Best Shawn McCraney Podcasts (2024)

1
Shawn McCraney asks Jon about his beliefs 1:14:55

18d ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Shawn is fascinated that Jon's positive attitude is not based in religious belief. Jon talks about the wide range of influences that have led him to lose any concern for personal immortality.links:Jon's current websiteJon's defunct website with the artJon's writings on the Underground BunkerNever believe a hypnotist -the paperthe videoPossible Orig…

1
The God Market with Joe Szimhart 1:00:54

3d ago1:00:54

1:00:54

how to turn religious ideas into monetary wealth. An age-old story. And Joe's ideas on the eye in the pyramid and other pyramid schemes. Links: Joe's websitediscussion on PythagoreansBart Ehrman's YouTube More about the Ambani wedding in India

1
Clusterflux with Jeremy Sherman, PhD 1:33:45

3d ago1:33:45

1:33:45

Jeremy has been working with neuroscientist Terrence Deacon at Berkley for 30 years. He shares insights about his head on challenges to true believers which contrasts with Jon's more gentle approach to mindchanging.Spike's note: Regarding the Universe-spinning, tutu-wearing rhino, I couldn't resist. I plugged the prompt into Meta's AI, but it would…

1
how can you tell if you’re truly free of Scientology? 1:18:09

10d ago1:18:09

1:18:09

Jon is joined by Spike for this discussion about how we can tell if we're truly free from the clutches of our former high-control group - it's far more involved than just leaving; often it takes a concerted effort lasting years to unwind oneself from deep psychological indoctrination and fully heal the damage done.Here's all the links:the crimes of…

1
how cults hijack our interpretation of reality 1:58:03

10d ago1:58:03

1:58:03

Christian Szurko is a leading expert on extremist authoritarian sects. In almost five decades, he has helped thousands of people to digest and integrate their experience and become thriving survivors. Christian explains his compelling model of the process of cult involvement, which is helpful in undoing exploitative persuasion and understanding the…

1
cult membership and the perils of ego with Hoyt Richards 1:13:16

1M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

a discussion about the egotism that makes us prey to cults, maintains our relationship with them, and makes it difficult to accept the ways in which cults modify our beliefs and behaviour. As ever, Hoyt shares his own dreadful experiences and helps to explain how to overcome obstacles to recovery from authoritarian abuse.Ex-Scientology KidsSocrates…

1
Chris Kilham: medicine hunter, expert on psychoactives 1:01:41

1M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Chris is an expert on a wide range of psychoactive plants including cannabis. He has travelled the world for decades, visiting indigenous people to discover natural medicines, superfoods, and psychoactives. He has revisited these communities and helped to establish trade routes to their and the world's benefit.Chris first visited Brazil in 1997 and…

1
Kimberly Talks with Shawn McCraney 27:01

1M ago27:01

27:01

By The Great News Network

1
Roerich, Gorbachev, Putin and Agni Yoga with Joe Szimhart 1:17:44

1M ago1:17:44

1:17:44

absurd beliefs can lead to atrocities. Cult specialist Joe Szimhart is an artist whose journey into the world of cults began with his interest in the paintings of Nicholas Roerich who led Agni Yoga. Roerich believed he was the 'king of the world' and cultivated an influential following - including Henry Wallace, FDR's Secretary of State for Agricul…

1
Todd Talks With Shawn McCraney 56:31

1M ago56:31

56:31

By The Great News Network

1
reassessing responsibility after leaving a cult with Frances Peters 54:04

2M ago54:04

54:04

Frances spent the first 44 years of her life as a Jehovah's Witness. Since leaving, she has dedicated herself to counselling former members. As Frances says, authoritarian cults give members overwhelming and impossible responsibilities. They can also diminish the real responsibilities we should accept. After leaving a cult, it is important to reass…

1
Delaney, Todd and Curtis Talk With Shawn McCraney 59:31

2M ago59:31

59:31

By The Great News Network

1
memorial days with Dr Steven Moffic 46:01

2M ago46:01

46:01

a discussion about the recent D-Day and Memorial Day commemorations, the recognition of PTSD and the recent decision of the American Psychiatric Association to create a Caucus on Peace. We talk about the successes and failures of the Truth and Reconciliation process and the need for dialogue in all fraught situations.Spike's note- it seems someone …

