In this week’s podcast I discuss the finale of HBO’s “THE VOW” which took an in-depth look at the NXIVM cult in upstate New York. The similarities between cults and religion (07:31); What master manipulators look for in their recruitment efforts (09:22); Who is most likely to join a cult (17:38); How sex is used to as a control measure (19:20); the likelihood of leaving a cult (22:02); three ways to define a cult (23:52), and ten things to keep in mind if you find yourself getting a little too-involved in any kind of organized society (26:26)

 

Run time: 34m 54s

 

Show Notes:

Coursen’s Corner is a production of Coursen Security Group 

This episode was sponsored by The Safety Trap which is now available for Pre-Order on Amazon

 

Music, courtesy of Ben Sound 

 

Follow me on twitter and instagram for updates and interactions between shows. 

 

Spencer Coursen LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/spencercoursen

 

 

Relavant Links:

“Podcast: Escaping NXIVM”

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/uncover/uncover-escaping-nxivm-1.4675949

 

“Why People Join Cults, and Why They Leave”

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-04-26-1993116210-story.html

 

“How Cult Leaders Use Sex To Control Their Sects”

https://thoughtcatalog.com/jim-goad/2013/08/divine-pimpin-how-cult-leaders-use-sex-to-control-their-sects/

 

“Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of 'brainwashing' in China” by Robert J Lifton

https://www.amazon.com/Thought-Reform-Psychology-Totalism-brainwashing/dp/0807842532

 

Mark Manson’s instagram post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGhxlSljsJa/

 

“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life” by Mark Manson:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062457713/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_O7HJFbMNNH5NS

In this week's episode, I’m talking about social media safety traps by providing some of my take-aways from Netflix’s new documentary, “The Social Dilemma.” I talk about some of the take-aways’s offered by host, Tristan Harris (01:20); selling a story vs telling a story (02:26); the rational need to curate content (03:38); how my IG algorithm has me dead to rights (04:28); the more manipulative side of of engagement (05:36); how likes lead to insights (05:45); how social media has perfected the art of inception (08:11); how they prey upon our basic human instincts (09:12) this weeks protective take-away (11:58); my five take-aways from the documentary (14:58).

 

Show Notes:

Coursen’s Corner is a production of Coursen Security Group 

This episode was sponsored by The Safety Trap which is now available for Pre-Order on Amazon

 

Music, courtesy of Ben Sound 

 

Is there a topic you would like to tackle for an upcoming episode? Feel free to email me directly at [email protected]

 

Follow me on twitter and instagram for updates and interactions between shows. 

 

Spencer Coursen LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/spencercoursen

 

Relavant Links:

“Facebook knows you better than anyone else” via New York Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/science/facebook-knows-you-better-than-anyone-else.html

“Facebook whistleblower memo” via BuzzFeed

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/facebook-ignore-political-manipulation-whistleblower-memo

 

“'The Social Dilemma' Director Says The Internet Is Undermining Democracy” via WBUR

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/09/18/social-dilemma-director

 

 

“5 Ways Social Media Affects Teen Mental Health” via Very Well Family

https://www.verywellfamily.com/ways-social-media-affects-teen-mental-health-4144769

 

“White Homicide Worldwide” via Southern Poverty Law Center

https://www.splcenter.org/20140331/white-homicide-worldwide

In this week's episode, I’m providing five protective strategies to help you succeed in staying safe before you start swiping right. I discuss about the difficulties of dating during a pandemic (00:40) recent crime reports relating to online dating concerns (01:04) the high usage rate of dating apps during COVID (03:45) the problems with a false first impression (07:01) simple steps for staying safe on a date (12:10) this weeks protective take away (12:40) and five protective strategies to help you succeed in staying safe before you start swiping right. (12:52.)

 

Relavant Links:

 

FBI -- Romance Scam Advisory

https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/romance-scams

 

The Safest and Most Dangers States For Online Dating In 2020

https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/the-safest-and-most-dangerous-states-for-online-dating-in-2020

 

How Singles Are Meeting Up On Dating Apps During COVID

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/24/how-singles-are-meeting-up-on-dating-apps-during-the-coronavirus.html

 

Find Real Love Online -- How To Spot A CatFish

https://spy-fy.com/find-real-love-online-how-to-spot-a-catfish/

 

Ten Tips For Staying Safe With Online Dating

https://www.safety.com/10-online-dating-safety-tips/

 

Show Notes:

Coursen’s Corner is a production of Coursen Security Group 

 

This episode was sponsored by The Safety Trap which is now available for Pre-Order on Amazon

 

Music, courtesy of Ben Sound 

 

Follow me on twitter and instagram for updates and interactions between shows. 

