Best Jon Atack Podcasts (2026)

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Recovering from a Cult with Rachel Bernstein 1:26:10

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17d ago1:26:10

1:26:10

Restart and Restore is Rachel's new step-by-step guide to cult recovery. Rachel is one of the few qualified and experienced counsellors with significant experience helping former cult members. She has distilled her experience into a highly accessible book that some with a handy-sized companion volume when you are out and about.If you’ve just left a…

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Propaganda and Algorithmically Driven Persuasive Communication with Disinformation expert, Alex Alvarová 1:03:49

3d ago1:03:49

1:03:49

On her highly successful Czech podcast, Canaries in the Net, Alex co-hosts on topics surrounding digital propaganda and toxic algorithms. She combines her experience as a communication advisor to the chairman of the legislation committee in the European Parliament with the latest information on how digital space is becoming increasingly targeted. A…

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Sins of my Father: Growing up with America’s Most Dangerous White Supremacist with Kelvin Pierce 58:34

10d ago58:34

58:34

Neo-Nazi sentiment has seen a recent resurgence globally, fueled by political polarization, economic disparities, and social grievances. The internet and social media have played a significant role in spreading extremist propaganda, while some politicians' normalization of hate speech has emboldened these groups. Combating this rise requires a mult…

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STRONGMEN: Mussolini to the Present- The Rising Tide of Online Authoritarian Influence with Ruth Ben-Ghiat 47:17

17d ago47:17

47:17

As we near the end of 2025, Trump has implemented Opus Dei’s Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 to fundamentally gut America’s core values and checks and balances. The depth of harm is incalculable and Americans are 70% against Trump’s handling of the economy. Threats to free speech, ignoring Constitutional guarantees, unprecedented corruption and …

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Messianic Con Men, Past and Present: Cult History and the Cult of Trump with Don Lattin 55:54

24d ago55:54

55:54

One of the most troubling aspects of cult dynamics is the way they generate self‑reinforcing histories that can become chaotic and fragmented, leaving individuals disoriented within the broader narrative. We need knowledgeable guides who can help us navigate these stories while providing a grounding in their historical context. I wrote Chapter Thre…

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You(phemism)Tube: censorship, "bad" words, and other naughty things 53:12

24d ago53:12

53:12

Like many others watching what's been happening on YouTube, Spike has been really frustrated by the censorship, the hypocrisy of that censorship, and the general downfall of what used to be a great platform. Jon joins her for a good rant, pointing out how this is nothing new. They embark on a wide-ranging discussion on what we can and can't say - a…

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Allatra and the hijacking of our imagination with Joe Szimhart 1:10:10

24d ago1:10:10

1:10:10

Allatra is what esteemed cult expert Joe Szimhart calls an 'autocratic self-sealing system,' which is to say that it traps followers in the imaginarium of its creator, as do all destructive cults. Allatra is a mish-mash of the usual supernaturalist notions channelled by its leader and recorded in an 800-page text that Joe has reviewed for an upcomi…

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The cult of Frederick Lenz: The guru who glows gold, shapeshifts, and teaches computer programming, with Jim Picariello 42:03

28d ago42:03

42:03

What does it feel like when an entire room seems to turn to shimmering gold, and you are certain you have just witnessed a miracle, only to later discover it was a hypnotic illusion? On this episode of Cults, Culture & Coercion, I sit down with my longtime friend, former client, and now colleague, filmmaker Jim Picariello. Thirty years ago, Jim was…

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Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women’s Love and Desire with Lisa Diamond 1:07:58

1M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

Quick question. You’re born with your sexuality, and it stays the same your whole life... right? Well, no. This may be much further from the truth than initially thought. When I first watched Dr. Lisa Diamond’s TEDx talk on sexual fluidity, which began with a question very similar to mine, I immediately knew I wanted to interview her. Diamond is a …

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If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming with Jon Atack 1:08:58

1M ago1:08:58

1:08:58

On this episode of Cults, Culture & Coercion, I sat down with one of my most trusted colleagues and best friends, Jon Atack—author, artist, poet, musician, and the recognized world expert on Scientology. Jon’s latest book, If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming, begins with a chilling though…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter six: Hubbard the godmaker - part two 5:49

1M ago5:49

5:49

part two of chapter six: Hubbard the godmaker Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.#scientologycult #davidm…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter six: Hubbard the godmaker - part one 6:34

1M ago6:34

6:34

part one of chapter six: Hubbard the godmaker Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.#scientologycult #davidm…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter five: The Blood Ritual and The Fool - part two 9:33

