The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steven Hassan: Recent Episodes
MeidasTouch Network, Dr. Steven Hassan
Steven Hassan, PhD, is one of the leading experts on cults and undue influence in the world. A former member of the right-wing Moonie cult, Hassan was deprogrammed 45 years ago and has dedicated his life to helping people out of cults and destructive situations. Dr. Hassan is a licensed mental health professional and has written four books, including The Cult of Trump and the seminal book Combating Cult Mind Control. On this podcast, Steve will explain HOW mind-control works, and how to protect yourself from its grips. He will also address ethical influence as the podcast will address the entire Influence Continuum. He’ll interview the biggest names in this field.
With Scientologist celebrity Danny Masterson being sentenced to 30 years in jail for brutal rapes recently, I want people to hear from a woman who was forced to grow up in this notorious cult., Katherine Spallino, the author of a new book, The Bad Cadet: Growing Up in the Church of Scientology’s Sea Organization, has had quite a life journey. Katherine grew up on a secluded ranch within the cadet org, Scientology’s Sea Org school for children. At a young age, Katherine began to journal about her day-to-day life, capturing the thoughts and experiences of a child coming of age in a cult. Katherine’s background offers the rare opportunity to tell the story of the hundreds of children who rarely saw their parents and were indoctrinated to become future Sea Org members. The Sea Org is considered the “elite” part of the cult, and members are made to commit to a billion-year contract. In other words, this lifetime and many future lifetimes. Potential Sea Org members take part in both manual labor and indoctrination classes. Katherine’s book is unique because it is told by someone who journaled as a child. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I speak with the acclaimed psychiatrist and my mentor, Robert Jay Lifton, M.D., about his new book, Surviving Our Catastrophes: Resilience and Renewal from Hiroshima to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Lifton’s research on thought reform and the psychology of totalism, specifically his study on “brainwashing” in China, has been widely regarded as groundbreaking. His book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (1961) was used in my deprogramming. It was Lifton who encouraged my career which has spanned 47 years. In this new book, Lifton delves into “Survivor Power” and the transformation from victimhood to survivorship. He emphasizes the importance of drawing on the knowledge and wisdom gained from surviving traumatic experiences to continue living meaningful lives. The book takes inspiration from historical examples of survivors who have endured unimaginable suffering and trauma. Lifton highlights the remarkable responses of individuals who, in the face of unspeakable horror, have created activist movements, converted their experiences into art and literature, and demonstrated the resilience of the human spirit. From the people of Hiroshima, who responded to the atomic bombing by creating an activist “city of peace,” to the survivors of Nazi death camps who combated mass killing and showcased their healing through art and literature, these examples serve as beacons of hope. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I talk with the forensic psychiatrist and an internationally recognized expert on violence who edited the best-selling book, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President. Years after she and other mental health experts warned Trump was unfit and a danger to the public, we continue to see vivid proof that the public has suffered by censoring experts! Her recent book is Profile of a Nation: Trump’s Mind, America’s Soul. What was behind the mainstream media silencing of credible experts like Dr. Lee and myself? We discuss this and many important topics like the “duty to warn” and the importance of mental health, especially in people who are supposed to be public servants. We discuss the 25th Amendment of the Constitution and how it could be bolstered to prevent anyone who is so grossly incompetent from coming to the Presidency again. We also discuss the corrupt and authoritarian family court system in the United States- the subject of a forthcoming book. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Did you know that my BITE Model of Authoritarian Control was translated into Chinese and used by Chinese netizens during the November 2022 protests in China against the zero covid lockdown policy? This week’s fascinating interview is with Matt Bywater, who lived in China for years teaching English and who is now on a quest to do a PhD to create a new internationally recognized human right: Freedom of Mind. Matthew Bywater learned about Freedom of Mind from a statement on the World Mental Health Coalition founded by forensic psychiatrist Bandy X. Lee. Dr. Bandy X. Lee edited the best-selling book, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, with 37 experts weighing in on Trump. This work seeks to establish a political and legal framework for incorporating freedom of mind within the international human rights architecture. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In my book, The Cult of Trump, I identify many groups who are deeply involved in politics and influence believers to vote according to the leader’s direction of who is “godly.” Here to discuss his experiences with this and his evolution away from religion is Dr. Darren M. Slade, a graduate of the controversial Liberty University’s seminary and apologetics program. Darren is a professor of history and comparative religion in Denver, Colorado. He specializes in the socio-political development of religious belief systems. He serves as the Director of the North American Committee on Religious Trauma Research. He is also the President of the Global Center for Religious Research (GCRR.org) and Founding Editor of the peer-reviewed academic journal Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry (SHERMjournal.org). