What to Listen to Next: Twin Flames

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Guru: Don't Cross Kat" - Episode: "What to Listen to Next: Twin Flames"

Overview

In the episode titled "What to Listen to Next: Twin Flames," Wondery’s "Guru: Don't Cross Kat" delves into the intricate and often perilous world of modern-day spiritual influencers. This episode serves as a compelling cross-promotion for another podcast series, "Twin Flames," by narrating the harrowing journey of Angie Mogi as she becomes entangled in the manipulative practices of Jeff and Shaleia, purported gurus who promise to help individuals find their destined soulmates. Through Angie’s story, the episode explores themes of influence, control, and the dark consequences of seeking enlightenment from charismatic leaders.

Introduction and Cross-Promotion

The episode begins with the host expressing gratitude to listeners of "Don't Cross Kat," highlighting Kat Torres' use of spiritual awakening to amass a large following while concealing darker secrets. The host transitions seamlessly into introducing "Twin Flames," positioning it as another deep dive into the realm of misleading spiritual promises.

Key Sections

1. Setting the Scene: Toronto, July 2019 [00:00 - 04:01]

   The narrative opens in a typical hotel meeting room in Toronto, where Victoria Bonilla attends the inaugural session of the "Juicy Twin Flames Universe Ascension Workshop." Victoria describes the room's initial awkwardness and the palpable excitement as Jeff and Shaleia make their grand entrance.

   Jeff (03:06): "Welcome back to the very first Juicy Twin Flames Universe Ascension workshop."

2. The Allure of Twin Flames [04:01 - 07:03]

   Jeff captivates the audience by promising the secret to eternal love and prosperity. His charismatic delivery suggests that by following his teachings, attendees can achieve not only harmonious relationships but also material success.

   Jeff (04:01): "I'll give you the tools, if you haven't received them already. To feel good anytime you feel bad isn't that powerful."

   Victoria is visibly moved, sensing a breakthrough moment in her life.

3. Victoria’s Personal Struggles and Discovery of Twin Flames [07:33 - 16:34]

   Transitioning to a personal account, the narrator introduces Angie Mogi, a 41-year-old administrative assistant grappling with loneliness and a recent cancer diagnosis. Angie’s profound yearning for love leads her to discover Jeff and Shaleia’s "Twin Flames" program online. The concept of twin flames resonates deeply with her, offering a semblance of hope and understanding amid her personal turmoil.

   Angie Mogi (15:05): "We're not unique in being in a twin flame union. And you can do it, too. It's just a choice."

4. Enrollment and Transformation [16:34 - 20:17]

   Convinced by Jeff and Shaleia’s assurances, Angie invests over $2,000 into their classes. Under their guidance, she embarks on a transformation journey aimed at reconnecting with her femininity to attract her twin flame, Ron. This phase includes significant changes in her appearance and behavior, leading to newfound compliments and a sense of beauty.

   Jeff (19:56): "Because literally, once you clear all that, that's all the blocks that you have. Tears from the flame."

5. Attempted Reconciliation with Ron [20:17 - 25:09]

   Armed with her transformed persona, Angie orchestrates a romantic picnic to reconnect with Ron. Despite meticulous planning, the encounter ends disastrously when Ron rejects her, likening the kiss to that of a sibling. This rejection leaves Angie devastated, questioning the efficacy of Jeff and Shaleia’s methods.

   Angie Mogi (24:44): "For something that I've desired for so long and it's actually happening. We're having our first kiss."

6. Continued Struggle and Manipulation [25:09 - 33:15]

   Following Ron’s rejection, Angie reaches out to the Twin Flames group seeking support. Instead of empathy, Jeff reprimands her for "wimping out," blaming her for the failed reconciliation. Undeterred, Angie pours her emotions into an email to Ron, only to receive a harsh rejection. Jeff and Shaleia continue to manipulate her, insisting that inner work and unconditional love will eventually mend the relationship.

   Jeff (33:02): "You choose to love yourself? Good. That's easy. And that's all you have to do."

7. Implications of Control and Abuse [33:15 - 34:17]

   The episode hints at the darker side of Jeff and Shaleia’s teachings, suggesting that their promises come with dangerous sacrifices. Shaleia’s aggressive stance on continuing their work despite threats exemplifies the manipulative control they exert over their followers.

   Shaleah (34:00): "I said, what is she doing here?"

   Jeff (34:02): "Just get her out of here."

