EPISODE · Mar 31, 2026 · 2H 1M
S1E9 Jon Atack: From Theosophy to Scientology to Neo-Tantra
from Fool's Gold: Discernment in the Age of Grift · host Cara Cordoni
What do Scientology, Nazism, and neo-tantra have in common? Cult researcher Jon Atack traces the hidden lineage through Theosophy, Aleister Crowley, and early 20th century occultism. Jon explains how L. Ron Hubbard stole from Crowley's sex magick, how Alice Bailey's "ascended masters" influenced both Scientology and Bruce Lyon's Highden Temple, and why Blavatsky's Aryan race fantasies became foundational to Nazi ideology and modern spiritual movements.Jon and Cara discuss manipulation techniques shared across cults, gangs, and terrorist groups—love bombing, finding your ruin, weaponized meditation, and why certainty is a red flag.Content Note: Discussion of cult manipulation, Nazi ideology, sexual abuse, and authoritarian control.BOOKS MENTIONED:Jon Atack: If Scientology Ruled the World (2025), Opening Our Minds (2015), A Piece of Blue Sky (1990)Other: Bare-Faced Messiah by Russell Miller, The Secret Doctrine and Isis Unveiled by Helena Blavatsky, The Red Book by Carl Jung, Ghost Hunters by Deborah Blum, The Wrong Way Home by Arthur Deikman, The Myth of Genesis by Robert Graves and Raphael Patai, Oxford Handbook of Meditation edited by Miguel FariasJon Atack has been recognized as a leading expert on authoritarian cults since 1990, when his best-selling Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky was first published. After nine years in Scientology, Jon left in 1983 and has since helped about 600 people recover from cult abuse. He has been consulted in over 150 court cases worldwide and recognized as an expert witness by the English High Court.In 2015, Opening Our Minds became the first book to explore manipulative techniques from advertising and propaganda to cults, gangs, and terrorist groups. His 2025 book If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming exposes the origins of the Aryan Race fantasy and the relationship between cult groups and Nazi ideology. Jon has published over 500 articles and co-authored academic chapters with Steven Hassan, PhD, on topics ranging from anti-Semitism to lone-actor terrorism.Website: https://jonatack.co.ukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jonatackfamilyfriends6176Connect: Instagram @jon_atack | Bluesky jonatack.bsky.social | Twitter @atack_jon | Facebook /AuthorJonAtackRESOURCES: 3SC.Community | ICSA.org | freedomofmind.com | seeksafely.org | Crisis Text Line: HOME to 741741CONNECT: [email protected] | calendly.com/caracordonicoaching | caracordoni.substack.com | Instagram @caracordoniSubscribe, share, and leave a review to help others find these conversations.CREDITS:Music: "Midnight Rendezvous" by Sasha Ende (ende.app), CC BY-NC 4.0
What this episode covers
What do Scientology, Nazism, and neo-tantra have in common? Cult researcher Jon Atack traces the hidden lineage through Theosophy, Aleister Crowley, and early 20th century occultism. Jon explains how L. Ron Hubbard stole from Crowley's sex magick, how Alice Bailey's "ascended masters" influenced both Scientology and Bruce Lyon's Highden Temple, and why Blavatsky's Aryan race fantasies became foundational to Nazi ideology and modern spiritual movements.Jon and Cara discuss manipulation techniques shared across cults, gangs, and terrorist groups—love bombing, finding your ruin, weaponized meditation, and why certainty is a red flag.Content Note: Discussion of cult manipulation, Nazi ideology, sexual abuse, and authoritarian control.BOOKS MENTIONED:Jon Atack: If Scientology Ruled the World (2025), Opening Our Minds (2015), A Piece of Blue Sky (1990)Other: Bare-Faced Messiah by Russell Miller, The Secret Doctrine and Isis Unveiled by Helena Blavatsky, The Red Book by Carl Jung, Ghost Hunters by Deborah Blum, The Wrong Way Home by Arthur Deikman, The Myth of Genesis by Robert Graves and Raphael Patai, Oxford Handbook of Meditation edited by Miguel FariasJon Atack has been recognized as a leading expert on authoritarian cults since 1990, when his best-selling Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky was first published. After nine years in Scientology, Jon left in 1983 and has since helped about 600 people recover from cult abuse. He has been consulted in over 150 court cases worldwide and recognized as an expert witness by the English High Court.In 2015, Opening Our Minds became the first book to explore manipulative techniques from advertising and propaganda to cults, gangs, and terrorist groups. His 2025 book If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming exposes the origins of the Aryan Race fantasy and the relationship between cult groups and Nazi ideology. Jon has published over 500 articles and co-authored academic chapters with Steven Hassan, PhD, on topics ranging from anti-Semitism to lone-actor terrorism.Website: https://jonatack.co.ukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jonatackfamilyfriends6176Connect: Instagram @jon_atack | Bluesky jonatack.bsky.social | Twitter @atack_jon | Facebook /AuthorJonAtackRESOURCES: 3SC.Community | ICSA.org | freedomofmind.com | seeksafely.org | Crisis Text Line: HOME to 741741CONNECT: [email protected] | calendly.com/caracordonicoaching | caracordoni.substack.com | Instagram @caracordoniSubscribe, share, and leave a review to help others find these conversations.CREDITS:Music: "Midnight Rendezvous" by Sasha Ende (ende.app), CC BY-NC 4.0
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S1E9 Jon Atack: From Theosophy to Scientology to Neo-Tantra
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