crime Countdown, a Spotify original from Parkast.

I'm Ash.

And I'm Elena.

Every week we'll highlight ten fascinating stories of history's most engaging and unsettling

crimes, all picked by the Parkast Research Gods.

This episode we're counting down the top ten charismatic cult leaders.

I feel like I wouldn't fall for a cult.

There's no way you will.

I think I wouldn't.

Mainly because I'm not going to like giving up control.

Yeah.

...