Newsletter: Keeping the Flame of Justice Alive and Celebrating LIFE!
Some Notes from On the Road
This week’s livestream will be tomorrow, Wednesday, May 14th, at 1-2 p.m. EDT. I welcome everyone to tune in with questions and comments! Last week’s livestream was a great success; you can see the recording here if you missed it.
I just returned from a brief visit to Toronto, where I visited the aquarium, passed through the historic Yorkville district, and went to the Royal Museum, where I attended the Auschwitz exhibit, which powerfully moved and reminded me of the importance of our work at Freedom of Mind. I was particularly inspired by this touching poem by survivor Charlotte Delbo:
I wholeheartedly agree with her message of making our lives more meaningful. I also feel strongly that we must remember to guard ourselves against hatred and authoritarianism, and always remember the lessons of history moving forward - every person in our world is precious and every life is worth living!
On a happier note, I got back into the US without incident via my global entry card; I advise those who can do so to get theirs to ensure safe travel in these uncertain times.
Here are a few photos from my trip:
In this week’s episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, “The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America,” I spoke with David Pakman, whose book of the same title is an excellent exploration into how misinformation spreads, why people become trapped in ideological bubbles, and the real-world consequences of media echo chambers on democracy. David is an influential political commentator, and we had a lively conversation on the pressing issues of our world today. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
In next week’s episode, “Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America,” I speak with culture journalist and author Jane Borden. In her new book of the same title, Borden argues that cult-like ideologies helped build American institutions, economies, politics, and entertainment that prevail today.
Right-wing extremism, post-truth America, and media literacy converge in my conversation with David Pakman. Pakman is a prominent political commentator and the host of The David Pakman Show, with over three million YouTube subscribers. Known for his insightful arguments and approachable style, Pakman tackles complex social issues, educating us on the complex and nuanced sociopolitical landscape.
Read the blog post or listen to the podcast below:
How can you tell if that group your family member has joined is safe? Is your relationship hitting a “rough patch,” or is there actual cause for concern? With this anonymous, easy-to-use diagnostic tool, you can answer simple questions and determine if any group or relationship is beneficial or destructive, ethical or unethical, healthy or unhealthy. And now, you can share your results on your social media if you wish!
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!
