A podcast about cults, coercive control and recovery. Formerly called the Sensibly Speaking podcast, in this weekly show host Chris Shelton interviews cult survivors, psychologists and other professionals and specialists about the topics of cult recruitment, retention and recovery.
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Welcome to Myth Matters, a thought-provoking exploration of the role myth plays in contemporary life life and the intersection of myth, creativity, and consciousness. Host Catherine Svehla PhD. shares her knowledge of mythology and depth psychology to find insight and explore possibilities. Member of the Joseph Campbell Foundation MythMaker℠ Podcast Network. Learn more at www.mythicmojo.com and keep the mystery in your life alive.
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Fate and free will, and the longing for purpose and prospect of destiny that hangs somewhere in-between. How do these forces shape our lives? Do we play assigned roles in a cosmic plan or make it all up as we go? These questions weave through many myths and stories. What answers do we find and how can we live with the questions? Support the show Em…
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Speaking of Cults...The Tolls of Taking on Your Abusers
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Sorry for the delay this week in posting this, but we did a live podcast this week to discuss the toll that it can take to challenge or try to expose your abuser, whether a cult, domestic partner, gang or something else. I hope you'll give this one a watch as it was really from the heart and I think there's something in here for every cult survivor…
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The Bhagavad-Gita and yoga of awareness with Gabriella Nagy
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“A yogi sees Me in all things and all things within Me.” Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad-Gita is an important Hindu teaching story embedded in the Mahabharata, an astonishing epic poem. Astonishing for its length- 100,000 verses-- and for its beauty. Astonishing for the complexity of the social and spiritual world constructed in the poem …
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Speaking of Cults...Recovery and Support Groups
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This week we are very happy to feature Ashlen Hilliard, a fellow alumni of the Salford Coercive Control program and fellow cult fighter. She has a lot to share about her own motivations for doing this work, what our education did for our work, what ICSA is (and isn't) and forming support groups for ex-members. Enjoy! Ashlen's website: https://peopl…
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Speaking of Cults...Cyberstalking and Cults
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This week we are covering the topics of cyberstalking, cyber-harassment and digital coercive control, all very real and related activities that occur daily on the internet and especially in destructive cults. We're covering some of the key points of research and statistical information and what the problems are in dealing with these things in the r…
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Fee-fi-fo-fum: Outwitting the Ogres in Life
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Last Monday, February 26th was Tell a Fairy Tale Day. I began preparation for this episode with the intention of telling you a fairy tale, perhaps one that was connected to the holiday. This process opened up reflection on the necessity of a well-developed imagination to meet life challenges in a creative and satisfying way, and the role fairy tale…
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Speaking of Cults...Growing Up a Shiny Happy Person
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This week I am joined by Chad Harris, a man who grew up under the religious homeschooling program of Bill Gothard and the IBLP, infamously connected to the Duggar family and featured on the recent documentary Shiny Happy People. Chad has quite a bit to share with us about how religious homeschooling can be done very wrong, how this can lead to othe…
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Speaking of Cults...Scientology in Australia 2024
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This week I am joined by Cass Filetti, aka Theta Novis, a very recently escaped ex-Scientologist from Brisbane, Australia who has a lot of updates and an interesting story to share of her experience with Scientology in Australia and its connections to the US and Sea Org. Enjoy! Please consider supporting this podcast and helping me to offer more an…
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Speaking of Cults...Little Treatments, Big Effects
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This week I am joined by Dr. Jessica Schleider, a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist, to discuss her new book, "Little Treatments, Big Effects" and how single session interventions and recognizing the power of psychoeducation and epiphanies may help revolutionize mental health care. Enjoy! Dr. Schleider on Twitter: @jschleiderPhD Her book on Ama…
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The Problem of the Return and the End of the Hero's Adventure
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We have an ever- increasing wealth of myths and stories, fueled by new discoveries and ongoing mythmaking. There are also dominant myths and stories, and dominant ideas about myths and stories, that limit the usefulness of this inheritance and the possibilities we entertain. In the last episode, I turned to the Hero's Adventure, a mythic pattern ar…
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Speaking of Cults...What was L. Ron Hubbard's Problem?
