In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, host Kacey speaks with Priscilla about her experiences with the Landmark Forum, a controversial personal development program. Priscilla shares her background in neurodivergence inclusion and how she became involved with Landmark during a vulnerable time in her life. The conversation delves into the psychological techniques used by Landmark, the emotional manipulation participants experience, and the parallels between Landmark and the troubled teen industry. Priscilla highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics and the potential harm they can cause to individuals seeking help.In this conversation, Priscilla shares her experiences with Landmark Worldwide, discussing the emotional toll of cult involvement, the addictive nature of the elation experienced during courses, and the dangers of group dynamics. She emphasizes the need for awareness around neurodivergence in cult recovery and advocates for a critical mindset when engaging with recovery communities. The discussion highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding and addressing the complexities of cult experiences.John Hunter's Research on Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGAT's) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DMPXLSM1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_VYW87V1CZQE7SC566BVH_1&skipTwisterOG=1&bestFormat=trueGet in Touch or Support:Patreon - patreon.com/thecultvaultCrimecon UK 2025 - https://www.crimecon.co.uk - use code CULT for 10% off tickets!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultvaultpod/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CultVaultPodReddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Cult-VaultGmail: cultvaultpodcast@gmail.com

In Part 1 of this conversation, former Landmark Forum staffer Anne Peterson returns to update us about life post-Is This a Cult? book launch. She takes us back inside the transformational training machine built on Werner Erhard’s EST curriculum, and how something sold as breakthrough personal growth slowly revealed classic high‑control dynamics. Going from enthusiastic participant to full‑time staff, Anne breaks down the structure of Landmark forums, leadership programs, and “enrollment” culture, and what it actually felt like to live inside a world of long days, unpaid labor framed as service, and constant pressure to bring in new people. She also unpacks the language games, thought‑stopping clichés, and emotional high/low cycles that made it so hard to question Landmark Education or Erhard’s legacy, and shares how she eventually stepped away, began naming her experience as loaded with undue influence, and started rebuilding a life, career, and sense of self outside the Landmark universe. Be sure to pick up Anne’s memoir, Is This a Cult? (https://amzn.to/4qWADPp) , follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/anne.l.peterson1) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/annelpeterson/) , and follow iLumn8.Life on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/iLumn8.Life) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ilumn8.life/) . Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of parental and physical abuse and trauma. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. **PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here (https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLR16M1R576DP/checkout/25UI2OVABMV3RD4YF55WQ755) Check out our amazing sponsors (https://alittlebitculty.com/sponsors) Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty) Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag (https://my-store-c9bd2a.creator-spring.com/) Support the pod and smash this link (https://donorbox.org/support-a-little-bit-culty) Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources (https://alittlebitculty.com/resources) Watch Sarah's TED Talk (https://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_edmondson_how_to_spot_a_cult?language=en) and buy her memoir, Scarred (https://amzn.to/48PlcAT) CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound (https://www.citizensofsound.com/) Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Give your skin a rest with clean, clinically tested skincare from OSEA. Right now we have a special discount just for our listeners. Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code CULTY at OSEAMalibu.com (http://oseamalibu.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Cult Vault Podcast, host Kacey speaks with Priscilla about her experiences with the Landmark Forum, a controversial personal development program. Priscilla shares her background in neurodivergence inclusion and how she became involved with Landmark during a vulnerable time in her life. The conversation delves into the psychological techniques used by Landmark, the emotional manipulation participants experience, and the parallels between Landmark and the troubled teen industry. Priscilla highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics and the potential harm they can cause to individuals seeking help. In this conversation, Priscilla shares her experiences with Landmark Worldwide, discussing the emotional toll of cult involvement, the addictive nature of the elation experienced during courses, and the dangers of group dynamics. She emphasizes the need for awareness around neurodivergence in cult recovery and advocates for a critical mindset when engaging with recovery communities. The discussion highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding and addressing the complexities of cult experiences. John Hunter's Research on Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGAT's) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DMPXLSM1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_VYW87V1CZQE7SC566BVH_1&skipTwisterOG=1&bestFormat=true Get in Touch or Support: Patreon - patreon.com/thecultvault Crimecon UK 2025 - https://www.crimecon.co.uk - use code CULT for 10% off tickets! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultvaultpod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CultVaultPod Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Cult-Vault Gmail: cultvaultpodcast@gmail.com

