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jon atack, family and friends

jon atack, family and friends

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Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jon-atack-family--friends/subscribe Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/jon-atack-family--friends/subscribe jon atack, along with his son sam, present a series of educational podcasts on how to spot, avoid, and overcome unethical manipulation of all kinds - from destructive cults and abusive relationships, to advertising, groupthink, bullying and more. join us in our hope to create a world where people are taught from ...
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Blown for Good: Scientology Exposed

Marc Headley & Claire Headley

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Marc Headley worked at Scientology’s secret desert compound, which houses all Scientology management, for 15 years. The 500-acre property is located deep in the California desert. The local townspeople were told lectures and films were made there. But is that all that was happening? It is the location of a multi-million dollar home for L. Ron Hubbard, built two decades after his death. It is the home of Scientology’s current leader, David Miscavige. So what really happens at the Int Base? Ar ...
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As a member of Dustin's PhD committee, Jon became familiar with his research into public awareness of psychological manipulation. Dustin describes the motivation for his work and the survey he used to estimate public understanding of manipulation. This breakthrough research will hopefully encourage other graduate students to work in this vastly und…
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Send us a text What if leaving a controlling organization feels like escaping an abusive relationship? This question forms the backbone of our conversation with Rachel Bernstein, a renowned therapist and cult recovery expert. Rachel shares her personal journey, sparked by her sibling's brief involvement in Scientology during their childhood, which …
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Send us a text What if a belief system you thought was just eccentric turned out to be fundamentally abusive? Apostate Alex returns to the podcast to unravel the complex activism efforts against Scientology in the UK, working with Members of Parliament to challenge the organization’s behavior. From halting local Dianetics book sales to advocating f…
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Hoyt shares his experience as a long term member of a group with a base in astrology. He was recruited at age 16. He studied at Princeton University and became internationally successful but stayed in the group for 20 years. Why do we accept conspiracy theories and magical ideas? To what extent do limitations in perception and interpretation inhibi…
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Send us a text Can a bobblehead be more than just a collectible? We think so! Join us as we share the journey of how a Scientology hate video inspired a fundraising phenomenon, with the proceeds powering the life-changing work of the Aftermath Foundation. We celebrate the launch of our Leah Remini bobblehead, a project five years in the making and …
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Dr Ethan Russo has been involved in cannabis research for many years. He dispels some of the myths and talks about recent breakthroughs in the treatment of anxiety and dementia. Dr Russo focuses on current research into limonene and cannabigerol. A fascinating conversation with a true expert.Links:Ethan's site: https://ethanrusso.org Acute effects …
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Send us a text Imagine embarking on a journey as a curious teenager only to find yourself ensnared in an organization that reshapes your life's path. Join me, Claire Headley, as I sit down with my dear friend Phil Jones, who candidly shares his fascinating journey with Scientology that began in Ontario, Canada. From attending a Narconon lecture to …
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Jeremy is anxious to prevent a dissociation death spiral in our culture. We explore further his approach to Trump supporters and Jon offers some portmanteau words - Jeremy's speciality - including Magavellian, utopiates and fascilitators.Links:Jeremy's videos: "Ruin A Trumpist's Day The Nice Way"and "How to Stage Interventions With Trump Addicts"…
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Send us a text Can we truly break free from the oppressive grip of Scientology and help others do the same? Join us as we tackle this monumental challenge head-on with my dear friend, Gary "Jackson" Morehead. Together, we've spent years fighting to expose the dangerous practices of the organization and provide essential support for those seeking to…
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The social science that supports our work with cults has been questioned in the last decade. We discuss the complaints about Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment, Stanley Milgram's Yale shock machine studies, and Sherif's Robbers Cave Experiment.Note: this was recorded a few days before Dr. Zimbardo passed. He was truly a titan of our field and wi…
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Send us a text Ever wondered why intelligent, capable individuals fall prey to cults? Get ready to uncover the intricate world of coercive organizations as Sarah Edmondson, former NXIVM member turned whistleblower, joins us to share her 12-year journey inside the notorious group. Sarah's transformation from a devoted follower to a fierce advocate i…
