The Gateway: Teal Swan

I was impressed teal let Jennings get this close to her. I liked his style of reporting, I didn't feel like he was talking to me like a child like some other podcasts seem to do. I liked that it brought all involved parties and it gave you every angle available.

I enjoyed the series, but have one point that I don't agree with. He claims that people do not repress memories and suddenly remember them with help. Oh yes, they do. Never had anything to do with Teal Swan, but I have definitely remembered repressed memories. It used to be called being "in denial".

The podcast was good and it did present a fair and balanced approach to the methods of Teal Swan. However, I think it could have greatly benefited greatly from expert analysis and research. For instance, throughout the podcast I thought of Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, who is a leading expert on memory research. In particular, I thought of her research on false memories. She has done studies that demonstrate how false memories can be planted within our minds. Her research leaves you somewhat disturbed because it illustrates that it doesn’t take any magic or master manipulation to implant a false memory; it merely takes a suggestion. Aside for this specific example, I just felt as though the podcast could have really benefitted from interviewing psychologists, experts on suicide, other gurus/spiritual leaders, etc. or referencing research on the topics discussed. I probably approach information differently because I am a professor of philosophy. But I believe it is difficult to truly understand a topic in isolation and that approaching a topic critically involves analyzing the context. While context was given regarding how Teal Swan became a spiritual leader and the way in which her methods manifested, I felt as though the podcast failed to provide the larger context in which Teal Swan’s methods and beliefs are situated (e.g., trauma, memory, suicide, spirituality, psychosomatic therapy, depression whether existential or clinical, etc.) and what experts already know on such topics. It should be noted that I am only on episode four.

Felt like everyone in this podcast got a fair shake–presenting the facts and yet not being overly sympathetic or moralizing. Was fascinated to the end.