Los mejores podcasts de Jon Atack (2025)

1
cults don't teach flow - with Joe Szimhart 51:59

18d ago51:59

51:59

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…

1
when groups go crazy with Dr Steven Moffic 1:11:43

25d ago1:11:43

1:11:43

In Opening Our Minds, Jon wrote about an outburst of mass sociogenic illness or mass hysteria in Chechnyan schools. Almost a hundred pupils thought they'd been poisoned by the Russians. It took two years for them all to be released from hospital as a cognitive therapist helped them to understand the condition.History has seen many examples of the m…

1
Clearly Lies Are True with author Pamela Nickel Williams: reflecting on her childhood in Scientology 1:30:03

1M ago1:30:03

1:30:03

As a child, Pamela was on the maiden voyage of L. Ron Hubbard's flagship. Aboard ship, she studied alongside the younger Hubbard kids. She tells the remarkable story of her teenage years working at the first Celebrity Center in LA, and how her mother was driven into psychosis by Scientology's upper levels. Her father, despite years as a dedicated s…

1
Recovery from Werner Erhard with Anne L Peterson 1:53:17

1M ago1:53:17

1:53:17

he deficits and benefits of the human potential movement. Anne worked with Werner Erhard for years and saw his tyrannical behaviour up close. Do large group awareness trainings (LGATs) lead to transformation or breakdown? Anne talks about the value of Jon's Opening Our Minds in understanding the tricks and traps of these influential groups. How Sci…

1
The Sexual Shamanic Experience with Cara Cordoni and Dave Booda 1:40:25

2M ago1:40:25

1:40:25

The International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) utilizes the Large Group Awareness Training (LGAT) model. It focuses on sexual intimacy with the promise of spiritual transformation. Cara gives a fascinating account of her eight-year marriage to a one-on-on guru, who claimed to be descended from both Mesmer and Gurdjieff. She then relates her intrigu…

1
the SHOCKING story of how Dianetics became a bestseller with Jefferson Hawkins 54:17

2M ago54:17

54:17

Jeff Hawkins was in Scientology for 40 years. In the 1980s, he created the project that put Modern Science of Mental Health back on the bestseller list. He abandoned all of Hubbard's ideas about marketing to do this. Jeff gives many insights into the true nature of Scientology management. He worked directly for David Miscavige and, like many others…

1
Landmark exposed: Is This a Cult? with Anne L. Peterson 2:21:18

3M ago2:21:18

2:21:18

Anne ran Landmark approved seminars for many years. She witnessed the return of Werner Erhard and often worked with him. Her fascinating book Is This a Cult? details the first phase of her own recovery. est and Landmark contain much that is familiar to Scientologists and survivors of Mind Dynamics, Subud, Silva Mind Control from which Erhard approp…

1
Theosophy, the Aryan Race, Nazi occultism and Scientology with Joe Szimhart 1:08:03

3M ago1:08:03

1:08:03

Madame Blavatsky's close confederate Dr Franz Hartmann was a point of origin for both Nazi Aryan Race theory and Hubbard's Scientology. He co-founded the Ordo Templi Orientis, the 'sex magick' group later headed by 'the wickedest man in the world' Aleister Crowley. Hubbard plundered Crowley's teachings to create Scientology.#scientologycult #scient…

1
Scientology and other language traps 1:22:33

3M ago1:22:33

1:22:33

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, "Scientolog…

1
Scientology’s conspiracy against psychiatry with Dr Steve Moffic 1:20:18

3M ago1:20:18

1:20:18

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 …

1
how cults get you high - manipulating mania with Dr John Hunter 1:17:16

3M ago1:17:16

1:17:16

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 t…

1
the fairy tale behind Putin's imperialism 58:34

4M ago58:34

58:34

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 th…

1
rage against Scientology and other cults with Hoyt Richards 1:07:30

5M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

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.Many people leave an authoritarian group and deny the harm it did to them and the…

1
positively AI with Dustin Rozario Steinhagen, PhD 55:41

5M ago55:41

55:41

Jon and Dustin share some positive ideas about AI and a few cyber security tips to keep Scientology agents out of your computer.Links:Dustin's websiteDustin's dissertationPew Research Center survey on Americans' views of AIArticle mentioning improved performance on the International Mathematics Olympiad qualifying examAI Medical licensing exam perf…

