Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we delve into the complex history of the Branch Davidians, a religious group forever linked to the tragic 1993 Waco siege. We trace the sect's origins back to 1955, when founder Benjamin Roden established the group as a continuation of the Davidian Seventh-Day Adventists following a schism with the original movement’s leadership.

Join us as we explore the turbulent power struggles at the Mount Carmel Center, including the rise of Vernon Howell—later known as David Koresh—who utilized an affair with prophetess Lois Roden and an armed confrontation with her son, George Roden, to seize control of the compound. We examine the events leading up to the 51-day standoff with the ATF and FBI, which resulted in the deaths of four federal agents and 82 sect members, including 76 in the final fire on April 19, 1993.

Finally, we discuss the identity crisis within the movement, detailing how original members viewed Koresh’s group as identity thieves who hijacked their name, and look at the surviving factions that continue to exist today.