1
Alex Barnes-Ross campaigns for awareness of Scientology among British politicians 46:21

2M ago46:21

46:21

We are delighted to hear that Scientology critic John Sweeney is standing for the UK parliament in the July 2024 elections. John is famous for his 'exploding tomato' response to the taunts of a Scientology agent while filming for BBC Panorama. He subsequently wrote a book about group and has made criticism of Scientology central to his campaign for…

1
"Bible Bangers" & Scientology with Jamie DeWolf 1:16:19

2M ago1:16:19

1:16:19

Jon talks with L. Ron Hubbard's great-grandson, beat poet and award-winning filmmaker, Jamie DeWolf, about Scientology, extreme evangelical Christianity, life, philosophy, and belief. Comedy routine by Stewart Lee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvf07P7fhu0&t=6913s

1
cult recovery and family support - with Hoyt Richards 1:18:03

2M ago1:18:03

1:18:03

Hoyt and Jon discuss what role a family can have in helping their loved one recover from cult involvement.The book Jon is reading on the American Post Civil-War Reconstruction: David Blight's Race and Reuniona downloadable infographic of Jon's questions to ask a loved one in an authoritarian groupmore on Steven Hassan's Strategic Interactive Approa…

1
strategic gullibility and psychoproctology with Jeremy Sherman 59:37

2M ago59:37

59:37

Jeremy seeks fundamental explanations for life and motivation. He invents a new word a day to better describe his insights. He calls himself a 'psychoproctologist' because he studies the psychology of a-holes (i.e. humans). Jeremy has a different, fascinating, and entirely non pompous view of the world. He was also the inventor of the Sherman Effec…

1
psychopath, sociopath or anti-social personality? with Shawn McCraney 1:07:26

2M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Shawn describes himself as a sociopath. Using the renowned expert Dr Robert Hare's work, we explore the different forms of human predation that are often confused with one another. Shawn talks about a recent experience in Hawaii that has changed his view of the world.Randy Newman's "Guilty" Note from Spike: If you haven't read the 1954 novel "The B…

1
Walking free from the trauma of coercive cultic and spiritual abuse with Gillie Jenkinson, PhD 46:52

3M ago46:52

46:52

Gillie Jenkinson talks about her time in a Bible-based cult, her escape, her doctoral studies, and her book, which is a step-by-step guide to recovery. Gillie has been counselling former members for many years and has a practice in Hope Valley outside Sheffield in England.Gillie's Hope Valley counsellingSpike's note: The British call them "milk tee…

1
Paradise Undone: a novel of Jonestown by Annie Dawid - a book review with Joe Szimhart 1:07:52

3M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

Joe and Jon discuss Annie Dawid's fascinating novel about Jim Jones and the Jonestown massacre. With insights into the Jones cult and its relationship to Father Divine, and other cult-related literature. Links: Joe's review of Paradise Undone Alan Scheflin's Social Influence Model The real story behind Bird Man of Alcatraz The Kanugu Cult Massacre …

1
NXIVM and Scientology with Mark Vicente 1:04:10

3M ago1:04:10

1:04:10

Mark Vicente, co-director of What the Bleep Do We Know? talks about his systematic recruitment by NXIVM. a comingling of Scientology and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Mark's testimony helped to convict Keith Raniere. During his membership, Mark was asked to record Raniere and this footage was the basis for the excellent documentary The Vow.…

1
a doctor's report on dianetics with Steven Moffic, MD 1:22:17

4M ago1:22:17

1:22:17

Eminent psychiatrist Steven Moffic discusses the original 'Book One' method of Dianetics with Jon. Hubbard canceled the method in 1951, explaining that it is hypnotic. It was re-introduced in the late '70s and is still used as a recruiting tool. They also discuss music, art, and compassion.links:Moffic’s eclipse pieceSpike's eclipse pieceFreud lect…

