The fact that this woman was not completely psychologically broken by her terrible experiences is an absolute miracle and shows her strength. It's amazing that she is now helping so many others to get away from the FLDS.
Yeah it is quite amazing she came out the way she did I'm so happy but it makes me worry about all the other women in their that either can't get out or will not get out that's why I like this channel the offer resources and getting out but I know a lot of them were born into the religion and it's scary if that's all you know❤
I think her work with people, especially women and their children, coming out of the FLDS and some other fundamentalist breakoffs gives her the meaning she needs to keep going. She's one of the strongest women in this world, no doubt. I love listening to her. ❤😊
Thank you, yes, I love working with others, it does help me as well❤️I do worry about the ones who are still follow FLDS, I think they are taking high risk, kind of like asking for hard experience, which makes it even scarier, but they don’t see it that way.
That Dream Center being Warren Jeffs' house and now being used by Briell to rescue people who were preyed upon by Jeffs is priceless irony and at least a little sweet justice. Thanks for these podcasts.
I watched a documentary about all the property warren Jeff’s had and I thought it was all abandoned. At least it was in that video. Didn’t know she owned it.
Brielle was targeted, because narcissists always go after the strong willed victims. He wanted to break her spirit, silence her and make her compliant to his narcissistic perversion. God had other plans for her.
Brielle is my cousin, though i don't believe we've ever met in person... i really enjoyed listening to her story here. I hope to know her better someday.
I’m constantly inspired and awed by the strength and resiliency and kindness of all the guests you bring on. I also really respect the space, consideration and kindness you exude in creating a safe healing space with your platform. ❤
Best quote of the whole interview about Jeffs " He didn't really know what was going on (from prison) . He didn't really talk to God." It was almost a throwaway, but so powerful. And Brielle girl, you had freedom and even enslaved, used it to speak truth to power... May the rest of your courageous life be blessed.
So proud of her and her courage!! Love hearing her say, she is a basic Christian ❤, keeping Jesus the main thing! By His grace.we.are.saved,.not by works.. Joseph Smith is a false prophet, none of the things he prophesied while he was alive ever happened. , at any rate the most important thing is that people are getting away from this cult! Thank the Lord!! ❤
I watched her interview on growing up in polygamy, she's amazing, to get out and then go back to help others. I'm sure few things annoy Warren more than women he groomed and beat down like Brielle and Elissa leading the charge against him. Him taking out people like Fred Jessop is just standard, if you can only rule through fear, anyone who's a leader because they have the trust and respect of the people are a threat, even if its a very frail man is his 80s
@@CultstoConsciousnessI can't wait they're incredible. It's been interesting watching Sam especially realise he can criticise the church for valid reasons of course
So i dont like body shaming ppl ever, but im watching that documentary rn (and actually all documentaries of flds) and i cannot look at the tv when a picture of that cringey face of warren jeffs pops on the screen😭. it is so disturbing ugh!! And those poor girls are suppose to feel attracted to him and yearn over him.....that is pure torture. Dont let me start on his creepy voice😣😣😣😣😣 I completely understand the quote "if this is suppose to be heaven, id rather go to hell"!
Brielle, my daughter Hannah worked with you at Dream Center. Your story is amazing. May God fully bless you and your husband. You are a light in that dark culture, thank you for your caring heart to help these women and children. Much love to you ❤️
Thank you for the trigger warning! These topics are not easy, and I can’t imagine doing this as often as you. Thank you for doing this work on your platform, and giving a voice to those they tried to make voiceless!
