1 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: When she does come out someday, because I do have 2 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:10,520 Speaker 1: hope that she will, she'll know that we did this 3 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: because we love her. 4 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 2: Welcome back to forgive me for I have followed. I'm 5 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 2: Jess Cossabetto and. 6 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:23,800 Speaker 3: I'm Kalia Gray. Our series explores the story of Robert Chin, 7 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 3: the Eli Basha kind of Church, and Seven M Films. 8 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 3: This week we have Melanie Wilking, an incredible dancer content creator. 9 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 3: She was also heavily featured in the documentary Dancing for 10 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:39,200 Speaker 3: the Double. Miranda and Melanie used to create content together. 11 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 3: They had a brand called the Wilking Sisters, which they 12 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:45,680 Speaker 3: built as a unit. So Melanie today is going to 13 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:48,519 Speaker 3: share more of her story about how her and her 14 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 3: sister came in contact with Kina Church and how Miranda 15 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 3: was lured deeper into the seven M organization and what 16 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 3: that caused for their brand and their family as a whole. 17 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 2: And Melanie and her parents that live really did blow 18 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:06,839 Speaker 2: the lid off this story and is really what introduced 19 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 2: us into it as well, and we appreciate them for 20 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 2: doing it and the courage that it took because it 21 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,839 Speaker 2: really did spread so much awareness about what was happening. 22 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,479 Speaker 3: And just the tenacity of the Wilkings as a whole, 23 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:20,479 Speaker 3: and what they have been able to do to try 24 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 3: to reach back out to their daughter, their sister, their 25 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 3: family member in such an intense environment like Chicaina and 26 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 3: seven m. 27 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:32,479 Speaker 2: I can only imagine the emotional toll that it took 28 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:35,760 Speaker 2: on the family and through the last couple of years 29 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 2: having so many conversations with them and building a friendship 30 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:42,959 Speaker 2: with them. There was so much that wasn't shared in 31 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 2: the documentary, and so I'm excited to have this conversation 32 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 2: with her so we can go deeper into maybe some 33 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:49,560 Speaker 2: things that people don't know about. 34 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 3: And now our conversation with. 35 00:01:52,080 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 2: Melanie's Melanie, thank you so much for joining us today. 36 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 4: Thank you for having me. 37 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 2: I feel like I haven't seen you in a long time, 38 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:08,360 Speaker 2: so it really is so great to see you on camera. 39 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 2: Your hair is always looking fantastic, so. 40 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 4: You're so sweet. Thank you, And it's great to be reconnected. 41 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 1: I know, I felt like during filming of the documentary 42 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: we saw each other so much and talk so much 43 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 1: and that it kind of just stopped. So it's like, Okay, 44 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:24,799 Speaker 1: this is great to reconnect and chat. 45 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 2: Well, I don't like the distance, so we should make 46 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 2: it a point to stay in contact. But how are 47 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 2: you doing? How are you and your parents doing? 48 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 4: Doing? Okay? 49 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: You know, under the circumstances, it's kind of crazy, but 50 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: it's like life goes on. You have to find those 51 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 1: positivities in your life and try to have joy. But 52 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 1: I will say it hasn't stopped us trying to reconnect 53 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: with my sister or doing things to try to help, 54 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: like the documentary me doing this, like still trying to 55 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: share our story and help in any way we can, 56 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 1: and I know my parents especially, it's still an everyday 57 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 1: occurrence of what can we do? What can we say? 58 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:07,680 Speaker 1: Should I reach out? Should I just keep my distance? 59 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 1: You know, there is no textbook, this is what you do, 60 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 1: follow these steps. So yeah, it's still very much we 61 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 1: don't really know what to do, but we're going to 62 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 1: just try to do what we think is best at 63 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 1: the time, So do it, okay. 64 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 3: Since the documentary has been released, how has it been 65 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 3: like for you specifically, like the response of the people 66 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 3: around you, your community, Just how has the documentary affected 67 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:31,679 Speaker 3: your life? 68 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 4: Now? 69 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: I will say it was overwhelmingly positive the response that 70 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: we got, and there was just so much support and love, 71 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 1: and not that I thought that people weren't going to 72 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 1: be supportive, but it was just like, oh my gosh, 73 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: on a global scale too, I'm getting reached out from 74 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 1: people all over the world and really just being thankful 75 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: for us sharing our story, or people reaching out saying, 76 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: you know, I'm in a similar situation and this gave 77 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: me maybe some tips in how to reconnect with my 78 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: loved one, or you know, parents saying I watch this 79 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 1: with my teen children and they're learning about signs that 80 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: they can look out for when it comes to these 81 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: high controlled groups. And it doesn't even have to be 82 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:20,480 Speaker 1: necessarily a group. It could be one person, a relationship. 83 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 4: You never know. 84 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 1: It was just wild to me how many people it impacted. 85 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 1: And I'm just very thankful that we had you guys 86 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 1: and such a great support system to put this together 87 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,160 Speaker 1: and so very happy with the outcome. 88 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:38,800 Speaker 2: Well that makes me really happy, because I know it 89 00:04:38,839 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 2: was not an easy decision for you and your parents 90 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 2: to participate in the documentary, but leading up to it, 91 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:48,159 Speaker 2: you had started to establish a relationship again with Miranda, 92 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 2: and I think that there was just this overall overwhelming 93 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 2: feeling of concern that the documentary being released would change that. 94 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 2: But from the outside perspective, it's seen that you guys 95 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 2: aren't communicating anymore. Is that the case? 96 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,359 Speaker 1: Sadly, No, And I think that's another thing. When the 97 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:10,919 Speaker 1: documentary came out, Thankfully, I did not have the expectation 98 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: that my sister would come out as well. I think 99 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:16,280 Speaker 1: for me, I hoped that maybe she saw it and 100 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:20,160 Speaker 1: maybe it made her think about some things. For my parents, 101 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: I think that's different. I think they were really hoping 102 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 1: that she was going to get out. 103 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:26,039 Speaker 4: Of this group. 104 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:30,720 Speaker 1: But thankfully I wasn't completely shattered after and knew that 105 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 1: this was going to put a strain on our relationship. 106 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 1: But I had to think about the big picture and 107 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 1: when she does come out someday, because I do have 108 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:42,840 Speaker 1: hope that she will, she'll know that we did this 109 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: because we love her, because we want to share, and 110 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:49,599 Speaker 1: we don't want other people to fall victim of this group. 111 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 4: So unfortunately No. I did reach. 112 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: Out after, and I was in California, reached out to 113 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:00,719 Speaker 1: try to see her. Didn't end up seeing her, but 114 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:05,720 Speaker 1: she has talked to my grandmother through text here and 115 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 1: there and now just recently. My mom very short, pretty 116 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: surface level, but it's something and so I think that's 117 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,839 Speaker 1: something that we've kind of learned too, is they come 118 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 1: back around. You know, we did our live stream because 119 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:23,040 Speaker 1: we were completely cut off, so we kind of had 120 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: nothing else to lose. 121 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 4: That's kind of how I feel about all this, like 122 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 4: me speaking out, what do I have to lose? 123 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:31,919 Speaker 1: You know, she already is gone in my eyes, so 124 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 1: anything I can do that when she does get out, 125 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: she'll know that we kept continuing to fight for her. 126 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: So thankfully she is coming back a little bit and 127 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 1: hopefully that continues to grow. 128 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 2: Fingers crossed. 129 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 3: Thank you, honestly, and I did want to personally thank 130 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 3: you and your parents. I know it must have been 131 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,919 Speaker 3: such a difficult decision to sit and make that live 132 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 3: because it really did blow the lid off of the thing. 133 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 3: It got a lot of the public talking and people 134 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 3: interested and questions that were already being asked on the inside. 