What if the "transformation" promised by week-long retreats is really activating a defense mechanism to stress? Dr. John Hunter joins Cara to explain the dopaminergic defense hypothesis, his research connecting large group awareness trainings (LGATs) to bipolar-like states. John traces LGAT history from Mind Dynamics (1967) through EST, Lifespring, and Landmark, explaining how these organizations evolved from overt abuse to covert manipulation. He and Cara discuss ISTA's format, the weaponization of personal responsibility, why educated people are vulnerable, and the industry's financial incentives to ignore harm. John shares his Fight Club research, federal court testimony, and why publishing cult research is risky but necessary. Content Note: Discussion of psychological manipulation, induced mania, sexual assault, and institutional harm. ABOUT DR. JOHN HUNTER: Dr. John Hunter is a South African researcher and lecturer based in Johannesburg. His interest in large group awareness trainings (LGATs) stems from personal experience with bipolar disorder and LGAT participation in 2010. He completed a PhD in psychology (2017) proposing the dopaminergic-defense hypothesis, explaining both "transformational" experiences and psychological harm associated with LGATs. Dr. Hunter published this research in the Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion (2022), presented at ICSA (2023), and testified as expert witness in US federal court (2024). His book Manufacturing Mania: The Dopamine Hypothesis of Religious Experience is now available. Website: https://johnhunterphd.com/#about-me Book: Manufacturing Mania - [link needed] Article: "LGATs and Fight Club: Dissecting a Delusion" - https://thefincheranalyst.com/articles/lgats-and-fight-club-dissecting-a-delusion/ RESOURCES: Safer Sex-Positive and Spiritual Communities: 3SC.Community ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association): ICSA.org Freedom of Mind (Steven Hassan): freedomofmind.com Seek Safely: https://seeksafely.org/ Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 CONNECT: Conversations like these helped me get through the darkest times, and I hope they help us get through dark times together. If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Questions or feedback: foolsgoldpodcast@proton.me Schedule a 30 min curiosity call with Cara: calendly.com/caracordonicoaching Substack: https://caracordoni.substack.com/ Instagram: @caracordoni Like what you're hearing? Subscribe, share with someone who might benefit, and leave a review. Your engagement helps others find these conversations, especially because this is a new show. CREDITS: Graphics: Paxton Scarberry | Music: "Midnight Rendezvous" by Sasha Ende (ende.app) Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

What happens after someone speaks out—and an institution responds? In this follow-up episode of Confronting the Line, we examine how organizations act when concerns are raised without acknowledging harm. After Ben Eisenberg shared his experience of growing up inside Landmark Worldwide, Landmark’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Harry Rosenberg, responded directly. Shortly afterward, the organization removed references to youth programs from its public-facing websites and stated it has no plans to offer them going forward. At first glance, this response can appear to reflect institutional maturity. At the same time, the communication does not acknowledge harm or engage the substance of Ben’s lived experience—raising important questions about accountability, self-preservation, and how institutions manage risk when scrutiny increases. This episode explores: ** Action without acknowledgment ** Institutional maturity vs. self-preservation ** Symbolic change vs. structural change ** Why acknowledging harm is often avoided ** What ethical responsibility actually looks like in practice Joined by Lindsey Moon Hartzel, we also examine the developmental and neurological impact of high-control environments on children and adolescents—and why consent, identity formation, and nervous system development must be central to any ethical discussion of youth programming. This episode is not about condemnation. It is about clarity, responsibility, and learning where the line truly is. FUNDING Read about how Confronting the Line is funded & our commitment to transparency: https://isthisacultbook.com/confronting-the-line-pod/ HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS WORK Confronting the Line is a listener-supported project grounded in ethical inquiry and safer learning. Your support helps us create thoughtful content and offer accessible resources for people navigating life after high-demand or coercive groups. If this episode resonated, please subscribe, consider becoming a YouTube Community Member, and share or comment to help others find the conversation. RESOURCES & LINKS: Read Ben’s manuscript here https://medium.com/@beneisenberg_10514/my-experience-growing-up-in-landmark-education-landmark-worldwide-1aae2ea2582e Read Anne’s Book Is This A Cult: Confronting the Line Between Exploitation and Transformation and find other pods and resources → https://isthisacultbook.com/ If you or someone you know is wrestling with recovery after being involved in a high-control group, relationship or any organization, check out the Healthy Healing and Recovery Group w/ Rachel Bernstein https://ilumn8.life/op/lgat-recovery-group/ MODERATION NOTE: While healthy debate and discussion regarding the topics being discussed is encouraged, personal (ad hominem) attacks on people, places or things will be deleted.

