Best Clare Heath Mcivor Podcasts (2025)

1
T Matthew Brown - A cult piece and a trip down a waterslide 1:13:02

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3h ago1:13:02

1:13:02

T Matthew Brown was raised in a secular, supportive household that valued intellect. He was out as gay from when he was 12. So how did he end up in a Sufi cult, with his named change, and married to a woman. It's not a wild story. Its indoctrination and inculturation by degrees. But its such an interesting story. Tee is bringing his performance art…

1
The Collective: Dark Squares with Danny Rensch 1:26:52

9d ago1:26:52

1:26:52

Danny Rensch grew up in the Church of Immortal Consciousness, a cult he usually refers to as ‘the Collective’. Started by Steven and Trina Kamp, the group followed the teachings of a Dr Pahlvon Duran, whose spirit first visited Trina when she was 9. In trances, she would convey the teachings of Dr Duran, whose last lifetime was lived as an Englishm…

1
DL and Krispin Mayfield - Strongwilled and not mourning James Dobson 1:30:35

16d ago1:30:35

1:30:35

We’re talking with Krispin and D.L. Mayfield about their project over on Substack called Strongwilled. James Dobson and Focus on the Family have impacted millions of people with their teachings about corporal punishment and breaking the will of children. Many of these children have grown up to speak out about how traumatic their upbringing was. Wha…

1
Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes 7:57

26d ago7:57

7:57

From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world is full of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes every Wednesday as we explore the real people at the centre of the world’s most shocking secrets and nefarious organizations. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crim…

1
Cynane Shay - A Thousand Years of Bullshirt (The Taxil Hoax) 1:45:47

1M ago1:45:47

1:45:47

Yes, I used "The Good Place" naming paradigm for this one. Cynane Shay joins me to talk about the wildest thing I've heard in a while. Well, the wildest thing I've heard since this morning when I read the latest Trump Headlines, because thats the world we live in at the moment. Cynane is a nuclear engineer whose fascination for conspiracy theories …

51
Interview Episode: Fynn's time with the Logos Foundation 43:02

1M ago43:02

43:02

The Logos Foundation was often described as ‘mysterious’ in media coverage, but became a part of the religious right that published full page newspaper advertisements encouraging the electorate to vote on ‘moral’ issues at Queensland state elections in the late 1980s. LTAS looked into the organisation in Season 5, and you can listen to that episode…

1
Celeste Irwin - the exvangelical trans life in Trumps America 1:24:21

2M ago1:24:21

1:24:21

I've been wanting to get Celeste on the podcast for a while. As an out and proud trans woman who doesn't hold the same hatred for church as what the modern day Church seems to hold for trans people, she is a gentle and calm voice in a turbulent sea. In the lead up to the second inauguration of Donald Trump, she was rushing facial feminisation surge…

51
Interview Episode: Clare Heath-McIvor 1:23:34

2M ago1:23:34

1:23:34

Clare Heath-McIvor is the daughter of the leader of the City Builders Church, an organisation that she and others who know it feel confident fits the definition of a cult. Her marriage was arranged within the church to Patrick McIvor, a man who had survived gay conversion therapy. Since leaving, the now-happily-separated pair have become involved i…

1
Renee Spencer - Estranged Parents are cult victims too. A survivor story 58:06

3M ago58:06

58:06

Today's episode is a special one. When my friend and co-runner of the Victorian Cult Survivors Network told me she had finally found the courage to tell her story in its full and raw form, I shot my hand up to host it here with the Unchurchables. Renee lost her daughter to the Kidney Cult (also known as the Jesus Christians). Somewhere, her daughte…

1
Cult Bride & Providence/JMS with Liz Cameron 1:27:11

3M ago1:27:11

1:27:11

In 2011, an 18-year-old Liz Cameron joined a Bible study group she only knew as ‘Sarang Church’. Over the coming months, she lost more and more of her life and identity to the group that eventually revealed it was part of a larger South Korean organisation called Providence or JMS – which she was told not to google. Liz managed to find her way out …

