American Nightmares: Gardens of Evil – Inside the Zion Society Cult

Season 5, Episode 3: "The Alpha"

Host: Aaron Mason, Gamut Podcast Network
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This chilling episode delves into the inner workings of the Zion Society cult, focusing on how vulnerable individuals, particularly women, were lured, coerced, and abused under the control of its enigmatic leader, Arvin Shreve, and his ruthless lieutenant, "Carla." Through a mix of survivor testimony, interviews, and detailed narrative, the episode traces the story of Erin Anderson’s entrapment in the cult, the manipulation of children and families, and the power dynamics that made Zion Society uniquely dangerous—even among secretive American cults.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Erin Anderson’s Journey Into the Cult

• Recruitment through Vulnerability:
  Erin, a survivor, describes being befriended and emotionally (and eventually physically) cared for by cult women at a time when she was in an abusive marriage and newly pregnant with a high-risk child ([03:58]).

  “After having come from abuse my whole life, I think I would have responded to anyone who showed any kind of compassion or kindness to me. And that’s pretty much what I did. I didn’t question it at all.” — Erin Anderson ([04:21])

• Grooming and ‘Love Bombing’:
  Carla and other women provided practical and emotional support—inviting Erin over under the pretense of making maternity dresses and offering companionship ([05:47]).
• Cutting Family Ties:
  As Erin was drawn in, the cult manipulated her perception of her real family, convincing her that her aunt’s efforts to help were actually betrayals, thus isolating her completely ([11:27], [11:50]).

  “They said, do you see how your choice was right? How your family turned on you and now they are in support of your husband?...with just a twist, the truth is a lie, and vice versa. The culture...became my family, where my family became the enemy.” — Erin Anderson ([11:50])

2. Manipulation Tactics and Cult Structure

• Staged Spiritual Indoctrination:
  Using familiar Latter Day Saints doctrine, Arvin’s teachings were couched in scripture-like materials, making them more palatable. Carla, as his enforcer, would introduce these stages of indoctrination and ensure compliance ([29:49]–[35:00]).
• Control Through Ritual and Fear:
  “Carla” served as gatekeeper to Arvin, enacting rules and punishments, from enforcing humiliating practices (e.g., mandatory weigh-ins, shaming rituals) to orchestrating who would have sexual relations with Arvin ([26:12]–[27:28]):

  "She was the orchestrator and kind of the, like the policeman in a way...You got it from her, you didn’t get it from Arvin directly." — Andrea, Survivor ([27:06])

• Hierarchy and Ruthlessness:
  Carla’s ambition and strict adherence to Arvin’s “teachings” made her his most important lieutenant, displacing even Arvin’s legal wife. She became the chief recruiter and was instrumental in escalating both the cult’s reach and its abusive practices ([60:08]).

3. Family Devastation – Jeff Peterson’s Story

• Breaking Apart Families:
  Jeff Peterson recounts how his wife, once under Arvin and Carla’s influence, became estranged and ultimately abducted their children to join the cult ("cleaned the house out. Furniture is gone. Kids are gone. Everything... Everything but my clothes." — Jeff Peterson [54:15]).
• The Price of Custody:
  Describing deeply painful custody battles, Jeff recalls paying $10,000 to get half his children back—his children had effectively become bargaining chips, revealing how far cult loyalty replaced natural parental bonds ([57:48], [58:04]).

  “They don’t really want the kids. So I gave them ten grand. But she didn’t relinquish all the kids. Ten grand only bought half of them. There were still two who their mother kept with her in Northwood. A daughter and a boy she was still pregnant with.” — Jeff Peterson ([58:04])

4. Origins and Contradictions of Ogden, Utah & Arvin Shreve

• Historical Context:
  Aaron Mason draws a parallel between Ogden’s duality—a conservative, religious city with an underbelly of vice—and Arvin Shreve’s double life, presenting as a respected gardener and religious teacher while nurturing sinister parallel ambitions ([35:43]–[47:37]).
• Arvin’s Rise:
  Noted for his skill as a public speaker and gardener, Arvin concealed predatory tendencies, eventually excommunicated for polygamist teachings. He utilized his authority and charisma to attract, manipulate, and control followers ([45:09]–[47:37]).

  “He was very eloquent, very good speaker. People are like that. They trap people, you know?... It’s all about power and money. That’s all it was.” — Jeff Peterson ([53:10])

5. Escalation to Systemic Sexual Abuse

• “Sister Council” Teachings & Sexual Coercion:
  Survivors recount how indoctrination led to the cult’s sexual exploitation doctrine. “Sister Councils” justified multi-partner relationships and group sexual activity, heavily regulated by Arvin and Carla. Resistance was punished with isolation, manipulation, and threats ([64:41]–[66:12]).
• Carla’s Perversion of Power:
  Carla not only enforced Arvin’s rules but began acting independently, trafficking children—including her own—to outsiders for sexual abuse ([62:43], [63:09]).

  “I really do not believe that initially Arvin was aware that Carla was taking and trafficking the children to men in the community.” — Detective Mike King ([62:47]) “Carla rented out some of the Zion Society children, including her own daughter, for sex with adult men.” — Aaron Mason ([63:09])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Isolation and Control:

  “For every situation that would arise that seemed strange, or you might question they would have a logical explanation for what took place so that you wouldn’t question anything.” — Erin Anderson ([11:50])

• Cult Mentality and Religious Manipulation:

  “In order to qualify for forgiveness in this area, it is necessary that you begin doing so immediately...You must forsake anything that isn’t in line with Arvin’s teachings. Only then will you begin to recognize the difference between Zion and Babylon.” — Carla (voice actor) ([32:57]–[33:31])

• On Shunning as Discipline:

  “If you didn’t comply to the rules, you were very shunned from the rest of the group until you made amends for what you did.” — Erin Anderson ([66:05])

• The Price of Safety:

  “If all she had to do is pretend to believe all this stuff, perhaps that was a small price to pay for safety and stability for her and her children.” — Aaron Mason ([35:43])

• On Carla’s Ambition and Ruthlessness:

  “She ends up being number two under Arvin. Arvin’s wife wasn’t even number two. She’s running the show.” — Jeff Peterson ([60:08])

Key Timestamps

• Erin Anderson’s recruitment and cutting family ties: [03:58]–[12:38]
• Introduction to Jeff Peterson and his wife’s indoctrination: [16:13]–[24:44]
• Exploration of Ogden’s dual nature and Arvin’s background: [35:43]–[47:37]
• Power dynamics: Carla’s role, structure of the cult: [25:12]–[35:43], [60:08]–[62:43]
• Revelation of Carla’s trafficking and sexual exploitation of children: [62:43]–[64:41]
• Erin’s direct encounter with Arvin & sexual coercion: [64:39]–[66:12]

Conclusion

Episode 3 exposes how a socially outwardly idyllic community could harbor systemic abuse and manipulation, made possible by calculated recruitment, enforced isolation, and corrupt religious authority. Through the gripping stories of survivors like Erin Anderson and Jeff Peterson, we understand the devastating reach of cult dynamics—how kindness masks intent, how doctrine becomes a weapon, and how power, once consolidated, feeds ruthlessness. The episode ends with Erin trapped deeper inside, her options shrinking, setting the stage for further revelations in the next installment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE or visit rainn.org. Both services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.