After Troy and Brian appeared on Stephen's podcast, Cult Hackers back in 2021, Stephen now brings his expertise to talk about cults from an organisational psychology perspective. He shares how organisational models help us understand cult leadership, coercive control dynamics and why people join and stay.
You can find Stephen's podcast here: Cult Hackers and his website here: culthackers.com 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

082 - Cult Hacking with Stephen Mather

Brian and Troy used to be loyal Christian megachurch leaders. They’re not anymore. This podcast explores life after fundamentalism.
https://linktr.ee/iwatf

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

Religion

Here it is! The 100th episode! Brian and Troy continue with their own deconstruction stories and share what life was like after having left church...and Jesus. Did they completely fall apart? Did they return to their sin like a dog to its vomit? Tune in and find out.
Links:


So long, and thanks for all the guilt! (Troy's deconversion blog)


Internet Infidels » a drop of reason in a pool of confusion


Religion for Atheists: A non-believer's guide to the uses of religion


--
Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
Transcript of this episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

100 - What About Life After Church? with Brian & Troy (Our Stories Part 32)

If there's one religious sounding label that Troy is willing to wear, it's 'Buddhist'. In this episode we speak with Ted Meissner, the Executive Director of the Secular Buddhist Association, and the host of The Secular Buddhist Podcast. Ted explains Secular Buddhism and how it contrasts with the more traditional forms of Buddhism.
Ted's links:
Secular Buddhist Association
The Secular Buddhist Podcast
The Mindfulness Network
Mindfulness-based stress reduction - Wikipedia
--
Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
Transcript of this episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

099 - What about Secular Buddhism? with Ted Meissner

In this episode, we explore Progressive/Reformed Judaism with Michel Laloum, Cantor at Temple Beth Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Australia. He was ordained as a Cantor at the Progressive Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and completed Rabbinic studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion, Jewish Theological Seminary and New York University.
Temple Beth Israel Melbourne
World Union for Progressive Judaism
--
Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
Transcript of this episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

098 - What About Progressive Judaism? with Michel Laloum

Tim Costello is an Australian social justice advocate, community leader, and a prominent figure in the Christian faith, albeit a progressive form. He is known in Australia for his public commentary on political and ethical matters, often offering a perspective informed by his Christian faith and commitment to social justice. In this episode we talk to Tim about his commitment to his faith, and what that looks like now, having left fundamentalism decades ago.
Tim's links:
Tim Costello - Wikipedia
Tim Costello/ X (twitter.com)
--
Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
Transcript of this episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

097 - What about Progressive Christianity? with Tim Costello

In this episode, we talk with Dr Eben Alexander, an American neurosurgeon and author. In 2008, he suffered a coma caused by a rare and mysterious bacterial meningo-encephalitis of unknown causes. We talk with him about his own near-death experience and his book, Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife.
Dr Alexander's links:
Eben Alexander
Division of Perceptual Studies - University of Virginia School of Medicine
Home - Scientific and Medical Network
Home - The Galileo Commission
Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies
Inner Sanctum Center
Sacred Acoustics
After our recording, we came upon three articles in particular that make some serious allegations against Dr Alexander. One is from Esquire Magazine and another from writer, Sam Harris. These were both quite hostile. The third is from the Harvard Crimson, and while it is certainly not hostile, it does echo many of the allegations made in the Esquire article.
Dr. Eben Alexander Proof of Heaven Investigation (esquire.com)
This Must be Heaven by Sam Harris
To Do No Harm | The Harvard Crimson (thecrimson.com)
We contacted Dr Alexander about these articles and the allegations they make, and his assistant replied with the following links:
First, Robert Mays, an NDE researcher and longtime leader of IANDS.org, wrote a thorough article criticizing the journalism of Esquire's author: JNDS_ Winter 2016 2PP.indd (unt.edu) 
A peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (flagship journal for physicians in neurology & psychology), by Bruce Greyson et al. It is about Eben's personal case, from the standpoint of a lifelong NDE researcher and colleagues: nmd50598 744..747 (virginia.edu) and more about the professors in the department, so you know their calibre of work and background: Faculty and Staff - Division of Perceptual Studies (virginia.edu)
A reply from Eben during another interview, re: Sam Harris' allegations: Eben Alexander answers skeptics' criticisms (iands.org) 
A valuable set of essays about consciousness, several of which cite Eben's case study in their work: Essay Contest - Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies. Start with the winning entry by Jeff Mishlove and then peruse other topics. 
--
Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
Transcript of this episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 
Deconversion Therapy Podcast

082 - Cult Hacking with Stephen Mather

Download our free app to listen on your phone