Cult Hackers

High control groups normally have a lot to say about how you should raise your children. First we look at child-rearing using the Bible as guide. Stephen remembers listening to the sound of corporal punishment at the Kingdom Hall and then we look at what psychological research has to say - particularly around attachment theory.

Example of the Strange Situation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqlbvpXp74k

Mentally Deseased YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y0TIdjeqKQ

As a partner to the Episode 26. 'The Supernatural', Celine and Stephen review Red Lights, a movie starring Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro and Cillian Murphy, about a team of professional investigators into psychic phenomena. 

Celine suggests an alternative but intriguing alternative reading to the film.

Celine and Stephen explore the question of whether the supernatural exists. What about faith healers and Spirit Mediums? Stephen remembers some of the weird and wonderful beliefs he was taught and the strong cultural tropes Jehovah's Witnesses and Ex JW's will recognise about 'The Demons'. There are stories about demonic possessed return visits and demons inhabiting second hand furniture! 

Reading and links

James Randi Debunks Peter Popoff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7BQKu0YP8Y

Tricks of the Mind, Derren Brown.

Publisher : Channel 4; New Ed edition (8 Oct. 2007)

Language : English

Paperback : 416 pages

ISBN-10 : 1905026358

ISBN-13 : 978-1905026357

Today Celine and Stephen look at at the challenge of being more assertive. High control groups often encourage a submissive attitude. Upon leaving this can make assertively getting more of what you want and need difficult. Stephen talks about his turn to aggressive behaviour and how this got in his way and subsequently how an honest manager and a training course turned his thinking around.

This podcast is also a resource to the free online Assertiveness programmes Stephen has developed, with a particular interest in how people in the creative industries deal with unequal power dynamics. You can access the learning portal for free here https://www.evilsheep.co.uk/learning

at 3:00 minutes - Stephen's assertiveness story.

at 35:00 minutes - Learners questions 

Other resources

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment

https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-bullying-and-harassment

"Pride and Prejudice without the fun". Celine and Stephen talk about the role of women in many high control Christian groups, including Jehovah's Witnesses. What impact does this have on the way a woman raised this way, thinks about herself, whilst a member and upon leaving? Also how does this colour the way men within these groups see their role? How do they relate to women? And how does this change as they leave? Finally Celine and her dad talk about wider societal questions about women, sexuality and how we raise girls.

Many High Control Groups claim a monopoly on truth. Jehovah's Witnesses for example in casual conversation label their religion "The Truth". For someone who leaves such a group, coming to terms with how to recognise truth can be difficult. This week Celine and Stephen begin to explore theories of truth and why it can be a slippery concept. They also ask questions about the future of Truth and why social media seems to threaten its very essence.

What happens when we die? What makes for a good life? How do you decide what you believe about life after death after you've left a high control group?  

Leaving a group that told you who you were, what to believe and how to think means struggling to construct an identity of your own. How does being an 'ex' impact upon identity? Today dad talks about his own experience as a former Jehovah's Witness and explains some of the psychological research into these types experiences. 

References

Hookway, N. S., & Habibis, D. (2015). ‘Losing my religion’: Managing identity in a post-Jehovah’s Witness world. Journal of Sociology, 51(4), 843-856.

Shamir, B., House, R. J., & Arthur, M. B. (1993). The motivational effects of charismatic leadership: A self-concept based theory. Organization science, 4(4), 577-594.

Ebaugh, H. R., & Ebaugh, H. R. F. (1988). Becoming an ex: The process of role exit. University of Chicago Press.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2012). Self-determination theory.

We look at three of the claims made about veganism and explore the merits of its health benefits, the ethical questions and its impact on reducing negative impacts on the environment.

References

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/veganism-environmental-impact-planet-reduced-plant-based-diet-humans-study-a8378631.html

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6392/987

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200122-are-there-health-benefits-to-going-vegan

https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/veganism-health-fad

What is Social Darwinism? And does it actually have anything to do with Darwin? Where did the phrase 'survival of the fittest' come from? Also we somehow end up talking about Wooly Mammoths...