In Part 2 with former Landmark Forum staffer Anne Peterson, we dig into what it actually took to leave the Landmark ecosystem emotionally, financially, and socially—and how she began unpacking the “technology” and jargon she once used to coach other people’s breakthroughs. Anne breaks down the aftershocks of working inside a Werner Erhard–inspired large group awareness training (LGAT): the burnout, cognitive dissonance, and shame hangovers that show up once you’re no longer being love‑bombed on course weekends, plus the grief of losing a whole community that insisted it was just about “possibility” and “transformation.” She also shares what recovery has looked like: learning to trust her own perceptions again, finding language for psychological abuse and undue influence, connecting with other ex‑Landmark and ex‑LGAT survivors, and building a gentler, consent‑based approach to personal growth that doesn’t require signing up for endless trainings, going into debt, or turning every relationship into an enrollment opportunity. Be sure to pick up Anne’s memoir, Is This a Cult? (https://amzn.to/4qWADPp) , follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/anne.l.peterson1) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/annelpeterson/) , and follow iLumn8.Life on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/iLumn8.Life) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ilumn8.life/) . Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of psychological and physical abuse, financial and labor exploitation, depression, and trauma. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. **PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here (https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLR16M1R576DP/checkout/25UI2OVABMV3RD4YF55WQ755) Check out our amazing sponsors (https://alittlebitculty.com/sponsors) Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty) Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag (https://my-store-c9bd2a.creator-spring.com/) Support the pod and smash this link (https://donorbox.org/support-a-little-bit-culty) Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources (https://alittlebitculty.com/resources) Watch Sarah's TED Talk (https://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_edmondson_how_to_spot_a_cult?language=en) and buy her memoir, Scarred (https://amzn.to/48PlcAT) CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound (https://www.citizensofsound.com/) Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Audio production: Will Retherford Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore Writer: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part Two of this in-depth conversation, Anne continues her dialogue with influence expert and author Jon Atack, diving deeper into the psychology of coercive influence and the nature of high-control groups. Drawing from their personal experiences with Landmark Worldwide (Anne) and Scientology (Jon), they examine the striking similarities and differences between Werner Erhard and L. Ron Hubbard—two infamous leaders whose methods shaped entire movements. Key topics include: ** How authoritarian leaders build loyalty and dependency ** The role of weaponized empathy and persuasion in manipulation ** Why certain personality types are drawn to cults ** The erasure of founders in organizations ** The concept of “Source” and its impact on followers ** The importance of education and critical thinking in resisting undue influence ** What ethical practice should look like in coaching and personal development This episode continues to highlight the urgent need for transparency, ethics, and accountability in self-help, coaching, and transformational industries. If you’re interested in cult awareness, critical thinking, and protecting the integrity of personal growth work, this is a must-listen conversation. 📖 About Jon Atack: Jon is a leading expert on undue influence and author of Opening Our Minds: Avoiding Abusive Relationships and Authoritarian groups, and has spent decades educating on the dangers of authoritarian groups and coercive control. 00:00 Understanding Authoritarianism and Cult Dynamics 01:50 The Role of Personal Experience in Cult Recovery 04:40 The Influence of Ron Hubbard's Background 08:40 The Nature of Leadership in Cults 15:20 Impeccability and Control in Landmark Forum 20:17 Exploring Personality Types in Cults 23:24 Alcoholism and Leadership in Cults 25:16 The Influence of Leaders on Followers 27:32 The Erasure of Founders in Organizations 29:46 The Concept of 'Source' in Cults 32:04 Weaponized Empathy and Manipulation 35:29 Education and Critical Thinking 41:32 The Role of Personal Experience in Learning 43:51 Understanding Manipulation and Persuasion 48:54 Reflections on the Conversation RESOURCES & LINKS: Check out Jon Atack Family & Friends https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI4tcSMV2kEh3BooY_XFSYQ or Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jon-atack-family-and-friends/id1534364303 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1HxLYQiT9udPo5ldlyhpbH Read Anne’s Book Is This A Cult: Confronting the Line Between Exploitation and Transformation and find other pods and resources → https://isthisacultbook.com/ If you or someone you know is wrestling with recovery after being involved in a high-control group, relationship or any organization, check out the Healthy Healing and Recovery Group w/ Rachel Bernstein https://ilumn8.life/op/lgat-recovery-group/ MODERATION NOTE: While healthy debate and discussion regarding the topics being discussed is encouraged, personal (ad hominem) attacks on people, places or things will be deleted. FINALLY Please consider supporting this channel which helps us to offer more and better content and resources such as the healing group w/ Rachel. Contributing also supports the learning and healing needs of folks, no matter their ability to pay, who are waking up to and leaving high demand and cult(ish) groups. Learn what you can do HERE. https://ilumn8.givingfuel.com/ilumn8giving

