jon atack, family and friends

Latest Episodes:

Gaza: genocide or resolution - with Dr. Steven Moffic Dec 04, 2023

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Celebrated psychiatrist Professor Steven Moffic gives his concerned and compassionate view of the Gaza conflict. Steve and Jon talk about the use of culture to bring people together and the use of propaganda to tear them apart. We believe it is time to bury the hatchet and to bring the guilty to trial rather than the present assault by Hamas on the Israeli people and the Israeli Defence Force on the Palestinians. With a discussion of racism and apartheid, of prejudice against left-handers and night owls, the "woke" culture and even psychedelics as a possible solution to hatred. Links: Braver Angels left-handed US presidents

telling your story is important for recovery - with Hoyt Richards Dec 04, 2023

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actor and documentarian Hoyt Richards joins Jon to talk about the need to tell our story so that we can digest our experience and make something useful of it. With a short digression about the meanings of love.

the cultic effects of Traditionalist Catholicism - with Anthony Spurgin Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Anthony Spurgin's parents joined a Traditionalist Catholic group when he was 12. At the age of 14, rather than going to high school, Anthony became part of a Traditionalist Catholic home-schooling co-operative. He talks about the traumatic effects of involvement with the group and especially the focus on sex as sinful. This talk shows how important it is to assess groups to see if they are authoritarian. A wide-ranging conversation about Christianity and religion in general. Links: Australian Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au The Vatican's report on clerical sexual abuse of children in Portugal: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/portugal-sexual-abuse-minors-report-bishops-conference-commissio.html

What is bipolar disorder and did L. Ron Hubbard suffer from it? with John Hunter, PhD Nov 04, 2023

Show notes

A talk that will be very useful for anyone who suffers from bipolar disorder or for friends and family. John describes the symptoms of the different forms of bipolar disorder, and tells us how he manages his own condition. John explodes popular myths about bipolar disorder in a fascinating conversation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are feeling suicidal, help is available! It's no shame to reach out and ask for help when you need it. Here is a list of some of the helplines available. PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP! In the US: 1-800-273-8255 or https://988lifeline.org In the UK: 0800 068 41 41. Text 07860 039967. Email pat@papyrus-uk.org. Childline - for children and young people under 19. Call 0800 1111 - the number will not show up on your phone bill. SOS Silence of Suicide - for everyone. Call 0300 1020 505 - 4pm to midnight every day. Email support@sossilenceofsuicide.org

Worldwide: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide Links: The Don Rogers letters: https://tonyortega.org/2018/05/08/witness-to-dianetics-for-the-first-time-the-letters-of-key-hubbard-ally-donald-h-rogers/ footage of Tolstoy: https://youtu.be/6VGPVfgMex4?si=JLAw9O6Mx-3xvVLO John's analysis of Fight Club and LGATs: https://thefincheranalyst.com/articles/lgats-and-fight-club-dissecting-a-delusion/

Scientology, Mindfulness and the perils of present time with Joe Szimhart Nov 04, 2023

Show notes

Joe Szimhart shares his remarkable knowledge of religious belief and helps Jon to assess the value of 'being here now.' Observations about Scientology, Ron Hubbard's childhood, Jon's brief time in a Zen monastery and Joe's experiences in the Church Universal and Triumphant. With reference to the origins of karma as a teaching, the separate 'bodies' of CUT as compared to Hubbard's 'exteriorization'. How groups induce 'transcendent' states through repetition, fixation and mimicry, fasting and sleep deprivation which actually create different neurological states. A wide-ranging discussion taking in many points about Scientology, its offshoot Eckankar, Paul Brunton, TM, Meher Baba and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. Links: Jon's paper, never believe a hypnotist Joe's video Joe's channel Joe's website and check out Jon's spiffy new website!

accountability and transformation with Hoyt Richards Oct 21, 2023

Show notes

It can be very hard to take responsibility for your actions if you blame the manipulations of a cult for them. As Hoyt says, it is vital to take responsibility for your own story: it is a lot easier to fool someone than to persuade them they've been fooled. Some people blame themselves entirely for their negative behavior and others shrug it off because of 'mind control'. To recover from a cult experience, we have to weigh up the balance between the manipulation of the cult and our own agency. Links: Alan Scheflin's Social Influence Model Jon's spiffy new site Jon's old site (with all his art and poems and things)

Ron Hubbard: the Kali ceremony and ritual magick - with Janis Gillham-Grady Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Before creating Scientology, Ron Hubbard performed a ritual to incarnate the Wh*re of Babylon. Is Scientology itself perhaps an elaborate magic ritual? Hubbard also admitted to addiction to barbiturates in a Scientology lecture. At twelve, Janis was one of the original 'Commodore's Messengers' and spent time with Hubbard almost every day for eleven years both on ship and ashore. She talks about he Kali Ritual aboard ship and is confident that Hubbard was not using street drugs. Jon's paper, Possible origins of Dianetics and Scientology the video, part one part two

why we don't always look before we leap - with John Hunter, PhD Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

John Hunter PhD continues his fascinating explanation of the processes used in Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGATs). We begin with the ominously named Elaboration Likelihood Model, which explores how likely it is that someone will think before acting. John touches on Daniel Kahneman's System One - quick thinking - and System Two - considered thinking. He talks about the 'philosophically pompous' statements found in LGAT literature and their demand that people put their experience above their reasoning. John is at the leading edge of research into authoritarian cults. John's PhD here and his ICSA presentation buy Jon's Tao Te Ching here

when groups go crazy - with Dr Steven Moffic Oct 07, 2023

Show notes

A look at group psychosis, mass sociogenic illness, and the folie a plusiers with the eminent social psychiatrist Dr Steven Moffic. How groups can come to share absurd fantasies that can lead to atrocities. Recorded on 9/11 and especially relevant to the events of that day in 2001. Truth and Reconciliation and how music can help to integrate disparate communities. links: The Tulip Craze: A Smithsonian article and an entertaining video series Braver Angels The Heroic Imagination project Coltrane Resolution Spike's Note: I just couldn't bring myself to put in the photo I found of Louis Armstrong advertising the laxative mentioned. If you really want to see it, then search "Louis Armstrong Swiss Kriss Laxative" and you'll find it soon enough. And now *your* search history has that in it. You're welcome.

the troubled teen industry and the need to transform education - with Kacey from the Cult Vault Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Kidnapping, imprisonment, and traumatic rituals have been normalized in the 'brat camps' of the US. Kacey has interviewed survivors of this American equivalent of China's brainwashing program. Including a brief segment of genius and the need to transform our educational system. Links (NOTE: Spike is still sick and her brain isn't working completely up to speed, so if there's a link you think should be here but isn't, please hit us up in the comments and we'll add it). Kacey's site link to BITE Model Mendota Mental Health Institue Peper Harrow documentary: Part one Part two Aftermath News coverage on Taylor Goodridge Ira Chaleff’s work on Intelligent Disobedience Jon’s Book, Voodoo Child, Slight Return more about Basking Sharks!

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