Cult or Just Weird

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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---

We must cultivate our garden.

Chris gets to talk to a scientist of mammoth significance, clarifying and context-ifying a topic from 4 episodes ago.

Special thanks to Nikita Zimov, Director of Pleistocene Park, for his time & insights for this episode!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PleistocenePark

---

*Search Categories*

Science; Anthropological

---

*Topic Spoiler*

Interview with Nikita Zimov, Director of Pleistocene Park

---

*Further Reading*

https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/519000/the-russian-scientists-bringing-back-the-ice-age/

https://pleistocenepark.ru/

https://www.patreon.com/PleistocenePark

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

---

*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

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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---

It can poison your soul.

Chris and Kayla talk with one of their favorite conspiracy theory/spirituality/cultic studies writer & podcaster - and dive deep into bodily fascism, the yoga community, and what conspiritualists get right.

Special thanks to Matthew Remski for his time & (incredibly clarifying) insights for this episode!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewremski

---

*Search Categories*

New Age; Science/Pseudoscience; Internet culture; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory; Alt Medicine/Wellness

---

*Topic Spoiler*

Interview with Matt Remski of the Conspirituality Podcast

---

*Further Reading*

https://matthewremski.medium.com/what-conspiritualists-and-anti-vaxxers-get-right-3d11551982b7

https://conspirituality.net/

http://matthewremski.com/wordpress/

---

*Patreon Credits*

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

>>

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

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

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---

"Separate text from context and all that remains is a con." - Stewart Stafford

Kayla takes a break from watching TikToks to give us a bunch of context and info about a pretty weird trend she's noticed on TikTok.

---

*Search Categories*

New Age; Science/Pseudoscience; Internet culture; Destructive; Alt Medicine/Wellness

---

*Topic Spoiler*

The Gravoboi Codes

---

*Further Reading*

https://www.insider.com/tiktok-manifesting-cheat-codes-grabovoi-numbers-trend-dark-past-russia-2021-6

https://www.vocativ.com/world/russia/grigory-grabovoi/index.html

https://sports.yahoo.com/tiktok-users-sharing-cheat-codes-160415289.html

https://www.manifestandflow.com/blogs/well-lived-lifestyle-blog/how-to-use-grabovoi-numbers

https://www.dailydot.com/debug/tiktok-cheat-codes-grabovoy-numbers/

https://www.inputmag.com/features/dr-inna-kanevsky-psychology-professor-fact-checking-tiktok

https://studybreaks.com/tvfilm/manifestation-tiktok/

https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/manifesting-tik-tok

https://eagleeye.news/17406/feature/manifestation-trends-on-tiktok/

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/technology/science/the-legend-of-atlantis-has-a-dark-terrible-history/news-story/f1271c561661a8937faafed6e4f6f452

https://bigthink.com/the-present/why-the-nazis-were-obsessed-with-finding-the-lost-city-of-atlantis/

https://www.inputmag.com/features/dr-inna-kanevsky-psychology-professor-fact-checking-tiktok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYL0K8btGcw

https://sobesednik.ru/obshchestvo/20200129-grigorij-grabovoj-zayavil-ob-otkrytii-im-sposoba-borby-s-koronavirusom

https://pr.grigori-grabovoi.world/index.php/about-grigori-grabovoi

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

https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/333798-russian-sect-leaders-cheat-codes

https://www.tiktok.com/@anilasita/video/6942584355810217221?is_from_webapp=v1&q=grabovoi&t=1633209309131

https://www.tiktok.com/@candicenikeia/video/6936258770649484550?is_from_webapp=v1&q=grabovoi&t=1633209309131

https://www.tiktok.com/@fallonkerri/video/6939274427813219590?is_from_webapp=v1&q=grabovoi&t=1633209309131

https://www.tiktok.com/@girlsgotguts/video/6937314716570094853

---

*Patreon Credits*

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

>>

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, Anna Krasner

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

---

All of this has happened before, and it will all happen again.

Chris & Kayla seek an expert to help deliver an update on one of last season's very timely topics.

Special thanks to guest Travis View (@travis_view on Twitter) from the QAnonAnonymous podcast for his time and insights for this episode!

---

*Search Categories*

Anthropological; Internet culture; Common interest / Fandom; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory

---

*Topic Spoiler*

QAnon, pt 6: update a year later

---

*Further Reading*

All of our research this episode involved chatting with Mr View, co-host of QAnonAnonymous:

www.qanonanonymous.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/qanon-anonymous/id1428209307

---

*Patreon Credits*

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

>>

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, Anna Krasner

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

---

Small steppes can have Mammoth effects.

Chris takes us on a journey to the far reaches of the Earth to find some unintuitive science and some unlikely helpers in the fight to save civilization from our changing climate.

Special thanks to guest Caelen from Atlas Pro (https://www.youtube.com/c/AtlasPro1/community) for his time and insights for this episode!

