Back in 2018, I had the honor of being asked to participate in a podcast called Mormon Stories produced by Dr. John Dehlin, a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (more commonly known as the Mormon Church). After being on…
Psychologist John Dehlin, former 6th Generation Mormon, on the LDS Church Read More
In my work with ex-cult members, I have been aware of the use of parental alienation tactics for many years. It occurs in situations where one parent leaves a cult, but the other parent remains. In such cases, cult policies usually call for extreme measures to “demonize” the ex-member and turn their children…
Parental Alienation: Turning Children Against Their Parent – with Dr. Amy Baker Read More
LuLaRoe is one of the largest multi-level marketing schemes (MLMs) in history. Founded in 2012, the company became famous for selling colorful, patterned leggings and advertising heavily on social media. Last month, Amazon Prime released the original series “LuLaRich,” and brought LuLaRoe’s use of undue influence and mind control to the public’s attention.
LuLaRoe and the World of Commercial Cults: Interview With Roberta Blevins Read More
Billionaire donors are exerting undue influence on college campuses nationwide to advance a regressive corporate agenda. When I read Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America by Christopher Leonard, I was astounded at how much I did not know about this empire. For example, patriarch Fred C. Koch, co-founder of the racist John Birch Society, was a union buster, stealer of oil from Indigenous people, massive polluter, and fanatical about their corporate “culture” which has been described by many as cult-like.
Charles Koch’s Undue Influence on College Campuses: An Interview with Jasmine Banks Read More
The “merciless Indian savages…” Those words in the United States Declaration of Independence entrenched the way colonial states defined Indigenous peoples as “savage” and their relationship with the “civilized Americans” as represented by federal and state governments. This dehumanizing propaganda was the pen of history, of social norms and laws writing on our societal manuscript about what the United States is and who we are as Americans. It served to normalize and even legitimize the wrongful dispossession of land, resources and even the children from Indigenous peoples.
How Colonizers Use Mind Control: A Conversation with Cindy Blackstock Read More
Helen Christophi, a freelance journalist working on an article for Political Research Associates about the January 6th failed insurrection attempt, contacted me for an interview. Christophi was interested in cult involvement (particularly the Moon cult)
Cult Involvement in the Attempt to Destroy Democracy Read More
I often find it hard to believe that this year marks my 45th anniversary of freedom from the insidious cult indoctrination of the Moonies. For the 40th anniversary of my deprogramming, I wrote a blog
Lorna and Bill Goldberg: Fifty Years of Helping People Out of Cults Read More
Since the attempted insurrection on January 6, more than 460 people have been arrested on various charges resulting from their participation in the assault on the Capitol. A significant number of them have stated they
Coercive Control, Undue Influence, Emotional Abuse and the Law Read More
Multilevel Marketing (MLM) is a Worldwide Problem I recently had the exciting opportunity to be one of 37 Panelists at the First Global Conference on Multilevel Marketing (MLM). The virtual conference was held by the
Multilevel Marketing (MLM) and Consumer Protection Read More
As a result of the January 6 attempted insurrection, over 540 suspects have been identified, and at least 440 of them have been formally charged by the Department of Justice. On April 16, 2021, the
Evaluating Undue Influence: Scheflin’s Social Influence Model (SIM) as a Framework Read More
Survivors of authoritarian cults who engage in the difficult work of regaining true sense of self and ability to think freely give inspiration to the professionals who work with them. When a person has been trapped in the most violent expressions of authoritarian control—torture and human trafficking—but still retains their dignity and integrity it is humbling.
Healing From Torture and Human Trafficking Read More
Are you interested in learning more about how the mind works and how people can be programmed into a destructive authoritarian cult? Ever had an experience with a cult or controlling relationship? Have a friend or family member caught up in a black/white, all or nothing conspiracy cult, multi-level marketing group, religious group, political group, this is a course by Dr. Steven Hassan, a former member of the Moon cult, mental health professional who has over 40 years of knowledge and direct experience. In this course you will learn about different cultic groups, brainwashing, thought reform, mind control, and undue influence. You will learn the strategies, patterns, and behaviors used by cultic groups to recruit new members, and how they manipulate and control them.
My First Foundational Online Course: “Understanding Cults: The Basics” Read More
