Confronting The Line

Confronting The Line

By Anne L. PetersonEducationSelf-Improvement
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Confronting The Line episodes

  • E5. PART TWO - Continuation of our Conversation with Former Forum Leader Alan Cahn

    In Part 2, Alan starts to realize that he cannot change the culture from within. He explains how he was de-designated as a Landmark Forum Leader, what led up to it and the good news and bad news of this turn of events. He reflects on some of his values and how they were not the same as Landmark’s and stressed his need to to live a life of contribution and the importance of healing past wounds. He also acknowledges the need for accountability and consequences in organizations to prevent abuse.

    UPDATED & IMPORTANT CONTENT NOTE:
    We invited a small audience to listen to the live recording of the following show/podcast, and some people reported being emotionally triggered during the conversation. You will hear some stories of physical abuse. Some of them may be triggering. When people hear about sensitive topics, there are a variety of possible reactions. All of them are valid.
    An additional note related to this specific video. It contains conversation about trauma itself not using current nor trauma informed perspectives or language. Some people also found this triggering.
    We invite you to be sensitive to your own reaction, and to pause and take your time, even speak with a trusted person if it is upsetting to you.
    We ourselves are processing our own reactions, which we could not do in the moment. We invite everyone to give themselves grace as they confront the line for themselves.
    RESOURCES:
    Here is a link to the recovery group Anne mentions to support those that have worked in organizations or groups where they may have experienced hgh-control or abusive environments. https://ilumn8.life/op/lgat-recovery-...
    For practitioners, facilitators or coaches who wish to learn more about being a SAFE practitioner check out the Safe Practitioner Workshop. https://ilumn8.life/op/safe-practitio...

    59 min
  • E4 PART ONE - Former Forum Leader on abuse at Landmark, his 32 year journey, and his advice for the future

    Today we welcome Alan Cahn who has over 40 years of experience in personal development, 30 of them with Landmark Worldwide. Alan talks about his journey before he does the est training in 1976, including his experiences with Zen Buddhism and mystical Christian groups and how he makes his way, first onto W.E.A Staff (1985), and then becoming a Landmark Forum leader (1988). Alan tells us his unique story and touches on the experiential nature of the est training and the role of Werner Erhard as a leader.

    Alan discusses some of his personal and professional challenges as he grapples with the abusive culture of the times and Landmarks staff culture. He shares his motivations for staying for the “mission” even when he didn’t agree with the “means”. This episode brings us right up to Alan’s leaving Landmark. In Part TWO coming later this week Alan gets into the why his leaving and his post Landmark experience. Subscribe to be notified when we post nee content.
    IMPORTANT CONTENT WARNING:
    We invited a small audience to listen to the live recording of the following podcast/show, and some people reported being emotionally triggered during the conversation. You will hear some stories of abuse (36min.) Some of them may be triggering. When people hear about sensitive topics, there are a variety of possible reactions. All of them are valid.
    We invite you to be sensitive to your own reaction, and to pause and take your time, even speak with a trusted person if it is upsetting to you.
    We ourselves are processing our own reactions, which we could not do in the moment. We invite everyone to give themselves grace as they, Confront The Line, for themselves.
    RESOURCES:
    Here is a link to the recovery group Anne mentions to support those that have worked in organizations or groups where they may have experienced hgh-control or abusive environments. https://ilumn8.life/op/lgat-recovery-...
    For practitioners, facilitators or coaches who wish to learn more about being a SAFE practitioner check out the Safe Practitioner Workshop. https://ilumn8.life/op/safe-practitio...

    59 min
  • E1 Meet Hosts Anne L. Peterson & Mark Tafoya

    In this show opener, Anne and Mark introduce themselves and discuss the purpose of their podcast, 'Confronting the Line.' They explore the concept of confronting the line between transformation and exploitation in personal development and self-help programs. Anne shares her motivation for writing her book, 'Is This a Cult?' and the response she received after its publication. They also touch on the history of Landmark Education (now Landmark Worldwide) and the impact of Werner Erhard (“the Source”), as well as the need for truth and informed consent in the self-help industry.

