“She bought 40 acres of land and donated it to the church.” You mean she found a loophole to get out of paying taxes? Got it.

Good rule of thumb - If someone tells you they know something that God forgot to tell everyone else, CULT.

"Oh, haven't you heard? Jim isn't coming anymore, seems he had the mark of the beast." You are good for my soul, Dr. Grande! Laughter is the best medicine. ❤️🙏

Her appearance later in life seemed to indicate a lack of self awareness, she looked crazy.

Just when you think you've heard it all, someone starts the First Church of Caloric Deficit

My mother used to say "Don't worry. We're all a size 1 in our graves."

I was given a copy of her book when I hit puberty. They may have been teaching me that my only value was as a very skinny, obedient woman. I am in remission for bulimia.

Interesting that you didn’t mention the “divorce and remarriage” being adultery preached by Mrs Lara’s church, until she divorced and remarried. I guess she found new, updated, get with the times, teachings of god (with a little g.)

a Christian weightloss program, that's the most American thing ever lol

This sounds like someone who was able to practice and monetize her eating disorder publicly.

Dr Grande needs an award for saying deadpan “Jim’s not here in Bible study…he has the mark of the beast…who knew”? I had to rewind that 8 times and busted up laughing each time! 🏆 😂

As a 40 year student of theology I didn't expect to find an accurate description of what a pseudo- Christian cult is here, but you did it. The only other marker they have that wasn't mentioned here is that a cult leader will often find a single verse in Scripture and twist the truth, forming an entire cult around it, mostly about automatic health & wealth in the last two decades. Gwen took a bit of truth (that chronic overeating is wrong for many reasons) and ended up making her own law the way people are prone to do, starting with the pharisees. There are people who are 100 lbs heavier than they would be if they didn't have true hormonal abnormalities, brain function issues or taking life saving medications such as Cortisone.

Ugh, I went through this with my mom. Her church suggested the Weigh Down thing to its members and my stepdad is kind of a pig (seriously, this was like the 12th diet he put her on) so of course he wanted her to try it. I took Mom out for her birthday and she flat out told me she couldn't eat until her stomach growled and then she'd cut her meal in half so she wouldn't eat so much. And she was telling me this like it was perfectly normal, like obviously the church was involved in her diet and pretty soon she'd drop the weight and everyone would be able to tell she was saved because she was thin. She quit doing that eventually (her thyroid was crapping out, making it nigh on impossible to lose any weight), but she's been on diet after diet since. I don't expect her to love her fat, but I wish she could accept that she's never going to fit into her wedding dress again, no matter how holy she is. Don't mind me, just breaking into a psychologist's YT comments to talk about my mother.

In defining a cult, you perfectly described Scientology. Chilling.

I am a Tennessean and came across her book in the 90's when she was just promoting weight loss. I never could latch onto her reasoning. I saw her one day at an upscale restaurant in Brentwood with her groupies who all seemed enamored by her. Fast forward 10 or 15 years later. A new coworker disclosed that she was a member of this church. She was overweight again after having lost alot of weight through Weigh Down. She indicated that she was getting alot of pressure from Gwen to lose the weight or else. I started doing research to see the way this program evolved into a cult. Gwen's ideas were ludicrous and dangerous. I am not surprised by her death. Sad situation for all involved.

can appreciate that "pseudo-Christian" term, even as an atheist. there are good, loving, tolerant, welcoming Christians. And then there is this mess. 😬

How I screamed when you said you’d have to lose weight to fit through the gates of heaven, you crack me up!

Another gem from you tubes most consistent creator.

I lost 50 pounds many many years ago through this program. I was even a group leader in my church. When she started to go the other way in her teachings and her ideas, I had a meeting with our pastor, and it was decided, after sharing my concerns, that we would no longer utilize this program. That was years ago. I didn’t follow anything about her for over 25 years until the crash. It really saddens me that she went this far this way. My heart hurts for all the people affected by this. And praying that eyes will be opened.

I grew up in a 70's Doomsday Cult. Her message may be different, but trust me, she is/was a Cult leader. I watched this documentary and it was all too familiar.

The higher the hair, the closer to god. She’s obviously very close to god.

Sadly I fell for Weigh Down and eventually joined Remnant. I was rescued by former Remnant/WD members- Thank God. Her story/life is full of caution for us all. Be careful- run at warning signs.

It really wasn't just "eating less." Her ideas were around seeing how little you could eat. If you look at photos of her through the twenty-five years, you'll see how she herself got thinner and thinner and weirder and weirder as her hair got crazier and crazier as did her personal life and her position of ultimate authority within her self-created church. If anyone reading this wants to get a very good look at just how weird she had become, watch her engagement and/or wedding videos here on KZfaq. It's undeniable that she and her faithful followers believed she deserved some sort of Disney Princess world in which to live. Fascinating.

