The Cult Vault

← The Cult Vault5. Sept. · 1 Std. 42 Min.

"From Crack to Crocs" - A Conversation with Richard Velazquez

"From Crack to Crocs" - A Conversation with Richard Velazquez5. Sept.1 Std. 42 Min.

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In today's episode, Cult Vault host Kacey interviews Richard Velazquez about being born into a strict Jehovah’s Witness upbringing in New York City. Richard describes his mother’s recruitment through door-to-door preaching and promises of paradise healing, family conflict with his non-JW father, and prohibitions on holidays and birthdays that fueled a “split personality” and fear-based childhood with corporal punishment.

After his mother married an elder stepfather, he experienced severe abuse, leading to his father removing him at 11; subsequent instability included drug exposure, suicide attempts, and living on his own as a teen while selling drugs. Richard later became an adventure reality TV producer, struggled with long-term marijuana use, alcoholism and sexual addiction, then pursued sobriety, mindfulness training, and reconciliation with his mother, and now performs one-person storytelling shows in Los Angeles.

Richard's Instagram - Instagram

Richard's Show - TICKETS

Richard's RISK Show - https://www.risk-show.com/