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pam is a 70-year-old Boise, Idaho resident, who, while recovering from cancer treatment traveled to Washington, DC and was arrested, charged and sentenced for her connection to the January 6th 2021 attack. Hemphill pled guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 36 months of probation and fined $500 in restitution. Jack Smith has now announced that Trump has been indicted and faces four counts of Federal charges for his activity regarding the insurrection attempt. Pam Hemphill has been active calling out Trump and the MAGA cult for using her for propaganda on his Truth Social platform. Hemphill chose to plead guilty and has said the Capitol police saved her life from being trampled. I hope many more ex-members will speak up and renounce the Cult of Trump. Pam and I talk about her being harassed since speaking out, strategies for messaging and healing techniques. Join us for this fascinating conversation. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kelvin’s father, Dr. William Pierce, was a notorious white supremacist and founded the National Alliance, a prominent hate group. Dr. Pierce wrote the novel The Turner Diaries, which racists widely cite as inspiration for their racist beliefs and actions. Kelvin was subjected to physical and emotional abuse and was taught to believe that Jews and non-whites were responsible for society's ills. Despite the personal abuse he suffered, Kelvin accepted his father's teachings and held onto these racist beliefs as he transitioned into adulthood. It shaped his worldview and interactions with others, even though he didn't openly broadcast these beliefs. Kelvin was able to shed his indoctrination, create the charitable organization "Divine Child Foundation" to help orphans in Georgia, publish his memoir, and live a life of activism and inspiration in fighting racism and extremism. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gun-related deaths are already over 17,000 as of May of this year. In 2021, they were at their highest ever at almost 50,000 murders, suicides, and accidental deaths involving firearms. These statistics are personal to me due to my experiences in the Moonies cult with the Rod of Iron Ministries, Kahr Arms, the AR15 factory, and two compounds (TN and TX) training people for civil war. I spoke with expert Jonathan Lowy who told me he successfully sued Kahr Arms. Jonathan founded Global Action on Gun Violence, a nonprofit working with the international community to stop gun trafficking and violence through litigation, human rights, and other strategies. He has been litigating and advocating against gun violence for over 25 years. He helped win over $100 million for victims in verdicts and settlements, created the precedent that holds gun companies accountable and reformed dangerous gun industry practices. His articles include “The Right Not to Be Shot.” He has been named one of the 500 leading lawyers in America for over ten years by Lawdragon magazine. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Under the Yoga Mat: The Dark History of Bhajan’s Kundalini Yoga, is a new book that helps expose the destructive authoritarian cult of Yogi Bhajan, Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO). When allegations of half a century of concealed abuse and criminal actions by Bhajan and his associates came to light in early 2020, which impacted the lives of hundreds of his followers and their children, Els Coenen, Ph.D., felt compelled to stop teaching and promoting kundalini Yoga and wish to help reveal the facts. In 2021, she created the website Abuse in Kundalini Yoga, a platform aimed at exposing and addressing sexual abuse, child abuse, homophobia, exploitation, business fraud, and drugs and arms trafficking within the community. If you have ever seen white-turbaned people calling themselves Sikhs, done yoga, or gone to a workshop, you will be educated about the reality of this billion-dollar corporate empire. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Michelle’s memoir, Forager: Field Notes on Surviving a Family Cult, showcases her life growing up on an isolated mountain in California as part of an apocalyptic cult and how she found her way out of poverty and illness by drawing on the gifts of the wilderness. Michelle was raised on a mountain in the Angeles National Forest, where she learned to identify flora and fauna, navigate by the stars, forage for edible plants, and care for the earth. A highly accomplished journalism professor and contributor to many top national publications, she was the 2022 Faculty Lecturer of the Year at Chaffey College. She founded the award-winning literary journal and creative collective, The Chaffey Review, advises Student Media, and teaches poetry and critical thinking in the California Institutions for Men and Women in Chino. Interestingly, former Manson follower Leslie Van Houten assisted her courses for incarcerated women. We discussed her and her hopefully impending release from jail. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6th is former Republican congressman Denver Riggleman’s book as a senior technical advisor for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol. Denver Riggleman has served for over two decades as an intelligence officer, NSA adviser, federal contractor, research and development technology lead, and successful CEO of support companies for the Department of Defense. A veteran of the Global War on Terror and multiple worldwide operations, he served honorably in the US Air Force for nine active-duty years. We discuss his exit of the LDS (Mormons) and being shunned. Also his conviction to stand up for his values and to put his country over his party. This was a truly fascinating conversation. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There are few people in the field of forensic psychology with the training, background, and experience of Dr. Steve Eichel. In 1975, almost a year before I was deprogrammed from the Moonies, he decided to do his dissertation research on my former cult. He has had a long distinguished career, serving as the President of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), and remains an active member of their Board of Directors. He has been published extensively in the field and has served as an expert witness on undue influence in many cases. I asked him about his experience working for the defense in the case of DC sniper Lee Boyd Malvo. Steve joined the podcast to discuss these experiences and his expertise in therapeutic hypnosis. He was one of the experts I interviewed in researching my last book, The Cult of Trump. