S1E4: My ISTA Journey, Pt 2 with Jack Rikess

CONTENT NOTEContains discussion of coercion, manipulation, organizational abuse, and victim-blaming. Jack's direct, confrontational interviewing style may be activating for survivors.In Part 2 (of 2), Cara and Jack explore what comes after you recognize harm in a community you loved. Cara shares her two-year journey attempting accountability through mediation—believing transformation was possible, documenting patterns of harm, and slowly realizing the organization wasn't interested in genuine change. The conversation moves through the stages of disillusionment: from hopeful participant to concerned insider to reluctant whistleblower. Cara reflects on why she stayed in dialogue so long and what it took to finally walk away from the dream of accountability.Jack and Cara discuss the mechanics of institutional betrayal—how organizations respond to harm reports, the ways victims get blamed for their own trauma, and what happens when mediation becomes performative. Cara describes her current work supporting survivors and building alternative models for community and leadership. Part 2 of 2. For Cara's full ISTA origin story, start with Part 1.DISCLAIMERViews expressed represent individual opinions and experiences, not official positions of the podcast or producers. Content is not intended to malign any religion, group, organization, business, individual, or entity.ABOUT JACK RIKESSJack Rikess was a stand-up comic for twenty-five years performing across the USA. Along the way he became a producer of comedy shows and other productions, including two years as an Operational Manager for The Emerald Cup. In the early 2000s, he wrote about the Northern California Cannabis scene. That led to a column with Village Voice Media, "Toke of the Town" which was distributed in twenty American cities including LA Weekly, SF Weekly, and City Pages in his hometown of Minneapolis.His work is featured in Stephen Sparks and Tom Allman's book, "Out There In The Woods"—an account of being embedded with law enforcement in the 36-day manhunt for a double-murderer hiding in the hills of Mendocino County. His first novel, "Just For A Couple Of Weeks" will be published in spring of 2026.Connect with Jack: RESOURCESSafer Sex-Positive and Spiritual Communities: 3SC.CommunityICSA (International Cultic Studies Association): ICSA.orgNew York Magazine Article: http://3sc.community/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Neo-Tantric-Sex-Group-That-Promised-to-Change.pdfCONNECTConversations 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: [email protected] a 30 min curiosity call with Cara: calendly.com/caracordonicoachingSubstack: https://caracordoni.substack.com/Instagram: @caracordoniPlease 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.