Blog - Page 24 of 37 - Freedom of Mind Resource Center

Light the Way to Freedom to End Human Trafficking: 2019 Summit in Austin, Texas

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

On June 25 – June 27, 2019, I had the honor of attending an amazing gathering of over 800 case investigators, law enforcement, judges, and therapists convened by the Governor and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. This was an invitation-only event, closed to the public. Trafficking experts presented and offered training workshops. Survivor advocate experts were among the most knowledgeable, effectively educating any involved with helping those in need.

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Donald Trump, Cults and Narcissism: A Discussion with Sociologist Dr. Stephen Kent

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of interviewing sociologist, Dr. Stephen Kent. Dr. Kent holds degrees in both religious studies and sociology. He is an author, professor, and expert on cults and conspiracy theories. He received two Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grants to study sects, cults, and new religions in Canada and the United States. He is very qualified to speak about coercive influence and cults, having a vast educational background, as well as, the largest book collection in North America on alternative and sectarian religions. I have known Steve for decades now and respect his work very much. he has also testified as an expert regarding cult practices, including Scientology.

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The Solipsistic Reality of President Trump: A Discussion with Dr. Robert Jay Lifton

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

This past February of 2019, I interviewed Dr. Robert Jay Lifton about his thoughts about the current political situation in America. It is always a privilege. I have been fortunate enough to interview him a

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NXIVM: Robert Jay Lifton’s Criteria of Thought Reform as Analyzed by Expert Paul Martin, Ph.D.

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

Dr. Paul R. Martin was a psychologist, expert witness, survivor of a Bible cult called Great Commission International and founder of Wellspring Retreat Center, a place where cult survivors could go for an intensive two-week

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Parental Abduction and Alienation: A Discussion with Psychiatrist Nick Child

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

A few weeks ago, I spoke to a gathering of a group of parentally alienated mothers and fathers in Waltham, Massachusetts. Parental alienation is a phenomenon where children are turned against one of their parents

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John Walker Lindh: Saving the ‘American Taliban’ By Steven Hassan, 12/19/2001

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

I dug up an old OpEd I wrote. Now that Lindh is being released–17 years later– there is a concern that he may not have received proper counseling about cult mind control and brainwashing. My

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Robert Jay Lifton’s Eight Criteria of Thought Reform (Brainwashing, Mind Control)

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

The following excerpt is used with permission from Robert Jay Lifton’s The Future of Immortality and Other Essays for a Nuclear Age (New York, Basic Books, 1987) is a concise explanation of Lifton’s eight criteria

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Trump, Cults, and Deprogramming: A Discussion with Forensic Expert Dr. Steve Eichel

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

This week, I share an interview with my old friend and colleague, Steve Eichel, Ph.D. He is a forensic psychologist, an authority on hypnosis, expert witness, counselor, author, and educator. He specializes in destructive cults,

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Keith Raniere and NXIVM on Trial: Mind Control and Manipulation

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

Image By: Beyond My Ken The trial of NXIVM leader Keith Raniere began May 7th and is currently entering its second week in Brooklyn Federal Court, whose image is above. It is a very high

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Hubbard, Trump, and Narcissism: A Discussion with Jon Atack

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

This week, my good friend and former member of Scientology Jon Atack joins me for an in-depth discussion. Jon is an undue influence expert, an author, researcher, and co-creator of the Open Minds Foundation. We discuss narcissistic traits we see between President Donald Trump and pulp science fiction writer and creator of Scientology, Ron Hubbard.

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The Anatomy of Undue Influence: Scientific Study and Elsevier Journal Article

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

This is my first peer-reviewed academic journal article. It’s genesis began when I gave a talk entitled, The “anatomy of undue influence used by terrorist cults and traffickers to induce helplessness and trauma, so creating

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National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Educate, Protect and Support

By Steven Hassan / June 6, 2024

Since 1983, April has been designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It “recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect and promotes the social and emotional well-being

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