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With Trump’s Indictment, the GOP is being described as the Cult of Trump, and the other GOP candidates are scrambling to figure out how to position themselves. Come listen to a fascinating talk with the award-winning documentarian Jen Senko on her film, The Brainwashing of My Dad, and the book based on it. Jen Senko’s experience with her father, Frank, hits close to home for many Americans today. Frank was a happy-go-lucky progressive Democrat when he came across a talk radio show hosted by Bob Grant. He started being more critical of Democrats and was somewhat combative about it. When he fully retired, he discovered Rush Limbaugh and listened to him for three hours daily. Then he started watching Fox News. At that point, his personality changed. He was always angry and couldn’t have discussions with his family anymore without them turning to politics. She delves into the experts who use social psychology to recruit and indoctrinate people. The good news is her father comes back to himself—a fascinating interview. Of course, as the author of the Cult of Trump, I weigh in. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Parental alienation is a highly destructive form of undue influence where one parent systematically manipulates their children to reject the other parent. This damaging form of psychological abuse not only disrupts family dynamics but can also leave lasting emotional scars on the child, potentially impacting their development, mental health, and future relationships. Often, children are not only alienated from their mother or their father but the entire side of the family, traumatizing all who are related. The BITE Model of Authoritarian Control can be used to analyze any case. I have previously done multiple blogs on this topic. Dana Laquidara, a professional author and writer, brings a unique perspective as an adult survivor of parental alienation. Through this memoir, she seeks to raise awareness and support parents and children ensnared in this devastating form of mind control and abuse. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former Republican congressman and Tea Party advocate, Joe Walsh discusses his realizations about Trump and how he has been dissed by the MAGA powers in the GOP. He started “Center Street Pac” to help elect any politician devoted to putting country over party, in service of freedom. Joe has a podcast of his own, “White Flag with Joe Walsh” where he talks with progressives as well as GOD folks willing to discuss what has happened to the United States. Joe and I discuss Twitter, free speech, and libertarianism, and agree we all need to lower the temperature and get more people talking together to each other. Our current system is broken with dark money and bad actors manipulating the media and politics. So it is a fascinating important conversation that offers some ideas and directions for hope. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For anyone with a background in Evangelical Christianity, Francis Schaeffer is regarded as royalty. He has written books that sold many millions of copies and two films were made by his namesake son to promote them. This interview is one of the most important ones for people to listen to if they really wish to understand what has happened to Christianity in America. Frank Schaeffer, a New York Times best-selling author, and host of the podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, was homeschooled and raised in an evangelical/fundamentalist home and bears firsthand testimony of how his father’s life work was corrupted into a movement that wishes to secure political power, money, and control over people’s lives. Frank Schaeffer is a brilliant, creative man who truly cares about people and improving the world. Come listen to this incredible interview! Learn more about Frank at www.lovechildrenplanet.com. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Daniel Shaw is a psychotherapist in New York City, and author of 2 books on the subject of traumatic narcissism. He left the Siddha Yoga cult in 1994, after more than a decade of living and working for it. In this interview we discuss his concept of the relational system of the traumatizing narcissist, that explains the psychology of cult leaders and abusers and helps survivors of narcissistic abuse in their recovery. There are many “experts” on narcissist abuse but this framework is uniquely helpful. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Media shaming has been around for decades. Now, we live with the Internet and 24/7 information cycles. Sensationalism and misinformation can create harmful media which is accessible forever. The adverse effects on everyday people’s lives are monumental and sometimes deadly. Dr. Christine Marie specializes in media psychology, a field that is becoming more important than ever, given the proliferation of media sources. Media influence can lead to shame, humiliation, and complex PTSD. Join us in this important interview. Then we turn to her work with the nonprofit Voices For Dignity. A survivor and an academic, she and her husband live in Colorado City, Arizona, and help members of the FLDS cult. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rewired is one of the most important new books I have read that has yet to get significant media attention. Dr. Marci is a Harvard psychiatrist and social neuroscientist who uses incontrovertible scientific evidence in this remarkable and sobering book. He has a chapter titled ‘The Power of the Prefrontal Cortex’ that describes it as the ‘most highly evolved part of the modern human brain.’ It performs executive functions and is an ‘orchestral conductor of neuronal symphonies’ in our brain. One of the central premises of this book is that our obsession with social media and cell phones is rewiring our brains and causing irreversible damage. Specific advice on what we can do to have a healthy tech-life balance is given and discussed. Please listen to this fascinating and essential conversation at this pivotal time in human history. We need to control our technology and not allow our technology to control or unduly influence us.
Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Please listen to this interview with two-time Emmy award-winning filmmaker Melissa Jo Peltier about this documentary. Former tea party congressman Joe Walsh, David Weissman, Batya Goldberg, and other former voters for Trump share their realizations about how destructive Trump has been for America. Several experts were interviewed for this project, including myself, talking about my book, The Cult of Trump. Let’s amplify the voices of former believers in Trump! Let’s expand the exit ramp to using conscience and employing American values. Let’s not shame or denigrate folks for being sucked into the Republican machine. Help us end the polarization, and let’s make a large exit ramp for folks to be able to reevaluate their involvement. Let’s begin a more informed conversation about our future. This essential documentary movie is now widely available on Amazon, Google Play, and other venues. Please see https://thegameisupmovie.com/ for more information. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Please join me in a profound but disturbingly honest conversation with one of the world’s true experts in Artificial Intelligence. The Information Professionals Association (IPA) co-founder, Dr. Rand Waltzman, has over 40 years of experience performing and managing research in AI applied to domains including social media and cognitive security in the information environment. His distinguished career includes being the former Deputy Chief Technology Officer and Senior Information Scientist at the Rand Corporation. His perspective is dire. He says that without dramatic intervention into data privacy and technology regulations worldwide, those with power will be able to conduct massive mind control at scale, as we see in current dictatorships. He agrees that the human mind is easily manipulated, provided a person doesn’t understand how social psychology principles and propaganda techniques are being used on them. There is no freedom without responsibility. Virtual Reality (VR) technology is able to obtain vast amounts of information about a user’s mind that can be used to manipulate and control them. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike Rinder escaped his 46 years of Scientology, having achieved the #3 spot of power and head of their intelligence unit OSA. His new book helps pull back the curtain on many aspects of this notorious authoritarian cult. He starred with Leah Remini on Scientology and the Aftermath, and now their podcast Fair Game. In this special interview, I cover some essential details that folks (especially cult watchers) will wish to know. For example, he answers my specific questions that help connect the dots with the criminal activity and mind control that Hubbard enshrined into cult doctrine. In this age of mass radicalization, understanding Scientology cult mind control offers a window to understand how intelligent and educated people can fall prey to malignant narcissists. It also proves that people (including top leaders) can exit and become contributing members of society. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join me in a thoroughly uplifting episode with author Kristi Nelson. Kristi is a very special person, bright, educated, accomplished in the world of non-profit leadership. She is a wounded healer, having survived a terminal diagnosis of stage 4 cancer and lived. I rarely encounter a book where I agree with everything in it. I feel energized by practicing this simple but difficult practice. I tend to think and worry too much in a way that is draining. By reminding yourself to put your attention on all the good things, all the body parts that you still have and are in working order, the beauty of nature, the awesomeness of being alive empowers and enlivens me. Please join me in listening to this episode and I highly recommend listening to her read this wonderful book afterward. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rabbi Natan Margalit, the author of the newly released book, The Pearl and the Flame, has an answer. The problem, he believes, is not understanding the connectedness of all things—people, plants, animals, and the natural world. His solution is to integrate our vast and valuable scientific knowledge about complex systems with the ancient wisdom of the Torah (the Hebrew Bible). In this fascinating conversation, Natan shares his spiritual journey, which eventually led him to become a rabbi, educator, and environmental activist. We cover many topics, sharing hopeful ways to move forward in our highly fragmented and polarized times. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Daniella Mestyanek Young is a strong, courageous woman who has written the memoir, Uncultured. This fascinating interview will be of interest to anyone born into an authoritarian cult, to women everywhere, to anyone who served in the military as well as anyone who wants to read about the incredible journey. Daniella was trained to obey orders in a cult that regularly raped children, endured hours of corporal punishment, ran away at age 15, became valedictorian, became an Army intelligence captain, and is working towards a Masters degree in Organizational Development and Change at Harvard. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com
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Jeffrey Augustine is an investigative journalist whose blog, The Scientology Money Project, covers Scientology's money, crimes, lies, and legal matters. Augustine covers Scientology in real time and offers in-depth analysis, legal and governmental documents, and court cases. Augustine reports on the pervasive culture of white-collar criminality and financial scams within Scientology perpetrated by its members, in addition to Scientology's cover-ups or rapes and child molestation. He is a former Pentecostal who has researched Massimo Introvigne, head of Cesnur.org, and outs him as a cult propagandist along with a host of other sociologists who say brainwashing does not exist and don't trust former members or critics. This interview is fascinating, especially for all interested in disinformation messaging, cults, and academics. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jason Kander’s new book significantly contributes to mental health, particularly to military folks walking around with undiagnosed PTSD. He is a former Army Captain and rising political star–yes, he was invited to the White House to meet with President Obama, who encouraged him to run for President. Jason realized that he had been suffering from classic PTSD symptoms for ten years and needed to stop everything and get help. He stepped out of political life, is a devoted husband and father, and has been working to help veterans. Jason’s previous best-selling book was Outside the Wire. He hosts the Majority 54 podcast. Jason is truly fascinating and inspiring, and I believe you will find this conversation fascinating. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com
