Podcast Summary: Cold – "Gardens of Evil" Episode

Date: April 3, 2026
Host: Dave Cawley (KSL Podcasts)
Featured Guests: Aaron Mason (Host of Gardens of Evil), Mike King (Former Cop & Author), Ron & Jackie Van Beekum (Survivor couple), Reed Richards (County Attorney), “Erin Anderson” (Alias for a survivor)

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, investigative journalist Dave Cawley introduces listeners to the new series "Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult," hosted by Aaron Mason. The focus is the harrowing story of the Zion Society—a Utah-based cult led by Arvin Shreve, responsible for decades of ritual sexual abuse, manipulation, and psychological control. Through meticulous interviews with survivors, former law enforcement, and archival voices, the episode uncovers the cult’s deceptive beginnings, how it ensnared families, and the first break in the case that led to its exposure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Explore the Zion Society Today?

• Aaron Mason discusses his motivation to tell the largely untold story of the Zion Society, emphasizing his responsibility to honor survivors' voices. Many had not spoken in 35 years (00:30).
• Mike King, a former investigator of the cult, acknowledges learning new information through Aaron's work (01:20–01:47).
  • Quote [Aaron Mason, 01:31]: “There were two or three big questions that Mike had for all these years…there was one in particular where a big question was answered, and he just spoke up and said, I didn’t know that.”

2. The Power of Deception in Cult Formation

• Aaron Mason frames the story as one of “deception and manipulation,” comparing cult leaders to master magicians who mislead and control (02:47–03:54).
  • Quote [Aaron Mason, 03:54]: “The following is a story about deception and manipulation. It’s about the largest case of ritual sexual abuse in the history of the state of Utah, maybe even the country…”

3. Life in Northwood: The Cult’s Suburban Origins

• Ron & Jackie Van Beekum recount moving into Northwood subdivision, their marvel at the immaculate gardens (landscaped by Arvin Shreve), and early experiences of neighborly generosity (05:21–06:36).
  • Quote [Jackie Van Beekum, 05:21]: “Those yards were such perfection that it’s hard to even describe how perfect they were…It was unbelievable, really.”
• Arvin used his landscaping prowess and religious persona to win trust and integrate into the community (09:22–10:00).

4. Ramping up Dependency and Isolation

• Arvin’s “generosity” expanded to free home renovations and food storage, drawing neighbors into a doomsday-prepper collective where resources were shared, but loyalty was quietly demanded (13:24–14:49).
• The cult isolated members socially and financially while using survivalist beliefs to deepen control (14:49–16:29).
  • Quote [Ron Van Beekum, 16:17]: “We’re kind of by ourselves and now we’ve got these people that are coming into our house and putting their arms around us and saying, we love you guys.”

5. Early Warning Signs and Psychological Manipulation

• The Van Beekums were wary of Arvin’s excommunication from the LDS Church but accepted his rationalization (11:23–12:33).
• The cult’s practices became increasingly bizarre (automatic “writing to the dead,” sister programs, polygamy doctrines), but members were slow to confront the oddities due to the material and emotional support received (17:43–18:52).
• The psychological toll manifests as physical illness for Jackie, who describes stomach ulcers from constant anxiety (20:18).

6. Grooming, Groupthink, and the Breaking Point

• Both Ron and Jackie admit their greed and silence, mistaking each other’s acquiescence for real enthusiasm, perpetuating their involvement (19:11–20:04).
  • Quote [Jackie Van Beekum, 18:52]: “All this sounds crazy… but we were getting so much…we went along with it.”
• The cult rationalized every negative occurrence; even a trip to the ER was deemed an act of divine provision (21:00–21:32).

7. Revelation & Escape

• Arvin finally reveals the cult’s true doctrine, involving a sexualized theology and “sister programs,” using binders of pornographic images to explain men’s “threads”—fetishes that dictated who would be in their spiritual harems (23:43–27:32).
  • Quote [Aaron Mason, 27:32]: “They say the devil will tell you nine truths, so you’ll believe one lie.”
• The Van Beekums reach their breaking point after this horrifying revelation, finally communicating their true feelings and deciding to leave (28:53–29:31).
  • Quote [Jackie Van Beekum, 29:48]: “If we would not have talked, maybe we would have been part of that.”

