Best Jw Cult Podcasts (2024)

1
Unorthodox: Building Communities of Ideas with Reb Moshe Waldoks 1:05:05

3h ago1:05:05

1:05:05

Come join me for a personal discussion with the man I credit for helping me to reconnect with my Jewish identity and faith. Reb Moshe Waldoks helped me find a practice of Judaism that spoke to my soul. Reb Moshe is the son of Holocaust survivors and an “advocate for joy.” Reb Moshe spent 12 years as a teacher, storyteller, and comedian. He co-edite…

1
#20 (Part 2) Boundaries: What F@#% is that?! 35:25

2h ago35:25

35:25

Following up on the very positive response we received from part 1, in this episode we elaborate on these ideas around setting boundaries, and cover: Knowing when to set boundaries Different ways of speaking our boundaries and helpful phrases to use How to handle it when setting boundaries doesn't go as smoothly as we'd like And finally, how to put…

1
#19 (Part 1) Boundaries: What F@#% is that?! 20:52

2h ago20:52

20:52

To most ex-JWs, especially those newly out, the idea of boundaries is a foreign concept. Because, for the most part, boundaries don't exist within the organization. The idea of saying "no" "that doesn't feel good" or "please don't do that" are not really in our vocabulary, and we've been programmed to think that using those phrases makes us a bad p…

1
Occulture and Undue Influence in Cults of Past and Present with Joseph Szimhart 1:04:55

2h ago1:04:55

1:04:55

In this episode of Influence Continuum, I spoke with my good friend and long-time colleague Joseph Szimhart. He is a cult and intervention expert and has an over 25-year history of working as a case worker in mental health. Want to understand the history of cult belief systems, including QAnon? Ascended Masters? Angles? Channelers? Mystics? Did you…

1
#18 (Part2) Navigating life with a PIMI spouse and children 17:16

8d ago17:16

17:16

Waking up from the org can be a lonely adventure, and even more so when those in your immediate family are determined to stay asleep In response to fan requests, today's episode will be devoted to discussing how to navigate this dynamic, and some questions to consider which will help determine how to move forward. In part 1 we will discuss the best…

1
The More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Warn Anew with forensic psychiatrist Bandy X. Lee MD 1:02:39

1d ago1:02:39

1:02:39

The November 2024 election will determine the future of America and the free world. Donald Trump has chosen J.D. Vance as his vice president, and the pair continue to get increasingly “weird,” and lying seems to be ramping up if that is even possible. Conservative attorney George Conway has created the Anti-Psychopath PAC and has publicly called ou…

1
#17 (Part 1) Navigating life with a PIMI spouse and children 11:27

11d ago11:27

11:27

Waking up from the org can be a lonely adventure, and even more so when those in your immediate family are determined to stay asleep In response to fan requests, today's episode will be devoted to discussing how to navigate this dynamic, and some questions to consider which will help determine how to move forward. In part 1 we will discuss the best…

1
4th Generation Psychological Warfare and The Christian Right: A Discussion with James Scaminaci III 52:32

9d ago52:32

52:32

With the election just a few months away and an unprecedented barrage of psychological warfare being leveled at Americans, as well as people around the world, we decided to reshare this podcast and blog from 2020. It features Dr. James Scaminaci’s expertise on psychological warfare and specifically something called Fourth Generation Warfare (4GW). …

1
#16 (Part 2): Imagining what a loving god might actually look like 11:39

18d ago11:39

11:39

How many times have we heard that "God is love"? In this episode we challenge that idea. In part 1, we spend some time breaking down challenging that claim based on what we know about god from the bible. In part 2, we will spend some time thinking about what a loving god might actually look like and play with the idea of what life might be like if …

1
#15 (Part 1): Imagining what a loving god might actually look like 13:32

23d ago13:32

13:32

How many times have we heard that "God is love"? In this episode we challenge that idea. In part 1, we spend some time breaking down challenging that claim based on what we know about god from the bible. In part 2, we will spend some time thinking about what a loving god might actually look like and play with the idea of what life might be like if …