Thanks for the back story on the folks involved in this tragic crash.

Gwen gave Matthew 9:13 a whole new meaning. "Enter by the narrow gate..."

“If god doesn’t want me to be a false idol and cult leader, may he strike me down!”

I was a weigh down student. Yes you are correct. A cult leader describes her perfectly. I attended in the late 1990s before she started her church. She had not married Lara yet. We got a box of videos and watched them. She did guilt the students into not eating. I was losing 5 pounds a week! Hallelujah! It was mind control. I survived. I felt brainwashed. It was an effort. I had to break away. Anyhow., I didn’t morn her loss. Many others weren’t as lucky as I was in trying to break away. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

I find it hilarious that someone who taught against gluttony and greed would die in a private jet crash. Oh the irony.

Whenever someone, in this case big hair Lara, tells you that God gave them a message for you...RUN. God knows your address. If He has a message for you, He knows where you are. Whenever someone, in this case big hair Lara, tells you they are a prophet...RUN...as fast as you can.

Oh lawd I'd be doomed on all fronts. Dr. Grande, you are the only person I know who can take such a bizarre topic and make it funny (still giggling over "you sit next to a guy for years studying the bible and then BOOM! Spawn of Satan") and compassionate. I have thought for years that the subject of nutrition was equally controversial as the subject of religion. I had no idea somebody had actually combined the two! Terrifying.

I refuse to laugh at your dry humor doc but the "fit thru the gates of heaven" bit had me cryin' 😭😭😭. Keep up the good work !

I love your dry sense of humor. Matter of fact your sense of humor along with your factual content is the main reason I am addicted to watching your videos. BUT that picture that you chose of Copeland sent me spraying coffee out of my nose. Lmao. He looks like a crazy 🤪 man. Thank you so much for the laughs.

Love that pic of Kenneth Copeland. It makes him look honest and modest and not even a little bit crazy...

On behalf on all Tennesseeans such as myself; we are not this wacko.

Dr. Grande: you hit yet another case out of the ballpark! Many of the cases that you examine I've never heard of. However I'm very familiar with every serial killer case you've covered as I am a true crime buff, with many books about individual serial killers around the world. It's cool that you analyze cases I'm unaware of, 'cause I never grow tired of learning about the legalities and psychological aspects of criminal behavior. Plus, your presentation "style" is laidback and evenhanded, but never boring.

".. everybody has to lose weight in order to, I guess, fit through the Gates of Heaven". Too hilarious.

Me thinks Gwen's ego was too fat to get through the pearly gates.

YES! I’m so glad you’re going over this, Dr. Grande. About 5 or 6 years ago I met a girl in Nashville who was extremely involved with the Remnant Church in Brentwood, TN. She took me there for what she said would be a regular service... the ENTIRE thing was about this Weigh down program and how much it was per month (every person in there paid a certain amount a month for this women’s stupid app!! Like an iPhone app!). Anyway, since my new friend was so involved in the church, I was introduced to a LOT of people. They all seemed very nice, but almost too nice... it was weird!!! It was soooo cultish (this was before I knew ANYTHING about this place’s history...). After the “service” about 10 or 12 of us went out to dinner afterwards. All in all, I never went back and when I told this new friend of mine that I was not interested in joining that church which I now know to be a cult, she unfriended, unfollowed, and completely just deleted me out of her life. I soon figured out that place and Gwen’s teachings have lead to multiple children dying!!! From what I know it was from punishment’s such as locking a kid in the closet, but these were things the church goers learned from this crazy Gwen cult woman. A nightmare and I’m soooo glad I never went back!!!! I had such an icky feeling there.

I love your sense of humor, you say things “without skipping a beat “ ha ha love it , I enjoy your work!

I bought into her diet plan... it worked but when I learned all the leaders for the diet club had to move to Tennessee and live near Shamblin-Lara then I knew it was a cult. Also, the diet was fine but then I was being flooded with messages about their church. I told the group leader I already belonged to a church. I got out. This was ALL about $$$ Fat was sinful apparently GREED was ok. Just look at her clothes, lifestyle and make up...Tammy Faye all over again. I am sorry she died but glad the deception has ended. Their church had no crosses... Another sign of a cult. And her books were all about God and Jesus was just a really neat guy. Not the Savior of the World. That's the true definition of a cult. No Cross, No Jesus, No Trinity. Just Gwen!