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Jeff (04:01): "I'll give you the tools, if you haven't received them already. To feel good anytime you feel bad isn't that powerful."

• Angie Mogi (15:05): "We're not unique in being in a twin flame union. And you can do it, too. It's just a choice."

• Jeff (19:56): "Because literally, once you clear all that, that's all the blocks that you have. Tears from the flame."

• Angie Mogi (24:44): "For something that I've desired for so long and it's actually happening. We're having our first kiss."

• Jeff (33:02): "You choose to love yourself? Good. That's easy. And that's all you have to do."

• Shaleah (34:00): "I said, what is she doing here?"

Conclusions and Insights

The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the seductive nature of spiritual gurus who exploit individuals' vulnerabilities. Angie’s journey underscores the importance of critical thinking and the dangers of placing blind trust in charismatic leaders. The narrative suggests that the promises of eternal love and success often come at the cost of personal autonomy and mental well-being.

Final Thoughts

As the episode concludes, listeners are left anticipating the further unraveling of Jeff and Shaleia’s true intentions and the broader implications of their influence on vulnerable individuals like Angie. The story encapsulates the fine line between seeking spiritual guidance and falling prey to manipulative control, urging listeners to remain vigilant in their pursuit of enlightenment.

Additional Information

• Host: Stephanie Beatriz
• Senior Producer: Russell Finch
• Producers: Tracey Egbes, Zachary Stouffer
• Writer: Brennan Elizabeth Peters
• Fact-Checking: Sonia Maynard
• Executive Producers: George Lavender, Marshall, Louie, Jen Sargent for Wondery

Listeners are encouraged to explore "Twin Flames" for a deeper understanding of the dynamics between true love and power exploitation, highlighting how far some individuals will go to attain their desires.

Transcript

[Host]

We want to send a big thank you to everyone who listened to Don't Cross Cat. On behalf of everyone on the team, we're so grateful that you've taken this journey with us. As you just heard, Kat Taurus used Spiritual awakening to lure followers into her web of control. But she's not the only one using promises of enlightenment to manipulate people. We have another podcast that delves into a similar world of false promises and control. It's called Twin Flames. Meet Jeff and Shaleia, a couple who claim they can guarantee you'll find your soulmate, your twin flame. It's divine love. You're designed for no one else, and they're designed for no one else. But like Kat's followers, those seeking their Twin Flames soon find themselves in a treacherous path. Some followers allege they were encouraged to cut ties with friends and family that were holding them back. They were also pushed to claim their Twin Flames through any means necessary. By the time some members are able to leave the group, they claim they don't even recognize themselves and fear for their safety. I'm about to play you an episode of Twin Flames, so stay tuned. Follow Twin Flames on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. Wondery members can binge all seven episodes of Twin Flames ad free right now. If you don't already have a Wondery plus membership, you can start your free trial by clicking the link in the episode description.

[Announcer]

Today you're listening ad free with Wondery Plus a listener note. This episode contains adult content and language. This may not be suitable for all listeners.

[Narrator]

It was July 2019, Toronto. An average hotel meeting room. Beige carpet, rows of gray chairs, a platform at the front. Dozens of people milled around, waiting. Among them was Victoria Bonilla.

[Victoria Bonilla]

This was my first time meeting anybody from this group, and it was such an interesting experience because everybody was so awkward.

[Narrator]

People gathered in groups. Some fumbled through small talk. Others stared at their phones.

[Victoria Bonilla]

Or you'd see the occasional one person standing there, just kind of looking around and smiling, not really knowing what to do. And I was like, well, this is weird.

[Narrator]

But then the atmosphere changed. It was time.

[Victoria Bonilla]

Everybody wanted to sit up front. So it was kind of like, oh, we gotta, you know, grab the best seats we can.

[Narrator]

All eyes turned to the entrance. People craned and stretched, desperate to see.

[Victoria Bonilla]

So the doors open and a young couple walked in. They walk up the aisle and they walk to the stage, and everybody's cheering and just standing and clapping and crying. I was just like, oh, my. I just, like, had chills.

[Narrator]

A man stepped Onto the stage. He was in his early 30s. His wavy brown hair was shoulder length. He wore designer ripped jeans and a suit jacket. The woman took her place next to him, Dressed in a T shirt, fitted pants, high heels, and makeup. The man raised his arms.

[Jeff]

Welcome back to the very first Juicy Twin Flames Universe Ascension workshop.

