Speaking of Cults
A podcast about cults, coercive control and recovery. Formerly called the Sensibly Speaking podcast, in this weekly show host Chris Shelton interviews cult survivors, psychologists and other professionals and specialists about the topics of cult recruitment, retention and recovery.
Episodes
Episodes
Saturday Apr 24, 2021
Scott Rudin & David Miscavige: Two Peas in a Pod
Saturday Apr 24, 2021
Saturday Apr 24, 2021
This week, I discuss the just-breaking story of Hollywood producer Scott Rudin, who according to reports has serious anger management issues and has allegedly abused assistants and co-workers for decades. The patterns of behavior and even specific actions and words Rudin reportedly used are so amazingly similar to what we know about David Miscavige and Sea Org executives at every level, I simply had to dedicate a podcast to discussing the similarities as I experienced them as a Sea Org member. Enjoy!
Hollywood Reporter article
Vulture article
The post Sensibly Speaking #294: Rudin & Miscavige: Two Peas in a Pod appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
Extremism, Atheism and Other Controversies with Seth Andrews
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
This week I welcome back Seth Andrews, host of The Thinking Atheist channel and podcast and an all-around great guy. In this wide-ranging discussion, we take up issues with religion but spend a lot more time describing our issues with the atheist side of the coin and problems we want to see rectified in how atheists approach believers. There’s a lot more too including some Scientology references. I hope you enjoy all of it.
Seth’s YouTube channel
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #293: Extremism, Atheism and Other Controversies with Seth Andrews appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Apr 10, 2021
The Power of Showing a Little Gratitude
Saturday Apr 10, 2021
Saturday Apr 10, 2021
This week I talk from a psychological perspective on the surprising power of gratitude and how this helps us maintain perspective. I share some very personal experiences of this in my own life as well. Enjoy!
Harvard Medical School article
Dr. Summer Allen article
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #292: The Power of Showing a Little Gratitude appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Apr 03, 2021
How to Understand Everything with Tom Beakbane
Saturday Apr 03, 2021
Saturday Apr 03, 2021
This week I welcome neuroscientist Tom Beakbane to the show to discuss his book “How to Understand Everything” and the subject of consilience, a word Tom has used as a foundational idea for a multi-faceted approach to looking at our relationships, our biology and even consciousness itself. If nothing else, we certainly had an interesting conversation. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #291: How to Understand Everything with Tom Beakbane appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Mar 27, 2021
Indoctrination and Radicalization in Cults
Saturday Mar 27, 2021
Saturday Mar 27, 2021
This week I am offering something a little different: an interview I did for Paganicon 2021 on the subject of cult indoctrination and radicalization and how this might also apply in groups and relationships. We had a great time, even if I was a little chatty, and I hope you enjoy it.
My earlier interview with Penny
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #290: Indoctrination and Radicalization in Cults appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Mar 20, 2021
Sensibly Speaking Podcast #289: Scientology, Cult City Tours and Protests
Saturday Mar 20, 2021
Saturday Mar 20, 2021
This week, there was a bit of a kerfuffle in Clearwater over the Scientology and the Aftermath reunion and Cult City Tours which happened on Hubbard’s Birthday on March 13th. In this podcast, I go over the city council meeting that happened two days ago and my opinions and commentary on the entire matter as it relates to Clearwater and Scientology. Enjoy!
Clearwater City Council Meeting video
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #289: Scientology, Cult City Tours and Protests appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Mar 13, 2021
Let’s Talk About Mental Health, Part 2
Saturday Mar 13, 2021
Saturday Mar 13, 2021
About two years ago, Melissa and I did a podcast about mental health, suicide and treatment, talking intimately about our own experiences as well as what we have learned. This week we tackle this subject again, especially some of the issues we’ve encountered or learned about in getting help and some ideas we had about how we can help one another despite these issues. Enjoy! #MentalHealth #Scientology
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #288: Let’s Talk About Mental Health, Part 2 appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Mar 06, 2021
Scientology and Double Binds
Saturday Mar 06, 2021
Saturday Mar 06, 2021
This week I am joined by my wonderful wife, Melissa, to discuss the psychological principle of double binds and how these are control mechanisms used to deceive, manipulate and control people in not just cults like Scientology but also in domestic partnerships. We talk about what these are, where the ideas come from and I give a lot of examples from my own Scientology experience. I hope that this is truly an educational video for people about a topic that is not discussed nearly enough. Enjoy!
Psychology Today article
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #287: Scientology and Double Binds appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Your Host
Hello, my name is Chris Shelton and I am an author, consultant, podcaster, videographer, and former cult member. Welcome to my podcast!
Who is Chris Shelton?
Chris started a YouTube channel which has over 45,000 subscribers, produces the Sensibly Speaking podcast each week and has produced hundreds of videos laying out the scam of Scientology, educating on critical thinking and interviewing former members of Scientology and other destructive cults, as well as a range of therapists, cult exit counselors, educators and media personalities. Chris has also given talks and presentations around the United States about his experiences and has been featured on numerous podcasts and television shows. He was featured on Leah Remini’s Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E and served as a consultant to the show for its first two seasons. He has also written a critical analysis of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard called Scientology: A to Xenu – An Insider’s Guide to What Scientology is Really All About, available on Amazon in printed form, e-book format and as an audio book.