Today marks 37 years since the death of L. Ron Hubbard -- founder of scientology, "Source" to his followers, compulsive storyteller and master conman. I want to take a moment today to recommend Russell Miller's wonderful, detailed, enlightening unauthorized biography Bare-Faced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard. Miller's book opened my eyes to so much about Hubbard as he connected dots and answered many questions. The diligent research and detail in his account is remarkable, sifting through the endless stories and lies told by Hubbard about his life and accomplishments to … [Read more...]
A Little Bit Culty Podcast
Just dropped, a new episode of one of my favorite podcasts with my good friends Sarah Edmondson and Nippy (Anthony) Ames. You can listen here … [Read more...]
Signed Copies of A Billion Years
In response to many requests, I have signed more copies of A Billion Years and they are now available through the SP Shop. This is a way of raising funds for The Aftermath Foundation -- all monies are used to help people escape from scientology and transition into the "wog" world. I wanted to get this announcement out for anyone who wanted a signed edition and missed out earlier, with the first people to hear about it on my blog. There are a limited number available (I signed 60, the site will tell you how many are left). Each book is $75. Thursday Funnies will appear on … [Read more...]
#WheresShelly
https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1613000395605020673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1613000395605020673%7Ctwgr%5Eed5d4f99b49f9e0ad25e6c811877cd4922266193%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffpost.com%2Fentry%2Ftom-cruise-joke-golden-globes_n_63be312be4b0b2e1506c1ae3 Jerrod Carmichael's stunning bit at the Golden Globes last night set social media on fire. And subsequently is all over the media, bringing global attention to this issue. As readers of this blog know, Leah Remini famously filed a missing persons report concerning Shelly in 2013, detailed in … [Read more...]
Podcast with Mark Vicente of The Vow
I recommend everyone watch The Vow -- both seasons -- on HBO. It documents the horrors of Keith Raniere and his NXIVM cult. Mark, and his wife Bonnie Piesse, play a significant role in bringing down Raniere, who is now serving 120 years in Federal prison. Christie and I have become friends with Mark and Bonnie (and also with the other most prominent whistleblowers who exposed Raniere's cult -- Sarah Edmondson and Nippy Ames). These friendships are based on a foundation of deep understanding forged by shared similar experiences. They are good, strong, brave people who put their personal comfort … [Read more...]
A Billion Years for Christmas and Kirstie Alley’s Death
My thanks to Gallery Books for this ad in the New York Times Book Review this week. A book is an excellent gift for Christmas! Especially A Billion Years... Please keep that in mind as you do your holiday shopping for friends and family. Kirstie Alley The passing of Kirstie was announced late last night by her children. A dedicated scientologist to the end, she did her best to smear me and Leah as all good scientologists do. But despite that, I have fond memories of Kirstie. She has never been anything but over-the-top outrageous and very funny. The only mention I make of … [Read more...]
Book Event Tonight — Join Us in Philly
I'm flying to Philadelphia today to join Prof. Marci Hamilton to discuss A Billion Years at the University of Pennsylvania. I hope if you are in the area you will join us. The event is free. I will be signing books. And talking with Marci about the book and other things that are important to us. You can register for the event here. … [Read more...]
A Billion Years Event: Scientology is Losing Its Mind
On Wednesday November 30th I am doing an event at the University of Pennsylvania with Professor Marci Hamilton. This is causing great consternation in the hallways of OSA/Stand League. They tweeted about it using my daughter's account and even created a new video where she whines how she just got a "copy and paste" reply to her form-letter complaint to UPenn. Seriously, only scientology could come up with something like this -- a whineTweet for Thanksgiving. I thought Thanksgiving was supposed to be a day when you remember what you are thankful for, not an excuse to circulate the … [Read more...]
A Kirkus Best Nonfiction Book of the Year
Very gratified that Kirkus named A Billion Years as one of the Best Nonfiction Books of the Year … [Read more...]
A Billion Years on Amazon’s List of Best Bios & Memoirs 2022
I was thrilled to learn yesterday that A Billion Years was included in Amazon's list of best biographies and memoirs of 2022. The full list is here. It is very gratifying to know the work I put into this book is being so well received. I sincerely hope it brings some insight to help anyone who reads it live a better life. … [Read more...]