I can’t imagine how heavy your heart and mind must feel after doing some of these. I’m always sending the healing vibes and positive energy your way!❤️🩹✨
@@CultstoConsciousness I completely agree. I’ve never experienced csa, for which I’m so thankful, but I do have personal experience with the effects of suicide. It took me a really long time before I could talk about it to bring awareness to depressed people (myself being one of them) that you may not be close to everyone you know but that doesn’t mean that you can have a huge impact on them. Life is a very short amount of time and humans need honest interactions with each other, within reason of course, in order to thrive. And the most important thing I learned through it was that every person is important and that includes those that don’t believe in themselves. If you (fellow comment reader) don’t believe in yourself, then here’s what I’ll say. You are so much stronger than you know. Asking others that you trust to help you because you’re not okay and have been strong for too long does NOT make you weak, does not mean that you failed yourself. That only does you a favor, it HELPS you gain support when you need it (that’s why it’s called asking for help), and having that gives you the strength to get back up on your feet whenever you’re ready. We can’t be all together all the time, and if nobody has said this to you today, then know that I find you valuable and worthy. I hope you see yourself that way. I’m so thankful that I can share some of my experience now, but I don’t ever want someone else to learn these lessons in the way I did. You matter. You are valuable. I care for you.
@@CultstoConsciousness 💯💪. Shelise, by putting these stories out there, you will never know how many people you are giving a voice to. Yes, the men and women you interview, but also those of us who have gone through trauma but never told our stories publicly. Not to mention those who might avoid trauma by hearing how it occurred. Thanks for what you do and doing it with such grace and sensitivity. You ask such good questions. You allow your guests to follow your train of thought, but can somehow also remember where the story left off. This was a wonderful and moving interview.
Thank you, the work you guys do is incredible. I may not have grown up in a cult or high demand group, but your channel has helped me realize some of my own trauma growing up with an alcoholic parent. Thank you, you guys amazing people
You are so right I carry religious trauma not even knowing it but once I started watching this I can see little things I've been through that even at the time I knew it was wrong but growing up as a kid you couldn't get out of that situation and all these wonderful speakers I have helped me as well this channel is awesome
OMG Linda, I thought I was losing my mind..This real madness. Can you imagine if we are just listenig 3rd/party and feeling so confused and disoriented, can you even fathom living this craziness? OMG
It wasn’t just you! Understandable that there may have been an assumption on Briell’s part that the audience here had seen the documentary, which had me thinking I’d missed something.
I grew up mormon, and my guess is it's a bit hard to follow because, at times, they are speaking in 'mormon' speak. It makes sense to them because they've been raised with the beliefs and ideas.
Not just you, there are threads that dont seem to be said, questions dont actually get addressed, and not a lot of cohesion. Bless her for the strength and resilience that it took to build a life after what she went through, but was a struggle to follow.
I agree with all of the above, but I also think Shelise is really great about bringing the topic back into focus and giving some clarity but not cutting off her subjects. She seems to really understand and let the viewers know as much as possible about things we don't get.
I've been following your account for a few months now and have listened to a lot of exmormon stories. I did not grow up Mormon, I actually grew up fearing other Christian denominations such as Jehova's witnesses and Mormons. I was born and raised in a cult, 4th generation. Obviously I had no idea I was in a cult until about a year ago, I am 31 for reference. We were taught that we were the one true church of Jesus Christ and should fear/push away anyone who wasn't LLDM, La Luz Del Mundo or The Light of the World. Learning about how cults work, including the Mormon church has significantly helped with my deconstruction. All my life I thought was so different than Mormons but the more I learn, the more I realize there's a lot of common ground. I encourage you to look into LLDM. Our self-proclaimed apostle is currently in prison, took a plea deal in 2022. There's multiple docu series out there that I recommend if you're interested in learning more.
Yes! I’ve been wanting to get into this one but don’t know where to start. Would love to chat with you through email if you could! Cultstoconsciousness@gmail.com
It's important to note that Jehovahs witnesses and Mormons are their own religions in and of themselves. It's a huge misconception to say they are Christian denominations. They are not. I also strongly encourage you to attend a true Christian church to see the difference. They absolutely DO NOT condone or practice polygamy, underage marriage, and/or complete and utter dominiation of the church or men. A true pastor will tell you to read the Holy Bible and test everything you hear or are taught.. Please don't misinterprete what I'm saying and this is better than that, or anything like that. All I'm saying is they are very different from other religions.
