What looks like a dance collective on TikTok is, according to former members and family, something much darker. Behind the viral choreography and millions of views lies 7M Films, a management company run by Robert Shinn, a self-proclaimed pastor with a long history of spiritual control. Dancers who signed with 7M found their lives increasingly directed not just on stage, but in every personal decision, from finances and friendships to faith. Families watched their loved ones disappear into a world of rehearsals, prayers, and contracts that blurred the line between religion and business. In this episode, we trace how a Pentecostal church in Los Angeles transformed into a social media empire, why allegations of exploitation and manipulation continue to surface, and what the 7M story reveals about the rise of digital-age cults.
Part 1 – Before the Spotlight
Part 2 – The Rise of 7M on TikTok
Part 3 – The Control Behind the Choreography
Part 4 – Public Scrutiny and Investigations
Part 5 – Cracks in the Facade
Part 6 – Legacy, Fallout, and Cultural Impact
From 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 weekly. Listener stories always welcome. Anonymity guaranteed.
Listener stories: hiddencultspodcast@gmail.com
International Resources- International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
https://www.icsahome.com
Provides information, recovery support, referrals, and events for survivors and concerned families. - Open Minds Foundation
https://www.openmindsfoundation.org
Offers 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.com
Resources on cult recovery, exit counseling, and mind control education. - FaithTrust Institute
https://www.faithtrustinstitute.org
Support and resources for survivors of religious abuse, especially within faith communities.
United States- Cult Recovery Hotline (ICSA)
📞 1-239-514-3081
Referral 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 - Cult & Trauma Support Resources
- Info-Cult / Info-Secte (Montreal-based, Canada-wide) Website: https://infosecte.org
- Phone: 📞 514-274-2333
- Email: infosecte@qc.aira.com
- Canada’s leading organization for...