Grande is owning the shade, as always.

Jan Crouch's hair had an illicit relationship with a can of aquanet and look what was wrought

Back when I worked for Papa John's, I delivered many a pizza to her church, and her giant house in Brentwood. At the store, we'd always refer to her orders as "the cult". But I'm not gonna lie, they were great tippers. Another driver and I once delivered 200 pizzas to the church. We BOTH got $100 tips. Even though we always made fun of them, we personally loved delivering to them because you'd always get (at the very least) a double digit tip, even if it was just a single pie.

Eating less is definitely not "common sense" in the USA.

Not being disrespectful but by looking at her she not only had an eating disorder but promoted it as well...

The way Dr.Todd throws shade so subtly gets me every time

Charles Manson once said, "You have to keep people in a constant state of fear."

Saturday. Having a Dr. Grande video binge-watch. It was neither planned nor scheduled.

My Mom would drag me to the weigh down workshops at church when I was young teen. My mom has remained thin but I’m pretty sure she has an eating disorder now. The meetings were intense, lots of guilt and pressure and emotional “testimonies” and they also did weigh in days in front of everyone. I remember talking about food as an Idol and verses like “he must increase, I must decrease” were prooftexted to make women think they needed to be small.

I can tell just by looking at that lady she was certified nuts; her husband latched on because she was hauling in the cash. Another scammer / con lady in the name of setting up as a church.

I always enjoy your videos, great insight and information-never stop. I always enjoy your subtle dry humor too!

The dry humor in this cracks me up ❤️😂

Thank you for doing this. Our society needs to be more aware of the dangers of cults and organized religion as well. Separation of church and state is good but allowing religious organizations to control and abuse people in the name of religious liberty is certifiably insane.

Who else laughed out loud at the Kenneth Copeland picture?

The orange tone, the hairspray, the lavish homes, the "I'm the only one" messaging, total obedience, shady real estate deals and grifting all sound vaguely familiar for some reason.

Thank you Dr. Grande, I like much your assessment of people, cults, sound doctrine, reason, & good Christian faith. What is healthy is more important than mere weight measurement because we look at physical & emotional/mental components. We should all focus on what we as individuals are called to do, not discerning others callings. To be obsessed & fixated on appearance, is unhealthy. To love others unconditionally, & want for their genuine best, is paramount.

"Faith-based wieght-loss" lol what a bunch of lunatics

My church actually embraced this back in the day and I remember very heavy people losing a ton of weight-- I had no idea the backstory! Thanks for educating us on everything from Britney Spears to cults. 👍👍

I got to hand it to you dr. Grande your sense of humor never gets old! Before I die, I will have to have breast reduction surgery so that I can easily squeeze through the Gates of heaven! Never heard of this woman the Tarzan guy or that diet plan either as I never had any desire to lose any weight or become part of some religion. My life Quest has been to be as strong tone and muscular as possible without going to the gym or working out.

She developed a cult that was part Mormon part Scientology and part Jehovah Witness, and a whole lot of her own brand of crazy, but not one once of Christian.

Ever notice the religions that ostracize members when they begin to think for themselves? FLDS, Scientology, Amish and now Skinny Lara

Funny how ones anointed status in a so called church couldn’t save them from a terrifying death falling from the sky.

It’s 11:11 AM here in Mendo Ca. Dr. Grande.. I’m digging on that color! Do you have your bear slippers on this morning! LOL… Hope you’re doing well, this is a good one!! I didn’t see it back when you first posted, fascinating… As usual your delivery is perfection.Thinking of the weight issue thing… I was fortunate I had a pretty smart nurse mother, she showed me my little fist when I was a little girl and said this is a portion, it’s good to not overindulge.. I was a smart little girl I got it then! I was brought up if you see somebody heavy, possibly they are padding up for protection… Never judge… Thank you again..

what you could hold in your hand, will never last, what you hold in your heart will last for ever

Great definition of cults. Sounds like alot of religions I know. When you explain things it makes them SO clear & absurdities very obvious! Thanks for all you do Dr G🤗💕💟

Where's the part where she got the lead role in "The Dark Crystal"? She has to be the most successful Muppet of all time!

Hello Dr.Grande I just read about this gal a couple of days ago and you came up in my feed.I havent watched TV.In yrs .So I donnot keep up with the latest.I can only speak for myself, test the waters so to speak.If someone says oh yeah that lake water is warm.I may not take his word for it.I may have to go stick my foot in the water to see for myself because the water may actually be to cold for me.So now I know for myself.What is good for one person may not be good for me.Instead of just going with the flow test the waters so to speak and find out for yourself.Anyways Dr.Grande always good to hear your professional opinion.Much Love to you and yours.💜

Dr. Grande you are so funny I don't know how you say those funny lines without cracking up. Its a miracle! Thank you for being so entertaining and creative.