135 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:07,919 Speaker 3: It really exasperated that. So just for me to you 136 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 3: thank you so much. I know it was hard, but 137 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 3: it helped a lot of people in a lot of 138 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 3: different ways. 139 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 4: Thank you. That's honestly like the thing that keeps me going. 140 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: It's like we set our piece and then it actually 141 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: made some sort of change, even though it was like 142 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 1: such a chaotic video and like, I can't even listen 143 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: to it. 144 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 4: I don't know what we were saying. 145 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 1: It was terrible, but it helped people, yeah, kind of 146 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 1: get validated and maybe some of the things that you 147 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 1: are already thinking. 148 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 4: So thank you. I'm very glad. 149 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 3: Before we get deeper into that, I do kind of 150 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 3: want to take it back a little bit to how 151 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 3: you and your sister first started your dance career together, 152 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 3: because I don't really know much about the history of 153 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 3: the Woking sisters. 154 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 1: We started dancing ever since we were very little and 155 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: just continue to love it so much, and I would 156 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: say we got really serious into it probably when we 157 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 1: were in middle school. We started going to these dance 158 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: conventions where it was teachers from LA and choreographers and 159 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 1: you're learning from all these amazing people, and we kind 160 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: of both had the realization that we wanted to do this, like, 161 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 1: let's be dancers, Let's make a career out of this. 162 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: And so when we got older, my sister moved to 163 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 1: California right after her graduation, and that was hard because 164 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: she's two years older than me. 165 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 4: So I stayed back and had to you know, go 166 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 4: to school. 167 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 1: I was still dancing at her dance studio and all that, 168 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: but she was doing her thing in LA and doing amazing, 169 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 1: making connections, working really following. 170 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 4: Her dreams, which was incredible. 171 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:43,680 Speaker 1: And then a year later I came out because during 172 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,439 Speaker 1: the summertimes, my family and I would come to California 173 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:48,959 Speaker 1: and we would train and you know, have a little vacation. 174 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 1: And so that summer we came out to visit Miranda 175 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 1: and my sister and I actually booked a job with 176 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: Radio Disney. We were doing a live stream during one 177 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 1: of the radio shows, and that was as the Wilking Sisters. 178 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: So that's kind of how The Wilking Sisters even really started. 179 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: As we started to do dance videos online when social 180 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 1: media was still fairly new, we were hearing more and 181 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: more about people being these influencers and working with brands 182 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 1: and stuff, and like, well, you know, that sounds really fun. 183 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 4: I think we should try that. So we started doing that. 184 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 1: And then when we started working with Radio Disney, I 185 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: still had one year of high school, but thankfully I 186 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 1: had the support of my school my parents, and I 187 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:38,959 Speaker 1: ended up finishing high school online and stayed out in California. 188 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 1: So that we could continue with the Wilking Sisters brand 189 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:45,520 Speaker 1: because we realized if I went home, that was all 190 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: going to go away. It was going to be separated again. 191 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: So I was like, Okay, I'm going to say we're 192 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: going to figure this out. And yeah, then we just 193 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 1: kept the Wilking Sisters brand going. 194 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,320 Speaker 3: After the break, we continue our conversation with Melanie. This 195 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 3: is forgive me for I have followed. We'll be right back. 196 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:09,960 Speaker 2: Welcome back to forgive me for I have followed. Now 197 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 2: back to our conversation with Melanie. So you moved to La, 198 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 2: You're working, you start this brand. It's going really well. 199 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 2: Flash forward, how were you introduced to Chicaina and seven M. 200 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: My sister's now husband, James bea Dash He was the 201 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 1: one that got introduced first, and we had realized that 202 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 1: he was hanging out with his videographer Isaiah Shin, which 203 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:41,559 Speaker 1: is Robert the pastor's son. All the time they were 204 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:43,719 Speaker 1: hanging out, and at that time we didn't know that 205 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 1: Isiah's dad was a pastor of a church, so we 206 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: just thought they were just friends. 