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 appropriated ideas. A deep dive into the twists and turns of est, the Forum, Landmark and large group awareness training with many surprises along the way. links: Buy Anne's book: https://www.amazon.com/This-Cult-Confronting-Transformation-Exploitation/dp/B0CX8XFLWQ Anne's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annelpeterson/ for more on Steven Hassan's Influence Continuum: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/influence-continuum/ ex-Scientology Kids: https://exscientologykids.com Seek Safely: https://www.seeksafely.org more on the work of Ira Chaleff: https://irachaleffauthor.com more about the Bear-Fedio index: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.11020039

Carol Merchasin returns, and this time, Rachel and Carol go deep on what it actually looks like when survivors of coercive control, spiritual abuse, and high-control groups consider taking legal action. Carol shares how her career shifted from corporate employment investigations to building a litigation practice focused on religious misconduct and cultic settings, and what landmark cases reveal about how the law interprets coercion, consent, and systems of control. What happens when a survivor wants justice, but the legal system wasn't built for them? Carol walks through the real barriers: statutes of limitations, evidence demands, credibility challenges, and the emotional toll of depositions and mediation, especially for those carrying religious trauma or the psychological weight of cult recovery. She also explains how the right litigation team can become part of the healing process, why journals and social media posts matter more than most people realize, and what truly trauma-informed support looks like when therapy and legal advocacy work together. Plus: Carol shares her role as ICSA board president and highlights the upcoming ICSA conference in San Diego on July 1 — a vital gathering for researchers, clinicians, and advocates working at the intersection of faith deconstruction, coercive control, and survivor justice.

Welcome to Full Frontal Investigation, a bold and unapologetic non-Christian YouTube channel dedicated to exposing the dark underbelly of religious cults, corrupt churches, YouTube “prophets,” and the vast web of financial and criminal misconduct that hides behind the veil of faith in America. This channel was created out of a deep need for truth, accountability, and justice—especially in spaces that often operate beyond the reach of scrutiny. While religion should be a source of comfort, guidance, and community, it has also been exploited by con artists, narcissists, and criminal enterprises that use scripture as a smokescreen and manipulate faith for power and profit. Our mission is clear: Shine an unflinching light on religious corruption, financial exploitation, and the cults that prey on the vulnerable. 1. Religious Cults in America from secretive compounds to live-streamed sermons, we dissect the mechanics of control, manipulation, and abuse employed by modern-day cult leaders. Whether it’s a fringe sect in the desert or a mega-church with millions of followers, we explore how these organizations isolate followers, suppress dissent, and enforce obedience—sometimes with devastating consequences. 2. Financial Fraud and Criminal Activity: Behind many charismatic leaders lies a paper trail of deceit. We dig deep into IRS filings, court records, real estate transactions, and whistleblower testimonies to uncover the financial schemes that funnel millions into the pockets of “spiritual leaders.” From Ponzi schemes disguised as “blessings” to money laundering masked as ministry work, we follow the money—and it often leads to disturbing revelations. 3. Mortgage and Real Estate Scams: Religious organizations frequently engage in shady real estate ventures—buying properties under shell companies, flipping churches for profit, or coercing followers to sign over deeds to their homes in exchange for promises of divine favor. Full Frontal Investigation highlights the systemic abuse of nonprofit status and investigates how some churches operate like real estate conglomerates rather than places of worship. 4. YouTube Prophets and Digital Cult Leaders: A new breed of self-proclaimed “prophets” is emerging online—gathering massive audiences, donations, and power through social media. With prophetic livestreams, donation links, and apocalyptic warnings, these digital influencers claim to speak for God while raking in tens of thousands of dollars. We analyze their tactics, fact-check their prophecies, and investigate where the money really goes. 5. Abuse of Nonprofit Religious Status: Churches enjoy unique legal protections and tax exemptions in the United States. This loophole has created fertile ground for financial exploitation. We spotlight how certain ministries, and religious figures abuse this status to hide assets, avoid taxes, and escape accountability. Religion is one of the most powerful forces in human history. At its best, it inspires compassion, community, and purpose. At its worst, it becomes a tool of psychological coercion, financial exploitation, and criminal behavior—all under the protection of spiritual authority. In the United States, religious organizations are rarely held accountable. Their financials are largely exempt from transparency laws. Their leaders are elevated to untouchable status. And their followers are often too afraid—or too conditioned—to speak out. That’s where Full-Frontal Investigation comes in. We’re not anti-religion. We’re anti-corruption. This channel is a voice for the voiceless. A digital watchdog that refuses to look away. A platform where truth outweighs doctrine, and justice speaks louder than false prophecy. Our viewers come from all walks of life—former cult members, spiritual seekers, journalists, legal experts, and people who simply care about truth and accountability. If you’ve ever questioned a religious leader’s motives, wondered where your donation really went, or watched a “prophet” make wild predictions with no consequences—you’re in the right place. We encourage respectful discussion, open inquiry, and evidence-based debate. We welcome whistleblowers, survivors, and investigators to reach out and share what they know. If you're tired of watching fraud flourish behind pulpits… If you believe faith should never be used as a weapon for control… If you want to be part of a movement holding these institutions accountable… Subscribe to Full Frontal Investigation! Turn on notifications. Watch. Share. See something. Say Something! Contact & Confidential Tips: We take anonymity seriously. If you have credible information, documents, or stories to share, please contact us securely at (314)492-3356 We vet all sources, protect whistleblower identities, and strive to maintain the highest journalistic standards. Full Frontal Investigation Where Truth Has No Sanctuary.

