Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God by Hannah Olson

Send us Fan Mail This week, we discuss Hannah Olson’s 2023 HBO docuseries, Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, the story of Amy Carlson, a former McDonald’s manager and mother of three who abandoned her children, declared herself a 19-billion-year-old divine being, and with help from Robin Williams and Carrie Fisher, convinced a group of vulnerable people that she was Mother God.  Through interviews and livestream footage, the docuseries follows Amy’s transformation into Mother God, the revolving door of boyfriends known as Father God, and the increasingly disturbing behaviour of followers who surrendered their money and identities in pursuit of spiritual ascension. There are UFOs that are definitely clouds, an alarming number of dead celebrities dispensing cosmic wisdom, a shameful quesadilla, and décor choices reminiscent of a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper. We discuss the similarities between Love Has Won and Heaven’s Gate, the role of conspiracy theories and the internet in recruiting followers, the horrors of 1990s diet culture, the dangers of unregulated wellness supplements, and why ingesting colloidal silver is a terrible idea unless turning permanently blue is your goal.  Spoiler Alert and Trigger Warning We spoil Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, and discuss childhood trauma, sexual abuse, rape, torture, domestic and psychological abuse, child neglect and abandonment, addiction, alcoholism, drug use, eating disorders, extreme weight loss, and of course, cults. Spoiler alert! This documentary also includes graphic footage of Amy Carlson's severely emaciated, blue and mummified body, including police body-camera footage of its discovery. Proceed with caution. Recommendations Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults - for another cult obsessed with aliens, new identities and names, and controlling food. Revisit episode 9 of Drawn to Darkness for our earlier discussion of Heaven's Gate. Trust Me and A Little Bit Culty - podcasts hosted by former cult members, featuring interviews with people connected to Love Has Won, including Andrew and Amy's daughter Maddie. The War on Love by former Father God Andrew to explore some of the darker aspects that the documentary leaves out. Last Podcast on the Left - for another deep dive into Love Has Won, including allegations of abuse and other disturbing behaviour not explored in the docuseries. Still Alchemy podcast - for a scientific examination of colloidal silver and why something with legitimate topical uses should not be consumed. The Coming Storm - a BBC podcast examining conspiracy theories and how people get drawn into them. The Matrix - because so many people want to escape it, but not everyone knows what it’s actually about. The Righteous Gemstones - for Uncle Baby Billy’s dubious healing elixirs. Dirty Rotten Scandals - the two-part investigation into Dr. Phil, whose approach to vulnerable people receives some deserved criticism in this episode. True Crime Obsessed also covers it. Trust Me: The False Prophet - another documentary about a self-proclaimed religious leader. Death of a Pastor's Wife - another documentary involving religion, disturbing behaviour, and the strange tendency of people in these communities to record everything. Weekend at Bernie's - because there is really no other way to describe some of the events following Amy Carlson's death. The Birdcage - Caroline's favourite Robin Williams film Dopesick (the book and television series) - for an exploration of opioid addiction, which plays a role in the personal histories of some Love Has Won members. Doctor Sleep - for another frightening, nomadic cult Zoolander -  because Hansel's peyote-fuelled revelations seem similar to some of Amy's. Is it possible some of this is in your head? Parks and Recreation - for more fictional cults and questionable wellness products. Hail Zorp. Palate Cleanser Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet - Caroline has finally discovered this podcast, which features hilarious dramatic readings of ridiculous online reviews.  Homework Next up: Midsommar, directed by Ari Aster. We're continuing our exploration of cults with a horror film about vulnerability, belonging and the appeal of finding a new family when your world falls apart. Both Love has Won and Midsommar  feature a Pele, and extreme releases of grief.   And get started reading and maybe watching Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.  If you're planning to listen to the audiobook, consider borrowing it through Libby or supporting an independent bookshop through Libro.fm. Special thanks to Nancy Azano for the podcast cover art. Find her on Instagram at @nancyazano. Thanks also to Harry Kidd for the opening and closing music. Find him on Instagram at @harryjkidd and on Spotify.