1M ago9:33

9:33

part two of chapter five: The Blood Ritual and The Fool Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.#scientologycu…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter five: The Blood Ritual and The Fool - part one 10:10

1M ago10:10

10:10

part one of chapter five: The Blood Ritual and The Fool Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.#scientologycu…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel - part three 10:47

1M ago10:47

10:47

part three of chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us ther…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel - part two 10:04

1M ago10:04

10:04

part two of chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel - part one 10:07

1M ago10:07

10:07

part one of chapter four: The Empress – Hubbard’s Holy Guardian Angel Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter three: L. Ron Hubbard as the Antichrist 7:57

1M ago7:57

7:57

chapter three: L. Ron Hubbard as the Antichrist Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.#scientologycult #davi…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter two: Himmler’s lust for superpowers 3:57

1M ago3:57

3:57

chapter two: Himmler’s Lust for Superpowers Like this sample? buy the whole book here by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.#scientologycult #davidmiscavige…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter one: Meet the Leader of the New World - part two 7:00

1M ago7:00

7:00

Part two of Chapter one - Meet the Leader of the New World Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.#scientolog…

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If Scientology Ruled - chapter one: Meet the Leader of the New World - part one 7:14

1M ago7:14

7:14

Part one of Chapter one - Meet the Leader of the New World Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and a fascinating deep dive into the history that could lead us there.#scientolog…

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If Scientology Ruled the World - Introduction by Tony Ortega (with title page read by Jon Atack) 3:49

1M ago3:49

3:49

If Scientology Ruled the World: Introduction by Tony Ortega, read by Tony Ortega with titles, copyright and dedication read by Jon Atack Like this sample? buy the whole book here Written by Jon Atack, author of the bestselling expose, Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, this book is a frightening look into an alarming possible future – and…

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The Kingdom of Children: A Liberation Theology. Homeschool Ideologies in Evangelical Christianity With R.L. Stollar, M.H.S., M.A. 1:00:48

2M ago1:00:48

1:00:48

There are many reasons why parents or guardians choose to homeschool their children for some portion or all of their educational years. This can range from a child having a disability or neurodiversity, concerns about the quality of education, to other topics like moral or religious conflict with traditional schools. Ryan Stollar shared the story o…

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Empathy Goes on Tour: David Clayton’s Fight in North Carolina’s District 5 59:32

2M ago59:32

59:32

David Clayton, known on Instagram as #officialempathytour, is running for North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District in the 2026 elections. The district is currently represented by Virginia Foxx, a Republican who has held the seat since 2005. David Clayton is the antithesis of the cult of Trump. He believes in women’s rights. As far as religion go…

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Hold On: Poetic and Art-Based Lifelines for Suicide Prevention with Dr. Diane Kaufman, MD 1:03:09

2M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

Even the smallest actions can change the course of someone’s life and, in turn, strengthen the broader community around them. Preventing a suicide or encouraging a person to hold on for just one more day can be influential acts when we know how to approach the subject. As a child psychiatrist, Dr. Diane Kaufman has dedicated her career to this very…

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the human family with Steve Moffic, MD 1:30:35

2M ago1:30:35

1:30:35

Steve loves Halloween and reflects on how to get more treats than tricks. Includes India's favourite Hitler ice cream and the plea for compassion and kindness rather than hatred and cruelty. And, of course, Jon plugs his new book, If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming.Buy Jon's book hereOth…

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Crisis of Legitimacy: Fourth-Generation Warfare (4GW) as a Tactical Threat to the United States and Global Stability with James Scaminaci III, PhD 1:01:39

2M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

The United States is facing a “crisis of legitimacy”, explained James Scaminaci III, PhD, an expert on fourth-generation psychological warfare. James earned his PhD from Stanford University, specializing in political sociology. I have done two previous interviews with him and wanted him to weigh in on current developments. He has a background as a …

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Scientology's magical origins - with Hoyt Richards 1:04:29

2M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

director and documentarian Hoyt Richards talks with Jon about magical thinking in general and Ron Hubbard's plagiarism of Aleister Crowley in particular.Read Jon's paper, Possible Origins of Dianetics and Scientologyor listen to Jon reading the paper in this videopart onepart twoAnd more on Crowley, ritual magick, and ScientologyJeff Jacobsen's pap…

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Leaving the “Truman Show” of Scientology – with Tory Christman 1:12:03

