jon atack, family and friends

Liberating Scientology's Sea Org slaves

02 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jon and Spike discuss the plight of the few thousand people who are living as slaves in Scientology's Sea Organization. Links: The Foster Report...

The Christian and the agnostic - with Rev. Callan Slipper, PhD

24 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jon met Callan when they were two. Through elementary (primary) school, they were close companions. They have recently reacquainted themselves after t...

understanding the sociopathic temperament with Shawn McCraney

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Redeemed predator Shawn McCraney quizzes Jon about life, the universe and everything. A conversation about reason and emotion, and how sociopaths feel...

Toledo, Tarot &Trouble: Spike’s long, strange trip in the world of ritual magic(k)

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Spike has made a career out of helping Jon and other experts educate people about cults, authoritarianism, and mind control. But how did she get into ...

Ron Hubbard and Astounding Science Fiction with Alec Nevala-Lee

03 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Alec's Astounding is a brilliant account of the 'golden age' of science-fiction when John Campbell, jnr, brought together the writers who ...

psychedelics and psychotherapy with Professor Steven Moffic, MD

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Psilocybin, LSD, cannabis and MDMA are among the banned substances that have been shown to have potential benefit in therapy. Eminent psychiatrist Ste...

when to leave a cult with Hoyt Richards

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

documentarian, actor and cult expert Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about ending a toxic relationship, whether with an authoritarian cult or an abusive ...

recognizing human predators with Shawn McCraney

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn used to be a full-blown human predator. He discusses Jon's model of the predator as it applied to him. This is one of the most important vid...

cult leader syndrome with Joe Szimhart

06 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

veteran cult expert Joe Szimhart suggests that many authoritarian cult leaders may actually suffer from a mental disorder that he has provisionally ca...

euphoria and cult techniques with John Hunter, PhD

31 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. John Hunter shows how authoritarian cults and large group awareness trainings (LGATs) create and then relieve stress to generate euphoria. John ta...

the redeemable predator - part 2 with Shawn McCraney

30 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn is both by nature and nurture a human predator. He lived an utterly selfish life until an epiphany resolved him to learn how to care for others....

the redeemable predator - part 1 with Shawn McCraney

30 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn is both by nature and nurture a human predator. He lived an utterly selfish life until an epiphany resolved him to learn how to care for others....

revisiting old haunts with Janis Gillham-Grady

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Janis joined Hubbard's crew at age eleven in 1968. She was a founder of the Commodore's Messenger Organization at age 12 and worked for Hubbar...

Gaza: genocide or resolution - with Dr. Steven Moffic

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrated psychiatrist Professor Steven Moffic gives his concerned and compassionate view of the Gaza conflict. Steve and Jon talk about the use of c...

telling your story is important for recovery - with Hoyt Richards

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

actor and documentarian Hoyt Richards joins Jon to talk about the need to tell our story so that we can digest our experience and make something usefu...

the cultic effects of Traditionalist Catholicism - with Anthony Spurgin

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Spurgin's parents joined a Traditionalist Catholic group when he was 12. At the age of 14, rather than going to high school, Anthony becam...

What is bipolar disorder and did L. Ron Hubbard suffer from it? with John Hunter, PhD

04 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A talk that will be very useful for anyone who suffers from bipolar disorder or for friends and family. John describes the symptoms of the different f...

Scientology, Mindfulness and the perils of present time with Joe Szimhart

04 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Szimhart shares his remarkable knowledge of religious belief and helps Jon to assess the value of 'being here now.' Observations about Sci...

accountability and transformation with Hoyt Richards

21 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It can be very hard to take responsibility for your actions if you blame the manipulations of a cult for them. As Hoyt says, it is vital to take respo...

