Reviews
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“I was a listener when Zealot was ongoing and today when I was cleaning out my podcast feed I was reminded about how much joy it brought. It’s just all the best parts of what true crime was in its prime and almost none of the bad. I don’t know if you still see the reviews for this Jo, but you...”Read full review »
Cko86 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/05/23
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“It took me a while to get into this podcast, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. It's so funny as well as informative. I am so sad the podcast finished - I'm just going to have to listen to them all again!”Read full review »
Nicknametaken24 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
08/10/22
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“I love Jo and I’m so sad this has ended. 😩 Still worth the listen!”
mamameggieee via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/03/21
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“Zealot was a delight from start to finish, going to miss this one but absolutely respect the choice to go out on top”
ApparentlyAlex via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
08/23/21
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“Zealot and Jo got me through the Covid lockdown! It was great while it lasted!”
Poop, but........ via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/22/21
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“But thankful for it while it lasted. Would gladly listen to Jo talk about anything.”
lme0045 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/21/21
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“I’m still new and working my way through, and at Ep. 3 I was thinking I wasn’t so keen on this podcast. But I kept listening, and it’s grown on me. (I had the same experience with another podcast that I now love - and where I heard about this podcast - “My Favorite Murder.”) It’s definitely...”Read full review »
LeoFlash via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/20/21
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“But loved every minute. Thank you so much Jo and co! xoxo”
yourwiseoldersister via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/20/21
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“Holy crab apples, between the wondrous accent and the absolutely spot on content, this podcast has only upsides!!! I absolutely love the little jingles interwoven throughout and she some how manages to make an insanely entertaining podcast out of a harsh and extremely educational subject!
I...”Read full review »
free and indifferent via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
05/03/21
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“Really enjoy Jo’s work! Binged them all and love them. We need the fictional T-shirts to be real!
Hope there are more episodes soon.”
Sparked1935 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/26/21
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“Happy listen! Glad you have returned. Since the time you were away got approached for a “stress test,” and thanks to you knew enough to be polite without being sucked. As I walked away your jingle, “disillusioned” instantly came to mind. You are doing Self’s Work. (Smile)”
M’Arcy Webber via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/12/21
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“I just discovered this podcast and haven’t been able to stop. The host is delightful, the guests are engaging, and I find myself singing along to the jingles every time. I look forward to more episodes!”
Chicka49274 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/07/21
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“Please come back Jo! I’m seriously going to join a cult if I don’t have your charming wit back in my ear holes!!”
Videogirl0829 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/07/21
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“I laughed so hard I will likely get evicted. I hope one of you will take me in!”
Nurse43081 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/30/21
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“Clever, hilarious, irreverent but still respectful of the humans involved. A brilliant treat.”
Christina 17 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/22/21
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“Have listened to a few episodes and the subjects are great! And they seem well researched, but I’m not sure of the quality of the analysis or humour. But that’s subjective I suppose, so worth a shot if you are interested in cults.”
carpefula via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
10/18/20
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“I would really like to know what y’all think of the bruderhof”
hanho4sho via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/13/20
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“Just found this podcast and I’m obsessed! Love the content, but also love how funny it is. Definitely going to binge the whole series.”
Egg352 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/06/20
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“Have no clue if this is a good podcast or not because less than a minute in on every episode I’m stunned by how awful the audio is... with so many people raving about the host I’m confident she won’t fix it so I’m out.”
jmdawson la via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/30/20
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“I absolutely LOVE this podcast. Jo’s rapport with guests is so enjoyable to listen to - I smile and chuckle my way through the episodes while learning about all of the odd things my fellow humans have been up to. It’s a good variety of well-known and under the radar groups. Added bonus for...”Read full review »
Sparklepants ✨✨✨ via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/02/20
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“Fun and well researched about cults with a silly vibe. I truly wish I could join in on the cheese plate. I find myself humming the songs all the time and just genuinely enjoy my time with Jo and her guests.”
Spady83 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/20/20
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“So funny and informative. I think my personal fav jingles are take me you to your compound and random facts.”
bimodal_rainbow via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
07/13/20
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“...first time reviewer. Jo, I love this podcast with all of my heart, but please, for the love of God, make these recordings louder! SPEAK INTO THE HORN, JO! How will I know if I’m being lured into the next new cult all the young cool hot people are joining if I don’t know what to look for?!...”Read full review »
LaurGarv via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/11/20
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“Been listening for a while now, and this casual little podcast has come a long way😌. I love your humor and the variations of co hosts you have on the show. The jingles are always something I look forward to. XD Keep at it Jo! 💙”
gaysanon via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/14/20
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“...we should put that an a T-shirt...”