1
Former Trump Attorney Michael Cohen on His Experience in The Cult of Trump 1:09:45

15d ago1:09:45

1:09:45

With the 2024 election coming in November, Trump has been ramping up his rhetoric about using the DOJ to go after his critics who he considers his enemies. He has managed to enthrall millions to think God is on Trump’s side. All I can say is that no one has experienced more directly the weaponization of the DOJ using former AG William Barr, than Mi…

1
#14 (Part 2): Changing how we talk to ourselves (How to do it) 15:23

1M ago15:23

15:23

(This is part 2 of this episode) Most of us carry some version of the harsh inner critic. And why wouldn't we? All we have been told by the org is that we have been born bad, we can never do enough and that kindness from god is "undeserved". This abusive voice tends to dominate, interfering with our ability thrive and enjoy our lives. In this episo…

1
Empowered: Helping Support Survivors of Human Trafficking with Kristy Norbert LCSW 55:03

1M ago55:03

55:03

Kristy Norbert, co-founder and executive director of Empowered Network, is a licensed social worker with over 20 years of experience who has developed trauma-informed programs aimed at helping trafficking survivors achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Her insights reveal the critical intersection between human trafficking and mind cont…

1
#13 (Part 1): Changing how we talk to ourselves 19:13

1M ago19:13

19:13

Most of us carry some version of the harsh inner critic. And why wouldn't we? All we have been told by the org is that we have been born bad, we can never do enough and that kindness from god is "undeserved". This abusive voice tends to dominate, interfering with our ability thrive and enjoy our lives. In this episode, we explore the nature of this…

1
#12 Fear of Falling Prey to Another Cult or Group 16:33

1M ago16:33

16:33

One of the more common fears I hear about from my clients is that they will unwittingly fall victim to another group or organization that doesn't have their best interests at heart. Because of this, they have trouble opening themselves up to new ideas or engaging with group situations. In this episode, we discuss the reasons why this fear is mispla…

1
It’s More Important to be Related than Right: Compassion in the Time of Social Media with Ravi Chandra, M.D. 58:33

1M ago58:33

58:33

Humans crave connection. This need for connection is a vital aspect of the psychology behind cults, coercion, and undue influence. Isolation makes people vulnerable and fearful and more likely to be influenced in harmful ways. Psychiatrist Ravi Chandra discusses the psychology of connection, how institutions can take action to encourage empathy and…

1
#11 (Part 2): Keeping or Cutting Family and Friends 24:13

2M ago24:13

24:13

Loss of family and friends is one of the most painful aspects of leaving the org. Most of us will do anything in order to maintain those ties. But sometimes the lengths we go to keep those connections does us more harm than good. In this episode, we explore whether these ties are worth cutting or keeping, and how we might go about severing these co…

1
#10 (Part 1): Keeping or Cutting Family and Friends 16:40

2M ago16:40

16:40

Loss of family and friends is one of the most painful aspects of leaving the org. Most of us will do anything in order to maintain those ties. But sometimes the lengths we go to keep those connections does us more harm than good. In this episode, we explore whether these ties are worth cutting or keeping, and how we might go about severing these co…

1
#9 Keeping the Faith (NOT the religious kind) 35:32

2M ago35:32

35:32

Most of us have a negative association with the word "faith". To those of us who have escaped from high control religions, the word "faith" implies blind allegiance to a harmful belief systems that creates division and doesn't hold up to the slightest scrutiny. Today, we redefine and reclaim the word faith, and talk about the importance of cultivat…

1
A Portuguese Journey of Awakening and Advocacy with Ex-JW Elder António Madaleno 1:04:04

2M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

Did you know there are 8.6 million dedicated members of the Watchtower Society or Jehovah’s Witnesses, and supposedly, over 20 million people attend their annual big meeting (memorial attendance) worldwide? They are out on street corners, travel terminals in pairs. When I heard about a new book in Portuguese by a former elder, I wanted to learn mor…

1
#8 Why it's so hard to wake them up (and some ideas if you choose to try) 32:50

