In this heartfelt episode I sit down to chat with Nirvana. Nirvana was on call with me from the garden area of a psychiatric hospital that her child has been admitted to, following the fallout of their involvement with online guru and alleged cult leader Liana Shanti. During our conversation, Nirvana offers some insight into making impossible decisions in impossible situations and how she navigated a situation that was meticulously designed to isolate her child from her family, widen the divide ...
Apr 28, 2023•29 min•Ep. 245
Thanks to Matthew Remski at Conspirituality Podcast for the inspirational title name - Conspirituality Podcast — Conspirituality I've been a long-time fan of Jennings Brown and his work in the cultiverse. I had the chance to sit and talk to him about all of it, including his most recent work on shady character Liana Shanti. Sources - https://www.thedailybeast.com/author/jennings-brown https://www.thedailybeast.com/federal-judge-grills-liana-shanti-mysterious-guru-accused-of-breaking-up-families ...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 244
In this episode I chat with John Verner - a journalism student at NYU, host of the Cult of Christianity Podcast and former-Evangelical Christian. During our conversation, John discusses his journey through devout and unwavering belief in Christianity, through to his waking up and ultimate deconstruction. He also answers the question - Is Christianity a Cult? Thank you John, for all the work you do! For John's writing please visit - John Verner's Substack | Substack John's Twitter - John Verner (...
Apr 21, 2023•28 min•Ep. 243
In this episode I chat with John Verner - a journalism student at NYU, host of the Cult of Christianity Podcast and former-Evangelical Christian. During our conversation, John discusses his journey through devout and unwavering belief in Christianity, through to his waking up and ultimate deconstruction. He also answers the question - Is Christianity a Cult? Thank you John, for all the work you do! For John's writing please visit - John Verner's Substack | Substack John's Twitter - John Verner (...
Apr 21, 2023•23 min•Ep. 243
In this episode I chat with John Verner - a journalism student at NYU, host of the Cult of Christianity Podcast and former-Evangelical Christian. During our conversation, John discusses his journey through devout and unwavering belief in Christianity, through to his waking up and ultimate deconstruction. He also answers the question - Is Christianity a Cult? Thank you John, for all the work you do! For John's writing please visit - John Verner's Substack | Substack John's Twitter - John Verner (...
Apr 21, 2023•42 min•Ep. 242
In this episode, I sit down with Susan Dones to discuss her experiences within NXIVM. Known as one of the "NXIVM Nine" - a group of original members - Susan watched insurmountable horrors unfold, as the company she believed in and dedicated her life too, began to turn toxic, exploitative and illegal. Since leaving NXIVM, Susan represented herself in a landmark court case which she WON. Here to talk us through her journey from cult member to survivor activist, here is someone I deeply admire and ...
Apr 14, 2023•40 min•Ep. 242
In this episode, I sit down with Susan Dones to discuss her experiences within NXIVM. Known as one of the "NXIVM Nine" - a group of original members - Susan watched insurmountable horrors unfold, as the company she believed in and dedicated her life too, began to turn toxic, exploitative and illegal. Since leaving NXIVM, Susan represented herself in a landmark court case which she WON. Here to talk us through her journey from cult member to survivor activist, here is someone I deeply admire and ...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 242
In this episode, I sit down with Susan Dones to discuss her experiences within NXIVM. Known as one of the "NXIVM Nine" - a group of original members - Susan watched insurmountable horrors unfold, as the company she believed in and dedicated her life too, began to turn toxic, exploitative and illegal. Since leaving NXIVM, Susan represented herself in a landmark court case which she WON. Here to talk us through her journey from cult member to survivor activist, here is someone I deeply admire and ...
Apr 14, 2023•54 min•Ep. 242
In this miniseries I talk with Micah Losh, author of the recently published memoir Mentally Diseased. During Micah's childhood in the Jehovah's Witnesses, he lost his father. This eternal spiritual relationship was then held hostage, with Micah being told that the only way to be reunited is to fully submit to the teachings of the Watchtower Organisation. Slipping into a deep depression, Micah received little to no support, and was actually blamed instead for his suffering, told it was his reluct...
Apr 07, 2023•33 min•Ep. 241
In this miniseries I talk with Micah Losh, author of the recently published memoir Mentally Diseased. During Micah's childhood in the Jehovah's Witnesses, he lost his father. This eternal spiritual relationship was then held hostage, with Micah being told that the only way to be reunited is to fully submit to the teachings of the Watchtower Organisation. Slipping into a deep depression, Micah received little to no support, and was actually blamed instead for his suffering, told it was his reluct...