207 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 4: You know, both creatives didn't seem crazy at all, you know. 208 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 4: And then it was during COVID. 209 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: We were at home in Michigan and my sister flew 210 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: out to California to see her boyfriend at the time 211 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:04,479 Speaker 1: now husband, and we still had a place in California, 212 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 1: so where like check on the house, see James, and 213 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 1: when we would talk to her, because we're very much 214 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 1: that family where like I call my parents every single day, 215 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 1: like I'm giving them a play by play of what's 216 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:17,920 Speaker 1: going on in my life and so are they. So 217 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 1: we would talk to Miranda, you know, every day kind 218 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:21,720 Speaker 1: of like what did you do today? 219 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 4: And it was strange because every single. 220 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:28,680 Speaker 1: Day she was at Isaiah's house, which is Robert's house, 221 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: and we're like hmm okay, every day or at their house, 222 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 1: and she wasn't filming any videos. 223 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:39,319 Speaker 4: She was just kind of there. That's what was kind 224 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:40,239 Speaker 4: of interesting. 225 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: And then James told her, oh, he's actually a pastor, 226 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 1: but then he's also helping with my taxes. It was 227 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:51,720 Speaker 1: just kind of strange. But that's when now looking back, 228 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: we believe that Miranda got involved. And then about a 229 00:11:56,640 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: month later, I went out to California in I believe 230 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:04,560 Speaker 1: it was October of twenty twenty, and that's when I 231 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 1: got introduced to them to actually go, so I'd already 232 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: kind of knew about them, knew that it was religious 233 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 1: in some sense. 234 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 4: At this point, I knew Isaiah's dad was a pastor. 235 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: And so I got invited to a dinner and that's 236 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: where I saw firsthand. We're at the dinner table, take 237 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:24,680 Speaker 1: out your Bible app or even before then, when Robert 238 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,920 Speaker 1: came into the room, it was like this man was God. 239 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: Everyone was like, oh, that's him, hello, you know, like 240 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 1: just a weird energy. And to go back a little 241 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:40,680 Speaker 1: bit before I met them, my sister had explained it 242 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:45,199 Speaker 1: like the Shin family were superheroes, and I felt like 243 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 1: that was a little strange that you put them on 244 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 1: such high of a pedestal, and to have that comparison, 245 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,080 Speaker 1: it was just like, hmm, okay. 246 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 3: It's interesting because that's like almost everyone's story. Because I 247 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 3: had a similar story. I was visiting La with Kevin 248 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 3: and you know, he'd known them for a while, and 249 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:03,280 Speaker 3: then I got oh, we're gonna go to a dinner 250 00:13:03,320 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 3: party and I was like, okay, cool, like rooftop la vibes, 251 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,360 Speaker 3: let's do it. And then when I went and it 252 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:10,679 Speaker 3: was the same, Okay, now pulled out your Bibles. 253 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 4: I said, Bibles. Way, where are we right now? Thankfully 254 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 4: I was prepped. 255 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: My sister did tell me that they would read the Bible, 256 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: but she said that you wouldn't have to do anything. 257 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:25,520 Speaker 4: This is just for me to take it in. 258 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 1: And Robert made me read almost every single verse. 259 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 3: Oh wow. 260 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 1: So I got in the car and I was like, 261 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: you lied to me. He made me read everything. I 262 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 1: thought I was an observer exactly. And she's like, well, 263 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: I didn't want you to get freaked out, so she knew. 264 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 1: She knew they were going to throw me to the wolves. 265 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 3: You had gotten a call from Chloe and that was 266 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 3: when alarm bells went off. Can you tell me more 267 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 3: about that. 268 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, they were definitely warning signs up to this point. 