Audacy Podcasts, in partnership with Team Downey and Wink Pictures have launched the second season of The Sunshine Place.
This new season of the award-winning investigative documentary podcast series tells the story of Straight Incorporated, the unconventional and tough-love teen rehab that preyed on the fear of parents and the vulnerability of their children.
Synanon, which was the subject of the first season, is widely considered to be the original influence for Straight Inc. and for other rehab programmes that used similar tactics and behaviour modification techniques.
Launched in the 1980s at the time of the war on drugs, Straight Inc. was endorsed by First Lady Nancy Reagan and spotlighted by a televised visit from Princess Diana.
The programme became popular across the US, but survivors of Straight tell a very different story — one of abuse, torture, and brainwashing.
The eight-episode series is narrated by author and teen life coach Cyndy Etler, herself a survivor of Straight Inc. Guests include other survivors, many of whom are still recovering and telling their stories for the first time.
The series is Executive Produced by Robert Downey Jr, Susan Downey, and Emily Barclay Ford for Team Downey, together with Josh McLaughlin for Wink Pictures, and Maddy Sprung-Keyser, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and Leah Reis-Dennis for Audacy Podcasts.
“As we were wrapping up season one of The Sunshine Place, we uncovered a startling connection: a link between Synanon, the origins of Straight Incorporated, and the troubled teen industry that still thrives today, said Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr., Team Downey. “Through riveting first-person accounts, we’re once again able to understand how vulnerable families seeking solutions to complicated problems can lead to dangerous consequences.”
Maddy Sprung-Keyser, VP, Head of Original Podcasts, Audacy added: “As we continue to expand our slate of powerful, thought-provoking original content, we’re thrilled to be reteaming with Team Downey and Wink Pictures for a new season of The Sunshine Place. The story of Straight Inc. we investigate is harrowing and consequential.”
The first two episodes of season two’s The Sunshine Place are released today, 30 October on the Audacy app and everywhere podcasts are available. New episodes will be released every Wednesday until 11 December.
