If you've ever been controlled by someone mentally or emotionally, then you know how crushing it is to your confidence, your self-esteem, and your belief in yourself.  You question HOW this person convinced you to do or say or believe things that you KNOW deep down to your core are not true? WHAT did they do to get you to fall for the lies and change so much, without you even frikin’ realizing it? And HOW can you make sure it doesn’t happen to you again??  Well homie, the reality is that this type of manipulation happens more often than you might think, 1 on 1 in toxic relationships and sometimes even whole groups of people at a time in a cult.  So in this episode of Women of Impact, I wanted to get to the bottom of how good, well-intentioned, educated, “normal” people like you and me can fall into the trap of a controlling person like a cult leader or narcissistic romantic partner, and literally leave behind their life, family, job, money, friends, belief system, sanity, and everything about themselves for this person.  And whether it’s coz of a cult, a toxic partner, or a guy at work that keeps trying to convince you to join this “amazing self-help group”, if you think it “won’t happen to you” – well homie you’re actually that much more likely to become their next target and victim!!!!  And that’s why today’s guest is none other than the ultimate cult expert and deprogrammer, Rick Alan Ross. This guy is an aboslute LEGEND when it comes to cults!! We go deep into:  - the type of people who start cults. - how cults like NXIVM and Scientology bring people in. - what specifically makes a person more vulnerable to saying yes and “drinking the Kool-aid”. - strategies used by notorious cult leaders to gain control and brainwash people (and you’ll be surprised by what they have in common with your toxic ex!!!). - HOW you can actually avoid getting into a cult or toxic relationship in the first place. - & so much more!!! This episode is truly FILLED with the knowledge you NEED if you want to have any hope of spotting the cult leaders, con men, and toxic boyfriends BEFORE they can rope you, or anyone you love, into their manipulative world and cut you off from the life YOU want to live!!!  Follow Rick Alan Ross: Website: https://culteducation.com/ X: https://x.com/RickAlanRoss Get “Is This a Cult?”: https://a.co/d/hKoEsRt CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Shopify:  Sign up for a $1/month trial period at https://impacttheory.co/shopifyWOIseptpod  Factor Meals: Head to https://impacttheory.co/factorWOIsept24  and use code woi50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month. Beam Minerals: Get every essential mineral your body needs with BEAM Minerals. Head to https://impacttheory.co/beamWOIseptpod and enter code “NYBBS” at checkout for 20% off your first order. FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/womenofimpact Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisa_bilyeu?lang=en LISTEN AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS: apple.co/womenofimpact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices