Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan

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  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
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Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan

Steven Hassan, PhD, is one of the leading experts on cults and undue influence in the world. A former member of the right-wing Moonie cult, Hassan was deprogrammed 45 years ago and has dedicated his life to helping people out of cults and destructive situations. Dr. Hassan is a licensed mental health professional and has written four books, including The Cult of Trump and the seminal book Combating Cult Mind Control. On this podcast, Steve will explain HOW mind-control works, and how to protect yourself from its grips. He will also address ethical influence as the podcast will address the entire Influence Continuum. He’ll interview the biggest names in this field.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Tools, Methods, and Political Games in the Age of Musk with Stuart Shulman, PhD

    Elon Musk, a corporate billionaire and private naturalized American citizen born in South Africa, has taken an extraordinary amount of power in government since Donald Trump took office as President less than a month ago. Musk is seeking to interfere with elections in Germany and other countries around the world. Vance recently told European leaders to allow more “free speech” but what that means is use of social media and media to push authoritarianism. Dr. Stuart Shulman holds a PhD in American Politics and has done extensive teaching and leadership roles in collaborative interdisciplinary research. Additionally, as founder and CEO of Texifter, he discussed the analysis of Twitter data, his work supporting academic access to data, and federal agency review of public comments on proposed rules. Stuart and I discussed how Twitter was gamified through QAnon since 2017. He tracked QAnon, a tale of a high-up government official with a “Q-level” clearance covering nuclear weapons and related materials and tweeting about supposed confidential information. Coded language and “crumbs” were then created to entice signaling, and Trump often alluded to this through tweets. Stuart noted that in a December 1-12, 2017, dataset with 2.3 million mentions of Michael Flynn, “#followthewhiterabbit” and “the Great Awakening” and other QAnon buzzwords in the Tweets. Stuart noted how the Alternate Reality Gaming (ARG) characters often have made-up names and emojis and could have come from anywhere in the world, including Russia, China, India, and other nations that may not have the best interests of voters and citizens in western democracies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m

  2. 17 FEB

    Invisible Threads: Weaving Mental Health and Democracy in Trump Times with Kate Woodsome

    Kate Woodsome is the founder of The Invisible Threads Project, which studies the relationship between mental health and democracy. We talked about the recent election of Trump and the support for that process from the Heritage Foundation, Opus Dei implications, and Project 2025. She was part of The Washington Post team who won a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in coverage of the January 6th Capitol attack. Woodsome left The Washington Post in 2023, stating in her biography that she could no longer normalize the trauma, burnout, and moral injury pervasive in the industry. She noted in our discussion that her childhood contained abuse and trauma that the Capitol attack would reawaken. Once able to rely on being a workaholic who pushed through, she decided to take a step back and focus on healing and the rediscovery of self-identity and self-worth. This eventually allowed her to return to focus on social movements. She covered The People’s March on January 18th, 2025, and then went on to speak with Trump supporters outside of the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., following his inauguration. “What I’m really trying to focus on is civil discourse and looking at the underlying roots of our problems, as opposed to their ugly symptoms,” said Woodsome.We discussed looking for opportunities with family and friends to find common ground and common beliefs. We also discussed empowering people to think for themselves. Not everyone is as radicalized, and fringe members may not fully understand the beliefs and practices of the core community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m

  3. 10 FEB

    On Offense: Taking Action to Prevent Further Assaults to Democracy with Kristofer Goldsmith

    Kristofer Goldsmith is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit group Task Force Butler Institute, which trains veterans in research and operations to counter extremism. He is an Iraq combat veteran, accomplished public policy advocate, nonprofit leader, and expert on the threats posed by domestic extremist organizations that work against Democracy. His group focuses on gathering intelligence on dangerous individuals and hate groups while also teaching the skills and context necessary to keep veterans and communities safe. Like me, Kris couldn’t believe Trump gave pardons to the violent #Jan6th insurrectionists serving time in jail for their crimes against America. We both believe we are in World War III and fighting fascism at home. Musk, Thiel and other billionaires are on the record that they dont believe in democracy of upholding the Constitution nor do they want to help the USA remain a superpower. They are busy with NeoTech conspiracy to take over the world and dismante our administrative state using the Heritage Foundation’s 2025 playbook. Kris is a patriot and has inspired many vets to step up with him to oppose what is being done to us. You will find this a fascinating conversation and be heartened that he is a courageous person stepping up to do defend our country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 4m

  4. 3 FEB

    Tuning In: Experiencing Music in Psychedelic States, a new book by former Hare Krishna devotee Steven J. Gelberg

    This interview had two foci: ISKCON and Tulsi Gabbard’s Connection to Krishna Hinduism and his new academic book on music and its role in psychedelics states. Gelberg was a Krishna devotee for 17 years and has written about his experiences with the cult and why he exited. He is now a successful photographer and author. We discussed the more recent finding that Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by Trump to be Director of National Intelligence, shows ties to Krishna Hinduism and ISKCON. Chris Butler, who is the guru of Tulsi Gabbard, was a disciple of the Krishna movement and Prabhupada. The group is known for its homophobia. “The Krishna movement also is very misogynistic. They try to hide that. They don’t like talking about it. They know it's not popular, but if you go to Prabhupada's books, he repeats what he learned from the Hindu tradition about women being lesser and needing to be always under the control of a man and less spiritually adept than men are” Steven said. He then expressed concerns about ties with this organization and what that may mean by Gabbard’s beliefs around these topics. In addition to his spiritual and academic education after leaving the cult, Gelberg continued to tune into an evolving “Psychedelic Renaissance” as the government began to loosen regulations allowing for legitimate clinical studies and inspiring the creation, by growing numbers of colleges and universities, of programs and centers for the study of psychedelics and their therapeutic effects. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 6m