Apr 07, 2023•48 min•Ep. 241
In this miniseries I talk with Micah Losh, author of the recently published memoir Mentally Diseased. During Micah's childhood in the Jehovah's Witnesses, he lost his father. This eternal spiritual relationship was then held hostage, with Micah being told that the only way to be reunited is to fully submit to the teachings of the Watchtower Organisation. Slipping into a deep depression, Micah received little to no support, and was actually blamed instead for his suffering, told it was his reluct...
Apr 07, 2023•51 min•Ep. 241
In this episode, I talk with with two inspiring women who have escaped the clutches of the notorious cult, the Children of God. As former members of the cult, our guests share their harrowing experiences, detailing the physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as the indoctrination tactics used by the group's leaders. But the voices of these 2 survivors are not just victims - they have become advocates for cult education and awareness. Jemima and Whisper are now the hosts of their own podcas...
Apr 02, 2023•46 min•Ep. 239
In this episode, I talk with with two inspiring women who have escaped the clutches of the notorious cult, the Children of God. As former members of the cult, our guests share their harrowing experiences, detailing the physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as the indoctrination tactics used by the group's leaders. But the voices of these 2 survivors are not just victims - they have become advocates for cult education and awareness. Jemima and Whisper are now the hosts of their own podcas...
Apr 01, 2023•32 min•Ep. 238
In this episode, I talk with with two inspiring women who have escaped the clutches of the notorious cult, the Children of God. As former members of the cult, our guests share their harrowing experiences, detailing the physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as the indoctrination tactics used by the group's leaders. But the voices of these 2 survivors are not just victims - they have become advocates for cult education and awareness. Jemima and Whisper are now the hosts of their own podcas...
Mar 31, 2023•43 min•Ep. 242
In this series I talk with Brendan Whyatt about being born into a family cult with an authoritarian and abusive father who was also involved in a high-demand political group. Brendan talks about his escape from family life, his travels seeking what was missing from childhood and his subsequent stay at an ashram in India. Brendan now works as a University Lecturer and is working to educate himself and others on the nature of cults and coercive control. Find Brendan's work here - Tinnitus | Sense ...
Mar 25, 2023•51 min•Ep. 237
In this series I talk with Brendan Whyatt about being born into a family cult with an authoritarian and abusive father who was also involved in a high-demand political group. Brendan talks about his escape from family life, his travels seeking what was missing from childhood and his subsequent stay at an ashram in India. Brendan now works as a University Lecturer and is working to educate himself and others on the nature of cults and coercive control. Find Brendan's work here - Tinnitus | Sense ...
Mar 24, 2023•58 min•Ep. 238
In this episode, I chat with Tamara MC, PhD. Dr. Tamara MC is a freedom activist for girls and women worldwide. She is a social scientist and linguist who explores how language is used to manipulate vulnerable populations.As a cult, child marriage, polygamy, and modern-day slavery survivor/advocate, themes in her work explore coercive control, intergenerational trauma, religion/spirituality, and mothering. She researches language, culture, and identity in the Middle East and beyond, specifically...
Mar 19, 2023•34 min•Ep. 237
In this episode, I chat with Tamara MC, PhD. Dr. Tamara MC is a freedom activist for girls and women worldwide. She is a social scientist and linguist who explores how language is used to manipulate vulnerable populations.As a cult, child marriage, polygamy, and modern-day slavery survivor/advocate, themes in her work explore coercive control, intergenerational trauma, religion/spirituality, and mothering. She researches language, culture, and identity in the Middle East and beyond, specifically...
Mar 18, 2023•49 min•Ep. 237
In this episode, I chat with Tamara MC, PhD. Dr. Tamara MC is a freedom activist for girls and women worldwide. She is a social scientist and linguist who explores how language is used to manipulate vulnerable populations.As a cult, child marriage, polygamy, and modern-day slavery survivor/advocate, themes in her work explore coercive control, intergenerational trauma, religion/spirituality, and mothering. She researches language, culture, and identity in the Middle East and beyond, specifically...
Mar 17, 2023•46 min•Ep. 237
In this miniseries I talk with Christa about her experiences growing up in River Road Fellowship - a splinter group of The Way International that was started by a man named Victor Barnard. Barnard is now a convicted felon, serving a 30 year sentence for crimes including child sexual assault. For more on Christa's story, visit @thesurvivorexperience on Instagram to follow her work. Intro source - Victor Barnard ran a cult where he sexually assaulted young women he brainwashed to believe he was 'C...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 234
In this miniseries I talk with Christa about her experiences growing up in River Road Fellowship - a splinter group of The Way International that was started by a man named Victor Barnard. Barnard is now a convicted felon, serving a 30 year sentence for crimes including child sexual assault. For more on Christa's story, visit @thesurvivorexperience on Instagram to follow her work. Intro source - Victor Barnard ran a cult where he sexually assaulted young women he brainwashed to believe he was 'C...