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Named one of the “100 best minds on leadership” by Leadership Excellence magazine, Ira Chaleff has a lot of positive, constructive things to guide people. I loved his books, Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told To Do Is Wrong, and The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders. At this time in world history, Chaleff has a lot of important wisdom to help people realign with their values and empower them to act with integrity. His program to teach children to Think, Blink, Choice, and Voice will help empower children to speak up if they are being pressured to do something wrong. Join me for this fascinating discussion. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There are an estimated 40 million Americans and approximately 650 million people worldwide involved with Pentecostal/ Charismatic groups led by a prophet or apostle who claims to get direct revelations from God. Most of these fulfill the BITE model of Authoritarian Control criteria. Some of these folks see themselves as “spiritual warriors” and are convinced other people who wish to have human rights (women who wish to have control of their bodies, gay marriage, and reject theocracy) are satanic/ demonic forces. Dr. André Gagné, professor in theological studies at Concordia University (Montréal) teams up for this interview with Frederick Clarkson, Senior Research Analyst at Political Research Associates who has been reporting on the rise of the theocratic Christian Right for four decades. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A frank discussion on the subject of the Netflix docu-series Bad Vegan. One-on-one coercive control is what this story was about! Sarma co-founded Pure Food and Wine restaurant in NYC and founded the raw vegan brand, One Lucky Duck. The series failed utterly by not explaining how predators operate, or how hypnosis can be used to elicit obedience and induce amnesia. In this case, large sums were drained from Sarma's business, and both she and her predator were jailed at Rikers Island, prosecuted as if both had criminal intent. This episode is for anyone wishing to understand how an educated, intelligent woman's business and life were obliterated via years-long grooming and mind control. All the evidence was there but prosecutors IMPO did not wish to investigate what really happened. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Germaine is a Geriatric Neurologist, Professor Emeritus at OU College of Medicine. Her career has been devoted to people with dementia and their caregiver. She became a caregiver for her mother with dementia. She was recruited to Oklahoma University College of Medicine to develop a geriatric curriculum for medical students and focused her teaching on recognizing and caring for people with cognitive impairments. She required all her medical students to participate in Alzheimer's support groups. As the population ages in America, more and more people are suffering from severe cognitive impairments. While there is a great deal of research, Dr. Odenheimer warns us that caveat emptor: buyer beware. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lance Dodes, M.D. is a retired assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He has been the Director of the substance abuse treatment unit of Harvard’s McLean Hospital, Director of the Alcoholism Treatment Unit at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (now part of Massachusetts General Hospital), and Director of the Boston Center for Problem Gambling. He is the author or co-author of many journal articles and book chapters about the psychology of addiction and the author of three books: The Heart of Addiction (HarperCollins, 2002), Breaking Addiction: A 7-Step Handbook for Ending Any Addiction (HarperCollins, 2011), and The Sober Truth: Debunking the Bad Science Behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry (Beacon Press, 2014; senior author). This fascinating exchange helps to challenge the idea of a “disease” model of addiction and offers his decades of experience helping people overcome the compulsion underlying most addictions. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Holzer was co-editor of the Oxford University textbook entitled Lone-Actor Terrorism: An Integrated Framework. The book is a scholarly endeavor to approach the complex subject from a variety of disciplines. I contributed a chapter titled, Understanding Online Indoctrination, with my coauthors, Jon Caven-Atack, Mansi Shah, and Simron Malhotra. With hundreds of mass shootings as well as other violent terrorist acts, it is essential to not limit discussion to banning assault rifles as solutions will require far more robust approaches. Citizens, along with law enforcement, and intelligence officials will all need a more refined understanding of what can be done to make the world safer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tricia Jenkins, Ph.D. is a podcaster and professor of film, TV, and digital media at TCU in Fort Worth, TX. She is the author of three books including The CIA in Hollywood, as well as Superheroes, Movies, and the State. Her new podcast, Worldwide: The Unchosen Church, features stories about growing up in the Worldwide Church of God- a doomsday apocalyptic cult. We talk about issues facing children and second-generation members born into cults. Details about Herbert W. Armstrong’s authoritarian cult group, an influential Christian right group, and its history are fascinating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the wake of the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe by the assassin Tetsuya Yamagami, we are posting this interview. The killer was reportedly angered because of Abe’s family’s support of the Unification Church - aka Moon organization. Wood was a major expert testifying to courts including before the Supreme Court. Allen Tate Wood a former American Leader of the group talks with Steven Hassan in this must-watch interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Pavao is a psychologist, trained social worker, and licensed marriage and family therapist who is an internationally recognized expert in the field of adoption. An adoptee herself, she has been influential in moving adoption from a parent-centered process to a child-centered one. This in-depth interview is essential listening for all people who have been adopted, have a relationship with an adoptee, or have adopted a child. Open adoptions have become more commonplace and inexpensive DNA testing has allowed people to find biological relatives. But most people