Speaking of Cults
Chris Shelton
Show overview
Speaking of Cults has been publishing since 2019, and across the 7 years since has built a catalogue of 311 episodes. That works out to roughly 470 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 1h 6m and 1h 53m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. The publisher flags most episodes as explicit, so expect adult themes or strong language throughout. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 5 days ago, with 25 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Chris Shelton.
From the publisher
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. This also includes non-religious cults and extreme political movements including the more divisive elements of MAGA and left-wing culture war issues. There is nothing off-limits but we always try to be respectful of the people involved even if we do not respect the beliefs or actions involved.
Latest Episodes
View all 311 episodesSpeaking of Cults...Scientology Games and Abuse ft. Jon Atack
Speaking of Cults...The Struggle of Scientology with Matt Pesch
Speaking of Cults...Scientology, WISE and Delphi with Natalia Hirsch
Speaking of Cults...The Scientology Experience with Natalia Hirsch (Part 3)
Speaking of Cults...Carlos Castaneda the Guru Cult Leader
Speaking of Cults...Taking Cults to Court with Carol Merchasin
Speaking of Cults...Scientology and the Arts with Geoff Levin
Speaking of Cults...The Scientology Experience with Natalia Hirsch (Part 2)
Speaking of Cults...Scientology Beliefs Debunked (part 2)
Speaking of Cults...The Scientology Experience with Natalia Hirsch (Part 1)
Speaking of Cults...Scientology's Musical Phase with Geoff Levin
Ep 511Speaking of Cults...A Different Look at Narcissism & Cults
EToday I am sharing some recent observations and learning on the subject of narcissism - a timely topic given our current world situation - and relate observations of political philosopher @VladVexler to cult leaders and why things are always so madhouse insane around them. Enjoy!
Ep 510Speaking of Cults...I Belong to Me - A Discussion with Tia Levings
EToday I welcome back author and cult survivor Tia Levings, who discuses her upcoming book "I Belong to Me" about her recovery journey and advice for anyone on the same path. Enjoy! Tia's website: https://tialevings.com
Ep 509Speaking of Cults...7th Day Adventists and Holy Disobedience with Melissa Duge Spiers
EToday I welcome Melissa Duge Spiers, author of the new book Holy Disobedience, which is her story of being raised in and dealing with the religious abuse of the 7th Day Adventist cult. We discuss how this group was founded by a literal insane person and how the values of 1850 have NOT translated well to today's world, or to how to raise children in it. Her new book will be releasing in just a few days. I hope you check it out. Melissa on social media: @TheGloryWhole
Ep 508Speaking of Cults...Brothers Broken and Scientology with Geoff Levin
EToday I welcome back musician and artist Geoff Levin, former Scientologist, who has produced a new feature-length documentary, Brothers Broken, telling his story of Scientology abuse and disconnection, and the happy ending he got after escaping the cult. The movie itself is releasing in the next week or so. Enjoy! Geoff Levin website: http://geofflevin.com
Ep 507Speaking of Cults...Debunking Scientology with Jon Atack
EToday I welcome back Jon Atack for a new series of podcasts we'll be doing to debunk the "basics" of Scientology, one bit at a time. This is a wide-ranging and hopefully interesting discussion where we pull no punches on how we see Scientology. Enjoy!
Ep 506Speaking of Cults...Helping People Escape Scientology with Phil Jones
EToday I welcome Phil Jones, the Executive Director of the Aftermath Foundation, to discuss its purpose, activities and an upcoming fundraiser being held here in Denver on March 11th. Enjoy! The Michael J Rinder Aftermath Foundation: https://theaftermathfoundation.org
Ep 505Speaking of Cults...Body Language and Manipulation
EToday I welcome back Zach Elwood to discuss body language and how it really works to "read" someone, understand their tells and how to accurately predict what they are going to do. It's a bit more complicated than you may have been told. All of this, of course, directly relates to how predators and cult leaders read their followers and use what they know against them. Zach's podcast: https://behavior-podcast.com
Ep 504Speaking of Cults...What are MAGA Christians Thinking?
EToday I welcome back Dr. Clint Heacock, a former evangelical minister who was born and raised in an evangelical community and has done a great deal of research on what the Christian Nationalist agenda is and how it aligns with Trump, MAGA and Project 2025. Today we revisit these topics and answer the question "What are these MAGA Christians thinking in supporting a mad dictator?" I hope this episode helps shed some light on what is going on with these people and how to talk to them to wake them up from their Christian fever dream. Clint's YouTube channel: @dismantlingdoctrine
Ep 503Speaking of Cults...Transforming Landmark with Ben Eisenberg
EThis week I welcome Ben Eisenberg, someone who grew up in and around Landmark and its teachings, which did not help him in his early life. He's spent quite some time sorting this out and shares his journey with us today including a surprising outcome when he pushed for some change. Enjoy! Ben's article on Medium: https://medium.com/@beneisenberg_10514/my-experience-growing-up-in-landmark-education-landmark-worldwide-1aae2ea2582e