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Many of us in the counter-cult world are alarmed at the prospect of a Trump presidency. Trump has proved himself to be an authoritarian. His following accept the vague promises of greatness and the lack of policy, despite hundreds of leading Republicans declaring for Harris.Buy the NEW edition of Steven Hassan's Cult of Trump!…
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Send us a text Ever wondered how authoritarian groups like Scientology manage to exert such control over their members? Renowned author Jon Atack joins us for a riveting exploration of Scientology's psychological grip and the arduous journeys of those who break free. Jon's book, "Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky," serves as a pivotal res…
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Spike joins Jon to discuss the books, movies, and documentaries that can help people wean themselves from Scientology's problematic beliefs. Please leave your own viewing/reading recommendations in the comments below!As always, please be kind and respectful of others' viewpoints.Links:Jon on Andrew GoldJon on LadBibleSecret Lives: L. Ron HubbardThe…
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Send us a text Have you ever wondered what it takes to leave one of the most secretive organizations in the world? Join Claire and me as we sit down with Katherine, a former Sea Org member who devoted 27 years of her life to Scientology's elite order, until her departure in 2021. From the early '90s to the present day, we compare our experiences an…
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in his "How to roll trolls and stump Trumpists", Jeremy has outlined his own approach to disappointing Trump's followers. Jeremy lays out his fascinating analysis of the 'herobot' the follower who avoids self-doubt by attaching to the 'dumbergogue' Trump. As usual, Jeremy is eloquent and spills over with ideas that will make you smart. Jon suggests…
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Christian is an expert on those groups most often called 'cults'. He explains his own less emotive description of such groups. As usual, Christian dispenses with psychobabble and offers a useable and useful model for the better understanding of the 'cult' experience.Spike's note: Zoom cut this discussion a bit short; we apologize for the abrupt end…
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Send us a text Have you ever wondered what life is like after leaving a cult? Join us as we recount our 20-year journey since escaping the confines of Scientology. Throughout this episode, we explore the resources that have helped us recover and understand the dynamics of cults, from eye-opening books and engaging podcasts to hard-hitting documenta…
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Send us a text Have you ever wondered what it's like to get married in the world of Scientology's Sea Organization? Join us as Claire and I pull back the curtain on our own wedding day, filled with rigid rules and overwhelming scrutiny. We dive into the intricate approval processes that dictated every aspect of our ceremony, from navigating stringe…
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Belief doesn't simply evaporate when we leave a group. Hoyt and Jon talk about their own experiences on the road to claiming authority for their own beliefs. Jon suggests an easy way to kickstart the process. To the outside world, Hoyt seemed to exemplify success - a sports star, Princeton graduate who earned a fortune as the first man ever called …
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Send us a text Brace yourself for a behind-the-scenes look at Scientology like never before. In this eye-opening episode of Scientology Spy Files, we unravel the secretive operations of the Office of Special Affairs (OSA) through the lens of Gail Armstrong’s career transformation. From her days in OSA's PR department to her pivotal role at Scientol…
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Send us a text Ever wondered what it's really like behind the scenes of Scientology’s elite Sea Organization? Join Claire and me as we commemorate Sea Org Day with an eye-opening episode of "Scientology Stories." Get ready to uncover the origins, roles, and intriguing aspects of this enigmatic group, complete with billion-year contracts and the mot…
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Chris Kilham talks about a lifetime searching the world for health-giving plants. Not only has he travelled across continents and helped to establish local production, he has also been consulted by many pharmaceutical companies that are finally moving towards the use of tried and tested natural remedies. Chris talks about his own legal cannabis cro…
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Send us a text Imagine being deep inside an organization surrounded by secrecy and control—our latest episode features Claire's riveting journey as she navigates the labyrinth of Scientology. Claire shares her triumph as she lands her first interview with ex-Sea Org member Catherine Olson and takes on her new role in our "Women on Wednesdays" serie…
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Steve is a lifelong jazz fan. He even used to write a column under the name Dr Jazz. Jon and Steve both believe in the redeeming qualities of music. Steve expresses his enthusiasm at finding that a current presidential candidate shares his love of jazz. The usual wide-ranging conversation about jazz and music in general peppered with fascinating fa…
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Send us a text Ever wondered what David Miscavige would look like as an Ewok or Beetlejuice? Get ready for a humorous visual feast as Claire and I, Marc Headley, announce the winner of last week's David Miscavige Shoop of the Week contest and showcase the most creative and ridiculous submissions from our listeners. From "Davo Baggins" to "Lollipop …