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This week I am joined by Dr. Yuval Laor to discuss in detail the symptoms and characteristics of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and why we believe that L. Ron Hubbard (as well as many other cult leaders and historical figures) suffered from this condition. We go deep in this one because this has more relevant and importance of cultic studies than most peop…
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Speaking of Cults...Trauma Awareness and Recovery with Emily Ragland
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This week I am joined by Emily Ragland, trauma facilitator and coach, to discuss how to recognize trauma in others, how to deal with that and help rather than make it worse. As part of this podcast, we go into detail about an incident of SA which is part of Emily's own story. This is a tough one but if you want to know more about these issues, this…
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It's only January and 2024 already feels like a year of consequence. Crazy weather and climate change, war, elections, ideological, religious, and cultural conflicts, and Pluto's move into Aquarius, heralding a long underworld journey of transformation in our communities, social contracts, technology, idea of service, and visions of freedom. What r…
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Speaking of Cults...Post-Cult Trauma and Conflicts
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In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Laura Anderson, a religious trauma specialist who has written When Religion Hurts You and who treats clients overcoming difficult experiences with religion. We discuss post-cult trauma and how this can affect ex-cult communities as well. Enjoy! Dr. Anderson's websites: https://drlauraeanderson.com/ https:/…
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Speaking of Cults...Scientology’s Rocky Future
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For our second episode of Speaking of Cults, I am joined by Alexander Barnes-Ross aka @ApostateAlex, fellow YouTuber and former Scientologist for a deep dive discussion on how David Miscavige has been recycling the same "weird trick" for decades now and one way or another, things are going to come to a head with his most important supporters if som…
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Speaking of Cults...Let’s Go Over Cult Basics
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Welcome to the first episode of the rebranded Sensibly Speaking podcast, now re-titled and re-purposed as the Speaking of Cults podcast. This podcast remains on the same website and RSS stream as the previous one, so you shouldn't have to change anything as an audio subscriber. This week we review all the basics of what a destructive cult is (and i…
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Endings and Beginnings: Odin's Quest for Wisdom
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The solstice will soon be upon us, followed by the arrival of a new year. A time of endings and beginnings. Reckoning. This passage through winter darkness here the in northern hemisphere leads me to Norse mythology and my fascination with the god Odin. Odin is a god who lives with the prophecy that his world will end and he will die. This is an un…
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Living your heart's desire: The Tale of the Doomed Prince
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"I am destined to die either by a crocodile, a serpent, or a dog; it is the will of the gods. Then let me go forth and follow my heart's desire while I live.". 2023 is drawing to a close. "The Tale of the Doomed Prince," a fairy tale found in ancient Egyptian papyri from 1550 BCE or so, is an interesting companion to year end (year round?) reflecti…
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This week I am talking about the fact I'm taking a break for December on a bunch of my work, including this podcast and that when it comes back in January it will have a new name and branding. Details of this and a lot more personal stuff that's been going on recently are gone over. Enjoy!By Chris Shelton
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Scientology, Coverups and Real Crimes ft. Mirriam Francis
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This week I am joined by former Scientologist Mirriam Francis, whose story was featured on Scientology and the Aftermath, to discuss her experiences being raised in the Sea Org, escaping and what recovery has been like for her, including her involvement with the justice system for the abuse she endured at the hands of a family member. This is a tou…
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The existence of monsters, alongside gods and goddesses, is a distinguishing feature of myths, fairy tales, and legends. Defeating a monster is often the test of the hero, the act that makes that individual a hero. And yet, life is full of challenges and dangers. There are plenty of opportunities for various forms of heroism in this everyday world …
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Overcoming Childhood Religious Trauma ft. Dr. Darrel Ray
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This week I am joined by Dr. Darrel Ray - psychologist, researcher, author and President of the Recovering from Religion Foundation - to discuss childhood religious trauma, why it exists and why it can be so life destroying. This is not an anti-religious screed - it is a psychological fact and one that we have to deal with if we want happy, success…
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BONUS - Scientology Protest in the UK
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We are posting a special bonus podcast episode this week as we didn't want to wait to get this interview out. Here we talk about the big protest staged by Apostate Alex with the help of Jeff Beaumont (PTS for Life) and others, what happened over the three days and why Scientology and David Miscavige definitely took notice. Enjoy!…
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Psychedelics, Jolly West and Scientology ft. Jon Atack
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This week I am joined by Jon Atack to finally have that talk about psychedelics, cult recovery and the drugs which can help bring about extremely altered states of consciousness. This was another wide-ranging discussion where we go deep on the dangers and potentials of drug therapy in moving on from an abusive/cultic experience. Enjoy!…
