PODCAST · education
jon atack, family and friends
by jon atack, family and friends
Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jon-atack-family--friends/subscribeBecome a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/jon-atack-family--friends/subscribejon atack, along with his son sam, present a series of educational podcasts on how to spot, avoid, and overcome unethical manipulation of all kinds - from destructive cults and abusive relationships, to advertising, groupthink, bullying and more. join us in our hope to create a world where people are taught from infancy to stand up for their rights, look deeper into what they're being told, and to question everything!from time to time we will also be sharing "lighter" fare - podcasts on art, music, and literature, featuring jon's younger son dan on guitar, sam's amazing paper sculpture.
Episodes
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Why L. Ron Hubbard Said Dianetics is Hypnotism with Amir Essalhi
Amir left his executive position at Scientology's Scottish HQ at the beginning of 2026. He has been asking Jon questions since then. The answers should prove useful to anyone trying to unpick Hubbard's invasive system. In the book Science of Survival, in 1951, Hubbard said: ‘a pre-clear after he...
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Liana Shanti, the "InstaScammer" - with Kacey from the Cult Vault
Liana Shanti has just been ordered to pay $40 million in a libel suit. She started out as a wellness guru and then sold astrological predictions to her burgeoning following. She claims psychic powers and followed the Scientology playbook - selling blue sky to followers, and vilifying and…
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AI, the end times and the Huns with Joe Szimhart
Cult specialist Joe Szimhart has been reading a history of the Huns, which shows that some Romans believed that they would bring the End Times. It made Joe think about the flurry of concern over AI as Armageddon, which led to a debate about Peter Thiel's preaching about the End Times as described...
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post-cult factions (and cults you wouldn't expect) with Hoyt Richards
Former members often form post-cult factions and fail to recognize the similarity of their own cultic experience with that of former members of other groups. Hoyt teaches about cultic relationships as an aspect of everyday life. Jon's book Opening Our Minds shows the way that the same dynamics…
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Charles Manson, Jolly West and the creation of a myth with Joe Kelly
Joe Kelly trained and worked with Dr. Joylon "Jolly" West, who, through Tom O'Neill's work, has been cast as the creator of the Manson gang. Jon has researched the Manson gang in great depth and knew Jolly. Both Joe and Jon found Jolly to be devoted to good work and a tireless advocate for cult...
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after cult therapy, attached beings and psychedelics with Pat Ryan and Joe Kelly
Pat and Joe are two of the most experienced cult specialists. They reflect on the use of psychedelics and Internal Family Systems therapy. We have to be careful that we are not subscribing to untested therapies that seem to exploit unscientific notions of possession. To what extent is the ex-cult...
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Scientology's Fundamentals of Thought part five - ft. Chris Shelton
Jon and Chris return to tackle this Hubbard classic again, and end up discussing thought control, authoritarianism, and how we're bamboozled into believing the unbelievable and supporting the unsupportable. And, as always, they share some laughs along the way.Also, PLEASE, if you haven't already,...
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consensual non-monogamy - a talk with Michelle Haslam, PhD
Michelle is a clinical psychologist who returns to the channel after a hiatus of some years to share some pointers for anyone who wishes to try out consensual non-monogamy, open relationships, or polyamory. Be prepared for a new vocabulary and some challenges to fixed beliefs! Here's Michelle's...
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How do YOU want to be remembered? with Steve Moffic, MD
Our friend Steve Moffic, MD, joins Jon to discuss a survey listing the top twenty behaviors people would like to be remembered for, and, of course, they add their own comments, additions, and observations on mortality and life, war and peace, and the nature of humanity. Please tell us in the...
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Leaving Scientology - with Håkan Järvå
Håkan Järvå left Scientology after reading online postings. He talks with Jon about the journey away from Ron Hubbard's invasive conditioning techniques. This talk will be helpful to anyone who is leaving an authoritarian cult and to anyone trying to help someone leave. The primary rule is…
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Rocky's Odyssey: Heroes, Myths & Cults - with Joe Szimhart
As the Rocky movies demonstrate, hero myths can create cults. Joe talks about the homage paid to the Rocky statue on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and relates it to the cult that arose from the tale of Ulysses’ Odyssey. There are many examples of cult formation around fascinating...
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Bring me the Beauties with Hoyt Richards
Hoyt talks about his recently aired documentary, "Bring Me the Beauties," and the perplexity that two of the contributors continue to believe that the cult leader really was from another planet, and that they simply failed to understand his message. A fascinating insight into cult membership and...
