The aim of this 12-hour broadcast is to raise money and awareness for The Cult Vault Podcast & The Family Survival Trust
Time EST
1pm-1:30pm
1:30-2:30pm
2:45pm-3:45pm
4pm-5pm
5:15pm-6:15pm
6:30pm-7:30pm
7:45pm-8:45pm
9pm-10pm
10:15pm-11:15pm
11:30pm - 12:30am
12:30am-1am
Session Title
Introduction & Welcome from Kacey
Interview with Erika Bornman and Tamara MC
Interview with Lisa VanArsdale and Syran Warner
Interview with Chris Shelton, Sensibly Speaking Podcast, & Stephen and Celine Mather, Cult Hackers Podcast
Interview with Cherry and Morgan from Crimepedia Podcast
Interview with Nicola Ranson
Interview with Andrew Pledger
Interview with Teddy Hose and Sarah Hightower
Interview with Micah Losh
Interview with Whisper and Jemima from Butterflies and Bravery Podcast
Wrap-Up with Kacey
Collaborators
THE FAMILY SURVIVAL TRUST Coercive Control in Cultic Groups in the UK Proposal for New Legislation The Family Survival Trust is a registered charity (No 1121388) whose mission is to prevent, and to provide information on coercive control, cultic behaviour and psychological manipulation. We support those affected by groups that use these techniques. We educate regarding the risks these groups pose to individuals and society and seek appropriate controls on these groups’ activities. We are volunteers with limited resources, and our backgrounds are diverse. We are not limited in our concern for those people, families, communities and societies who are abused by totalitarian cults. Of all of those of us who volunteer or help with the Trust, some of us became involved because Our children were recruited into cults Our parents or siblings were recruited into cults Our friends, colleagues or associates were recruited into cults We were in cults ourselves, and suffered abuse before we were able to leave Our professions – be it as teachers, lawyers, academic researchers, politicians, medical or psychological practitioners – brought us into contact with victims of cultic abuse.
The Family Survival Trust
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Erika Bornman has carved a career for herself in magazine publishing as a writer and editor, despite her lack of formal training. Her memoir is her first book and an important element in her quest to make the world a safer place for children. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with her two cats, Troy and Matilda.
Erika Bornman
Dr. Tamara MC is a freedom activist for girls and women worldwide. She is a social scientist and linguist who explores how language is used to manipulate vulnerable populations. As a cult, child marriage, polygamy, and modern-day slavery survivor/advocate, themes in her work explore coercive control, intergenerational trauma, religion/spirituality, and mothering. She researches language, culture, and identity in the Middle East and beyond, specifically her hybrid identity of growing up simultaneously Jewish and Muslim.
Tamara MC
Chris is a former Scientologist turned YouTuber and podcaster who has also written a book on the subject of Scientology and discusses all aspects of coercive control with his audience, mainly dealing with issues of cultic abuse and manipulation.
Chris Shelton
Co host of the Cult Hackers podcast, Celine is a media graduate and Stephen’s daughter and has observed both her parents as they have made a life outside the organization.
Celine Mather
Co host of the Cult hackers podcast, Stephen is a former born in member of the Jehovah’s Witness, leaving when his daughter was born over two decades ago. He now works as an organizational psychologist ion the UK and studies high control groups and spiritual abuse.
Stephen Mather
Crimepedia is an independent true crime podcast that uncovers the untold stories of unsolved murders and missing person cases from around the world. Hosted by Cherry and Morgan, this gripping podcast delves into cases that are often overlooked and not widely known. With each episode presented in a refreshingly honest and straightforward manner, Crimepedia is easy to follow and understand. Cherry and Morgan never glorify the crimes, but instead, they honor the memory of the victims by treating them with the utmost respect. By working closely with law enforcement and the families of victims, Cherry and Morgan strive to gain a better understanding of the case and the individuals affected. The podcast aims to seek justice for the victims and bring closure to their families. Join Crimepedia every Tuesday for a new episode that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Tune in and discover the secrets behind the unsolved crimes that have shocked the world.
Cherry
When Cherry and Morgan met on a true crime message board, they immediately bonded over their shared passion for the subject. After launching their own individual podcasts, they decided to join forces and create something even greater. The idea for Crimepedia came to fruition after Cherry appeared as a guest on Morgan’s show, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. Now, Cherry and Morgan have teamed up to bring you Crimepedia, the true crime podcast that dives deep into unsolved cases from around the world. Their dynamic partnership and in-depth research make Crimepedia a must-listen for anyone interested in true crime. You can easily access Crimepedia on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Plus, don't forget to follow Crimepedia on Instagram and Twitter @Crimepedia to stay up to date on the latest episodes and engage in the true crime community. Tune in and let Cherry and Morgan guide you through the mysterious and haunting world of true crime.
