24 episodes

Western Fringe is a podcast about the weird history of Colorado.

westernfringe@protonmail.com

Western Fringe Heidi Beedle

    • History
    • 5.0 • 11 Ratings

Western Fringe is a podcast about the weird history of Colorado.

westernfringe@protonmail.com

    Theosophical Colorado pt. 2: The Brotherhood of the White Temple

    Theosophical Colorado pt. 2: The Brotherhood of the White Temple

    We talk about Sedalia's Brotherhood of the White Temple. Topics include: Egyptology, lizard people, hollow Earth, esoteric Christianity, and the CIA's research into Astral projection.

    Sources:

    "Found: Page 25 of the CIA’s Gateway Report on Astral Projection" by Vice

    "Apocryphon" by The Sword

    • 1 hr
    Theosophical Colorado pt. 1: The St. Germain Foundation

    Theosophical Colorado pt. 1: The St. Germain Foundation

    We discuss Colorado's theosophical cults — The St. Germain Foundation and later the Church Universal and Triumphant. Helena Blavatsky, Nazi esoterica, the Freemasonic roots of St. Germain, the cults movement to Ouray, Colorado and their groundbreaking religious freedom lawsuit, the rise of the Church Universal and Triumphant, including their headquarters in the 1960s at the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs. Also QAnon guy Michael Flynn and his plagiarized Elizabeth Clare Prophet prayer.

    Sources:

    The Secret History of the World by Mark Booth

    An embarrassing amount of Wikipedia

    "*******" by Jets to Brazil

    • 44 min
    Manic Satanic Panic Monday

    Manic Satanic Panic Monday

    [TW: Child abuse, animal mutilation]We talk about the so-called "Satanic panic," Colorado's own history of Satanic Crimes, the modern-day Satanic Temple, and more.

    Sources:

    Cults That Kill by Larry Kahaner

    The Witch Hunt Narrative by Ross Cheit

    "Survivors Celebrate the End of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation After 27 Years" by The Mighty

    "The Devil Went Down to Denver: The Satanic Temple, Unbaptisms, and Christian Conservatism" by Colorado Times Recorder

    "Cry for Judas" by The Mountain Goats

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Dirty Dozen: The 12 Tribes Cult

    Dirty Dozen: The 12 Tribes Cult

    [TW: Child abuse, child sexual abuse]

    I'm back from the prolonged break with my friend/new cohost Jenna to discuss the 12 Tribes cult and their many child labor-, child abuse-, and child pornography-related scandals, but also their tasty offerings and quaint local cafes.

    Sources:

    @DrBlobb's thread

    FBI Report

    "STATE PROBES CULT IN CHILD-LABOR SCANDAL – ACTING ON HEELS OF POST REPORT" by NY Post

    "Protect the Abuser" by Broward Palm Beach New Times

    "In Germany's Twelve Tribes sect, cameras catch ‘cold and systematic’ child-beating" by the Independent

    "Twelve Tribes sect may have smuggled children to Czech Republic" by Radio Prague International

    "Man convicted after 'bizarre' child-porn confession" by Prince George Citizen

    "Investigation Finds Children Working in Factory Packaging Beauty Products Sold at Major Retailers" by Inside Edition

    "‘They are evil’: Ex-Twelve Tribes members describe child abuse, control inside religious cult" by Denver Post

    "Tribal conflict" by Colorado Springs Indy

    "Maté Factor's Twelve Tribes community called out by Vice" by Colorado Springs Indy

    "God's Got It" by Old Crow Medicine Show

    • 1 hr 12 min
    New Life (same as the old life)

    New Life (same as the old life)

    [TW: Mass shooting] This episode looks at New Life Church, which waged "spiritual warfare" in Colorado Springs and abroad, worked to evangelize cadets at the Air Force Academy, and dealt with Pastor Ted Haggard's 2006 gay sex scandal. In 2007, both YWAM's base in Arvada and New Life Church were the site of a mass shooting.

    Sources:
    Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
    Children of the Beast by William Ramsey
    "Fighting Demons, Raising the Dead, Taking Over the World" by Religion Dispatches
    "Exodus" by This American Life
    "Disgraced pastor Haggard admits second relationship with man" by CNN
    "The Resurrection of Pastor Ted" by Colorado Springs Indpendent
    "YOUR Columbine" by Denver Post
    "Pslams 40:2" by The Mountain Goats

    • 48 min
    Intro to Demonology (ft. Jason Cordova)

    Intro to Demonology (ft. Jason Cordova)

    This is a quick bonus episode, featuring a conversation with Jason Cordova of the Crypto Science Society about Demons.

    Additional Reading:
    "The Black Monarch Hotel offers spooky decor and an exclusive phantom party" by Colorado Springs Independent (my collab with CSS)
    "Demons, Furries, and Transgender People Focus of CO Springs Candidate" by Colorado Times Recorder
    "Demon Brother" by Murder City Devils

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

Jeffrey Lundquist ,

Love It

So much of Colorado's colorful history to take in. I've listened to some episodes multiple times. Thanks!

BigZeeZed ,

Incredibly cool

Very interesting weird history in CO. Content is well researched and is pleasant to listen to! One of my favorite shows right now

shesabigdork ,

The best podcast

Excellently researched, a deep dive into forgotten history. A pleasure to listen to!

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