The House of My Mother

A Daughter's Quest for Freedom

De: Shari Franke

Narrado por: Shari Franke

From eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and how, in the face of unimaginable pain, she found freedom and healing.

Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface—Ruby’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined.

As the family’s YouTube notoriety grew, so too did Ruby’s delusions of righteousness. Fueled by the sadistic influence of relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, together they implemented an inhumane and merciless disciplinary regime.

Ruby and Jodi were arrested in Utah in 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo online of a police car outside their home. Her caption had one word: “Finally.”

For the first time, Shari will reveal the disturbing truth behind 8 Passengers and her family’s devastating involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt’s cultish life coaching program, “ConneXions.” No stone is left unturned as Shari exposes the perils of influencer culture and shares for the first time her battle for truth and survival in the face of her mother’s cruelty.

©2025 Shari Franke (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

A remarkable young woman!

Very well written! I was especially impressed how she highlighted the laws in Utah that helped enable the abuse the whole family endured. Well done, Shari!

Written with Love

This was a beautiful book and well written with love for her entire family, as well for her God and Savior I appreciated her raw emotions and telling the truth of the as she perceived it? I love that she left the story of her siblings for them to decide when and if they want to share it.
This is better than any movie, tv show, social media videos or comments with speculations that you’ve seen or what you’ve read.
I also, am so happy that it was read by the Author. No one could have done it better.
I pray that she can continue to find peace and healing can happen with the entire family. I also appreciated how she understood that any religion out there is governed by human beings who have the right to choose how they live and act. That it is not the gospel that that religion is teaching or the way God may want it to be.

Amazing writing

I hope Shari continues to write books throughout her life because she has a real talent and incredible perspective. I applaud her for being so real, vulnerable, and strong.
You are such a wonderful and beautiful human being Shari. Thank you for sharing your story. Much love to you and your family.

A brave young woman to stand for what is right!

I love Shari’s courage to set straight her family’s story and show that even most religious or pictureperfect families can suffer without outside world knowing.
I am so very happy to know your siblings are together again.

Honesty

I really did enjoy this book. Shari you have such a way with your words and I am so sorry that you and your family went through so much trauma yet nobody cared until it was too late. Thank you for sharing your story with the world and I will continue to pray for you and your family’s healing.

Thank you Shari

I am sorry that you had to live what to many is a horrible story, but was your life. I love the ending where you are able to navigate a more authentic life for yourself. I hope that the journey to reunite with your father and siblings continues to heal your lives. Thank you for showing your Brave.💕

Amazing storytelling

This is a beautifully written book that kept my attention. I gasped a few times at some of the stories the author shares.

Brave and Raw

Shari is amazing. To go through so much so publicly, then have to be very brave yet again in order to share her story… it’s unimaginable. She shared her truth clearly and did not hold back aside from her mission to protect her siblings.

Heartbreaking and transformative

Shari is an incredible writer. And she shocked me with her ability to speak of her mother wish a compassion that wasn’t granted to her.

Vulnerability

I’m very proud of you Shari. This is a very vulnerable story. It’s so sad that you and your siblings had to live through this. You guys are so strong. I hope you and your siblings are doing emotionally better. As a psych major, my heart goes out to you. I hope someday I can make a difference and help others who are struggling with any kind of abuse. Also congratulations on getting engaged. I’m so glad you were able to find true love and to really experience what love is.