1
Ari Sherwood and a Jesus Named Jeff 1:29:12

3M ago1:29:12

1:29:12

This episode comes with a content warning: we are discussing heavy themes including coerced marriage and modern slavery. Please look after yourself as you read. This is an important episode. Art Sherwood, host of the DisAllusioned podcast, joins me to talk about how she applied for a job as a massage therapist and got radicalised into a philosophy …

1
Interview Episode: Victorian Inquiry into Cults with Ryan & Catherine Carey 55:57

4M ago55:57

55:57

The Parliament of Victoria has launched an Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups, which is open for submissions until 31 July 2025. If you or anyone you know has been involved with a cult that has a presence in Victoria, Australia, you're highly encouraged to make a submission. There’s also an anonymo…

1
Falun Gong 1:11:51

5M ago1:11:51

1:11:51

Falun Gong is familiar to many as a spiritual exercise movement, and a sect that has been persecuted by the People’s Republic of China. In Sydney you'll often see practitioners demonstrating by Town Hall with flyers sharing stories of organ harvesting of wrongfully imprisoned members. But former devotees have come forward with stories of coercion a…

1
Children in Scientology with Mirriam Francis 1:11:03

5M ago1:11:03

1:11:03

In the wake of updates to Child Safety Standards emerging from Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Mirriam Francis wrote to Victoria’s Commission for Children and Young People outlining the ways in which she sees Scientology teachings and practices to be violating these standards. While concepts of relig…

1
SGAs with Maria Esguerra 1:21:02

5M ago1:21:02

1:21:02

Maria Esguerra escaped the Children of God at the age of 22 with her two children who have disabilities. Maria’s firsthand experience drives her passion to support fellow survivors of cults and institutions, advocating for specialised understanding, interventions and access to governmental schemes such as Redress. Maria has actively engaged in medi…

1
Interview Episode: An Everyday Cult with Gerette Buglion 57:22

6M ago57:22

57:22

Gerette Buglion holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education, and earned her ‘Master's Degree’ in cult awareness education from the school of life. She emerged from her 18-year cult odyssey in 2014 at age 52, and asked herself, "How did I, an educated, caring mother, wife, and business owner become that lost and for that long?" Gerett…

1
Interview Episode: The Community of Jesus 50:00

6M ago50:00

50:00

Ewan Whyte's feature essay, ‘The Cult That Raised Me’ – about the United States based Community of Jesus and Grenville Christian College – includes the introduction, “When I was 11, my parents sent me to Grenville Christian College, a prestigious Anglican boarding school in Brockville. It turned out to be a perverse fundamentalist cult that brainwa…

1
ISKCON / Hare Krishnas – Part 2 46:51

7M ago46:51

46:51

When asked about the Hare Krishnas, most people will conjure images of dancing, chanting people with colourful robes and joyful dispositions. Members of the general public, whom Hare Krishnas refer to as 'karmis', may have encountered devotees through their vegetarian food offerings at music festivals or city restaurants. Their anti-LGBTQI+ and pat…

1
ISKCON / Hare Krishnas – Part 1 37:02

7M ago37:02

37:02

When asked about the Hare Krishnas, most people will conjure images of dancing, chanting people with colourful robes and joyful dispositions. Members of the general public, whom Hare Krishnas refer to as 'karmis', may have encountered devotees through their vegetarian food offerings at music festivals or city restaurants. Their anti-LGBTQI+ and pat…

1
Interview Episode: Two by Twos Update 1:28:27

7M ago1:28:27

1:28:27

Let’s Talk About Sects did a deep dive episode about the Two by Twos, also known as The Truth, in October 2020. In the years since we recorded, huge numbers of followers in the USA in particular have left as more and more allegations of child sexual abuse have been made against workers, and the FBI is currently investigating the organisation. It wa…

