Fair Game

Leah and I had the great pleasure of speaking to Taylor Holley, a law student at Texas Tech University who published a legal analysis of scientology's tax exempt status in the Law Review. Her paper is a wonderful summation and careful analysis of the law and makes a compelling argument that the IRS should revisit the exempt status of scientology.

Leah and Mike welcome Dr. Hassan this week for a wide-ranging discussion about scientology and other cults, undue influence, hypnotism and methods of control. Steve is a former Moonie, who is now internationally recognized expert in the field of cults.

Mike and Leah talk to the network guardian angel who oversaw The Aftermath show, Devon Graham Hammonds. They cover how the show came to be, a lot of behind-the-scenes glimpses into production, the Fair Gaming of those who worked on the show and why it ended.

 Leah and Mike take questions from listeners covering scientology tax exemption, the Sea Org and staff contracts, scientology Security guards, what listeners can do and a whole lot more insight into the world of scientology.

Leah and Mike venture into the world of Mormonism with Dr. John Dehlin to learn about problems in the Mormon world, the many similarities with scientology, and some important differences which have tended to make the Mormons more successful, and certainly a lot more powerful and wealthy, than scientology.

Leah and Mike dive deep into some of the most abusive practices of scientology: the so-called Rehabilitation Project Force, the Thought Reform Program for Sea Org members, and the Truth Rundown "security checking" designed to convince a person that anything bad they observed about scientology is untrue, ending with a written apology for ever having such a thought.

This week, Leah and Mike are joined by their old friend Chris Shelton -- a well-informed former scientology executive who has provided some of the most cogent analyses of scientology in his podcasts, appearances and writings. A lot of what is covered in this week's episode concerns the fake “religious” aspects of scientology.

Our friend -- and scientology nemesis -- journalist, author and podcaster John Sweeney talks about making his BBC programs on scientology and compares his experiences to his reporting in N. Korea, Russia, Serbia and other places. He is an entertaining and well-informed on the subject of scientology.

Leah and Mike are joined by media and political reporter Yashar Ali. Yashar has covered scientology for years. He was recently named one of Time's 25 most influential people on the internet: The topics range from celebrities in scientology, to media and elected officials responsibility dealing with cults to the Fair Game campaign against him.

Leah and Mike talk to Aaron Saidman, co-founder of production company (IPC) that was brave enough to bring The Aftermath to air, for some behind-the-scenes insight into the making of the program, the impact it had and how the people involved dealt with scientology and their Fair Game tactics.