---

*Search Categories*

Science/Pseudoscience; Anthropological

---

*Topic Spoiler*

Pleistocene Park

---

*Further Reading*

https://pleistocenepark.ru/

https://www.patreon.com/PleistocenePark

Atlas Pro's Pleistocene Park video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXAirenteRA

The documentary "Mammoth": https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/519000/the-russian-scientists-bringing-back-the-ice-age/

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

https://www.carbonbrief.org/explainer-nine-tipping-points-that-could-be-triggered-by-climate-change

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

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

https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-melting-permafrost-is-beginning-to-transform-the-arctic

https://www.nwtgeoscience.ca/services/permafrost-thaw-slumps

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/04/pleistocene-park/517779/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rewilding_(conservation_biology)

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

https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-04-30/bold-plan-slow-melt-arctic-permafrost-could-help-reverse-global-warming

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/news-arctic-permafrost-may-thaw-faster-than-expected

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/siberia-pleistocene-park-bringing-back-pieces-of-the-ice-age-to-combat-climate-change-60-minutes/

https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2020/12/19/one-russian-scientist-hopes-to-slow-the-thawing-of-the-arctic

https://www.newsweek.com/permafrost-preserved-until-2100-horses-reindeer-bison-climate-change-1492939?fbclid=IwAR0dYoAm5F24skXLem8SC6FbaiVwyPos_Ve81MVao-nbHA2rk5INcRRosrA

https://www.newyorker.com/science/elements/the-wooly-mammoth-lumbers-back-into-view

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/welcome-pleistocene-park-russian-scientists-say-high-chance-cloning-woolly-mammoth

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

https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-a-warming-planet/the-answer-to-climate-change-is-organizing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holistic_management_(agriculture)

https://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_fight_desertification_and_reverse_climate_change?language=en

https://savory.global/

https://blog.ted.com/allan-savorys-how-to-fight-desertification-and-reverse-climate-change-criticisms-updates/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holistic_management_(agriculture)

---

*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres

>>

Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, 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, Anna Krasner

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

---

I don't want to believe. I want to know.

-Carl Sagan

Kayla sciences even harder on the Self Realization Fellowship: their beliefs, their organizational structures & rules, and the veracity of some of Paramahansa Yogananda's claims (don't hold your breath).

---

*Search Categories*

New Religious Movement; New Age; Science/Pseudoscience; Alt Medicine/Wellness

---

*Topic Spoiler*

Self Realization Fellowship, pt2

---

*Further Reading*

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriya_Yoga#cite_note-8

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

https://skepticmeditations.com/2015/05/17/can-yogis-stop-their-heart/

https://www.ananda.org/ask/achieving-the-breathless-state-in-meditation/

https://skepticmeditations.com/2015/05/04/evidence-against-breathlessness-and-samadhi/

https://culteducation.com/group/1143-self-realization-fellowship/19193-yogis-movement-still-growing-50-years-after-death-.html

https://yogananda.org/monasticorder

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-Realization_Fellowship

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramahansa_Yogananda#Biography

https://yogananda.org/kriya-yoga-path-of-meditation

http://skepticmeditations.com/2015/09/21/cult-charisma-and-convocation/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awake:_The_Life_of_Yogananda

https://www.ananda.org/free-inspiration/books/autobiography-of-a-yogi/

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

https://www.angelfire.com/blues/srfwalrus/

http://www.backupsrfwalrus.com/srfwalrus/p203.ezboard.com/fsrfwalrusfrm24d91b.html?topicID=38.topic

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/srfblacklist/

https://www.reddit.com/r/kriyayoga/

https://www.reddit.com/r/cults/comments/ehw1ct/srf_is_not_a_cult/

http://www.nhne.com/misc/yogananda.html

https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/news/a15245/bikram-choudhury-sex-scandals-in-yoga/

https://yoganandafortheworld.com/introduction-has-srf-lost-its-way/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriyananda#Biography

---

*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres

>>

Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, 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, Ali Alderson, Anna Krasner

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

---

There are disciples who seek a guru made in their own image.

-Paramahansa Yogananda

Kayla enlightens Chris about an influential organization, stretching across America, started by a chain of gurus.

---

*Search Categories*

New Religious Movement; New Age; Science/Pseudoscience; Anthropological; Alt Medicine/Wellness

---

*Topic Spoiler*

Self Realization Fellowship, pt1

---

*Further Reading*

http://www.vivekananda.net/PDFBooks/The_Upanishads.pdf

http://www.krishna.com/bhagavad-gita-online-versions

https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Yoga_sutra_of_Patanjali/nP1MAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

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

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

https://www.reddit.com/r/kriyayoga/

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-Realization_Fellowship

https://yogananda.org/

https://culteducation.com/group/1143-self-realization-fellowship.html

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

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7452

---

*Patreon Credits*

Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres

>>

Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, 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, Ali Alderson, Anna Krasner

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

---

Abusive systems rely on guilt, gaslighting, and isolation. You need not be perfect. You are not crazy. And you aren't alone.

