Newsletter: Moving Forward After the Violence
On the need for compassion and connection
Dear friends,
I was dismayed by the apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump. This shooting can only lead our nation into more division and chaos. I have made a video on the topic, which I’ve embedded below; let me know your thoughts.
This week’s Influence Continuum features Dr. Ravi Chandra, a San Francisco psychiatrist, writer, and compassion educator and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Even though we recorded our talk on the need for connection and communication before the events of this past weekend, the message is even more important now, and you’ll definitely want to listen in.
This past weekend I visited the beautiful city of Porto in Portugal where I participated in a talk with António Madaleno about his book, The Universe of Destructive Sects – Discover the secret world of deception, manipulation and mind control. As those who follow my blog know, he was recently a guest on my Influence Continuum podcast, and it was delightful to meet him in person! We will be putting up the video of my talk with him as soon as it is translated and subtitled, so watch this space!
Next week, I will attend the International Academy of Law and Mental Health conference in Barcelona, so I am sure to have more exciting material for you then.
Assassination Attempt: bringing the temperature down
While I am, of course, grateful the former president was unharmed, I’m deeply saddened some of his supporters were critically injured. However, my concern, too, lies with the possibility that Trump will now be cast as a ‘Martyr’! Devotees claim that God’s intervention saved Trump. There are no comments from devotees about how the Republican supporter of Trump was murdered and two others critically injured. The event seems to have empowered the true believers. Biden decried the violence and messages that we are all Americans and that we should all bring the polarization temperature down.
In the meantime, Trump chose J. D. Vance to be his sycophant vice presidential candidate. I wrote about Vance in The Cult of Trump. As a reminder: he was anti-Trump until he flipped.
What are your thoughts on this?
Humans crave connection. This need for connection is a vital aspect of the psychology behind cults, coercion, and undue influence. Isolation makes people vulnerable and fearful and more likely to be influenced in harmful ways. Psychiatrist Ravi Chandra discusses the psychology of connection, how institutions can take action to encourage empathy and critical thinking, and how social media and fear-mongering news cycles are creating divisions. We need to be focusing on developing trust and community.
Listen to the podcast below:
As always, please let us know what you think about these pieces or what you’d like to see us discuss in the future. Thanks so much!
Unlock the Secrets of Authoritarian Control
Have you ever wondered how apparently well-adjusted individuals can become ensnared by the grip of mind control? Are you curious about the inner workings of cults and high-control groups? If so, our new course, “Understanding Undue Influence: The Essentials,” will answer those questions and more.
This course explores the concept of the Influence Continuum, based on the BITE Model, encompassing Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional Control. By the course’s end, you’ll have the tools to spot the subtle signs of manipulation and shield yourself and your loved ones.
Take the first step towards gaining a deeper understanding of these complex dynamics and empower yourself.