Cult or Just Weird

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"We use Halloween to scare the kids and bankers to scare the adults." - Anthony T. Hincks

Chris and Kayla revisit a past guest to explore a new topic - and take a look at our own biases.

Special thanks to returning friend of the show, Mike Rothschild!

@rothschildmd on twitter, The Storm is Upon Us on Amazon

Episode content warning: Antisemitism

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*Search Categories*

Conspiracy Theory; Business; Anthropological; Destructive

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*Topic Spoiler*

The Rothschild Family

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*Further Reading*

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

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

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

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

https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/24162

https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/retropod/how-the-antisemitic-conspiracy-theories-about-the-rothschilds-began-1/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/03/19/the-rothschilds-a-pamphlet-by-satan-and-conspiracy-theories-tied-to-a-battle-200-years-ago/

https://www.salon.com/2022/04/14/do-jewish-bankers-control-the-weather-a-short-history-of-this-dumb-but-ugly-conspiracy-theory/

https://www.britannica.com/story/where-do-anti-semitic-conspiracy-theories-about-the-rothschild-family-come-from

https://paulsalmons.associates/blog/conspiracy-theories

https://www.ajc.org/translatehate/Rothschild

https://www.jta.org/2022/05/23/culture/a-rothschild-who-debunks-conspiracy-theories-for-a-living-is-writing-the-book-about-jewish-space-lasers

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum, David Whiteside, Jade A, amy sarah marshall, Martina Dobson, Eillie Anzilotti

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Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, banana, Megan Blackburn, ISeeSpidersWhereThereAreNone, Instantly Joy, Athena of CaveSystem, John Grelish

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We here at Cult or Just Weird like to call ourselves a family.

Kayla & Chris deep dive into a recent article outlining the cult-like criteria present in an area of life where most of us toil away.

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*Search Categories*

Business

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*Topic Spoiler*

"Company or Cult?" article from The Economist

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*Further Reading*

https://www.economist.com/business/2022/03/05/company-or-cult

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/15/technology/metamates-meta-facebook.html

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/08/tripping-through-ibms-astonishingly-insane-1937-corporate-songbook/

https://www-cdn.law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/SSRN-id2994394.pdf

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum, David Whiteside, Jade A, amy sarah marshall, Martina Dobson

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Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, banana, Megan Blackburn, ISeeSpidersWhereThereAreNone, Instantly Joy, Athena of CaveSystem

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete. -Jack Kornfield

Chris & Kayla tap into their trust network- all the previous guests of the show- to help them build a toolbox of self care strategies.

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*Search Categories*

Alt Medicine/Wellness

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*Topic Spoiler*

Self care ideas from COJW guests

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*Further Reading*

- Move your body!

- Chores can be good! Brush your teeth!

- Coping skills are ok, they help you cope!

- Don't be too hard on yourself, it's ok to miss a day of something!

- Do skin care!

- Protect your own time first!

- Sleep is good, not bad!

- Meditate! Mindfulness rocks!

- Shake your body!

- Put an ice pack on your chest!

- Talk therapy can really help!

- Medication can really help (ask your doctor)!

- Checking things off a checklist is fun!

- Play a sport, hulk out with weights, or swim!

- Watch a good tv show! Play a good video game!

- Stretch while sitting down!

- Attend to your need for social contact, whatever that may look like for you!

- Everyone is different and unique and will have different self care strategies that they like!

- Love yourself!

- You are already awesome!

https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/maitland/new-blog-post-3/

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum, David Whiteside, Jade A, amy sarah marshall

>>

Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, banana, Megan Blackburn, ISeeSpidersWhereThereAreNone, Instantly Joy

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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"A simple cup of tea is far from a simple matter. -Mary Lou Heiss"

You might want to put that cup of tea down while Kayla spills some of her own tea about a certain producer of such products.

Warning: Eugenics :(

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*Search Categories*

New Age; Business; Destructive; Alt Medicine/Wellness

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*Topic Spoiler*

Celestial Seasonings Tea Company & Urantia

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*Further Reading*

https://www.inverse.com/article/10731-cults-conspiracies-and-the-twisted-history-of-sleepytime-tea

https://www.foodandwine.com/drinks/sleepytime-tea-and-little-known-religion-behind-it

https://thoughtcatalog.com/christine-stockton/2021/01/the-insane-true-story-of-the-racist-eugenics-book-your-inspirational-teabag-tag-might-be-based-on/

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/celestial-seasonings-inc-history/

https://www.urantia.org/trustees/mo-siegel

https://www.urantia.org/

https://urantia-book.org/archive/readers/doc170.htm#III.C

https://web.archive.org/web/20150518080730/https://urantia-book.org/archive/readers/doc170.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Urantia_Book#Criticism_of_its_science

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_S._Sadler

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

https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Mo+Siegel/3777

http://symmetryofsoul.org/wiki/Symmetry_of_Soul_Hosts

https://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/24310

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum

>>

Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, banana, Megan Blackburn, ISeeSpidersWhereThereAreNone

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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Information is abundant. Your attention is priceless.

Chris & Kayla kick off S4 of Cult or Just Weird by finding a pretty darn good helper, who has some advice all of us stand to benefit from.

