Episodes

  • The Revival Fellowship

    The Revival Fellowship
    Nov 19 2024
    The Revival Fellowship is a Pentecostal Australian sect that believes in Bible Numerics, a thoroughly debunked theory about numerical patterns found within the Bible. It also teaches British Israelism, generally considered to be unscientific and ahistorical and by some as a justification for racism. The Fellowship would say its teachings are in line with 'complementarianism', though women have no place in the hierarchy or leadership of the organisation. Over the years since it formed from a schism with Revival Centres International in the 1990s, the offshoot (as well as the RCI itself) has faced numerous accusations from former members that it operates as a cult.Full research sources listed here. You can support us on Patreon. Sarah Steel's debut book Do As I Say is available on audiobook now.Links:Heart of Fire: The Story of Australian Pentecostalism — by Barry Chant, House of Tabor, 1984The British-Israel Myth - Christian Identity and the Lost Tribes of Israel — by Nick Greer, 2004Revival Stories & Document Archive — “a historical document archive and collection of stories of members and former members of the Revival Centres groups of churches”, accessed October 2024An Open Letter from Paul Longfield (son of Lloyd Longfield) — 27 November 1988 letter and undated letterForum for ex-members of Revival Churches — accessed September/October 2024Revival On the Air Today — Revival Fellowships podcast featuring interviews with John & Janet Kuhlmann in 2019Leaving a Revival Church Is Hard, but It’s Worth It — by Mark Darbyshire, Medium, 20 July 2022The link between gender inequality and violence against women — Our Watch, accessed October 2024Letter to the Adelaide Revival Fellowship — by Jean and Frank O’Flaherty, 20 January 1998Ivan Panin and Friends — Australian National University webpage that includes links to Panin’s Panic, the program created by Brendan McKay in 1997Papua New Guinean revivalist churches push dangerous campaign for 'faith-healing' of AIDS — by Liam Cochrane, ABC News, 22 July 2014 Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Running River: the Divine Madness School

    Running River: the Divine Madness School
    Oct 8 2024

    AJ was sent to the Running River school in around 2007, to attend kindergarten when she was five or six years old. The school was headed up by longtime Divine Madness community member Nancy Monson, and founder Marc ‘Yo’ Tizer didn’t have a whole lot to do with it. AJ stayed in the school up until sixth grade, when a new teacher became concerned and shared with parents some of the things he had found out. As soon as AJ’s parents realised the serious deficits in her education, along with some other worrying details, they pulled her from Running River. The school shut down soon afterwards, around 2014.


    Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation or merch purchase.


    Links:

    • Running River — archived snapshot of the school website from 5 April 2005
    • Inner Journey Wilderness Camps — archived snapshot of the 'Summer overnight camps for girls' website from 11 March 2022


    If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via www.cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via www.icsahome.com).

    Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • ICAM & The Freedom Train Project

    ICAM & The Freedom Train Project
    Sep 10 2024

    Dr Tabitha Chapman is the founder of The Freedom Train Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides crucial services for individuals exiting cults or coercive environments. One initiative of the project is International Cult Awareness Month (ICAM) which just concluded its third annual instalment in August 2024 with a focus on policy and cults. In this episode, Tabitha shares some highlights of ICAM, thoughts on policy, and how we can all help to effect change.


    Tabitha’s personal journey and struggle within NXIVM deeply influenced her resolve to create a support system for others facing similar situations. Her firsthand experience provided unique insights into the needs of victims of coercive control and cultic abuse. This drives the mission and services of The Freedom Train Project.


    Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation or merch purchase.


    Links:

    • The Freedom Train Project
    • ICAM 2024 Webinars


    If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via www.cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via www.icsahome.com).

    Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    52 mins
  • Cults & Healthcare Neglect

    Cults & Healthcare Neglect
    Aug 20 2024

    Dr Caroline Ansley is the founder of Centrepoint Restoration Project, a website that serves as a connection point, archive of information and safe landing space for former children of New Zealand’s notorious Centrepoint cult – with which Caroline has personal experience. She is also a General Practitioner, with over 20 years' clinical experience in community medicine, and 10 years' experience working in clinical leadership in the Canterbury Health System. As Senior Clinical Editor of Canterbury and West Coast Community Healthpathways, Dr Ansley is uniquely positioned to help health practitioners navigate the complexities around healthcare when it comes to current and former cult members.


    Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation or merch purchase.


    Links:

    • Centrepoint Restoration Project
    • Cult Chat podcast — with Dr Caroline Ansley, Lindy Jacomb and Liz Gregory
    • Decult Conference — 19-20 October 2024 in Christchurch
    • Heaven and Hell – The Centrepoint Story — Warner Bros., 2021
    • An Open Letter Calling for Restorative Justice for the Children of Centrepoint Community — 2021
    • HealthPathways: A Canterbury tale - From paper tiger in Christchurch to asset in consult rooms globally — by Fiona Cassie, New Zealand Doctor, 18 August 2023
    • Olive Leaf Network
    • Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust

    Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Universal Predator with Esther Rockett

    Universal Predator with Esther Rockett
    Jul 16 2024

    You may recall the name ‘Esther Rockett’ from episode 2, season 3 of this podcast, which was all about Universal Medicine – Serge Benhayon’s esoteric healing cult in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Esther has been blogging about the more alarming elements of Serge’s ‘modalities’ since 2012, and he sued her for defamation in 2015. The case went to trial in 2018, and in an incredible David and Goliath tale, Esther’s defence proved that the bulk of the defamatory claims found to have been conveyed in her writings were true. Esther's new book 'Universal Predator' is out now and it's all about this battle. It is riveting reading.


    Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation or merch purchase.


    Links:

    • Universal Predator — by Esther Rockett, 2024
    • Esther Rockett's official website
    • Universal Medicine Cult Exposed and Universal Medicine Accountability — Esther Rockett's blogs
    • Benhayon v Rockett (No 8) [2019] NSWSC 169 — Supreme Court New South Wales judgement, 6 December 2018


    With thanks to our episode sponsor, The Finance and Property Survival Guide podcast. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia, or with the International Cultic Studies Association.

    Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    59 mins
  • Cult Information and Family Support with Tore Klevjer

    Cult Information and Family Support with Tore Klevjer
    Jun 18 2024

    Tore Klevjer has been involved with the volunteer charity organisation Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) since its very formation almost three decades ago, in 1996. Avid listeners of this podcast will know that the end of every episode mentions CIFS. We’re lucky in Australia to have this incredibly dedicated group of volunteers who support those impacted by cults and offer a variety of assistance to both former members and the loved ones of those affected. Find out what CIFS does, what it sees as the biggest obstacles facing leavers, how to support its work, and what drives Tore to keep at it after all these years.


    Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation or merch purchase.


    Links:

    • Cult Information and Family Support — official website
    • Starting Out in Mainstream America — by Livia Bardin (available for free online via the ICSA)


    With thanks to our episode sponsor, The Finance and Property Survival Guide podcast. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia, or with the International Cultic Studies Association.


    If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website.

    Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    47 mins
  • Escaping Twin Flames with Cecilia Peck & Inbal B. Lessner

    Escaping Twin Flames with Cecilia Peck & Inbal B. Lessner
    May 7 2024
    Cecilia Peck and Inbal B. Lessner are the director/producer/editor team behind the award-winning Escaping Twin Flames, a three-part documentary series for Netflix about Twin Flames Universe – a cult you may remember from season 5. This powerhouse duo has turned their talents to investigating high-control groups over their last couple of projects, with Cecilia and Inbal also behind the Starz series Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult. Their filmmaking takes a trauma-informed approach with deep care for its subjects, and they share more about this as well as what they found out about Twin Flames for this interview episode.Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation.Links:Escaping Twin Flames — Netflix, 2023What "Escaping Twin Flames" teaches us about the anti-trans nature of a supposedly loving cult — by Melanie McFarland, Salon, 11 November 2023Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult — website for the docuseries including resources for cult survivors and loved onesBrave Miss World — website for the documentary film where rape survivors can also share their storiesThis YouTube School Promised True Love. Students Say They Got Exploited Instead — by Sarah Berman, VICE, 6 February 2020Accused Cult Leader Threatened Ex-Members After VICE Investigation — by Sarah Berman, VICE, 12 March 2020Cecilia Peck's Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedInWith thanks to our episode sponsor, The Finance and Property Survival Guide podcast. If you've been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, head to Cult Information and Family Support or the International Cultic Studies Association.If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website. Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    59 mins
  • Interview Episode: LGATs with John Hunter PhD

    Interview Episode: LGATs with John Hunter PhD
    Apr 16 2024
    For his 2017 PhD, John Hunter put forward a hypothesis that offers insights into both the “transformational” experiences associated with large group awareness training (LGAT) participation and the common claims of psychological harm and problematic behaviour associated with participation. Dr Hunter presented his work at the 2023 International Cultic Studies Association conference, and for this episode, he breaks down some of his findings – including where LGATs may or may not intersect with cults and cult-like behaviour.Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation. Links:John Hunter PhD websiteStress-induced hypomania in healthy participants: the allostatic “manic-defence hypothesis” — Dr John Hunter’s 2017 PhD DissertationRational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (Dr Albert Ellis)Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Dr Aaron T. Beck)Robert J. Lifton’s Eight Criteria for Thought ReformThe Book of est — Kirkus Reviews'We're Gonna Tear You Down and Put You Back Together" — by Mark Brewer, Psychology Today, August 1975Mindbreakers — by Roland Howard, The Daily Mail, 23 July 2001Cults in Our Midst — by Margaret Singer, 1995Psychiatric disturbances associated with Erhard Seminars Training — by L. L. Glass, M. A. Kirsch & F. N. Parris, American Journal of Psychiatry, 1977Psychological effects of participation in a large group awareness training — by Fisher, J. D., Silver, R. C., Chinsky, J. M., Goff, B., Klar, Y., & Zagieboylo, C., Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1989The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion — by Richard E. Petty & John T. Cacioppo, Advances in Experimental Social Psychology Vol 19, 1986Thinking, Fast and Slow — by Daniel Kahneman, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping — Fishbowl Films, 2024 Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 34 mins