[Narrator]

Jeff and Shaleah had arrived. The room was buzzing with excitement. This was the first time many in the audience had ever seen the couple in real life.

[Jeff]

We're starting right here. And if you don't know where to find your good, it's within yourself. Within. I have it, you have it. We all have it. If you've never seen it, hi.

[Announcer]

Here it is.

[Narrator]

On stage, Shalia beamed at Jeff.

[Jeff]

You'll get used to me.

[Announcer]

I have.

[Narrator]

Jeff smiled. The audience was eating out of their hands. As the speech neared its climax, Jeff closed his eyes, suddenly serious.

[Jeff]

I'll give you the tools, if you haven't received them already. To feel good anytime you feel bad isn't that powerful. To be able to feel good anytime you want. And then when you feel the good thing, it can manifest its good things, like your twin flame and harmonious union.

[Narrator]

You promise to give the audience a secret. The secret of finding your twin flame. The perfect partner, soulmate, the ultimate lover. But that wasn't all. He promised that weekend he was going to show them how to get the perfect career. A beautiful home, a fat bank account, a Corvette.

[Jeff]

All of it is yours. Everything. Everything. Everything you desire. Follow me.

[Victoria Bonilla]

I just kind of remember feeling like. I don't want to say I felt high, but it kind.

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Victoria Bonilla]

I mean, for lack. I was just like, this is wow. Like, I just feel like I'm in another dimension right now.

[Jeff]

You, too can have your twin flame. You too can have harmonious union forever. Join us. Thank you. And take care.

[Shaleah]

Thank you, everyone.

[Narrator]

The audience was on their feet. Victoria was among them.

[Victoria Bonilla]

And I was just like, this is such a momentous occasion for me. Like, this is such a breakthrough. And I'm like, oh, my God, the miracle's gonna happen any day now. I'm like, this is it.

[Narrator]

No one in that room could have predicted what Jeff's promises really meant.

[Victoria Bonilla]

I didn't suspect what would come months later. I had no inkling that there were.

[Narrator]

People in that room, people she knew who would soon find themselves grappling with just how badly they wanted that true love Jeff promised and how far they were willing to go to get it.

[Announcer]

I had to follow what they told me to do. They knew best.

[Victoria Bonilla]

She's like, you gotta do it like, don't be a little pussy, don't be a little bitch. That wife is the one that's in the way.

[Shaleah]

Going to have to completely submit to me and give me your complete and utter obedience.

[Announcer]

I no longer knew who I was. I was spiraling.

[Shaleah]

They were the master Christ and they were the King and Queen of Heaven and that we were going to help them bring heaven on earth. If I don't get out, I'm going to die.

[Jeff]

Everything, everything, everything you desire. Follow me. Follow me.

[Narrator]

From Wondery. I'm Stephanie Beatriz and this is Twin Flames.

[Announcer]

Carol at all. Carol.

[Narrator]

How do we do love, like romantic love, I mean, seems like kind of a silly question on the surface. But not so long ago I had just gotten out of a relationship that lasted nearly 10 years and I was in a tailspin grappling with this question. I knew I wanted big love story love in my life. I wanted to get married and have a family. I wanted a partner who would support me and understand me and make me laugh. Someone to go through this life with, shoulder to shoulder, us against the world. And I wanted to be that partner to somebody. But my faith was shaken. I'd just spent a third of my life with someone who I thought was the one. They weren't. And I was getting to be of an age and all my friends were getting engaged and I didn't even know where to begin. How do I do love after I'd already gotten it so wrong? How do I meet a new somebody? How do I know if they're right for me? How do I know when to commit or whether to commit? How hard should I fight when things get tricky? How do I know if this is a till death do us part kind of thing? I'm one of the lucky ones. I found my partner. I cracked the code. I think not everybody is so lucky. But what if there was someone out there, someone who seemed to have it figured out all for themselves? Someone who seemed to have all the answers and who guaranteed they could help you find that one special person you were meant to spend your life with. Someone who promised to unite you with your one true love, with your twin flame. They would ensure that once you found that twin flame, you stay connected and would teach you to never let them go. Wouldn't you? Listen, this is episode one follow me. In 2015, Angie Mogi had been mostly very happy with her life. Mostly. Angie is of first nations descent and she lived in rural Ontario, Canada, where she worked as an administrative assistant for the government, filing, mailing, Data entry, Monday through Friday. It wasn't exciting, but it'd pay the bills. She was a big music fan. Classic rock, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin. Nothing past Pearl Jam. And she was fairly active online, especially on a forum for dog lovers called Dogster. She met a lot of friends that way. But there was one thing missing.

