veteran cult expert Joe Szimhart suggests that many authoritarian cult leaders may actually suffer from a mental disorder that he has provisionally called 'cult leader syndrome'. Comparing this to imposter syndrome and with references to temporal lobe epilepsy, Joe and Jon discuss the maladies of Ron Hubbard, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Osho, Rajneesh and various other leaders.



cult leader syndrome with Joe Szimhart

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jon atack, along with his son sam, present a series of educational podcasts on how to spot, avoid, and overcome unethical manipulation of all kinds - from destructive cults and abusive relationships, to advertising, groupthink, bullying and more. join us in our hope to create a world where people are taught from infancy to stand up for their rights, look deeper into what they're being told, and to question everything!

from time to time we will also be sharing "lighter" fare - podcasts on art, music, and literature, featuring jon's younger son dan on guitar, sam's amazing paper sculpture.

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Shawn describes himself as a sociopath. Using the renowned expert Dr Robert Hare's work, we explore the different forms of human predation that are often confused with one another. Shawn talks about a recent experience in Hawaii that has changed his view of the world.

Randy Newman's "Guilty" 

Note from Spike: If you haven't read the 1954 novel "The Bad Seed" by William March (not to be confused with the children's book (!) of the same name), or seen the 1956 movie, also of the same title, consider me grabbing your lapels and shouting: "You NEED to read the book/ see the movie NOW!!!"

psychopath, sociopath or anti-social personality? with Shawn McCraney

Gillie Jenkinson talks about her time in a Bible-based cult, her escape, her doctoral studies, and her book, which is a step-by-step guide to recovery. Gillie has been counselling former members for many years and has a practice in Hope Valley outside Sheffield in England.

Gillie's Hope Valley counselling

Spike's note: The British call them "milk teeth," Americans call them "baby teeth," but the correct, dentistry term is "deciduous teeth." You're welcome.

Walking free from the trauma of coercive cultic and spiritual abuse with Gillie Jenkinson, PhD

Joe and Jon discuss Annie Dawid's fascinating novel about Jim Jones and the Jonestown massacre. With insights into the Jones cult and its relationship to Father Divine, and other cult-related literature.
Links:
Joe's review of Paradise Undone
 Alan Scheflin's Social Influence Model
The real story behind Bird Man of Alcatraz
The Kanugu Cult Massacre (Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God)
The Innocence Project
10cc 2nd sitting for the last supper 
SPIKE'S NOTE: YES, I have made Jon aware that Kool-Aid is still available (even in remote, exotic locations like Nottinghamshire) and is as popular as ever; I have a container of their pink lemonade gathering dust in my pantry even as I type this. I spent a reasonable hour or so doing a deep dive into flavored sugar water lore, but I could find absolutely no evidence that Kool-Aid suffered any dip in popularity due to the tragedy in Guyana. That said, if anyone can find any evidence to the contrary, please let me know. The only reason I can think of that Jon and Joe are unaware of this fact is because they live healthy lives unhindered by junk food products, whereas I have never met a Twinkie I didn't love.

Paradise Undone: a novel of Jonestown by Annie Dawid - a book review with Joe Szimhart

Mark Vicente, co-director of What the Bleep Do We Know? talks about his systematic recruitment by NXIVM. a comingling of Scientology and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Mark's testimony helped to convict Keith Raniere. During his membership, Mark was asked to record Raniere and this footage was the basis for the excellent documentary The Vow.

NXIVM and Scientology with Mark Vicente

Eminent psychiatrist Steven Moffic discusses the original 'Book One' method of Dianetics with Jon. Hubbard canceled the method in 1951, explaining that it is hypnotic. It was re-introduced in the late '70s and is still used as a recruiting tool. They also discuss music, art, and compassion.

links:

Moffic’s eclipse piece

Spike's eclipse piece

Freud lectures in Worcester, Mass 1911 

Moffic’s piece in Psychiatry Today on Vijay

Vincenzo Di Nicola's writings

cult leader syndrome with Joe Szimhart

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