1
Is Scientology a rebranding of ritual magick? (also Scientology slavery) 45:46

5M ago45:46

45:46

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: Survey of atheists who believe in the supernaturalMore on the four humors

1
did Ron Hubbard use Hitler's "magick" to make Scientology? 51:32

5M ago51:32

51:32

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.Links:The Shrinking World of L. Ron H…

1
Scientology's marketing mayhem with Jefferson Hawkins 43:23

6M ago43:23

43:23

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…

1
gratitude with Steven Moffic, M.D. 1:12:15

6M ago1:12:15

1:12:15

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?Note: From Abraham Lincoln Online: "Prior to this, each state scheduled its own Thanksgiving…

1
Madam Blavatsky - the Godmother of the New Age - with Joe Szimhart 54:27

6M ago54:27

54:27

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. Many groups have their origins in her work - including Theosophy, Anthroposophy, the Church Universal and Trium…

1
Scientology, Nazism, Blavatsky, and the Occult 39:34

6M ago39:34

39:34

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?Read Jon's paper, Possible Origins of Dianetics and Scientologyor watc…

1
Murderous, S3x-Crazed S@tanists in Silly Robes - how cults are (mis)represented in movies & TV 57:19

7M ago57:19

57:19

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.

1
Surviving Trump: Can We Counter Absolutism Without Becoming Absolutists? with Jeremy Sherman 1:08:41

7M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Explore the pressing question of our time: How do we counter authoritarianism without falling into dogma ourselves? In this thought-provoking conversation, John Atack and Jeremy Sherman tackle the rise of absolutist movements, the role of irony and curiosity in challenging dogma, and the existential challenges facing humanity in an increasingly com…

1
cyber security and thought reform with Dustin Rozario Steinhagen, PhD 1:47:31

7M ago1:47:31

1:47:31

As a member of Dustin's PhD committee, Jon became familiar with his research into public awareness of psychological manipulation. Dustin describes the motivation for his work and the survey he used to estimate public understanding of manipulation. This breakthrough research will hopefully encourage other graduate students to work in this vastly und…

1
magical thinking with Hoyt Richards 1:06:34

7M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

Hoyt shares his experience as a long term member of a group with a base in astrology. He was recruited at age 16. He studied at Princeton University and became internationally successful but stayed in the group for 20 years. Why do we accept conspiracy theories and magical ideas? To what extent do limitations in perception and interpretation inhibi…

1
cannabis breakthrough research with Ethan Russo, M.D. 53:16

8M ago53:16

53:16

Dr Ethan Russo has been involved in cannabis research for many years. He dispels some of the myths and talks about recent breakthroughs in the treatment of anxiety and dementia. Dr Russo focuses on current research into limonene and cannabigerol. A fascinating conversation with a true expert.Links:Ethan's site: https://ethanrusso.org Acute effects …

1
Approaches to Trump supporters with Jeremy Sherman 1:15:16

8M ago1:15:16

1:15:16

Jeremy is anxious to prevent a dissociation death spiral in our culture. We explore further his approach to Trump supporters and Jon offers some portmanteau words - Jeremy's speciality - including Magavellian, utopiates and fascilitators.Links:Jeremy's videos: "Ruin A Trumpist's Day The Nice Way"and "How to Stage Interventions With Trump Addicts"…

1
Is the work of Zimbardo, Milgram and Sherif valid? with Joe Szimhart 23:07

8M ago23:07

23:07

The social science that supports our work with cults has been questioned in the last decade. We discuss the complaints about Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment, Stanley Milgram's Yale shock machine studies, and Sherif's Robbers Cave Experiment.Note: this was recorded a few days before Dr. Zimbardo passed. He was truly a titan of our field and wi…

1
Cult experts talk about Trump with Joe Szimhart 1:02:09

8M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

Many of us in the counter-cult world are alarmed at the prospect of a Trump presidency. Trump has proved himself to be an authoritarian. His following accept the vague promises of greatness and the lack of policy, despite hundreds of leading Republicans declaring for Harris.Buy the NEW edition of Steven Hassan's Cult of Trump!…

