The Smallville star who joined a sex cult: best podcasts of the week

Smallville Star Allison Mack's Troubled Past Exposed on Podcasts

Allison Mack, best known for her role in the hit TV series Smallville, has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The actress, who was once part of the notorious NXIVM sex cult, recently completed a prison sentence for racketeering. But as she steps back into the public eye, questions remain about her involvement with the group and whether she was a victim or perpetrator.

A new CBC podcast series, "Allison after NXIVM," delves into Mack's complicated history, asking difficult questions about her time in the cult and its impact on her life. The podcast is hosted by Natalie Robehmed, who leads a nuanced conversation with Mack herself, seeking to understand whether she was manipulated or complicit.

Meanwhile, another podcast series, "The Coldest Shift," takes listeners on an incredible journey of self-discovery and survival. Dr. Rachel Varnam, a doctor stationed in Antarctica, recounts her experiences as she navigated the challenges of working in one of the harshest environments on Earth during the pandemic.

In another offbeat tale, Hat Trick explores the bizarre world of bioluminescent algae that can ruin pub quizzes. The charming series follows Dr. Rachel Varnam's adventures as a doctor in Antarctica, where she battled to keep the continent Covid-free amidst an isolating but extraordinary period.

For those who enjoy a good mystery, Apple's latest podcast offers an in-depth account of the Robertson family's ill-fated journey at sea. In "Adrift," Mark Bonnar and Anne-Marie Duff bring to life the harrowing story of how this farmer's son was caught up in a bloody killer whale attack.

Last but not least, US comic Mary Houlihan has launched a podcast that tackles some of the biggest issues facing society today. With her unique perspective, she disarms listeners with her disarmingly excellent observations on everything from the world to the growing number of young men turning conservative to comedians who punch down.

A new series, "Jane Austen's Paper Trail," offers a fascinating look into the life and works of one of literature's greatest authors. Arts and culture editor Anna Walker travels the country to speak with experts about Jane Austen, uncovering some surprising insights into her personality and taste for curry.
 
man i just listened to "The Coldest Shift" podcast and it's so mindblowing dr rachel varnam is literally a hero πŸ™Œ working in antarctica during the pandemic was like something out of a sci-fi movie and i love how she breaks down all the science-y stuff into easy to understand language

at the same time, it makes me wonder what other unsung heroes are out there doing amazing work without getting the recognition they deserve? πŸ€” like Allison Mack's story is super complicated and it's hard to say whether she was a victim or perpetrator... maybe we can learn from her experience and try to prevent similar situations from happening in the future?

and omg "Hat Trick" about bioluminescent algae ruining pub quizzes is literally the most unique thing i've heard all year 🀣 life is full of weird and wonderful things, right?
 
I'm all about giving platforms like CBC a chance to shine πŸ™Œ they're really doing their part to bring us these amazing podcast series that can spark some real conversations about complex issues... Allison Mack's story is super complicated and I think it's great that Natalie Robehmed is leading the conversation - let's hear both sides of the story, you know?
 
I'm so excited to see Allison Mack sharing her story on that podcast! 🀝 I think it's awesome that she's taking control of her narrative and being honest about her past. It takes a lot of courage to do that, especially when you're talking about something as sensitive as NXIVM. 🌟 I hope it helps people understand what really went down and how she's healing now. And can we talk about Dr. Rachel Varnam's story in Antarctica? ❄️ That sounds like an incredible adventure! It's amazing how she was able to navigate such a tough environment during the pandemic. πŸ’ͺ
 
I'm so glad they're finally talking about Allison Mack's past on podcasts πŸ—£οΈ. It's been a long time coming, but I think it's high time we had an honest conversation about what went down with NXIVM. She played a big role in the cult, no doubt about it, and it's crazy to see how far she's come since her release from prison 🚫. But at the same time, you can't help but feel for the girl - she was young and vulnerable when she got sucked in, just like so many others. I think what's most interesting is hearing her story now, after all these years, and seeing how it's impacted her life since then 😊.
 
The drama that surrounds Allison Mack is just so wild πŸ€―πŸ‘€ it's like she's been living in a whole other world. I mean, from being part of the NXIVM cult to serving time for racketeering, it's like she's had one major life crisis after another 😩. But at the same time, listening to her on that podcast series "Allison after NXIVM" makes you wonder if she was truly in control or just getting pulled along by everyone else πŸ€”. And can we talk about Dr. Rachel Varnam's Antarctica adventures? I mean, who wouldn't want to be a doctor in the coldest place on earth during a pandemic β„οΈπŸ’‰?
 
