In the third and final installment of our conversation with Del from London, he explains to us some of the red flags that he has noticed during his time with the organization. Like many of us, he saw these red flags but chose to ignore them. According to Del, part of the reason for ignoring the red flags is because we were “so indoctrinated." The more we discussed, Cousin Eddie’s noticed that there was a certain level of fear put into the membership in order to maintain order. We ask Del if he r...
Apr 22, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 9
This is the second installment of our three part conversation with Del from London. Del explains to us what his day to day life looked like while he was in the London Church. There is much to say on this matter as he has spent the better part of ten years with the organization. He explains to us the concept of placing members on “the weak list.” Del also introduces us to the term “prime time," which was a term the London Church used regarding recruiting. Del and Aldo explain to Cousin the Eddie ...
Apr 20, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Today we welcome back Del from London. We met him on episode 2 when he recounted some of the events of the fallout regarding the infamous letter. This time around, Del recounts his story of how he became involved with the ICOC. He talks about being attracted to the church’s diversity and palpable energy that was on display at the first Sunday Service that he attended. He then desicribes the last time that he attended the church and what led him to make the decision to leave. Del spent 10 years w...
Apr 17, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In the final part of our conversation with Dr. Lalich, she explains to us how she eventually left the cult that she was a part of and tells us how she took back her life. Dr. Lalich is a world-renowned expert in cultic studies. She is the auuthor and co-author of several critically acclaimed books on cults. She is an avid contributor to the field of cultic studies through her research, presentations, articles, and documentaries. Janja Lalich, Ph.D. is a researcher, author, and educator specializ...
Apr 15, 2022•28 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In the second part of our conversation with Dr. Lalich, she gives us her take on what are the makings of a cult and if the ICOC, as Aldo recalls his experience, can be considered a cult. Dr. Lalich is a world-renowned expert in cultic studies. She is the auuthor and co-author of several critically acclaimed books on cults. She is an avid contributor to the field of cultic studies through her research, presentations, articles, and documentaries. Janja Lalich, Ph.D. is a researcher, author, and ed...
Apr 13, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode we meet Dr. Janja Lalich as she gives us her take on cults, cult experiences, the ICOC, and her personal experience with being in a cult herself. Dr. Lalich is a world-renowned expert in cultic studies and an American sociologist. She is the auuthor and co-author of several critically acclaimed books on cults. She is an avid contributor to the field of cultic studies through her research, presentations, articles, and documentaries. Janja Lalich, Ph.D. is a researcher, author, and...
Apr 10, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 4
As chance would have it, we had the fortuitous opportunity to speak with Matthew this week. Matthew was a member of the London Church of Christ and is the man that leaked the letter in February of 2003. Because this conversation sprung up so suddenly, and helps us to explain the story of this letter and its effects even further, we thought that it was necessary to make it available to our audience as soon as possible. Therefore, it’s being released today, April 9, 2022, unexpectedly, unscheduled...
Apr 09, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Today we meet Del from New York. He gives us his accounts, as he remembers them, of that time. As the effects of "The Letter" became more and more widespread, the New York City church began to feel the effects as well. The church became a shell of itself. Membership declined. Attendance declined. Monetary contribution declined. There were regular everyday members of the church rebelling against the teachings and directions of the leaders. Many people began to question their place in the church a...
Apr 08, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Today we meet Del from London. Del was a disciple in the London church for several years. "The Letter" originated in England and began to wreck havoc on the structure and culture of the London Church. As the ramifications of "The Letter" reached different parts and regions, the church decided to send a leader to London in attempts to quell the uproar. There was a leaders meeting in East London, where the letter was addressed. According to Del "that was the moment when the London Church changed."...
Apr 06, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In the Season 2 opener, Eddie and Aldo pick up where they left off. Season 2 of The Reclamation Podcast is all about what life was like as a member of the ICOC; why people have left the ICOC; what life is like after leaving the ICOC. Cousin Eddie and Aldo B. Martin bring their style of light hearted conversation to a potentially heavy topic. The duo recap their thoughts on season 1, but then begin to discuss “the letter.” The Henry Kriete Letter of 2003 set the International Church of Christ off...
Apr 03, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Season 2 premiers on April 3, 2022 Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook...
Mar 09, 2022•4 min
Dr. Melton, Liz, Christina, Elena from 3B, Cousin Eddie, and Aldo reunite and converse about the season that was. Join us as we discuss the importance of honesty, self awareness, and the importance of forgiving your self. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in t...