Ron Hubbard: the Kali ceremony and ritual magick - with Janis Gillham-Grady

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before creating Scientology, Ron Hubbard performed a ritual to incarnate the Wh*re of Babylon. Is Scientology itself perhaps an elaborate magic ritual...

why we don't always look before we leap - with John Hunter, PhD

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Hunter PhD continues his fascinating explanation of the processes used in Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGATs). We begin with the ominously na...

when groups go crazy - with Dr Steven Moffic

07 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A look at group psychosis, mass sociogenic illness, and the folie a plusiers with the eminent social psychiatrist Dr Steven Moffic. How groups can com...

the troubled teen industry and the need to transform education - with Kacey from the Cult Vault

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kidnapping, imprisonment, and traumatic rituals have been normalized in the 'brat camps' of the US. Kacey has interviewed survivors of this Am...

the End Days and magical thinking with Joe Szimhart

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over the millennia, many groups have predicted the End Days as an aspect of phobia induction - a way of scaring recruits into following orders by scra...

Ruby Franke, Jodi Hildebrant, and child abuse in cults - with Spike Robinson

24 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

s Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrant join the ranks of infamous child abusers such as the Duggars, the Turpins, and Lori Vallow, Jon and Spike have some ...

control through phobia with Hoyt Richards

09 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Film-maker Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about phobia induction in authoritarian cults and in society at large. We're in the midst of a panic about...

write your own eulogy now! - with Steven Moffic, MD

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

eminent psychiatrist Steven Moffic has recently published a self-eulogy in Psychiatry Times. He talks with Jon about the benefits of assessing your ow...

Manson, Scientology, and more

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jon and Chris talk about how Manson's 150 hours of Scientology processing might have affected him and his actions - along with what drugs the &quo...

large group awareness trainings, peak experiences and dopamine - with John Hunter, PhD

27 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

in 2003, John Hunter had a manic episode. When he attended a Large Group Awareness Training (LGAT) in 2010, he was surprised to find that the 'tra...

William Branham's Message, the Nazis, Jim Jones and even the Kardashians with John Andrew Collins

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Andrew Collins grew up in the royal family of the William Branham Message movement. His grandfather was the senior pastor at Branham's Tabern...

Janis Gillham-Grady on her years with Ron Hubbard and the search for Andrew Barton

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Janis joined Hubbard's ship at age 11. She was the first Commodore's Messenger and spent more than a decade at Hubbard's side. Her books g...

camaraderie in cults with Hoyt Richards

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

documentarian and thriving survivor Hoyt Richards joins Jon for a conversation about the positive effects of membership in negative groups and the cam...

The Brainwashing of My Dad - with Jen Senko

23 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jen Senko talks about her fascinating documentary and the book of the same title which gives even more detail of the information war waging in the US....

multi-level-marketing and pyramid schemes - with Doug Brooks

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Attorney Doug Brooks has created a website to help anyone entangled with a multilevel marketing organization. Doug shares his extensive experience in ...

More on Manson with Kacey at the Cult Vault

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jon digs deeper into the causes of the Manson Family murders with Kacey, who has also spent time researching Manson. Manson was passionately intereste...

Let's cancel "cancel culture" - with Chris Shelton

08 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should we be outraged that Roger Waters has been accused of anti-Semitism for a dramatic piece that shows the downfall of an authoritarian leader? We ...

what do we mean when we say God? with Joe Szimhart

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Joe and Jon have both spent their lives delving into belief systems, fascinated by the twists and turns that convince people to behave in benevolent o...

tribe or cult? with Hoyt Richards

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

documentarian, actor, and activist Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about Sebastian Junger's Tribe: Homecoming and Belonging and how ways in which aut...

narcissism, authoritarian cults and social psychiatry with Professor Steven Moffic, MD

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Professor emeritus Steven Moffic shares insights from his discipline of social psychiatry in a wide-ranging discussion about the prevalence of sociopa...

reason, emotion and morality with Chris Shelton, MSc

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Shelton explains the model of behavior he is developing to understand cultic involvement. As ever, a lively discussion! Links: Hassan's BI...

two wishes - parental alienation (and more) with Dr Nick Child

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Child spent his working life as a family psychiatrist. He has turned his attention to the prevention of parental alienation with the internationa...