2M ago32:50

32:50

What's better than waking up from the org? Waking and taking your friends and family with you. Sadly, this is easier said, and almost never done. In this episode we talk about the psychological mechanisms which keep people asleep, as well as a few ideas for those bold enough to try (please be warned though, in my experience it is nearly impossible)…

1
Flourishing and Developing Healthy Physiologic Responses During Ongoing Stressors: Dr. Eva Selhub, M.D. 52:48

2M ago52:48

52:48

This fascinating interview is with Dr. Eva Selhub who worked at Harvard with Herb Benson developing and understanding about the mind body connection to health. Dr. Selhub is an internationally recognized resiliency expert who has worked as a physician, author, executive coach, keynote speaker, and spiritual advisor. She has written many books, incl…

1
#7 You Are Not Broken 18:40

2M ago18:40

18:40

Sharing our story, of the ways in which we have been hurt by this organization, and our grief over challenges it has created for us is an essential part of our healing process. But sometimes, we can get a little stuck in this stage of development, and not infrequently the story we are repeating is one that perpetuates the idea that we are forever d…

1
#6 (Part 2): Breaking free from black and white thinking 14:16

2M ago14:16

14:16

Black and white, right and wrong, good and bad... This is how JWs approach the world, and it creates a real problem for those of us who enter into the world with this rigid dualistic mindset. Forget black and white. Today we learn to live in color

1
Insights on Surviving and Thriving After a Cult with Michelle Dowd 1:01:39

2M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

I had the privilege of a second opportunity to talk with Michelle Dowd, a journalism professor and author of Forager: Field Notes on Surviving a Family Cult. I watched Michelle’s three-and-a-half-hour interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Joe was utterly fascinated by Dowd’s cult experience and asked many questions, including what a cult is. Michelle m…

1
#5 (Part 1): Breaking free from black and white thinking 15:47

2M ago15:47

15:47

Black and white, right and wrong, good and bad... This is how JWs approach the world, and it creates a real problem for those of us who enter into the world with this rigid dualistic mindset. Forget black and white. Today we learn to live in colorBy Dr Ryan Lee

1
Where Are They Now? Candice Ficalora 50:40

2M ago50:40

50:40

Hello there! It's good to be back, I am excited about this new series. Are you ready for some stories about growth? Health and wellness? Healthy mindsets? Unraveled indoctrination? LET'S DO IT!!---------------------------------------------------------------For Candace's first interview:https://youtu.be/rE_mP0aTEyYBorn and raised in Brooklyn NYC to …

1
#4 (Part 2): Learning to trust your treacherous heart 16:51

2M ago16:51

16:51

How many times have we heard about the dangers of trusting our treacherous heart? Among the many ways in which JW indoctrination sabotages our senses and turn us against ourselves, this is one of the most insidious. It tells us not to trust one of the deepest and most important aspects of our being. Today we take some time to dispel this nasty bit …

1
#3 (Part 1): Learning to trust your treacherous heart 16:07

3M ago16:07

16:07

How many times have we heard about the dangers of trusting our treacherous heart? Among the many ways in which JW indoctrination sabotages our senses and turn us against ourselves, this is one of the most insidious. It tells us not to trust one of the deepest and most important aspects of our being. Today we take some time to dispel this nasty bit …

1
Unmasking Climate Denial: How Cult Tactics Fuel Disinformation with David Lipsky 1:03:41

2M ago1:03:41

1:03:41

I read David Lipsky’s article in Rolling Stone last year on how the Moonies have been the center for global climate denial for 50 years through their Washington Times organization. I immediately bought his book, The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial and wanted to interview him. Well, the paperback is now out and we had a great…

1
#2 (Part 2): I'm out, now what? 5 essential tasks for moving on 17:10

3M ago17:10

17:10

Ok, so you've just left the organization. First of all, congratulations! Welcome to our ex-JW tribe! What you have done is nothing short of heroic. It takes so much bravery to make that choice, and trust us, it will be worth it. But now that you're out, you may be wondering what comes next? Where should you channel your energy and attention? Well, …

