Inside One Of Australia’s Longest Running Cults [fresh episode]

Inside One Of Australia’s Longest Running Cults [fresh episode]

Author: Mamamia Podcasts December 22, 2024 Duration: 43:13

The Geelong Revival Centre, one of Australia’s longest-running cults, has been hiding in plain sight for years. Led by Pastor Noel Hollins until his death in 2024, the ultra-conservative church controls every aspect of its followers' lives.

For the past two years, investigative journalist Richard Baker has collected disturbing audio recordings from Hollins and testimonies from survivors. They’ve told him stories of alleged physical and sexual abuse, emotional stories of families being torn apart by strict rules and disturbing allegations of medicine being banned.

Due to legal constraints, he’s been unable to share it… until now. You can listen to Richard's podcast Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder here.

THE END BITS

Subscribe to Mamamia

CREDITS

Guest: Richard Baker

Host: Gemma Bath

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

GET IN TOUCH

Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Gemma Bath hosts True Crime Conversations, a podcast from Mamamia Podcasts that delves into infamous criminal cases from Australia and around the world. Rather than just recounting facts, each episode is built around a direct conversation with someone who has a unique, often personal connection to the story. You might hear from a detective who worked the case, a journalist who covered the trial, a family member seeking answers, or a forensic expert who examined the evidence. This approach brings a tangible, human dimension to stories that can sometimes feel distant or sensationalised. The tone is engaging and thoughtful, focusing on the nuances and the people affected, rather than just the shock value. It’s for anyone who appreciates a deeper, more conversational entry into the true crime genre, where the emphasis is on understanding the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ from those who were actually there. Listening to this podcast feels like being part of a serious, yet accessible, discussion about some of the most compelling and complex crimes in recent history.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

True Crime Conversations
Podcast Episodes
The Kapunda Triple Murder & An Unsuspecting Killer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:53
In 2010, 18-year-old Jason Downie became obsessed with Chantelle Rowe, his friend’s girlfriend, after she rejected him. On the night of November 8th, in the quiet town of Kapunda, South Australia, Jason, consumed by jeal…
The Four-Day Exorcism Of Joan Vollmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:44
In the remote outback of Victoria in 1993, Ralph Vollmer believed his wife, Joan, was possessed. Ralph enlisted members of his local religious community to perform an exorcism, hoping to rid Joan of the ten demons they b…
The Moment That Could’ve Saved Gabby Petito [re-release] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:24
In August 2021, Gabby Petito went missing while on holiday with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. The pair were six weeks into a four month trip across the United States. They'd been living out of Gabby's specially decked out…
Meet The Anonymous Host Of Casefile [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:09
To some, he’s the mysterious voice behind their favourite true crime podcast (besides True Crime Conversations, of course). Others know him as ‘Casey.’ But who is Casefile's anonymous host, really? Today, we get a chance…
"What REALLY Happened When I Confronted Belle Gibson" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:59
In 2015, Australian con woman Belle Gibson was living the dream. Her app The Whole Pantry was hugely popular and she was about to launch a book of the same name. With hundreds of thousands of followers online, Belle had…
Maria Korp Was Left To Die In The Boot Of Her Car [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:00
Maria Korp, a 50-year-old mother of two from Melbourne, went missing in February 2005. She was discovered four days later in the boot of her car barely alive, after being strangled and left for dead. Police first suspect…
25 Years Ago, A Revengeful Man Set Fire To A Queensland Hostel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:46
On June 23rd, 2000, just after midnight, Robert Paul Long set fire to the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel in Queensland. He had recently been evicted for not paying his rent and in his anger, he sparked a tragedy. The…
We’re Finally Telling The True Story About The Slender Man Stabbing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:34
What started as a typical sleepover in Wisconsin in 2014 turned into one of the most chilling true crime stories in America.Twelve-year-olds Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier lured their friend, Payton "Bella" Leutner, into…