Sexually predatory groups: Cult Trip with Anke Richter

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anke Richter is one of the few journalists who has seriously researched authoritarian cults. Her own positive experience with a neo-tantra group helpe...

a warrior's journey in and out of Scientology, part three - with Mark Plummer

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this part of Mark's story, he and Jon do a deep dive into Scientology's financial systems and the intricate rules of how staff are paid - ...

the cult of the Singularity & the future of Artificial General Intelligence with Chris Shelton, MSc

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

GPT-4 has caused a storm, including a petition signed by Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak for a moratorium on research while we ponder the ethical implicat...

Bad Cadet - a childhood in Scientology's Sea Organization with Katherine Spallino

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bad Cadet is an excellent addition to the welter of biographies by former members. Katherine Spallino was born into the Sea Org in Los Angeles and giv...

a warrior's journey in and out of Scientology - with Mark Plummer, part two

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mark continues the story of his amazing journey, including the shocking contents of the "cadet org / cadet estates org establishment eval", ...

peak experiences, placebo, and the sunk cost fallacy - with Mike Rinder

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Rinder worked closely with both Ron Hubbard and David Miscavige before escaping Scientology. Mike talks with Jon about Hubbard's strange dail...

a warrior’s journey in and out of Scientology - part one - with Mark Plummer

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mark "Warrior" Plummer has had an amazing life, of which his membership in Scientology is only a small fraction - but a fascinating one! Jo...

hope for kids in Georgia with Kelvin Pierce

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this heartwarming chat, Kelvin Pierce tells us about his work helping hundreds of children in the small country of Georgia. Kelvin wrote The Sins o...

overcoming the shame of cult membership - with Hoyt Richards

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Documentarian, actor and former cult member Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about the need to take responsibility for what we did and said when in an aut...

Kacey at the cult vault

08 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kacey tells us about her Cult Vault project where she chats with survivors and experts about authoritarian cults and coercive control. Kacey also talk...

hypnosis, mind control and coercive control - with Chris Shelton, MSc

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Shelton has a master's degree in the psychology of coercive control. He was born into Scientology and has made a study of its use of mind co...

Avatar: Scientology, reworked - with Ariela Sarai

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Harry Palmer transformed his Scientology Franchise into Avatar in the 1980s. Despite staff allegations of misconduct, he was able to create a worldwid...

How Scientology violates sexual privacy - with Karen De La Carriere

19 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Jon talk about the humiliation of Scientology staff through sexual control, from the publication of their intimate details to enforced abort...

Decompressing from Scientology - with Mike Rinder

11 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Rinder, former head of harassment for Scientology, author of A Billion Years and co-creator of Aftermath shares insights about recovery from Scie...

Clearwater City Councilman Mark Bunker on Scientology

04 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Bunker is one of those rare 'never-ins' who stood up to Scientology. He tells the story of his introduction to the subject and how his concerns g...

the "ripple effect" - with Hoyt Richards

25 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Documentarian, actor, and interventionist Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about the effects that cult involvement has on those close to a member. This su...

Scientology's Truth Rundown and Chinese Thought Reform - with Chris Shelton, MSc

18 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jon has been diving deep into the Chinese Thought Reform program, started by Mao and continuing to this day in Xinjiang. Jon explores parallels with t...

redemption for Scientology's enforcers - with Mike Rinder

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Rinder ran Scientology's intelligence agency for years. He worked directly for Ron Hubbard and for David Miscavige. Mike talks about his dedicati...

