Mark Bunker is one of those rare 'never-ins' who stood up to Scientology. He tells the story of his introduction to the subject and how his concerns grew until he moved to Clearwater to work with the Lisa McPherson Trust. In this talk, he shares the work he's done as one of Clearwater's five councilors and David Miscavige's hamfisted attempts to control the city. Mark is an inspiration to us all.  

Links:

Mark Bunker's YouTube channel

Scientology's old orientation video   

Mark Bunker's video of the Urban Land Institute meeting   

Jon's paper, "Scientology: Religion or Intelligence Agency?"    

Clearwater Aquarium's website

Documentarian, actor, and interventionist Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about the effects that cult involvement has on those close to a member. This subject is rarely discussed because the emphasis is on the damage done to the member. Hoyt talks about his brother's attempt at an intervention which severed their communication for years. Tips and strategies for helping members and a broad discussion that will be useful to most former members and the families and friends of members.

Jon has been diving deep into the Chinese Thought Reform program, started by Mao and continuing to this day in Xinjiang. Jon explores parallels with the Thought Reform program and Chris's experience of Scientology's mind-bending Truth Rundown. Through "re-education" China and North Korea have created two of the most obedient societies of all time. To what extent does Scientology employ the same approach to clone members into a belief so fervent that even the best evidence will not shake it?  

Links:  

Chris Shelton's Truth Rundown video   

Bruce Hines' Truth Rundown video   

Shrinking world of L. Ron Hubbard

Mike Rinder ran Scientology's intelligence agency for years. He worked directly for Ron Hubbard and for David Miscavige. Mike talks about his dedication to Scientology and the complex network of circumstances that made him a true believer willing to harass and try to destroy critics of Scientology. Mike shows how a decent, compassionate, intelligent person can become the tool of an unscrupulous authoritarian cult leader.

to read Jon's paper, never believe a hypnotist

or watch the video

for more about scrofula - Mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis

no ants were harmed in the making of this video.

As one of the eight most highly trained Scientologists on the planet, Karen was involved in applying Scientology to Lisa-Marie Presley from the age of eleven. Karen and Jon explain how even highly intelligent and successful people are lured into Scientology through the euphoric experiences it provides.  

Links:  

Ex-Scientology Kids   

Australian Royal Commission

Jon talks with his longtime friend and colleague Steven Hassan, PhD. Steven is famous for his groundbreaking book, Combating Cult Mind Control, and his penetrative analysis, The Cult of Trump. In a wide-ranging discussion, Steven and Jon talk about authoritarianism, QAnon, psy-ops and the war against experts and explain why they both have hope for humanity, as long as we take responsibility and overcome the bully culture that is authoritarianism.  

Links: 

Steven's website 

Steven's YouTube channel 

Steven's TEDx "Dismantling QAnon"   

Yuval talks with Steven   

Possible Origins of Dianetics and Scientology 

the paper

the videos: 

part one

part two 

Bolsinaro supporters attack their congress

Jon reads a keynote paper given to the Europe-wide cult monitoring group FECRIS in Copenhagen. Jon challenges the peculiar IRS decision to allow tax-exempt status to Scientology and explains why this should be reversed.  

To see the original paper, complete with footnotes and sources [scroll to page 68]

How Ron Hubbard rebranded childish ideas of magical belief into his 'science of mind'/'religion' Scientology. A deep dive into the relationship between 'intention' in Scientology and the 'will' of the Crowleyite magickal system. With diversions into loaded language and Ron Hubbard's perverted sexual behavior. Is Scientology a "gnostic" faith or simply a system of smoke and mirrors?   As Jon says, "Scientology is an idea of giving you magical powers and it should be looked at in the same way that we look at other fairy stories.'  

Links: 

the Don Rogers Letters

The complete "stop it!" sketch (highly recommended)

The Shrinking World of L. Ron Hubbard

in 1952, Hubbard explained how he was going to construct Scientology. As he said, Scientology is a game, but you may have wondered what the rules of the game are. Here Hubbard explains that he is the "game-maker" and that, at best, we are no more than players (more usually simply pieces). The first of a series of pieces that first appeared in Tony Ortega's Underground Bunker during its first decade.  

links:  

the original article 

possible origins of Dianetics and Scientology: 

paper online

video part one

video part two 

never believe a hypnotist: 

paper online

video

Actor, documentarian, and Princeton graduate Hoyt Richards talks about his recovery from a small, isolated cult group. Hoyt found the aftermath of the cult even more challenging than his 20-year membership. He left the group because he believed he simply wasn't good enough. As with most members of authoritarian groups, he was constantly set up to fail and felt demeaned. Hoyt tells us how important it is to tell the story, even though we'll feel humbled in the telling.

Links:

Intersection 

Australian Royal Commission