8. Lasting Impact and Cult Escalation

• The couple reflect on the long-term trauma and reluctance to trust neighbors again. Their account highlights only the cult’s infancy; from four member homes, it would grow to ten and thirty “wives” as Arvin refined his tactics through the 1980s (33:25–33:52).

9. The Investigation Begins: Mike King and Erin Anderson

• The narrative leaps forward to July 9, 1991: investigator Mike King meets “Erin Anderson,” a young woman and former cult member who reports child sexual abuse in the Zion Society (38:30–41:08).
  • Quote [Erin Anderson (alias), 38:58]: “My name is Erin Anderson and I’ve been involved in a cult that’s sexually abusing children. Do you have a moment to talk to me?”
• Mike is initially uncertain, recognizing the gravity and uniqueness of the allegations (39:09–40:45).
  • Quote [Mike King, 39:30]: “I was a property crimes investigator…I hadn’t seen organized ritual abuse like this.”
• Erin outlines the society's structure, the philosophy of “the sexual way of life,” and armed doomsday preparations. She provides critical information tying the cult to specific homes, people, and practices (45:48–48:42).
  • Quote [Mike King, 45:48]: “The sexual way of life was a doctrine of polygamy...Arvin taught that he, as the patriarch, is authorized to have sex with as many women as he brings into his sister council.”

10. Broader Context and Systemic Inaction

• The spread of fringe religious groups in Utah—in the wake of LDS doctrinal changes—meant some cult activity went unchecked, as law enforcement struggled to find legal grounds for intervention (43:46–45:05).

11. Cliffhanger and Emotional Closure

• The episode ends with Erin expressing anguish that her child was denied safety, underscoring both the individual cost and systemic tragedy (50:12).
  • Quote [Erin Anderson (alias), 50:22]: “They look safe. That’s something I denied my daughter.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cult Manipulation:
  • [03:54] Aaron Mason: “The following is a story about deception and manipulation. It’s about the largest case of ritual sexual abuse in the history of the state of Utah, maybe even the country.”
• On Arvin’s Doctrine:
  • [24:11] Ron Van Beekum: “...now became the women satisfying each other.”
  • [27:32] Aaron Mason: “They say the devil will tell you nine truths, so you’ll believe one lie.”
• On Escaping the Cult:
  • [29:48] Jackie Van Beekum (voice actor): “If we would not have talked, maybe we would have been part of that.”
• Initial Police Interview:
  • [38:58] Erin Anderson (alias): “My name is Erin Anderson and I’ve been involved in a cult that’s sexually abusing children. Do you have a moment to talk to me?”
• On Survivor Remorse:
  • [50:22] Erin Anderson (alias): “They look safe. That’s something I denied my daughter.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30 – Aaron Mason explains his motivation and survivors' silence.
• 05:21 – Jackie Van Beekum describes Northwood’s perfect gardens.
• 09:22-10:00 – Ron receives unsolicited landscaping help; cult's subtle recruitment begins.
• 13:24-14:49 – Transition from neighborly acts to communal dependency.
• 17:14 – Arrival of extremist members; recruitment intensifies.
• 21:02 – Arvin exploits Jackie's illness to “raid” hospital supplies.
• 23:43 – Arvin’s true sexual doctrine revealed to Ron and Jackie.
• 28:53 – The Van Beekums recognize the danger and plot their escape.
• 33:25 – Post-cult trauma and reflection on how close they came to being indoctrinated.
• 38:30–40:56 – Mike King’s first meeting with “Erin Anderson.”
• 45:48–48:42 – Erin details the cult’s sexual and doomsday practices for law enforcement.
• 50:22 – Erin’s regret and survivor’s guilt over her daughter.

Flow & Tone

The episode blends Aaron Mason’s reflective, often haunting narration with first-person survivor recollections, investigative detail, and professional perspectives. The tone is serious and careful, with deep empathy for those victimized. Frightening details and the slow buildup of cult indoctrination are softened by survivor testimony—recorded or reenacted with sensitivity—and supported by investigative commentary.

Conclusion

"Gardens of Evil" peels back the layers of the Zion Society’s seductive cult tactics, illustrating how seemingly generous community spirit masked a deepening web of abuse. This first episode centers on those early years: winning trust with free labor, sowing dependency, and testing boundaries until one family finally confronts the truth and escapes. By the end, the transition to the investigation—sparked by the courageous confession of a survivor—is in full swing, setting the stage for the cult’s exposure and reckoning in later episodes.

For further listening, follow the Gardens of Evil podcast feed.