Scientology, celebrities, & children: why people stay, & why they leave - with Karen De La Carriere

04 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As one of the eight most highly trained Scientologists on the planet, Karen was involved in applying Scientology to Lisa-Marie Presley from the age of...

authoritarianism, expertise and why we have hope - with Steven Hassan, PhD

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jon talks with his longtime friend and colleague Steven Hassan, PhD. Steven is famous for his groundbreaking book, Combating Cult Mind Control, and hi...

Scientology: the religion of hate

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jon reads a keynote paper given to the Europe-wide cult monitoring group FECRIS in Copenhagen. Jon challenges the peculiar IRS decision to allow tax-e...

Scientology: magick, rebranded

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How Ron Hubbard rebranded childish ideas of magical belief into his 'science of mind'/'religion' Scientology. A deep dive into the relationship betwee...

tales from the Underground Bunker - the secret at the heart of Scientology

07 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

in 1952, Hubbard explained how he was going to construct Scientology. As he said, Scientology is a game, but you may have wondered what the rules of t...

recovery, humility, and trust - with Hoyt Richards

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Actor, documentarian, and Princeton graduate Hoyt Richards talks about his recovery from a small, isolated cult group. Hoyt found the aftermath of the...

Jon and Spike take on Santa - and risk a stocking full of coal!

24 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Armed with fuzzy reindeer antlers, penguin earrings, and a healthy sense of humor, Spike joins Jon to examine the concept of Santa Claus, the way we t...

cult "lite" - Eckhart Tolle and others with Joe Szimhart

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

leading cult specialist Joe Szimhart joins Jon for a discussion about the popular gurus who hold millions in their sway with their simplistic mysticis...

growing up in Scientology and beyond - with Aaron Smith-Levin

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Through his YouTube channel Growing Up in Scientology, Aaron Smith-Levin has become one of the best-known critics of the cult. His mother joined when ...

Scientology litigation: from Danny Masterson to the IRS

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scientology's former intelligence chief Mike Rinder gives his views on the deadlocked jury and the upcoming civil trial. Mike - who was part of the te...

Scientology and ritual magick: the whole story

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A review of Ron Hubbard's involvement with ritual magic from the age of 16 and into the Scientology years. Jon spent years unraveling Ron Hubbard's pr...

disinformation - with Mark Laxer

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Mark Laxer talks with Jon about the rise of disinformation in our society and some ways to help people - and especially the next generation - s...

L. Ron Hubbard's temporal lobe epilepsy - with Yuval Laor, PhD

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Yuval Laor, PhD, makes the case that Ron Hubbard suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy. Jon and Yuval examine the traits given by Bear and Fedio for TL...

Scientology trial ~ The 5 crucial points of Danny Masterson’s court case

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A review of the current court case in Los Angeles Criminal Courts where Danny Masterson is being tried for sexual assault.   These are the T...

Recovery and responsibility with Christian Szurko

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christian Szurko has helped thousands of former members of extremist authoritarian sects in their recovery. He and Jon agree that taking responsibilit...

A Billion Years - with Mike Rinder

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Rinder was at the very pinnacle of Scientology management. under both Ron Hubbard and David Miscavige for more than three decades. He reveals the...

Scientology's secret weekly reports: the DSA checklist

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Investigator Jeffrey Augustine talks through the Director of Special Affairs checklist with Jon. Every Scientology organization has an official who mo...

Scientology: L.A.’s political chaos, and the origins of upper-level exorcisms

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is much said about the Scientology Cult and L Ron Hubbard, but condensing it down to basics, it is a church that wants tens of thousands of doll...

leaving the Mormons and trauma recovery with Jolyn Armstrong

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jolyn Armstrong grew up as a Mormon in Utah but never really believed. She became a trauma recovery coach after experiencing trauma and has just publi...

the need for certainty - with Mark Laxer

08 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Why do so many people crave certainty despite evidence that their certainty is emotional rather than rational? What can we learn from this need and ho...

escaping Scientology’s prison of the mind - with Karen De La Carriere

08 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

many former members remain trapped in Ron Hubbard's psychological prison. Karen talks with Jon about escaping the dismal mental slavery of Scientology...

the wrong way to solve discrimination - with Yuval Laor, PhD

08 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An interviewer told Jon that he'd been told repeatedly that he couldn't work as a documentary presenter because he is a white male. This sparked a con...

understanding extremist authoritarian sects - with Christian Szurko

18 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jon talks with one of the most successful recovery experts Christian Szurko about his model of involvement with authoritarian groups. Christian refine...

