The House of My Mother (add-on) : Discussion Thread

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

From eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and how, in the face of unimaginable pain, she found freedom and healing.

Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface—Ruby’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined.

As the family’s YouTube notoriety grew, so too did Ruby’s delusions of righteousness. Fueled by the sadistic influence of relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, together they implemented an inhumane and merciless disciplinary regime.

Ruby and Jodi were arrested in Utah in 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo online of a police car outside their home. Her caption had one word: “Finally.”

For the first time, Shari will reveal the disturbing truth behind 8 Passengers and her family’s devastating involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt’s cultish life coaching program, “ConneXions.” No stone is left unturned as Shari exposes the perils of influencer culture and shares for the first time her battle for truth and survival in the face of her mother’s cruelty.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I watched this documentary without realizing these 2 were the same - the documentary told from all POV and this one, obviously, told from the oldest sister's POV.

Just started and I'm completely drawn in. I can't even imagine this horror

I'm doing the audio and it's read by the author.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Through Part 1 & 2

15 chapters / 31%

(view spoiler)[
I'm glad of the few times she's highlighted that her dad did support her. but wow, to just take her out of therapy is just shocking. I'm so sad all the ways her dad did not help her.

Part 2 definitely started to show just how much this affected Chad too. How he didn't enjoy being filmed either and like the author says, they took 2 different routes to show they didn't like it. He acted out while she shut down. surprising that they were willing to give Chad counseling and not her.

and wow, hate that she was removed from her school and put into a new one - all to control her more.

I missed all of this mommy blog time and I don't regret it
(hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Part 3

(view spoiler)[
It's interesting but scary to see how easy it was for this woman to insert herself into their life. and how quickly her mother wanted the power and money behind her scary teachings.

that's the only thing I saw on social media - when her mom attempted to force her kindergartener to not each lunch because the child forgot to pack her own lunch that morning. I mean, she was six! holy cow

and wow, breaking the brother- keeping him from being able to utilize his skills to get to college. they really affected that kids life (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Part 4

(view spoiler)[
it's surprising the way that so many safeguards failed these kids
and that the mom had so much ability to be both in a spotlight but also on the very edge of any monitoring

the dad being out of the house but still paying for it is still just so shocking. the fact that the neighbors knew things were kind of bad is also surprising. it's a shock it was able to go on so long and get so far.

it's interesting she also has these journal entries along with so much internet postings to truly remember just how horrible things time was for her and her family/siblings
(hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

and done

(view spoiler)[
wow, she grew so much through this story. I hate that her abuser was protected through her church
I was so glad when she pushed, got the neighbors to help and was finally able to help her siblings. It felt like it took forever. . .
(hide spoiler)]