1
The Pipelines - Under the hands of Gods General to exposing the New Apostolic Reformation 1:17:18

8M ago1:17:18

1:17:18

This episode lands at a crucial point of religiopolitical history, as we talk about all things New Apostolic Reformation. Academic Jon Sawyer joins me as we talk about some juicy, heavy hitting topics - conspiratorial demonology, weaponisation of testimony culture, self-invisible LGBT Christians, sexual orientation and gender identity change effort…

1
Interview Episode: Geelong Revival Centre with Richard Baker 44:08

8M ago44:08

44:08

Richard Baker's Pray Harder podcast for LiSTNR's Secrets We Keep series delves into the world of the Geelong Revival Centre, which Richard describes as “one of Australia’s most extreme” Pentecostal churches. The GRC has the same roots as the Revival Fellowship, and its pastor was a man named Noel Hollins who died in April 2024 after 65 years in lea…

1
The Jesus Christians – Part 2 52:47

9M ago52:47

52:47

In Melbourne you might have picked up a book or a comic from a Jesus Christian outside Flinders Street Station, or you could have seen their religious graffiti messages along Sydney’s railway lines. But while they portray themselves as an altruistic Christian community living life by faith and rejecting the money motivation of work, former members …

1
The Pipelines - Closetted to Out, Proud Academic Researcher 1:22:10

9M ago1:22:10

1:22:10

When Dr Luke Wilson reached out to me with a copy of his book, I was struck by the most obvious thing in the world - I'm the ex-wife of a gay conversion therapy survivor but I've never had someone on the podcast who could actually talk in depth about that very thing. I guess it was too close to home. But its time. We need to move from representatio…

1
The Jesus Christians – Part 1 46:53

9M ago46:53

46:53

The media coverage of the Jesus Christians tends to outweigh their size. Most people who have heard of them recognise the name ‘The Kidney Cult’, derived from an initiative where numerous members have donated one of their kidneys to a stranger. What may be surprising is that the person who first suggested that name was the Jesus Christians’ founder…

1
Bonus Episode: A New Media Narrative at Decult 1:01:05

9M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Sarah moderated a panel discussion at the recent Decult conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, entitled 'A new media narrative: Survivor-focussed cult reporting'. The panel featured MISA survivor Bec Sonkkila, documentary filmmaker Natalie Malcon, RNZ investigative reporter Anusha Bradley, and media law Professor Ursula Cheer. This bonus episode …

1
The Pipelines - "Jane Kennedy Must Save the World" to "She Doesn't Actually" 1:19:05

9M ago1:19:05

1:19:05

In this episode of "The Pipelines" series, we meet Jane Kennedy. While she is now a religious trauma therapist and co-founder of the Religious Trauma Collective in Australia (which compiles resources and religious trauma-informed therapists for those of us who are recovering), she was once a youth leader and church planter. In this episode, Jane an…

1
The Revival Fellowship 1:07:36

10M ago1:07:36

1:07:36

The Revival Fellowship is a Pentecostal Australian sect that believes in Bible Numerics, a thoroughly debunked theory about numerical patterns found within the Bible. It also teaches British Israelism, generally considered to be unscientific and ahistorical and by some as a justification for racism. The Fellowship would say its teachings are in lin…

1
Blake Chastain - Christian Nationalism, the wild right-wing lurch and how to fight back 1:17:46

10M ago1:17:46

1:17:46

In an episode that was recorded two days after the Trump victory, and less than 200 days from the next Australian Federal Election, this episode could not be more important or timely. In it, I chat to Blake Chastain, who launched the Exvangelical Podcast back in 2016 as he talks about his new book "Exvangelical and Beyond: How American Christianity…

1
William Egginton - Borges, Kant, Heisenberg and the meaning of self and the universe 59:32

10M ago59:32

59:32

You know I like to get existential. This time last year, I sat down with author and academic, William/Bill Egginton to talk about his book, "The Rigor of Angels." I'd been contacted by his publicist and was intrigued about the book and what it might offer exvangelicals who are reinventing themselves and might not know anything about poetry, philoso…

