Seek Safely

Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle

The SEEK Safely podcast is the official voice of the nonprofit organization SEEK Safely Inc, which advocates for ethics and accountability in the self-help industry, and empowers seekers to have safe and effective self-improvement journeys. Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle peel back the layers of the largely unregulated, multi-billion dollar self-help industry, discussing the patterns of exploitation and deception that pervade the industry and allow self-help gurus to thrive at the expense of their customers and followers. Along the way we’ll have discussions with people who care as much as we do about the self-help industry being held accountable for the promises it makes–and we lay out our vision of a world in which seekers are respected and protected.

  1. -3 ч

    AI Really Wants to Get into Self-help, but it’s as Terrible as We May Expect

    We’ll give it to Tony Robbins–he’s trying really hard to stay relevant in a rapidly changing self-help environment. Most recently, he’s joined in with a bunch of tech bros to build a therapizing, AI guru. What could go wrong?! Glenn and Jean chat about this latest development in the saga of AI and self-help, raising some important questions about what’s happening. The merging of two un- or at least underregulated industries, both of which are hard-selling consumers by promising them what they want to hear but not proceeding with much if any integrity, feels like a potentially dangerous direction to head in. But, what do we know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ To Listen: “AI’s Musical Analysis Stinks” on PodSaveAmerica “AI: The Shiny, Environmentally-destructive Magic 8 Ball” on the SEEK Safely Podcast To Watch: Finding Michael Documentary  To Read:  “Good Sugar, Bad Sugar” by Alan Carr “The Path, Founded by Tony Robbins and Calm Alums, Hopes to Offer Safer AI Therapy” by Julie Bort for TechCrunch “Dozens Injured After Walking on Hot Coals at Tony Robbins Event” by Catherine Thornebeck for ABC News Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org Make a secure donation to support the SEEK Safely Podcast on SEEKSafely.org

    54 мин.

  2. 26 мая

    Visionary or Delusional? What Submersibles, Fake Blood Tests, and Self-help Share

    Jean and Glenn revisit some recent examples of supposedly visionary individuals whose grand plans led to disaster. It’s a sort of wishful thinking, fake-it-till-you-make-it, “manifest it” mindset that is not only a hallmark of modern self-help, but also seems to be pervasive in modern culture. What are the implications of this type of thinking, especially as we train LLMs and AIs from the content output of this culture? Also… Join us on May 30th for the SEEK Safely Summit! We’ll be talking about solutions for building a better self-help world. To Listen: The Dropout Podcast The Workers Letting AI Do Their Jobs on The Daily Podcast To Watch: Finding Michael Documentary  To Read:  How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie  Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org Make a secure donation to support the SEEK Safely Podcast on SEEKSafely.org

    57 мин.

  3. 11 мая

    Tony Robbins on a Federal Healthcare Advisory Board? Hmmm....

    Jean and Dr. Doyle discuss the recent appointment of Tony Robbins to the HHS and CMS Mental Healthcare Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Wellness. A lack of qualifications never stopped Tony—why stop now?! Mostly, it’s a point of curiosity. But importantly, it’s yet another example of the ways in which the self-help world are not distinct from the rest of our world. And this is why the work of SEEK Safely matters. We also talk quickly about the upcoming SEEK Safely Summitt, featuring prominent voices in the self-help and wellness world who, like SEEK, want to bring about a better, safer, more effective and ethical self-help industry. Join us on May 30th. Get tickets here. Show Notes: To Read: The Agenda by Bob Woodward My Life by Bill Clinton How to Get Control of Your Time & Life by Alan Lakein Jean's Open Letter to Oprah To Listen: Be Your Own Guru (bc your other guru might be in the Epstein Files) SEEK Safely Podcast SEEK Safely Pod Episode about MLMs To Watch: Jim Rohn on YouTube To Learn: Annette McGivney Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org Make a secure donation to support the SEEK Safely Podcast on SEEKSafely.org

    55 мин.

  4. 1 мая

    What does "Good Self-help" Look Like with Anne Peterson

    Glenn and Jean chat with SEEK Friend Anne Peterson, asking the question, "What would 'good' self-help look like?" It's easy to focus on the negative in the industry, but SEEK Safely's mission has always come with the assumption that this industry has value to offer people who are looking for self-improvement. So what are the good examples? What are the good practices? How do we build and encourage an industry that is rooted in ethical practices and lives up to it promises? If you want more conversation like this, you'll love the SEEK Summit, coming up on May 30th! Get more info here. Show Notes: To Listen: Confronting the Line Anne Peterson's Podcast To Read:  B-More Ethical Society Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankel Outrageous Betrayal by Steven Pressman Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini The 99th Monkey by Eliezer Sobel Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

    1 ч. 11 мин.

  5. 13 апр.

