Ep. #33: Escaping The Chains – Suzanne Accardo's Journey from Trafficking Survivor to Advocate

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Suzanne Accardo, a human trafficking survivor and the founder of the Facebook group Modern Day Slavery, Creating Awareness about Human Trafficking in the USA. Suzanne begins by challenging a common misconception: that slavery was ever truly abolished. As a single mom to a 9-year-old boy, Suzanne shares her deeply personal story, which began when her mother married into a secretive "brotherhood" in Montgomery County, Texas.

Suzanne opens up about the horrifying experiences she endured, beginning at age 13 when she was molested by a man involved in organized crime, who married her mother. She shares the chilling belief that both her uncle and grandmother may have been poisoned, and how she was manipulated and slowly drugged while in a fake relationship with her trafficker. Her ordeal escalated to the point where she was chained in an RV for months, forced to live in a drug-induced haze, unsure of what she was being given.

A moment of clarity came when she saw a video of herself, realizing the extent of her situation. She seized a rare opportunity to escape when her captor left the chains off and the door unlocked. But the nightmare was far from over. Suzanne was treated as a criminal, even being committed to a mental hospital when she should have been recognized as a victim.

Suzanne’s fight for survival continues today, as she raises awareness of the dangers of human trafficking and the systems that fail its victims. She discusses how her home has been broken into, her pets killed, and the ongoing fear for her life. Suzanne’s advice to those targeted: never be alone and surround yourself with trusted people. Her story is one of survival, resilience, and a determined mission to expose the truth behind modern-day slavery in America.

Don’t miss this eye-opening episode of Cultimatum as Suzanne reveals the shocking realities of human trafficking and the resilience of the human spirit.

Link to Suzanne's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1456062254920275

Cultimatum Podcast Contact Info:

Email: cultimatumpodcast@gmail.com

Cultimatum Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1910498486077283

Cultimatum Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/cultimatumpodcast?igsh=MXBnNXllYjBtc2hwcg==

Cultimatum TikTok account :

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Cultimatum Pinterest account :

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Cult Escape & Recovery Support Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2575419069406501

To contact the Anonymous Andrew Podcast Studios

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or visit

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Ep. #32 Swindled By Faith with Richard Kiers

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing journey of Richard Kiers, who grew up in a little-known but insidious cult called The Move of God, founded by Sam Fife in the 1960s. The Move, an offshoot of the Baptist church, gained traction for its charismatic leader and promise of discovering the "truth." Richard’s father, in his search for spiritual fulfillment, uprooted their family to join a communal farm in Canada when Richard was just 10 years old.

Life in The Move was one of strict control and isolation. Members were required to sever ties with extended family, and every aspect of their lives was dictated by the cult’s teachings—down to the clothes they wore and how they groomed themselves. The commune prided itself on self-sufficiency, but this came with significant hardships. Living without running water, electricity, or proper sanitation, members hauled water from a nearby spring and used outhouses. The cabins they lived in were built by the community, and while some members had access to money and cars, these were communal property, used solely for the benefit of the group.

As Richard grew older, he began to see the cracks in the cult’s façade, especially when his father fell ill. Despite his father’s suffering, the group refused to seek outside medical help, insisting that any failure to recover was a result of weak faith. This incident deeply shook Richard’s belief in the group. Life in the commune was harsh, with children put to work on the farm and forced to contribute to building the community. The food was scarce and of poor quality, and the environment was far from nurturing.

Years later, Richard penned a book titled Swindled by Faith, chronicling his experiences. He waited until after his parents passed away to publish the book, out of respect for their memory, despite the pain they endured within the group. As his parents aged and became less useful to the cult, they were discarded—no longer of value without money or income.

In closing, Richard offers a poignant piece of advice for those questioning whether a group might be a cult or dangerous: observe how they treat the children. It is a revealing indicator of the group’s true nature.

Link to Richard's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/ucdvn73Rt5w2X6qn/?mibextid=qi2Omg

Link to Richard's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Swindled-Faith-Reconciliation-Richard-Kiers-ebook/dp/B07RWTKQ73/ref=sr_1_1?crid=104DCBNYZCZGT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EWwNrojphJ7nZqnPOSSQOfU36BIzaDHLWfoHDzxRcYg.FuYwEUjPKtHhD2vmcWNxZcPWJyT5iBgRUn-mRqgYuRs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Swindled+by+faith&qid=1723493728&sprefix=swindled+by+faith%2Caps%2C408&sr=8-1

Link to the Documentary Richard was in : https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/id-shows/6-cults-featured-in-next-season-of-people-magazine-investigates-cults

Cultimatum podcast Contact Info:

Email: cultimatumpodcast@gmail.com

Episode #31 Justine For Justice - Escaping the ICOC

In this episode, we hear from Justine, a survivor of the International Church of Christ (ICOC), as she bravely shares her experience of growing up in a controlling religious group. The ICOC is known for its extreme control over members, including enforcing a strict purity culture and dictating every aspect of members' lives.

Justine's story is one of resilience and survival. At age 16, she left the group to seek treatment for an eating disorder, which marked the beginning of her journey to recovery and freedom. Now, 20 years later, Justine is thriving—she’s married and has three children. Her journey to healing began when she started a blog, sharing her experiences and helping others come forward with their own stories.

The ICOC's influence extended far beyond spiritual matters, impacting every aspect of Justine's life. Members were required to make significant financial contributions and were often given recruitment quotas, effectively turning them into unpaid laborers. Justine’s family joined the ICOC when she was just three years old, seeking a supportive environment after her father’s struggles with alcoholism. However, the reality was far from what they expected. Justine endured multiple forms of abuse and struggled with isolation, believing that everyone outside the group was doomed.

The turning point came when Justine’s family learned about the systemic abuses within the ICOC, which eventually led them to leave the group. Today, Justine is a vocal advocate for those harmed by controlling religious groups, using her platform to raise awareness about the dangers of cults and importance of mental health. Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to break free from such environments and the importance of supporting survivors.

This episode is a crucial listen for anyone seeking to understand the psychological impact of cults and the path to recovery for survivors

Justine's Contact Info:

Justine's website for details on cases: https://open.substack.com/pub/justicejustine

Justine's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/justineforjustice/

Justine's TikTok account: https://www.tiktok.com/@justineforjustice

For Anyone Harmed By the ICOC contact : https://www.instagram.com/free2b_org/

Cultimatum Podcast Contact Info:

Email: cultimatumpodcast@gmail.com

Cultimatum Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1910498486077283

Cultimatum Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/cultimatumpodcast?igsh=MXBnNXllYjBtc2hwcg==

Cultimatum TikTok account :

https://www.tiktok.com/@cultimatumpodcast?_t=8nLKfZ8ShnW&_r=1