What The Stanford Prison Experiment Tells Us About Cults

Jeremy Howell, AKA Germ is the creator of the Mentally Diseased YouTube channel. He talks to us about his life as a Jehovah's Witness and why they think he's mentally diseased. We discuss his early years as, in his words, a "goodie two shoes", the quashing of his creative potential and his struggles with his realisation about his sexuality. He also describes growing up in a family with an abusive father, protected by the Group, and his journey out of both the religion and the mindset. Germ's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MentallyDiseased The podcast about narcissism referred to in the podcast is scheduled for the next episode. Here is the link to the source material. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrPyH3Q8mdg&t=307s

10 Juli 20211h 3min

This Bonus episode is part of the 'Cults as Organizations' series I use Organizational Psychology to explore high control groups and compare them to other groups.   This month I look at Psychological wellbeing by using the ABCs of psychological wellbeing developed by lecturers of Organizational Psychology at Birkbeck College, University of London. Reference article https://social.hays.com/2020/04/15/managing-wellbeing-in-uncertain-world/ The video slide show for this episode is available for patrons at Cognitive Dissonance level and above.  Why not become a patron? https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout

9 Juli 202115min

As a member of a high control group Stephen was taught that 'self-help' books and programs (that were not from the cult) were dangerous and wrong. When you leave there's a desire and a possible need for self development, but there's also a risk of getting sucked into another all-encompassing system of belief. We discuss this question and more in the latest episode.  Plus we have 'Tweet of the Week' where we look at biases and how much High Control Groups use these to influence their followers and potential victims. Have you ever wanted to support the podcast by becoming a patron? https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout Evil Sheep Fashion - T-Shirts and Hoodies https://evilsheep.teemill.com/

6 Juli 202158min

Raised as a Jehovah's Witness, now a YouTuber and ex JW activist, Jordan tells his story. He talks about his memories of growing up, dating and relationships, his difficulties when his Brother was disfellowshipped and the pain of his own shunning by his family. We also speak to him about his observations of the trend toward homeschooling as well as consider the possible futures of the Organisation.  Jordan's YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpw_BFZeVrspncOOvwKA8A/about

3 Juli 20211h 10min

Film and TV often depict cultic groups. This week we explore how this is done in Star Trek with the Episode 'The Way to Eden'. We scrutinise this fictional cult using former guest Dr. Lalich's Bounded Choice Model, and also consider how general anxieties in wider society help the viewer to make sense of what they are seeing. Plus we laugh at the amazing cauliflower ears of the cult leader in the show.   Episode discussed: The Way to Eden: Star Trek TOS Season 3 Episode 20 Paradise: Star Trek Deep Space Nine Season 2 Episode 15 Star Trek Movie, The Final Frontier

30 Juni 202152min

Chris is a podcaster, YouTuber and ex scientologist. We talk about his childhood, his journey out of the group, the worldview of Scientology and his studies into coercive control. We also explore the psychology of born-ins and child members of cults and their battle for a sense of self and identity once they leave. Chris is a wonderful guest and very passionate about helping people out of high control groups. Chris' Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sensibly-speaking-podcast/id1030984057 Chris' YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF326xyA0QHI7Z5xAwKQDJg

27 Juni 202158min

Just what is optimised crapness? Why should you care? And what has it got to do with customer service? We also introduce our new feature called Tweet of the Week. We've had a heavy few weeks so we thought today we'd lighten things up a bit and talk about some modern day problems with a hint of - how to deal with callers at your door trying to save you from Armageddon.

23 Juni 202154min

One of the most influential researchers into cults, Dr Lalich has experienced the phenomena of cults both from the inside, as a member and then as a researcher. She is Professor Emerita of Sociology at California State University, an author and educator and speaks eloquently and compassionately about the experience of being a member of a high control group.  We enjoyed a wonderful interview with Dr. Lalich in which she talks about the Bounded Choice model and her book Leaving Utopia specifically about "born-ins" - a particular area of interest to this podcast. We talk about the particular difficulties for those born into groups, the added challenges for members of fundamentalist religious cults who are LGBTQ+, homeschooling, how society should deal with coercive groups and much more. Website www.janjalalich.com

20 Juni 20211h 2min