[Announcer]

I've never really been someone who was lucky in love. Never had, like, a really good relationship and stuff. Something that I always desired, of course, was love.

[Narrator]

At 41 years old, she'd never been married, never had kids. She'd had a bad breakup in her 20s. Since then, she'd struggled to find the right person.

[Announcer]

I always just kind of, like, jumped right into relationships and got serious really fast. No one ever really stuck around.

[Narrator]

So she'd given up on romance. Instead, she kept herself busy with her day job, her pets and hobbies. Until one sunny Friday afternoon in late May. She was coming back into the office from running an errand, passing the reception desk, headed toward the stairs.

[Announcer]

When she looked up, it was just like, wow. Like, bam. Like, oh, my God. What the hell was that? It just basically felt like I had just been, like, hit by, like, lightning.

[Narrator]

That bolt out of the blue came in the form of Ron. Not his real name, by the way. He was small, with a slight build. A sparse, stubbly beard and long, dark hair obscured his delicate features.

[Announcer]

He just had these big, bright eyes that just. I just met his eyes. Something just hit me at that moment, and I went home for the week and the rest of the weekend. That's all I thought about was him.

[Narrator]

But there was a problem. Ron was an intern, and he was 22, younger than Angie by almost 20 years.

[Announcer]

I certainly was not in a place in my life where I was even open to, like, a relationship. I definitely wasn't looking for. Like, I'm a professional person. I'm not looking for it at work.

[Narrator]

Monday came around, as Monday does, and Angie was back to work, where she would have to see Ron again.

[Announcer]

I took three days off work sick leave just to avoid him.

[Narrator]

But it was hopeless. She couldn't avoid him forever. Angie made a decision.

[Announcer]

I was determined to get to know him.

[Narrator]

At first, Angie and Ron would take smoke breaks together. Then when their bosses weren't around, they'd talk over long lunches. Soon, they became fast friends. And it seems like there could be something more.

[Announcer]

There was the undertone, the sexual tension. He would send me suggestive pictures of himself, or he would say things he would get on FaceTime. He was in his underwear, so she.

[Narrator]

Confided in one of her friends from the dog message board.

[Melissa]

They just kind of hit it off and had so many similarities and similar problems.

[Narrator]

That's Melissa.

[Melissa]

He was quite a bit younger than her, but, you know, she had an interest. And they had had some weird moments. He seemed to be reciprocal, but yet neither one of them had ever spoken about it and nobody had made a move. She said that she always felt that weird electricity when whenever they were near each other or he was going through something.

[Narrator]

Melissa lived in the States, but she and Angie would talk late into the night, trying to understand the ups and downs of her and Ron's not quite relationship.

[Melissa]

One day they'd be best pals and he would come up and say, hey, let's go sit out here and eat lunch together. And then maybe the next morning, he acted like she didn't even exist. So she was being driven crazy by this seeking out, pushing away, seeking out, pushing away, seeking out, pushing away.

[Announcer]

He was running hot and cold all the time. It just felt like one big mind game. And I just like, why is this so hard?

[Melissa]

She's like, what do you do when they do this? Or what do you do when they do that? And I'm like, I don't know what you're supposed to do.

[Narrator]

Angie was confused. She felt an intense and immediate attraction to Ron, and she felt that he felt it too. But it was on again, off again, hot and cold. Nothing romantic had happened yet, but she had a feeling for him she could not shake. Then, in late 2016, Angie was diagnosed with cancer. Today she's cancer free. But at the time, she had to have a hysterectomy and she was getting ready to start chemo. But even with all that happening, she could not stop thinking about Ron. It made no sense.

[Announcer]

So it's funny, when I talk about the story, it sounds so much like I'm talking about someone else. I mean, if you knew me in my life, you would never ever believe that. I. I don't know. Love just makes you be crazy.

[Narrator]

I swear, love was making her be crazy. At home, recovering from her surgery, lounging on her sofa, Angie was scrolling through YouTube. And that's when she came across a video of a young couple.

[Jeff]

Hi, I'm Jeff.

[Angie Mogi]

And I'm Shalia.

[Jeff]

And today we're here to talk to you about something very special.

