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This podcast delves into the stories that inspired all mediums of art, with a focus on the darker aspects of it all! We’ll talk about the real-life events that influenced popular movies, books, and other pieces of art. Occasionally we’ll cover the opposite, and talk about times that art influenced life.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
*We suggest starting with our most recent episodes!*
This podcast delves into the stories that inspired all mediums of art, with a focus on the darker aspects of it all! We’ll talk about the real-life events that influenced popular movies, books, and other pieces of art. Occasionally we’ll cover the opposite, and talk about times that art influenced life.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
TW: eating disorders, suicide, and child abuse. Everything we say is alleged, with the exception of the individuals found guilty of crimes.
Gwen Shamblin had a Master's Degree in Food and Nutrition, yet she still fell down the pipeline of food and wellness guru to religious cult leader pipeline. Usually this pipeline is reserved for people who don't actually have extensive educations and degrees in the things they claim to be experts of, because it requires them to ignore the science to tout some alternative science/product that usually harms more than it helps. But Gwen was able to throw away everything she learned in favor of a more religious/restrictive approach to eating, which she called The Weigh Down Program. The program was offered alongside a book, that sold over one million copies and the success of both made Gwen a millionaire. Many individuals in her program developed eating disorders and things got even worse when Gwen launched her church, called Remnant Fellowship Church- where Gwen touted herself as something akin to a prophet. The Weigh Down Program was the foundation of Remnant, but the ideology expanded to involve even more problematic rhetoric. Gwen didn't believe in mental illness, so she advised many members to get off their medications (which led some to the psych unit, and others to take their own lives). And she was a big proponent of corporal punishment for children, which caused at least one child to be murdered. We discuss all of the details in this weeks episode.
Sources:
“Georgia v. Smith.” Wikipedia, 12 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_v._Smith. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
“Gwen Shamblin Lara.” Wikipedia, 2 Oct. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwen_Shamblin_Lara.
“Joe Lara.” Wikipedia, 28 Jan. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Lara. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Pasquini, maria. “Plane Crash That Killed Christian Diet Guru Gwen Shamblin Caused by “Spatial Disorientation” of Pilot Husband.” Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2023, people.com/human-interest/plane-crash-killed-diet-guru-gwen-shamblin-caused-by-spatial-disorientation-pilot-husband/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Williams, Phil. ““What Were We Doing?” Gwen Shamblin’s Son Breaks Silence about Life inside Her Brentwood “Cult.”” News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF), 12 Feb. 2024,
www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/what-were-we-doing-gwen-shamblins-son-breaks-silence-about-life-inside-her-brentwood-cult. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Williams, phil. ““Take the Damn Filter Off.” Former Remnant Leader Says Church Needs to Admit Role in Child’s Death.” News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF), 19 Feb. 2024,
www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/take-the-damn-filter-off-former-remnant-leader-says-church-needs-to-admit-role-in-childs-death.
zenovich, Marina. The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin. HBO, 28 Apr. 2022, play.max.com/show/1e47a6d6-955c-4ce4-92b0-bc170075432a, disc 1-5. TV Show.
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