C13Originals | Team Downey
C13Originals | Team Downey
The Sunshine Place
The Sunshine Place
The Sunshine Place
Discover the rise and fall of Synanon, a rehab facility turned violent cult in The Sunshine Place podcast. Produced by Robert Downey Jr., this series will take you on a journey through one of America's most cutting edge social experiments that turned into one of its most dangerous.
Alcohol, Addiction & Recovery
Sexual Health & Wellbeing
Substance Abuse & Drug Recovery
Creativity & Innovation
Family & Relationships
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!The Sunshine Place: A Captivating Podcast Series About America's Most Dangerous Cult
The Sunshine Place podcast series takes listeners on a mind-blowing journey through the rise and fall of Synanon, an experimental rehab facility that became one of America's most dangerous and violent cults. Created by C13Originals, a Cadence13 Studio, in collaboration with Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, Emily Barclay Ford for Team Downey, and Josh McLaughlin for Wink Pictures, The Sunshine Place explores the history of Synanon from its origins as a radical rehab facility to its downfall as a cult.
In the 1960s, Chuck Dederich founded Synanon in Santa Monica with bold claims: it could cure heroin addiction and any other problems people had. This social experiment started small but soon spread to compounds across the country. The story is told by those who lived through it - former members who share their experiences inside this controversial rehabilitation center.
Throughout each episode of this gripping podcast series - which includes interviews with former members - listeners learn about Chuck's journey to sobriety; the psychodrama game used at Synanon; privacy issues related to addiction treatment programs; tax evasion accusations against Chuck and other key figures within Synanon; life inside compounds around the country; conformity pressures faced by followers; how Chuck turned his followers into an army ready for battle against anyone challenging him or his ideas.
This captivating podcast goes deep into what made Charles E. Dederich tick as he transformed from being hailed as someone capable of miracles on Venice Beach to causing destruction after leading his followers down dark paths toward violence.
Listeners will not only be drawn in by this incredible story but also gain insight into critical thinking skills necessary when evaluating radical ideologies promoted under false pretenses.