    Interview with Chris Shelton (Part 2)

    Chris Shelton has  a Master's degree in Coercive Control and is the creator of the R.E.M. model of human behaviour, which sheds light on the motivations and drivers that can contribute to a person falling under the persuasion of coercive groups or ideologies. Chris also hosts the "Speaking of Cults" podcast and his upcoming book "What Now? A Practical Guide to Life After a Cult"  Chris, Glenn, and Jean talk Scientology, psychology, coercive control and lots of self-help history. Chris will be joining the SEEK Safely Summit on May 30th. You can join us too! This episode is Part 2 of 2.  Notes:  To Read:  "The Unique Characteristics of Post-cult PTSD and Suggested Therapeutic Approaches" by Dennis Patrick Healy in ICSA Today "Barefaced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard" by Russel Miller "The Program: Inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM" by Toni Natalie To Watch:  Chris Shelton talking about "The Master" movie "How to Become a Cult Leader"  Netflix Docuseries Going Clear on Netflix SNL "Neurotology" video Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

    1 ч. 2 мин.

  6. 31 мар.

    Interview with Chris Shelton Part 1

    Chris Shelton has  a Master's degree in Coercive Control and is the creator of the R.E.M. model of human behaviour, which sheds light on the motivations and drivers that can contribute to a person falling under the persuasion of coercive groups or ideologies. Chris also hosts the "Speaking of Cults" podcast and his upcoming book "What Now? A Practical Guide to Life After a Cult"  Chris, Glenn, and Jean talk Scientology, psychology, coercive control and lots of self-help history. Chris will be joining the SEEK Safely Summit on May 30th. You can join us too! This episode is Part 1 of 2.  Notes:  To Read:  "The Unique Characteristics of Post-cult PTSD and Suggested Therapeutic Approaches" by Dennis Patrick Healy in ICSA Today "Barefaced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard" by Russel Miller "The Program: Inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM" by Toni Natalie To Watch:  Chris Shelton talking about "The Master" movie "How to Become a Cult Leader"  Netflix Docuseries Going Clear on Netflix SNL "Neurotology" video Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

    58 мин.

  7. 16 мар.

    Be Your Own Guru (bc your other guru might be in the Epstein Files)

    One of the things SEEK Safely has always said about self-help is that it is not a separate culture--it IS very much a part of mainstream culture. It is, then, unsurprising when it gets wrapped up in news stories of the day, such as the Epstein Files (if you hadn't heard, a prominent "Old Guard" self-help guy makes a disturbing appearance in the Files, as does a newer wellness guru).  Glenn and Jean discuss the long standing relationship between self-help and celebrity--how self-help figures have courted celebrities and political figures for clout and legitimacy, and how celebrities and other public figures have used self-help guru to show their... philosophical? spiritual? deep? side.  Notes:  To Watch:  Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich Netflix Docuseries To Read:  Peter Atia, the Epstein Files, and the Lie Propping Up Big Wellness by Jessica Grose for The New York Times Melania Had Herself a Movie Night! by Danielle Han for Yahoo News How Celebrity Life Coach Tony Robbins Started Working with Bill Clinton by Richard Feloni for Business Insider Tragedy in Sedona by Connie Joy Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

    58 мин.

  8. 03.11.2025

    Climate Change and Self-help? Yep!

    Dr. Doyle and Jean discuss some of the points of intersection between the self-help industry and climate change and environmental issues in general. How do these things relate, you might ask. The self-help industry is in many ways a reflection of larger patterns in the world and society. Some of the problems that have contributed to climate change are also seen in the self-help industry. But perhaps more interestingly, when we imagine a better future for both our environment and the self-help industry, we see parallels there, too. In this discussion, we hope to inspire some thought about what a better self-help future looks like. This conversation was largely inspired by the book “What if We Get it Right? Visions of Climate Futures” by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. A sobering but also very hopeful and inspiring read!  Show Notes: To Read:  “What if We Get it Right? Visions of Climate Futures” by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill “Awaken the Giant Within" by Tony Robbins "This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Ginny Brown and Jean Brown “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey “Don’t Call it a Cult” by Sara Berman Sunk Cost Fallacy Floorball To Watch:  SEEK Week 2025 on YouTube Escaping Twin Flames on Netflix The Vow on Netflix Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown Donate to support SEEK’s mission To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

    54 мин.
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The SEEK Safely podcast is the official voice of the nonprofit organization SEEK Safely Inc, which advocates for ethics and accountability in the self-help industry, and empowers seekers to have safe and effective self-improvement journeys. Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle peel back the layers of the largely unregulated, multi-billion dollar self-help industry, discussing the patterns of exploitation and deception that pervade the industry and allow self-help gurus to thrive at the expense of their customers and followers. Along the way we’ll have discussions with people who care as much as we do about the self-help industry being held accountable for the promises it makes–and we lay out our vision of a world in which seekers are respected and protected.

Информация

  • Автор
    Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle
  • Годы выхода
    2022 - 2026
  • Выпуски
    56
  • Ограничения
    С ненормативной лексикой
  • Авторские права
    © 2026 Seek Safely
  • Сайт подкаста
    Seek Safely

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