Zealot 46: Keith Ham with Josh Dean
Summary
Josh Dean discusses the "Chameleon" Hollywood con and the dark history of Hare Krishna leader Keith Ham. The episode covers Ham's rise from a Baptist minister to a notorious cult figure, his construction of the Palace of Gold in West Virginia, and his involvement in murders, fraud, and abuse. Dean details Ham's legal battles, excommunication, and eventual imprisonment, highlighting the complex and often violent power struggles within the movement.
Topics discussed
Intro and Chameleon Hollywood con queen
Keith Ham and the Hare Krishna movement
Founding in NYC and Mel Gibson connection
Keith's background and leaving university
Meeting Swami Prabhupada and core tenets
Host's personal connection to West Virginia
Spread of the movement and daily practices
Succession crisis and power struggles
Westernization and building New Vrindaban
The Palace of Gold and its construction
Keith's personality and Larry King interview
Schism, abuse allegations, and murder
Legal battles and the shooting of Steve Bryant
Trials, convictions, and the Winnebago incident
Prison life and release from custody
Life after prison and New Vrindaban's revival
Cows vs Krishna and Keith's death
Random facts and the tire iron incident
Reflections on religious restrictions and outro
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