are not aware of the deep trauma that some children experience, even as grown adults. Mental health professionals, as well as teachers, will benefit from this fascinating discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Founded by John and Revé Walsh (America's Most Wanted), the National Center (NCMEC) is the major resource to help children in America. Marsha Gilmer Tullis is a trained social worker and the Vice President of Family Advocacy. For anyone truly interested in helping children who are abducted, being trafficked, or being abused, this non-profit is THE go-to resource. Their center has experts from the FB, to Immigration and is a fantastic entity that deserves not only praise and contributions but more public exposure for its good work. There are millions of people who have been mobilized to save children from exploitation. Everyone should know about this agency that has helped children and their families for decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Amanda Ripley is the Co-Host of the Slate podcast How-To and is the best-selling author of High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We & The Unthinkable.' This book was so well researched and easy to read and so interesting that in all of her research, it pretty much aligns with my experience. This is a fascinating conversation and helps to identify patterns characteristic of high conflict. She gave practical advice on how we can take steps ourselves to lower the temperature, and realize there is complexity in every situation. When people operate out of All or nothing/ us vs them thinking, polarization takes place. Curiosity, respect, and listening to each other with the goal of reaching a solution work well. We need to come together to do real problem solving- NOW! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A leader in the anti-human trafficking movement, Carissa Phelps is a highly respected and impressive advocate to protect young people from pimps and traffickers. She has an MBA and JD from UCLA, had a documentary, Carissa, and a book, Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets One Helping Hand at a Time, and a company to help train survivors on how to educate and help victims. Carissa invited me to a law enforcement training and the first curriculum for survivors, championed by Rachel Thomas called Ending The Game was developed. If you care about helping to expose high-level traffickers, you must listen to this interview and understand the problem and what is being done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Multi-level Marketing (MLMs) is a consumer protection challenge! The Direct Selling Association (DSA) is a powerful lobby influencing American politics. Attorney Douglas Brooks has championed victims of pyramid schemes and MLMs. We describe the critical things you need to know about to protect yourself and your loved ones. Are you concerned that Crypto uses the same formula as MLMs - buy into the “dream” of making a fortune? For creators and early adopters, yes, it is possible to make money. But not for the vast majority—they lose money and time and often relationships. A second 2-day Global virtual workshop will take place June 10/11. See mlmconference.com for speakers and recordings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S.E. Cupp is a nationally syndicated political columnist, culture critic, author, and CNN political commentator. In this episode, we talk about the horrific recent school shooting in Texas and the root causes as we see them. She talks about how she used to repeat the same talking points as other Republicans and what can be done as a country to avoid these tragedies in the future. We talk about other political current events and how we maintain good mental health during these troubled times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jennifer Cohn is a writer, journalist, and election integrity advocate. Since the 2016 election, she’s focused her professional efforts exclusively on investigating and exposing our country’s insecure computerized elections. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about her work and steps that all of us can take in our own communities to uphold the integrity of our elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames are former members of the NXIVM cult but today are some of the most visible whistleblowers of the cult. They host the popular podcast “A Little Bit Culty,” and Sarah is the author of “Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life.” In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about NXIVM and the attributes we also find in other cults. We talk about human trafficking (what NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere was convicted of) and how intelligent, educated people can fall victim to a cult leader. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.
Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831 Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595 The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601 The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245 Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599 Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447 Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633 The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018
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For this week’s episode, we’re focusing on the POSITIVE side of the Influence Continuum. I interview Judy Stevens-Long, Ph.D. Judy is a faculty emerita at Fielding Graduate University, where she served as Associate Dean for Curriculum Development from 2001-2008. She is an expert in developmental psychology and was my mentor for my doctoral program and oversaw my dissertation. Her research publications range from works on child development to work on death and dying. She is the author of “Living Well, Dying Well: A Guide to Choices, Costs, and Consequences” (with co-author Dohrea Bardell). In this episode, we talk about death, but this is not a depressing episode! We talk about living a full life and choices we can make to improve our lives and make death less daunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
James Scaminaci III is an expert on 4th generation warfare. He has a Ph.D. from Stanford University in political sociology and is a retired US Navy Reserve intelligence officer. He was a senior civilian military intelligence analyst responsible for the Balkans and the former Soviet Union. Following the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, from outside and inside the former Yugoslavia, James learned a great deal about how political and religious ideologies interact and combine into ethno-nationalist projects that delegitimize left-wing governing philosophies (that often end in genocide).