2M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Interested in Scientology? Ever watch the “Truman Show” movie with Jim Carrey? Check out this long overdue interview with my longtime friend, the charming and resilient Tory “Magoo” Christman. Tory, was in Scientology for thirty years, had reached the uppermost levels of Hubbard’s “Bridge to Total Freedom,” specifically OT7 (OT8 is the highest) and…

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Body & Mind Cult: Dahn Yoga and High-Control Tactics With Former Member Alisa Daniels 57:07

3M ago57:07

57:07

When the oldest son of Alisa Daniels had a hockey injury and simply wanted to stay in shape by starting a new yoga practice, she couldn’t have imagined what path this would lead her entire family down. She now seeks to help others become aware of Il Chi Lee’s Dahn Yoga cult, now rebranded as Body & Mind, that drained her family of money and took ho…

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UNRECONCILED: A SOLO PLAY That Empowers Survivors of Catholic Church Childhood Sexual Abuse With Jay Sefton, LMHC 54:51

3M ago54:51

54:51

One of the most powerful tools in healing from childhood sexual abuse is for a survivor to have the opportunity to share their story and truly be heard. Many survivors of early trauma at the hands of Catholic Church Priests went unheard or unbelieved for decades. Several Pennsylvania Grand Jury investigations and media discussions surrounding the f…

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The Girl with the Duck Tattoo with Restaurateur Sarma Melngailis 1:06:13

3M ago1:06:13

1:06:13

In her book, Sarma tells her story of how a successful businesswoman, co-founder and owner of the acclaimed NYC restaurant Pure Food and Wine and the brand One Lucky Duck, could fall for a con artist using a fictitious name, a covert backstory, and fantastical promises. Humans are social beings, and it’s that social aspect that manipulative and abu…

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the after-effects of cult control with Hoyt Richards 1:15:59

3M ago1:15:59

1:15:59

Authoritarian cults turn members into predators and prey. Hoyt was recently attacked by someone he had not heard from in 25 years, someone who believes he still has the right to bully him. This individual has sent 85 aggressive texts in just a few days. Hoyt calls it 'disturbingly nostalgic.' Jon and Hoyt talk about how to overcome the triggering c…

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Irene’s Entropy: Coffee as Courage and Ritual as Repair 1:03:46

3M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

In this episode of Cults, Culture & Coercion, I had the pleasure of speaking with Irene of Irene’s Entropy. Irene is a mechanical engineer turned musician, storyteller, pilot, and entrepreneur. Raised in a strict Mormon household where she underwent the experience of a recruitment mission, she left in her early 20s. She began documenting the honest…

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decompressing from the Human Potential Movement with Anne L Peterson 1:19:22

3M ago1:19:22

1:19:22

Anne worked closely with Werner Erhard and continues to recover from the Landmark Trust experience. We explore some of the many ideas (and words!) that Erhard lifted directly from Scientology, and how these ideas have seeped into corporate and academic culture - to the detriment of society. Overcoming the conditioning from authoritarian groups need…

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moral injury with Dr Steven Moffic 1:14:52

3M ago1:14:52

1:14:52

We don’t just suffer from physical and psychological injuries – we also suffer from moral injuries. Often this is because we stood by while awful events were taking place. The effects of moral injury were terrible for the generation who were forced into the Vietnam War and returned to find that they were reviled rather than admired, and for those o…

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What Happens When We Die? - a psychiatrist's interest in past life therapy with Dr H. Steven Moffic 1:17:14

3M ago1:17:14

1:17:14

Jon was a tad surprised when Steve Moffic shared his interest in a fellow psychiatrist's book about past life therapy. Jon came to believe in reincarnation through Buddhism, so when he joined Scientology, aged 19, he readily accepted the idea. However, after speaking with more than a thousand sometime Scientologists, Jon is highly sceptical, leadin…

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Compassion Over Conversion: Continuing Science-based Research for Queer and Trans Health with Matthew D. Skinta PhD ABPP 59:30

4M ago59:30

59:30

Compassion, empathy, and science have all been under rapid-fire attack during the second Trump Administration. This is especially true towards Queer and Transgender communities, though other minority communities within the United States are also being targeted. Dr. Matthew D. Skinta, PhD, ABPP, is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Affiliated…

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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR with John Andrew Collins 1:02:13

4M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

Radicalization, and the Minnesota Murder Cases John Collins grew up inside William Branham’s “Message” world, left it, then spent years mapping how the theology and network morphed into today’s authoritarian ecosystems. I welcomed him back to The Influence Continuum to speak about the murders and share his knowledge surrounding the twisted networks…