1
books and movies to untangle someone from Scientology 1:10:00

9M ago1:10:00

1:10:00

Spike joins Jon to discuss the books, movies, and documentaries that can help people wean themselves from Scientology's problematic beliefs. Please leave your own viewing/reading recommendations in the comments below!As always, please be kind and respectful of others' viewpoints.Links:Jon on Andrew GoldJon on LadBibleSecret Lives: L. Ron HubbardThe…

1
how can we stop Trump? with Jeremy Sherman 2:02:05

9M ago2:02:05

2:02:05

in his "How to roll trolls and stump Trumpists", Jeremy has outlined his own approach to disappointing Trump's followers. Jeremy lays out his fascinating analysis of the 'herobot' the follower who avoids self-doubt by attaching to the 'dumbergogue' Trump. As usual, Jeremy is eloquent and spills over with ideas that will make you smart. Jon suggests…

1
extreme authoritarian sects with Christian Szurko 37:14

9M ago37:14

37:14

Christian is an expert on those groups most often called 'cults'. He explains his own less emotive description of such groups. As usual, Christian dispenses with psychobabble and offers a useable and useful model for the better understanding of the 'cult' experience.Spike's note: Zoom cut this discussion a bit short; we apologize for the abrupt end…

1
leaving a belief with Hoyt Richards 1:21:27

9M ago1:21:27

1:21:27

Belief doesn't simply evaporate when we leave a group. Hoyt and Jon talk about their own experiences on the road to claiming authority for their own beliefs. Jon suggests an easy way to kickstart the process. To the outside world, Hoyt seemed to exemplify success - a sports star, Princeton graduate who earned a fortune as the first man ever called …

1
the science of herbal medicine with Chris Kilham 46:30

9M ago46:30

46:30

Chris Kilham talks about a lifetime searching the world for health-giving plants. Not only has he travelled across continents and helped to establish local production, he has also been consulted by many pharmaceutical companies that are finally moving towards the use of tried and tested natural remedies. Chris talks about his own legal cannabis cro…

1
jazz and joy with Dr Steven Moffic 1:01:25

10M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

Steve is a lifelong jazz fan. He even used to write a column under the name Dr Jazz. Jon and Steve both believe in the redeeming qualities of music. Steve expresses his enthusiasm at finding that a current presidential candidate shares his love of jazz. The usual wide-ranging conversation about jazz and music in general peppered with fascinating fa…

1
love, narcissism, defaultilogic and scornography with Jeremy Sherman 1:13:04

10M ago1:13:04

1:13:04

Jeremy gifts us some of his new words that portmanteau concepts. Criticism of Malkin's model of narcissism ('feeling special') and Jeremy's embrace of the doctrine of foregone inconclusions. A delight for the eager mind.Jeremy's Book, Neither Ghost Nor Machine, can be bought here:https://www.amazon.com/Neither-Ghost-nor-Machine-Emergence/dp/0231173…

1
The God Market with Joe Szimhart 1:00:54

10M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

how to turn religious ideas into monetary wealth. An age-old story. And Joe's ideas on the eye in the pyramid and other pyramid schemes. Links: Joe's websitediscussion on PythagoreansBart Ehrman's YouTube More about the Ambani wedding in India

1
Clusterflux with Jeremy Sherman, PhD 1:33:45

10M ago1:33:45

1:33:45

Jeremy has been working with neuroscientist Terrence Deacon at Berkley for 30 years. He shares insights about his head on challenges to true believers which contrasts with Jon's more gentle approach to mindchanging.Spike's note: Regarding the Universe-spinning, tutu-wearing rhino, I couldn't resist. I plugged the prompt into Meta's AI, but it would…

1
how can you tell if you’re truly free of Scientology? 1:18:09

11M ago1:18:09

1:18:09

Jon is joined by Spike for this discussion about how we can tell if we're truly free from the clutches of our former high-control group - it's far more involved than just leaving; often it takes a concerted effort lasting years to unwind oneself from deep psychological indoctrination and fully heal the damage done.Here's all the links:the crimes of…

1
how cults hijack our interpretation of reality 1:58:03

11M ago1:58:03

1:58:03

Christian Szurko is a leading expert on extremist authoritarian sects. In almost five decades, he has helped thousands of people to digest and integrate their experience and become thriving survivors. Christian explains his compelling model of the process of cult involvement, which is helpful in undoing exploitative persuasion and understanding the…

