October 21, 2025 • 14 mins
What happens when faith turns into fanaticism — and motherhood turns into control?
In this searing Hidden Killers commentary, Tony Brueski unpacks the disturbing psychology behind Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, the duo whose “spiritual discipline” of children became a criminal horror show.
Ruby’s journey from YouTube mom to convicted abuser isn’t just about narcissism — it’s about moral addiction. She craved righteousness the way others crave power, and Jodi knew exactly how to feed that need. Together they built a belief system where cruelty became holiness, obedience became worship, and children paid the price.
Tony explores the cult-like dynamic between leader and follower, the shared delusion (folie à deux) that turned ideology into torture, and the deeper question of why authoritarian faith systems flourish online.
This is the story of how conviction curdles into control — and how easily “doing good” becomes the justification for doing harm.
#RubyFranke #JodiHildebrandt #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #8Passengers #TrueCrimePodcast #ReligiousAbuse #ParentingGoneWrong #CultPsychology #UtahCrime
Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?
Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
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Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
In this searing Hidden Killers commentary, Tony Brueski unpacks the disturbing psychology behind Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, the duo whose “spiritual discipline” of children became a criminal horror show.
Ruby’s journey from YouTube mom to convicted abuser isn’t just about narcissism — it’s about moral addiction. She craved righteousness the way others crave power, and Jodi knew exactly how to feed that need. Together they built a belief system where cruelty became holiness, obedience became worship, and children paid the price.
Tony explores the cult-like dynamic between leader and follower, the shared delusion (folie à deux) that turned ideology into torture, and the deeper question of why authoritarian faith systems flourish online.
This is the story of how conviction curdles into control — and how easily “doing good” becomes the justification for doing harm.
#RubyFranke #JodiHildebrandt #HiddenKillers #TonyBrueski #8Passengers #TrueCrimePodcast #ReligiousAbuse #ParentingGoneWrong #CultPsychology #UtahCrime
Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?
Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod
Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
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