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Jeremy gifts us some of his new words that portmanteau concepts. Criticism of Malkin's model of narcissism ('feeling special') and Jeremy's embrace of the doctrine of foregone inconclusions. A delight for the eager mind.Jeremy's Book, Neither Ghost Nor Machine, can be bought here:https://www.amazon.com/Neither-Ghost-nor-Machine-Emergence/dp/0231173…
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Send us a text Ever wondered how a controversial organization like Scientology manages its complex web of internal and external relations? In our latest episode, we sit down with former Scientology executive Mike Rinder to dissect a revealing spy document from 2007 called the "Internet Handling Program." We promise you'll gain intriguing insights i…
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Send us a text Have you ever wondered what it takes to rebuild your life after leaving a controlling organization like Scientology? Join us as Claire Headley and Jeff Beaumont share their deeply personal stories of breaking free from the indoctrinated study methods and rigorous environment of Scientology. From Claire’s journey of overcoming mental …
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Send us a text When Claire Headley’s mother left her at just four years old to join the Sea Organization, it set the stage for a life entwined with Scientology’s most secretive and powerful sect. In this revealing episode of the Blown for Good podcast, Claire and Marc Headley pull back the curtain on their unique journeys through the Church of Scie…
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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…
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Send us a text What if your name was inspired by a state of mental clarity? Join us on the Blown for Good podcast as we kick off a fascinating Q&A series with Claire Headley, who opens up about her unique entry into the world of Scientology. We share stories from Claire's early life, her time in Scientology's cadet organizations in both Los Angeles…
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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…
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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…
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Send us a text Ever wonder if Scientology's leader truly believes in the religion he's preaching, or if he's just in it for the power? Join us on this episode of the Blown for Good podcast as we embark on our Scientology Q&A series, exploring this provocative question and more. We’re kicking off with our new Top Ten Tuesdays segment, featuring the …
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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…
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Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when creativity meets humor in the world of Scientology? This week on the Blown for Good podcast, we bring you a hilarious and imaginative competition featuring Mike Rinder bobblehead photos submitted by our listeners. We highlight the best of the best and let you, our audience, vote for your favorite. Alon…
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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…
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Send us a text Are you ready to uncover the shadowy secrets of Scientology's intricate dance with law enforcement? From handling internal crimes without police intervention to the strategic practice of "safe pointing," our latest episode pulls back the curtain on how Scientology maneuvers to keep authorities in their pocket. We also reveal how annu…
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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…
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Send us a text What really happens behind the closed doors of Scientology? Join us as we uncover the secrets of the Church with our insightful guest, Claire Headley, who shares the last known details of David Miscavige's auditing sessions and the daring escape of Jan. From the bizarre facial hair policies to the peculiar incidents involving fire an…
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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…
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Send us a text What if leaving a religious organization meant turning your entire world upside down? In our latest episode, we kick off our Q&A series on Scientology by unraveling the concept of Knowledge Reports (KRs) and the dire consequences for failing to write one. I share a poignant story about my wife, Claire, and her personal experience wit…
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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…
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Send us a text Ever wondered if David Miscavige gifts presents to Sea Org members or how fabricated reports come into play in Scientology? Get ready for an eye-opening Q&A session where we address these burning questions and much more. From our personal stories of receiving gifts—including a memorable phone—to Claire's unwavering support for Manche…
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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 …
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Send us a text Imagine suspecting that you're being watched, only to find out your worst fears are true. Join us as we, Marc and Claire Headley, recount our jaw-dropping experiences of intense surveillance after leaving Scientology. From Claire's initial suspicions to the undeniable evidence that surfaced, we reveal how key organizations like RTC p…
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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…
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