The Turning - Season 3, Episode 2: Summer of Love

Release Date: July 8, 2025
Hosts: iHeartPodcasts and Rococo Punch
Title: Summer of Love

Introduction

"Summer of Love," the second episode of Season 3 of The Turning: River Road, delves deep into the intricate and harrowing experiences of Lindsay Tornambe within the River Road Fellowship cult. This episode uncovers the manipulative tactics employed by the cult leader, Victor Bernard, and the profound psychological impact on his followers, particularly the young members like Lindsay.

Victor Bernard: The Charismatic Leader

Victor Bernard, the enigmatic and authoritative leader of the River Road Fellowship, emerges as a central figure whose charismatic demeanor masks his manipulative and abusive nature. The episode traces Victor's transformation from a popular high school student to a cult leader, highlighting his strategic cultivation of fear, love, and dependency among his followers.

Notable Quote:

Host 3 [05:40]: "Victor Bernard, the leader of River Road Fellowship, declared the summer of 1999 the summer of Love. He led his congregation with this theme at the forefront."

The Summer of Love: A Pivotal Event

The "Summer of Love" was a meticulously orchestrated period where Victor intensified his control over the fellowship members. He propagated an urgent belief in the imminent return of Jesus Christ, using symbolic gestures and psychological pressure to bind his followers closer to him.

Key Events:

• Declaration of Urgency: Victor introduced the "Sign of the Son of Man," a supposed sign of Jesus's return, which necessitated immediate congregation at the Shepherd's Camp.
• Strict Regulations: Followers were restricted from traveling more than 30 minutes from their homes, fostering isolation and dependence.
• Emotional Manipulation: A lantern was permanently lit on a wooden bridge as a constant reminder of the impending divine event, creating a pervasive sense of urgency and readiness.

Notable Quote:

Host 1 [24:32]: "Victor started teaching about what he called the sign of the Son of Man... we all have to meet at the Shepherd's camp."

Psychological and Physical Control

Victor employed a blend of affectionate gestures and harsh discipline to maintain his dominance. This duality created an environment where followers oscillated between feelings of love and fear, making it difficult to recognize and resist the abusive dynamics.

Notable Incidents:

• Physical Abuse: Instances of Victor spitting on people during meals and throwing chairs to enforce obedience.
• Emotional Manipulation: Victor's ability to suddenly shift from kindness—playing harmonica with children or engaging in sports—to moments of anger, keeping followers in a constant state of emotional vulnerability.

Notable Quote:

Host 2 [50:00]: "Victor always talked about the rod of correction... It could make you feel like the worst person in the entire world."

Impact on Followers: Lindsay's Story

Lindsay Tornambe's personal narrative serves as a poignant example of the cult's impact. At just 13 years old, Lindsay was thrust into a life of secrecy and abuse, where her personal autonomy was systematically stripped away.

Key Experiences:

• Loss of Innocence: Lindsay recounts traumatic events, including being forced into inappropriate and abusive circumstances with Victor.
• Isolation: Rules such as the "no touch" policy except for interactions with Victor, further eroded her ability to form healthy relationships outside the cult.
• Psychological Manipulation: Lindsay grapples with feelings of guilt and confusion, exacerbated by Victor's teachings that equated personal sacrifice with divine reward.

Notable Quote:

Lindsay [52:24]: "I felt trapped. For all those years, you know, he was the predator and I was the prey. And then he became the prey."

Cult Dynamics and Control Mechanisms

The episode explores the sophisticated methods Victor employed to maintain control, blending religious ideology with personal charisma to manipulate and dominate his followers.

Control Techniques:

• The Feast of Tabernacles: A week-long celebration that reinforced communal bonds and Victor's authority through scripted religious rituals.
• Division of Roles: Emphasis on raising male leaders while simultaneously grooming women and children for subservience.
• Fear and Dependency: By controlling information, isolating members, and dictating daily routines, Victor ensured that followers remained reliant on the cult for all aspects of their lives.

Notable Quote:

Host 1 [46:00]: "The Song of Songs... All the women just glommed onto that and they're like, Victor is our King Solomon."

Resistance and Seeds of Escape

Despite the pervasive control, Lindsay begins to recognize the manipulative nature of the cult. Her internal struggle and eventual realization set the stage for her decision to escape, which becomes a catalyst for the subsequent downfall of the River Road Fellowship.

Turning Point:

• Burning of the Books: An orchestrated act where Lindsay's mother destroys her favorite books, symbolizing the suppression of personal identity and independent thought.
• Lindsay's Trauma: The traumatic experience of losing her books, which served as her escape and security blanket, deepens her realization of the cult's oppressive nature.

Notable Quote:

Lindsay [34:22]: "Please no. Please no. Please no."

Conclusion: The Path to Liberation

"Summer of Love" intricately details the emotional and psychological journey of Lindsay Tornambe within the River Road Fellowship. By exposing the manipulative tactics of Victor Bernard and the resulting trauma experienced by followers, this episode underscores the profound impact of cult dynamics on individual lives. Lindsay's emerging awareness and the oppressive environment set the stage for her eventual escape, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of extreme manipulation and abuse.

Notable Quote:

Lindsay [42:13]: "Why did I think that way? Why did I allow myself to get so sucked in by this man... if I died for him, that would be the greatest honor."

Final Thoughts

"Summer of Love" serves as a compelling examination of how charismatic leaders can manipulate religious beliefs to foster dependency and control. Through Lindsay's story, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the psychological intricacies within cults and the courage required to break free from such environments.

Credits:
Produced by Rococo Punch and iHeartPodcasts. Written and produced by Aylin Lance Lesser and Erica Lance. Story editor: Emily Forman. Mixing and sound design: James Trout, Girl Grace Doe. Fact-checking: Andrea Lopez Crusado. Executive Producers: John Peratti and Jessica Alpert at Rococo Punch; Katrina Norvell and Nikki Etor at iHeartPodcasts.

Listen to "The Turning: River Road" on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.