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Nirvana, psychopathy, Scientology, and coercive control with Amir Essalhi - part 2
This is part 2 of 2; you can find part 1 here In part 2 of this conversation, Jon and Amir talk about L. Ron Hubbard, hypnosis, belief, and why we wall ourselves into our personal silos when our beliefs are challenged, rather than having the courage to consider the evidence. Links: See Yuval…
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Nirvana, psychopathy, Scientology, and coercive control with Amir Essalhi
Amir left Scientology staff in January 2026 and has many questions. Is Scientology 20th-century Buddhism, and was Hubbard the Buddha who will take everyone to Nirvana? What is the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath? Why did Tom Cruise jump on Oprah’s couch? What is a “mystery…
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The Manosphere with Steven Moffic, MD
Many young men are attracted to what some call 'toxic masculinity,' which rejects the equality of women and preaches aggression. This includes 'incels' or involuntary celibates. Most of these young men feel rejected, so they want to build their muscles and assert their maleness. Steve and Jon…
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Our search for meaning with Joe Szimhart
Joe is a leading cult specialist with decades of experience. Today's discussion kicks off with a discussion of the origins of much of the 'New Age' in the Russian Empire - Blavatsky, Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, and Roerich were among the founders of our contemporary cultic groups. Throughout history,...
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Surviving Stolen Youth with Felicia Rosario, MD
Felicia came to international fame when she helped to convict Larry Ray for sixy years. The documentary Stolen Youth shows how she was lured into the Sarah Lawrence cult after two of her siblings had joined. After asking Jon a couple of questions about Tom Cruise and Scientology, Felicia…
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hero or cult leader? with Hoyt Richards
we project the virtues we lack into heroes. When we forget that our heroes have feet of clay, they become idols and we fall into adolescent awe of their abilities. Abilities that we have projected into them. Cult leaders are often deeply insecure people who fuel themselves with the adulation of...
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Scientology defector Amir Essalhi is asking questions! - part two
In part two of this two-part talk, recent Scientology defector Amir Essalhi talks with Jon about Jon's books, Scientology, its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and its current leader, David Miscavige. Amir describes Scientology leader David Miscavige's premature aging and shares examples of his cruelty…
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a recent defector's questions about Scientology with Amir Essalhi - part one
Amir left Scientology in January. He's now read Jon's books, Opening Our Minds and Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, and has a few questions about Scientology, its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and its current leader, David Miscavige. Amir shares examples of the cruelty and greed he…
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The New President of the International Cultic Studies Association - Carol Merchasin
ICSA has long represented the interface between scholars and cult specialists in the US. Jon talks with Carol Merchasin about her own background as an advocate for survivors of spirtual abuse and the direction ICSA is taking. Links: ICSA's new website Scheflin’s Social Influence Model Steven...
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Project Hail Mary and God's Armor with Joe Szimhart
Joe reflects on Ryan Gosling's movie - which he enjoyed - and human fascination with an escape to another and alien culture. He talks about his experience as a participant observer at a Catholic men's Wild Man gathering and displays the merch he picked up there - including illustrated advice to...
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Scientologist turned psychologist Håkan Järvå
Håkan left Scientology in the early '80s - at around the same time as Jon - and followed a similar course, seeking to understand the deeply manipulative methods sold as therapy by Ron Hubbard. Håkan qualified as a psychologist and spent three years touring Swedish schools with a mentalist…
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post traumatic growth with Dr. Steven Moffic
Therapy can happen spontaneously. Trauma can lead to understanding. We often help others better because we've had a similar experience. A wide-ranging discussion about education, government, the media, and morbid entertainment, along with a critique of social attitudes towards offenders.More on…
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How to dedicate your 0rg@sm - with guest host Cara Cordoni
a fascinating chat with Cara Cordoni, who escaped a tantric sex cult and is now working to help others make safer choices.Visit Cara's new channel on YouTubeListen to her podcast on Apple and on Spotifyand check out Cara's Substackbuy Jon's latest book, If Scientology Ruled the WorldAnd listen to…
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Scientology's Fundamentals of Thought with Chris Shelton, MSc, part one
Jon and Chris take apart Scientology's book of basics to help former members understand just how crazy Hubbard's ideas are. Many fascinating tales of early Scientology antics, many revelations, and much that is generally unknown.read Jeff Jacobsen's "The Hubbard is Bare" Read Jon's paper…
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35 years in Scientology before he took his own life - with Tony Ortega
Romey Beliles became obsessed with Scientology in High School. He spent 35 years trying to achieve the promises made in Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, but was thwarted at every step by Scientology officials. Eventually, he took his own life in Clearwater, Florida, in the hope…
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How Kelvin Pierce escaped an American Nazi upbringing and became a humanitarian
The inspiring real-life story of Kelvin Pierce, whose autobiography The Sins of My Father exposed the despicable behaviour of his father, author of The Turner Diaries and America's most outspoken Nazi. Kelvin shares his journey from the hatred instilled in him by his vicious father to compassion...
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Magical Powers - with Joe Szimhart
Cult specialist Joe Szimhart's next book will be about the 'siddhis' - the magical powers described in Sanskrit literature. We examine all eight of these powers - from the ability to shrink to the size of an atom to the ability to force your intention on others - and make detours into…
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how cults isolate their members from reality - with Hoyt Richards
How do cults work to retain members? A big part of the process is isolation. Hoyt Richards joins Jon for an exploration of the sudden personality changes that can come with cult involvement and how to deal with these changes. They also trade some tips on how to reconnect with your family and...
