Authoritarian cults like Scientology use loaded language to restrict and control thinking. Spike joins Jon for a discussion of this and some of the vital ways in which language is used to bypass reasoning.#scientologycult #scientology #lronhubbard #dianetics

Links:The appendix to Orwell's 1984The Hubbard "Zimbabwe" interviewJon's paper, "Scientology: Religion or Intelligence Agency?"More about the Bear Fedio IndexThe hospital scene in Star Trek IVSpike's open letter to the media relations director of LegolandSpike's love of Lego made manifest

award-winning psychiatrist Steve Moffic discusses the potential crisis in the US and Scientology's war on psychiatry. Steve criticises the pharmaceutical bias of psychiatry, while defending the proper use of medicines. Both the US and the UK have struggled with understaffing for the treatment of mental disorders. Steve and Jon talk about the drift from a caring society into social media doomscrolling; the benefits of sleep and proper nutrition.Please put any questions for Steve's next chat with Jon in the comments section. Steve loves to answer questions! (Podcast listeners, please go to our YouTube to leave comments; for some reason Spotify does not "support comments in [your] region"....Links:Scientology vs Psychiatry latest newsThe brain problems experienced by King Charles Spaniels Jon Stewart on the pharmaceutical industry

Since Scientology gave birth to Silva Mind Control, Leadership or Mind Dynamics and est, in the 1960s, there has been an industry in 'large group awareness trainings' (LGATs), including The Forum, Landmark Education, Lifespring and Tony Robbins. Wikipedia tells us LGATs 'may compromise participants' mental wellbeing'. Dr John Hunter realized that the LGAT he attended at his boss's request claimed the symptoms of hypomania (excessive elation) as 'transformations'.

After two decades of research, John has published an excellent book suggesting that LGATs and many other forms of conversion use stress and humiliation to generate the brain's reward chemical dopamine which is then released in a gush of elation - hypomania. Studies have shown that these euphoric states are transient and often result in broken marriages and careers as well as mental breakdowns and even psychosis.

John's new book is a vital insight into the ways in which even highly intelligent people's critical thinking is bypassed. He argues that many religious conversions may be based in this simple neurological process. A must-watch!

Exposing LGATs: The Dark Side of Personal Growth Seminars

Dr. John Hunter on A Dose of Reason

Dr. Hunter's book

The music of Mavis Staples

Cult expert Joe Szimhart discusses Cosmism, the bizarre set of fairy tale ideas that underlie Putin's 'neo-Traditionalism' and the creation of a vast Eurasian state. The relationship between these ideas and other forms of fascism - including Nazism - showing the occult notions that remain unknown to the true believers in authoritarianism.link to the paper Joe mentionsMore on Russian Cosmism on Joe's channelSpike's geeky note about Dorothy and Oz - in the movie, Dorothy wakes up at the end and it's all been a dream. But in the books, Dorothy's adventures were real: when she arrives home, her aunt Em asks her where she came from and Uncle Henry had built a new house to replace the one blown away in the cyclone. In a later book (Baum wrote 14 Oz books in all), she actually moves to Oz with her family. Sorry, just had to be *that* person....

Actor, documentarian, and cult survivor Hoyt Richards discusses the danger of former members engaging before they have healed. Hoyt is concerned about the infighting in the wide world of survivors. Jon adds reflections from his four decades of work with former members.

Jon and Dustin share some positive ideas about AI and a few cyber security tips to keep Scientology agents out of your computer.

Jon and Spike continue their discussion on Hubbard, ritual magick, the slaves that Hubbard made, and the slaves still kept captive by Scientology to this day.

Links:

Hubbard's oldest son, L. Ron Jr., aka "Nibs," once said, "The same man who gave the magick to Hitler gave it to Ron Hubbard." Is this an accurate assessment of Scientology? Jon and Spike talk about this and about ritual magick, Nazism, Theosophy, and other subjects. It's a wild ride and you'll want to listen in.

The New York Times best-seller list was topped by Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health almost forty years after it was first published through Jefferson Hawkins' marketing savvy. A turgid, repetitive, contradictory text, whose own author labelled its method 'hypnotic' only a year after release, reached the top of the most significant book list because Jeff ignored everything Hubbard had to say about marketing.

Thanksgiving brought gratitude to Dr Moffic's attention. As he points out, gratitude is an important aspect of our psychological health. The good doctor asks if gratitude is relevant to cult involvement. Perhaps sociopathy can be seen as a lack of gratitude?