Morgan
A world-renowned expert in cultic studies. Author and co-author of critically acclaimed books on cults. An avid contributor to the field of cultic studies through her research, presentations, and articles. Janja Lalich, Ph.D. is a researcher, author, and educator specializing in self-sealing, or closed, systems (cults, human trafficking, situations of coercive influence and control, ideological extremism), with a particular focus on recruitment, indoctrination, and methods of influence and control. She is Professor Emerita of Sociology at California State University, Chico and has been studying the social psychology of controversial groups and exploitative and abusive relationships for 30+ years. Dr. Lalich has written and lectured extensively, has advised the international intelligence community on extremism and indoctrination, and has served as consultant and expert witness in civil and criminal cases.
Dr. Janja Lalich
Nicola Ranson is a trauma therapist and the author of A Slice of Orange, a memoir about her decade in the Rajneesh/Osho cult, and Plant Talk-When the Tree Hugs You Back, about nature's support for sickness and suffering.
Nicola Ranson
Andrew Pledger
Andrew Pledger (he/him) is a content creator, activist, and writer who uses social media to share his story and inspire others. He is a religious trauma survivor who was homeschooled K-12 and raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult (Independent Fundamental Baptist movement). He brings awareness to spiritual and religious abuse. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and experiencing religious trauma has inspired him to pursue psychology to help survivors. After being homeschooled, he found his way to Bob Jones University. He attended the fundamentalist Christian college for over three years until he was expelled in his last semester for sharing his story and denouncing fundamentalist teachings.
Teddy Hose is an award-winning animator and filmmaker, designer, and storyteller of multiple mediums living in Brooklyn, NY. From a family of artists, creativity has always been a theme in his life starting with illustration, and onto design, animation, video editing, cartooning, writing, music, and comedy.
Teddy Hose
Sarah Hightower
Sarah is a violent extremism researcher with near encyclopedic knowledge of Aum Shinrikyo, its splinter factions, and key figures "Hi. I'm Sarah Hightower. I'm an Aum Shinrikyo expert who screams into the void about death cults like QAnon and esoteric neo fascist accelerationists. Sometimes I scream and/or cry about these things on podcasts (Popular Front, Worst Year Ever, Yeah Nah Pasaran, QAnonAnonymous, and more). Sometimes I scream and/or cry about these things to journalists (Vice, The Informant, Der Spiegel, NPR, Asahi Shimbun) Sometimes I get really lucky and end up on BBC or in Japanese books about things like cults and QAnon. I also do a lot of extremely embarrassing field work I don't get paid for. My hobbies include shitposting on twitter, seriousposting on twitter, and helping friends, journalists, and other researchers."
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Because he was born into the true religion and strived to be “spiritual,” Micah Allen Losh stagnated for decades. He had 30 different jobs before he was 30 and attended college three separate times – but always quit because he felt guilt for not prioritizing Jehovah. Losh always had an affinity for words and loved to create; he is a poet, author, artist and has performed stand-up comedy. Micah Allen Losh believes art is healing and believes that empathy only takes people so far. If you haven’t experienced certain things, sympathy is as far as you can go. It’s his belief that other ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses are the best resource for other ex-members. Written by Micah Allen Losh and edited by Moses Montgomerey, Mentally Diseased traces a journey of absolute faith to self-destruction to developing faith in oneself. If you were ever a Jehovah’s Witness, then this story is at least partially yours as well. It is about using art you have created to empower yourself and others. It is for those Micah Allen Losh has met along the way and for all of those that will leave Jehovah’s Witnesses after him.
Butterflies and Bravery is a podcast created and hosted by two cult Survivors and best friends who were born into the notorious Children of God cult. Listen as Whisper and Jemima tell their stories of turning surviving into thriving, interview other Survivors, and straight talk all things cult, trauma, and religion recovery. Our episodes are guest-led, so anything can happen! Our conversations are real, raw and often NSFW. They may be triggering. But they will thrill and inspire you and give you a new perspective on Survivors, healing and the true success of those leaving, living and loving after a escaping a cult.
Jemima Farris
Butterflies and Bravery is a podcast created and hosted by two cult Survivors and best friends who were born into the notorious Children of God cult. Listen as Whisper and Jemima tell their stories of turning surviving into thriving, interview other Survivors, and straight talk all things cult, trauma, and religion recovery. Our episodes are guest-led, so anything can happen! Our conversations are real, raw and often NSFW. They may be triggering. But they will thrill and inspire you and give you a new perspective on Survivors, healing and the true success of those leaving, living and loving after a escaping a cult.
