The world votes and so do I
In this episode Stephen reflects upon what it's like to be prevented from voting, the psychological consequences of being a social bystander and having no stake in society, and the feeling of then being able to be part of the democratic process. Also reflections on democracy under attack. Contact us https://www.culthackers.com/contact
23 Jun 202424min
The Infected Blood Scandal: Reflections of an Ex Jehovah's Witness
Stephen reflects upon the infected blood scandal affecting thousands of people and how it relates to his own former religious beliefs, conspiracies and questions about institutions. Kacey's Research Questionnaire and Information BBC Reporting into children being exposed to infected blood Copy of letter talking about uninfected patients being exposed released as part of the enquiry https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/ The British Blood Transfusion Service
13 Jun 202444min
Cults, addiction, politics, religion, intrigue and big worms: Dune
This special episode is about the Frank Herbert story, Dune, including the recent film adaptation. This story covers many of the topics we've been interested in over the years doing the podcast and we hope you enjoy this discussion about a shared favourite of ours. More news to come soon about the future of the podcast. Links The latest movie directed by Denis Villeneuve https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15239678/ Mini series https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142032/ The novel https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44767458-dune
17 Mai 202442min
The Importance of Having a Voice and Podcast News
After 267 episodes we've decided that's the end of season 1. In the final episode of the season Celine and Stephen explore why leavers of cults and coercively controlling religions feel the need to express themselves about their experience. To reach out to us: https://www.culthackers.com/ To become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts
10 Feb 202446min
Order, obedience, compliance and silence: Kendra Petty's story.
Our guest today is Kendra Petty, author of the memoir "I Can't Believe I'm Not Dead". Coercively controlled by her mother and a child member of a fundamentalist Christian group, only to leave and experience multiple threats to her life. It's an extraordinary story and Kendra is an engaging and fascinating guest. Kendra's website https://kendrapettyofficial.com/ To reach out to us: https://www.culthackers.com/
3 Feb 202457min
Is Religion Good For You?
Celine raises the question whether there is a link between religious belief and long life. Following the Netflix series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones the question of whether religious belief increases wellbeing is discussed by Stephen and Celine. Is there good data to suggest there is a link? If there is, is it a causal relationship or can it be explained through other factors. Is "belief" itself the key or is it what the belief might make you do? Also should we care about the "truth claims" that religions often make? To reach out to us: https://www.culthackers.com/ To become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts
27 Jan 20241h 6min
Filmmaker Carmel Mikol talks Apostate, her Short Documentary Film
This week Celine and Stephen's guest is Carmel Mikol, a filmmaker, musician, artist and former Jehovah's Witness. Carmel talks about her own experience as a young Witness finding herself in an abusive marriage and her difficulties escaping the relationship and then leaving the group. Carmel talks about the misogynistic attitudes and policies within the group and the damage they can do to young women. She also provides the Governing Body with some helpful advice about how to make the organisation a more equitable environment and nicer place to be. Her short film is called Apostasy https://www.carmelmikol.com/film Carmel’s Instagram is @apostatefilm To reach out to us: https://www.culthackers.com/ To become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts
20 Jan 20241h 5min
Behaving Badly for the Org.
A high profile case of people behaving appallingly on behalf of an organisation is big news in the UK, known as the Post Office scandal. The question of why people do unethical things to support the business, religion or cult to which they belong, has been researched and is multi-faceted. Today Stephen and Celine explore the psychological research into "Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior" as it relates to businesses but also cultic religious groups. They explore possible social reasons but also the Dark Triad of personality traits that may, in some cases, be at play. To reach out to us: https://www.culthackers.com/ To become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/culthackers/posts Next week's guest, Carmel Mikol's docuemtery film: https://www.carmelmikol.com/film References and links explainer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56718036.amp Fehr, R., Welsh, D., Yam, K. C., Baer, M., Wei, W., & Vaulont, M. (2019). The role of moral decoupling in the causes and consequences of unethical pro-organizational behavior. Organizational behavior and human decision processes, 153, 27-40. Stone, D. L., Deadrick, D. L., Lukaszewski, K. M., & Johnson, R. (2015). The influence of technology on the future of human resource management. Human resource management review, 25(2), 216-231. Chen, M., Chen, C. C., & Sheldon, O. J. (2016, April 21). Relaxing Moral Reasoning to Win: How Organizational Identification Relates to Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/apl0000111 LeBreton, J. M., Shiverdecker, L. K., & Grimaldi, E. M. (2018). The dark triad and workplace behavior. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 5, 387-414.
13 Jan 202458min