[Announcer]

They were just like an average couple. I guess they were probably in their 20s at the time, just really young and sweet. I kind of liked them.

[Narrator]

And there were two words that stood out.

[Jeff]

Your twin flame is your ultimate Lover, your best friend, your other half, the other component of your soul, your divine compliment.

[Narrator]

Twin flames. The idea that two people share a deep connection or even that they're two parts of the same soul.

[Angie Mogi]

We're not unique in being in a twin flame union. And you can do it, too. It's just a choice.

[Narrator]

The existence of twin flames wasn't a new idea. There were plenty of online Psychics and YouTube Tarot personalities who had talked about the concept. An instant recognition followed by an intense and often tumultuous connection. Many claim that having a twin flame was a rare occurrence. Angie had even come across this couple's videos before. But this time, Jeff and Shalia's unique take on love really hit her.

[Jeff]

This is not a fantasy. God created you to be with your twin flame. You were created together at the same moment. It's not some special thing.

[Narrator]

Not only is every single person created with a twin flame, but they are destined to find and achieve perfect union with that unique and special person.

[Jeff]

Here's the secret. Everyone has a twin flame. Yes. You. You have a twin flame who you're designed for.

[Angie Mogi]

You don't need to settle. And when it comes to your twin flame union, this is the person that you're meant to be with for all of eternity. And to be without your twin flame is suffering.

[Narrator]

That described how Angie was feeling exactly without Ron. She felt she was suffering.

[Announcer]

You know, as I was watching their videos and just really resonating more and more and more with them.

[Narrator]

For the first time in a long time, Angie felt like she had some understanding of what was going on between her and Ron and like she had some hope.

[Announcer]

I felt very, very strongly that Ron is my twin flame.

[Jeff]

People and clients keep coming back to us again and again and again and again because they get results with our work. And you can, too, if you apply it.

[Announcer]

Jeff and Shalia said, if you desire to be with your twin flame, you will be with your twin flame if you do this. And this thing is so bloody easy, anybody can do it. Like, they guaranteed it. They guaranteed you will be with your twin flame. And that's what I was looking for because it had been so complicated for me up until this point.

[Narrator]

Jeff and Shalea's classes weren't cheap. Like over $2,000 a year, not cheap. But Angie scraped together all she could and she signed up. The classes happened over online video every Sunday night, 7pm There are no recordings of her first classes, but a later one shows how Jeff and Shalia diagnosed Angie's problem.

[Jeff]

Welcome back to twin flame Ascension School. I am so excited for our class today.

[Narrator]

As usual, Angie saw her face pop up on screen, the lower row of a Google Hangout with 11 other classmates. Jeff's smiling face was front and center.

[Jeff]

We got some great content to move through and great love to discuss and healing to be had and wisdom to be shared and blocks to be cleared and love to be experienced and expressed. Oh, boy, oh, boy.

[Narrator]

He was sitting next to Shalia in front of a grand brick fireplace. The usual backdrop for the twin flames classes with their goldendoodle occasionally jumping into the shot. Eventually, it was Angie's turn to speak. She filled them in on the whole Ron situation. Jeff butted in.

[Jeff]

Can I help you here, Angie?

[Announcer]

Pardon me?

[Jeff]

Can I help you here?

[Announcer]

Sure.

[Jeff]

Okay, let. Let him.

[Narrator]

He said the problem was not out there. It was within herself.

[Jeff]

And go back to your inner work. That's what's going to bring you progress. That's what's going to help you put one foot in front of the other and actually resolve this. You have to go within and change it within, really. We promise you it's never outside of you. It's never over there. You don't have to accept that as reality and accept that as how things are going to be. You do the inner work to resolve it.

[Narrator]

But Angie was still confused. What was stopping them from getting together?

[Announcer]

And I keep thinking, okay, I make progress, and then it just keeps coming up. I'm like, what the hell?

[Narrator]

Then Shalia spoke up.

[Angie Mogi]

The majority of your core blocks with your twin flame have pretty much everything to do with your femininity.

[Narrator]

That struck a chord with Angie. Her cancer treatment had taken a heavy toll on her. She lost her hair, had a hysterectomy. She was feeling disconnected from her body, from her identity as a woman.

[Angie Mogi]

There's nothing wrong with expressing beauty through femininity and that it's not. It's not inappropriate.

[Narrator]

Jeff had no doubts. Reconnecting with her femininity would solve all of Angie's problems. It would draw Ron to her.