269 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 1: But like the first thing that Robert said to me 270 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: is that if I died right now, I'd go to Hell. 271 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:04,520 Speaker 1: And it was just kind of like, really, okay, I 272 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:08,439 Speaker 1: think I'm a good person, and yeah, just really controlling 273 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 1: of your time. You know, Bible studies services are all 274 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 1: several hours and you're seeing them basically every day, and 275 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 1: you also have to be invited to services, so it's 276 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 1: not like oh, open arms church, just show up. 277 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 4: You know, we accept everyone. 278 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 1: No, even if you're in the church, you have to 279 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 1: be invited to go to the service. So this particular 280 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 1: service I was not invited to, and I remember feeling 281 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: some sort of way about it, which is exactly what 282 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 1: they want. They want you to want to work harder 283 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:42,280 Speaker 1: so that you are invited the next time. But I 284 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: remember like it was working on me. I was like 285 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:46,960 Speaker 1: asking my sister, you know, what do you think I did? 286 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 4: What's going on? Whatever? 287 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 1: Thank goodness, I was not invited because, come to find out, 288 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 1: I was actually supposed to be invited to the service, 289 00:14:55,160 --> 00:14:58,920 Speaker 1: but Chloe, who was Robert's daughter, who was my mentor 290 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 1: at the time, she didn't tell me that I was invited, 291 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 1: and so I had already made other plans and I 292 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 1: was taking a friend to the airport and I get 293 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 1: a call from Chloe saying, I'm so sorry. 294 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 4: I just talked to Pastor, which is another red flag. 295 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 1: It's her dad, but she calls him Pastor and she said, 296 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: he really needs you to hear the word today, and 297 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 1: what are the chances you can just drop everything and 298 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 1: come right now. I was like, I'm so sorry, I 299 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:29,080 Speaker 1: already made these plans. I'm not going to leave my 300 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: friend high and dry, like I'll be at the next one. 301 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 1: And it was very adamant, like there's one thing to 302 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:36,160 Speaker 1: want me to be there and I'm so sorry. 303 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 4: I can't make it all good. You can come to 304 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 4: the next one. 305 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 1: This was like, you cannot miss this and you need 306 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: to drop everything and be there, and I was not. 307 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 4: About to do that. 308 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 1: Then after that, I remember telling my sister, this is 309 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 1: not for me. I will never be going back. And 310 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: my sister agreed that it was very strange what had 311 00:15:56,480 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: gone on, and then she, of course sure talk to Chloe, 312 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 1: of course talked to her husband now and it was. 313 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 4: Oh, they just care so much about you, and they 314 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 4: just want you to be there and help you. And 315 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 4: I'm like, I met these people a week ago. They 316 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 4: don't know me like that. 317 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 1: They want something from me, and I'm not going to 318 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: give that to them. 319 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 3: After the break, we continue our conversation with Melanie. This 320 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 3: is forgive me for I have followed. 321 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 2: We'll be right back, welcome back to forgive me for 322 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 2: I have followed. And now more from our conversation with 323 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 2: Melanie Welking. 324 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 3: At the time, were all of the other dancers going 325 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 3: to the church as well, when you had attended the 326 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 3: two services. 327 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:47,640 Speaker 4: Yes, that's what was so enticing about it. It's like, oh, 328 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:48,920 Speaker 4: I look up to these people. 329 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 1: They're also talented, and I want to be there too. 330 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 1: But then when you know, these little things started to 331 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:58,320 Speaker 1: come out, I was like, sorry, it's not worth it. 332 00:16:58,400 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 4: I'll figure it out on my own. 333 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 2: For clarification, Melanie, when you were there, Kalia and Kevin 334 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,440 Speaker 2: were not there, correct, got it because Kalia, you guys 335 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 2: came in a little later. 336 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, we definitely came later. And I think I can 337 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:13,440 Speaker 3: echo that same sentiment where I'm going in and I'm 338 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:15,959 Speaker 3: like meeting all of Kevin's influencer friends. I think for 339 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:18,920 Speaker 3: me it was the first time being around people that 340 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 3: are taking their passions and making a career out of it. 341 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:24,399 Speaker 3: So that was the big like oh my gosh, like 342 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:27,400 Speaker 3: I've been in a ceiling for so long and now 343 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:29,440 Speaker 3: like I can make a career out of my dreams. 