From Shari Franke, the eldest daughter, comes the startling true account of the viral 8 Passengers family vlog. She reveals the hidden abuse she endured from her mother and how, despite facing unimaginable pain, she discovered freedom and healing.
Shari Franke’s upbringing was a relentless struggle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, imposed a strict moral code while upholding the illusion of a perfect family for their immensely popular YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, which showcased the daily life of raising six children to an astonishing 2.5 million subscribers. However, a more sinister reality lay hidden beneath this façade—Ruby’s seemingly wholesome online image concealed a much harsher and tyrannical parenting approach than anyone could have anticipated.
As the family’s YouTube fame escalated, so did Ruby’s misguided sense of virtue. Influenced by the sadistic relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, they established a cruel and inhumane disciplinary system.
In 2023, Ruby and Jodi were arrested in Utah on several counts of aggravated child abuse. On that pivotal day, Shari posted a photo online of a police car parked outside their home, captioning it with a single word: “Finally.”
For the first time, Shari will unveil the shocking reality behind 8 Passengers and her family’s harrowing connection to Jodi Hildebrandt’s cult-like life coaching program, “ConneXions.” Shari leaves no detail unexamined as she reveals the dangers of influencer culture and recounts her personal struggle for truth and survival against her mother’s cruelty.