As part of Confronting the Line’s ongoing examination of how high-control personal development spaces impact real lives, this special series turns our focus to those who entered Landmark and similar LGAT environments as children—before they were old enough to consent, question, or fully understand the systems shaping them. In this episode, Marlo shares what it was like growing up with a single mother deeply committed to Landmark Education and its transformational philosophy. What promised integrity and personal growth instead created emotional distance, and quickly pulled her mother away. As Landmark became the center of the family’s world, Marlo was left to navigate a controlling and confusing environment with little support. When she struggled, her pain was reframed as resistance, negativity, or personal failure. She reflects on feeling abandoned, blamed, and gaslit, and on the long shadow that blind loyalty to the group has cast on her relationship with her mother. Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of verbal abuse, sexual abuse of a child, emotional neglect, and high-control group dynamics. Listener discretion is advised. This conversation examines what happens when a system that teaches responsibility and integrity doesn’t apply those principles to its own impact, and how children can become collateral damage in the pursuit of transformation. RESOURCES & LINKS: Get to know Lindsey and her story on the episode we did with her recently E58 Growing Up in Landmark: Introducing Lindsey Hartzel Join us Beyond the Line https://youtu.be/05kVKZQEr0s?si=BgdKQRZdRjeMhTBQ If this conversation resonated, you’re invited to Beyond the Line—our new Patreon community for listeners who want to go deeper. Members receive early access to episodes, bonus reflections, and thoughtful discussions that support ethical inquiry, survivor-centered learning, and safer pathways forward. Your membership directly supports this work and helps us keep resources accessible to those who need them most. https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondtheLinesStudio FUNDING Read about how Confronting the Line is funded & our commitment to transparency: https://isthisacultbook.com/confronting-the-line-pod/ Your support helps us create thoughtful content, host conversations like this one, and offer accessible learning and support resources—including facilitated healing groups—for people leaving high-demand or coercive environments, regardless of their ability to pay. If this episode resonated, please subscribe, consider becoming a YouTube Community Member, and share or comment to help others find the conversation. MODERATION NOTE: While healthy debate and discussion regarding the topics being discussed is encouraged, personal (ad hominem) attacks on people, places or things will be deleted.