His expertise on 4th generation warfare has wide-reaching implications for today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Collins grew up as “royalty” in the William Branham “Message” cult. He has worked tirelessly to understand and reveal its true history with the KKK and its influence on modern Pentecostalism today. He has authored two books and built an incredible website to expose the facts of this criminal, white supremacist, misogynistic cult. John helps us realize an essential part of American authoritarianism which to this day has an international following. By freeing himself from the mental and emotional damage he suffered as a child growing up in that atmosphere, he can help millions realize they were following a false prophet, believing they are just being “Christian.” There is a growing movement of people realizing it was really about power, money, sex and politics, and not religion. They are exiting and reclaiming their own “Freedom of Mind!” Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.
Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831 Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595 The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601 The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245 Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599 Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447 Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633 The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul Chang serves as a Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator at the U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division. In his 25+ years with the agency, Paul worked on some of the most notorious cases as an investigator and Assistant District Director. He’s developed numerous training materials and programs that also utilize my BITE Model and Influence Continuum. He has also been on a special assignment to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) since 2013 where he currently serves as the National Co-Chair of the Regional Network.
Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.
Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831 Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595 The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601 The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245 Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599 Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447 Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633 The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
n this episode, I interview Joe Szimhart. Joe is a cult information specialist I have known for decades. He is also an author and knows a great deal about psychology. Joe appears in the unearthed 1986 former member video I recently shared as a former CUT and Agni Yoga member. Like me, Joe is a former cult member who uses his experience to help others understand and reevaluate destructive cults. Joe and I talk about current events and cult behaviors we recognize all over the world. We talk about Clarence Thomas’s wife Ginni, her deprogrammer Kevin Garvey, Vladimir Putin, and the ideology that binds them.
For more of Joe’s work, visit his website: jszimhart.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A tweet thread I wrote about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s wife Ginni went VIRAL two days ago. I shared a video from 1986 few people have seen from a conference for former cult members. Ginni Thomas spoke in this video about her past experience in a cult. Ginni later went on to do a great deal of anti-cult work, but as is the case with so many former members, she joined a new authoritarian cult (The Cult of Trump). Steve is interviewed by Freedom of Mind’s own Dan McCollister about the issues surrounding Ginni Thomas. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.
Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831 Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595 The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601 The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245 Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599 Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447 Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633 The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Cindy Blackstock is Gixtan native in Canada, Professor of Social Work at McGill University, and Executive Director of First Nations Child & Family Caring Society. I collaborated with Dr. Blackstock for the presentation “Mind Control and Colonization.” With her help, I’ve come to realize that the same mind control I’ve studied for 45+ years exerted by cult leaders has unquestionably been exerted and is still exerted on Indigenous People. In this fascinating conversation, we talk about this vital issue through this underreported lens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Thomas Gutheil is an internationally known forensic psychiatrist and author of over 300 publications. He is a Professor of Psychiatry and co-founder of the Program in Psychiatry and the Law (PIPATL) associated with Harvard Medical School. In this interview, we talk about how he got interested in psychiatry, what makes a mentoring relationship ethical and successful, and most importantly, his help in helping to establish a clear understanding of undue influence which can be used to promote justice. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Frederick Clarkson is one of the foremost experts on Christian Dominionism in the United States (“Dominionism” is the theocratic idea that Christians are called by God to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions). Fred is a journalist and the author of the classic "Eternal Hostility: The Struggle Between Theocracy and Democracy." He broke the story of Project Blitz, a coalition of conservative Christian groups working to enact Dominionist legislation in state & local legislatures across the U.S., and helped set up BlitzWatch.org to monitor, track, and defeat attempts by Christian Nationalists to implement their distorted view of religious freedom. In this interview, we talk about the contemporary politics of Dominionism. We talk about how we got here and why Dominionists are exerting so much power and influence in public life. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anne Speckhard is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University's Medical School in Washington D.C. Her research focuses on developing counter-terrorism initiatives and understanding the motivations of terrorists. In this talk, we discuss what ISIS members and white supremacists have in common and how effective counterterrorism efforts use psychology. