They can't harm you, if they can't find you! Use code CULT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/cult At just 18 years old, Donna Lamb arrived in New York City dreaming of becoming an actress—only to be recruited into s*x work on her second day in the city. After dr*gs, vi*olence, and a terrifying encounter that made her fear for her life, Donna escaped that world but soon found herself pulled into Aesthetic Realism, a high-control group that she says attempted to change her s*xuality, dictated relationships and even s*x, and demanded devotion to its founder, Eli Siegel. Now 77, Donna shares how she finally reclaimed her own voice after decades of surrendering her autonomy. Watch our follow up live stream with Donna: https://www.youtube.com/live/NRgASqsYa_8?si=cn-R1xUo3gWfx82n Find and support Donna! Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/donnalamb330/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@DonnaLambSpeaks Substack: https://donnalamb.substack.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/donna.lamb.528 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-lamb-295188144/ Website: https://donnalamb.com/   Chapter Marks 00:00 Coming Up 00:01:48 Meet Donna Lamb 00:06:19 Donna's ChiIdhood & Dream of Becoming an Actress 00:11:36 Moving to New York at 18 00:13:11 A Stranger Approaches Her at the Bank 00:14:49 Her First Experience With S*x Work 00:18:09 Trying to Leave It Behind 00:19:01 Being Recruited Again 00:21:37 Meeting Her Pimp 00:25:16 Life as an Independent Call Girl 00:26:21 The 17-Year-Old Donna Decided to Save 00:29:20 Her Pimp Finds Out 00:30:08 "Where's Bonnie?" 00:32:46 The Moment Everything Broke 00:35:45 Drugs & Hitting Rock Bottom 00:36:08 Walking Away From S*x Work 00:38:03 How Aesthetic Realism Entered Her Life 00:49:22 Vulnerability Turns Into Devotion 00:50:29 The Cult Begins Taking Over Everything 00:55:36 "You Have to Become Straight" 00:58:02 Aesthetic Realism Takes Its Message National 00:59:30 Donna Is Asked to Help "Change" Lesbians 01:02:32 The Relentless Criticism & Control 01:03:10 Being Pushed Into Relationships With Men 01:06:23 How the Cult Controlled S*x 01:10:42 The Beginning of the End 01:17:42 Donna Starts Defying the Group 01:19:47 Escaping in 2001 01:30:19 Using Her Story to Help Others 01:31:33 Donna's "Linda, Listen" — It's Never Too Late Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/ Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness https://www.tiktok.com/@cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon https://twitter.com/cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**