Newsletter: Recovering from the Jehovah’s Witnesses
Steven’s travels and thoughts through Europe
Dear friends,
I had a great time at the International Cultic Studies Association conference in Barcelona! I met and spoke with many fascinating people and my talk went very well; we will be offering selected highlights soon. In the meantime, I’ve sent along a few photos, which you will find below.
While conversing with the various folks, I was reminded again of how vital it is for our democracy to be aware of the bad actors seeking to destabilize it, particularly those acting on behalf of Putin’s regime. To this end, I’ve had two important blog posts unlocked as free access, as I feel they are a must-read for anyone who cares about the direction our world is heading; you will find them linked below.
This week’s Influence Continuum podcast features the amazing story of Portuguese António Madaleno, who went from being a devoted elder in the Jehovah’s Witnesses to a firm advocate for exposing the abuses of this high-control group; his journey is an inspiration to anyone who has struggled under coercive control.
Born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1973, António was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness. His devotion led him to serve as an elder for ten years. However, in 2003, when his wife became pregnant and they talked to the obstetrician about their objection to blood transfusions, António was forced to re-assess his feelings about the organization’s strict prohibition on blood transfusions. What he discovered after thorough research clashed with the Jehovah’s Witnesses doctrine.
Listen to the podcast below:
As I explained in my book, The Cult of Trump, Russian influence was a major factor in Donald Trump’s presidential win in 2016. During his four years in office, Trump consistently praised Putin and Russia. At the Helsinki Summit in 2018, Trump publicly endorsed Putin’s version of events despite contrary information provided by US intelligence. Trump also met with Putin in Helsinki without aides or note-takers present, which is contrary to accepted protocol. Prior to the G20 Summit in Japan, Trump was asked by a reporter if he would tell Putin to stop interfering in US elections. His response was that what he talked about with Putin was “none of your business.”
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!
Steve’s ICSA pictures!
Top left: Steven with Andre Jackson, former JW and recent PhD graduate from the Chicago School. Top Right: Steven with Swedish psychologist and fellow ex-Moon follower Helena Lofgren. Lower Left: Steven not only talked at the conference, but is recognized as an important part of other people’s talks! pictured is speaker Alvaro Rodriguez Carballiera. Lower Right: sightseeing in Barcelona - from left to right: Russell Bradshaw, Steven Hassan, Christine Marie Cocchiola, Yuval Laor, and Ken Bernstein.
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.