AUSTIN, Texas - s4story -- How does an intelligent, well-educated person find herself under the control of a narcissistic sociopath? It's a question that Radhia Gleis didn't begin to ponder until after she'd spent 25 years in the Buddha-field cult. Why had she made the choices she did at the time? And why do so many others become followers of authoritarian leaders?

"What makes people give up their will, their sense of right and wrong — give up their moral compass and family ties for a person or an ideal?" Gleis asks.

A nutritionist, biochemical analyst and educator, Gleis says her post-traumatic stress, forever entombed in her psyche, is repeatedly triggered by the characteristics of current political and cultural leaders, prompting her to explore her past decisions through a much broader lens that sheds light on the blind spots — and dangers — of groupthink.

Her powerful new book, The Followers: "Holy Hell" and the Disciples of Narcissistic Leaders: How My Years in a Notorious Cult Parallel Today's Cultural Mania, draws strong parallels between her devotion to a cult leader — and authority — whose damaging behavior and influence she willfully ignored, and the followers of other narcissistic authorities. The Holy Hell reference in the book's title is a nod to the 2016 Buddha-field cult documentary of that same name, in which Gleis appears.

More on S For Story

• Why 'Instant-Liquidity' Gaming is Dominating the Nordic Tech Demographic
• STATEMENT: Shincheonji on Religious Freedom Controversy
• Fantasy Novel by Serendipity Sellers
• Cyntexa Outlines a Principles-first Approach to Modern Enterprise Transformation
• DonnaInk Publications Announces Powerful First-half of 2026 Release Slate

The Followers lays the groundwork by skimming Gleis' upbringing in Hollywood and tracing the steps of her adult life when, at the age of 30, she fell under the influence of the charismatic leader of the Buddha-field, known by many names, including Michel, Andreas, The Teacher or Reyji.

Gleis weaves together her personal experiences with reflections on a number of thought-provoking topics, including the search for a higher truth, cults, groupthink and mind control, authoritarian leaders, malignant narcissistic personality disorder and sociopathy, the American schism, and how an intelligent, well-educated person may find herself under the control of a narcissistic sociopath.

Author Radhia Gleis has been a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, CCN, MEd. biochemical analyst and educator for over 33 years. She has appeared as a featured guest on numerous radio and television shows including Fox News, Austin. She hosted The Health Revolution and Let's Get Healthy on Talk 1370 AM, KLBJ, and The Wellness Connection podcast on Voice America. She was the host and executive producer of three YouTube series: Wake up America; How the Body Works; and The Natural Way. She was featured in the internationally viewed movie, Holy Hell, which was broadcast on CNN and named one of Sundance Film Festival's and Netflix's top 10 documentaries. It can now be viewed on Amazon Prime.

For more information, please visit www.radhiagleis.com,  or follow the author on Twitter (@radhia_gleis).