Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the leader of a cult known as The Family, manipulated and brainwashed her followers for 60 years. She claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus and used LSD to control and indoctrinate her followers. The cult had influential members from various sectors, and Anne amassed a wealth of $50 million. The cult operated from compounds in Victoria, Australia, and engaged in child abduction and abuse. Anne's upbringing was marked by her mother's mental illness and her father's absence. The cult's practices included injecting followers with LSD and staging appearances to make Anne appear divine. The conversation delves into the life of Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the leader of the cult known as The Family. We explore her background, the methods she used to recruit members, and the abuse and manipulation that took place within the cult. The conversation also touches on the lack of legal consequences for Hamilton-Byrne and the long-lasting impact on the children who were raised in the cult.Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Equipment
00:16 - The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
05:45 - Anne Hamilton-Byrne: The Cult Leader
08:04 - Child Abuse in the Cult
12:35 - Introduction and Background
18:04 - Yoga and Spiritual Influence
29:19 - LSD and the Belief in Anne as Jesus
32:02 - Illegal Adoption and Child Theft
36:24 - Abuse, Isolation, and the Chosen Ones
40:32 - The Wealth and Properties of Anne Hamilton-Byrne
44:11 - Failures of Oversight: The Education Department's Inaction
48:45 - The Lasting Trauma of the Cult's Survivors
51:52 - The Cult's Lingering Presence: A Dwindling Membership
58:13 - The Connection Between the Cult and the CIA's MK Ultra Program
