Skip to content
Dear Franklin Jones artwork

Dear Franklin Jones

Stitcher & Jonathan Hirsch·12 episodes

History

Producer Jonathan Hirsch had a childhood much like yours -- except his family had a secret. They were followers of a controversial spiritual leader named Franklin Jones. To Jonathan’s parents, Franklin Jones was a god, but to people outside the group, Jones was a cult leader. Now, Jonathan is going back, trying to find out what happened -- and whether the group really did become a cult.

Episodes

6 min
Jul 7, 2025Episode 11
The Mind Is Burning: Epilogue

A preview of my memoir for Dear Franklin Jones listeners. THE MIND IS BURNING: Losing my Father to a Cult and Dementia is available as an audiobook. You can order your copy now from TheMindisBurning.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.

19 min
May 13, 2025Episode 10
The Mind Is Burning: Chapter 1

Purchase The Mind is Burning at themindisburning.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.

8 min
Apr 22, 2025Episode 9
The Mind Is Burning: Prologue

A preview of my memoir for Dear Franklin Jones listeners. THE MIND IS BURNING: Losing my Father to a Cult and Dementia is on sale May 13th and will only be available as an audiobook. You can pre-order your copy now from TheMindisBurning.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.

2 min
Apr 11, 2025Episode 8
Introducing: The Mind Is Burning

A very special announcement for fans of Dear Franklin Jones. Introducing my memoir and audiobook. THE MIND IS BURNING: Losing my Father to a Cult and Dementia is on sale May 13th and will only be available as an audiobook. You can pre-order your copy now from TheMindisBurning.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.

5 min
Jul 7, 2021
Introducing Toxic: The Britney Spears Story

Comedians Tess Barker and Babs Gray, who you might know from Lady to Lady or the now legendary Britney’s Gram podcast, are here to bring you a brand new investigative series about Britney Spears' conservatorship and the court system that's allowed it to persist.After launching the #FreeBritney movement, they started to dig… And what they found out, you won’t want to miss! Join Tess and Babs as they talk to exclusive sources, examine new sides of the story, and uncover disturbing truths about our legal system that go way beyond Britney. Listen to Episodes 1 & 2 right now: link.chtbl.com/ToxicThePodcast

7 min
Mar 25, 2021
Witness Docs Presents: The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Atlas Obscura's mission is to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share. Atlas Obscura co-founder and host Dylan Thuras is here to guide you on an audio journey to discover new and hidden places; perhaps on the other side of the world, or perhaps in your own backyard. Once there, you’ll hear stories and history from the incredible people who make these places special. Visit ​atlasobscura.com/podcast​ or follow the show in your favorite podcast app! New episodes are available every day, Monday through Thursday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 min
Feb 25, 2021
Up Next From Witness Docs: Seizing Freedom

You might have learned that the Emancipation Proclamation and Union victories ended slavery in America. But so much more went into abolishing slavery than battles and declarations, and freedom meant more to Black people than eventually being paid for their labor. ​ Seizing Freedom ​​is a new Witness Docs and VPM podcast that focuses on the agency Black people exercised to define what freedom meant for themselves. You'll hear how they fought to liberate themselves during the Civil War and how they made freedom real by organizing for equality and justice during Reconstruction, despite every attempt at violent suppression. And you’ll hear how they did it in their own words. ​Seizing Freedom ​presents these stories through the lens of lived experience, drawing from letters, diary entries, autobiographies, and more to showcase voices from American history that have been ignored time and time again. Visit seizingfreedom.com, and subscribe now in Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 19, 2020
Introducing Verified: Dust Up

Verified: Dust Up is a new investigative documentary podcast produced by Witness Docs that poses the question: Could a product so many of us have in our medicine cabinets be putting us at risk? In the second season of Verified, Host Natasha Del Toro and the Verified team investigate whether a group of women developed ovarian cancer from dusting their bodies with Johnson a trusted brand fights to convince consumers and regulators that baby powder is safe while minimizing the work of the scientists who claim it is not. Verified: Dust Up is out NOW — listen and subscribe wherever you find your podcasts. If you want to get the first two episodes right now and weekly early releases of Verified: Dust Up without ads, sign up for Stitcher Premium at stitcherpremium.com. Use promo code WITNESS for 1 month free. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 min
Sep 14, 2020
​Introducing Unfinished: Short Creek

A divided community in the desert. A prophet with total power. A battle over family, home, and the limits of religious freedom. Unfinished: Short Creek, is the latest investigative true crime podcast from Witness Docs, and Critical Frequency. Short Creek, located on the Utah/Arizona border, is home to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a break-off from the Mormon church that practices polygamy. Since their leader, Warren Jeffs, was sentenced to life in prison in 2007, the people of Short Creek have been forced to reckon with their painful past, and struggle to define their future. Episodes 1 and 2 of Unfinished: Short Creek are out NOW — listen and subscribe wherever you find your podcasts. If you want to listen to the full season of Unfinished: Short Creek now, without ads, sign up for Stitcher Premium at stitcherpremium.com. Use promo code WITNESS for 1 month free. shortcreekpod.com See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

21 min
Apr 11, 2018Episode 7
Chapter 7: Maybe

An epilogue: what happened to my parents, Jones, and me. Music by Ray Lynch: “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “The Oh of Pleasure” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Clouds Below Your Knees ” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes   This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com [madison-reed.com]) and Acer (www.acer.com [acer.com]). For more info, go to dearfranklinjones.com.

21 min
Apr 4, 2018Episode 6
Chapter 6: Gone

Everything falls apart. For more info, go to dearfranklinjones.com. Music by Ray Lynch: “Clouds Below Your Knees ” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “Green Is Here” from the album “Sky of Mind” -- Amazon, iTunes “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “The Oh of Pleasure” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Here & Never Found” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes   This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com), Acer (www.acer.com), and Casper (www.casper.com)

27 min
Mar 28, 2018Episode 5
Chapter 5: Initiation

I choose to join the group and finally meet Jones. For more info, go to dearfranklinjones.com. Music by Ray Lynch: “Here & Never Found” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “What to Remember to Be Happy” from the album “Truth is the Only Profound” -- iTunes “Pastorale” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes   This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com) and Acer (www.acer.com).

23 min
Mar 21, 2018Episode 4
Chapter 4: The Fire

My parents get closer and closer to Jones. Music by Ray Lynch: “Here & Never Found” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “What to Remember to Be Happy” from the album “Truth is the Only Profound” -- iTunes “Pastorale” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com) and Acer (www.acer.com).

28 min
Mar 14, 2018Episode 3
Chapter 3: The Accusations and The Radiant Presence

The group becomes infamous. Music by Ray Lynch: “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Rhythm in the Pews” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (www.madison-reed.com).

24 min
Mar 7, 2018Episode 2
Chapter 2: Origin Myths

How a guy from Long Island became ‘the original giver king.' Music by Ray Lynch: “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “The Oh of Pleasure” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Rhythm in the Pews” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Your Feeling Shoulders” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “No Blue Thing” from the album “No Blue Thing” -- Amazon, iTunes “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes   This episode is brought to you by Madison Reed (madison-reed.com). To listen to all of Dear Franklin Jones now without ads, subscribe to Stitcher Premium.

26 min
Feb 28, 2018Episode 1
Chapter 1: Waking Up

My mom and dad find each other. And Franklin Jones. For more info, go to dearfranklinjones.com. Music by Ray Lynch: “Falling in the Garden” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes “Celestial Soda Pop” from the album “Deep Breakfast” -- Amazon, iTunes   This episode is brought to you by Audible. Start your free trial and get a free audiobook at audible.com/jones. To listen to all of Dear Franklin Jones now without ads, subscribe to Stitcher Premium.

3 min
Feb 13, 2018
Coming Soon: Dear Franklin Jones

Jonathan Hirsch's family had a secret. They followed a controversial spiritual leader named Franklin Jones. Join Hirsch as he embarks on a journey to figure out his past. Subscribe to Dear Franklin Jones now and hear the first episode on February 28th. More info at dearfranklinjones.com.

Reviews

No reviews yet.

Discussion (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to start the discussion!