Cult Hackers

Dr Darrel Ray is a well known author, psychologist and speaker about the difficulties of making sense of the world after leaving problematic religious experiences and groups. This week Stephen talks to Darrel about his book 'The God Virus' and the work he does as the founder of 'Recovering From Religion', a non profit that supports people after leaving.

Useful Links

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https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts

The God Virus, Darrel Ray

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/6115911-the-god-virus

Recovering From Religion

https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

Today's bonus episode is an analysis of the 2017 movie Apostasy written and directed by former Jehovah's Witness, Daniel Kokotajlo starring Siobhan Finneran, Molly Wright, Robert Emms and Sacha Parkinson. This is a very important movie and in this analysis Stephen explores the devastating realities and consequences of this group's policies, including those around certain types of medical intervention and shunning.

This week’s episode is a special one and welcomes guest Riley from the Jexit channel. It explores the spectacular story of the KLF, a 90s band who burned a £1M and promoted the cause of a counter-culture cult called the JAMs.

Drawing upon the amazing book by John Higgs, The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds, Stephen and Riley make their way through pop music, a pseudo religion called Discordianism, The Illuminatus Trilogy, Alan Moore, Self Referential Reality Tunnels, magic and conspiracy theories to mention just a few things, all from the perspective of two people who lived in a cult. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16166062-klf

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In this final episode of our mini-series Stephen is joined by Jane Stewart and and James Carrier from The World of World Project to explore the importance and the dangers of meaning and purpose being exclusively tied to the workplace. 

Raised as a 4th generation Jehovah's Witness Natalie Grand wanted to educate the world about life for a woman growing up in the group. Celine and Stephen enjoyed talking to Natalie about her wonderful graphic novel called Cult Girls, which tells the story about a group of young women taking control of their lives from the patriarchal cult, the only life they had known. 

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60646567-cult-girls

If you would like to support the podcast you can do so by becoming a patron for just £1 ($1.50)

https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts

In this week's special collaboration with The World of Work Project we explore the importance of being able to speak up and have your say in healthy organisations. One of the defining features of cultic organisations is that the members have no meaningful voice and are encouraged to be obedient. How can we avoid this danger in our team?

If you'd like to support the podcast you can do so by becoming a patron for just £1 ($1.50)

https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts

Reference

Guided Team Self-Correction: Impacts on Team Mental Models, Processes, and Effectiveness. Smith-Jentsch, A. and Cannon-Bowers, J. 

DOI: 10.1177/1046496408317794 

Celine and Stephen explore the ever-present belief that the end is nigh, starting with Stephen's former group Jehovah's Witnesses, including the calculations he was taught as to why Armageddon would definitely come within the generation that saw 1914.

Jehovah's Witnesses are not the only ones who have claimed this special knowledge, only to be made to look foolish, so Celine and Stephen take a whistle stop tour of end time prophecies. Finally they explore what real threats there are out there and what we could do about them as well as having a quiz about end of world films.

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Links

End of world prophecies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dates_predicted_for_apocalyptic_events

JW Facts

https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/failed-1914-predictions.php

Part 2 of our special collaboration with the World of Work Project's Jane Stewart and James Carrier. This week we explore leadership within cults and business, and how progressive efforts to create collaborative cultures and transformational goals can set a trap for well intentioned organisations and individuals.

References

The Dark Side of Transformational Leadership

https://www.routledge.com/The-Dark-Side-of-Transformational-Leadership-A-Critical-Perspective/Tourish/p/book/9780415564281

In part 2, Andrew continues his discussion with Celine and Stephen. Andrew Pledger is a podcaster, activist, writer and life coach who left a fundamentalist Christian cult and now seeks to raise awareness of religious trauma, as well as help those who leave to rebuild their lives.

To listen on a web page

https://whatshouldithinkabout.podbean.com/

Andrew's Links

Linktree 

https://liinks.co/4ndrewpledger

Andrew's Podcast, Speaking Up

https://play.acast.com/s/speaking-up-with-andrew-pledger/bju-is-a-cult-bonus-video-audio

Become a Cult Hacker backer with Patreon for just $1.50 per month

https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts

Andrew Pledger is a podcaster, activist, writer and life coach who left a fundamentalist Christian cult. He raises awareness about religious trauma and recovery from controlling religious groups. He is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and provides insights into how fundamentalist Bible groups compromise identity. It's a fascinating discussion over two episodes. Part 2 is available after the 20th November 2022.

Andrew's Links

Linktree 

https://liinks.co/4ndrewpledger

Andrew's Podcast, Speaking Up

https://play.acast.com/s/speaking-up-with-andrew-pledger/bju-is-a-cult-bonus-video-audio

Become a Cult Hacker backer with Patreon for just $1.50 per month

https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts