Newsletter: Whatever Happened to “Liberty and Justice for All”?
Safeguarding Our Democracy in Difficult Times
This week, I did an interview called “Killing the Cult of Trump” with Michael Cohen on his “Mea Culpa” podcast, where we spoke about Trumpism and how his tactics are being used to manipulate the American public and consolidate his own power while taking away our civil liberties. From Supreme Court justices acting as ideological enforcers to mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, Michael and I explored how psychological warfare, religious extremism, and strategic mind control are shaping the political landscape. Mea Culpa came out in audio on Friday and video on Sunday, on the MeidasTouch YouTube channel, with 4.75 million people. It’s a talk you’ll want to listen to.
This week’s episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, “Shadow Diplomacy: Lev Parnas and his Wild Ride from Brooklyn to Trump’s Inner Circle,” features an interview with Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-American businessman and former Trump insider turned whistleblower. We spoke about what drew him into the cult of Trump, how he eventually became disenchanted and left, and why he felt moved to speak out to warn others. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
I will appear on Lev Parnas’ Substack LIVE TONIGHT at 5:30 Eastern Time. Bring your questions and tell your friends!
In next week’s episode, “Cults, Authoritarian Control, and the Fight for Democracy,” I speak with Dr. Stephen Kent, professor emeritus of sociology, who taught courses on alternative and sectarian religions. His research concentrates on issues related to harm caused by groups to individuals and society, and our discussion focuses on what we can do to prevent our culture from degrading into a fascist regime.
My Psychology Today blog post for April, “The Hidden Dangers of Online Wellness Gurus,” discusses the important topic of how online “wellness” influencers often use manipulative tactics to foster dependence, using fear, distrust of science, and spiritual language as tools of manipulation. I hope this post will help you foster healthy skepticism and critical thinking, which are essential for online wellness consumers.
A blogger by the online handle of “HeyThere123” published a thoughtful piece, “Why Trump Keeps Winning,” on the Daily KOS. They discuss how Trump uses emotions to cloud his followers’ judgment, and mention my book, Cult of Trump, and my TED talk, “How to Tell if You’re Brainwashed?”.
We had this week’s live stream today at 2:30 p.m.; if you missed it, you can see it here. Next week, we plan to do another live stream at 1 p.m. Eastern.
If you want to learn more about cultic manipulation and control, my workbook, Understanding Cults, is now available. Based on my online Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course, it is an excellent resource for those wishing to help a loved one out of any high-control group or relationship.
Have you ever been part of a group that shaped you—positively, negatively, or perhaps both? Your experience is important. I invite you to take a few moments to complete my BITE Model of Authoritarian Control™ survey. We continue to gather firsthand insights from people across a wide spectrum—from those who found support and growth in ethical communities to those who endured manipulation in high-control groups. If you’ve been part of multiple groups, feel free to submit separate entries. Each contribution brings us closer to building a comprehensive, evidence-based resource for healing, education, and prevention. Thank you for lending your voice to this vital work.
On this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, we spoke with Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-American businessman and former Trump insider turned whistleblower. He has withstood intimidation, threats, and time in prison to present evidence and help America better understand the truth about the cult of Trump. His book, Shadow Diplomacy: Lev Parnas and his Wild Ride from Brooklyn to Trump’s Inner Circle, is the story of a self-described “wheeler-dealer” who moved through Moscow, Wall Street, Miami, Hollywood, and the White House. It was in prison after he’d been indicted and sentenced for unlawful campaign donations when he realized he was being “used as a pawn” to protect Trump.
Read the blog post or listen to the podcast below:
Since the dawn of social media, self-proclaimed “healers”, “lightworkers”, and “wellness guides” have exploded in popularity and built large online followings. Many have constructed platforms not through clinical credentials or evidence-based practices but through charisma, spiritual jargon, and fear-mongering, often at odds with real science and psychology.
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!