Dr. Steven Hassan goes LIVE with terrorism and counterterrorism expert Dr. Anne Speckhard to examine the controversial Denton Texas Antifa terrorism trial, the Prairieland ICE detention center attack, the prosecution of protesters as terrorists, and what this case reveals about political dissent, authoritarianism, the criminalization of protest, and how the legal system can be used to suppress First Amendment rights to free speech. In this conversation, Dr. Steven Hassan, author of The Cult of Trump and creator of the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control, speaks with Dr. Anne Speckhard, a forensic psychologist and world renowned expert on terrorism, violent extremism, radicalization, and counterterrorism. Speckhard served as a defense expert in the Texas Prairieland case, where defendants were charged with terrorism-related offenses following a July 2025 attack at an ICE detention facility. The federal case became a major test of how the government defines Antifa, terrorism, political violence, and participation in a decentralized political movement. Eight defendants were convicted of providing support to terrorists, while Benjamin Song was separately convicted of attempted murder after an Alvarado police officer was shot. In June 2026, the eight defendants received sentences ranging from 30 to 100 years in prison. Dr. Speckhard was called to the stand as a terrorism expert, providing insight and analysis on whether the defendants demonstrated membership in a terrorist organization or instead reflected political protest and First Amendment activity. Her expertise and analysis drives us to ask how terrorism is defined, what constitutes recruitment into an organization or cell, how political movements are characterized, and how ordinary behaviors can be interpreted as evidence of extremist affiliation. Together, Dr. Hassan and Dr. Speckhard will explore critical questions, including: - What happened at the Prairieland ICE detention center in Texas? - How did the Texas Antifa terrorism case become a landmark federal prosecution? - What does “Antifa” actually mean? Can a decentralized movement be treated as a terrorist organization? - How the language of terrorism and domestic extremism can be propagandized to characterize political opponents - How can terrorism experts distinguish genuine terrorist organizations and recruitment from political protest or ideological affiliation? - Dr. Speckhard's background that caused her to be retained as a defense counterterrorism expert as well as what her analysis showed - What happens when dissent, protest, and opposition to government policy become framed as terrorism? - What does the Prairieland case reveal about authoritarianism, fear, political polarization, and the criminalization of dissent? - What can psychology and counterterrorism research teach us about how societies identify and respond to genuine threats without suppressing First Amendment rights? This livestream is intended for education, critical questioning, and public discussion of terrorism, political extremism, authoritarianism, free speech, and the ongoing debate surrounding the Texas Antifa case. Dr. Hassan and Dr. Speckhard will examine the evidence and competing interpretations while encouraging viewers to think critically about how labels such as “terrorism,” “extremist,” and “Antifa” are applied in the media and legal systems, shaping our perceptions. Follow Anne on X: https://x.com/AnneSpeckhard Or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annespeckhard/ and check out the website, ICSVE.org 📅 LIVE Friday, August 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time | 11:00 AM Pacific Time 👉 Like, subscribe, and enable these important discussions on cults, coercion, and authoritarian influence. 🔴 Live: Join us for this timely discussion live! We will be taking viewer questions. #Antifa #AntifaTrial #TexasAntifa #Prairieland #ICE #ICEProtest #Terrorism #DomesticTerrorism #AnneSpeckhard #StevenHassan #DrStevenHassan #CultOfTrump #Authoritarianism #PoliticalExtremism #FreeSpeech #FirstAmendment #PoliticalProtest #TerrorismExpert #Counterterrorism #Radicalization #Extremism #BITEModel #PoliticalPsychology ******************************************** Learn more at: https://freedomofmind.com/ Subscribe to The Influence Continuum podcast: https://freedomofmind.com/podcast-3/ Enroll in our courses - https://courses.freedomofmind.com/collections Download a .pdf of the BITE model here! https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/ Subscribe to the Freedom of Mind newsletter: https://freedomofmind.com/subscribe/ Read or listen to Dr. Hassan's books: https://freedomofmind.com/books/

Robert Chung, 62, claimed he was promised that he alone would inherit his parents' three-bedroom house because he moved back in while he was in his 30s to care for them in their old age.

Carol Merchasin returns, and this time, Rachel and Carol go deep on what it actually looks like when survivors of coercive control, spiritual abuse, and high-control groups consider taking legal action. Carol shares how her career shifted from corporate employment investigations to building a litigation practice focused on religious misconduct and cultic settings, and what landmark cases reveal about how the law interprets coercion, consent, and systems of control. What happens when a survivor wants justice, but the legal system wasn't built for them? Carol walks through the real barriers: statutes of limitations, evidence demands, credibility challenges, and the emotional toll of depositions and mediation, especially for those carrying religious trauma or the psychological weight of cult recovery. She also explains how the right litigation team can become part of the healing process, why journals and social media posts matter more than most people realize, and what truly trauma-informed support looks like when therapy and legal advocacy work together. Plus: Carol shares her role as ICSA board president and highlights the upcoming ICSA conference in San Diego on July 1 — a vital gathering for researchers, clinicians, and advocates working at the intersection of faith deconstruction, coercive control, and survivor justice.

Carol Merchasin returns, and this time, Rachel and Carol go deep on what it actually looks like when survivors of coercive control, spiritual abuse, and high-control groups consider taking legal action. Carol shares how her career shifted from corporate employment investigations to building a litigation practice focused on religious misconduct and cultic settings, and what landmark cases reveal about how the law interprets coercion, consent, and systems of control. What happens when a survivor wants justice, but the legal system wasn't built for them? Carol walks through the real barriers: statutes of limitations, evidence demands, credibility challenges, and the emotional toll of depositions and mediation, especially for those carrying religious trauma or the psychological weight of cult recovery. She also explains how the right litigation team can become part of the healing process, why journals and social media posts matter more than most people realize, and what truly trauma-informed support looks like when therapy and legal advocacy work together. Plus: Carol shares her role as ICSA board president and highlights the upcoming ICSA conference in San Diego on July 1 — a vital gathering for researchers, clinicians, and advocates working at the intersection of faith deconstruction, coercive control, and survivor justice.

