Blog

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

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Life is filled with opportunities to practice new techniques for resilience, and many in the medical field have had ample chances to refine their skills in this area from personal challenges. This lived experience with investigations into problem-focused solutions is then commonly shared through science-based pursuits and practices. These mixed techniques increase what we know as personal or societal health through medicine. We all benefit from a more mentally and physically flourishing self and society. Dr. Eva Selhub, M.D. has fostered this idea throughout her career, culminating in a resilience strategy for modern times.  

Resilience, Flourishing and Developing Healthy Physiologic Responses During Ongoing Stressors: Dr. Eva Selhub, M.D.  Read More

Insights on Surviving and Thriving After a Cult with Michelle Dowd 

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In a recent episode of the Influence Continuum, 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 mentioned me and my BITE Model. Indeed, I was on Joe Rogan’s show in 2015, and he remembered me. I was astounded to hear Joe say that he thought anyone who was on social media all the time had a mental illness.  

Insights on Surviving and Thriving After a Cult with Michelle Dowd  Read More

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

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In today’s world, the concept of cult mind control often conjures images of secluded communes and charismatic leaders. However, the insidious influence of cult-like tactics extends far beyond these stereotypes, infiltrating even the most critical areas of public discourse, such as climate science. In a recent episode of The Influence Continuum, I had the privilege of interviewing David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial. This enlightening conversation delves into how anti-science sentiments have flourished in American society, drawing unsettling parallels between cult behavior and climate change denial. 

Unmasking Climate Denial: How Cult Tactics Fuel Disinformation with David Lipsky  Read More

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

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For those who know Combating Cult Mind Control and my work, you know I was in the Moon cult. However, for people under 50 years of age, many have no idea what the Moonies are about. So, it is important to understand that this cult is still a major player in the efforts to destroy democracy and eliminate the separation of church and state. Anne Nelson’s book, The Shadow Network focused on secretive right-wing group, The Council for National Policy (CNP). Well, the founding editor of Moon’s Washington Times, James Whelan, was recruited from the CNP. 

The Moon Cult: An Interview with former top American leader Allen Tate Wood  Read More

Ex-Scientologists, Recovery, and Helping Others – A Discussion with Jon Atack 

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In this week’s episode of the Influence Continuum, I had the pleasure of speaking with my dear friend and colleague, Jon Atack. Jon, who resides in Nottingham, England, is a prolific writer, artist, musician, and world-renowned expert on Scientology and authoritarianism. Our conversation delved deeply into the complexities of mind control, the importance of processing and healing from cult experiences, and the challenges former members face in reclaiming their lives.
 
Jon and I have been allies since the late 1980s, united in our stand against authoritarianism and authoritarian regimes. His multifaceted career includes writing novels, poetry, and a translation of the Tao Te Ching. Most notably, 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.

Ex-Scientologists, Recovery, and Helping Others – A Discussion with Jon Atack  Read More

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

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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 healthy self-reflection, people exteriorize or project their own inner “demons” onto others. This cycle of religiously motivated harm is a concern for both individuals and society: “One of the concerns that I have…is that we’re seeing more and more taxpayer-supported religious schools in the United States, particularly at the K through 12 levels,” said Jonathon—“…[and] adolescents, young people, and children are especially susceptible to some of the most…harmful aspects of radical religion.”

“Conspiratorial Demonology” in the New Apostolic Reformation: LGBTQ Students and Undue Influence in Schools with Jonathon Sawyer  Read More

Cult Trip: Inside the World of Coercion and Control with Journalist Anke Richter 

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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 a voice against cults, conspiracies, and undue influence in New Zealand and is working to harness efforts worldwide to fight disinformation and radicalization, especially online. 

Cult Trip: Inside the World of Coercion and Control with Journalist Anke Richter  Read More

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

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Cults steal many things from their members, including happy childhoods. Our early years should be filled with freedom and fun. However, for children raised in cults, childhood can be filled with hard labor and indoctrination. This was the case for Michael Brown. His parents’ involvement with Scientology marked Mike’s childhood in many negative ways. His parents joined Scientology when Mike was seven, following his father, a former US Marine who was wounded in Vietnam, buying a copy of “Dianetics.” Mike’s dad was searching for ways to heal from PTSD when he joined Scientology. Mike moved to California with his mom after his parents’ divorce, and Mike was made to join the Sea Organization or “Sea Org,” a paramilitary section of Scientology.  

Raised in Scientology, He Became a Military Helicopter Pilot and Rescued His Abused Mother with Mike Brown  Read More

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

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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 freedom of expression. They promote diversity and inclusivity and encourage their members to engage in the “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” However, Todd has had a different experience. He believes the organization has undergone a significant policy change, with the value of autonomy and freedom of expression becoming less critical. As a minister, he was not allowed to discuss his concerns openly and was attacked when he did speak out. As a result, he was “disfellowshipped.” 

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

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

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My guest on this episode of The Influence Continuum was 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 professional goals. Ideals of collaboration for the good of the public can become crushed under systems of harmful competition and dogmatic attachments to old-fashioned ideas. The life story of Candace Pert, who discovered the opioid receptor, is a clear demonstration of how women and minorities have often been undermined, excluded, or driven out of that system. Virtually unheard of by most, her life work included significant discoveries in mind-body medicine, HIV treatments with Peptide T, and volumes of scientific research and publishing over her time working within the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Mental Health.  

The Life of Candace Pert: Dysfunction in Medical Science and Research Communities with Pamela Ryckman   Read More

How to Become a World-Class Investigator – Fighting Human Trafficking with Julie Jones 

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A former British Police Detective, Undercover Operator, and recognized international expert on human trafficking, 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 has conducted diagnostic studies in 7 countries to date, analyzing and advising on institutional and judicial capacity to fight human trafficking, organized crime, money laundering, and corruption and providing input on national cybercrime policy related to human trafficking. Julie was recently appointed Senior Police Consultant on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for the National Police Force in Guyana. 

How to Become a World-Class Investigator – Fighting Human Trafficking with Julie Jones  Read More

Unveiling the Shadows: The Role of Psychological Warfare (Psyops) and Military Recruitment 

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In an era where information is as potent as any physical weapon, psychological operations (psyops) have become a cornerstone of national defense strategies. The U.S. Army’s approach to recruitment for its psyops division offers a stark illustration of the importance of these tactics. A recruitment video, described as “foreboding” by the Army Times, reveals the strategic depth and the intense nature of psychological warfare, underlining the tagline “Who’s pulling the strings?” This blog explores the implications of such recruitment strategies, the nature of psychological warfare, and the ethical considerations it raises. 

Unveiling the Shadows: The Role of Psychological Warfare (Psyops) and Military Recruitment  Read More