Decult Talks - Breaking the Silence on Cultic Harm

Can cults make you sick? In this groundbreaking episode of Decult Talks, Dr Caroline Ansley, a medical doctor and founder of the Centrepoint Restoration Project, shares her insights about the specific health needs of those inside cultic groups and those who left them. She explains the unique physical and emotional challenges they face and the critical professional support that is needed for recovery. A must-listen for health worker...

Gloriavale - or Gloriafail: The infamous New Zealand cult has been in the courts and in the headlines recently. For how much longer can it keep going? 

In this powerful episode of Decult Talks, Liz Gregory from the Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust hosts a moving panel with lawyer Dennis Gates and Gloriavale survivors Pearl Valor and Virginia Courage. Together, they explore the complex legal, emotional and social challenges faced by...

How do you recover from having lived in a cult? This kind of complex trauma requires a specialised approach. 

In this insightful episode of Decult Talks, UK psychotherapist Dr Gillie Jenkinson delivers a powerful keynote on cult recovery therapy. Drawing on her extensive research, lived experience and groundbreaking handbook, Dr Jenkinson outlines the critical aspects of healing and recovery for individuals who have escaped cults an...

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have come under scrutiny in New Zealand and around the world. This powerful episode of Decult Talks brings those together who have exposed and transmuted cultic harm in their own ways. 

Hosted by RNZ reporter Anusha Bradley, the international panel features Australian activist Lara Kaput, US filmmaker Scott Homan and NZ victim advocate Shayne Mechen, with powerful video insights from Micki McAllen (also known...

What does it take to stand up to an influential cult leader? Rachel Lees bravely answered that question by speaking up. She courageously initiated legal action against Bill Gothard, leader of the US-based fundamentalist group IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles), exposing the manipulative tactics hidden within the organization.

Her story of grooming and escape, shared on Decult Talks, is one of extraordinary courage, resilience...

In this gripping episode of Decult Talks, Laura McConnell Conti shares her personal story of growing up in the secretive sect “The Truth” (or 2x2s), a group currently under investigation by the FBI for pedophilia. Laura takes us through her journey of leaving the cult, shedding light on the control tactics and the psychological impact of being raised within such a closed and abusive environment.

Recorded live at the first Decult Con...

What is the overlap of disinformation, cults and online radicalisation? 

Stephen Judd from FACT Aotearoa leads a compelling panel discussion on Decult Talks, joined by experts in cult dynamics and extremism: Prof Ekant Veer (University of Canterbury), Austrian cult expert Ulrike Schiesser, Australian-Egyptian human rights activist Adam Elmasri and Auckland psychotherapist Paul Wilson.

Together, they unpack the social and psychologica...

In this powerful episode of Decult Talks, Bec Sonkkila, a survivor of the esoteric tantra yoga school MISA, shares her incredible journey and the vital role she played in bringing their controversial guru, Gregorian Bivolaru, to justice. Bivolaru was arrested in 2023, and Bec’s courage and perseverance were instrumental in exposing the truth behind the Romanian cult that hides behind different names across Europe. 

This compelling p...

In this eye-opening episode of Decult Talks, we hear from Laura Muir, a former member of the Korean Bible cult Shincheonji. Laura shares her personal experience and provides an in-depth look at the cult's recruitment tactics, shedding light on the psychological manipulation and strategies used to draw people in. 

This powerful presentation was recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, and produce...

Get ready for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation in this episode of Decult Talks. Hosted by journalist Adam Dudding, this dynamic panel discussion was recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, and has been produced by ⁠Plains Media⁠.

Join Dr. Caroline Ansley from the Centrepoint Restoration Project, Maria Esguerra, a psychologist and Children of God survivor, Luke Hollis, a former Jehovah...

Get ready for an eye-opening presentation by Dr. Janja Lalich, one of the world’s leading experts on cults and extremism and the author of “Take Back Your Life” and “Escaping Utopia”. As a Professor Emerita of Sociology and an international authority in her field, Dr. Lalich delivered the first keynote at the groundbreaking Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand. Hosted by the insightful Andre Afamasaga, this episode explor...