1
corruption in the US Family Courts with Dr Bandy Lee 50:34

4M ago50:34

50:34

Warning: This video discusses domestic violence and severe child abuse, including sexual abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.Dr Bandy Lee is well-known for The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, which she edited. She has taught at Yale Schools of Medicine and Public Health, and Yale Law School, and more recently at both Harvard and Columbia. Bandy tal…

1
Jamie de Wolf on writing and performing 31:06

4M ago31:06

31:06

L. Ron Hubbard's great-grandson explains the development of his remarkable writing and performing talents, from reading a Stephen King novel banned by his Fundamentalist Christian mother in the crawl space to becoming a champion slam poet.Links:"the girl across the hallway" are there vegetarian spiders? Well, not entirely, but the answer is surpris…

1
on faith, fanaticism, and folly with Anthony Spurgin 1:37:35

4M ago1:37:35

1:37:35

Anthony spent his teens in a Traditional Catholic group. He talks with Jon about the dangers of ridicule and how we can best talk with fanatical believers. Jon refers to his own dogmatic belief in The Life of Brian.Links:Anthony's "Dragons of Victory" ChannelAnthony's artistic channelThe Tradrecovery websiteJohn Collins' work on William Branham:Mar…

1
inside the mind of a sociopath with Shawn McCraney 1:22:07

4M ago1:22:07

1:22:07

Shawn McCraney realized that he was a sociopath in 1997 and decided he had to change. He still has to work at it every day, but he provides invaluable insights into the inner workings of a predatory mind. Shawn talks with Jon about the movie Butcher Boy. He identifies closely with the boy who is the villain of the movie. A wide-ranging conversation…

1
How to help PTSD sufferers with Dr Steve Moffic 1:14:37

4M ago1:14:37

1:14:37

Steve Moffic, a retired professor of psychiatry, shares insights into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and questions the use of stellate ganglion block as more than a short-term solution.

1
Pretendians 45:34

5M ago45:34

45:34

"Pretendians" falsely claim to be members of Native American or Canadian First Peoples. Famous examples are folk singer Buffy Sainte Marie and Little Feather - who accepted an Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando. As Joe points out, cult leaders are often Pretendians in the sense that they pretend to be enlightened or part of a spiritual heritage. Jon …

1
Mike Rinder answers Mirriam Francis's allegations 1:12:53

5M ago1:12:53

1:12:53

Mirriam Francis asked Jon to put some questions to Mike Rinder. Here are his responses.Links:ChildUSAThe Australian Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Scientology testimonyLisa McPherson's deathMike Rinder's blogThe Aftermath Foundation

1
trust and healthy skepticism with Hoyt Richards 1:10:56

5M ago1:10:56

1:10:56

documentarian and cult expert Hoyt Richards joins Jon to talk about how to develop healthy skepticism when our natural inclination is to trust. The conversation ranges through groupthink, confirmation or myside bias and our cognitive dissonance when presented with ideas that conflict with our own feelings of knowing.…

1
Liberating Scientology's Sea Org slaves 1:06:26

6M ago1:06:26

1:06:26

Jon and Spike discuss the plight of the few thousand people who are living as slaves in Scientology's Sea Organization.Links:The Foster ReportWhen men sold their wives at marketReport Scientology to the IRS, here (US Citizens only) Upload "The Truth about Scientology" pamphlet (scroll down to bottom)more on Spike's Xenu window - seriously, Spike wo…

1
The Christian and the agnostic - with Rev. Callan Slipper, PhD 1:18:32

6M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

Jon met Callan when they were two. Through elementary (primary) school, they were close companions. They have recently reacquainted themselves after two decades. Callan is an Anglican minister and a theologian who has advised archbishops. He talks about his spiritual development in his teens and shares his view of God. Callan and Jon also talk abou…

1
understanding the sociopathic temperament with Shawn McCraney 1:29:50

6M ago1:29:50

1:29:50

Redeemed predator Shawn McCraney quizzes Jon about life, the universe and everything. A conversation about reason and emotion, and how sociopaths feel. Shawn shares valuable insights that help to identify and understand human predators. Links: Study on Red Enhancing Competitive Athletic Performance The Mendota Study Jon's Tao Note from Spike: turtl…