[Jeff]

Because literally, once you clear all that, that's all the blocks that you have. Tears from the flame.

[Announcer]

So do you think this is my biggest block?

[Jeff]

Literally, that's it.

[Narrator]

Angie thought over their advice. The problem sounded simple enough, but the solution, changing her appearance, behavior, how she thought about herself. It was a tall order.

[Announcer]

I've always been, like, kind of tomboyish. I never resonated with what my girlfriends were into. I was just someone who just threw on some eyeliner in the morning and ran out the door.

[Narrator]

But if it would help her win Ron over, Angie was determined to try. She started small jewelry. She put on earrings for the first time in years. She bought pretty, funky, fun wigs while her hair grew back. Then she worked her way up to painting her nails, wearing makeup.

[Announcer]

I started, like, wearing bright red lipstick and doing my hair up really pretty, wearing dresses.

[Narrator]

The transformation was striking. She'd started getting compliments. For the first time in years, Angie felt pretty.

[Announcer]

I really did start to really become attracted to myself and really see that I was actually a very beautiful woman.

[Narrator]

With Jeff and Shalea's help, Angie was reconnecting with her femininity. Now it was time for the next stage of their plan. It had been a few months since Ron had seen Angie. He'd been away at college, but then he told her he was moving back to town. It was time for Angie to claim her man, and it wasn't long before she had the perfect opportunity. Angie knew Ron's birthday was coming up, and so she worked up the courage, and she sent him a text.

[Announcer]

I said, well, have your birthday, like, with your family, but I'm claiming you the day after. Let's get together and we'll go on a picnic or something like that.

[Narrator]

Then she waited.

[Announcer]

He came back and said his family had, like, a little cottage at the lake. Let's go to, like, my family's cottage instead.

[Narrator]

Ron wanted to hang out with her alone. In the weeks that followed, Angie racked her brain and scoured the Internet trying to find the just right thing for Ron's birthday present. Eventually, she found it.

[Announcer]

I bought him, like, a pair of earrings I thought were perfect because they were like the twins.

[Narrator]

Ron was a Gemini, but also because.

[Announcer]

You know, twin flames, naturally.

[Narrator]

The morning after his birthday, she baked a sweet little cake and packed a perfect picnic.

[Announcer]

I'd made fried chicken and Mac and cheese, and I knew he loved Doritos and pineapple. Like, I put a lot of love, like, you can taste the love in my food.

[Narrator]

And she spent every moment that she had that day making sure she looked as beautiful and special as the spread she'd prepared for him.

[Announcer]

I had, like, lotioned myself up from head to toe with perfume, and I had this wig on that was red and black, Looked really awesome, Bought, like, fancy underwear.

[Narrator]

She arrived at the cabin around noon. As she pulled up, she could see Ron waiting at the door. She got out of the car, her hands full with a gift and the cake. Ron came out to meet her.

[Announcer]

I looked really, really good, and he looked like a complete slob. His Hair looked greasy, he looked rough and tired, and he was wearing, like, ripped up, like, dirty clothes.

[Narrator]

Even so, she was looking forward to their day together. Ron helped carry the picnic and presents into the cabin. He loved the gifts and the food. He dug in immediately.

[Announcer]

He practically ate the whole cake by himself.

[Narrator]

Angie took in her surroundings. The cabin was rustic.

[Announcer]

There was no electricity. There was no running water. No bathroom either, which was interesting. There was an outhouse at the top of the hill. They had, like, a 10 gallon pail with, like, a toilet seat attached to it.

[Narrator]

But there were also no distractions. For the first time in a long time, Angie and Ron were alone. As evening fell, the weather got worse. Inside, Angie and Ron cozied up, drinking wine and talking, lying on the sofa.

[Announcer]

That's when things took a more romantic turn. And at one point, he lit a fire in the wood stove. The room was all dark because there was no electricity. And so it was just the fire from the wood stove was lighting up. And we were laying on the couch and we were cuddling and. And I just, like, went for it and kissed him, and he kissed me back.

[Narrator]

Angie thought she must be dreaming.

[Announcer]

For something that I've desired for so long and it's actually happening. We're having our first kiss. I was a believer. Like, I believed for that moment, I believed. And then he pulled back and said, I can't do this. And I was like, what? Why? And he goes, I feel like I'm kissing my sister.

