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PODCAST

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

education

All Episodes

26:07

Speaking of Cults...A Different Look at Narcissism &...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/04/11

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!

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72:12

Speaking of Cults...I Belong to Me - A Discussion...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/04/04

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

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73:55

Speaking of Cults...7th Day Adventists and Holy...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/03/28

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.Melissa on social media: @TheGloryWhole

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70:07

Speaking of Cults...Brothers Broken and Scientology...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/03/14

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

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107:38

Speaking of Cults...Debunking Scientology with Jon Atack

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/03/07

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!

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53:26

Speaking of Cults...Helping People Escape Scientology...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/02/28

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

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79:31

Speaking of Cults...Body Language and Manipulation

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/02/21

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

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58:15

Speaking of Cults...What are MAGA Christians Thinking?

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/02/14

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 going on with these people and how to talk to them to wake them up

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115:49

Speaking of Cults...Transforming Landmark with Ben...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/02/07

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

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44:18

Speaking of Cults...You Can't Save Everyone - What...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/02/01

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.

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98:30

Speaking of Cults...The Unpaid Army of God

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/01/24

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 and Bryce: https://glassboxpodcast.com

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60:12

Speaking of Cults...The Myth of Good Christian Parenting

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/01/17

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 Library podcast:

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110:14

Speaking of Cults...The Rise and Fall of the...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/01/10

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

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67:54

Speaking of Cults...How Body Language Experts Fool...

Speaking of Cults ·

2026/01/03

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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121:23

Speaking of Cults...The Mormon/Scientology Connection...

Speaking of Cults ·

2025/12/13

This week I welcome ex-Scientologist Mitch Brisker to discuss his many and varied experiences in dealing with David Miscavige, the leader of Scientology, and how he would be sent to Utah to learn from the Mormons how to produce and present Scientology better to the world. We talk about a lot of things in this podcast around this, including Scientology's future. Enjoy!

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43:24

Speaking of Cults...Restarting After a Cult with...

Speaking of Cults ·

2025/12/06

This week I welcome back therapist and author Rachel Bernstein to discuss her newly released workbook on cult recovery, titled Restart and Restore. We go over what this workbook is useful for and cult recovery in general and cover a surprising amount of territory for such a short show. Enjoy!Rachel's website: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com Rachel's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Restart-Restore-Journal-Survivors-Manipulation/dp/B0FR4JFV25

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83:30

Speaking of Cults...What's the Deal with MAGA...

Speaking of Cults ·

2025/11/29

This week I welcome back Jennie Gage, creator of Life Take Two on YouTube and a former Mormon MAGA tradwife who has been helping explain that world to us. We cover a lot more territory this week and I think you'll find it very relevant to some of the social insanity that has overtaken the US in the last decade.Jennie's channel: @lifetaketwo7662

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113:48

Speaking of Cults...The Honor Trap in Scientology

Speaking of Cults ·

2025/11/22

This week I welcome back Jon Atack to help me dissect the Code of Honor, one of Scientology's earliest and most successful attempts to undermine people's sense of agency and morality. Enjoy!Jon's channel: ⁨@jonatackfamilyfriends6176⁩

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91:32

Speaking of Cults...Scientology Inside and Out with...

Speaking of Cults ·

2025/11/15

This week I welcome Patty Moher, a former Scientologist staffer and kind of amazing person to talk to. We had a great chat about all things Scientology and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

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108:20

Speaking of Cults - Mormonism's Violent Legacy

Speaking of Cults ·

2025/11/01

This week I welcome back Bryce Blankenangel and Shannon Grover for another deep dive into Mormon history and culture, this time digging into a truly horrifying piece of history known as the Meadows Mountain Massacre. This is a bit tough of a listen in places but I think a very good show and I appreciate my guests broad knowledge on this topic.Glassbox podcast: https://glassboxpodcast.com

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400 results

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