NRMs, influence and the Moonies - with Professor Eileen Barker

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Emerita Eileen Barker talks with Jon about her long career as a sociologist studying various religious groups with a special focus on the Un...

untangling the myth of narcissism with Chris Shelton, MSc

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Craig Malkin of the Harvard Medical School has defined narcissism as 'feeling special.' We question this definition and even the use of the word 'narc...

Taking on Scientology in the law courts - with Karen De La Carriere

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jon Atack coaches the audience on suing Scientology after years and years of experience in handling SCN litigation.

Putin's guru and the new Russian Empire with Joe Szimhart

20 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Putin's advisor Alexander Dugin wants to reclaim Russia's empire through conquest. He hates science and technology and longs for the time of Ivan the ...

the polarized society with Kelvin Pierce

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kelvin Pierce wrote his book, "Sins of My Father" because he heard Donald Trump using the same rhetoric as his neo-Nazi father. Kelvin and Jon talk ab...

when should we speak out? - with Hoyt Richards

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Should former members of authoritarian groups speak out immediately or should they wait until they're beyond the trauma of membership? Jon and directo...

traditionalism is fake history - with Christian Szurko

06 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Modern 'Traditionalism' is based on a shallow study of mysticism interfused with a lust for the End Days. Traditionalism inspired Putin to invade Ukra...

traditionalism is fake news - with Mark Laxer

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Voltaire said that people who believe absurdities will commit atrocities. Traditionalism is the simplistic creation of a golden age to support ideas o...

Cult Recruitment and the Fear of Death - with Joe Szimhart

16 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cult expert Joe Szimhart discusses attitudes toward death from prehistoric times to present cult recruitment. This fear makes us all vulnerable to cul...

The tyrant L. Ron Hubbard & his Sea Organization slaves - with Karen De La Carriere

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scientology's most highly trained defector discusses Ron Hubbard's inhumane treatment of his followers - from throwing a pensioner who couldn't swim f...

signs of cult membership and how to help - with Frances Peters

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

ANALYTICS EDIT VIDEO Recovery counselor Frances Peters talks with Jon about the signs that show someone has joined an extreme authoritarian group and ...

when mindfulness does harm - with Pat Ryan and Joe Kelly

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For some people, meditation can be devastating. Scientific investigation showed this decades ago, but health systems continue to recommend Mindfulness...

cult membership - was it worth it? - with Mark Laxer

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Laxer was there from the beginning when Frederick Lenz splintered from the Sri Chinmoy group and created the Rama cult. Mark has written three bo...

The Myth of "Racial Purity" - with Yuval Laor

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A deep dive into the reality of 'racial purity, the origins of Aryanism, and the reality of our genetic interconnectedness to all the people of Earth....

Scientology: the 70-year crime wave of villainous lawbreaking - with Karen De La Carriere

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Karen and Jon discuss the 70-year criminal history of Scientology.

The dangers of auditing - with Chris Shelton

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chris joins Jon to answer a question a commenter asked over on Chris' channel - why is auditing bad for you? Their answer delves into history, psychol...

William Pierce - American neo-Nazi - a talk with his son, Kelvin Pierce

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: this video contains descriptions of physical harm to a child.   William Pierce's Turner Diaries inspired the Oklahoma City bombing and ...

Scientology and sex in a high-control group - how far will they go

08 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scientology inc's obsession with sex,  particularly the sexual activities of its members, comes to a head when it demands every detail in "confes...