jon atack, family and friends

Latest Episodes:

Recovery and responsibility with Christian Szurko Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

Christian Szurko has helped thousands of former members of extremist authoritarian sects in their recovery. He and Jon agree that taking responsibility for the harm you have done is a necessary part of that recovery. This responsibility is balanced against the coercive control the member was subjected to, but this mitigates rather than excuses our harmful actions. Christian and Jon also discuss the polarization of society into warring factions and the need for a more individual approach to belief.

article: 8 steps out of Scientology, by Arnie Lerma http://lermanet.org/cos/8steps.html

A Billion Years - with Mike Rinder Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

Mike Rinder was at the very pinnacle of Scientology management. under both Ron Hubbard and David Miscavige for more than three decades. He reveals the inner, and malevolent, workings of the group during that time. Mike reads from his remarkable new book and shares his insights with Jon about the dreadful conditions at the heart of Scientology.

As a Watch Messenger, Mike was often alone with Ron Hubbard. He went on to work under David Miscavige for two decades as part of the culture of fear and violence generated by him. At the heart of the book is the power of belief and the distortions of reality it can create through fearmongering and hatred. As Voltaire said, "Those who believe absurdities will commit atrocities". There have been many excellent accounts by former members, but this book is at the top of the list.

Links:

A Billion Years Audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/Billion-Years-Escape-Highest-Scientology/dp/B0B72F2VV8/

Bear Fedio Inventory (scroll down for charts): https://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.11020039

Mike's interview with Watchman fellowship president James Walker: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/jwalker55293/episodes/2022-11-06T23_00_00-08_00

Scientology's secret weekly reports: the DSA checklist Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

Investigator Jeffrey Augustine talks through the Director of Special Affairs checklist with Jon. Every Scientology organization has an official who monitors potential public relations catastrophes through infiltration, staff criminality, or legal threats. Jeffrey reads through a copy of the weekly report showing just how paranoid Scientology is.

Links:

Scientology Money Project: https://scientologymoneyproject.com

Scientology ties to org crime: https://scientologymoneyproject.com/2019/11/07/ties-to-russian-organized-crime-alleged-in-blockbuster-new-lawsuit-against-scientologist-owned-gpb-capital/

Reed Slatkin: https://scientologymoneyproject.com/2017/02/13/what-happens-when-scientology-helps-you-reach-your-full-potential/

Danny Masterson trial: https://tonyortega.org/?s=masterson&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Search

the DSA checklist: https://drive.google.com/file/d/123vqqt4sUeBfVeCLscgpy5NALsL3Zb7n/view?usp=sharing

Scientology domain list: https://scientologymoneyproject.com/2014/12/11/370-scientology-domains/

Jon on the Big Questions:

part 1 : https://youtu.be/6MJP3hWevEE

part 2: https://youtu.be/hwl60WJkOWU

The Chase Wave saga on the Underground Bunker: https://tonyortega.org/?s=chase+wave&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Search

The Hubbard policy on finance and paying bills (with thanks to Mark Plummer): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LKZJsh8HmDswG8Npej3Dx3EG75hJW4cG/view?usp=sharing

The Apollo sunk by a train: https://scientologymoneyproject.com/2018/09/29/what-a-train-wreck-the-ignominious-fate-of-scientologys-original-flagship-the-apollo/

extra random bonus link to Spike's parakeets: https://youtu.be/79A1sCrTy-M

Scientology: L.A.’s political chaos, and the origins of upper-level exorcisms Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

There is much said about the Scientology Cult and L Ron Hubbard, but condensing it down to basics, it is a church that wants tens of thousands of dollars, even hundreds of thousands of dollars, to train you to use Scientology techniques to expel the attached spirits that are stuck to you or your body. This is their Holy Grail and Secret of Secrets.

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Links:

Vanity Fair - What Katie Does Not Know: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/...

the Secret life of L Ron Hubbard: https://youtu.be/FwX7Fjqt7c4

leaving the Mormons and trauma recovery with Jolyn Armstrong Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

Jolyn Armstrong grew up as a Mormon in Utah but never really believed. She became a trauma recovery coach after experiencing trauma and has just published Trauma Recovery: A 90-Day Guidebook to Building a Great Life After Trauma.

links:

Jolyn's book: https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Recovery-90-Day-Guidebook-Building-ebook/dp/B0B9Q46QYC/

Steven Hassan's BITE model: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/

the need for certainty - with Mark Laxer Oct 08, 2022

Show notes

Why do so many people crave certainty despite evidence that their certainty is emotional rather than rational? What can we learn from this need and how can we come to terms with uncertainty? Celebrated author Mark Laxer speaks with Jon about these weighty questions.

Mark Laxer's books: https://www.ramatraumatrump.com

read about "suspendergate": http://brendanixononamish.blogspot.com/2015/12/suspendergate-amish-rules-on-suspender.html

escaping Scientology’s prison of the mind - with Karen De La Carriere Oct 08, 2022

Show notes

many former members remain trapped in Ron Hubbard's psychological prison. Karen talks with Jon about escaping the dismal mental slavery of Scientology's implants and the tools that former members have to stop authoritarian groups like Scientology from ruining the future.

full George Bailey clip: https://youtu.be/_2YnX83ghME

the wrong way to solve discrimination - with Yuval Laor, PhD Oct 08, 2022

Show notes

An interviewer told Jon that he'd been told repeatedly that he couldn't work as a documentary presenter because he is a white male. This sparked a conversation with Yuval Laor, PhD, about the neo-liberal dogma followed so blindly by all parts of the political spectrum when image overtakes reason.

understanding extremist authoritarian sects - with Christian Szurko Sep 18, 2022

Show notes

Jon talks with one of the most successful recovery experts Christian Szurko about his model of involvement with authoritarian groups. Christian refines decades of work with thousands of recovering members to give a clear and exceptionally useful model that will help many to better understand their own and other people's involvement with extremist authoritarian sects.

learn more about the tritone! https://www.fender.com/articles/tech-talk/the-devils-chord-the-eerie-history-of-diabolus-in-musica

NRMs, influence and the Moonies - with Professor Eileen Barker Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

Professor Emerita Eileen Barker talks with Jon about her long career as a sociologist studying various religious groups with a special focus on the Unification Church. Jon talks with Professor Barker about coercive control, brainwashing and kidnap deprogramming and her continued study of the Moonie sects.

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