[Narrator]

Brutal. All the way home, Angie kept turning it over in her head.

[Announcer]

I was just so, like, how could this day that I had been planning and looking forward to have gone so wrong? I was doing everything at the time that was claiming him. I was choosing him. I had this wonderful opportunity and I blew it. I blew it.

[Narrator]

The next day was just as rough.

[Announcer]

I was still, like, wearing the same clothes even because the shirt I was wearing smelt like him, like, really strongly. I was like a little baby with, like, the soothing blanket. And I was just like, kept smelling him on it. It's like, oh, my gosh. Kind of obsessive, but, I mean, at the time it was like I was so lost. But then he sent me a message saying, did I leave my drill in your car?

[Narrator]

It wasn't quite the romantic overture she'd been hoping for. Ron had been using the drill to open up the cabin shutters the day before.

[Announcer]

I remember seeing it when I got home that night. I was getting out of my car at my house. The interior light came on. I looked down and I said, oh, my God. I said, his drill is in my car. So I messaged him back. I said, yeah, I have it. I said, like, did you want me to bring it over? Do you want to come pick it up or what?

[Narrator]

Ron never gave her a response. Days went by, a week, a month. Finally, toward the end of June, Ron sent her a message.

[Announcer]

Our friendship and whatever was going on, whatever connection just was too dysfunctional to maintain and that he just wasn't interested in maintaining it and just I wish you the best type thing.

[Narrator]

Ron cut ties with her.

[Announcer]

Then it was about a couple weeks after that, he started a relationship.

[Narrator]

Angie felt like it was over. She left the twin flames group.

[Announcer]

Jeff immediately noticed and reached out to me and said, why did you leave? And I said, I'm just going to take a break for a while. He goes, you take a break and you'll never come back. Nobody ever does. He goes, you realize how close you are to healing your separation right now? And I'm like, well, it doesn't feel like it. And he goes, keep going. You're doing just fine.

[Narrator]

And because despite it all, Angie still had some hope left. She listened.

[Announcer]

So I went back into the group. We were always told that we can't ruin things with our twin flame. You're always going to have another chance. Like, you can't ruin things.

[Narrator]

In Jeff and Shaleia's class, Angie opened up about her predicament.

[Announcer]

I asked God, like, daily, just show me what it is I need to do, because I'm willing to do anything at this point. You sure are.

[Angie Mogi]

Yeah, we believe you. We know you are.

[Announcer]

Oh, okay.

[Angie Mogi]

You're pretty badass, too.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Announcer]

Yeah. And I mean. And I have the opportunity because he's here.

[Jeff]

Oh.

[Narrator]

Jeff shot Shalea a look. He had an idea.

[Jeff]

Go give him the drill.

[Announcer]

Give him the drill.

[Jeff]

Duh.

[Angie Mogi]

Don't you still have his tool? His drill, or.

[Announcer]

Yeah, it's in my car.

[Jeff]

Don't be shy about it. Go track him down. Give him the drill.

[Announcer]

This drill was symbolic because a drill is like a power tool. It was symbolic of me giving his masculinity back to him, me giving him the drill.

[Narrator]

Angie wasn't sure, but Jeff seemed so certain.

[Jeff]

See him, Tell him how you really feel and do whatever it takes.

[Narrator]

She needed to drive to Ron's house and claim him by giving him his drill.

[Announcer]

Just do it. Just go in there confidently and just claim him. And you know, this is your twin flame. There's no messing around.

[Narrator]

But it was Shalia who sounded a note of caution. It was not going to be easy.

[Angie Mogi]

You know, he's going to lay some shit on you, but you're going to be prepared. And remember, like, when he lays that shit on you, it's always a bid to love. That's all it is. It's just a bid for love.

[Jeff]

And your responses, I don't give a. I'm going to love you one no matter what. I don't give a fuck about that shit. I love unconditionally.

[Narrator]

Angie still wasn't sure Ron had told her not to get in touch. So wouldn't it be a better idea to, like, send an email?

[Jeff]

No, now you're being a puss. Show up at his door and fucking give him the drill and telling you that he's your man.

[Announcer]

Now's not the time to be appropriate.

[Jeff]

Yeah, fuck appropriate.

[Narrator]

Yeah, fuck appropriate. Angie was convinced she was going to march on up there and give Ron his drill. It was time to claim her man. The next morning, Angie woke up feeling nervous. She went through the motions at work, all the while working through her insecurities, her fear, setting her intentions. And shortly after 4pm, there she was, walking up the winding driveway and knocking on Ron's front door. But when it opened, it wasn't Ron. It was his younger brother.