 

Spencer Coursen LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/spencercoursen

 

Is there a topic you would like to tackle for an upcoming episode? Feel free to email me directly at [email protected]

In this week’s podcast I’m recapping some insights from a recent road trip and talking about yet another missing solder from Ft. Hood (1:32); Miranda Cosgrove recapping her stalker concern from 2016 (2:46); security cameras and their false sense of security (5:58); what THE WIRE taught us about situational awareness (07:13); the importance of dumbing things down when asking for help (10:23); taking Goal Zero’s solar panels out on the open road (11:22). 

 

Show Notes: 

 

The search for missing Fort Hood soldier Sgt. Elder Fernandes continues:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/missing-ft-hood-soldier-believed-left-accord/story?id=72567445

 

Good For You Podcast with Whitney Cummings | Miranda Cosgrove 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb6OWBE9uiY&app=desktop

 

"Down In The Hole" w/ Van Lathan and Jemele Hill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa1FUZGrVQ4&list=PLiI3wRw9PbSbI8FTxteDJD-HETbXM1o1B&index=6

 

Goal Zero Solar Solutions:

https://www.goalzero.com/

 

Coursen’s Corner is a production of Coursen Security Group 

This episode was sponsored by The Safety Trap

Music, courtesy of Ben Sound 

Is there a topic you would like to tackle for an upcoming episode? Feel free to email me directly at [email protected]

Follow me on twitter and instagram for updates and interactions between shows.

In this week's episode, I answer six safety questions submitted by Coursen’s Corner listeners. I talk about how to prevent being targeted for violence (01:56); the best ways to train for self defense (06:55); tips for enhancing your home security (10:50); protective strategies for the solo traveler (17:33); and I wrap up answering a question about the pros and cons of using handguns, pepper spray, and other self-defense tools as part of your self-defense strategy (20:12)

To learn more about the topics covered in today's podcast:

Overcoming Frustrations When Starting Jiu Jitsu - (Jocko Podcast): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpZasMHhDDE&feature=youtu.be

Ring Doorbell Camera:

https://shop.ring.com/pages/doorbell-cameras?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=833107407&utm_term=ring%20doorbell%20camera&utm_content=40816262617&gclid=CjwKCAjw4MP5BRBtEiwASfwAL6yd3qX3ZyDMssdaJLAYshGe5_wJ185hOFIRM8p-W8UAuEpp5IbP2hoCPr8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&?cb=

Violent Nomad’s Discreet Stabbing Tool: https://violentnomad.com/products/discreet-stabbing-tool

Coursen’s Corner is a production of CoursenSecurityGroup.com 

This episode was sponsored by TheSafetyTrap.com

Music, courtesy of BenSound.com 

Is there a topic you would like to tackle for an upcoming episode? Feel free to email me directly at [email protected]

Follow me on twitter @SpencerCoursen and instagram @S.Coursen for updates and interactions between shows.

In this week's episode, I discuss: the number of threats involved in this weeks news feed (00:20); what “a threat” really is (01:51); the difference between “predatory” threats” and “disruptive” threats (04:39); today’s protective take away (07:55); five things everyone can do to conduct their own threat assessment (08:22); and three protective strategies to employ moving forward. (12:54)

In this week's episode, I discuss the escalation of violence by federal agents in Portland (1:45) and what this means for the future of peaceful protest. I discuss: how we got here (12:56); protective strategies for peaceful protestors to employ (17:55); the importance of understanding "threshold" (20:11); today's protective take-away (22:22); and best practices for staying safe at future protests and demonstrations (27:37)

In this week's episode, I discuss the accidental boating death of GLEE star Naya Rivera. I talk about the safety trap of self-sabotage and how our tendency to C.O.N. ourselves into a false sense of security can lead to fateful consequence.

In this week's episode, I discuss the tragic death of Vanessa Guillen, the 22-year-old soldier killed at Ft. Hood.  I cover what happened, how it was allowed to happen, and protective strategies to prevent something similar from happening to you.

Introducing, Coursen's Corner. A protective strategy podcast to help you succeed in staying safe.