In this episode, Heather takes us into the glittering, televised world of American televangelism — a world that rose from early religious broadcasts in the 1950s and exploded in the 1970s with the rise of cable television. We touch briefly on modern figures like Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes, but today’s focus is on two of the most infamous scandals in televangelist history.

Part One: Jimmy SwaggartWe look at Jimmy Swaggart’s massive influence, the 1988 prostitution scandal that derailed his televised ministry, and the second scandal that followed in 1991. Sharon and Heather discuss how taboo attitudes around sexuality in Pentecostal culture may have fueled secrecy and infidelity, leading to Heather’s iconic reminder: “Let people be freaky.” The episode also touches briefly on the case for legalized sex work.

Part Two: Jim & Tammy Faye BakkerThen we explore Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, founders of the PTL Club. Their empire — including a Christian theme park — collapsed under sexual assault allegations, hush‑money attempts, and major financial fraud that sent Jim to prison. Tammy Faye, known for her compassion toward AIDS patients and the LGBTQ+ community, emerged as a surprisingly beloved figure, later winning hearts again on The Surreal Life.

⚠️ Content Warning

This episode contains discussion of unethical medical experiments, torture, and patient abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Buckle up, listeners. This episode runs longer than usual, but every minute is packed with revelations. We’re diving deep into the CIA’s mind control experiments, armed with receipts in the form of declassified documents. For the full experience, we recommend listening on YouTube or Patreon, where we’ve edited images of each document—complete with highlights—as we walk through the evidence.

🔎 Episode Highlights

• What sparked this deep dive:
  A new Charles Manson documentary suggesting MKULTRA connections to the case.

• Cold War backdrop:
  The Iron Curtain, U.S. paranoia, and the obsession with Russian power in the 1950s.

• Naming names:
  Private companies, universities, psychiatric hospitals, doctors, and scientists tied to CIA-funded research projects that violated public trust.

• Ethics in psychiatry:
  Then vs. now—how these abuses shaped the fragile trust between patient and doctor.

• Bluebird’s raunchy research questions:
  A shocking list of operative queries pulled straight from declassified files.

• Evolution of the projects:
  From Bluebird to Artichoke to MKULTRA, and the sprawling web of subprojects that followed.

• Mental health facilities in the 50s & 60s:
  A sobering look at how vulnerable patients were exploited and discarded.

• Chilling medical summaries:
  Real cases of unknowing patients subjected to experimental techniques. Discretion advised.

• Project Midnight Climax:
  The CIA’s bizarre brothel-based experiments.

• The mysterious death of Frank Olson:
  A CIA operative entangled in these projects whose story still raises questions.

🎧 Why You Should Listen
This isn’t just history—it’s a cautionary tale about power, secrecy, and the fragile ethics of science. By the end, you’ll understand why these projects still haunt America’s collective memory.

This week, we’re taking a break from our regular programming to bring you something a little different. We’ve dug into the archives to share some behind-the-scenes moments, bloopers, and bonus clips from past guest interviews. It’s a lighthearted look at the laughter, surprises, and off-script moments that usually stay on the cutting room floor.

Whether you’re traveling, cooking, or just taking it easy, we hope this episode brings a smile to your face.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Hex Haven.