From a young age, Tilly Devine had stars in her eyes. Born at the turn of the 20th century, she wanted to live a glamorous life. In her teens, she turned to sex work to achieve it. But if she learned her trade in London, she dominated it in Sydney.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

In the 1920s and ‘30s, two crime bosses dominated Sydney’s criminal underworld. Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine were queens of vice, building their empires on alcohol, cocaine, and sex. They were also fierce rivals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

In 2007, three years after Lisa Montgomery’s grisly crime, her trial began. What unfolded there, and in the decade following, put discussions of mental health, abuse, and the death penalty in the national spotlight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

In Japan, a yoga teacher named Shoko Asahara claimed he had special DNA, developed the battery-powered “Perfect Salvation System,” and directed his cult, Aum Shinrikyo, to carry out chemical attacks in Tokyo. This is the final episode in the three-part series — if you enjoyed it, search and follow Cults to hear what really happens behind the closed doors of covert societies. New episodes Tuesdays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

How do quests for enlightenment get so sinister? In this three-part special from Cults, a Spotify Original from Parcast, we’re looking at three stories of yoga gurus who were loved — then loathed — for their practices. We start in Romania, charting the rise of Gregorian Bivolaru: an allegedly all-powerful mystic who remixed religions for an ever-expanding cache of followers across Europe. But the price of following him was more than devotion… If you like this episode, search and follow Cults to delve into the minds of more notorious cult leaders every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices ..read more

In the early 1990s, erstwhile biographer Lee Israel was having the time of her life forging letters from long-dead celebrities. But when that particular scheme got too risky, she switched gears, and started making real money moves... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Most Americans thought justice had been served when Barbara Graham was sentenced to death for the murder of Mabel Monahan. But after an interview was published with Barbara's version of events, people doubted her guilt. With a perjury conviction on her record, could she ever be trusted? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

After losing favor in California, Liz fled to Texas where she hoped to start selling her three-wheeled car to a whole new market. But she didn't fare any better. Facing a list of charges, Liz went on the run again — only to be brought down by the most unlikely source. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

She started out as a con woman who eventually had to go on the run. Once she had a fresh start, she became a charismatic businesswoman who could sell anything. But not everybody wanted to see her succeed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Known to her followers as “La Madrina,” Sara Aldrete was targeted by a charming cult leader as part of a plot to make money and recruit new members. But as the animal sacrifices turned to human sacrifices, she realized it was too late to turn back. Countdown to the CULTS book release! Parcast’s first book hits shelves July 12th. It’s an unflinching exploration of shame, secrecy, power, exploitation, and destruction. Learn more at www.parcast.com/cults!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more