I Became CEO of a Cult & Didn’t Realize it (born & raised in the Ashram)

I Became CEO of a Cult & Didn’t Realize it (born & raised in the Ashram)

From Cults to Consciousness by Shelise Ann Sola

April 10, 2026 · 1h 24m · Episode 370

About this episode

Priya Hutner shares her experience growing up in a cult-like ashram and her unexpected role as its CEO, exploring the complexities of devotion and control.

Growing up under the sway of a Brooklyn housewife turned guru, Priya Hutner is drawn into a world shaped by bizarre rituals, spiritual promises, and oppressive beliefs. What begins as a quest for enlightenment unravels into a stifling reality as the boundaries between spiritual devotion and control blur. Members were expected to obey the guru completely. Personal decisions—including marriage, celibacy, parenting, and even children’s names—were influenced or dictated by her and private matters were often publicly exposed as a form of “ego destruction.” Despite the manipulation, the community also performed genuine service, such as caring for AIDS patients, the homeless, and people living in poverty. This mix of compassion and control created confusion and loyalty among followers. In her late twenties, Priya was unexpectedly appointed CEO of the ashram, responsible for running the nonprofit organization, managing finances, and coordinating retreats and visitors. Despite the enormous responsibility, the community operated under vows of poverty—Priya herself earned only about $200 a month while overseeing the organization. Meanwhile, the guru remained the ultimate authority over…

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