@@strodriguez85That's what I wanted to correct as well... these are NOT Christian religions! Revelation admonishes that not a jot or tittle of God's word can be removed or added... yet all these religions butcher it beyond any resemblance to the Word. Jehovah's witnesses don't even believe Jesus is God, so they are obviously not Christian, and Mormon's believe current humans will one day become gods of their own little planets, which obviously isn't Christian either. In fact, Mormons are closer in religious foundation to Islam than they are to Christianity... plural wives, their own planets, usurpers of God, etc. Satan is effective in his deceptions but he's not very creative... he uses the same one over and over again!
The one question, that I never found an answer for is: What happens to the men, that can't find a wife? If some men get several (or even 65) wives, there must be 'leftover' men without a chance to get married at all. Are they in a lower position? Are they more likely to leave the cult? Do they try to get married as soon as possible before 'the pond us empty', maybe choosing young girls before anyone else can get a hand on her?
The boys can get sent away from the church as young as 8, there’s a media term called the lost boys, the term is based on the concept of the imbalance and has happened
It’s my understanding that the ‘extra’ young men just get kicked out. Literally driven off. They’re called Lost Boys. So sad and tragic for all of the children.
Brielle's story seriously sounds like some variation of the handmaid's tale...crazy, horrifying, and also just amazing how she had the strength to survive and fight back through everything.
I just stayed in Warren Jeff’s house that he built for his wives. It’s a hotel now. One of the Jessop men bought it. It was so creepy!! Soundproof rooms. Carpet up the walls. Ick!
I don't know if it's just me, but this is the first time I've heard of Blood Atonement in the FLDS 🤯 These interviews are always so amazing and informative; I learn something new (and absolutely horrifying) from each brave guest ♡
Another great episode! You are killing it lately, Shelise. I'm glad this is a 2 parter, because I could see as you were getting to the end that we hadn't finished the story. I watched the documentary when it came out. It talked a lot more about the PTSD symptoms she experienced after leaving, which I had not heard before. I didn't know they could be that severe. I think it is beneficial for us outsiders to know, in case we ever run across someone in a situation like that. Every time I hear Briell's story I learn something new. She is such a brave and resilient person! If folks want to know more of her story, Growing Up In Polygamy (Sam and Melissa) also have interviews with her on their channel.
Thank you so much! Yes, we knew this one needed much more time to do it justice and also give voice to the part of the story which was years and years of acclimating and healing to get to where she is now
Seroquel has been a lifesaving drug for me. It makes me so mad to hear about when people use these psychiatric drugs to hurt and control people. They're so dangerous when used incorrectly. I'm really sorry you had to go through that.
Hearing this made me feel so upset, sad, and disgusted with her parents. They knew it was wrong, to the point that the father was crying, and her mother screamed when she realized she was going to marry Warren Jeffs the ped0. They still brought her to him to marry though. Wtf? If they knew it was so wrong then they should have left the church and taken her away from there at that point. I hate that they, her own parents, did that to her, even though they knew it wasn't the right thing to do. They sent her sister off to marry Jeff's father before her too. SMH. It's so sick.
Yes, thank you for writing this. In the end it was good thing, because who else could have saved those children? And the real monster is the ped0, of course. If he hadn't been born, none of those awful crimes against humanity would have happened. But still, wtf? Why would anyone do that to their own kid?
Well I think you have to understand that they have been deeply conditioned to believe their salvation and that of their children is directly on the line depending on how obedient they are to “godly” authority, even when, and probably especially when, it is hard for them to be. They would think it was satan’s influence if they questioned what was happening or were disobedient to anything the prophet directed.
My parents were an arranged marriage as well. Not saying it was ok, but it basically, to them, a choice of watching me as best they could from a distance, or loosing all their children and grand children immediately by fighting and getting kicked out
@@donttrustthefey3777 I know they've basically been brainwashed into thinking that it was the right thing to do, and I do take that into account. Still though, even then I just hate that they'd do that. I think a lot of it is social pressures too, that they cave to, and not just the brain washing about religion. Some of it is fear of not doing the right thing according to the religion they are in, but some of it is just fear of getting shunned by the rest of the community and kicked out. I say imo they need to be loyal to family first and not send their daughters off to be the 65th wife of a known ped0.