Nimbocrux via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
06/04/20
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“Absolutely brilliant podcast. Very funny + Jo Thornely is a great host. And the jingles always get stuck in my head.”
leanerss via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
06/04/20
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“Such a great deep dive into every cult you’ve ever wanted to know about...and Jo is the best, most hilarious and irreverent host. A blast.”
christina doren via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/02/20
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“This show is actually hilarious! Great find!”
kenz977 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/19/20
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“This podcast makes me laugh out loud. Your sense of humor is the best!!! Please hurry back! I need a good laugh.”
Sue in MLT via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/14/20
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“It definitely has a charismatic leader and my family and friends tell it’s unhealthy to binge listen to years of zealot but I ignore them, I would move to the compound if Jo told me to! Just discovered zealot and I’m obsessed. Needs more yoga..”
TurnsBeth via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
05/13/20
“Jo and various guests will have you giggling in pain. She dives in deep to the world of sect’s and cults. With the help adorable jingles which will become stuck in your head, Episodes range from present day rap artist scumbags to historically infamous charismatic leaders. If ya like a good...”Read full review »
Hasslehodge via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
05/01/20
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“The only way to listen to stories of charismatic cult leaders and their disillusioned people in their late teens”
Tess Hemm via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
05/01/20
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“love this show! hilarious to me that jo can only see blue and yellow because i have blue yellow color blindness and they're the only colors i can’t see haha. jo and her hosts are always delightful!”Read full review »
sunflowers._and stars via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/21/20
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“Hard to get through an ep with this nonsense. They at least try so I give them 2 stars instead of 1.”
Nullity via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/11/20
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“Couldn’t have been more excited to see this popped up in my feed this morning.”
margeg775 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/07/20
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“Love this podcast, highly recommend!”
Kimberlylala via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/06/20
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“I’m only a few episodes in, brought here from MFM and it’s fun and interesting, I just hate all the songs. They’re very brief though so I’ll keep listening through!”
bailey ambrister via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/03/20
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“Hands down my favourite podcast and it’s gone AWOL. Come back, Zealot!”
Elated Onion Shell via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/24/20
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“Love it! Makes me laugh. I would love to hear one on ISKCON”
space e cadet via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/07/20
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“Low budget backyard production may sound like a criticism but I assure you that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The host and her guests are so charming and effervescent the whole podcast feels like hanging out with friends and the “raw” feel of it makes it so warm and familiar. I adore every...”Read full review »
Jazzie96 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
01/20/20
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“impossible not to get into this podcast— really witty humor, fantastic accents (hey from california), and unique aspects like the jingles that make it memorable!! somehow jo and her guests make some pretty terrible groups very interesting, and importantly, does it without over glorifying or...”Read full review »
Player456790 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/06/20
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“Gave up on the podcast two thirds into an episode. Too many factual errors to be reliable, contempt for those involved, and with a lackluster presentation (write a script people).”
Al Telstar via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
12/20/19
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“I like the banta and the tunes but the conversation jumps around a lot. I’d hoped it would at least be in chronological order on what happened when. Also discuss the psychology of cult leaders and practitioners.”
Lillianwhite via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
12/11/19
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“Just get past the poor recording!!!”
Oregonlady via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/09/19
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“I wanted to like this podcast, but with the silly jokes and nonsense I couldn’t get through an episode. I tried two, just to see if the first was a fluke, but it’s too jokey and silly to be listened to from a historical perspective.”
Jakob Marley's Mom via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/22/19
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“Really enjoying this podcast where I started from the beginning. Once the sound quality improved then even more!
Hang in there - it is worth it : hilarious, human and perfectly delightful - thank you Jo, I will not join a cult unless you are in charge sporting many fancy hats ;)”
tba1977 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/18/19
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“Amazing podcast. Adore the music! The presentation is superb. It’s humorous, intelligent and educational. LOVE LOVE LOVE”
Anni WT via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
11/06/19
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“It’s hard to say anything positive about this podcast that hasn’t been said already. So I will just give you my hot take: Dave and Alonso are the best cinema-related power couple since PTA and Maya Rudolph. Listen to the podcast. Just do it.”
Core miletis via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/05/19
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“Found out about the podcast from Jo’s hometown on MFM forever ago. Took me a couple of episodes to appreciate the little jingles but I love the overall format. You Aussies are hysterical.
The Jesus jingle is probably my favorite, love the party horn thing at the end 🤣”
Kat Ski via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/17/19
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