You know what's wild, have you ever tried making homemade ramen? I mean, it's so easy but it can get super complicated if you're not careful 🀯. Like, I was trying to make this one bowl the other day and I added way too much soy sauce, now my apartment smells like a Japanese deli. On the bright side, my friends are all obsessed with it now, they keep asking me to cook for them. Anyway, back to Allison Mack, I'm not sure what to think about her situation...
 
idk why this allison mack chick is getting so much attention again πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ she was part of a sex cult and now she's just doing podcasts about it... i mean, can't we move on from that? πŸ™…β€β™€οΈ but hey, at least there are some cool podcasts out there that aren't about celebrities 🎧 like "The Coldest Shift" - who knew being stuck in antarctica during a pandemic could be so inspiring? ❄️
 
omg u wont believe what i just learned about allison mack she was part of that sex cult nxvimm like how could she do that?! i mean i know everyone makes mistakes but that's some crazy stuff lol anyway im more interested in this podcast "the coldest shift" where a doctor in antarctica is trying to keep the continent covid free it sounds so cool i wish i was there rn
 
omg u guys idk wut 2 say abt Allison Mack 🀯 she was part of that super creepy cult and now shes trying 2 redeem herself but i gotta ask, how much did she know? πŸ’” i feel bad 4 her bc its just so sad how these things happen but at the same time, u can't just dismiss everything shes done bc of it πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ i heard the podcast w/ Natalie Robehmed tho and im curious 2 see if shes really trying 2 understand herself πŸ’–
 
omg u guys i cant even think about allison mack rn she was part of that cult and now shes out of jail but still gotta deal w/ the aftermath 🀯 her story is so wild i'm low-key impressed by Natalie Robehmed's podcast tho, she's doin a great job gettin' Mack to spill tea on everything πŸ΅πŸ‘€ i've been listenin' to "The Coldest Shift" while I was chillin' at the beach and it's literally the most fascinating docu ever 🌊
 
I mean, Allison Mack's situation is super complex πŸ€”... I've been listening to this podcast "Allison after NXIVM" and it's really making me think - was she a victim or did she play a role in the whole thing? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ I feel bad for her, being in that group and all, but at the same time, we don't know the full story, right? πŸ’”

And then there's Dr. Rachel Varnam's podcast - it's like, whoa! 🌊 Antarctica during a pandemic is crazy enough, but add bioluminescent algae ruining pub quizzes... what?! πŸ˜‚ I'm both fascinated and grossed out at the same time.

I've been listening to "The Coldest Shift" too, and I love how Dr. Varnam's story intertwines with Allison Mack's... it's like they're connected by something deeper than just a podcast πŸŽ™οΈ. But anyway, back to Allison... has anyone thought about what she's gonna do now that she's out of prison? πŸ€”
 
omg u guys i'm low-key obsessed w/ that antarctic doc podcast its literally so inspiring & scary at the same time 🀯 how r u coping w/ the isolation? btw have u listened 2 that new jane austen podcast its got me all about that curry life πŸ΄πŸ“š
 
so another celeb getting their past dredged up like it's 2020 πŸ™„ Allison Mack was always a bit of a weirdo on Smallville, but I guess being part of that cult was just the cherry on top πŸ’. Can't say I'm surprised she's trying to spin her story now, though - PR is all about timing and damage control, right? πŸ•°οΈ anyway, at least we've got some cool podcasts to listen to while we're stuck in this never-ending cycle of drama... like that one doc who had to navigate COVID in Antarctica without any wifi πŸš€πŸ’»
 
idk how ppl can make podcasts outta people's messed up lives tho πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ like Allison Mack's story is just so... complicated 😬. one day she's a victim, the next day she's complicit? i'm not taking sides here, just saying it's all pretty wild πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. and what's with all these podcasts about ppl who got caught up in some kinda drama? 🀯 "Adrift" sounds like a super intense listen, but is it worth the risk of hearing someone scream about killer whales for 45 minutes straight? πŸ³πŸ˜‚
 
omg, I'm so down for that "Allison after NXIVM" podcast, it's like they're asking all the right questions about what happened πŸ€”. As someone who's been through their own share of struggles, I can only imagine how hard it must be to confront your past and figure out where you went wrong. I'm gonna have to listen to this ASAP and see if it gives me any new insights πŸ’‘.
 
I'm soooo sure Allison Mack was totally in control the whole time she was part of that NXIVM cult πŸ€”... I mean, who wouldn't want to be a part of something so... empowering? πŸ˜’ All these podcast series are just trying to stir up more drama and controversy. Can't we just move on from this and focus on some more uplifting topics like bioluminescent algae ruining pub quizzes? 🌿🍺
 
I feel so bad for Allison Mack πŸ€•, she was in this cult that was super messed up and I can imagine how hard it must've been for her to get out of it. But at the same time, I don't think we should just say she's a victim, 'cause she did do some stuff wrong too. It's like, what happened? Was she brainwashed or did she know what was going on? πŸ€” And now that she's out and talking about it, I'm curious to hear her side of the story.
 
omg I had no idea Allison Mack was part of that cult 🀯 like what even is NXIVM lol how did it all go down? I feel bad for her tho maybe she got out too early to get help πŸ’” also have you guys listened to the podcast about Antarctica yet? Dr. Rachel Varnam's story sounds soooo cool ❄️ I need to check out that Apple podcast "Adrift" - killer whales are wild 🐳
 
πŸ€”β€β™€οΈ Allison Mack's story is like that one aunt at the family reunion - you're not really sure what to make of it. She was in NXIVM, she got out, and now she's talking about it... but is she really being honest? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ And don't even get me started on how everyone's suddenly an expert on cults and manipulation now that Allison's out of the spotlight. Can we please just have a nuanced conversation about this stuff for once? πŸ™„

And meanwhile, Dr. Rachel Varnam is literally living her best life in Antarctica, battling Covid and bioluminescent algae - I need more of this type of story in my life! πŸŒŽπŸ’‘
 
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