Entering the Post-guru Phase of Self-help: Reflecting on James Ray’s Death with Dr. Christine Whelan

SEEK was surprised to learn of the death of James Arthur Ray on January 3rd, 2025, at the age of 67. Ray was responsible for the deaths of 3 people at his 2009 “Spiritual Warrior” Retreat in Sedona, Arizona, a crime for which he spent 20 months in prison. As this event was the genesis of SEEK Safely, Jean, Glenn, and SEEK Board Member and self-help industry expert Dr. Christine Whelan reflect on how his death fits into the arc of the self-help industry itself.

As the Brown family said in its public statement on the death, SEEK’s mission has always been about more than James Ray. His folly had simply served to point out the greater issues within the wider industry, an industry that has since expanded and bled into many more facets of modern life. Listen to hear thoughts on where self-help is going from here, and what safe seeking looks like in this post-guru self-help world.

And if you are a self-help provider, consider joining our upcoming Safe Practitioners Workshop, an opportunity to gather with other industry professionals to discuss best practices. This is an 8-week series starting on March 5th. If you’re unable to join in person, you can opt in to a recorded version instead.

Show Notes: 

To Read:
SEEK Safely’s Statement on James Ray’s Passing
The SEEK Safely Promise

Tragedy in Sedona by Connie Joy

To Learn:

Prosperity Gospel on Wikipedia

Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) on Wikipedia

Theranos on Wikipedia 

To Listen To:
Conspirituality Podcast

To Follow:

Eva Collins @whydontyousaysomething 

To Join: 

The Safe Practitioners Workshop

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email [e-mail]