Speaking of Cults

Nov 01 2024 300 ep. 89 mins 170

Speaking of Cults Podcast artwork

A podcast about cults, coercive control and recovery. Formerly called the Sensibly Speaking podcast, in this weekly show host Chris Shelton interviews cult survivors, psychologists and other professionals and specialists about the topics of cult recruitment, retention and recovery.

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Speaking of Cults...Scientology's Repeating Pattern of Abuse ft. Julie McKernan

Nov 01 2024 143 mins

This week's show is an interview with 2nd gen, former Scientologist Julie McKernan, a woman who has a long and fascinating tale to discuss about her growing up in Scientology, what it meant to her and what happened to her including a shockingly horrible incident that occurred to her as a minor which the Church of Scientology enabled and covered up. Unfortunately, this is a pattern

Speaking of Cults...A Reformed Sociopath's Origin Story with Shawn McCraney

Oct 18 2024 74 mins

This week I welcome Shawn McCraney, artist, pastor and someone with a story to tell of an abusive upbringing, a violent past and a reformed mental state due to the influence of religion and learned empathy. We talk about a wide range of issues and go deep on some religious issues as well. Enjoy! Shawn's website: https://ShawnMcCraney.com

Speaking of Cults...Not So Shiny or Happy People with Dr. Clint Heacock

Oct 11 2024 80 mins

This week I welcome author and former Evangelical pastor Dr. Clint Heacock to share his new work, Not So Shiny Not So Happy People about his upbringing and early adult life in the Evangelical world where physical and spiritual abuse were not only part of the picture but were mandated activities. Clint answers a lot of my questions about this and his escape from it and how we can di

Speaking of Cults...Growing Up a Child of Scientology with Pamela Nickel Williams

Oct 04 2024 154 mins

This week I welcome author and former Scientologist Pamela Nickel Williams to discuss her upcoming memoir, Clearly Lies are True about her life growing up in and around Scientology and the Sea Org. It's a harrowing tale and we go into a lot of detail about the beginning days of the Sea Org here. Enjoy! Pamela's website: https://clearlyliesaretrue.com

Speaking of Cults...What Does it Take to DeCult? (with Anke Richter)

Sep 27 2024 64 mins

This week I welcome Anke Richter, journalist, author and organizer of the DeCult Conference in New Zealand on Oct 20, 2024. Anke and I have a very informative and interesting conversation this week about cults around the world, her own experience in a sex cult and what she has been doing to educate about and get regulations enacted for cults. Enjoy! Anke's website: https://AnkeRich

Speaking of Cults...Where Neuroscience and Cults Meet ft. Ann Betz, PCC

Sep 20 2024 119 mins

This week I welcome Ann Betz, author and coach, who has not only had her own experience with a cult-like Large Group Awareness Training but has also done graduate work in neuroscience and has a lot to say in helping explain why we can all be susceptible to coercive control. Enjoy! Ann's website: https://BEaboveLeadership.com

Speaking of Cults...Is Traditional Catholicism a Cult? ft. Anthony Spurgin

Sep 13 2024 100 mins

This week I welcome back Anthony Spurgin, a man who previously shared his story of growing up as a Traditional Catholic, to discuss the movement in more detail, how its loosely structured and whether this is actually a cult or not. Enjoy! Anthony's YouTube channel: @TheDragonsofVictory

Speaking of Cults...What You Don't Know About Critical Thinking ft. Melanie Trecek-King

Sep 06 2024 93 mins

This week I welcome back educator, author and amazing guest Melanie Trecek-King to discuss critical thinking, her work as an educator and we go deep on the aspects of critical thinking that do not get talked about enough anywhere, including in the ex-cult spaces. Enjoy! Melanie's website: https://ThinkingIsPower.com

Speaking of Cults...Overcoming Child Abuse in Religious Groups ft. Dr. Maurice Turmel

Aug 30 2024 60 mins

This week I welcome Dr. Maurice Turmel, a clinical psychologist with decades of experience treating religious trauma syndrome and author of Breaking the Spell of Religion. We discuss the negative attitudes and behavior that are often present in deeply religious households and dealing with that later in life. Dr. Turmel brought some great points to this conversation. Enjoy!

Speaking of Cults...Religious Extremism in America ft. Rev. Ben Cremer

Aug 23 2024 110 mins

This week I welcome Reverend Benjamin Cremer, a Christian pastor and religious influencer who has some very positive Christian messaging to fight back against the more extreme versions of Christianity that are trying so hard to take away the rights of all Americans to worship the way they want or to not worship at all. Rev. Cremer was a true joy to speak with and brought some great