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Matthew Winkler Is the program manager for the Heroic Imagination Project. Founded by seminal social psychologist Philip Zimbardo (Stanford Prison Experiment), The Heroic Imagination Project provides training for individuals and groups using groundbreaking scientific research and experiential training workshops. Matthew Winkler has taught and mentored teenagers at middle schools, high schools, and colleges in New York, New England, China, and Japan. His viral TED-Ed video “What Makes a Hero,” snowballed into his first book “Mentoring Teenage Heroes: The Hero’s Journey of Adolescence.” Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mick West is a science writer, skeptical investigator, and creator of the websites Contrail Science and Metabunk. West investigates and debunks pseudoscientific claims and conspiracy theories such as chemtrails and UFO’s. To help people out of these dead ends, he advocates a kind, patient approach similar to my Strategic Interactive Approach. His first book is Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Debunk Conspiracy Theories Using Facts, Logic, and Respect. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark and Kimberly O'Donnell are former Jehovah's Witnesses who’ve become some of the loudest whistleblowers of the cult. They were prominently featured in the Vice Documentary “The Crusaders,” highlighting rampant child sexual abuse in the cult. They continue to speak out today and work with former members working to recover from undue influence. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Malcolm Nance was a career counterterrorism and intelligence officer for the U.S. government’s Special Operations, Homeland Security, and Intelligence agencies. He has over 33 years of experience combating radical extremism. While researching Al-Qaeda, Nance referenced my BITE Model in his book, Defeating ISIS. He (accurately) labels ISIS a terrorist “cult.” His latest book is They Want to Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency. Nance is a frequent media contributor and counterterrorism analyst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Molly Brown Koch has been leading parenting workshops for over 60 years. She is the author of the award-winning book, “27 Secrets to Raising Amazing Children.” When I was about to become a parent, I read this book and have been relying on its wisdom for many years. At 94 years young, Koch has been a respected voice on ethical parenting for decades. In this conversation, she highlights her main ideas about parenting and shares interesting stories from her past. I have been recommending this book to second-generation former cult members in my work. I do this because when they read it, they realize what healthy parenting should have been and it helps them for their future with their children. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jon Atack is generally acknowledged as the world's leading authority on the cult of Scientology. He spent nine years in the cult, training as an 'auditor' and becoming 'OT V.’ He’s the author of the definitive biography of Ron Hubbard, “Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky.” His new book "Opening Minds," is a must-read that helps explain undue influence and in particular, how to protect yourself from predators. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Bandy Lee is a forensic psychiatrist and a renowned expert on violence. Dr. Lee taught at Yale and Yale Law School from 2003-2020 and became known to the public by leading a group of mental health experts in breaking the silence about the dangerous mental impairments of Donald Trump. She edited the book “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump,” with 37 experts weighing in on their concerns about Trump. She’s been heavily censored in the media due to the American Psychiatric Association citing “The Goldwater Rule”, but they are a private institution and have power only over their members. Dr. Lee is not a member. Nevertheless, Dr. Lee believes that all medical professionals have a “duty to warn.” In this fascinating conversation, we talk about a wide range of topics. She too believes that trained mental health professionals are a valued resource in the media and are not called on to help the public enough. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Dehlin is a 6th generation member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). He is an American psychologist, podcast host, and excommunicated member of the Mormon church. He was excommunicated by the church for speaking out in support of gay rights. Dehlin is the host of the popular “Mormon Stories” podcast, a podcast he created in 2005. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Steve shares a paradigm shift taking place in mind-body medicine. He talks with pediatrician and Research Professor and Director of the Center for Applied Psychophysiology and Self-regulation (CAPS) at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Laurence Sugarman M.D. Sugarman talks about a new conceptualization of mind-body healing and hypnotic approaches one can use to improve their own life or the life of others. He proposes a new model of healthcare that differs greatly from our disease-based system. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dave Troy is a disinformation researcher, tech-entrepreneur, TEDxMidAtlantic curator, and data visualization expert. In this episode, he takes us on a journey through American history-starting in the Great Depression and spanning all the way to today. We learn how extremist groups like the John Birch Society have pushed for very specific monetary policy in America and how this intersects with oil company money and the current cryptocurrency movement. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today’s episode, Dr. Hassan interviews Dr. Robert Jay Lifton, author of the seminal 1961 book, “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” about Chinese brainwashing programs under Mao. Dr. Lifton, now 95 years old, mentored Hassan starting in 1976 and it was his 8 criteria of thought reform or mind control that was the foundation for all subsequent work. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Dr. Steven Hassan will introduce himself and will bring you up to speed on what brought him to study, write, and help people out of destructive mind-control cults for the last 45 years. While there are many podcasts by former members, Hassan is unique as a cult survivor, and mental health expert, with 45 years of field experience. He’ll preview what the podcast will be about and guests he will interview.
Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com. Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steven Hassan begins Monday, January 10, 2022. New episodes weekly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices