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.

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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?

Madam Blavatsky was a fascinating woman. She travelled throughout Europe, the Middle East, India and the US gathering every last secret from the Sufi, Sikh, Masonic and Rosicrucian groups she met and published them in her Secret Doctrine.

Jon has a few things on his mind about the connection between Scientology, the Nazis, and the occult. Was L. Ron Hubbard Jr. right when he said that his father “was given the magic by the same person who gave it to Hitler"? Just what is the link between the Nazis and Scientology?

Spike's been researching movies and TV shows featuring "cults" and has found an ... ahem... interesting pattern. Join Jon and Spike as they discuss the good, the bad, and the just plain cringe.