meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews

Experts Explain the Psychological Wreckage of Bateman's Cult | Part 2

True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews

Tony Brueski

News, News Commentary, True Crime

4.2612 Ratings

🗓️ 16 April 2026

⏱️ 39 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Eight children were removed from Samuel Bateman's compound and placed in foster care. During forensic interviews, none of them disclosed abuse. Their journals — seized by the FBI — were filled with detailed accounts of what Bateman did to them. The written truth they couldn't say out loud. That single detail tells you more about the psychological power of cult-based abuse than any courtroom testimony ever could.

In Part 2 of this three-part panel, psychotherapist Shavaun Scott and former FBI Behavioral Analysis Chief Robin Dreeke join Tony Brueski to examine the internal damage the Netflix documentary Trust Me: The False Prophet reveals but can't fully explain. What happens to a child's mind when the person abusing them is presented as God's representative on earth. Why Bateman's "atonement ceremonies" — sexual abuse repackaged as sacred duty — make it neurologically difficult for victims to categorize their experience as harm. Why the girls went willingly when Bateman's wives kidnapped them from foster care.

The conversation also tackles the most ethically complex element of the case: the adult wives. Women like Donnae Barlow, who was herself a victim of forced marriage and incest within the FLDS, diagnosed with extreme PTSD, who participated in kidnapping children because her conditioning told her the state was the predator and Bateman was the protector. The court gave her time served. Others got years. Whether that calibration was right is a question two experts in human behavior wrestle with in real time.

Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/

Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/

Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod

X Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePod


This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

#SamuelBateman #FLDS #CultTrauma #ChildBrides #CoerciveControl #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #ShortCreek #TrustMeNetflix #ShavaunScott

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Indeed Presents.

0:01.9

Fires, you can't afford to get wrong. Like payroll manager. Hi, I was just checking my pay slip and it's all in Japanese yen. Yes, you're welcome. Sorry? Given the exchange rate between the pound and the yen, you're technically a millionaire now. Don't spend it all in one place. I can't really spend it anywhere. This is a job for sponsored jobs. This is what happens when you don't sponsor your job on Indeed. So the next time you need someone to get the job done right, get matched with quality candidates with an Indeed sponsored job. Visit Indeed.com slash Next hire and sponsor your job today. Hi, it's Zoe and Joe from Digit. And right now, our show is brought to you by Ancient and Brave. Zoe, can I ask you, are you somebody who sticks to a routine? Oh, I try, Joe. I really do. It's got to be easy. It's got to be kind of first thing in the morning or I just won't stick to it. 100%. I'm exactly the same, which is why I love Ancient and Braves while collagen. It's just one scoop in my morning drink and then that's it. I'm done. And no weird tastes. No. No, it's completely neutral. Sold already. And it's not just about skin and hair.

0:59.5

Collagen supports exercise, recovery, energy and joints, which makes it a priority for me. It's clinically backed,

1:05.1

which I always look for. And what sets ancient and brave apart isn't just their award-winning products.

1:11.2

It's their commitment to sustainability.

1:13.5

They're B-Corp and proud members of 1% for the planet,

1:16.7

meaning that 1% of all their sales goes directly to environmental causes that protect our planet.

1:22.3

So every purchase gives back too.

1:23.9

That's a big tick.

1:24.9

To get 20% of your first three subscription orders, a free ritual scoop and an additional £5 off your first order, go to ancient and brave.

1:33.1

combe.combe.combe.combeau earth slash planet and code digit 5 at checkout. That's ancient and brave.

1:38.8

That's ancient and brave.combe. Hi, it's Zoe and Joe from Digit. And right now, our show is brought to you by

1:47.1

Ancient and Brave. Zoe, can I ask you, are you somebody who sticks to a routine? Oh, I try, Joe. I really do.

1:54.2

It's got to be easy. It's got to be kind of first thing in the morning or I just won't stick to it.

1:59.3

100%. I'm exactly the same, which is why I love Ancient and Braves while collagen. It's just one scoop in my morning drink and then that's it. I'm done. And no weird tastes. No, no, it's completely neutral. Sold already. And it's not just about skin and hair. Collagen supports exercise, recovery, energy and joints, which makes it a priority for me. It's clinically backed, which I

2:18.1

always look for, and what sets ancient and brave apart isn't just their award-winning products,

2:23.6

it's their commitment to sustainability. They're B-Corp and proud members of 1% for the planet,

2:29.2

meaning that 1% of all their sales goes directly to environmental causes that protect our planet.

2:34.7

So every purchase gives back too.

2:36.5

That's a big tick.

2:37.6

To get 20% of your first three subscription orders, a free ritual scoop and an additional

2:42.5

£5 off your first order, go to ancient and brave.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Tony Brueski, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Tony Brueski and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.