The Bad Cadet: Growing Up in the Church of Scientology's Sea Organization

The Bad Cadet: Growing Up in the Church of Scientology's Sea Organization

At age six, Katherine Spallino is separated from her parents and sent to train for her future in the Church of Scientology’s clergy—the Sea Organization. She rarely sees her parents and never goes to a normal school. Later, Katherine is sent to live at a secluded ranch with other young prospective Sea Org members, called cadets, where she studies Scientology and does manual labor—weeding fields, digging trenches, and works in the galley. The indoctrination escalates, and her family slips even farther into the background. But as she enters her teenage years, a host of new, more immediate concerns emerge, along with fantasies of what else life has to offer. Should she commit herself to the church, or reject everything she’s ever known for a chance at a different life?

Click here to watch on YouTube

Find Katherine on Social!
IG @thebadcadet
Her Book: The Bad Cadet: Growing Up in the Church of Scientology's Sea Organization

**FULLY BOOKED** Our C2C vacation where we can meet you in real life and go on adventures together has sold out! However, you can add yourself to our waitlist in case of cancellations. Click here to go to the official booking page

  • Katherine was born in a Scientrology building with no SSN
  • At a young age, Katherine saw L Ron Hubbard as a God
  • Confimation bias when it comes to having super powers
  • Did Katherine know she was growing up differently?
  • Katherine joins a bootcamp for youth who want to become Sea Org members
  • The jobs Katherine had to do as a SeaOrg member
  • Incentivized to write knowledge reports (snitch on each other)
  • The youth ran themselves, which is how they were kept in line
  • Scientology getting around labor laws
  • Katherine gets shamed for only being able afford 1 pair of underwear
  • Did Katherine have non-scientologist extended family?
  • Racism was so bad, she thought she was a completely different race as a kid
  • Some medical care was provided among neglect
  • What made Katherine want to leave the Sea Org
  • High school shock- not like the movies
  • How she ended up back in LA with other ex-cadets
  • Why Katherine was declared a suppressive person
  • How she started writing "The Bad Cadet"
  • Katherine tries to reconnect with family after being cut off
  • How Katherine's family treats her today
  • How Katherine is doing now

Our Merch!
Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness
Venmo @sheliseann
Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast
Website CultsToConsciousness.com
Find Shelise on Social media!
Instagram @cultstoconsciousness
Host Instagram @sheliseann
TikTok @cults.to.consciousness
Twitter @cultstocon
Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara
**Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episoder(391)

Twelve Tribes | Yellow Deli Cult: Pregnant Teen Held Hostage Away From Her Husband

Twelve Tribes | Yellow Deli Cult: Pregnant Teen Held Hostage Away From Her Husband

At 15 years old, Rebecca was a highly devout member of the Twelve Tribes— an isolated cult compound that had strict gender roles, extreme corporal pun*shment and high religious expectations. She was h...

11 Mar 53min

Twelve Tribes: My Arranged Wedding at 16 Re-enacted Becoming the Christbride

Twelve Tribes: My Arranged Wedding at 16 Re-enacted Becoming the Christbride

Drawn to the Twelve Tribes in the 1970s by its promise of spiritual purity, communal support, and moral family values, Rebecca’s parents became deeply embedded in a system that demanded complete obedi...

9 Mar 52min

Inside Assemblies of God: Turning Devoted & Faithful Teens into Submissive Servants

Inside Assemblies of God: Turning Devoted & Faithful Teens into Submissive Servants

Elise Delamare recounts her experience growing up and serving in the Assemblies of God, describing a progression from sincere spiritual calling into a high-control, ab*sive ministry environment. Syste...

4 Mar 1h 7min

Isolated in a Russian Cult Commune in the Woods

Isolated in a Russian Cult Commune in the Woods

At 15, Maria’s parents willingly gave her to Russian cult leader Sergey who would marry her off to a man she despised. At 16 she was alone, hidden in a swampy woodland at the commune without electrici...

2 Mar 1h 6min

My Parents Gave Me to a Cult Leader at 15 (Hidden in the Woods with Newborn)

My Parents Gave Me to a Cult Leader at 15 (Hidden in the Woods with Newborn)

It started when Maria’s mother was kidnapped and taken to Canada before somehow convincing her parents to give marital consent. Maria would end up being one of 11 children who were moved over and over...

27 Feb 1h 30min

The Current State of the FLDS Polygamist Cult (ft. Prophet’s Son, Jaden Jeffs)

The Current State of the FLDS Polygamist Cult (ft. Prophet’s Son, Jaden Jeffs)

Jaden Jeffs was born into the polygamous offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where his father would become the Prophet. Jaden takes us inside the mind of his father, Warren Jef...

23 Feb 1h 13min

My Father is the Imprisoned Polygamous Prophet, Warren Jeffs (ft. Jaden Jeffs)

My Father is the Imprisoned Polygamous Prophet, Warren Jeffs (ft. Jaden Jeffs)

Jaden Jeffs was born into the polygamous offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where his father would become the Prophet. Drastic changes would ensue, splitting up families, dema...

18 Feb 1h 37min

The Dangers of Being the Least Favorite Polygamist Wife in The Order (ft.  Amanda Rae Grant)

The Dangers of Being the Least Favorite Polygamist Wife in The Order (ft. Amanda Rae Grant)

People can already guess that there are struggles that come with being a plural wife, however most don't know the dangers the lesser favorite wives and their children have to endure. We go into very r...

16 Feb 1h

Populært innen Samfunn

rss-spartsklubben
giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
konspirasjonspodden
aftenpodden-usa
popradet
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
rss-henlagt-andy-larsgaard
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
min-barneoppdragelse
grenselos
wolfgang-wee-uncut
synnve-og-vanessa
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
rss-dannet-uten-piano
fladseth
alt-fortalt
rss-frekvens-med-anine-olsen
198-land-med-einar-trnquist