When a mentor demands your devotion, isolates you from loved ones, and convinces you she’s the only source of truth—what do you do?
In this jaw-dropping episode of the "Bewitched" series, Dr. Robyn McKay and I sit with Alicia Isaacs Howes to continue exposing the dangerous underbelly of high-control spiritual mentorship. This time, Alicia bravely shares her decade-long entanglement with "Betty," revealing how a once-inspiring coach slowly tightened her grip—leading to mind games, emotional abuse, and a shocking retreat that would change everything.
Alicia was an insider—trusted, given leadership roles, and made to feel "special." But behind the curtain, she witnessed red flags disguised as high standards, clients being publicly shamed, and a leader who claimed to be more than just a mentor—she claimed to be God.
This conversation exposes the divide-and-conquer tactics, bizarre retreats filled with paranoia, sleep deprivation, and starvation, and the final, terrifying twist—when Alicia was told her own family had turned against her.
We’re not sugarcoating anything in this conversation. If you've ever felt uneasy about a coach, mentor, or leader but couldn’t quite put your finger on why—this episode will give you the clarity you need to trust your instincts and break free.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
(00:00) Intro
(00:53) In Today's Episode...Alicia Isaacs Howes
(03:46) Upcoming Events
(06:45) Alicia's Beginning's with Betty - Early Red Flags
(13:02) The Sedona Retreat - Betty's Dark Transformation
(35:26) The Croatia Retreat: A Turning Point - "I am Christos"
(41:21) Paranoia, The Hotel is Not Safe and A Night of Control and Fear
(52:40) The Retreat's Abrupt End
(56:31) The Journey to the Next Location, Realization, and Escape
(01:02:48) The Final Confrontation and Reflecting on the Experience
(01:27:24) Moving Forward with New Wisdom
**WAYS TO ENTER MY WORLD**
CONTACT ROBYN
CONTACT ALYSE
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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