Mar 06, 2022•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 15
In Elena's final recap, she tells us her thoughts on Christina's episode. Elena also shares with us her final thoughts on her opinions regarding this organization. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , ...
Mar 02, 2022•20 min
In our conclusion with Christina, she and Aldo discuss topics that they feel remorseful about regarding this cultish experience. Christina and Cousin Eddie discuss how the various iterations of this organization are reminiscent of George Orwell's "Animal Farm." Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So....
Feb 27, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Elena from 3B discusses how Christina's most recent episode brings her back to when she left the church. Elena begins to tell us about what made her finally leave after 9 years of being with the organization. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Ald...
Feb 23, 2022•18 min
Being part of a community was a huge factor in Christina joining and staying with the organization. Christina, Cousin Eddie and Aldo discuss how the church had created its own sub-culture that enabled the church to create such a community. Members of the church were under a lot of pressure to recruit new converts on a daily basis. Despite it all, Christina discusses how maintaining and establishing relationships with her friends in the church helped her to maintain a sense of normalcy. Support t...
Feb 20, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Join Elena and Aldo as they sit down and discuss Christina's first episode. Shout out to the $2 move theater and more! Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook...
Feb 16, 2022•20 min
In this episode we meet Christina. Like the guests before her, she too came to New York City in pursuit of academic dreams. While in NYC she came across a group of people that met her need of wanting to be a part of a friend group in this new city that she called home, for the time being. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood P...
Feb 13, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Elena from 3B gives her insight and thoughts to this past weeks episode. Join Aldo and Elena as they discuss DPI books, getting restored, and other terms used by the ICOC Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Insta...
Feb 09, 2022•20 min
Conversation with Aldo (pt 5 of 5) This is the fifth part of the conversation between Cousin Eddie and Aldo. In this episode Aldo and Eddie discuss how the corporate structure of the church held its membership busy, occupied, and in accordance with the methods of the church. Meanwhile, the appeal of the church to some outsiders was the same as the allure of a gang in some regards. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts ...
Feb 06, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Elena and Aldo recap episode 10 by discussing the topic of mental health. Aldo tells Elena and the audience about his battle with depression and how being kicked out of the church made his battle with depression even more difficult. Join them for honest conversation, reflection, laughs, and the occasional "shout out." Depression affects the lives of many people. Please use the resources listed below if you are in need of support: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us https://www.inclusivetherapists...
Feb 02, 2022•22 min
(pt 2 of 3) In the final installment of our conversation with Liz, she explains why she left the organization and how she began to make sense of life and herself in the aftermath of leaving the organization . Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Ald...
Jan 30, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Elena sits down with us, as she usually does, to expound on topics that Liz brought up, such as dating in the church, and the concept of being "sharp." Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook...
Jan 26, 2022•23 min
(pt 2 of 3) We continue our discussion with Liz as she begins to tell us what the church defined as "a sharp person" and how this definition played a role in the recruitment tactics of the organization. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you...
Jan 23, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Elena from 3B sits down with us to give her views on this weeks past episode. Elena discusses topics such as purity culture as it pertains to the organization, Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwi...
Jan 19, 2022•25 min
(pt 1 of 3) Today we meet Liz Lang who was a member of the organization for close to 10 years. She was introduced to the church at 6 years old and became a member at the age of 14. Join us as we welcome Liz to the expanding collective of the Voices of The Reclamation. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podc...
Jan 16, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Elena from 3B joins us as she shares with us her thoughts on episode 7. Aldo and Cousin Eddie brought up the idea of the "con man" and this subject triggered Elena to discuss the early days of her recruitment as a 12-13 year old girl. Join us for some laughs and conversation with Elena from 3B. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Father...
Jan 12, 2022•21 min
(conversation with Aldo pt 4 of 5) Aldo and Cousin Eddie discuss how the public perceives religious cult members. The two also discuss recent examples of religious cults and how those examples reinforce the negative perception that the public has about cult members. Aldo then tells Eddie why this conversation about religious cults is important to him. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding Jam...
Jan 09, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Prayer nights and separatism. Join us as Elena from 3B recounts her thoughts on the 3rd part of our interview with Dr. Melton. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook...
Jan 05, 2022•22 min
We conclude our conversation with Dr. Melton as she begins to tell the beginning of what made he want to leave the organization. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook...
Jan 02, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 6