Ashlen Hilliard delves into the world of cults

Ashlen Weltz (Hilliard), MSc, PSS is the next generation of Cult Intervention Specialists. Her work has been featured in prominent media outlets like Hulu, NewsNation, HuffPost, and BET+. The public remains fascinated by cults, and in her show, Ashlen explores the psychology of destructive groups, and the individuals who become entangled in them, using education and storytelling as powerful tools for intervention.

Ashlen's early interest in the dynamics of belief and influence was ignited by her upbringing in Utah, where she was surrounded by a unique blend of culture, religion, and history. This curiosity drew her back to Utah after college, where she worked as a case manager supporting individuals exiting diverse Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamous communities across the West. This challenging and sometimes dangerous work shaped her to be a fierce advocate for survivors.

In 2022, Ashlen founded People Leave Cults, offering intervention and recovery resources for survivors and concerned loved ones. As one of the few Cult Intervention Specialists in the country, Ashlen consults with a team of experts to develop personalized intervention strategies for families that have a loved one involved in a range of coercive situations, including cults, gangs, domestic violence, trafficking, and violent extremism.

Previous to creating People Leave Cults, Ashlen's expertise was further strengthened by her MSc in the Psychology of Coercive Control. Her published research, Understanding Reproductive Coercion in Cults and Destructive Group Settings, was the first exploratory analysis of the complex experiences of individuals who have experienced reproductive coercion while under the influence of a cultic or destructive group. She also served as the Director of Events for the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), organizing regional and international events, workshops, and conferences for those affected by the cult phenomena and psychological manipulation.

In addition to her work with People Leave Cults, Ashlen is also an active volunteer co-organizer of the Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education (SAFE) Meetups where she resides in Portland, Oregon. She is also the Executive Producer for the upcoming indie film Beyond the Fence, a coming-of-age drama about four sisters fighting to escape the violent cult in which they were raised.