Escaping & Healing From a Violent Cult with Anna LeBaron & Ruth Wariner
In this special Remix episode of the Voice of Influence Podcast, we revisit and remix episodes 7 and 8 with Anna LeBaron and Ruth Warner, two cousins who escaped violent polygamous cults founded by their fathers. The episode delves into their harrowing experiences, the bond they formed upon discovering their connection, and the healing journey that followed. They discuss their impactful memoirs, The Polygamist Daughter and The Sound of Gravel, and reflect on the challenges and triumphs of telling their stories. Highlighting themes of courage, healing, and finding your voice, this episode aims to inspire and empower listeners to overcome their own struggles.
Mentioned In this Episode:
00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement
00:09 Background of Anna and Ruth’s Family
01:11 The Violent History of the Polygamous Cult
02:01 Anna and Ruth’s Escape and Reconnection
02:54 The Impact of Their Memoirs
04:57 Revisiting the 2017 Interview
05:35 The 2017 Interview Begins
06:37 Anna and Ruth’s Personal Stories
08:20 The Emotional First Meeting
16:35 Healing Through Connection
37:02 Challenges of Sharing Their Stories
45:57 A Desperate Escape
46:47 Crossing the Border
48:26 Life After the Escape
49:05 Family Resistance and Social Media
50:21 Questioning the Past
50:45 Impact of Community and Family Reactions
51:23 Struggles with Self-Worth
52:12 Intuition and Abuse
53:31 Mother’s Influence and Writing the Book
54:57 Challenges of Sharing the Story
55:48 Emotional Manipulation and Silence
57:05 Reading the Book to Her Mother
58:43 Conflicting Feelings About Family
01:04:56 Therapy and Healing
01:10:16 Finding Freedom and Voice
01:17:25 Advice for Those Feeling Trapped
01:24:13 The Power of Stories and Books
01:25:25 Mission and Message
01:28:59 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
Summary
When Courage Finds Its Voice: A Story of Family, Trauma, and Reconnection
When I first aired this interview in 2017, I knew it was something special — but today, its resonance feels even more profound. This week on the Voice of Influence podcast, we’re revisiting a powerful and emotional conversation with Anna LeBaron, author of The Polygamist’s Daughter, and Ruth Warner, author of The Sound of Gravel.
What makes their story so compelling? Not only did both women escape violent polygamist cults as teenagers — they later discovered they were cousins, bound by a tragic family legacy: Anna’s father ordered the murder of Ruth’s father. And yet, against all odds, they found healing in each other’s stories.
Don’t miss this rare and raw episode.
Healing Begins with Telling the Truth
“Books mentored me,” Anna shared. It was that love for memoir that led her to unknowingly tweet Ruth — only to discover their chilling family connection hours later.
This unexpected outreach sparked a journey of deep healing. Ruth, who had never known her father, explained, “He was like a mythical, Christ-like figure to me… and yet the trauma of our family history haunted me.” Anna, one of over 50 children, carried the weight of being the daughter of a man responsible for horrific violence.
And still, the moment Anna and Ruth first spoke, they recognized something in each other: shared pain, shared strength, and a shared desire to be free.
The Power of Being Seen — and Heard
In a community where silence was the rule, speaking up was revolutionary. Ruth recalled, “Growing up in fundamentalism, I didn’t feel heard. I suffered with a lot of guilt… But hearing Anna’s story helped me have compassion for myself.”
Anna echoed that sentiment: “Just being myself, doing what I’m gifted at — it’s enough. It’s making an impact.”
Through telling their stories, they gave each other — and thousands of others — permission to feel, to speak, and to heal.
From Trauma to Transformation
Both Anna and Ruth emphasize that healing is not a one-time event. It’s a lifelong process — “decades long,” as Anna puts it.
Their message for anyone who feels trapped in abuse, manipulation, or fear?
“Find a safe person who has earned the right to hear your story,” says Anna.
“Trust your intuition — it’s a gift that can save your life,” adds Ruth.
And for those of us who lead, who influence, who strive to create space for others — this episode reminds us that our voice doesn’t just belong to us. It’s a bridge to hope for someone else.
Step into Your Voice of Influence
This is a story about trauma, yes — but it’s even more a story about transformation. About the courage to speak. About the freedom to be yourself. And about the power of human connection to heal what once seemed impossible.
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