Speaking of Cults
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. This also includes non-religious cults and extreme political movements including the more divisive elements of MAGA and left-wing culture war issues. There is nothing off-limits but we always try to be respectful of the people involved even if we do not respect the beliefs or actions involved.
Episodes
This week I welcome Carol Merchasin, the Board President of the International Cultic Studies Association and also known as the "Cult Assassin" for her legal work against cultic enterprises in successfully suing them for ex-members. We have a frank discussion about the difficulties of taking on cults legally but why it is so important and necessary to do so. Enjoy!
ICSA: https://internationalculticstudies.org/
Carol's email: Carol (...
This week I welcome back former Scientologists and musician Geoff Levin to discuss the Art Series and L. Ron Hubbard from a different perspective, that of an artist. There's a lot to say and some interesting analysis which comes out of this. Enjoy!
Geoff's website: https://geofflevin.com
This week I welcome back former Scientologist Natalia Hirsch, originally from Ecuador but who had a wide-ranging life and Scientology experience she is sharing with us. In today's show we cover a lot more about WISE, her time as a Golden Age of Tech trainee at Flag and what happened when she became a poor Scientologist in Clearwater along with her family. It takes a heartbreaking twist.
Today I welcome back Jon Atack to continue our series of podcasts to debunk the "basics" of Scientology, one bit at a time. This is a wide-ranging and hopefully interesting discussion where we pull no punches on how we see Scientology. Enjoy!
My new book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWJ2VXWV
The workshop page: https://ilumn8.life/op/reclaiming-your-mind-and-life-chris-shelton/
Jon's channel: @jonatackfamilyfriends6176
This week I welcome former Scientologist Natalia Hirsch, originally from Ecuador but who had a wide-ranging life and Scientology experience she is sharing with us starting in today's first part. We cover her beginnings in the mission of Ecuador and run-ins with "higher level" Scientology in Venezuela and with WISE. More to come - enjoy!
This week I welcome back former Scientologists and musician Geoff Levin to discuss a period of time in Scientology when L. Ron Hubbard was fascinated with and was producing music for PR purposes back in 1974. Geoff has an on-the-ground perspective of Hubbard and the Sea Org at that time which I think you'll find very interesting and entertaining too. Enjoy! G
eoff's website: https://geofflevin.com
Today I am sharing some recent observations and learning on the subject of narcissism - a timely topic given our current world situation - and relate observations of political philosopher @VladVexler to cult leaders and why things are always so madhouse insane around them. Enjoy!
Today I welcome back author and cult survivor Tia Levings, who discuses her upcoming book "I Belong to Me" about her recovery journey and advice for anyone on the same path. Enjoy!
Tia's website: https://tialevings.com
Today I welcome Melissa Duge Spiers, author of the new book Holy Disobedience, which is her story of being raised in and dealing with the religious abuse of the 7th Day Adventist cult. We discuss how this group was founded by a literal insane person and how the values of 1850 have NOT translated well to today's world, or to how to raise children in it. Her new book will be releasing in just a few days. I hope you check it out.
Meli...
Today I welcome back musician and artist Geoff Levin, former Scientologist, who has produced a new feature-length documentary, Brothers Broken, telling his story of Scientology abuse and disconnection, and the happy ending he got after escaping the cult. The movie itself is releasing in the next week or so. Enjoy!
Geoff Levin website: http://geofflevin.com
Today I welcome back Jon Atack for a new series of podcasts we'll be doing to debunk the "basics" of Scientology, one bit at a time. This is a wide-ranging and hopefully interesting discussion where we pull no punches on how we see Scientology. Enjoy!
Today I welcome Phil Jones, the Executive Director of the Aftermath Foundation, to discuss its purpose, activities and an upcoming fundraiser being held here in Denver on March 11th. Enjoy!
The Michael J Rinder Aftermath Foundation: https://theaftermathfoundation.org
Today I welcome back Zach Elwood to discuss body language and how it really works to "read" someone, understand their tells and how to accurately predict what they are going to do. It's a bit more complicated than you may have been told. All of this, of course, directly relates to how predators and cult leaders read their followers and use what they know against them.
Zach's podcast: https://behavior-podcast.com
Today I welcome back Dr. Clint Heacock, a former evangelical minister who was born and raised in an evangelical community and has done a great deal of research on what the Christian Nationalist agenda is and how it aligns with Trump, MAGA and Project 2025. Today we revisit these topics and answer the question "What are these MAGA Christians thinking in supporting a mad dictator?" I hope this episode helps shed some light on what is...
This week I welcome Ben Eisenberg, someone who grew up in and around Landmark and its teachings, which did not help him in his early life. He's spent quite some time sorting this out and shares his journey with us today including a surprising outcome when he pushed for some change. Enjoy!
Ben's article on Medium: https://medium.com/@beneisenberg_10514/my-experience-growing-up-in-landmark-education-landmark-worldwide-1aae2ea2582e
This week we went live for the 100th episode of the Speaking of Cults podcast. I have some personal reflections and experiences to share as a cult expert and human in this world which I hope will be of some use to my listeners.
This week I welcome back Shannon Grover and Bryce Blankenagel to discuss the details of Mormon missionaries and what they actually are called upon to do. It's straight up slave labor under the guise of religious dedication and the Mormon Church is making billions off this free labor. Tune in and find out what is going on and how the Mormons are hiding their blatant abuse and criminality in plain sight. It's quite something.
Shannon...
This week I welcome Marissa Franks Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, authors of the new book The Myth of Good Christian Parenting, a deep exploration of the myths that permeate Christian communities throughout the world about what is "good parenting" but which is, in fact, just child abuse. I hope you'll give this one a listen and consider what we have to say. Enjoy!
Link to book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0wrQkhl
In the Church Libr...
This week I welcome Cheryl Hope and Richard Marsh from the Get a Life Podcast to discuss the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (formerly Exclusive Brethren), a religion/business group with a fascinating background and even more wild structure which survives to this day through the Hales family in Australia. Cheryl and Richard have quite a bit to share about this. Enjoy!
Get a Life Podcast: @getalifepodcast
We are now back for 2026. This week I welcome back Zach Elwood to discuss so-called "body language experts" and the pseudoscience they push as "infotainment" which actually creates a pretty skewed idea of how people work and what deceptive behavior is all about. We cover a lot in a little bit of time. Enjoy!
Zach's YouTube: @PeopleWhoReadPeoplepodcast
Munecat video: https://youtu.be/Y0VQyEY-B2I?si=Em_PyU9HGJnSyPYQ
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