jon atack, family and friends

Latest Episodes:

when mindfulness does harm - with Pat Ryan and Joe Kelly Jul 11, 2022

Show notes

For some people, meditation can be devastating. Scientific investigation showed this decades ago, but health systems continue to recommend Mindfulness as a panacea. Joe and Pat were long-term meditators and are steeped in the scientific literature. They describe the puja ceremony in Transcendental Meditation and Jon describes his own experience at age 18 of learning zazen in an accredited Soto Zen monastery. This is also a discussion of the possible benefits of meditation and offers resources for the 40% of people for whom meditation causes difficulties.

cult membership - was it worth it? - with Mark Laxer Jun 15, 2022

Show notes

Mark Laxer was there from the beginning when Frederick Lenz splintered from the Sri Chinmoy group and created the Rama cult. Mark has written three books and is currently working on a screen play about his experiences. Mark reconnected with a friend from those earlier days and was interested he felt that the experience - although in many ways negative - had been formative. Although Nietzsche's 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' is usually untrue, those of us who survived membership of authoritarian groups can be tremendously helpful to others.

The Myth of "Racial Purity" - with Yuval Laor Jun 14, 2022

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A deep dive into the reality of 'racial purity, the origins of Aryanism, and the reality of our genetic interconnectedness to all the people of Earth. As Yuval says, there's no such thing as race, but there is such a thing as racism.

Scientology: the 70-year crime wave of villainous lawbreaking - with Karen De La Carriere May 31, 2022

Show notes

Karen and Jon discuss the 70-year criminal history of Scientology.

The dangers of auditing - with Chris Shelton May 27, 2022

Show notes

Chris joins Jon to answer a question a commenter asked over on Chris' channel - why is auditing bad for you? Their answer delves into history, psychology, and contains many twists, turns and some excellent minutiae of the Scientology world.

William Pierce - American neo-Nazi - a talk with his son, Kelvin Pierce May 16, 2022

Show notes

WARNING: this video contains descriptions of physical harm to a child.

William Pierce's Turner Diaries inspired the Oklahoma City bombing and is an essential text for neo-Nazis. Kelvin Pierce talks about his father, a professor of physics who became embroiled in the American Nazi Party and created the National Alliance and the Church of Cosmotheism. Kelvin and Jon discuss about the hatred that turned his father into a monster.

Scientology and sex in a high-control group - how far will they go May 08, 2022

Show notes

Scientology inc's obsession with sex, particularly the sexual activities of its members, comes to a head when it demands every detail in "confessional" interrogations, which public members pay for. The demand for sexual activity secrets is a disturbing preoccupation. All confessions are stored on video and in worksheets, as ammunition for later blackmail as needed. Wholesale coerced abortions are also discussed.

After a Cult, Who am I? - with Frances Peters May 05, 2022

Show notes

It is vital to form your own identity after leaving an abusive relationship or group. Why 'narcissism' is the wrong word and the importance of growing up. Frances shares her own remarkable story as a born-in member who left at age 44. Frances Peters has successfully counseled many former followers of authoritarian groups.

Robert J. Liftons "eight deadly sins" of Thought Control Apr 30, 2022

Show notes

Spike joins Jon to break down a seminal model of thought control - Robert Jay Lifton's classic "eight deadly sins" - a list of behaviors and tactics used by authoritarian groups and abusive predators to gain control, whether in a spiritual or philosophical group, a multi-level marketing scheme, a dysfunctional family, or an entire nation. First laid out in Robert Jay Lifton's excellent book "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism", these eight points can be found in some form in most authoritarian groups and abusive relationships of all kinds and sizes.

decision-making under stress with Jessica Terwiel Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

Psychotherapist Jessica Terwiel talks with Jon about the effect of fear, threat and PTSD on decision-making and prioritizing. Some helpful suggestions for those in stressful situations caused by relationship break-ups and departure from authoritarian cults. ________________ help support our channel! paypal (for one-time donations) : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jonatackandfriends patreon (for a monthly subscription - also for goodies like early access and a monthly Q&A with Jon!): https://www.patreon.com/jonatack follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/atack_jonand Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openmindstoday/ for respectful, insightful, and engaging discussion on coercive control, manipulation, abusive groups and individuals, and more, join our facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/803202686721445/ (for faster acceptance to the group, please answer the “prove you’re not a ‘bot” questions)

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