Confronting The Line
Episodes
E54 When Self-Help Turns Harmful: The ‘Choice’ Narrative and Trauma
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Confronting the Line, we examine some common myths the self-help industry often tries to sell: “Trauma is a choice.”“Healing ...
E53 Gay and Christian: Confronting Shame, Conformity, and the Line Between Faith and Fear
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anne Peterson welcomes Ken Wortley, a former pastor and author of the memoir The Gospel of Secrets, to Confronting the Line. Our show explores how gro...
E52 An Emotional Blueprint: Exploring the R.E.M. Model and Self-Help Abuse with Brian Arbor (Part 2)
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this follow-up conversation, Anne Peterson and former Landmark Worldwide Headquarters Staffer Brian Arbor go deeper into the emotional and moral me...
E51 Thoughts on Landmark, Trauma & Moral Injury: A Follow up Conversation with Brian Arbor (Part 1)
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this follow-up conversation, Anne Peterson and former Landmark staff member Brian Arbor take an unflinching look at what happens when transformatio...
E50 Beyond the Guru: Building a Safer Self-Help Community w/ the folks at SEEKSafely.org
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Glenn Doyle, SEEK Safely Board President, and Jean Brown, manager and board member of SEEK, to discuss several upc...
E49 Chris Shelton: The REM Model: Rationalization, Emotion & Morals in Cult Influence (and Recovery)
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of Confronting the Line conversation with Chris Shelton he unveils his REM Model—a practical lens for understanding how we get pulled into...
E48 Chris Shelton Pt.1 — From Scientology Survivor to the REM Model: Victimhood, Responsibility & Waking Up
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 1, Anne sits down with cult-education creator Chris Shelton to trace the lived experiences that shaped his forthcoming REM Model. Chris shares...
E47 The Fine Line: Leadership, Power, and Transformation with Ed Gurowitz
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anne with author and transformational expert Ed Gurowitz dive into the fine line between empowerment and exploitation in personal development. Togethe...
E45 The Psychology of Control: Werner Erhard, L. Ron Hubbard & High-Control Leadership w/ Jon Atack
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part Two of this in-depth conversation, Anne continues her dialogue with influence expert and author Jon Atack, diving deeper into the psychology o...
Is it or isn't it?
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s not a cult.” 🚨If you have to keep saying it… it probably is.Kyla, a former Landmark staff member, shares what it was really like behi...
The Tale of Two Faces
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What you see on stage isn’t always what happens behind the scenes. Former staff of popular self-help seminar organization share how there were alway...
💔 Behind the “transformation” curtain 💔
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer shares how staff were overworked, underpaid, and shamed — all in the name of “changing lives.” #WorkplaceAbuse #ConfrontingTheLine
E44 Confronting the Line between LOVE and LOVE BOMBING w/ Rachel Bernstein
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this nuanced and engaging conversation, Anne with therapist and cult expert Rachel Bernstein unpack the concept of love bombing, distinguishing it ...
Labor Day Special: Former Landmark Staff Speak Out on Exploitation & Abuse in the Name of ‘Transformation’
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This Labor Day, Confronting the Line shines a light on the hidden labor behind “transformation.” Anne sits down with Tony, Jennifer, and Kyla—fo...
E43 A Conversation with Rachel Bernstein: When Does Inquiry Become Indoctrination?
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this thoughtful and revealing dialogue, Anne Peterson and Rachel Bernstein, noted therapist, podcaster and cult education expert, delve into the me...
E42 Behind the Curtain: ISTA, Accountability, and Speaking Out w/ Dave Booda
09 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this candid conversation, Anne and guest Dave Booda explore the dynamics of ISTA, a school focused on sexuality and personal development, and the c...
E41 Landmark, Scientology, and Society's Tolerance for Exploitation w/ Jon Atack
02 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this initial conversation with author and podcaster John Atak, we explore the complex nature of cult-like organizations, referencing his almost 40 ...
E40 Transformation: From Potential to Practice with Ed Gurowitz
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, resident expert and author on transformational methodologies, Ed Gurowitz, and I explore the nuances of transformation methodolo...
E39 The Dangers of Formulaic Therapy or Self-Help: A Conversation with Rachel Bernstein
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Anne is joined by Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd, Podcaster, and Cult Education Expert, to explore the complexities of healing and...
E38 Misuse and abuse of good ideas in high control groups w/ coercive control expert Chris Shelton
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Anne and fellow deconstructionist Chris Shelton delve into the dynamics of high-control groups and gurus. They explore how language, ...
E37 From Landmark Insider to Outsider: Brandon Hurst on his Journey of Healing
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Brandon Hurst discusses his journey from initial involvement with Landmark Worldwide at a VERY young age and leaving high school...
E36 Can You Transform Trauma? A Hard Truth About Healing PTSD w/ Brian Arbor PT2
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of their conversation, Anne and Brian Arbor delve into the complexities of trauma and PTSD. They explore the efficacy of personal developm...
E35 Transformational Tools & Trauma: Brian Arbor on War, PTSD, and Landmark
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation we invited former Landmark Staffer and Army combat veteran Brian Arbor to delve into the complex interplay between personal trans...
