Untold: Opus Dei
Religion & Spirituality
About
Financial Times reporter Antonia Cundy uncovers how a little-known group within the Catholic Church has come to wield outsized cultural and political influence in America. Opus Dei exists to help people get closer to God, but some members say they found other agendas – and unexpected harm – entangled in that spiritual mission. In this series, Antonia hears stories from insiders who describe how boundaries within Opus Dei are often blurred: how guidance becomes control, how privacy becomes secrecy and how spiritual belief becomes political ideology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Toxic Legacy: Bonus episode with Samantha Power
This bonus episode of Untold: Opus Dei features Laura Hughes interviewing Samantha Power, former head of USAID. They discuss Power's interest in lead poisoning, global efforts to combat it, and new UK government plans for lead testing.
- Opus Dei, Ep. 4: The closest tabernacle to the White House
Opus Dei's Washington DC bookshop and events space is described as a central networking hub for a growing conservative movement, with many prominent right-wing figures associated with it. This podcast has been edited to remove an unverifia…
- Opus Dei, Ep. 3: Snow on the mountaintops
This episode explores the connections between influential conservative think-tanks at elite universities and the moral and political teachings offered at Opus Dei student centers, questioning the nature of the link between them.
- Opus Dei, Ep. 2: Formation
This episode of Untold: Opus Dei discusses the founder's teachings on continuous spiritual formation and character development. It also examines potential discrepancies between Opus Dei's views and official Church teachings, particularly r…
- Opus Dei, Ep. 1: Whistling
In Opus Dei, Ep. 1: Whistling, Sarah is drawn to Opus Dei's message of work as holiness. Upon joining at 18, she encounters unexpected rules, obedience demands, and dehumanizing treatment.
- Introducing Untold: Opus Dei
The Financial Times launches a new season of Untold focused on Opus Dei. Host Antonia Cundy will investigate the organization's influence and members' experiences, with the first episode available March 25.
- FT long read: The Broker
This episode details the rise of Will Somerindyke, who transformed from a failed baseball player and stockbroker into a significant arms dealer. His company became a key supplier for conflicts like those in Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine, event…
- Tech Tonic: Defying death
This episode delves into the science of aging, examining its biological processes and the quest to slow or reverse it. It covers the history of aging research, current drug developments, and the growing consumer interest in longevity.
- Swamp Notes: The Bethlehem Project
Swamp Notes: The Bethlehem Project explores US political and economic issues through the perspective of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This episode features stories on immigration enforcement and the experiences of growing up in Donald Trump's A…
- Toxic Legacy, Ep. 3: The Whisper and Scream
This episode of Untold: Opus Dei's Toxic Legacy series examines a fatal case of lead poisoning in a toddler and discusses the extensive systemic reforms required in housing, environmental, and food standards to prevent future occurrences.
- Toxic Legacy, Ep. 2: Painted Over
This episode of Untold: Opus Dei, "Toxic Legacy, Ep. 2: Painted Over," examines the dangers of lead paint in UK housing. Host Laura Hughes talks to families whose children have been poisoned by lead paint in their homes, exploring risks as…
- Toxic Legacy, Ep. 1: Silent Danger
Laura Hughes investigates dead horses in Wales, discovering research into an undetectable environmental danger that causes illness. Information on safe cohabitation with lead is available on the LEAPP Alliance website.
- Introducing Untold: Toxic Legacy
Introducing "Toxic Legacy," a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. Host Laura Hughes explores a lead poisoning epidemic in the UK, detailing how the invisible toxin can harm the human body.
- Vote for The Retreat in the Signal Awards!
The Retreat, a podcast from Untold: Opus Dei, has been nominated for a Signal Award in the Health and Wellness category. This is a listener's choice award, and votes are encouraged.
- The Retreat, Ep. 5: The Insiders
This episode of The Retreat features former volunteers from the Goenka network who share their concerns about the psychological support provided during retreats. They discuss instances where individuals reportedly experienced psychological…
- Power for Sale, Ep. 4: Business as Usual
With elections approaching and reports of foreign interference in the European Parliament, the reporting team provides an update on the investigation and the suspects involved.
- Power for Sale, Ep. 3: Belgiangate
The Qatargate investigation stalled despite apparent Belgian evidence. This episode features insights from the prosecution regarding the challenges faced.
- Power for Sale, Ep. 2: Ocean’s Eleven
Valentina and the investigative reporting team examine wiretap transcripts and surveillance footage from Belgian intelligence to identify those involved in a scandal and understand its workings.
- Power for Sale, Ep. 1: 'Bags full of money'
In the first episode of "Power for Sale" from the "Untold: Opus Dei" show, Eva Kaili shares her experience of raids and arrests at the European parliament, detailing the unfolding scandal and the events of the day from her viewpoint.
- Introducing Untold: Power for Sale
This episode introduces 'Untold: Power for Sale,' a new season from the Financial Times. It focuses on the Qatargate scandal, where EU lawmakers faced accusations of accepting payments from Qatar.
- The Retreat, Ep. 4: Another Death
In The Retreat, Ep. 4, Madison Marriage investigates a death that occurred five years prior to Jaqui’s, questioning the Goenka network's awareness and actions regarding the dangers of intensive meditation.
- The Retreat, Ep. 3: Jaqui’s Story
This episode details the story of Jaqui, who died after attending a 10-day Goenka retreat at the age of 22. Resources for meditation-related adverse experiences and mental health support are provided.
- The Retreat, Ep. 2: Ten Long Days
This episode of Untold: Opus Dei explores the negative experiences, including terror and psychosis, reported by individuals following a Goenka meditation retreat. It questions whether meditation itself was the catalyst or if the retreats c…
- The Retreat, Ep. 1: Dear Madison
Stephen details the concerning changes in his twin daughters over five years, leading him to believe intensive meditation retreats are responsible. The episode mentions resources for those affected by adverse meditation experiences and pro…
- Introducing Untold: The Retreat
The Financial Times launches a new podcast series, "Untold: The Retreat," hosted by Madison Marriage. The series explores the Goenka network