So interesting and I enjoyed the documentary too. I agree with Brielle about 18 year olds and how even for older people in cults it is very very very hard to draw the line between perpetrator and victim and an arbitrary age is not very fair in the US nor here in the UK; same with the Samuel Bateman FLDS case too. Same in Nexium Cult (Keith Raniere) where it was probably right to try 3 or 5 women including Alison Mack who got girls in who were branded, but rightly the leader, a man, was the one jailed for life - the women got so sucked in they thought they were doing good by bringing other women in in that cult who "consented" to be branded. I don't even blame men in the FLDS who if they disobeyed would lose their business, wife and family and home. yet is it very very hard to draw a legal line. Separately the worst thing or one of them Warren J did was separate women from their children. One thing most religions and cultures try to do is keep families together which is a moral good. Children separated from mothers with constant changes of care can be very damaged and vulnerable to exploitation. Warren Jeffs knew that full well.
In my opinion, we say freedom, but it's really agency we need. Because freedom may take us to harm others for our own gratification. Agency requires intelligence, morality and reason to be sustained. It includes self regulation and self determination. With agency, we will always maintain our freedom or liberty.
Thank you too for posting the links of all the people you interview it makes it so much easier!!!!! And so many content creators only post their links. Thank you both for being so open and raw, and willing to go down these dark roads to she’s light on what’s happening and how we can help!
I was raised LDS & even though they don't actively practice polygamy! I understand that the LDS church says (not sure if they still do) they'll practice polygamy in heaven! So glad to be out & that I got out of this religion. Blessings to all!!!!!
They still teach it will be practiced in heaven, but also men can be sealed to more than one woman still, they just can't both be living. The current prophet and others are technically polygamists, widowers who remarried
The women who come forward and tell their stories like this are the strongest, bravest, most brilliant women I've ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing.
I really snapped hard into attention when she talked about Seroquel. It's a strong antipsychotic and I take 300mg every night since it was prescribed in my mid twenties because I suffer from schizoaffective disorder, which started to develop in childhood due to many years of adversity. I remember insomnia beginning at 5. Seroquel knocks you right out and you're just so exhausted and loopy the first few days. I was a zombie and the hometowners loved seeing me so sedated because I was quiet 95% of the time.
I am on Seroquel for treatment resistant bipolar/CPTSD. It is an antipsychotic drug, mostly used for schizophrenia, that can also help bipolar and sleep issues. It needs to be monitored by a mental health professional.
Thank you for this episode and can’t wait for episode 2! Brielle, I’m so glad you didn’t end up taking your own life. You have probably helped more people that you’ll ever know, and same to you Shelise! Props to your awesome man behind the camera, I haven’t forgotten about you, I think y’all are all doing amazing work!
This is CRAZY! I had JUST clicked to watch the documentary with her on discovery+. I’ll watch your video first now! Thank you for sharing your story ❤️
40:03 Married while in prison? This startles me but I am not suprised. There was a compound reported to be made in my state, MN. I don’t know if it was ever finished, but I hope if anyone is there.. they’re okay..
You need to interview the CPS woman that was part of the raid at the El Dorado, Tx compound. She was interviewed by Sam and Melissa on "growing up in polygamy ".
Brielle, i just wanted say, thank you for listening to your intuition and for speaking truth to power. I watched 1 documentary, Stay Sweet: pray and obey, and i couldnt stop thinking about it. 2 weeks passed and I still couldn't get it out of my mind. I work with refugee women who have arranged marriage and lived in Islamic republic, some married as children. For 6 years i have been telling them that this no longer exists in the U.S and that their daughters are safe. I was shocked and appalled to find out this is still happening and it hasn't been shut down completely, in that Warren Jeffs is allowed any communication at all from prison. You are brave and strong and we need more women like you in our world. I believe God is working through you and protected you and continues to help you help others. Your story, your life.... i just want to hug 🫂 you! May you enjoy all that freedom and liberation brings in life.
