48 episodes
WTF is on my Mind?! Mark Vicente
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- Society & Culture
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4.9 • 656 Ratings
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Author, Speaker, Whistleblower and award-winning Director Mark Vicente was behind the sleeper hit “What The Bleep Do We Know?!” Several books have been written about the film’s remarkable grassroots marketing campaign, which led to its unprecedented success.Mark was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1965. Taking his first photograph at age four, he quickly discovered his passion for being behind the camera. After attending film and drama school in South Africa, he began working his way up the ranks of the camera department, from Assistant to Operator to Cinematographer. His first big break came as Director of Photography on the musical “SARAFINA,” starring Whoopi Goldberg. In 1992, he set his sights on Hollywood and relocated to Los Angeles to shoot his first studio picture for Disney; “FATHERHOOD,” starring Patrick Swayze and Halle Berry. At the age of 26, he became one of the youngest cinematographers to shoot a big-budget studio picture. Over the next few decades, he went on to shoot an additional 14 feature films and numerous documentaries, music videos and commercials. Mark soon found there were in him, untold stories he desperately wanted to express as a Director. He was driven by the conviction that tales of greatness, nobility and introspection could be exciting and financially successful. Perhaps because of the very obvious race and class iniquities in South Africa, he found himself propelled to question certain fundamental assumptions at a very young age. Beliefs about human behavior, cosmology, religion, existentialism and mysticism. Along the way, he stumbled into a few situations where leaders with malignant pathologies (masquerading as saintly philosophers) spoke the talk of self-improvement but did untold damage to their followers... and him. Looking back, he can now say he has been in at least two cults. His last foray into personal growth and his defection from NXIVM was chronicled in the HBO series “The Vow”. Mark and a few plucky whistleblowers exposed the criminal activities of the organization, resulting in multiple arrests and indictments. He doesn’t consider himself a cult expert, but by his own admission, “I’m an expert in being screwed over, waking up, and knowing how to spot them.” He’s got a pretty salty approach to most things and is fascinated by the myriad patterns in the human psychodynamic that create the best and the worst in civilization. Join Mark as he unpacks a whole range of topics to do with: Psychology, Consciousness, Morality, Narcissistic Abuse, Spirituality, Cults, Propaganda, Science, Filmmaking, and Philosophy.You never quite know what you’re going to get, as it really does depend on… WTF is on his mind?!
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A.I. & the Hollywood Collapse? w/ Adam G. Simon
In this episode: I continue my discussion with Producer/Writer Adam G. Simon - about A.I. this time. We look at the ethical implications of A.I. and the lack of regulations and ethical constraints in its development. Adam discusses the state of Hollywood, describing it as a corrupt industry driven by money and power. He explores the impact of A.I. on storytelling and expresses his worries about the loss of creativity and the homogenization of content. We discuss Nolan A.I. - a creative ...
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From the Mormon Church to the Cult of Hollywood w/ Adam G. Simon
In this episode: I talk to Adam G. Simon, a screenwriter, producer, and actor. We discuss Adam's background as a bodyguard and close protection specialist, his experiences in the Mormon Church, and his journey of leaving the church. We also touch on the investigations department within the church and the control it exerts over its members. We explore themes of abuse, manipulation, and the fear of leaving a religious community. Adam discusses his journey from Mormonism to questioning and ...
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Narcissistic Psychopaths are Molding our Society w/ Richard Grannon
In this Episode: I chat with Richard Grannon about the concept of narcissistic psychopathy and its impact on power structures and society. He delves into the characteristics of narcissistic psychopaths, their delusional and power-hungry nature, and their ability to manipulate and control others. The discussion highlights the dangers of narcissistic psychopathy becoming the dominant influence in societal structures and the need for cynicism and resistance. It also touches on the role of fantas...
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Why We Follow Psychopaths? with Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, Edward Dutton
In this episode: A conversation with Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, Edward Dutton. We cover a wide range of topics, including the seminar on Narcissistic Psychopathy we just completed, the background of Professor Dutton, discussions on autism, the concept of heresy, controversial views, the adaptive nature of religion, and the influence of intelligence on manipulation and societal dynamics. The conversation delves into the societal shift towards dogma, the psychology of giving power to...
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STAY DAMAGED with comedian Rob Van Vuuren (aka Namaste Bae)
In this episode: I interview Rob van Vuuren, a comedian and actor known for his character Namaste Bae. We discuss the origins of the character, the comedy scene in South Africa, and the dangers of certainty and cult-like behavior. Rob shares how he uses comedy to process the absurdity and insanity of everyday life. We also touch on the global appeal of alternative healing and the importance of vulnerability in comedy. Rob discusses his experiences as an artist and comedian, particularly in re...
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The Goodness Trap
In this episode: I discuss the concept of the goodness trap, where people become so attached to the idea of being good that they ignore or justify bad behavior. I explore how this trap can be seen in various contexts, such as political extremism, cults, and the protection of institutions. I also highlight the danger of virtue signaling and the need for individuals to critically examine their own ideological teams and actions. I encourage listeners to engage in nuance and self-reflection rathe...
Customer Reviews
Captivating
Brilliant work Mark. I am amazed by you and Bonnie, who didn’t ignore her intuition. You two have done incredible and very courageous work. I have never been in a cult but I spent years in personal development and I absolutely see how good people with aspirations can be pulled in. That moment when you talk about how emaciated the women were and KR says “you know there was a study about people who see zombies” to derail the subject!!! Wow! I enjoy listening to your podcast and I look forward to future episodes.
He lets his guests speak
Such a rare podcast where the host is not central to the conversation. Mark completely shuts up and lets the guest speak.
Excellent
Honest, deep, thought provoking, yet not too hard to follow. Mark, I’m not sure if you’ll see this, but thank you for honestly sharing your experiences, insights and hard lessons learned. I’ve been working through Complex PTSD from more long-term emotional trauma from different sources, and PTSD from being struck by a speeding car as a child and very nearly being lost to this world. I’ve recently learned that through broth of these types of trauma, there is so much that gets locked in our bodies, and it’s intense. There’s a lot of deep work I’ve been putting forth, but in light of deeply rooted emotional trauma, it’s hard to trust many of the voices out there. All of this to say, I’ve followed your story through The Vow, and while there are only a select number of voices I know I can trust and deeply respect, yours is one of them. Thank you for living your life with integrity and grace, but also for being willing to offer your unbiased take on some of these complex issues. I’m one of your proud Patreon supporters, and am so excited to see more of the art works you’re creating. Thank you so much!
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