Motive & Method

On today’s episode of Motive & Method, Tim & Xanthe explore the psychology behind who is most vulnerable to being targeted by a cult, the rise of social media as a tool for cult recruitment & how new forms of cults in both political & religious spheres are manifesting around the world and online and casting lasting impacts on some of society’s most vulnerable.

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Anne Hamilton Byrne was a former yoga instructor who deludedly believed herself to be the reincarnation of Christ. 

Under her malevolent influence, up to 28 children were subjected to a nightmarish existence. Their hair was bleached and cropped uniformly, while they endured beatings and even were administered LSD.

The cult would be later publicly referred to as  "The Family" where many of the child victims continue to  bear lifelong psychological scars.

But what are perplexing motivations that drive cult leaders like Anne Hamilton Byrne to exert control, manipulate, and inflict abuse upon vulnerable individuals?

What can be said about the differences between male and female cult leaders?

And is rehabilitation truly possible for the victims of cults like Byrne’s? 

Read Chris Johnston’s book “The Family” 

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In this episode, Tim & Xanthe take a deep dive to explore the psychological, emotional toll that unsolved homicides play on immediate family members. 

Following the murder of her father in the early 2000s, Madison Mcghee has spent the better part of the last five years investigating her father’s mysterious death. 

Does taking matters into your own hand help family members of victims cope & allow them to resolve past traumas or does this come with its own consequences? Who can you turn to when the justice system fails to adequately investigate a cold case? 

Listen to Madison’s podcast “Ice Cold Case”.

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Madison Mcghee was only a child when her father was shot in the doorway of her family home but has spent the past five years investigating her father’s cold case and has taken her on an ongoing quest for new evidence to unravel the truth around the mystery of her father’s death.

What are the lasting impacts on the family members of unsolved murder cases?

Who can you turn to when the justice system fails to investigate a cold case?

And what does it mean to take an investigation into your own hands, when it comes to seeking answers and understanding about cases that get conveniently swept under the rug, or disregarded altogether for seeking resolution?

Listen to Madison’s podcast “Ice Cold Case”.

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This is part two of our conversation with ex-bank robber turned advocate Russell Manser. 

In this episode of Motive & Method, Tim & Xanthe talk to Russell about his experience of institutionalised abuse in boys homes & the prison system and deep dive into his work to alleviate the trauma for other prisoners. 

Find out more about Russell’s work “The Voice of a Survivor”.

Listen to Russell’s podcast “The Stickup”.

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Russell Manser is a man who went from stealing cars and robbing banks and spent the better part of his life behind bars in a number of maximum security prisons & boys homes. 

Today, in his 50s, he is an advocate who helps other prisoners after jail around ongoing issues of institutional sex abuse in prison through his advocacy group “The Voice of a Survivor”. 

He is also the host of his own podcast “The Stickup”

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Welcome to Part 2 of our “Ask an Expert” deep dive with Tim & Xanthe.

Throughout the last season, you had many questions about our work and who we are. Today, we deep dive on everything from the role of humour in working in the criminal justice system, coping strategies for dealing with the long term impacts of being a psychologist & more.

Want to ask Tim & Xanthe a question? Get involved and follow Motive & Method @motiveandmethod on Instagram and DM us.

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Throughout the last season, you had many questions about our work and who we are - what it means to be a criminal psychologist / criminologist - and that’s what we’ll be doing today. 

We want to answer all your burning questions in part one of our “Ask an Expert” deep dive.

Want to ask Tim & Xanthe a question? Get involved and follow Motive & Method @motiveandmethod on Instagram and DM us.

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In 2003, Kathleen Folbigg was convicted for the murder of her children and has since spent 20 years in prison for crimes she did not commit.

In recent weeks, Kathleen has been pardoned, leaving lasting impacts and questions on how the system may mistreat victims of violence & instead convict them of perpetrators. 

In this episode, Tim and Xanthe ask why the justice system lets women like Kathleen and others down in this way, why these processes take so long & what can be done to mitigate the harmful impacts of wrongful convictions in the future. 

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This week on Motive & Method is  a very special interview with Tracy Chapman, the best friend of Kathleen Folbigg - a woman who has been released from prison following a 20 year long wrongful conviction.

We were lucky enough to speak with Tracy a few weeks ago , the story has developed since then, but believe now more than ever, that we need to shed light on the backstory and nuance around this case.

It really is going to shake the criminal justice system to its core as we have witnessed a woman who's been hated and vilified for 20 years for the murder of three of her children.

Find out more about Tracy’s advocacy - https://justiceforkathleenfolbigg.com/ 

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