I think you have to have seen the documentary in order to know a lot of what she's talking about. I've heard her mentioned in other videos and the work she is doing. Very courageous
Brielle, you have done amazing work and still are doing it. I had heard of your Dream Center-and only in good ways-but did not know your story. This is what Jesus wants, not the twisted mess these folks preach. So sad that that great message of love is abused by so many for personal gain. Thanks Shelise and Jonathan and Rhea (who shared you with us!)!
Oh adore Brielle. I finally got to meet her last November at a Holding Out Help event in St. George. I’m good friends with her Mom. Thank you CTC for having her on here! ❤
@@BriellDecker she has helped me so much! I’ve known her my whole life but we started talking over two years ago. She’s talked me through so many things and has loved on me more than I could ever deserve. Jill, Lisa and I got to have breakfast together with her the morning after the HOH event. I’ve known Lisa for over 20 years also. They all adore you and talked so highly of you. I’m seriously so proud of you. I had no idea the extent of what you had been through. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Thank you for your bravery and for caring enough to be so vulnerable with the world. ❤️ ♥️ 💜
I feel like the families that left religious or otherwise polygamist cults should not be in trouble for trying to continue to keep their families together. Especially if all of the adults were in agreement of leaving because of the abuses they suffered and to keep their children from suffering those abuses and heartaches. I think this is why we can't completely criminalize polygamy. The families that left are living the only way they know how. There was an episode of escaping polygamy where blood atonement is mentioned that the father and two mothers didn't want to break up the family when they left the cult. I wouldn't want them to get in trouble. They didn't realize what the problems in polygamy were until it was too late. They already had children with two wives.
Right I also agree Families should try and stay together, I also think if a child bride is brought home, there should be more solutions for the first wife who was old enough with children already
Seroquel is not only mood stabalizer. Its antipsychotic but sometimes they can give you it for sleep because it knocks you out(usually in the psych ward ). But only in small doses. I was on it a while back, but in a higher dose though
Briell, you are a warrior! Thank you for shedding light on the atrocities Warren Jeffs left in his wake. Your testimony matters to so many other survivors. I wish you continued success on sharing freedom with others!
It is hard for me to "like" a video like this that is so heartbreaking, but I think these stories are important to share. Despite everything that was going on, Brielle was still focused on the children, and that was really incredible. Besides seeing the headlines when I was younger, I don't know much about the details of this story, but it is clear that Brielle is one strong woman.
I don’t think the women should be prosecuted unless they actually did some of the abuse. I don’t think just because they were made to watch or participate in some way I feel they are being abused by being forced to help. I also think that cps should be able to bring one family at a time. I am talking 1 mother and her children. Then somehow explain to the mom and children what abuse is then take them back. Then after a while bring that mom and her children back this time talk to the mom and children separately. If they don’t admit then take them back then around 6 months or so repeat it.
I just wanted to say to Brielle, you saved lives and you keep on saving lives. You're a shining example on how to overcome adversity. My hat off to you.❤
@@BriellDecker You truly deserve every compliment and encouragement you get. You survived, you fought and worked so hard to keep your sanity in tact, accepted help to heal yourself to the level you can. That in itself is a feat a lot of people aren't capable of achieving. But you went way beyond that. You conquered the lion's den and turned it into a place of healing reaching out to people and give them a chance to land on their feet. I hope you're able to reach everyone in the community who needs it. And always be kind to yourself, even if you have setbacks or ever feel it's too much. You're a good person and never let anyone tell you otherwise.
I will think of you, Brielle, everytime i hear the word Freedom! you are truly an amazing and courageous woman. always hold your head high with pride as you continue your journey. i consider both of you awesome women as my friends and all i can say is...lucky me!!!