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*Search Categories*

Anthropological; Internet culture; Conspiracy Theory

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*Topic Spoiler*

Interview w/ Mike Caulfield of UW's Center for an Informed Public

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*Further Reading*

https://www.cip.uw.edu/

https://hapgood.us/2019/06/19/sift-the-four-moves/

https://hapgood.us/2021/06/12/participatory-propaganda-tropes-and-trope-field-fit-part-one/

https://projectinfolit.org/pubs/provocation-series/essays/information-literacy-for-mortals.html

https://www.cip.uw.edu/2022/03/02/misinfoday-2022-workshops/

https://cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/io/io

https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/joan-donovan

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum

>>

Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, banana, Megan Blackburn, ISeeSpidersWhereThereAreNone

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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Chris & Kayla interview Stephanie McNeal, Senior Buzzfeed culture reporter, and author of the article on LuLaRoe:

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemcneal/lularoe-millennial-women-entrepreneurship-lawsuits

Rise & Fall of LuLaRoe Discovery+ documentary featuring Ms McNeal:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16125656/

***

This episode was originally published to Cult or Just Weird patrons (https://www.patreon.com/cultorjustweird) on 12/21/2021.

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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Every step is on the path.

(Lao Tzu)

Chris & Kayla reflect on their journey producing three seasons of Cult or Just Weird, and discuss what lies in store for the future.

Happy Holidays & may your 2022 bring peace and happiness.

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*Search Categories*

Common Interest/Fandom

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*Topic Spoiler*

CoJW's journey & learnings

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*Further Reading*

www.cultorjustweird.com

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum

>>

Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, banana

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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The tree of spiritual munificence must be refreshed from time to time.

Chris gets to learn all about the Amish from someone whose story has been featured on a previous episode.

(thanks to Lizzie Hershberger, co-author of Behind Blue Curtains, for her time & insights!)

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*Search Categories*

Anthropological; Destructive

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*Topic Spoiler*

Amish (current day) & interview with Lizzie Hershberger

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*Further Reading*

https://groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/experts/topics/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anabaptists

https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=amishstudies

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-Baptist-and-an-Anabaptist

https://www.discoverlancaster.com/amish/history-beliefs/

https://amishamerica.com/where-do-the-amish-live/

https://www.amishfurniturefactory.com/amishblog/are-there-amish-settlements-outside-the-united-states/

https://scholarlyoa.com/why-dont-amish-use-technology/

https://www.amishvalleyproducts.com/why-do-amish-reject-modern-technology

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum

>>

Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, banana

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

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"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water."

-Loren Eiseley

Chris revisits a previous topic but widens the scope by deep diving into the (sometimes violent) religious shards of context.

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*Search Categories*

New Religious Movement; Anthropological

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*Topic Spoiler*

Amish (Anabaptist origins)

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*Further Reading*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnster_rebellion

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

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

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anabaptists

https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/appendix-b-classification-of-protestant-denominations/

https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=amishstudies

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-Baptist-and-an-Anabaptist

https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-416?mediaType=Article

https://cornishbirdblog.com/fenton-bebilbell-cornwalls-well-of-the-little-people/

https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-48-prophets-of-doom/

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum

>>

Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, banana

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

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Every November comes with a kaleidoscope of changing leaves, the aroma of pumpkin spice, and doesn't come with other things.

Kayla goes hard on a nutty topic and comes up with some deep insights and penetrating analysis.

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*Search Categories*

Internet Culture; Common Interest/Fandom; Alt Medicine/Wellness

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*Topic Spoiler*

No Nut November (and NoFap)

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*Further Reading*

• https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/no-nut-november
• https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bicboi6969696969
• https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=No%20Nut%20November
• https://twitter.com/I_H8THOTS/status/925876275457257472
• https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackPeopleTwitter/comments/7akgk7/can_any_man_survive_no_nut_november/
• https://twitter.com/BillRatchet/status/926308036976758784
• https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/7au6n2/what_is_with_no_nut_november/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Nut_November
• https://www.reddit.com/r/nonutnovember/
• http://nonutnovember.org/
• https://archive.md/aGLoU#selection-903.0-902.17
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CNtS6gTvBHBu5X03MraNi7pIbw51zmB-x9acM8yAoIg/edit
• https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/no-fap-september-no-fap-months
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1631%2Fjzus.2003.0236
• https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1125277

• https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=127266003
• https://www.thedailybeast.com/does-masturbating-make-you-a-sex-addict-what-about-porn-what-about-bondage-even-the-experts-cant-agree
• https://manofmany.com/lifestyle/sex-dating/science-behind-no-nut-november
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8275519
• https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10508-019-01623-8.pdf
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoFap
• https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/2018/11/no-nut-november-insidious-internet-challenge-encouraging-men-not
• https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/coomer-meme-no-nut-november-nofap-908676/
• https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a29689038/no-nut-november/
• https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/masturbation-giving-effects-life-changes-reddit-nofap-men-say-it-gave-them-superpowers-a7345466.html

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*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum

>>

Jenny Lamb, Matthew Walden, Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, Benjamin Herman, banana