The picture of Kenneth Copeland you included in the video, along with the Bible Study/Jim scenario gave me my laugh for the day. You're awesome, Dr Grande, don't ever change!

Interesting that her previous husband David, lost his weight after she divorced him. Anyone else notice this? My heart does go out finally to those in her family that lost loved ones in this entire tragedy. I hope the remainder of the Church people are helped to deprogram! So sad! Excellent analogy!👍

With every piece of my being , thank you for choosing that picture of Kenneth Copeland

Love the photo that you chose for Copeland. LOL....

So my Dad was raised in a cult.. and no matter how many times I read or tell him the definition of a cult.. NEVER have any of him or his siblings admitted its a cult. Guess that is part of the programming?

Ironic how she would tout weight loss when her hair had 40lbs of product in it.

The Weigh Down philosophy simply was, 'wait till you are genuinely hungry, and when it hits, eat what you want, but eat until you were sufficiently satisfied', I think it was, 'wait for the growl' in your stomach. It works, but one really needs to be sensible, and with any diet, requires discipline, perseverance and commitment. I honestly think Gwen Shamblin lost her way due to greed and ego.

I just cannot understand how anyone can take advice from a person so deluded she wears her hair and make-up like that. None of us can help how we look as far as facial features, body type, often even our weight if we have eating disorders... but make-up and hair styles are a choice. To look that way she was clearly surrounded by people who just told her what she wanted to hear and she had a very distorted self image.

She clearly didn’t know the difference between dieting and fasting.

Shamblin? More like Shambles... * dad laughter commences *

OH I DO LOVE YOU Dr Todd Grande you are such an easy listen to relaxation hour for me when i visit your station thanks love from England UK

Dr.Grande, I enjoyed hearing ur thoughts on this story. Thank u.

She might have missed the fine print of Matthew 15:11 What goes into a man's mouth does not make him `unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him `unclean.'"

I did that weigh down program years ago. I basically ate less and lost about 10 pounds over about 3 months I guess. It was nice to do the Bible study with a small group but I didn’t get into the extreme. Later on I heard that she had some strange and off beliefs. She lost a lot of support from mainstream. Lost track of her and wow she went the way of Tammy Fay. And she looked anorexic.

Another good analysis. Similarly, I'd be interested to know what Dr. Grande thinks about extreme weight loss programs such as "The Biggest Loser. "

Such an interesting video … thanks for sharing!

Cult= blind worship of grandios narcissism on a mass scale. Most of the victims have deeproted trauma and are co-dependents.

This is so sick. As someone dealing with Anorexia Nervosa most of my life, I KNOW what I'm looking at. She needs help. And she's pushing Anorexia Nervosa on others. I know the hell she's going through, I feel for her... Up until she tells OTHERS to pray when they're hungry. SHE HAS A SEVERE EATING DISORDER. Ugh.

Splendid, you're worth your weight in gold on this analysis, Dr.

I do remember my mom doing the Weigh Down program. Didn’t know it was such a controversial backstory to it. I think the group at our church disbanded and I don’t remember anyone losing much weight.

I mean we already tend to see fatter people are morally bad so she really just played into a strongly held belief and took it to the extreme

Although, this is a real tragedy, with so many loosing their lives; Its a given where I come from, never trust a preacher with big hair.

The picture of Kenneth Copeland made me laugh out loud. 😂

Thank you for the analysis Dr it is much appreciated.

The photo at 3:23 may be the most Kenneth Copeland photo that exists of Kenneth Copeland.

Tarzan series actor Joe Lara- In other words- not well known. Gotta love it because it’s true. Never heard of this woman either.🤠

What I remember in the 80s and 90s, all that mattered was being thin. It was ok to be mean, poor, snobby, ugly, not very bright...that could all be overlooked by being thin. It was like being fat was the worst thing ever

Another great video. As a Christian I appreciate the way you covered this. God bless you Dr. Grande.

I was in the Weigh Down Workshop for a long time, but never joined the church. The Workshop started from a very good place and was very effective for me. It was not a cult at that point. But Gwen started to take her own fame much too seriously, founded the church, and it all descended a cult.

“Somehow she has special knowledge that has escaped theologians” Like Regina George, Her hair is big bc it’s full of secrets

Thank you for your professional research and opinion doctor.

Bravo Dr. Grande. So many struggling and hurting people out there, they don’t need to fall into traps set by these hypocrites.