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Dr Jazz - cults and culture - with Dr. H. Steven Moffic
Steve Moffic, MD (aka Dr Jazz) joins Jon in a wide-ranging conversation about cults, bullying, race, culture, jazz and Uncle Tom Cobley and all (and all).Here's the NYT editorial that started the convoBuy Jon's Opening Our Mindsand Jon's latest book, If Scientology Ruled the WorldAnd listen to a...
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Recovering from a Cult with Rachel Bernstein
Restart and Restore is Rachel's new step-by-step guide to cult recovery. Rachel is one of the few qualified and experienced counsellors with significant experience helping former cult members. She has distilled her experience into a highly accessible book that some with a handy-sized companion...
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You(phemism)Tube: censorship, "bad" words, and other naughty things
Like many others watching what's been happening on YouTube, Spike has been really frustrated by the censorship, the hypocrisy of that censorship, and the general downfall of what used to be a great platform. Jon joins her for a good rant, pointing out how this is nothing new. They embark on a...
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Allatra and the hijacking of our imagination with Joe Szimhart
Allatra is what esteemed cult expert Joe Szimhart calls an 'autocratic self-sealing system,' which is to say that it traps followers in the imaginarium of its creator, as do all destructive cults. Allatra is a mish-mash of the usual supernaturalist notions channelled by its leader and recorded in...
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter six: Hubbard the godmaker - part two
part two of chapter six: Hubbard the godmaker Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the...
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter six: Hubbard the godmaker - part one
part one of chapter six: Hubbard the godmaker Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the...
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter five: The Blood Ritual and The Fool - part two
part two of chapter five: The Blood Ritual and The Fool Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive…
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter five: The Blood Ritual and The Fool - part one
part one of chapter five: The Blood Ritual and The Fool Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive…
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel - part three
part three of chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a…
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel - part two
part two of chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating...
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel - part one
part one of chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating...
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter three: L. Ron Hubbard as the Antichrist
chapter three: L. Ron Hubbard as the Antichrist Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the...
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter two: Himmler’s lust for superpowers
chapter two: Himmler’s Lust for Superpowers Like this sample? buy the whole book here by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that...
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter one: Meet the Leader of the New World - part two
Part two of Chapter one - Meet the Leader of the New World Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive...
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If Scientology Ruled - chapter one: Meet the Leader of the New World - part one
Part one of Chapter one - Meet the Leader of the New World Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive...
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If Scientology Ruled the World - Introduction by Tony Ortega (with title page read by Jon Atack)
If Scientology Ruled the World: Introduction by Tony Ortega, read by Tony Ortega with titles, copyright and dedication read by Jon Atack Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a...
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the human family with Steve Moffic, MD
Steve loves Halloween and reflects on how to get more treats than tricks. Includes India's favourite Hitler ice cream and the plea for compassion and kindness rather than hatred and cruelty. And, of course, Jon plugs his new book, If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space...
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Scientology's magical origins - with Hoyt Richards
director and documentarian Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about magical thinking in general and Ron Hubbard's plagiarism of Aleister Crowley in particular.Read Jon's paper, Possible Origins of Dianetics and Scientologyor listen to Jon reading the paper in this videopart onepart twoAnd more on...
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the after-effects of cult control with Hoyt Richards
Authoritarian cults turn members into predators and prey. Hoyt was recently attacked by someone he had not heard from in 25 years, someone who believes he still has the right to bully him. This individual has sent 85 aggressive texts in just a few days. Hoyt calls it 'disturbingly nostalgic.' Jon...
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decompressing from the Human Potential Movement with Anne L Peterson
Anne worked closely with Werner Erhard and continues to recover from the Landmark Trust experience. We explore some of the many ideas (and words!) that Erhard lifted directly from Scientology, and how these ideas have seeped into corporate and academic culture - to the detriment of society....
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jon-atack-family--friends/subscribeBecome a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/jon-atack-family--friends/subscribejon atack, along with his son sam, present a series of educational podcasts on how to spot, avoid, and overcome unethical manipulation of all kinds - from destructive cults and abusive relationships, to advertising, groupthink, bullying and more. join us in our hope to create a world where people are taught from infancy to stand up for their rights, look deeper into what they're being told, and to question everything!from time to time we will also be sharing "lighter" fare - podcasts on art, music, and literature, featuring jon's younger son dan on guitar, sam's amazing paper sculpture.
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jon atack, family and friends
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Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jon-atack-family--friends/subscribeBecome a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/jon-atack-family--friends/subscribejon atack, along with his son sam, present a series of educational podcasts on how to spot, avoid, and overcome...
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