March 11, 2026

Cult Life with Luke Allen

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Show Notes

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein speaks with Luke Allen, a survivor of the River Road Fellowship group in Minnesota. Luke recounts his experiences growing up in this high-control group from 1996 to about 2015, emphasizing the psychological impact and the manipulation tactics used by the leader, Victor, who is now imprisoned for his crimes. Luke discusses the emotional challenges and the journey of writing his memoir 'Cult Life,' where he uses techniques inspired by other memoirs to relive and narrate the events from a child's perspective. The conversation digs into the nature of cults, the emotional manipulation involved, and the difficult transition out of such groups. Luke also shares his experiences of finding freedom, his relationship with his now-wife, and how he is raising his children differently from his own upbringing. This episode is a mix of personal stories, cautionary advice, and insightful reflections on life after leaving a cult.

Luke’s Links

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Cult-LIfe-Radical-Christian-Boyhood-ebook/dp/B0FP9TNGT4

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luke88allen?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

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