Reviews
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“I have never heard of synanon before, I am only 24 but still! Seems like something people should hear about, maybe? Love the host, she sounds so similar to Delia D’ambra who hosts other pods.”
CassTay185 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/23/24
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“Really good. The interviews and perspectives were so powerful. Such an interesting podcast. I loved it.”
Joce3375 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/07/23
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“I have started 100’s of podcast. This is 1 of 5 that I’ve finished, and it’s probably my second favorite.”
scottieskarate via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/30/23
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“It was so easy to follow. I was able to picture everything that was happening and how everyone was feeling. Thank you for sharing your story!”
J9ssica via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/05/23
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“I was on the edge of my seat listening to this historical account. Thank you. And again. Wow.”
Precious 127 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/02/23
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“Boring, slow, hard to follow when the stories jump around too much without much tying it to the last, narration is monotonous and they sound as bored as I was.”
azmende via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/19/23
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“The story of Synanon is so complex that it would be hard to tell over 20 episodes, and that Sari was able to tell a comprehensive story in 8 is amazing! The first hand accounts, including her own, really enriched the podcast.”
Feral Dog Mom via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/10/23
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“This podcast is a personal origin story I didn’t know well, the whole podcast was so helpful for me in putting pieces together. A program (cult) born of Synanon, called Cedu which would umbrella a few “therapeutic” schools was referenced in the last video, and is where I ended up in 1989. I never...”Read full review »
carinasana via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/30/23
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“Very well told , kept me interested the whole time .”
wantmorejustice via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/12/23
“I learned so much about the positive power of abstinence and shared recovery in community as well as the real perils of authoritarian control and potential for return to active addiction. It’s amazing how much Synanon, for good and ill, entered the culture, from Tough Love groups to AA and even...”Read full review »
sway2this via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/30/23
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“I spend a lot of time on Tomales Bay - just returned home to the east bay today - and knew of synanon but this was enlightening. well done on the pace, story, interviews. I appreciate people’s willingness to tell their stories”
Ljdeshayes via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/06/23
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“What a crazy story! It all seemed to start with the best of intentions and then hubris ripped it apart. Riveting, engaging and informative!”
Onita B via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
01/03/23
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“Zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzz”
Alix229 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/06/22
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“The show had potential but I was put off by the repeated use of the phrases “dope fiend” and “drug addict”. I get that this was the 1960s vocabulary but it just sounds dated and stigmatized. If they used at least some person-centered language like “person who uses drugs” or “people with a heroin...”Read full review »
_StephP_123_ via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/20/22
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“Like other reviews, I feel it jumped around too much and was too long. The child abuse and neglect was horrific and unimaginable. And of course, Hollywood glorifies it! The parents who subjected their children to such abuse and neglect should’ve been charged. The adults who stood around and...”Read full review »
Phna15 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/17/22
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“Sari does a really great job of telling a story with an immense amount of information and characters, all while keeping it fluid and cohesive”
mackenzieco via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
11/15/22
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“I truly enjoyed this pod cast, well done, thoroughly researched and fascinating!! So good!!”
12345@miniaussiesrock via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/09/22
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“First couple of episodes were interesting, but the last few were just rambling and disjointed. What was the purpose of this podcast? It never really went anywhere or provided any new information In regards to “cult” activity. More of a “pity me for making dumb decisions and being led””
36526 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/27/22
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“Omg just hearing them justify all this abuse and violence is terrifying. These men still believe they were totally in the right. These are CHILDREN”
TrueCrime101 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/26/22
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“This is a really unusual story. Excellent podcast. Good job. Will recommemnd to everyone.”
berliner1000 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/25/22
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“I grew up in the Los Angeles area during the rise of Synanon hearing warnings and whispers about the cult. I found this podcast to be fascinating and convincing in its authenticity. I also suffered from alcoholism and became sober in 1984 in the South Bay through a group in the conventional 12...”Read full review »
Jan Helm via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/24/22
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“Great podcast! However- I do not believe a word of what that Buddy guy says. He’s still deluded 🙄”
lil-car via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/16/22
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“I see a lot of reviews on here about how reviewers wanted the former cult members to repent for their misdeeds or how those folks spoke made them uncomfortable and therefore gave low reviews. That’s absurd. To demand that the truth fit into your worldview and when it doesn’t, you huffily give...”Read full review »
JordanTheHost via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/13/22
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“This podcast jumped around a lot. But my main issue is that not one person who was in Synanon apologized or seemed to feel bad about abusing children. Where is the empathy? Hearing these stories of the kids who group up in Thai cult and then hearing the adults not take any responsibility was...”Read full review »
plaksn via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/10/22
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“Best podcast ever”
billthick via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/07/22
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“Very well done pod. Like a good book. Fascinating story.”