[Announcer]

I asked for Ron and he said, he's at work. And I said, what time does he usually get home? And he said, 5:00. And I was there, like, shortly after.

[Narrator]

4, Angie decided it might be, I don't know, a little awkward to wait around on Ron's doorstep for an hour.

[Announcer]

So I said, well, he left this in my car and I handed it over to his little brother and he goes, oh, okay, thanks.

[Narrator]

The door closed.

[Announcer]

And then I just kind of like drove home.

[Narrator]

That had not gone the way Angie had hoped. As soon as she got home, she went on Facebook and reported back to the group.

[Announcer]

And then Jeff, he goes, oh, so you wimped out? I said, no, I didn't wimp out. I said. I went there. He goes, yeah, but he wasn't there, so you wimped out. It was my fault that it didn't work out because I didn't want it enough to make it happen, to create that in my reality.

[Narrator]

Jeff's criticism stung. Angie sat down at her laptop and started writing. She poured out all her feelings for Ron in one long email.

[Announcer]

I'm just going to, like, completely tell him everything. I just said, you know, Geronimo, and sent it to him.

[Narrator]

Then she waited.

[Announcer]

Ron emailed back, you have no idea how crazy all of this sounds. You really should get some help. I'm not your twin flame. This is just a sick obsession that you have with me. Don't contact me again. I won't read what you write. I wish you peace, but don't message me ever again.

[Narrator]

In that moment, everything Angie had dreamed of with Ron was shattered. She felt like her last chance at finding love was over.

[Announcer]

I could not accept that my twin flame would talk to me like that. Someone who is like the love of my life, who's I'm supposed to be. The love of their life.

[Narrator]

Ron, by the way, didn't want to speak to us for this series. Looking back, this was a moment when Angie could have walked away. Jeff and Shaleah's advice hadn't worked. They hadn't lived up to their guarantee. They had told her to pursue Ron, and he had turned her down. It was a moment where she could have logged off and never seen them again. But Angie still had hope and she still had belief in Jeff and Shaleah. And she stayed.

[Jeff]

So how do you feel now?

[Announcer]

I just. The thing is, I know how to fix this, but I don't know why I'm not fixing it.

[Jeff]

Oh, okay. How do you fix it?

[Announcer]

By trusting and surrendering and healing good and claiming.

[Jeff]

Do you choose to do that?

[Announcer]

I made the choice.

[Jeff]

You choose to love yourself?

[Announcer]

I do.

[Jeff]

Good. That's easy. And that's all you have to do.

[Narrator]

It's good advice. Learn to love yourself, and then someone else can love you. But to find that true love, that twin flame, Jeff and Shaleah, would demand a level of sacrifice that would have huge and dangerous consequences. And not just for Angie. That's next time on Twin Flames.

[Jeff]

He looked kind of like Greek Jesus. Just really trying to delve into your soul. The eyes just boring into you. You don't have to live a miserable stink in life. You don't have.

[Shaleah]

Shalia said to me, if someone put a gun to my head and told me to stop doing this work, I wouldn't stop. I would die first. And she asked if we would do the same.

[Jeff]

I said, what is she doing here?

[Narrator]

Just get her out of here.

[Jeff]

I do not feel safe.

[Victoria Bonilla]

Everything about this felt wrong. I felt sick to my stomach. It felt like a nightmare.

[Narrator]

From Wondery. This is episode one of six of Twin Flames, a series about true love, power, and how far some people are willing to go to get what they want. Twin Flames is hosted by me. Stephanie Beatriz. Senior producer is Russell Finch. Producers are Tracey Egbes and Zachary Stouffer. Writer is Brennan Elizabeth Peters. Fact checking is by Sonia Maynard Associate producer is Fiona Pestana Additional production assistance from Daniel Gonzalez and Seth Bodine Managing producer is Lata Pandya Coordinating producer is Olivia Weber Music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Frison Sink. Sound design, scoring and mix by Jeff Schmidt Executive producers are George Lavender, Marshall, Louie and Jen Sargent for Wondery.

[Host]

With Wondery, you can binge the remaining episodes ad free. Click the link in the episode description to start your free trial today. Unlock premium listening with early access, exclusive content and more. All ad free with Wondery plus Thanks for listening.