Carol Merchasin returns, and this time, Rachel and Carol go deep on what it actually looks like when survivors of coercive control, spiritual abuse, and high-control groups consider taking legal action. Carol shares how her career shifted from corporate employment investigations to building a litigation practice focused on religious misconduct and cultic settings, and what landmark cases reveal about how the law interprets coercion, consent, and systems of control. What happens when a survivor wants justice, but the legal system wasn't built for them? Carol walks through the real barriers: statutes of limitations, evidence demands, credibility challenges, and the emotional toll of depositions and mediation, especially for those carrying religious trauma or the psychological weight of cult recovery. She also explains how the right litigation team can become part of the healing process, why journals and social media posts matter more than most people realize, and what truly trauma-informed support looks like when therapy and legal advocacy work together. Plus: Carol shares her role as ICSA board president and highlights the upcoming ICSA conference in San Diego on July 1 — a vital gathering for researchers, clinicians, and advocates working at the intersection of faith deconstruction, coercive control, and survivor justice.

Learn Speak Teach Episode #157 with Anne Peterson. What happens when personal growth crosses the line into manipulation? In this episode, Anne Peterson shares her experience inside Landmark, why she now questions the harm caused by certain high-control groups, and how charisma, coercion, and intensity can get mistaken for transformation. Today, we are thrilled to have Anne Peterson on the show, author of Is This a Cult? and a coach, consultant, and advocate for safer, more ethical personal and professional development. In this episode, Anne breaks down Landmark, large group awareness trainings, informed consent, coercive control, and the difference between healthy growth and harmful leadership. She also shares what people should look for in ethical communities, how to spot red flags, and what to do if something feels off. This conversation is for anyone interested in self-help, leadership, personal development, community, psychology, or the line between support and exploitation. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:26] Landmark’s Bankruptcy and the Texas Two-Step [03:51] Is Landmark a Cult? [04:53] The Origins of EST, Landmark, and Large Group Awareness Trainings [11:48] “Wait, Is This a Cult?” [16:27] Peak Experiences, Breakthroughs, and Unintended Harm [20:07] Why We Miss Manipulation [24:32] Where Cults Cross the Line [35:33] The Cost of High-Control Leadership [37:05] Duty of Care and Ethical Practice [42:10] Anne’s Work, Book, and Safer Solutions [45:06] What Healthy Ethical Leadership Looks Like [48:39] How to Leave a Harmful Group [52:52] Intuition, Community, and Final Thoughts Key Takeaways: • “Wait, I think I just spent 27 years and became a senior leader and raised a lot of money for a group that is actually a harmful cult, a destructive cult.” ~Anne Peterson • “We haven’t been trained how to see the exploitive side. We haven’t been trained how to separate charisma from character. We haven’t trained ourselves to see manipulation.” ~Anne Peterson • “Who paid the price for my signing away and doing that was my daughter and my son who didn’t have their mom.” ~Anne Peterson • “When the doctor gives me a medication, they have to tell me the side effects. Why? Because in that profession, there’s a standard for informed consent. Why is there not a standard for informed consent in self-help?” ~Anne Peterson • “If the attention is on you, that’s a great teacher.” ~Anne Peterson • “If you get a sense like, ooh, something doesn’t seem right here, listen to that.” ~Anne Peterson Keep In Touch with Anne Peterson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annepeterson2/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anne.l.peterson1 Book, Podcast, and More: https://linktr.ee/anne_l_peterson Marketplace Website: https://ilumn8.life/ Seek Safely Workshops: https://ilumn8.life/lp/seek-safely-programs/ People Mentioned and Other Resources: A Little Bit Culty: https://alittlebitculty.com/ Rachel Bernstein: https://www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/ Seek Safely: https://www.seeksafely.org/ Anne Peterson’s Marketplace: https://ilumn8.life/ Safe Seeking Workshops: https://ilumn8.life/lp/seek-safely-programs/ — Follow Balbert… Facebook: www.facebook.com/realbusinessconnections Instagram: www.instagram.com/realbenalbert/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbenalbert/ Website: https://www.realbusinessconnections.com/ – LST is made possible by www://balbertmarketing.com/

