What does childhood look like inside a high-control religious group? In this episode, we join actor and educator Jonghee Celeste Quispe as she reveals her upbringing in the Unification Church—better known as the 'Moonies.' She describes the intense 5:30 a.m. worship rituals, the bans on dating, and the pressure of accepting an arranged 'match,' while detailing teen 'missions' that blurred into labor trafficking. With a candid reflection on her breaking point at the movement’s famed 'Prayer Rock,' Jonghee shares the shock of being sent to Guatemala at just 17 and the turmoil that awaited her upon returning home as she fought to protect her own life. We also explore the church’s schisms, money demands that hollowed out families, and how her siblings navigated their own spiritual journeys. Through all these challenges, Jonghee's unwavering belief in God remained intact, and she explains how theater, music, and love helped her reclaim her personal identity and freedom—a narrative of resilience that no institution could erase.
Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ
Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com