344 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 3: And I think for me that's what was, like you said, 345 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:33,920 Speaker 3: really enticing about it. It's like a lot of people 346 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 3: who have done so much work and like have made 347 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:39,000 Speaker 3: something of themselves, and I'm like, Okay, well it looks 348 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 3: like this group is successful. In what they're doing, you know, 349 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:44,359 Speaker 3: and Kevin's known them for so long, so it's like, okay, 350 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 3: let's just join and see what they're doing. And Kevin 351 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:49,119 Speaker 3: and Bidash had a brand at the time, and so 352 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:51,120 Speaker 3: Kevin's like, this is nothing out of the ordinary where 353 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:53,000 Speaker 3: he calls me like, oh, come from Sacramento. I have 354 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:54,879 Speaker 3: jobs to do, so come out and be these jobs 355 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:58,119 Speaker 3: with me. So after you had said noticed all of 356 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 3: the red flags, spoke with Miranda. When did you notice 357 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 3: your relationship with Miranda begin to change? 358 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:04,080 Speaker 2: Was it gradual? 359 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 3: Was it instant? 360 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:07,280 Speaker 4: What was that like? It was? 361 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:11,200 Speaker 1: I would say pretty instant. For the relationship that we had. 362 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 1: We were attached to the best friends, did everything together, 363 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:16,440 Speaker 1: told each other everything. 364 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 4: We were essentially one person. 365 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:22,919 Speaker 1: And so then when this happened, I was seeing the 366 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 1: darkness and what they were trying to do, and my 367 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:30,160 Speaker 1: sister did not. She was just thinking these people are 368 00:18:30,359 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 1: very nice. They live in a nice house, they drive 369 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:37,199 Speaker 1: nice cars, we're reading the Bible. What's wrong with that? 370 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:39,440 Speaker 1: That sort of thing, And of course you're going to 371 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:41,800 Speaker 1: think like, oh, yeah, what is bad about that? But 372 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: I was like, no, it's so much deeper than that. 373 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:47,840 Speaker 1: And she got really distant. We shared a car at 374 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:50,920 Speaker 1: the time, and she would leave and just go all 375 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:53,240 Speaker 1: day and I didn't know where she was, didn't know 376 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 1: what she was doing. 377 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 4: I'm like, hey, kind of stranded at the house now, like, well, 378 00:18:57,800 --> 00:18:59,199 Speaker 4: where are you? What's going on? 379 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 1: And you know, come to find out she's with the 380 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:06,480 Speaker 1: Chins all day. Just certain things like that. James never 381 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 1: came around after I said I was leaving. 382 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:12,280 Speaker 4: It was very brief. I didn't see him very much. 383 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 1: And then whenever I would try to vocalize, you know, 384 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:18,639 Speaker 1: they're going to try to split us apart. They're not 385 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:22,160 Speaker 1: going to let us stay together because I'm not following them, 386 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 1: it would turn into these fights that it was like 387 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:28,400 Speaker 1: we never fought before. If we had a disagreement, we 388 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaker 1: were able to just talk it out and come to 389 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:35,639 Speaker 1: a solution. And those were happening very often, and that 390 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:38,200 Speaker 1: was so scary to me. And I would tell her, 391 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:41,360 Speaker 1: they're going to try to represent you, because I remember 392 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 1: them saying that they were starting this management company now 393 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,920 Speaker 1: known as seven M. I said, they're going to represent you. 394 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 1: We are the Wilking Sisters. That is our brand. I 395 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 1: will never be represented by them. So how do you 396 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:56,240 Speaker 1: think that's going to work. You know, they will try 397 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:57,280 Speaker 1: to separate. 398 00:19:56,920 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 4: Us, and it was no, no, no, I'm still going 399 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 4: to work with you. They won't do that. 400 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:04,560 Speaker 1: Well, everything I said happened like I wanted to shake 401 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: her and be like, why can't you see this? 402 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 4: And still that's how it is. 403 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:11,720 Speaker 1: You know, obviously I haven't talked to her, we haven't 404 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 1: been able to have those conversations. And I know that 405 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 1: she's not getting the information, she's not able to see 406 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:20,439 Speaker 1: everything that has come out. But it's just so hard 407 00:20:21,040 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 1: to see your loved one in these situations when it's 408 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:27,960 Speaker 1: like I was seeing it so clearly and like seeing 409 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 1: my life blow up right in my face. 410 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:31,199 Speaker 4: It was awful. 