1
The Pipelines! From PK to Forest Witch (or something like that anyway) with Jess Manusama 1:17:00

11M ago1:17:00

1:17:00

Its quite a journey to go from eldest pastors kid, with full worship leader, Sunday school teacher, 'dating revelation' adherent and homeschool survivor to forest walking animistic spiritualist who runs womens circles. But that's Jess Manusama. She's a breath of fresh air. She runs the insta account @the.connectedself and the web page www.theconnec…

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The Pipelines! Part One: Christian professor to Asian American Apostate With R. Scott Okamoto 1:14:07

11M ago1:14:07

1:14:07

Unchurchable is back from a long hiatus, and kicking off "The Pipelines" series is the incredible R. Scott Okamoto. Scott was a teacher at a Christian college when his deconstruction started. Rather than solidifying a waning faith, Scott got the same Sunday School answers to life's big questions. Join us as we talk about Zionism, white supremacy, t…

1
Running River: the Divine Madness School 1:05:04

11M ago1:05:04

1:05:04

AJ was sent to the Running River school in around 2007, to attend kindergarten when she was five or six years old. The school was headed up by longtime Divine Madness community member Nancy Monson, and founder Marc ‘Yo’ Tizer didn’t have a whole lot to do with it. AJ stayed in the school up until sixth grade, when a new teacher became concerned and…

1
Teaser: Unchurchable is coming back! 14:12

11M ago14:12

14:12

Hey all! Yes, I know I disappeared. But I'm back, and so is unchurchable. If you've got ten minutes, have a listen to this teaser and, if you feel like it, slide into my DM's on twitter (@clare_mcivor) or on Instagram @unchurchablepod or @clare_heathmcivor) to let me know your thoughts. This season is going to get nerdy! Go deeper into themes rathe…

1
ICAM & The Freedom Train Project 52:12

1y ago52:12

52:12

Dr Tabitha Chapman is the founder of The Freedom Train Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides crucial services for individuals exiting cults or coercive environments. One initiative of the project is International Cult Awareness Month (ICAM) which just concluded its third annual instalment in August 2024 with a focus on policy and cults. In …

1
Cults & Healthcare Neglect 1:00:37

1y ago1:00:37

1:00:37

Dr Caroline Ansley is the founder of Centrepoint Restoration Project, a website that serves as a connection point, archive of information and safe landing space for former children of New Zealand’s notorious Centrepoint cult – with which Caroline has personal experience. She is also a General Practitioner, with over 20 years' clinical experience in…

1
International House of Prayer Kansas City - a Pseudo-church in scandal 1:28:06

1y ago1:28:06

1:28:06

In this episode, Shari, Cait and Clare sit down with the wonderful Nikki G (from @nikki_g_speaks) and Jo (from @_bytheirfruit). Both courageous women were involved in the International House of Prayer in Kansas, which has recently been embroiled in scandal as Mike Bickle, the head of the movement, faces allegations of egregious wrongdoing. CW: this…

1
Universal Predator with Esther Rockett 58:36

1y ago58:36

58:36

You may recall the name ‘Esther Rockett’ from episode 2, season 3 of this podcast, which was all about Universal Medicine – Serge Benhayon’s esoteric healing cult in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Esther has been blogging about the more alarming elements of Serge’s ‘modalities’ since 2012, and he sued her for defamation in 2015. The case went t…

1
Cult Information and Family Support with Tore Klevjer 46:33

1y ago46:33

46:33

Tore Klevjer has been involved with the volunteer charity organisation Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) since its very formation almost three decades ago, in 1996. Avid listeners of this podcast will know that the end of every episode mentions CIFS. We’re lucky in Australia to have this incredibly dedicated group of volunteers who support…

1
Cults - Their leaders, their methods, their damage 1:20:17

1+ y ago1:20:17

1:20:17

Today on the podcast, we’re talking all things cults and cult recovery! Experts Janja Lalich and Nikki G join us to share their experience with political and religious cults and how they now work with others who are processing the aftermath of leaving high-control groups. We cover why people join cults (hint: it’s not because they’re unintelligent)…