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The Scientology Experience in Canada ft. Jeff Beaumont
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This week I am joined by Jeff Beaumont, known in the SP TV community as PTS for Life, who has quite a story to tell as a second generation Scientologist raised in a broken home and in and out of the Sea Org more than once. We had an insightful time discussing his experiences and comparing notes on our time in the Sea Org. Enjoy!…
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Mythic Sensibility: The Enchanted Cave of Cesh Corran
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The season around Halloween and Samhain is a liminal time when shadows grow and lengthen in the world and psyche. The old Celtic stories of poet warriors and fairies feel especially potent to me right now, so I'm dipping back into the collection Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens for this story offering. "The Enchanted Cave of Cesh Corran" is rich…
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The Cult with No Name ft. River Wood
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This week I am joined by River Wood to discuss their upbringing in what is known as 2x2s but really is an extremist Christian cult with no official name and hiding in plain sight. We cover a lot of territory and I hope you find it as fascinating as I did. Enjoy!By Chris Shelton
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The Process Church, Manson & Scientology Lore w/Jon Atack
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This week I am joined by Jon Atack to discuss and debunk the conspiracy theories surrounding the Process Church, the Son of Sam and Scientology. And when we're done with that, we get into the real facts about Manson's involvement with Scientology. This is a wild one. Enjoy!By Chris Shelton
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"Those Who Live Beneath Us": Sedna the Inuit Woman of the Sea
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Sedna is the goddess mother of the sea, marine animals, and the underworld in the myths of the Inuit people, an indigenous Arctic culture. This episode is an exploration of variations on her origin story, and some of the questions and possibilities Sedna raises in this time of climate change and fundamentalism. Support the show Email Catherine at d…
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#407:Cults and Religious Trauma w/Dr. Laura Anderson
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This week I welcome Dr. Laura Anderson, psychotherapist and religious trauma expert, to discuss how trauma works, how it is treated and what this has to do with cult members and everyday folks in our day to day life. We cover a lot of territory in this one. Enjoy! Find out more about Dr. Anderson at https://drlauraeanderson.com and check out her ne…
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#406: Catholicism’s Culty Problems with Anthony Spurgin
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This week I am joined by former "tradcat" (Traditional Catholic) Anthony Spurgin to discuss his experiences and abuses growing up in a family practicing pre-Vatican II Catholicism. We cover what "tradcats" are, how sexual and child abuse is not dealt with in Catholicism and why this is absolutely unacceptable. Link to YouTube video of this podcast:…
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#405: Our Biggest Barriers to Critical Thinking w/Melanie Trecek-King
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This week I am joined by educator Melanie Trecek-King to discuss the real barriers and problems people have with engaging in critical thinking and we dived into cult thinking, belief and a bunch of other stuff. This was another fun and insightful conversation. Enjoy! aj6tr7m7 The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #405: Our Biggest Barriers to Critical…
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The Story of Tuan Mac Cairill and the Salmon of Knowledge
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"I went out to the hazel wood, Because a fire was in my head, And cut and peeled a hazel wand, And hooked a berry to a thread.." ---from "The Song of Wandering Aengus" by W.B. Yeats The Salmon of Knowledge is a mythical creature in Irish folklore associated with poetry and knowledge of deep truths. Any person who ate a bit of the fish would become …
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#404: NXIVM, Scientology and Beyond w/Mark Vicente
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This week I am joined by Mark Vicente, NXIVM survivor and film maker who joins me to discuss our cult experiences and life beyond that, including his most recent project interviewing psychopaths and where that is going. This was a fun and insightful conversation. Enjoy! The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #404: NXIVM, Scientology and Beyond w/Mark V…
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#403: Scientology Finances in the UK with Apostate Alex
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You're currently a free subscriber. Upgrade your subscription to get access to the rest of this post and other paid-subscriber only content. Upgrade subscription The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #403: Scientology Finances in the UK appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.By Chris Shelton
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Mythical Bonds: Dogs, Kinship, and the Irish tale of Fionn and the Birth of Bran
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“Dogs are our link to paradise.” -- Milan Kundera Sometimes a "little" detail in my day triggers thoughts about my mythic orientation and brings stories to mind. This episode began with a short news story about a dog. Which led me to a Jicarilla Apache creation myth and an Irish legend about Fionn MacCool. These stories remind us of the enduring bo…
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#402: Fighting Scientology in Europe ft. Jakub Jahl
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You're currently a free subscriber. Upgrade your subscription to get access to the rest of this post and other paid-subscriber only content. Upgrade subscription The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #402: Fighting Scientology in Europe appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.By Chris Shelton
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#401: Manson, Scientology and Mind Control ft. Jon Atack