E34 What They Don’t Tell You About Transformation w/ Dr John Hunter & Ed Gurowitz
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation I (Anne) invited Dr. John Hunter and Dr. Ed Gurowitz to delve into the complexities of transformational methodologies, particular...
E33 Help or Harm? The Fine Line in Coaching & Transformation w/ Ann Betz
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we meet up with Ann Betz, Co-founder of BEabove Leadership and an expert on the intersection of neuroscience, coaching, trauma and hum...
E32 Wait - Am I Running a Cult?! Pyramid Schemes & Exploitation in Coaching w/ Publisher Angela Kingdon
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I LOVED this conversation with my book publisher Angela Kingdon. On this one year anniversary of writing my first book Is This A Cult? Angela and I ex...
E31 Confronting the MLM and Personal Development Line w/ Brandie Hadfield
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Brandie Hadfield, MLM recovery advocate and I explore the complex dynamics of exploitation and transformation within the persona...
E30 Creating a Safer Self-Help Industry w/ SEEK Safely Founder Ginny Brown
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Seek Safely Summit, hosted by Anne Peterson, focuses on the mission to create a safer and more ethical self-help and wellness industry. The conver...
E29 The Highs & Lows of Transformation w/ Anne & Tony
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I introduce my new producer partner, Tony Barros-Limon, as we dive into the complexities of personal development—especially our sha...
Breaking Free: The Journey from Landmark Worldwide w/ Brian Nord & Erik Rojas
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Anne L Peterson, Brian Nord, and Erik Rojas discuss their experiences with Landmark Worldwide, a high control organization. They...
Ed Gurowitz on The est 6 Day Course – What Can We Learn from the Past?
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, former est Trainer and early Forum leader, Ed Gurowitz Ph.D., shares insights about the 6 Day program, a unique transformational...
Coming Out of the Self Help Closet with Dale Dickins
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation Anne, Mark and guest Dale Dickins discuss the challenges of speaking out publicly about the dark side of personal development com...
E16 Dr Glenn Patrick Doyle on Understanding Complex PTSD and The Importance of Recovery Over Cure
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with guest Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle we delve into the complexities of personal development, trauma recovery, and the often blurred...
E15 Confronting the Line Between Self-Help & Cults w/ Dr Glenn Patrick Doyle of SEEK Safely
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with guest, Dr Glenn Patrick Doyle, licensed psychologist and board president of SEEK Safely, we dive into the complexities of se...
E14 Exploring the Notion of Weaponized Empathy with Chris Shelton
05 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the concept of weaponized empathy. We look at how empathy can be manipulated and used as a tool for control with the end j...
E13 Recognizing Signs of Indoctrination w/ Guest Gerette Buglion
28 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Gerette Buglion, author and educator. In this conversation we delve into the complexities of public discourse, cultural homogeneity, personal ins...
E12 Squirrels and other connections between Scientology and Landmark with guest Chris Shelton
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Shelton MSc, Scientology survivor and coercive control expert joined us as guest this week. We had fun exploring the similarities between Scient...
E11 Directed Sharing: Manipulating Natural Human Tendencies - Ed Gurowitz returns!
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back Ed! In this conversation with our resident transformational technologies expert Ed Gurowitz we cover various topics including cult dynam...
E10 PART2 - Exene Paloma: An Anarchist view on collective and inclusive approach to personal development.
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In PART TWO of this conversation with Exene Paloma, we continue the discussion about how certain structures and hierarchies can replicate dominant pow...
E9 The Role of Power and Privilege in Landmark and the Personal Development Space
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Dominance hierarchies, structures that are about people having power over other people inherently are to be questioned." ~ Exene Paloma I...
E8 PT2 Dr John Hunter on Informed Consent and Empirical Research in LGATs
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of this conversation with Dr. John Hunter we discuss the concept of informed consent in the context of Large Group Awareness Trainings (LG...
E7 Can I ever trust a group again? - Understanding Research and LGATs w/ Dr. John Hunter
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Dr. John Hunter who teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students in research methods and psychology. Today he shares his background and resear...
E6 Our Reflections & Responses About Telling the Truth, Exposing Abuse and Confronting the Line
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mark and I took some time this weekend to discuss our experience and reactions to the recent revelations and stories that have emerged related to abus...
E5. PART TWO - Continuation of our Conversation with Former Forum Leader Alan Cahn
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2, Alan starts to realize that he cannot change the culture from within. He explains how he was de-designated as a Landmark Forum Leader, what...
E4 PART ONE - Former Forum Leader on abuse at Landmark, his 32 year journey, and his advice for the future
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we welcome Alan Cahn who has over 40 years of experience in personal development, 30 of them with Landmark Worldwide. Alan talks about his journ...
E1 Meet Hosts Anne L. Peterson & Mark Tafoya
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this show opener, Anne and Mark introduce themselves and discuss the purpose of their podcast, 'Confronting the Line.' They explore the con...
E3 Transformational History PART 2 - Ed Gurowitz and the making of the Landmark Forum
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of this conversation between Mark and Anne, with guest Ed Gurowitz, a former est trainer & former leader, explores the evolution of th...
E2 Transformational History - Meet Ed Gurowitz an ORIGINAL est trainer, Werner Erhard Director+
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Mark and Anne discuss recent communications from Landmark and debunk the claim that they refuse to respond. They also introduce ...