411 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 2: So sorry, Mel. 412 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 3: It's so tricky because it's like they'll say no, like 413 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,679 Speaker 3: they are getting the information. We're showing them everything, but 414 00:20:38,760 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 3: it's like, no, you're putting your spin on it. Because 415 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:44,000 Speaker 3: I remember during a service, like Robert would sit and 416 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 3: show line by line things that were happening on social 417 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:50,440 Speaker 3: media but explaining it from his perspective. So it's like, yeah, 418 00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:53,800 Speaker 3: you're showing them, but you're giving your own twists to it, 419 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:57,120 Speaker 3: So it could be your narrative that's being put forward 420 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 3: at the end of the day for sure. 421 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:02,040 Speaker 1: And we all also heard from some members that have 422 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 1: left that it's like, you can look up whatever you want, 423 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:07,760 Speaker 1: you can read up about stuff, but you're inviting the 424 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 1: devil in, so you know that's up to you. The 425 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:13,520 Speaker 1: correct answer for them is don't let the devil in. 426 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:15,399 Speaker 1: So you're not going to look up what's going on. 427 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:17,240 Speaker 1: You're not going to watch these videos. 428 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:19,720 Speaker 3: There was this like Friday meeting where they had all 429 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:22,680 Speaker 3: of the women sit and watch this scary movie. That 430 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 3: just reinforced that idea because it was like, oh, we're 431 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:27,000 Speaker 3: gonna do movie nights, which is like, okay, we'll all 432 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:30,119 Speaker 3: get together, we'll watch some films, and like the first 433 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 3: one we watched was like whatever, but then the second 434 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:34,920 Speaker 3: one was like a horror film where when anybody would 435 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:37,480 Speaker 3: see the riding on the wall, they would become possessed. 436 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:40,119 Speaker 3: And then it was a whole conversation of like, oh see, 437 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 3: you could look at it, you can see it, but 438 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:46,159 Speaker 3: remember the movie. It invites the devil in, and wow, 439 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 3: not the movie propaganda being pushed on us right now, 440 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:50,320 Speaker 3: that's really crazy. 441 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:52,679 Speaker 4: So yeah, that's exactly it. 442 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 1: It's like, yeah, read up on whatever, watch these videos, 443 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:58,000 Speaker 1: get information, but yeah, you're letting the devil in and 444 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:01,119 Speaker 1: then you're setting yourself back on your or walk with God. 445 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 1: It's so sad because you know, my sister did not 446 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: watch the documentary. You know, she's very filtered in what 447 00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: she sees, so it's difficult. 448 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,159 Speaker 3: I can also see them sitting down and watching the 449 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 3: documentary together with them pausing it and being like, see no, 450 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:19,320 Speaker 3: this and that, remember that, and like just twisting it 451 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:22,080 Speaker 3: in a way to where it's like because I think 452 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:24,879 Speaker 3: all of them have mentioned in their own communities like 453 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:27,680 Speaker 3: the whole documentary was just one sided and biased and 454 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:29,879 Speaker 3: they didn't want to hear our side. But we know 455 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 3: how that goes for sure. 456 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:33,560 Speaker 2: Correct me if I'm wrong. But your family had shared 457 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:35,320 Speaker 2: with her that you guys were going to participate in 458 00:22:35,359 --> 00:22:37,400 Speaker 2: the documentary. She was aware of it before it came out. 459 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:40,439 Speaker 1: She knew when we were filming. We told her that 460 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:44,199 Speaker 1: we were already doing this. Of course, she pleaded with 461 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:46,879 Speaker 1: us to not do this, and at that point we 462 00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:49,000 Speaker 1: were like, I'm so sorry, this is what we feel 463 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:50,720 Speaker 1: is best, but we just want to let you know 464 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:53,680 Speaker 1: so that you're not blindsided when this thing comes out 465 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:57,400 Speaker 1: and that was well before the documentar was ever released. 466 00:22:57,760 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, and just for anyone that had question about it. 467 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 2: As a production, we have to reach out to the 468 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:06,400 Speaker 2: subjects that are being discussed in documentaries, and they were 469 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:09,400 Speaker 2: aware of it from our side as well. But why 470 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 2: do you think that she responded the way that she did? 471 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:14,360 Speaker 2: Do you think that was orchestrated by Robert? 