Gwen Shamblin rose to fame in the 1990's with the Weigh Down Workshop, a Christian weight-loss program that promised spiritual freedom through self denial. But behind the glossy sermons and the big hair was something darker. Gwen didn't just want followers, she wanted absolute obedience. Her Remnant Fellowship Church became a world of strict rules, public shaming and total control over its members' bodies, families, and souls. Then came the scandals, the abuse allegations, the manipulation and finally the shocking plane crash in 2021 that killed Gwen, her husband Joe Lara, and other tip leaders leaving behind a trail of trauma and unanswered questions. Stacey, Dori, and Dr. John analyze Gwen and her followers to dive into how one woman with an idea can manufacture a huge cult following.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
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
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.