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This week I am joined by channel friend Jon Atack to discuss Charles Manson, his definite connections with Scientology and how this relates to mind control, Helter Skelter and popular belief. We covered a lot of ground in this podcast. Enjoy! The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #401: Manson, Scientology and Mind Control appeared first on The Sensibl…
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#400: How to Become a Cult Leader - The Critical Review (live)
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For our 400th episode of the Sensibly Speaking Podcast, we went live to discuss and breakdown the new cult documentary on Netflix, How to Become a Cult Leader. We had quite a bit to say and got some great feedback from the audience along the way. Enjoy! The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #400: How to Become a Cult Leader – The Critical Review appea…
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#399: How to Change Extreme Beliefs and Cultic Behavior ft. Anthony Magnabasco
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This week I am joined by Anthony Magnabasco to discuss street epistemology, a method for inquiring into deeply held beliefs and what this has to do with bridging divides, helping people in cults, therapy and a lot more. Enjoy! The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #399: How to Change Extreme Beliefs and Cultic Behavior appeared first on The Sensibly S…
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Churning the Cosmic sea: Joseph Campbell, meaning, and the rapture of being alive
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"I don’t think the meaning of life is what we’re seeking. I think it’s an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have residences within our own innermost being in reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive." -- Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth The meaning of life isn't what we'r…
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#398: From Clear to Eternity - Scientology’s OT FIlms ft. Mitch Brisker
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This week I am joined again by Scientology veteran and film maker Mitch Brisker to discuss something NO ONE has ever talked about before, at least not anywhere I could find: the confidential L. Ron Hubbard films on Scientology’s OT Levels. We go into some of the details of the films, what it took to restore them and a lot more from there. Enjoy! Th…
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Myth, science, and the creation story: Mr. g by Alan Lightman
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"Rationality and logic can be spiritual." -- Alan Lightman, Mr. g The antagonism between Western science and myth/religion has shaped human history and continues to obstruct the quest for a holistic understanding of existence. In Myths to Live By, Joseph Campbell outlines the conflict and offers solutions to the modern dilemma. Science will provide…
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#397: When Therapists are Predators ft. Emma Stevens
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Coercive control is not just isolated to cults. This week we go on a different tangent to explore coercive control in the adoption system and in unethical therapy – two areas that are hardly ever discussed but in which abuses happen daily. I am joined by Emma Stevens, who opens up about her experiences and shares why the coercion she had to grow up…
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#396: The Art of Propaganda ft. Mitch Brisker
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This week I have Mitch Brisker back to discuss more of his work for the Church of Scientology as a professional film director and creative. Today, we go deep into Church propaganda, psychiatry, working at Golden Era Productions and a lot more. Enjoy! The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #396: The Art of Propaganda appeared first on The Sensibly Speak…
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Gates of Babylon: The Enduring Legacy of Ancient Creation Myths
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The Babylonian Enuma Elish, also known as The Seven Tablets of Creation, is one of the oldest surviving creation myths. The story narrates the epic battle between the god Marduk and the primordial goddess Tiamat, which resulted in the creation of mankind and the establishment of an enduring order in heaven and on earth. No one alive today "believes…
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#395: Gaslighting In and Out of Cults ft. Dr. Robin Stern
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This week I am joined by pyschologist and author Dr. Robin Stern to discuss her specialty, gaslighting. We cover how this is done, how to spot it when it’s happening to you (even if it’s from someone you like and admire) and how gaslighting is used in cults like Scientology to literally rewrite one’s memories. Enjoy! The post Sensibly Speaking Podc…
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#374: Controversies, Cults and Science ft. Jon Atack
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This week I am joined by long-time friend and researcher Jon Atack to discuss cancel culture, controversies, cult nonsense and science – a broad mix of topics about which Jon and I have many opinions. We hope you like our discussion as much as we did having it. Enjoy! The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #374: Controversies, Cults and Science appeare…
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#393: Sex, Lies and Scientology Films ft. Mitch Brisker
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This week I am joined by Mitch Brisker, a professional film maker who went to work as a non-Sea Org member back in the 1980s and worked for decades directly under David Miscavige. He has some very interesting things to say about his time, Scientology’s leader and the culture he observed. Enjoy! The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #393: Sex, Lies and…
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How did all of this-- what we call reality, the universe, the earth, life, begin? What do you think? This question is a primary motivation for our ongoing myth-making. Despite all the tools and technologies, the origins of the cosmos, life, and human beings are still a mystery. In offering us an explanation of our creation, these myths offer a pers…
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