Chris & Kayla talk to trauma-informed writer & survivor activist, Molly Maeve Eagan (mollymaeve.com), co-author of true crime memoir "Behind Blue Curtains"

(https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Blue-Curtains-Survival-Pursuit-ebook/dp/B0925CBPKZ)

---

*Search Categories*

Anthropological; Destructive

---

*Topic Spoiler*

"Behind Blue Curtains" is the harrowing true memoir of Lizzy Hershberger- her upbringing, abuse, escape, and transcendence from the Swartzentruber Amish community.

---

*Further Reading*

https://www.lifebehindbluecurtains.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57491159-behind-blue-curtains

https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Blue-Curtains-Survival-Pursuit-ebook/dp/B0925CBPKZ

https://mollymaeve.com/

https://www.voicesofhope.events/

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

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

https://www.padutchdictionary.com/

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a30284631/amish-sexual-abuse-incest-me-too/

https://www.npr.org/2020/01/19/797804404/investigation-into-child-sex-abuse-in-amish-communities

Our patron & veteran CoJW interview subject, Nancy Carlson, has also recommended:

https://www.amazon.com/Tears-Silenced-Childhood-Betrayal-Ultimate-ebook/dp/B07FTQDN38

---

*Patreon Credits*

initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen

cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Zero Serres, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson, Benjamin Herman, Ali Alderson, Anna Krasner

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

---

I want to believe... but take this story with a bowl of salt.

Chris abducts Kayla's scheduled episode slot to disclose a previously unidentified story... before it's too late.

---

*Search Categories*

Anthropological; Internet culture; Common interest / fandom

---

*Topic Spoiler*

Throawaylien

---

*Further Reading*

https://www.reddit.com/r/Throawaylien/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Throawaylien/comments/nn4usq/resources_and_links

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_E._Mack

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO_conspiracy_theories#Disclosure

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

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

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-paralysis

https://www.history.com/news/first-alien-abduction-account-barney-betty-hill

https://www.history.com/topics/paranormal/history-of-ufos

BBC: Pentagon won't rule out aliens in long-awaited UFO report

https://www.thedailybeast.com/these-men-in-black-think-aliens-made-your-iphone

https://medium.com/on-the-trail-of-the-saucers/what-say-you-sam-harris-who-called-you-details-please-3cebb3d7baa1

https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/6/4/18632778/ufo-aliens-american-cosmic-diana-pasulka

https://newrepublic.com/article/162457/government-embrace-ufos-bad-science

https://newrepublic.com/article/158823/tom-delonge-warped-ufo-aliens

Project Bluebook

60 Minutes UAP report

(this is a PDF) June 25th 2021 UAP Report from Office of Director of National Intelligence

download your very own FLIR, GoFast, and Gimbal UAP vids!

Highly educational vids from Chris's favorite YouTube futurist & incidental skeptic, Isaac Arthur (channel = SFIA):

SFIA: Response and Analysis of Recent UFO Disclosures from the US Military

SFIA: What if Aliens are secretly among us

SFIA: Whole playlist of "What if aliens are like this?"

SFIA: Thinkin' about First Contact

---

*Patreon Credits*

initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Anna Krasner

cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Zero Serres, Nancy Carlson, Carly Westergard-Dobson

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

Come join us on discord!

---

Good or bad, who's to say?

Chris & Kayla walk by an interesting building in LA's Chinatown, which turns into a whole full excuse for Chris to talk about history on the cult show again.

---

*Search Categories*

Anthropological

---

*Topic Spoiler*

Hop Sing & other Chinese American Tongs

---

*Further Reading*

https://stopaapihate.org/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/story-group-tracking-anti-asian-hate-incidents-rcna662

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Qing_sentiment

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/i4j3cv/what_are_some_of_the_reasons_for_antiqing/

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triad_(organized_crime)

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

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tong_(organization)

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_issues_in_Chinatowns#Gangs

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.dartmouth.edu/~hist32/History/S02%20-%20Early%20Chinese%20Prostitution.htm

https://www.americanhistoryusa.com/chinatown-sex-slaves-human-trafficking-san-francisco-history/

http://www.historicplacesla.org/reports/f1f44c90-7a08-4dd4-94d1-d37a5b573139

https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=The_Tongs_of_Chinatown

https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=The_Golden_Dragon_Restaurant_Massacre

http://www.chineseplayground.com/

https://sanfran.com/where-have-all-the-gangsters-gone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_%22Shrimp_Boy%22_Chow

https://www.jstor.org/stable/2767924

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1259.html

History of China Podcast: the Tong Wars of New York's Chinatown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37QdHb9IvE4

National Geographic: Chinatown Mafia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6pXIyOwrqo

https://www.villagevoice.com/2020/01/25/tongs-strike-out-in-chinatown/

https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/enter-the-dragon-head/Content?oid=2163615&showFullText=true

http://www.mafianj.com/asian/tongs.shtml

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-chinatown-stabbing-20170127-story.html

---

*Patreon Credits*

initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Anna Krasner

cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Zero Serres, Nancy Carlson