472 00:23:14,880 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 4: Absolutely? 473 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:19,720 Speaker 1: That's another thing that's been frustrating for us is why 474 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:21,560 Speaker 1: is Miranda always the spokesperson? 475 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:23,120 Speaker 4: Why is she the. 476 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 1: One that has to come out and have these statements 477 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:29,400 Speaker 1: and these videos and no one else. This whole thing 478 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 1: is about Robert shann and he's a pastor. 479 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:33,400 Speaker 4: How can you. 480 00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:37,040 Speaker 1: Not stand up for your church and yourself and your people? 481 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:40,360 Speaker 1: Why are people not coming out to back him up? 482 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 1: It's just always a. 483 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:42,600 Speaker 4: Tax on everyone else. 484 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:46,359 Speaker 1: So I have to believe that she's probably being told 485 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 1: what to say, and for some reason, she is the 486 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:53,080 Speaker 1: spokesperson for the whole group. I do not understand that. 487 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:57,240 Speaker 1: But no one else says anything. It's here Miranda say this. 488 00:23:57,720 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 2: And I noticed that as well, and it was really 489 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:01,520 Speaker 2: hard for me to see. And I'm not her family, 490 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:03,399 Speaker 2: and I agree with you, Mail, I feel like this 491 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:06,119 Speaker 2: would have been a great opportunity for him to step 492 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:08,359 Speaker 2: up to the plate, own his shit. 493 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:11,119 Speaker 3: Be the leader that he says that he is exactly. 494 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 3: It's sad because he really does blame Miranda, like he's like, oh, 495 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:18,200 Speaker 3: you and your parents, and that's why we're in this situation. 496 00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:21,000 Speaker 3: But praise God, we're going to get through it. And 497 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:23,920 Speaker 3: so I feel like part of like the reason why 498 00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:28,119 Speaker 3: she's being made to be the spokesperson. It's like, oh, well, 499 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,919 Speaker 3: because in their mind it's like your family started this. 500 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:34,040 Speaker 3: But the truth is, Robert, your actions over the past 501 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:38,080 Speaker 3: thirty years have culminated to this moment, and like Kevin 502 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:40,679 Speaker 3: likes to say, like, you fucked with the wrong families 503 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,720 Speaker 3: and now you're reaping what you sew. And it's funny 504 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:45,480 Speaker 3: because that's something that he preaches all the time. 505 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:50,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, we're definitely big family people, and we are not 506 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 1: going to give him the satisfaction that he was able 507 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 1: to tear us apart. We are so much stronger than this. 508 00:24:56,680 --> 00:24:59,119 Speaker 1: We're going to stay positive, We're going to continue to 509 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:02,200 Speaker 1: share our stories. But even in the meantime, we're helping 510 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:05,760 Speaker 1: other people get out and you know, connecting with other 511 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:09,159 Speaker 1: people that were affected by this group and it's like 512 00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:11,639 Speaker 1: so much bigger than just my sister. 513 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:24,080 Speaker 2: That concludes the first part of our conversation with Melanie Welking. 514 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:26,520 Speaker 2: There was so much that we wanted to discuss with 515 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 2: Melanie and one episode just wouldn't do it, So. 516 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:32,000 Speaker 5: Lucky for us, we are breaking it down into two 517 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:34,719 Speaker 5: episodes so we can get everything to you guys, So 518 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:37,359 Speaker 5: please join us next week for part two of our conversation, 519 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:39,080 Speaker 5: and trust me, you don't. 520 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 3: Want to miss this one. 521 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:43,200 Speaker 5: Forgive Me For I Have Followed is a production from 522 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:47,880 Speaker 5: WV Sound, Dirty Robert and iHeartMedia's Michael tore podcast network, 523 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:51,679 Speaker 5: hosted by me Kalia Gray and me Jesscossovetto. Forgive Me 524 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:54,159 Speaker 5: For I Have Followed is produced by Aaron Burlson and 525 00:25:54,200 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 5: Sophie Spencer Zavos. 526 00:25:55,640 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 2: Our executive producers are Khalia Gray, myself, Walmer Balderama, Leo 527 00:25:59,680 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 2: Klam and Aaron Burlison at wb Sound. 528 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:05,920 Speaker 5: This episode was edited by Sean Tracy and features original 529 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:09,639 Speaker 5: music by Madison Davenport and Halo Boy. For more podcasts 530 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:13,440 Speaker 5: from iHeart, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 531 00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:14,240 Speaker 5: you listen. 532 00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:16,359 Speaker 3: To your favorite shows. See you next week, See you 533 00:26:16,359 --> 00:26:16,840 Speaker 3: next week.