1
Escaping Twin Flames with Cecilia Peck & Inbal B. Lessner 58:31

1+ y ago58:31

58:31

Cecilia Peck and Inbal B. Lessner are the director/producer/editor team behind the award-winning Escaping Twin Flames, a three-part documentary series for Netflix about Twin Flames Universe – a cult you may remember from season 5. This powerhouse duo has turned their talents to investigating high-control groups over their last couple of projects, w…

1
Interview Episode: LGATs with John Hunter PhD 1:34:28

1+ y ago1:34:28

1:34:28

For his 2017 PhD, John Hunter put forward a hypothesis that offers insights into both the “transformational” experiences associated with large group awareness training (LGAT) participation and the common claims of psychological harm and problematic behaviour associated with participation. Dr Hunter presented his work at the 2023 International Culti…

1
Message from Sarah 5:25

1+ y ago5:25

5:25

A little update from Sarah about what to expect with Let's Talk About Sects now that we're winding up the sixth season of the show. Don't worry, we're not going anywhere! But there are a few small changes to make sure that this project remains sustainable. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/ltaspod https://www.ltaspod.com/supporters Hosted o…

1
The Retreat: a Divine Madness Update 1:34:25

1+ y ago1:34:25

1:34:25

In the last episode of season 5, we looked into a Boulder, Colorado community then known as Divine Madness and led by Marc Tizer, usually referred to as 'Yo'. Its members were recognised for some amazing results in ultramarathons. At the time of researching that episode, updates about the current status of the group were hard to come by. Deru Youma…

1
CTPSD -The Great Parting Gift From Toxic Religion 1:03:26

1+ y ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Therapist Dr. Laura Anderson and faith deconstruction coach Angela Herrington join Shari and Cait to discuss Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). So many survivors experience CPTSD, particularly when we’ve grown up in high-demand religions and/or abusive homes. Healing isn’t easy, but it is possible! We talk about different ways to get s…

1
Interview Episode: The Troubled Teen Industry with Emma Lehman 35:45

1+ y ago35:45

35:45

Journalist Emma Lehman is the creator of the independent podcast Gooned, which dives into the Troubled Teen Industry or TTI – a network of for-profit congregate care facilities for youth ranging from wilderness programs to therapeutic boarding schools. In the podcast, Emma interviews survivors, parents, staff members, experts and activists. Across …

1
Avatar 49:44

1+ y ago49:44

49:44

Harry Palmer created Avatar after his presidency of the Church of Scientology's Elmira Mission ended in the mid-1980s, as a result of legal proceedings around trademark infringement. Avatar says that it aims to create an 'enlightened planetary consciousness' or EPC through its courses, which are expensive and numerous. Former students say they have…

1
Interview Episode: Thomas Parsons 1:15:57

1+ y ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Thomas Parsons joined the Twelve Tribes community in Hiddenite, North Carolina in April 2019, and left in November 2021. With Hiddenite being the unofficial headquarters of the organisation, he had direct contact with a number of senior leaders of the Tribes. Following last week’s live episode release, this conversation with Thomas provides an inte…

1
Woodford Folk Festival Live Show: The Twelve Tribes 1:15:22

1+ y ago1:15:22

1:15:22

This episode was recorded live at Woodford Folk Festival on 1 January 2024. Many people in the audience would have come across the Twelve Tribes previously at that very festival, as they used to build a big Common Ground cafe by the lake where tens of thousands of festival-goers ate and drank over the years. Numerous wonderful people have devoted t…

1
Interview Episode: The Hate Next Door with Matson & Tawni Browning 43:26

1+ y ago43:26

43:26

Matson Browning is a law enforcement officer who, along with his wife Tawni, spent years undercover infiltrating various hate groups to research and report on the rise of hate crimes and white supremacy in the United States. Together they wrote the book The Hate Next Door: Undercover Within the New Face of White Supremacy, which was published in Ju…