1
Shawn McCraney asks Jon about his beliefs 1:14:55

11M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Shawn is fascinated that Jon's positive attitude is not based in religious belief. Jon talks about the wide range of influences that have led him to lose any concern for personal immortality.links:Jon's current websiteJon's defunct website with the artJon's writings on the Underground BunkerNever believe a hypnotist -the paperthe videoPossible Orig…

1
cult membership and the perils of ego with Hoyt Richards 1:13:16

11M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

a discussion about the egotism that makes us prey to cults, maintains our relationship with them, and makes it difficult to accept the ways in which cults modify our beliefs and behaviour. As ever, Hoyt shares his own dreadful experiences and helps to explain how to overcome obstacles to recovery from authoritarian abuse.Ex-Scientology KidsSocrates…

1
Chris Kilham: medicine hunter, expert on psychoactives 1:01:41

11M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Chris is an expert on a wide range of psychoactive plants including cannabis. He has travelled the world for decades, visiting indigenous people to discover natural medicines, superfoods, and psychoactives. He has revisited these communities and helped to establish trade routes to their and the world's benefit.Chris first visited Brazil in 1997 and…

1
Roerich, Gorbachev, Putin and Agni Yoga with Joe Szimhart 1:17:44

12M ago1:17:44

1:17:44

absurd beliefs can lead to atrocities. Cult specialist Joe Szimhart is an artist whose journey into the world of cults began with his interest in the paintings of Nicholas Roerich who led Agni Yoga. Roerich believed he was the 'king of the world' and cultivated an influential following - including Henry Wallace, FDR's Secretary of State for Agricul…

1
reassessing responsibility after leaving a cult with Frances Peters 54:04

12M ago54:04

54:04

Frances spent the first 44 years of her life as a Jehovah's Witness. Since leaving, she has dedicated herself to counselling former members. As Frances says, authoritarian cults give members overwhelming and impossible responsibilities. They can also diminish the real responsibilities we should accept. After leaving a cult, it is important to reass…

1
memorial days with Dr Steven Moffic 46:01

12M ago46:01

46:01

a discussion about the recent D-Day and Memorial Day commemorations, the recognition of PTSD and the recent decision of the American Psychiatric Association to create a Caucus on Peace. We talk about the successes and failures of the Truth and Reconciliation process and the need for dialogue in all fraught situations.Spike's note- it seems someone …

1
Alex Barnes-Ross campaigns for awareness of Scientology among British politicians 46:21

1y ago46:21

46:21

We are delighted to hear that Scientology critic John Sweeney is standing for the UK parliament in the July 2024 elections. John is famous for his 'exploding tomato' response to the taunts of a Scientology agent while filming for BBC Panorama. He subsequently wrote a book about group and has made criticism of Scientology central to his campaign for…

1
"Bible Bangers" & Scientology with Jamie DeWolf 1:16:19

1y ago1:16:19

1:16:19

Jon talks with L. Ron Hubbard's great-grandson, beat poet and award-winning filmmaker, Jamie DeWolf, about Scientology, extreme evangelical Christianity, life, philosophy, and belief. Comedy routine by Stewart Lee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvf07P7fhu0&t=6913s

1
cult recovery and family support - with Hoyt Richards 1:18:03

1y ago1:18:03

1:18:03

Hoyt and Jon discuss what role a family can have in helping their loved one recover from cult involvement.The book Jon is reading on the American Post Civil-War Reconstruction: David Blight's Race and Reuniona downloadable infographic of Jon's questions to ask a loved one in an authoritarian groupmore on Steven Hassan's Strategic Interactive Approa…

1
strategic gullibility and psychoproctology with Jeremy Sherman 59:37

1y ago59:37

59:37

Jeremy seeks fundamental explanations for life and motivation. He invents a new word a day to better describe his insights. He calls himself a 'psychoproctologist' because he studies the psychology of a-holes (i.e. humans). Jeremy has a different, fascinating, and entirely non pompous view of the world. He was also the inventor of the Sherman Effec…

1
psychopath, sociopath or anti-social personality? with Shawn McCraney 1:07:26

1y ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Shawn describes himself as a sociopath. Using the renowned expert Dr Robert Hare's work, we explore the different forms of human predation that are often confused with one another. Shawn talks about a recent experience in Hawaii that has changed his view of the world.Randy Newman's "Guilty" Note from Spike: If you haven't read the 1954 novel "The B…

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