Decult Talks - Breaking the Silence on Cultic Harm

Decult Team

Decult Talks is an independent podcast with speaker sessions from our Decult 2024 conference to raise awareness about cultic harm. We aim to break the silence, reduce stigma, and provide tangible support to those affected by coercive control. Join us for real conversations, expert insights and survivor stories — because no one should face cultic harm alone. Visit decult.net to learn more and support our cause.

  1. Invisible rainbow youth: Purity, conversion and coming out in cults

    06/20/2025

    Invisible rainbow youth: Purity, conversion and coming out in cults

    Homophobia and purity culture in cultic groups affects teenagers who are already struggling with a loss of self. They are invisible, and some are pushed through harmful conversion practices.  Hosted by human rights advocate Andre Afamasaga, this episode of Decult Talks brings together powerful rainbow voices: former Jehovah’s Witness Luke Hollis, Excommunicated author and former Exclusive Brethren member Craig Hoyle and US cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich. Together, they share their deeply personal reflections as queer former cult members and unpack the emotional, psychological and social challenges they have faced.  This talk was recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, and produced as a podcast by Plains Media. Tune in for an engaging conversation full of insight, healing, and hope for those impacted by cults. Stay connected with Decult! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know about our next conference in 2026 by ⁠⁠⁠preregistering⁠ now⁠⁠, check out all the ⁠Decult 2024 highlights⁠, and stay tuned for our documentary! Decult is a small charity run by volunteers. You can help us immensely by supporting our work with a ⁠⁠⁠donation⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for your support!

    47 min
  2. Health neglect in cults: Medical needs of survivors

    06/13/2025

    Health neglect in cults: Medical needs of survivors

    Can cults make you sick? In this groundbreaking episode of Decult Talks, Dr Caroline Ansley, a medical doctor and founder of the Centrepoint Restoration Project, shares her insights about the specific health needs of those inside cultic groups and those who left them. She explains the unique physical and emotional challenges they face and the critical professional support that is needed for recovery. A must-listen for health workers! Recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, and produced as a podcast by Plains Media. Tune in for a valuable conversation on the journey toward healing and restoration after cult involvement. Stay connected with Decult! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know about our next conference in 2026 by ⁠⁠⁠preregistering⁠ now⁠⁠, check out all the ⁠Decult 2024 highlights⁠, and stay tuned for our documentary! Decult is a small charity run by volunteers. You can help us immensely by supporting our work with a ⁠⁠⁠donation⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for your support!

    38 min
  3. Courage and action: What to do about Gloriavale?

    06/06/2025

    Courage and action: What to do about Gloriavale?

    Gloriavale - or Gloriafail: The infamous New Zealand cult has been in the courts and in the headlines recently. For how much longer can it keep going?  In this powerful episode of Decult Talks, Liz Gregory from the Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust hosts a moving panel with lawyer Dennis Gates and Gloriavale survivors Pearl Valor and Virginia Courage. Together, they explore the complex legal, emotional and social challenges faced by those rebuilding their lives after leaving the fundamentalist Christian community. Recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, and produced as a podcast by Plains Media. Tune in for a heart-wrenching yet hopeful discussion about survival, justice, and the journey to freedom. Stay connected with Decult! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know about our next conference in 2026 by ⁠⁠⁠preregistering⁠ now⁠⁠, check out all the ⁠Decult 2024 highlights⁠, and stay tuned for our documentary! Decult is a small charity run by volunteers. You can help us immensely by supporting our work with a ⁠⁠⁠donation⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for your support!

    56 min
  4. Walking free from trauma and abuse: A model for cult recovery

    05/30/2025

    Walking free from trauma and abuse: A model for cult recovery

    How do you recover from having lived in a cult? This kind of complex trauma requires a specialised approach.  In this insightful episode of Decult Talks, UK psychotherapist Dr Gillie Jenkinson delivers a powerful keynote on cult recovery therapy. Drawing on her extensive research, lived experience and groundbreaking handbook, Dr Jenkinson outlines the critical aspects of healing and recovery for individuals who have escaped cults and the therapeutic approaches that can support their journey. Recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, and produced as a podcast by Plains Media. Tune in for a profoundly informative discussion that sheds light on the therapeutic processes behind cult recovery. Stay connected with Decult! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know about our next conference in 2026 by ⁠⁠⁠preregistering⁠ now⁠⁠, check out all the ⁠Decult 2024 highlights⁠, and stay tuned for our documentary! Decult is a small charity run by volunteers. You can help us immensely by supporting our work with a ⁠⁠⁠donation⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for your support!