Mar 10, 2023•55 min•Ep. 236
In this miniseries, I had the honour of chatting with leading cult expert Alexandra Stein. Alexandra Stein, Ph.D. is a writer and educator specializing in the social psychology of ideological extremism and other dangerous social relationships. Dr. Stein offers programs and materials to help people understand how to identify and protect themselves and others from recruitment to cultic or extremist groups. She also studies and teaches about positive social relationships: "small d" democracy, inclu...
Mar 03, 2023•33 min•Ep. 235
In this miniseries, I had the honour of chatting with leading cult expert Alexandra Stein. Alexandra Stein, Ph.D. is a writer and educator specializing in the social psychology of ideological extremism and other dangerous social relationships. Dr. Stein offers programs and materials to help people understand how to identify and protect themselves and others from recruitment to cultic or extremist groups. She also studies and teaches about positive social relationships: "small d" democracy, inclu...
Mar 03, 2023•41 min•Ep. 235
In this miniseries, I had the honour of chatting with leading cult expert Alexandra Stein. Alexandra Stein, Ph.D. is a writer and educator specializing in the social psychology of ideological extremism and other dangerous social relationships. Dr. Stein offers programs and materials to help people understand how to identify and protect themselves and others from recruitment to cultic or extremist groups. She also studies and teaches about positive social relationships: "small d" democracy, inclu...
Mar 03, 2023•33 min•Season 2Ep. 235
In this miniseries I talk with Rachel about her experiences growing up listening to Family Radio - a Christian broadcast run by Harold Camping. Camping was a radio preacher from California who would prophesised multuple doomsday dates, encouraging listeners to prepare for the rapture, for the end of the world. The results of this included people quitting jobs, selling homes, even killing pets. Rachel joins the podcast to talk through how rapture anxiety shaped part of her childhood, with the eff...
Feb 26, 2023•59 min•Ep. 233
In this miniseries I talk with Rachel about her experiences growing up listening to Family Radio - a Christian broadcast run by Harold Camping. Camping was a radio preacher from California who would prophesised multuple doomsday dates, encouraging listeners to prepare for the rapture, for the end of the world. The results of this included people quitting jobs, selling homes, even killing pets. Rachel joins the podcast to talk through how rapture anxiety shaped part of her childhood, with the eff...
Feb 25, 2023•46 min•Ep. 233
In this miniseries I talk with Rachel about her experiences growing up listening to Family Radio - a Christian broadcast run by Harold Camping. Camping was a radio preacher from California who would prophesised multuple doomsday dates, encouraging listeners to prepare for the rapture, for the end of the world. The results of this included people quitting jobs, selling homes, even killing pets. Rachel joins the podcast to talk through how rapture anxiety shaped part of her childhood, with the eff...
Feb 24, 2023•47 min•Ep. 233
In this episode I chat with Brandon Chadwick, host of the Narcissist Apocalypse podcast. From Brandon's website: "In 2019, I began interviewing survivors of narcissistic and domestic abuse on my podcast, Narcissist Apocalypse. In that time, I’ve published over 250 survivor stories, interviewed countless experts in the field, from therapists, to lawyers, to domestic violence advocates and agencies. My philosophy for the podcast was to be different, and to me, that meant to be real, not clinical. ...
Feb 18, 2023•53 min•Season 2Ep. 231
In this episode I chat with Brandon Chadwick, host of the Narcissist Apocalypse podcast. From Brandon's website: "In 2019, I began interviewing survivors of narcissistic and domestic abuse on my podcast, Narcissist Apocalypse. In that time, I’ve published over 250 survivor stories, interviewed countless experts in the field, from therapists, to lawyers, to domestic violence advocates and agencies. My philosophy for the podcast was to be different, and to me, that meant to be real, not clinical. ...
Feb 17, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 232
When being disfellowshipped from the Jehovah's Witnesses, individuals often experience being completely closed off and shunned from their own congregation. Often times, in high demand religious groups such as the JW's, this community is all the individual has ever known, including family and close friends. The strain placed on marriages adds an extra layer of turmoil. In Daniel O'Brien's case, the relationship with his young sons would forever changed. In this episode, Daniel unpacks hypocrisy i...
Feb 12, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 231