1
#1 (Part 1): I'm out, now what? 5 essential tasks for moving on 16:04

3M ago16:04

16:04

Ok, so you've just left the organization. First of all, congratulations! Welcome to our ex-JW tribe! What you have done is nothing short of heroic. It takes so much bravery to make that choice, and trust us, it will be worth it. But now that you're out, you may be wondering what comes next? Where should you channel your energy and attention? Well, …

1
The Moon Cult: An Interview with former top American leader Allen Tate Wood 1:00:23

2M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

For those who know Combating Cult Mind Control and my work, you know I was in the Moon cult. However, if you are under 50 years old, most people have no idea what the Moonies are about. Allen Tate Wood was a four-year member of the Unification Church–aka The Moon organization. He was the Chief Political Officer of the Unification Church in the Unit…

1
Ex-Scientologists, Recovery, and Helping Others – a Discussion with Jon Atack 1:03:09

2M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

One of the most publicized authoritarian cults is Scientology and the world’s leading authority is Jon Atack. Jon and I have been friends and colleagues He is the author of Let’s Sell These People A Piece of Blue Sky, considered the definitive book on Scientology, Dianetics, and L. Ron Hubbard. During our podcast, we discussed the new audiobook ver…

1
“Conspiratorial Demonology” in the New Apostolic Reformation: LGBTQ Students and Undue Influence in Schools with Jonathon Sawyer 1:02:20

3M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

Jonathon Sawyer is urgently speaking out against involvement of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) in education for a very clear reason. He stated, “More people need to know that those who are discriminated against [sometimes] become those who discriminate.” In psychology, we call this the victim, victimizer paradigm. It is the idea that without h…

1
Cult Trip: Inside the World of Coercion & Control with Journalist Anke Richter 1:03:06

3M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

Anke Richter co-founded FACT (Fight Against Conspiracy Theories) and is organizing the first cult awareness conference in Australia, DECULT. Anke’s bestseller “Cult Trip: Inside the World of Coercion & Control” is about her ten-year investigation into sex cults –from tantra yoga to the Human Potential Movement to fundamentalist Christianity. She is…

1
Ep 2: Joseph Rutherford; Resurrected Abraham Driving Home to San Diego with the Top Down 51:07

3M ago51:07

51:07

Send us a Text Message. This episode is part two of a four part series going over the history of Jehovah's Witness leaders from the very beginning until the governing body members in 2024. This episode, Ryley and Willow discuss the president who created the cult's trademark namesake of "Jehovah's Witnesses". Following Rutherford and his one lung on…

1
Raised in Scientology, He Became a Military Helicopter Pilot and Rescued His Abused Mother with Mike Brown 1:04:30

3M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Mike tried to escape Scientology’s undue influence when he was 15. As punishment for trying to escape, he was isolated, sleep-deprived, and forced to do hard labor for over a year and a half. Mike reflects that he felt like a prisoner during this time. Mike finally escaped Scientology at age 27 and joined the military. He had little education and n…

1
Ex-Communication from Unitarian Universalism: the World’s Most Liberal Religion with Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof 1:03:24

3M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Rev. Dr. Todd F. Eklof has been the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, WA, since 2011. He’s appreciated for his mind-altering sermons, compassionate soul, and social activism. Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism have traditionally been known as liberal religions, defined by their commitment to individual dignity and freed…

1
How to Be a World-Class Investigator with Julie Jones 1:02:07

4M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

A former British Police Detective and Undercover Operator, Julie Jones is the founder and CEO of Human-I Intelligence Services, an international consultancy specializing in cybercrime investigations and online open-source intelligence (OSINT). She is a recognized international expert in human trafficking. A bestselling author of the book How to Be …

1
Ep 1: Charles Taze Russell; The Virgin Jellyfish & His Pyramid of Prophecies 42:12

4M ago42:12

42:12

Send us a Text Message. In the pilot episode of the Trauma & Tribulation Podcast we are introduced to our host Ryley Hawthorne (he/him), a ex 4th generation Jehovah's Witness and his co-host best friend Willow Anderson (she/her) who has zero experience with the doomsday cult. This episode is part one of a four part series going over the history of …