henkelchris via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/06/22
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“I never heard of this one. Interesting to learn about Chuck and this group. The constant use of the antiquated term, “dope fiend” in 2022 by the very people who suffered this addiction, is really disturbing. Every time it was uttered, I wanted to shut it off. It’s so derogatory and absurd. A...”Read full review »
cubanita#1 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/05/22
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“What can I say… I thought this was great! I will be searching out more and more info on chuck dietrich. I really enjoy hearing about group think and the actions of the group. Any break away from societal norms really speaks to me. (Mindful that I work a 9-5 job, own a house and pay my taxes) I...”Read full review »
MF2016 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/30/22
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“Such a fascinating subject but the narration is so flat. Like a bad PBS or Weekly Reader documentary. It also really bounces around a lot with little back story or explanation.
The story would be better told If put into some kind of recognizable chronological order and certain story lines could...”Read full review »
Marvelous Marvie 79 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/29/22
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“This podcast would have been more interesting if it moved faster. Some chaff could have been left on the cutting room floor.”
Different_Drummer via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/29/22
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“Sari Crawford did an amazing job of putting together the variety of experiences which so many of us share. It was so well edited and compellingly narrated. Her father, Bill Crawford was one of the kindest, most intelligent people in Synanon. He and I shared the distinction of being truly hated by...”Read full review »
xtradite via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/27/22
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“This was truly a fantastic story, as well as a great storyteller. I am sad that it is over.”
Craigrost via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/26/22
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“I was hooked from episode 1. The story is compelling and incredulous at times. The episodes are well written and the storytelling is riveting.”
Razzers1 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/26/22
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“Well researched, well presented.
5 stars!”
Kāore via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
09/26/22
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“The story is super interesting but unfortunately the show is badly written and the narrator is robotic and amateurish.”
gabimoore via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/25/22
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“The series episodes jumped all over the place and some characters were revisited while others were not. This material and the
people impacted deserved worthier more coherent and cohesive story telling”
Kikinyc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/24/22
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“I am utterly riveted. Excellent storytelling, world building, and perspective sharing.”
poetjenharris via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/23/22
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“Thanks for sharing your story and personal dealings with us. Very well written. Enjoyed!”
Spr1ng26 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/22/22
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“Absolutely amazing podcast!!!!”
coffe and therapy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/22/22
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“Well written produced, and told. A cautionary tale.”
hazelbnr via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/22/22
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“So well done. I enjoyed the whole series but the ending was the best.
Thanks Sari! You are a great storyteller!”
sUzQb via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/22/22
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“Wow, what a story. I just couldn’t wait for the next episode. You never know what’s going on around you. Nice job Sari Crawford!”
Panda Bear! via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/22/22
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“Gets really mundane and tedious after a while.”
Ralph and Martha Wright via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/22/22
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“This was an intriguing story. Sari does an excellent job of weaving the story into 8 episodes. And hearing the voices of those that experienced it firsthand made it even more interesting.”
lindy luvs music via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/21/22
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“The story is interesting but it jumps around the timeline, the adult ex members make a lot of excuses why it was ok to abuse children and other people. None of the adults seem very remorseful for their actions and some of the stories start get you invested and then are never revisited.”
MrsR97 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/21/22
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“The Sunshine place is about a group intended in recovery turned cult. Awesome journalism and incredible narration that really brings it together! Found this in a whim and glad I stayed till the end!”
DreadfullyShane via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/21/22
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“Kudos to the Downey’s! Sari is Awesome ♥️”
NappyDresser via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/21/22
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“Wonderfully done podcast about a fascinating subject.”
sleems4 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
09/19/22
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“The episodes can’t come fast enough!”
laceyfaceb via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/17/22
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