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The Much More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump with Dr. Bandy X. Lee, M.D., M.Div. 1:03:16

4M ago1:03:16

1:03:16

The attack on experts and science itself is part of the mind control strategy to control citizens. Before Trump came to power, the media would regularly call on me and top experts like Dr. Lee to shed light on issues concerning mental health and public health. This authoritarian control of information forces citizens concerned with the public good …

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How much Scientology is there in est and the "human potential movement"? with Anne Peterson 1:50:16

4M ago1:50:16

1:50:16

Anne Peterson spent years setting up seminars and working closely with Werner Erhard, the founder of est, The Forum, and Landmark Trust. Jon describes the Chinese thought reform program, which stimulates Anne to talk about the 'Advanced Course' (yes, Erhard peppered his teachings with Scientology expressions). A wide-ranging discussion touching on …

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Kundalini Yoga, Breath of Fire with Hoyt Richards 1:02:34

4M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Breath of Fire is an excellent documentary about Kundalini Yoga, a group invented out of thin air by the self-styled Yogi Bhajan, who claimed to be a Sikh and to have a system of yoga. Bhajan was neither a Sikh nor a yogin. His techniques lead to dissociation and hypomania (false ecstasy) and then to the depths of depression. Followers can spend ye…

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VITAL! Post-Scientology Syndrome: ending the nightmares - with Bonnie Woods 1:12:35

4M ago1:12:35

1:12:35

Bonnie escaped the Sea Org in LA in 1985. Scrambled by OT III, she spent six years wandering around in a daze. Here she talks about her rapid recovery.Scientology is the most effective form of mind control ever devised. Most people will never realize that they have been reconstructed. This video shows how quickly recovery can happen once you have t…

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Red Orchestra: The Story of the Berlin Underground and the Circle of Friends Who Resisted Hitler with Anne Nelson 1:05:55

4M ago1:05:55

1:05:55

Anne began our discussion by dispelling the myth that everyone in Nazi Germany simply went along with Hitler’s plans. She examined these resisters in her book Red Orchestra: The Story of the Berlin Underground and the Circle of Friends Who Resisted Hitler. When I read the book, it didn’t become clear to me how vitally important it was that there wa…

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The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion with Dr. Rebecca Lemov 56:40

5M ago56:40

56:40

History provides a developmental framework for understanding the evolution of ideas, allowing us to trace their origins and track societal impact. Dr. Rebecca Lemov is a Professor of History of Science at Harvard University and a visiting scholar at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. Her timely 2025 book, The Instability of Truth:…

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"We Will Dance Again: Documenting the Nova Music Festival Terror Attack by Hamas Terrorists." with Yariv Mozer 49:02

5M ago49:02

49:02

Watching the Emmy award-winning documentary We Will Dance Again was really really difficult. This 2024 documentary captures Hamas terrorists brutally attacking the Nova music festival attendees on October 7th, 2023, and shows the horrifying events that followed, including hostages taking. Documenting a Terrorist Attack by Hamas from Multiple Perspe…

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Strategic Cultural Communications: Competent Messaging to Latino Communities With Evelyn Pérez-Verdia 1:05:24

5M ago1:05:24

1:05:24

Words matter, and how words or phrases are used may present completely different meanings to diverse cultural demographics depending on topics like history and associated symbolic language. That’s why having a leading bilingual female strategist such as Evelyn Pérez-Verdia on the side of truth in messaging is vital to organizations seeking to break…

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Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity With Sander van der Linden Ph.D. 1:02:01

5M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

“Misinformation spreads like a virus,” explained Sander van der Linden, Ph.D., a Professor of Social Psychology in Society and Director of the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge. He asked the question, “Is there a way to inoculate or immunize people?” His award-winning book Foolproof:…

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Ending Corporate Harm: Undue Influence Within Corporate Product Health and Safety with Dr. Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH 1:04:27

5M ago1:04:27

1:04:27

Did you know that environmental factors, rather than hereditary factors, are taking the lead in driving illness and early mortality? That shift is primarily due to the harm caused by corporations and their products, says Dr. Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services at the Universi…

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How the International Church of Christ (ICOC) Preys on Hispanic Communities with Tania Díaz 1:22:30

6M ago1:22:30

1:22:30

There has been a huge increase in Christian “Bible” Cults over the past 40 plus years- especially ones that do “Shepherding or Dicipling” in an authoritarian structure. The public doesnt understand how millions of people are deceptively recruited and indoctrinated into these groups and why they are called “cults.” One such cult network started in M…