This month, Christian Szurko of the Dialog Centre returns, joining Jon and Pearse in this informative, witty, and often hilarious discussion. They start with the idea of how communication is used – or, rather, misused – as a means of control in recruitment and indoctrination, and the impact this has in the recovery of those leaving authoritarian relationships. They move on to explore how the misuse of communication plays out in groups such as cults and gangs, as well as in everyday relationships. They also take a hard look at how our education system can act as the foundation for this type of control, and discuss how redefining words and phrases has long been used by authoritarian groups to exert control.
This month Pearse Redmond and Yuval Laor explore the issue of conspiracy theories and their power to manipulate individuals and groups. They start off by discussing the popular Qanon theory, breaking down how adherents to this and many other conspiracy theories operate within the structure of a secret society, and the dangers of being in a secret society. Yuval also discusses the concept of “argument from strangeness” and how this factors into both conspiracy theories and miracles. Later they touch on why authoritarian groups such as cults often employ conspiracy theories in order to control and manipulate their members. Finally, they close out the show by discussing the danger of dismissing all conspiracy theories, and the human need to question authority, using the fabricated Nayirah Testimony and the Iraqi WMD’s as examples to support their arguments.
Join hosts Pearse Redmond and Jon Atack as they discuss the concept of awe and its manipulative power with Yuval Laor. They talk about the psychological effect awe can have on an individual, and explore how this can be exploited by cult groups and toxic individuals in order to gain control. Yuval and Jon also discuss how all of us can be susceptible to the manipulation of our natural sense of awe, and the importance of cultivating healthy awe experiences in our life.
We are delighted to announce the first episode of Open Minds On Air. This is the official podcast of the Open Minds Foundation, hosted by Pearse Redmond, Jon Atack, and Yuval Laor.
In this episode, we introduce ourselves and give a little background on what the Open Minds Foundation is working on. We discuss the ever-present threat of the human predator, and how they infect our lives. Also, Jon and Yuval explain the methods and techniques of human predators. They talk about the tactics that these predators employ to gain control over an individual or group. We end the conversation by talking about ways individuals can combat this behavior.
This week I am joined by legendary Scientology critic and writer Jon Atack. We begin our conversation by discussing Jon’s time as a Scientologist from 1974-1983 where he attained OT level 5. Jon discusses his disillusionment with Scientology in the 1980’s and the process by which he left the group. Jon also speaks about the the abuse he faced after leaving and the lengths Scientology went to after he published Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky. We then move onto Jon’s book and focus on the monumental achievement that it represents in terms of laying out the true history of both L Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Jon and I explore who Hubbard truly was. I ask Jon why history has whitewashed much of Hubbard’s legacy in recent years. We discuss what motivated Hubbard to create Dianetics and form Scientology. Jon talks about Hubbard’s massive drug use and the role that played in his life throughout running the cult. Jon also touches on the theory that Hubbard suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy. We also talk about Michael Meisner’s infiltration of the IRS and Hubbard’s role in orchestrating this.
In the second hour Jon and I discuss the role of the Commodores Messengers. We talk about their power with in Scientology, and how they rose to essentially control the entire cult. I ask Jon about Janis Grady’s new book talking about her time as a Commodores Messenger alongside her brother and sister aboard The Apollo. We explore Hubbard’s use of children within the cult and also explore the allegations of child abuse by Hubbard. We finish the conversation by talking about Jon’s current work with the Open Minds Foundation. Jon talks about their mission and the work that they are doing in exposing cults, undue influence, manipulation, and brainwashing. Jon talks about how gangs, terrorists, pedophiles, sex traffickers, and many other nefarious groups all employ theses tactics in order to control those around them. We also talk about how we as individuals are under constant attack from those wishing to exert undue influence and ways to combat it.
Porkins Policy Review 