Brielle thank you so much for sharing your story. As a person on the outside watching these things, we all had the fear that these things might be happening, and your words have been a powerful witness. God Bless you ❤
Thank you Brielle! You are very worthy and you are correct that only god can inspire you directly and never though a prophet that is still on earth. You can only define your connection to God. Thank you again for
Brave, listening to her conscience for her greater good, fighting the wiles of Jeff Warren who clearly used religion to boost his ego. Jeff Warren is where he needs to be for the rest of his life. I believe his punishment will continue in the afterlife as well. Thank you for shedding a bright light to this dark side of Mormon religion.
What a compelling story, tragic but Briell has risen beyond it, which speaks to her inner fortitude. I don't believe in hell or outer darkness, but if they did exist, there's a special place there for Warren Jeffs. Seroquel is an anti-psychotic, a very strong drug. I was prescribed it at a low dose for anxiety and for a night I couldn't talk or understand what people were saying. It's a terrible drug.
Thank you, and thank you for the insight about sequel too. I think it does effect people differently, but similar often. I took mine at night, by morning, sometimes I still had to lay in bed for a while because it was so strong it had to wear off more so I could walk. It also depended on how fast my adrenaline ran the night before, because some days I could get up earlier
Brielle, you are such a strong, beautiful and amazing woman. You have been through so much and managed to make a great thing out of your struggles with the dream center. I’m sorry for everything that you have been through, but I am happy that your life is much better now. Also seroquel is actually an antipsychotic so that’s even scarier that warren Jeff’s was just giving it out
Briell, I can't imagine your courage and inner strength. To your comparison with domestic abuse: I'm a domestic abuse survivor. All I had to do was leave one man. I had a loving family to take me in. I never had to go to a women's shelter or spend a single night on the street. Multiply that experience by 10,000 possible abusers and I don't know if I would have had the strength to leave. You are truly an inspiration. The work you're doing now is so important and beautiful. 💜
Brielle, please stay strong in believe in yourself. You know right from wrong instinctively. Trusting our gut is not something women are taught to believe. The children are who get hurt and their minds get cluttered they are unable to define for themselves who they are and priorities in life. Keeping the escaping Mothers and children together is crucial to everyone's future peace, joy and happiness. How to deprogram children from what they've been taught is the problem. A single Mother cannot create an entire community or promise salvation.
I believe it was to take care of the children he was having with the wives he was interested in. I’m not exactly sure how he felt about me though, I do know I was not attracted to him though.
💝💝💝💝 From Angele: I watched Part 1 yesterday then Part 2 today. Brielle, you are such an intelligent and gutsy woman. You are true to yourself. Thank you for sharing your experiences in both videos. Thank you. -Angele, in Alberta, Canada 💝💝💝💝
It’s deplorable that Warren is allowed to rule from prison, that judge should have prohibited him from having visitors. The trauma is also on the judges’s hands for allowing it to continue.
Her story is truly an amazing story of strength, courage, perseverance. So thankful she is away from that now and can’t wait to hear about the work she is doing now. ❤❤
13:40 and on ... So, they've programmed to be guilty if you aren't making babies, then you have to wait for your "turn" to get pregnant... By a man who you are repulsed by, who will eventually abuse your own children. So sad, and needs continued exposing.
Passing the wife of the deceased brother is done in Afganistan and maybe the father too who knows and they have issues with it ,the men i mean coz women have no say nor the means to support themselves .i saw a movie the man was fully supporting the lady and his niece but didnt feel right to have her as wife and was pressed into it.another guy told me he ran away bcoz of that .his bro left and he was only 16 ...anyways .it is funny they uphold muslim practices that most muslim countries dont even do
I was in San Angelo, Texas when they raided the complex in Eldorado, Tx. They brought the women and children to San Angelo to house them. I remember seeing them and how scared and suspicious they were of us. I just prayed for them. I often wondered what happened to them after that
Thank you, they do have more freedom then they use to, because Warren Jeffs is in jail,, but only about 10 have actually left the church altogether that I know of. Out of 79, the ratio is still very unbalanced
