Behind every framework and every theory, there is a family.
This episode sits with the people on the other side — parents and a sister watching someone they love change, and then, piece by piece, disappear into the teachings. It also examines a striking contradiction in Liana Shanti’s own words: her denial that she uses the techniques former members and families believe reshaped their relatives’ memories, set against her own archived website.
Some of this involves contested allegations of childhood abuse; where a matter is unproven, the series makes no finding, and those accused are given the opportunity to respond in their own words.
Content note: this episode includes discussion of recovered-memory and childhood-sexual-abuse allegations and family estrangement. Support resources are below.
Sources & credits:
Short excerpts of Liana Shanti’s own publicly published recordings are used as her own words for the purpose of criticism, comment and review under fair dealing (UK) / fair use (US), credited below.
• Archive from Liana Shanti, Healing from Narcissistic Relationships (Session Five), n.d.
• Archive from Liana Shanti, Deep Throat: And By That I Mean Throat Chakra (“Episode Six”), 2023.
About this series:
THE INSTASCAMMER is an 11-part investigative audio documentary from The Cult Vault podcast into Liana Shanti (legal name Liane Wilson), the online wellness figure behind HMI Wellness, the Health Mastery Institute and Life Mastery Network. Built on court records, documents, recordings, former members, experts and the families affected, the series traces how a juice-cleanse following became a coaching business and a closed community. Hosted and produced by Kacey Baker, Vault Productions.
Support & resources:
If anything in this episode resonates with your own experience, you are not alone, and help is available.
• Recovering from a cult or coercive group: R.A.I.S.E. CIC (UK) — cultic-abuse support and peer-led recovery — recoverautonomy.org.
• Internationally: the International Cultic Studies Association — internationalculticstudies.org, hello@internationalculticstudies.org.
• If you’ve lost a loved one to a cult or coercion: The Family Survival Trust (UK) — thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/support.
• Childhood or sexual abuse: US — RAINN, 1-800-656-4673 (24/7). UK — NAPAC, 0808
801 0331.
• In emotional distress or crisis (including suicidal thoughts): UK & ROI — Samaritans,
free on 116 123, 24/7. US — 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988, 24/7.
• Domestic abuse or coercive control: UK — National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge),
0808 2000 247, 24/7. US — National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233.
(If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number.)
Verification & evidence:
Much of what is described in this series is supported by recordings, documents, court filings and public records. If you are a journalist, researcher, or someone personally affected and you would like to verify what you’ve heard, you can reach the production at cultvaultpodcast@gmail.com.
A note on names:
To protect the privacy and safety of contributors and their families, some names and identifying details have been changed. Where individuals appear under their real names, they have consented to do so.
