Understanding Magical Thinking with Spencer Watson

How many core emotions are there? How do we understand them? How do they come into play when people leave a high control group? We also review the Pixar movie 'Inside Out', a film all about emotions. Become a patron for just $1.50 a month.  https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout   Links Paul Ekman's website https://www.paulekman.com/about/paul-ekman/   Psychology Today - Modal Model of Emotion https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/dealing-emotions/202101/what-are-emotions Psychology Today - Robert Plutchik https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/hide-and-seek/201601/what-are-basic-emotions   5 Lessons from Movie Inside Out https://evolvetreatment.com/blog/five-lessons-inside-out/

30 Juli 202239min

Kat Wallace is a 4th generation ex Jehovah's Witness and speaker at the recent ICSA conference, who struggled growing up to fit into the mould of the submissive JW woman. She shares some of her story of leaving, coming to terms with her self, her sexuality and her analysis of a process she describes as '7 Steps to Unpacking Belief Systems'.  Become a patron for just $1.50 per month - there's only one tier. https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout/

23 Juli 20221h 9min

Did Google just create a conscious A.I.? If it has, what would that mean? Today Celine and Stephen explore the recent claims by a Google employee that they had created a machine that had gained sentience. If Google had, how could we know? What is a 'Turing test'? What would it mean for religious people who believe in the soul?  Links Transcript of a conversation with Blake Lemoine and LaMDA https://medium.com/@cajundiscordian/is-lamda-sentient-an-interview-ea64d916d917 Interview with Blake Lemoine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgCUn4fQTsc Commentary from Computerphile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBouACLc-hw   Guardian article about Shinzo Abe assassination  https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/11/mother-of-shinzo-abe-killing-suspect-member-of-moonies-church   Become a patron for just $1.50 per month https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout

16 Juli 202249min

Two conference speakers, the winner of an award, and the conference attendee first-prize winner! Today's special episode  welcomes Daniel O'Brien, presenter of 'Pathways to Healing', award winning author Erika Bornman and Kacey from top podcast 'The Cult Vault'. We talk about legal questions around cults, recovery from coercively controlling groups, identity and the stories we tell about ourselves and the strange tale of a Brainwashing Manual that never was, plus much more. There's laughter, there are tears, there's self reflection and there's lots of discussion!

9 Juli 20221h 30min

This week's episode looks at the question of abortion and the recent Supreme Court decision in the USA. It's a subject that we've planned to talk about for some time and recent events have made it absolutely time we did. Content warning: Obviously given the subject matter listener discretion is recommended. If you'd like to become a patron you can sign up for just £1 ($1.50) a month. https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout

2 Juli 20221h 11min

Ex Jehovah's Witness Alisha tried to simply leave the religion she was raised in and build her own life. The elders had other ideas. Become a patron https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout

25 Juni 202256min

The promise that you can be transformed into the person you've always wanted to be is a tempting one. This week Celine and Stephen explore the LGAT - Large Group Awareness Training industry and similar interventions. Can they deliver their promise? Are there risks associated with them? Are some of them cultic in their methods?

18 Juni 202245min

One of the most emotional interviews ever on our podcast, author Kimberley L Miller talks movingly about her life as Jehovah's Witness. She describes growing up as a Witness and the struggle to just be a child, to just be herself, and the fear that came along with that upbringing. She also talks about her leaving the organization, her return and the lowest point in her life. Kimberley's story is ultimately life affirming and inspirational. It was such a privilege to talk to her. Warning: This episode briefly discusses the suicide attempt Kimberley talks about in her book. The Human Library https://humanlibrary.org/ Kimberley's Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Go-Beneath-Water-K-Miller-ebook/dp/B09FLZVBRC Become a patron and join the WhatSITA community. https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout

11 Juni 20221h 2min