Steve loves Halloween and reflects on how to get more treats than tricks. Includes India's favourite Hitler ice cream and the plea for compassion and kindness rather than hatred and cruelty. And, of course, Jon plugs his new book, If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming.Buy Jon's book hereOther Links:Bernie Sanders and Jon Stewart interview Jon's article, Little Sister is listening The Mendota Study

director and documentarian Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about magical thinking in general and Ron Hubbard's plagiarism of Aleister Crowley in particular.Read Jon's paper, Possible Origins of Dianetics and Scientologyor listen to Jon reading the paper in this videopart onepart twoAnd more on Crowley, ritual magick, and ScientologyJeff Jacobsen's paper, The Hubbard is BareBuy Jon's book hereSpike's note: Yes, Jon is aware that the "funny animal" presence at the protest is (for the most part) people in inflatable costumes and not "Furries". However, "Furries" is easier to say than "Inflatabillies." No Furries were harmed in the making of this video.

Authoritarian cults turn members into predators and prey. Hoyt was recently attacked by someone he had not heard from in 25 years, someone who believes he still has the right to bully him. This individual has sent 85 aggressive texts in just a few days. Hoyt calls it 'disturbingly nostalgic.' Jon and Hoyt talk about how to overcome the triggering caused by past predatory behaviour and the dangers of former members who continue to act out their roles as predators.Links:The Kundalini video Jon mentionsThe Jung documentary Jon mentions is no longer on YouTube, apparently, but you're only Jung once.Jon's new book is out on Kindle

Anne worked closely with Werner Erhard and continues to recover from the Landmark Trust experience. We explore some of the many ideas (and words!) that Erhard lifted directly from Scientology, and how these ideas have seeped into corporate and academic culture - to the detriment of society. Overcoming the conditioning from authoritarian groups need not be an arduous process, but it demands a precise approach. Jon shows how to put aside the brainwashing.Links:Anne's book Anne's Instagram Anne's YouTubeSeek SafelyJon's new book is out on Kindle and paperbackChris Shelton's YouTube

We don’t just suffer from physical and psychological injuries – we also suffer from moral injuries. Often this is because we stood by while awful events were taking place. The effects of moral injury were terrible for the generation who were forced into the Vietnam War and returned to find that they were reviled rather than admired, and for those of us who feel powerless to change the circumstances we find ourselves in today, the sense of moral injury is similar.Here is the study Steve mentionsAnd his article in Psychiatric Times

Jon was a tad surprised when Steve Moffic shared his interest in a fellow psychiatrist's book about past life therapy. Jon came to believe in reincarnation through Buddhism, so when he joined Scientology, aged 19, he readily accepted the idea. However, after speaking with more than a thousand sometime Scientologists, Jon is highly sceptical, leading to a fascinating conversation with Steve, a former professor of psychiatry.Links:The complete essays of Michel de MontaigneSteve Moffic's articles in Psychiatric TimesJon's new book on Kindle and in Print

Anne Peterson spent years setting up seminars and working closely with Werner Erhard, the founder of est, The Forum, and Landmark Trust. Jon describes the Chinese thought reform program, which stimulates Anne to talk about the 'Advanced Course' (yes, Erhard peppered his teachings with Scientology expressions). A wide-ranging discussion touching on the similarities between Scientology and Erhard. Est was devised after he had dipped into Scientology and its offshoots.Links:More on the Bear Fedio IndexThe paper, The Discipling DilemmaMore on the Andrew Carnegie homestead floodHubbard's affirmationsAnne's interview with Brandon HurstMore on Darren Mack and the murder of Charla Mack

Breath of Fire is an excellent documentary about Kundalini Yoga, a group invented out of thin air by the self-styled Yogi Bhajan, who claimed to be a Sikh and to have a system of yoga. Bhajan was neither a Sikh nor a yogin. His techniques lead to dissociation and hypomania (false ecstasy) and then to the depths of depression. Followers can spend years believing that they've failed on the path to enlightenment when, in reality, they were conned into using dangerous and untested methods to induce euphoria.Hoyt Richards is a documentary maker, actor, and former member of another eastern-themed cult, Eternal Values.Notes and links:Jon says "Yogi Bhajaj" throughout, but realizes that the name is "Yogi Bhajan." These things happen sometimes.The term "S.P." in Scientology usually means "Suppressive Person," ie, someone who is not to be trusted. However, Jon and others in the ex-Scientology community have reclaimed this title as a "Social Personality."The Sharpeville Massacre deserves much more recognition than it normally gets; here is a page from South African History Online. Also do check out the other resources cited in this Wikipedia article.Here is the complete poem Jon quotes toward the end of the video.

Bonnie escaped the Sea Org in LA in 1985. Scrambled by OT III, she spent six years wandering around in a daze. Here she talks about her rapid recovery.Scientology is the most effective form of mind control ever devised. Most people will never realize that they have been reconstructed. This video shows how quickly recovery can happen once you have the right tools. Vital for anyone who has been involved with Scientology or has known anyone who was involved.Links:Steve Hassan's TED talk: "How Can You Tell if You're Brainwashed?" More on the Bear-Fedio index for Temporal-Lobe EpilepsyMao's battle against sparrows (and the famine it caused)Tory Christman's YouTube channelJon's paper, Possible Origins of Dianetics and ScientologySpike's notes:Silent birth/ labor: Scientology women are expected to go through labor - and give birth - in complete silence, due to the belief that any words spoken might lead to unwanted "engrams" for the baby. "Dead-Agent" - Scientology uses "dead agent" packs to discredit critics and information critical of the cult. In L. Ron Hubbard's own words: The technique of proving utterances false is called "DEAD AGENTING." It's in the first book of Chinese espionage. When the enemy agent gives false data, those who believed him but now find it false kill him—or at least cease to believe him. So the PR slang for it is 'Dead Agenting.'— L. Ron Hubbard, Handling Hostile Contacts/Dead Agenting, 1974"Liberties" - days/ time off from duty. These are rare and contingent on getting all expected work done, and can be withdrawn for "bad" behavior (such as talking back or thinking independently).I honestly have no idea what an "airing cupboard" is. According to the pictures and descriptions I found online, it seems to be what we silly Americans would call a "linen closet," to keep towels, sheets, and other linen in, but when Jon said he used it for airing clothes, it only confused me further. Help/ clarification from other UK folks would be welcome.Sparrows are lovely birds and deserve all the love, kindness, and breadcrumbs they can get.

the concept of flow is well known in psychology. Cults offer instant flow but it's a deception. Flow can only be achieved by experience. There are no short cuts to competence only to euphoria and dissociation. A fascinating discussion with leading expert Joe Szimhart.Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's TED talkJoe’s short video on flow