Cult Chat Cult Chat
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- Society & Culture
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Join Dr Caroline Ansley, Lindy Jacomb and Liz Gregory as they traverse the cultiverse. Journey with them as they unpack the cult playbook, talk to leavers of coercive and controlling groups in New Zealand, and share their stories. On “Cult Chat” our hosts talk with experts to gain greater understanding of cultishness and call for Kiwis to cult-proof their lives. "Cult Chat" is a home-grown Kiwi podcast where each of the hosts are uniquely positioned to host a survivor-centric podcast, bringing their individual experiences of high control groups to the conversation.
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Episode 34: Healing Trauma - A Day with Bessel van der Kolk
Recently Caz, Liz and Lindy spent a day with renowned trauma expert, Dr Bessel Van Der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps the Score”. Our trio unpack their day of learning, and talk about the impact of trauma on the body, on memory, on recovery and why it is important in the context of cults. Using their hastily scribbled notes, they discuss neurophysiology, EMDR, neurofeedback, and a bunch of other technical stuff. Listen up if you’ve an interest in the mind-body connection and trauma recovery.
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Episode 33: Sam Jahara (Part 3) Truth, Acknowledgment and Repair
What do you do if someone you love won’t acknowledge the harm that you experienced - the harm they may have caused? How long do you wait, and is there another way to move on? In this third episode Sam and Caz talk about the yearning for acknowledgement and reparation that follows betrayal, especially betrayal as a child. Join this final conversation with Sam and Caz, as they grapple with hurts left behind, relationships that may never be repaired, and their own creative pursuits for justice.
Show Notes:
Webpage: An Open Letter Calling for Restorative Justice for the Children of Centrepoint Community
Book: Trauma and Recovery - Judith Herman
Podcast: The Children of Osho - Cult Vault
Podcast: In My Father’s Footsteps - Indoctrination
Podcast: Children of the Guru - Loss of Identity within the Rajneesh Cult - Talk Beliefs -
Episode 32: Sam Jahara (Part 2) Recovery for Rajneesh & Centrepoint Children
Decades after leaving a cult, what is life like for a child cult survivor? How does she build identity and integrate into the outside world? In this second episode of Caz and Sam Jahara’s intimate conversation, the two discuss these concerns and more. They talk about the resources needed to recover and thrive, the wounds left by neglect and abuse, and the unique challenges those born or raised in a cult must navigate. This vulnerable second part of a three-part conversation is not to be missed.
Notes
Film: Wild Wild Country on Netflix
Article: The psychological impacts on children who grow up in cults by Sam Jahara
Book: What Happened to You? Conversations on trauma, and healing by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Book: Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman -
Episode 31: Sam Jahara (Part 1) The Children of Rajneesh and Centrepoint
Caz speaks with UK psychotherapist Sam Jahara about her years as a child living in the communes of the Indian guru Rajneesh in the 1980s. They explore how the Rajneesh movement was so similar in many difficult ways to the Centrepoint Community that Caz was involved with as a child. This is the first episode of a three part interview between two women who explore the long term effects that cults have on the children who live in them. Listen up if you care about the impacts of cults on kids and are interested in accountability and repair.
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Episode 30: Escaping Utopia (Part Three) The Storytellers of Gloriavale and Centrepoint
Join Caz, as she interviews two accidental cult investigators about two notorious NZ cults. The first is Natalie Malcon, producer of “Escaping Utopia” the recent Gloriavale docuseries, and “Heaven & Hell; The Centrepoint Story”. The second is Anke Richter, journalist and author of “Cult Trip”, a deep dive into the complexity of both Gloriavale and Centrepoint. This conversation between three cult activists, each using a different medium to shine light on cult harm, will be eye opening.
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Episode 29: Escaping Utopia (Part Two) Gloriavale DocuSeries - A Chat with Cast and Crew
Join Liz as she chats with ex-Gloriavale film participant Rosanna Overcomer and film producer Natalie Malcon about the recent Escaping Utopia docuseries. We give you a glimpse “behind the scenes”, into the film’s journey to the screens, set design, casting, meticulous re-enactments, as well as the personal challenge of sharing one's story. We also delve into the ethical dilemmas of filming undercover scenes in India, sparking thought-provoking discussions on filmmaking and media responsibilities.