Newsletter: From Paris Hilton to Former JW's, Steven Joins in the Fight Against Injustice
Join us in exploring ways to shed predatory manipulation and make the world a safer place - for everyone
Dear friends,
I am pleased to announce that I was interviewed for the new season of Paris Hilton’s podcast, Trapped in Treatment. It focuses on the abusive and cult-like “troubled teen” industry.
Former Jehovah’s Witness Andre Jackson just achieved his Ph.D. in Business Psychology from The Chicago School! As one of his committee members, I was pleased to assist. Andre decided to utilize my BITE Model in his doctoral dissertation- examining why people left Bethel, the group's headquarters.
Julie Jones, a former British Police Detective, Private Investigator, and international expert on human trafficking, was this week’s guest on Influence Continuum.
This Thursday, Anthony Davis, host of the MeidasTouch Weekend Show, will interview me for this Sunday’s Show.
This Saturday, I will be interviewed over Zoom by Daniel Greenberg, cofounder of the nonprofit Foundation for Intentional Community. Many years ago, I hired Daniel to read the updated Combating Cult Mind Control audiobook. I am grateful for so much interest in what makes a healthy group and how to protect people from authoritarianism.
My work was cited in a recent editorial entitled ”Trump and his Christian National Supporters” for American Jewish World. I have also been listed as one of the top experts on a new resource page, Internally Free.
You can learn more about these and the other stories by scrolling down.
I was honored to be called on as an expert in undue influence and unethical manipulation for this eye-opening podcast. Now in its second season, Trapped in Treatment is the passion project of Paris Hilton, who herself was a victim of this horrible system of legalized child abuse which earns millions of dollars for the organizers while leaving millions of young people traumatized and broken.
It has been an honor to be on Andre’s doctoral committee at the Chicago School- a leading nonprofit university dedicated to improving the health of individuals, organizations, and families. Their graduates acquire the cultural competence and practical skills needed to uplift marginalized communities and positively impact the world. I’m so proud of Andre, a former Jehovah’s Witness, and hope to have him on my Influence Continuum soon!
Learn more about the Chicago School
A former British Police Detective, Undercover Operator, and recognized international expert on human trafficking, Julie Jones is the founder and CEO of Human-I Intelligence Services, an international consultancy specializing in cybercrime investigations and online open-source intelligence (OSINT). She has conducted diagnostic studies in 7 countries to date, analyzing and advising on institutional and judicial capacity to fight human trafficking, organized crime, money laundering, and corruption and providing input on national cybercrime policy related to human trafficking. Julie was recently appointed Senior Police Consultant on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for the National Police Force in Guyana.
Listen to the podcast, below:
This Saturday, I will present a webinar on cults for the Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC). I will be joined by FIC Co-Director Daniel Greenberg for this 1 ½ hour talk on cults, how we define them, how they operate, and how to support those who have joined.
Mordecai’s editorial in American Jewish World
As many of you know, I am tireless in my determination to speak out against the tide of authoritarianism in our country, particularly in the form of Donald Trump and his followers. In a recent piece in the journal American Jewish World, Mordecai mentions listening to my podcast episode where I interviewed Matthew D. Taylor on the subject. Mordecai shares his own reflections on Christian Dominionism and how Trump and his followers pose a significant threat to our democracy as they paint any opponents as “demonic” and themselves as working for God.
An Excellent New Resource for Cult Survivors
My colleague Dr. Tara Deliberto, expert on eating disorders, has put together a valuable resource page, Internally Free: A Multimedia Guide to Surviving Spiritual Abuse; I was happy to help her in its construction. It has many helpful links for those needing assistance to navigate post-cult life.
My Fourth Appearance on Andrew Davis Upcoming!
This weekend, I will be appearing on Andrew Davis’ Weekend Show. I have been his guest three times in the past and am looking forward to speaking with him again. The last time we spoke, we discussed how to engage with those involved in the MAGA movement with compassion. We got over 400 thousand views!
Watch the most recent interview
As always, feel free to let us know what you think about these pieces, or what you’d like to see us talk about in the future. Thanks so much!
Foundational Course for Clinicians and Others
This course will help mental health professionals understand cults, brainwashing, thought reform, mind control, and undue influence. It will teach them how people can be programmed into a destructive authoritarian cult and inform them on undue influence and destructive cults. Additionally, they will learn how to recognize patients in need, several approaches that work, and guidelines when working with those affected by destructive cults.