What The Stanford Prison Experiment Tells Us About Cults

Today is a very personal episode with a very special guest because it's Sarah, Celine's mum and Stephen's wife. Warning that the episode contains some stories about familial abuse, threats and suicide attempts. Sarah talks openly about her difficult childhood, becoming a mum and dealing with matters of faith. Stephen and Sarah also talk about how they met and the hurdles they had to overcome both to be together and then to grow together as they exited the Jehovah's Witnesses.    Why not become a patron for just £1 per month (or equivalent in your currency) https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout   Support services (UK)   NHS Psychological Therapies Service (England only) https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/   Faith to Faithless https://www.faithtofaithless.com Faith to Faithless is Humanists UK’s support programme for so-called ‘apostates’ and those who leave high-control religions. Telephone General enquiries: 020 7324 3060 Email info@faithtofaithless.com   Mind https://www.mind.org.uk We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. Contact information Infoline Call 0300 123 3393 Email info@mind.org.uk

5 Dec 20211h 3min

Today Celine and Stephen argue! Is there such thing as free will? Is everything predetermined at the moment of the Big Bang? What does science, religion and philosophy say about it? Do we like the answer? Is Celine going to storm off the podcast because her dad is getting on her nerves? All covered in this week's spicy episode. As a Jehovah's Witness Stephen was taught to reject predestination - a form of pre-determinism, but free will doesn't sit well with an omnipotent God who can see the future. Upon leaving, the question still holds resonance. Buckle up for a mind bending episode of What should I think about..? Why not become a patron for just £1 (or equivalent in your currency)? https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout

1 Dec 202157min

This week's interview is with filmmaker Scott Homan, Writer, Cinematographer and Director of the documentary movie Witness Underground about a group of Jehovah's Witnesses who start an Indie record label, and their subsequent journey out of the organization. Scott is also joined by Ryan Sutter one of the principle characters of the film. Fascinating and inspiring. Witness Underground Website https://www.witnessunderground.com/ XJW Coming Out - Documentary SeriesXJW Coming Out  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfInUcKLJM8&t=39s   Why not become a Patron for just £1:00 (or equivalent in your currency) https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout/

28 Nov 20211h 1min

To celebrate the 100th episode of the 'What should I think about..?' podcast and the 1 year birthday, Celine and Stephen take a look back at just a few of the episodes and guests from the past 12 months. It's been a wild ride. Plus music from Luke Stevenson a former guest of the show and the latest WhatSITA Showcase act.  Why not become a patron for just $1:50 a month or equivalent in your currency?  https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout   Music by Luke Stevenson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjQakVeHTyI

24 Nov 20211h 28min

Donna Stevenson was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and describes herself as a "happy Witness", but her experiences as a young woman in the organization left her with many questions. Donna eloquently describes what happened, her struggles with her faith and her journey out of the organization and life afterwards. Warning: This episodes includes discussion about sexual assault   Why not become a patron for just £1 (or equivalent) https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout   Advice about Trauma Mind  https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/trauma/overcoming-barriers/ NHS https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/our-work/help-and-support/

21 Nov 20212h 10min

As a Jehovah's Witness Stephen was raised to be a pacifist. Upon leaving the group ex members find themselves trying to make sense of how to think about war and whether it can be justified. Celine and Stephen explore the concept of the "just war", how we remember people who have died in wars and how for a moment the world appeared to get close to a rules based system for mutual benefit. Also the show introduces a new feature, showcasing the music and performances of ex JWs or ex members of other high control groups. Today it's a band called TICNOTOC from Warrington, Cheshire in the UK with their track; Who rattled your cage? Why not become a patron for just $1:50 per month (or equivalent) https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout   TICNOTOC website https://www.ticnotoc.com/   BBC Podcast - In Our Time https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/just-war/id463701671?i=1000097068534

17 Nov 202152min

In organisational studies, "Wicked problems" are a type of problem that's hard to define and wickedly difficult to solve. In this month's Cults as Organisations Stephen asks whether cults can be described in this way and what can be done by governments to protect people while maintaining religious freedoms. This is an audio version of Stephen's blog. You can read the blog here: https://medium.com/@SteEvilSheep/what-should-we-do-about-cults-a-wicked-problem-ea062a99015c

16 Nov 202118min

Gillie Jenkinson PhD is a leading accredited psychotherapist, specialising in cult recovery and recovery from spiritual abuse. She shares with us the four step framework she uses to help people recovering from cult experiences. We discuss the framework, the work done at each stage and the roles of the individual and the counsellor. We also ask about the special challenges of the born-in member and their sense of identity and self, as well as hear about Gillie's own experience inside a religious cult. We really enjoyed talking to one of the most relevant and knowledgeable voices in this area. Gillie Jenkinson Hope Valley Counselling Website https://www.hopevalleycounselling.com/writing-media

14 Nov 202159min