    30 min
  5. Rock the Watchtower: Former Jehovah’s Witnesses speak up

    05/24/2025

    Rock the Watchtower: Former Jehovah’s Witnesses speak up

    The Jehovah’s Witnesses have come under scrutiny in New Zealand and around the world. This powerful episode of Decult Talks brings those together who have exposed and transmuted cultic harm in their own ways.  Hosted by RNZ reporter Anusha Bradley, the international panel features Australian activist Lara Kaput, US filmmaker Scott Homan and NZ victim advocate Shayne Mechen, with powerful video insights from Micki McAllen (also known as Apostate Barbie). Together, they explore the complex intersections of control, resistance, and healing after leaving the JWs.   Recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand and produced as a podcast by Plains Media. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that blends activism, storytelling and advocacy to illuminate these critical issues. Stay connected with Decult! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know about our next conference in 2026 by ⁠⁠⁠preregistering⁠ now⁠⁠, check out all the ⁠Decult 2024 highlights⁠, and stay tuned for our documentary! Decult is a small charity run by volunteers. You can help us immensely by supporting our work with a ⁠⁠⁠donation⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for your support!

    54 min
  6. Groomed by Bill Gothard: Taking IBLP’s leader to court

    05/17/2025

    Groomed by Bill Gothard: Taking IBLP’s leader to court

    What does it take to stand up to an influential cult leader? Rachel Lees bravely answered that question by speaking up. She courageously initiated legal action against Bill Gothard, leader of the US-based fundamentalist group IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles), exposing the manipulative tactics hidden within the organization. Her story of grooming and escape, shared on Decult Talks, is one of extraordinary courage, resilience and the pursuit of justice in the face of systemic control. Recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, and produced as a podcast by Plains Media. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion about courage, legal battles and the fight for justice in the face of systemic manipulation. Stay connected with Decult! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know about our next conference in 2026 by ⁠⁠⁠preregistering⁠ now⁠⁠, check out all the ⁠Decult 2024 highlights⁠ and stay tuned for our documentary! Decult is a small charity run by volunteers. You can help us immensely by supporting our work with a ⁠⁠⁠donation⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for your support!

    30 min
  7. The truth about The Truth: Secrets and cover-ups of the 2x2s

    05/11/2025

    The truth about The Truth: Secrets and cover-ups of the 2x2s

    In this gripping episode of Decult Talks, Laura McConnell Conti shares her personal story of growing up in the secretive sect “The Truth” (or 2x2s), a group currently under investigation by the FBI for pedophilia. Laura takes us through her journey of leaving the cult, shedding light on the control tactics and the psychological impact of being raised within such a closed and abusive environment. Recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand and produced as a podcast by Plains Media. Tune in for a powerful and eye-opening discussion that will leave you reflecting on the far-reaching effects of cult influence. Stay connected with Decult! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know about our next conference in 2026 by ⁠⁠⁠preregistering⁠ now⁠⁠, check out all the ⁠Decult 2024 highlights⁠, and stay tuned for our documentary! Decult is a small charity run by volunteers. You can help us immensely by supporting our work with a ⁠⁠⁠donation⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for your support!

    29 min
  8. Rabbit Hole Resistance: Cults, disinformation and online radicalisation

    05/02/2025

    Rabbit Hole Resistance: Cults, disinformation and online radicalisation

    What is the overlap of disinformation, cults and online radicalisation?  Stephen Judd from FACT Aotearoa leads a compelling panel discussion on Decult Talks, joined by experts in cult dynamics and extremism: Prof Ekant Veer (University of Canterbury), Austrian cult expert Ulrike Schiesser, Australian-Egyptian human rights activist Adam Elmasri and Auckland psychotherapist Paul Wilson. Together, they unpack the social and psychological forces that pull people into dangerous rabbit holes, offering insights into how individuals and societies are affected. Recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, and produced as a podcast by Plains Media. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of cults and disinformation spreading. Stay connected with Decult! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know about our next conference in 2026 by ⁠⁠⁠preregistering⁠ now⁠⁠, check out all the ⁠Decult 2024 highlights⁠, and stay tuned for our documentary! Decult is a small charity run by volunteers. You can help us immensely by supporting our work with a ⁠⁠⁠donation⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for your support!

    55 min
See All (13)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Decult Talks is an independent podcast with speaker sessions from our Decult 2024 conference to raise awareness about cultic harm. We aim to break the silence, reduce stigma, and provide tangible support to those affected by coercive control. Join us for real conversations, expert insights and survivor stories — because no one should face cultic harm alone. Visit decult.net to learn more and support our cause.

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