SHOWNOTES: "A ballet cult?” We asked the same thing. But today’s brave guest, Summer Smith, shares what happens when the world of pliés and pirouettes meets dogmatic devotion. Raised in a strict religious family and molded by the intense world of competitive ballet, Summer's journey takes a surprising twist when she joins Ballet 58, a seemingly innocuous Christian ballet company in Chicago. Soon devotions blend with dance routines, and artistic discipline intertwines with cult-like control. As Summer navigates the thin line between dedication and manipulation, you'll be left questioning just how far the influence of a charismatic leader can reach. LINKS: Follow Us: Instagram/Tik Tok: @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email Us: [email protected] Find Summer and all the ex Ballet 58’ers sub Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ex58/ Watch In The Balance: https://vimeo.com/535912792/7551d1ed90See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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