    In this conversation, Anne and Mark discuss their experiences as volunteers and leaders in Landmark, a personal development organization. They talk about the reasons they left Landmark and the issues they encountered, including invasion of privacy, control, and abuse.
    They also discuss the systemic nature of exploitation and abuse within the organization and the need for transparency and accountability. Anne and Mark emphasize the importance of individual empowerment and critical thinking when participating in personal development and wellness programs.
    LINKS
    Anne's Book https://isthisacultbook.com/


    Mark episode on How Did I Get Here w/ Brian Nord https://www.youtube.com/live/Duw-msio9Ik?si=4rnrzKVh0ntEnUQB

    1 hr 2 min
  • E3 Transformational History PART 2 - Ed Gurowitz and the making of the Landmark Forum

    In part two of this conversation between Mark and Anne, with guest Ed Gurowitz, a former est trainer & former leader, explores the evolution of the Landmark Forum personal development program. They discuss the transition from the EST training to the two-weekend forum and then to the one-weekend forum. Ed recalled how the focus of the forum shifted from ‘giving up what you're putting up with’ to ‘creating a world of possibility’. Ed also shares his experience and reasons for leaving.

    The conversation highlights the challenges and controversies surrounding the organization. Ed shares how the Landmark Forum drew inspiration from various sources, namely from Mind Dynamics and Scientology and repackaged ideas to create its own methodology. In fact, the use of the term 'technology' in Landmark, it is suggested, was chosen for its appeal to business and its association with Scientology. They also touch on the influence philosophers, like Heidegger and Maturana, had on the forum's approach.
    In conclusion, the evolution of the personal development field and the need for organizations to stay current is emphasized
    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    ** The Landmark Forum evolved from the EST training and went through several iterations.
    ** The focus of the forum shifted from giving up what you're putting up with to creating a world of possibility.
    ** The forum incorporated ideas from philosophers like Heidegger and Maturana, emphasizing the power of language and the perception of the world.
    ** Landmark Forum drew inspiration from various sources and repackaged ideas to create its own methodology.
    ** Ed Gurowitz, a former forum leader, left Landmark due to a combination of personal reasons and dissatisfaction with the organization's practices.
    ** There were controversies and legal issues surrounding Landmark, including lawsuits against former forum leaders.
    ** The term 'technology' was used in Landmark Forum's language to appeal to business and may have been influenced by Scientology.
    ** The conversation highlights the importance of organizations staying current and evolving with the times.
    ** The evolution of the field and the contextual changes in society impact the effectiveness and relevance of transformational programs.

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    59 min
  • E2 Transformational History - Meet Ed Gurowitz an ORIGINAL est trainer, Werner Erhard Director+

    In this conversation, Mark and Anne discuss recent communications from Landmark and debunk the claim that they refuse to respond. They also introduce their guest, Ed Gurowitz, PD.D a psychologist who did the EST training in 1978 and in 1981 went on staff in Werner Erhard's office, traveling and working directly with Werner.

    They discuss the history of personal development and the importance of understanding its evolution. Ed shares his experience being one of the EST trainers, being on the "Project to Recreate the Training," which resulted in the creation of the Forum. He shares about leading one of the first Forums with Werner! He also worked at Tekniko until he left the network in 1991.
    The conversation covers various topics related to Werner Erhard and the Forum (becomes the Landmark Forum). Some of the main themes include Werner's role, a surprise revelation about how he avoids accountability for his own measures, the pressure to enroll people and the emphasis on registrations and money.
    They also discuss the importance of making a difference, the role of tools in personal development, the relationship between Landmark and the fields of psychiatry and psychology, and the reputation and impact of EST and the Landmark Forum.
    Key Takeaways
    ** Recent communications from Landmark have been misleading and false.
    ** Understanding the history and evolution of personal development is important for the field's growth and ethical practices.
    ** Ed Gurowitz shares his experience with the EST training, development of the Forum and Teknico.
    ** There was ALWAYS pressure to enroll people and focus on registrations and money in the Landmark organization. Werner Erhard had a pattern of avoiding accountability and getting others to do the work.
    **The desire to make a difference was a driving force for many people involved in the Landmark Forum.
    ** The Landmark Forum was seen as a tool for personal transformation, with the individual being the source of the difference they wanted to make.
    ** Werner’s views (per Ed) the fields of psychiatry and psychology, and there was initially respect for these fields within the Landmark community.
    ** EST and the Landmark Forum had a significant impact on popular culture and were subject to both praise and criticism.

    42 min

About Confronting The Line

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We are here to explore the world of personal development, and examine the often blurry line between transformation and exploitation. We are dedicated to finding that line, then looking, listening and…