The group’s belief system had never been infallible. There had been adjustments along the way; revisions meant to keep the wheels turning whenever prophecies didn’t manifest. But then, in 1985, Bonnie Lu Nettles died. And her passing threw Heaven’s Gate’s whole world askew. 

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When Baylor University students Sean Morris and Ryan Ringnald met in the mid 2000s, they both felt the world around them was spiritually empty. They leaned into a strict, uncompromising version of Christianity, joined by fellow literalist Jacob Gardner. The trio eventually formed a small congregation that settled in a small town. But for residents of Wells, Texas, the move was more like an invasion… and their lives would never be the same.

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Imagine living with a secret so big, if anyone were to find out, it would change everything. From love affairs and fake identities to heists and murder — do you think you could take a secret like that to the grave? Discover the most explosive things people have admitted to just moments before the end in the new Spotify Original from Parcast, Deathbed Confessions. Listen to an exclusive clip from the first episode right here, then search and follow “Deathbed Confessions” to hear more. New episodes air weekly!

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By the 1980s, The Work was a real estate empire worth millions. But Julius didn’t concern himself much with the business. Instead, he focused on preaching armageddon and engaging in “special work” with his young female followers. Several lawsuits, a disastrous TV interview, and a brutal murder marked the beginning of the end. 

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They’re some of the most iconic figures of all time, celebrated in death for their individual achievements and impact on society. But in life, the relationships they kept tell a different story — one of unexpected connections that yielded extraordinary change. In this new Spotify Original from Parcast, explore the shared legacies of prolific pairs from the past. Listen to an exclusive clip from the first episode right here, then search and follow “Obituaries” for new episodes every Wednesday!

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While stationed in the South Pacific with the Navy during World War II, Julius Schacknow had a divine vision. Armed with the knowledge of his supposed destiny, he established a devoted following in New England in the 1970s. 

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As the Adventist movement spread across the United States, and as the date of Miller’s predicted apocalypse approached, his followers prepared to leave the world behind. With the fervor came scorn and smear campaigns. 

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This summer, sift through the files of America’s most covert organization in a special collection from Parcast Network. From secret alliances to global cover-ups, uncover the cold, hard facts and unproven theories surrounding the CIA. Listen to a clip from the first episode here, on the domestic mind control program known as Project MK-Ultra. Then search and follow “Conspiracy Theories: CIA Edition” for declassified episodes every Thursday.

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The origins of the 19th-century preacher who founded Millerism, revived belief in Jesus’ imminent return, and landed himself at the center of a historic religious crisis in America.

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By the late 1990s, the Providence movement had expanded its reach internationally. But when word got out about Jeong Myeong-seok abusing his “spiritual brides,” he fled. The prophet was exposed as a predator — but that didn’t stop the group from growing.

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