In this season finale of Sunday School Dropouts, Laura and Andrew look back on a landmark season dedicated to unpacking the pervasive and lingering effects of purity culture. Reflecting on what they learned, what surprised them, and where they find hope, Laura and andrew explore how these rigid teachings extend far beyond sexual ethics into daily struggles with body image, diet culture, adult friendships, and social media dynamics. A central focus of the episode examines the connection between neurodivergence and high-control religious systems, drawing on insights from their interview with Michelle Moseley to explain why individuals with ADHD or autism can be uniquely vulnerable to these environments. The discussion also ventures into how purity culture historically intersects with power, control, and racial eugenics, while analyzing the unexpected rise of the modern manosphere and red pill culture as a new evolution of these familiar, toxic frameworks.The episode also tackles the deep personal work required to move past religious trauma, contrasting the intellectual act of deconstructing harmful beliefs with the arduous journey of somatic and emotional healing. Laura and Andrew discuss the protective impulse to completely burn bridges when escaping high-control environments, validating it as a necessary first response for survival rather than a reckless last resort. Highlighting a massive wave of listener feedback, including a notably strong resonance from the ex-LDS community, the conversation celebrates the collective power of shared stories. Ultimately, this finale bridges the gap between uncovering past harms and looking forward, offering listeners a compassionate roadmap for reclaiming their bodies, their boundaries, and their peace.This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @andrew_kerbsTo begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call hereFollow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so hereHosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew KerbsMusic by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji 

In this episode, we speak with author and survivor Beth Granger, who spent 30 years inside a Canadian boarding school that functioned as a hidden cult. She shares her experiences with coercive control, public shaming, family separation, and religious trauma, along with the difficult, non-linear reality of healing.Beth also discusses the landmark class action lawsuit she helped lead—the first historical abuse case to win at trial in Canada—and reflects on its personal cost and impact. She explains how writing her memoir, Born and Razed, became a key part of her recovery.This conversation explores not just survival, but what it takes to rebuild a life, reclaim identity, and turn personal truth into meaningful change.Trigger Warning: Due to these episodes containing stories that involve cults and other types of coercive control that may be disturbing to some, listener discretion is advised.Mentioned in the episode:You can find Living Cult Free on social media, especially on Instagram, at livingcultfree  Our website is livingcultfree.com.  The mission of Living Cult Free is to highlight survivor voices, strengthen self-agency, and provide education that builds resilience against coercion and abuse. At the website above, you can:Contact us to share your storyMeet who runs and collaborates with Living Cult FreeMake a donation to help further Living Cult Free’s mission Thank you for your support!©2024 Living Cult FreeIntro & outro by Jon Snow; Original Music by Esther Friedman Editing and production by Vanessa HennesseyHuge thanks to Living Cult Free’s intern, Nikki Kattamuri, and the Living Cult Free Board of Directors; as well as Erica A. Slauson for her help with transcription.Music and sound found on Pixabay, by:Dream-Protocol, DSTechnician, Everything_is_dead, Juan Sanchez, Kimberly Campbell, Leigh Robinson, Paul Winter, Sergii PavkinThe views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Living Cult Free. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The Living Cult Free name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Elise Heerde joins Sam for a conversation that is equal parts exciting and meaningful; a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of their organisation and a heartfelt invitation into what promises to be a landmark community event for survivors of religious trauma and high-control systems. They discuss the growth of the RTC, its deepening commitment to inclusivity and to holding space for people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and what makes this upcoming event different — including an expanded international speaker lineup and a dedicated space for attendees to connect and stay connected long after the event wraps. There's also a candid conversation about what it means to grow an organisation in a way that truly reflects the breadth of the community it serves, and the courage it takes to evolve publicly - including announcing an exciting update. Connect With Us • Find details about the event here - https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/annual-event • Connect with Elise via her website (https://www.eliseheerde.com) or over on IG (https://www.instagram.com/eliseheerde/) • You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au (https://www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/) • To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices (https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/) • Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form. (https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/contact/) • Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective (https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/)

Elise Heerde joins Sam for a conversation that is equal parts exciting and meaningful; a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of their organisation and a heartfelt invitation into what promises to be a landmark community event for survivors of religious trauma and high-control systems. They discuss the growth of the RTC, its deepening commitment to inclusivity and to holding space for people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and what makes this upcoming event different — including an expanded international speaker lineup and a dedicated space for attendees to connect and stay connected long after the event wraps. There's also a candid conversation about what it means to grow an organisation in a way that truly reflects the breadth of the community it serves, and the courage it takes to evolve publicly - including announcing an exciting update. Find details about the event here - https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/annual-event Your Host You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au To connect with Sam on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/ Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Email info@anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au Also check out https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/