ANGELA: But of course, we're practitioners' kids. We're also held to this high moral standard that our parents are constantly beating into us. We have one leader for each group. They don't really have much power over the group directly, but they are trusted people who have a direct line to Master Li. In our minds, we were dealing with him every day. His law bodies are right there watching us. So whatever he's telling us is through his teachings. And he's constantly putting out new lectures online. Of course, Master Li is held at a very high regard. He is the God of the Universe. We all want it to be like him. I'm not sure exactly how the adults talked about him at the time, but I remember I was with my group of girls hanging out in the meeting room while the adults are a group sharing in the other room. We were watching the B-movie and I was listening to this new Taylor Swift song that had just come out. And this girl I had known for years, we were both 12 at the time, she like turned around and glared at me while I was listening to the song, and she was like, “you shouldn't be listening to Taylor Swift because she's demonic.”

LIZ: Cue Swifties across the world, suiting up, ready for battle!

TYLER: Not a fight I want to engage.

ANGELA: Can you imagine Master Li listening to We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together? I don't think so. A lot of sass. And I had nothing to say to that, because like she was kind of right. Like she would not listen to Taylor Swift. I started to think about it because what can Master Li do? I can't imagine him shopping at Gap Kids or going to Target or eating a Big Mac. Like what does he eat anyways? He was just a guy with no interests or hobbies. He just sat around meditating and giving lectures all day.

LIZ: He sounds like the human equivalent of a beige wall.

TYLER: I prefer taupe.

LIZ: I don't think he's deserved of taupe. Taupe is kind of a pretty color.

ANGELA: I didn't want to be like him, but I couldn't tell her that because that's what everyone wanted to be, so.