In the remote wilderness of Quebec during the late 1970s, a small group of seekers followed a man who promised salvation. His name was Roch Thériault, a self-proclaimed prophet who mixed apocalyptic preaching with strict communal living. To his followers, he was a spiritual leader offering protection from the end of the world. To the outside world, he would become known as the mastermind behind one of the most disturbing cults in Canadian history. The Ant Hill Kids began as a commune built on ideals of simplicity and devotion, but under Thériault’s rule, it quickly descended into abuse, violence, and horror. Members were cut off from family and society, subjected to brutal punishments, and forced into medical mutilations at the hands of their leader. What started as a religious community spiraled into years of torment, leaving behind a legacy of trauma that still haunts survivors today. In this episode, we uncover how a charismatic figure could transform a group of hopeful young people into a secluded nightmare. We’ll explore the rise of Roch Thériault, the daily life of his commune, and the shocking acts that cemented the Ant Hill Kids as one of the darkest cult stories ever told.Part 1 – The Prophet in the WildernessPart 2 – Gathering the FlockPart 3 – Building the CommunePart 4 – Descent into AbusePart 5 – Crimes in the ShadowsPart 6 – Collapse and ReckoningFrom silent compounds to subway attacks, from charismatic prophets to catastrophic ends, Hidden Cults is a documentary-style podcast that digs deep into the world's most extreme, elusive, and explosive fringe groups. Each episode unpacks a different cult with investigative depth, emotional clarity, and gripping storytelling. You'll hear the full timeline: from the origins and ideology, to the rise of control, to the final descent into chaos. We're not here for the sensational. We're here for the truth. If you've ever wondered how ordinary people fall into extraordinary belief systems, and what happens when those systems implode, you're in the right place.New episodes weeklyListener stories always welcomeAnonymity guaranteed.Listener stories: hiddencultspodcast@gmail.comInternational ResourcesInternational Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)https://www.icsahome.comProvides information, recovery support, referrals, and events for survivors and concerned families.Open Minds Foundationhttps://www.openmindsfoundation.orgOffers education and support about undue influence and manipulative organizations.The Hotline (USA – Domestic Abuse)https://www.thehotline.org📞 1-800-799-7233 — 24/7 support for victims of domestic, emotional, and religious abuse.Freedom of Mind Resource Center (Steven Hassan)https://freedomofmind.comResources on cult recovery, exit counseling, and mind control education.FaithTrust Institutehttps://www.faithtrustinstitute.orgSupport and resources for survivors of religious abuse, especially within faith communities.United StatesCult Recovery Hotline (ICSA)📞 1-239-514-3081Referral and support line for ex-members, families, and researchers.RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)https://www.rainn.org📞 1-800-656-4673 — Confidential support for trauma survivors.Canada
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In the remote wilderness of Quebec during the late 1970s, a small group of seekers followed a man who promised salvation. His name was Roch Thériault, a self-proclaimed prophet who mixed apocalyptic preaching with strict communal living. To his followers, he was a spiritual leader offering protection from the end of the world. To the outside world, he would become known as the mastermind behind one of the most disturbing cults in Canadian history. The Ant Hill Kids began as a commune built on id...