  5. 27 JAN

    Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld with Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola and Amy Polacko

    Ever hear the term coercive control? Did you know the UK government made it a crime? It is the application of undue influence methods and techniques used by a person, typically a man against a partner to do what I have been calling mind control- as in my BITE Model. However, women especially need to know what the techniques are and how to navigate a family court system in the USA which is largely ignorant and children and women are being greatly harmed. Dr. Cocchiola holds a doctorate in social work, is a licensed clinical social worker, is a tenured college professor, and is an expert in coercive control as is Amy Polacko, an award-winning journalist and investigative reporter, and divorce coach.Their excellent book is a resource for women going through divorce, married women noticing early warning signs, and those considering marriage, offering practical advice and raising awareness of systemic challenges.Despite persistent myths that women are more often favored, family courts can be gender-biased, and some women who report abuse encounter even harsher outcomes. The authors aim to inspire reform in family court practices and contribute to future legislative efforts to protect women from abusive legal dynamics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m

  6. 20 JAN

    Research on Folks Who Left the Headquarters of the Jehovah’s Witnesses with Dr. Andre Jackson

    Former cult members often reference the moment when they finally realized they were in a cult. In 2023 the Watchtower Society reported approximately 8.6 million members. Like many cults, Jehovah's Witnesses discourage critical thinking and members' exposure to any information that could be critical of the belief system. Such insolation from the real world is one way to keep people brainwashed. For Andre Jackson, who grew up as a Jehovah's Witness, this moment of "waking up" became the focus of his Doctoral dissertation. Andre grew up in Germany, where his mother became a Jehovah's Witness when he was 7 years old. By the age of 10, Andre accepted the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses: When he almost needed a blood transfusion (which the group teaches to be a transgression against God), he rejected it and was willing to die for his belief. Andre focused his dissertation research on the waking up process of Bethelites, Jehovah’s Witnesses who live and work in the Bethel compounds. Around 0.25% of Jehovah's Witnesses, around 22,000 individuals, are Bethelites. So how do people "wake up"? Come join us in this fascinating discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 2m

  7. 13 JAN

    Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy with Lucas Wilson

    "Conversion therapy"—a discredited practice that purports to change an individual's sexual orientation and/or gender identification and expression—has harmed countless lives under the guise of morality. I spoke to Lucas Wilson, an SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto Mississauga, as he shared his harrowing experience with "conversion therapy" at Liberty University. His story serves as a testament to the perseverance of the unique human spirit and a warning against the devastating impacts of undue influence. A scholar, editor, and advocate, Wilson's work sheds light on the intersections of evangelicalism, homophobia, and trauma. He is the editor of the forthcoming Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy, which compiles narratives from 17 contributors, offering diverse perspectives on a practice that major medical, psychiatric, and psychological organizations have condemned. A recent Canadian study cited by Wilson underscores the two most impactful ways to support survivors of "conversion therapy": listening without judgment and reconnecting with affirming communities. Survivors benefit immensely from being heard and validated. Listening affirms their experiences and begins the process of rebuilding trust. Additionally, reconnecting with a supportive queer community provides a safe space for healing and affirmation, countering the isolation imposed by conversion practices. Wilson's story is not just about survival but also about transformation. It highlights the dangers of unhealthy influence while demonstrating the power of education, community, and self-acceptance. As conversations around "conversion therapy" and undue influence continue, stories like Wilson's remind us of the urgent need for advocacy and awareness. Together, we can create a world where everyone can live authentically without fear or shame. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr

  8. 6 JAN

    Taking on Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities with Attorney Carol Merchasin

    Carol highlights the urgent need to reform the law, especially concerning coercion and control in legislative practices. She focuses exclusively on clients who have endured sexual abuse and coercion within cultic groups—not because other forms of abuse are absent, but because the law currently recognizes and addresses this specific type of abuse. The legal system inadequately acknowledges coercion in cases where individuals surrender significant amounts of money to cults or relinquish their rights to education, marriage, parenthood, or the choice not to have children. The law appears to narrowly define coercion, primarily in the context of sexual exploitation. The law also fails to recognize the deception involved when individuals are promised enlightenment through sexual relations with cult leaders, as it does not categorize this as fraud due to its religious context. There should be a legal distinction between legitimate religions deserving of tax exemptions and those that systematically defraud, enslave, or control individuals through coercion. We should not grant tax benefits to organizations that violate the law. Yet, currently, there is no clear standard for religious tax exemptions beyond the essential requirement that organizations do not operate as commercial enterprises. Merchasin is a former partner at Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius in Philadelphia, where she was an employment lawyer investigating issues of sexual misconduct in the workplace. She is currently the head of Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities Counsel at the law firm of McAllister Olivarius, which represents survivors of sexual misconduct in cults and spiritual communities. Check out this important interview. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 6m
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About

Steven Hassan, PhD, is one of the leading experts on cults and undue influence in the world. A former member of the right-wing Moonie cult, Hassan was deprogrammed 45 years ago and has dedicated his life to helping people out of cults and destructive situations. Dr. Hassan is a licensed mental health professional and has written four books, including The Cult of Trump and the seminal book Combating Cult Mind Control. On this podcast, Steve will explain HOW mind-control works, and how to protect yourself from its grips. He will also address ethical influence as the podcast will address the entire Influence Continuum. He’ll interview the biggest names in this field.

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