1
The Life of Candace Pert: Dysfunction in Medical Science and Research Communities with Pamela Ryckman 1:10:43

4M ago1:10:43

1:10:43

My guest on this episode of The Influence Continuum is Pamela Ryckman, who wrote the book Candace Pert: Genius, Greed, and Madness in the World of Science. Science and health institutions can mimic cult-like behaviors and dysfunctional systems when the structures within them become overly competitive and focused on limited resources to obtain profe…

1
Trauma & Tribulation Podcast Preview 1:38

4M ago1:38

1:38

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to the Trauma & Tribulation Podcast feat co-hosts Ryley and Willow as they deconstruct the infamous doomsday cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses. Follow us on Tiktok @Trauma.and.Tribulation for behind the scenes content and episode previews! https://www.tiktok.com/@trauma.and.tribulation…

1
Supporting Patient Comfort Through Rapid Hypnotic Techniques with Elvira Lang-Anderson, M.D. 55:47

4M ago55:47

55:47

Empowering patients or clients to have authority and control over their medical experiences is vital to beneficial therapeutic care. Likewise, well-crafted use of professional communication skills in setting expectations about clinical procedures and outcomes can mean the difference between a traumatic medical visit versus one being remembered with…

1
Leaving a Martial Arts Cult with Russell Johnson 1:05:49

5M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

Russell Johnson is a former member of the Korean martial arts cult Chung Moo Quan. After much negative publicity, its name was changed to Oom Yung Doe. Now a professional security consultant, activist, and podcaster, Russell got involved with the cult as a teen and was involved for eight years. We first met in the early 90s when he contacted me aft…

1
Defining Exit Ramps for Militia Members with Former Propagandist Oath Keeper Jason Van Tatenhove 1:02:59

5M ago1:02:59

1:02:59

“America right now needs some exit ramps,” Jason Van Tatenhove said as we discussed his former role as national media director for the Oath Keepers, a group known for its far-right anti-government militia. While Jason would ultimately decide to leave the group in 2016 due to increasing racism and Holocaust denial within their membership, the Oath K…

1
Right-wing Christian Movements Threatening our Democracy with Matthew D. Taylor, PhD 1:08:33

5M ago1:08:33

1:08:33

As a Protestant, Matthew D. Taylor, Ph.D., is a Senior Scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS), where he specializes in Muslim-Christian dialogue, Evangelical and Pentecostal movements, religious politics in the U.S., and American Islam. ICJS produced a 30-minute documentary, Spiritual Warriors: Decoding Christian…

1
Clinical Hypnosis and its Benefits for a New Health Care Paradigm with Julie H. Linden, PhD 57:48

5M ago57:48

57:48

Hypnosis is everywhere on the Internet- either covertly like ASMR or overtly, where people are enticed to learn hypnosis or NLP, a version of Ericksonian hypnosis. My guest is the lead editor of a comprehensive textbook on clinical hypnosis. Still, it also includes two chapters I co-authored with law professor emeritus Alan Scheflin on the dark sid…

1
Discussing Military Insights, AI, and Influence with Ryan McBeth 1:06:38

6M ago1:06:38

1:06:38

In this enlightening episode, I speak to Ryan McBeth, an experienced military veteran and a recognized figure in cybersecurity, military analysis, and artificial intelligence, to explore a range of thought-provoking topics. Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge from his 20 years of service as an anti-armor and heavy weapons infantryman and his prolific…

1
Navigating Journalistic Integrity in an Age of Misinformation with Anthony Davis 1:02:20

6M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

Anthony Davis is a British broadcaster, journalist, and voiceover artist. He was born in London and has been based in Los Angeles since 2017, where he works remotely from his home studio with networks worldwide. Since November 2021, his collaborations with the MeidasTouch media network, including the Five-Minute News, The Weekend Show, and America …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Jw Cult Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide