Members Preview | 842: He Had to Escape the Monroe Institute
Members Preview | 842: He Had to Escape the Monroe Institute  
Podcast: The Confessionals
Published On: Thu Mar 05 2026
Description: After serving in the military and searching for answers to a strange supernatural encounter that changed his life, RJ was drawn to the Monroe Institute and its famous Gateway program, which claims to expand consciousness and allow participants to explore realms beyond the physical world. What began as a quest for understanding quickly turned into something far more unsettling. As RJ progressed through the program’s intense meditations and altered states of consciousness, he says strange things began to happen — encounters with entities, disturbing shifts in the people around him, and a growing sense that the environment itself was spiritually dangerous.Eventually the feeling became overwhelming, and RJ realized he needed to get out immediately. What followed was a frantic escape as he fled the retreat grounds, convinced something was deeply wrong with what he had experienced. But leaving didn’t end the ordeal. RJ says the strange activity and spiritual pressure continued even after he got away, forcing him to wrestle with the possibility that the practices he participated in had opened a door that should never have been opened.Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you’re able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890Become a member for ad-free listening, extra shows, and exclusive access to our social media app: theconfessionalspodcast.com/joinThe Confessionals Social Network App:Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrhGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZThe Counter Series Available NOW:The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HEREThe Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERETony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.comIf you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click HereBigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream HereThe Meadow Project: Stream HereMerkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.comMy New YouTube ChannelMerkel IRL: @merkelIRLMy First Sermon: Unseen BattlesSPONSORSSIMPLISAFE TODAY: simplisafe.com/confessionalsGHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tonyQUINCE: quince.com/tonyCONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.theconfessionalspodcast.comEmail: contact@theconfessionalspodcast.comMAILING ADDRESS:Merkel Media257 N. Calderwood St., #301Alcoa, TN 37701SOCIAL MEDIASubscribe to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/2TlREaIReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7hShow Instagram: theconfessionalspodcastTony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcasTwitter: @TConfessionalsTony's Twitter: @tony_merkelProduced by: @jack_theproducerOUTRO MUSICJoel Thomas - Otherside of The SunYouTube | Apple Music | Spotify