I came across this on Twitter. Jeffrey Palmaccio (his twitter handle is @longisland1892), a Masters of Journalism student at Hofstra University, wrote this mini capstone in December 2020 about scientology (I had to look that up: Also called a capstone experience, culminating project, or senior exhibition, among many other terms, a capstone project is a multifaceted assignment that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students, typically during their final year of high school or middle school, or at the end of an academic program. Similar in some ways to a college … [Read more...]
Episode 39: Former A&E Executive Devon Graham Hammonds
This week we talk with our guardian angel at A&E, Devon Graham Hammonds. Devon was VP Programming (she has since moved on and is now an executive at the production company that produced the show) and oversaw The Aftermath show in every respect. We talk about how the show came to be with a lot of behind-the-scenes glimpses into what it was like to make The Aftermath -- including the Fair Gaming of everyone concerned and the challenges the network and production company and everyone who worked on the show faced. We also cover why the show ended (it was not, as scientology crowed … [Read more...]
Hubbard Doing Hubbard
I happened to notice this statement from L. Ron Hubbard on Tony Ortega's blog (he includes a Hubbard quote each day that Hubbard made on that day of the year in his section "Source Code"). Source Code “We’ve had a little slowdown here recently on research the last six, seven days — I managed to get the show back on the road again — mostly due to the nonsense going on in Australia. The general situation with regard to that is they’re not in any danger or anything like that, they’re just being cross-advised and being generally upset. The government of Australia….Well, these little boys have an … [Read more...]
Episode 37: Mormon Stories Host Dr. John Dehlin
This week Leah and I venture into the world of Mormonism with Dr. John Dehlin. I recently appeared on his long-running and very popular podcast, Mormon Stories, and we are now welcoming him to ours. He is not just a podcaster, he is a non-profit CEO, activist, public speaker, and religious transitions coach. He advocates for the rights of skeptics in Mormonism, LGBT rights, equality for women, and other individual views outside mainstream Mormonism. He has Master’s degree in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. We learned a great deal from John … [Read more...]
Episode 33: Media and Political Journalist Yashar Ali
We are joined this week by media and politics reporter Yashar Ali. Yashar has done over a dozen stories related to scientology and more are coming. He has been a long-term voice against scientology abuses who has never been scared off by their Fair Game tactics. Yashar was recently named one of Time magazine's 25 most influential people on the internet: You can follow Yashar on Twitter: @Yashar, Instagram: yasharali and Facebook: Yashar Ali With his background in politics and the media we had a lot to talk about: Scientology celebrities and how the media fails to … [Read more...]
Episode 30: Marc Headley Blown For Good
This week, Leah and I had a wonderful time talking with my old and very dear friend Marc Headley —The BFG — on our Fair Game Podcast. Marc not only has a phenomenal memory, he possesses a great sense of humor. Anyone who has read his book knows both of these things to be true. We covered plenty of ground -- talking about the Int base and David Miscavige, the infamous musical chairs incident depicted in Going Clear and even how the Rinder bobblehead came to be. Throughout I mentioned including links, you will find them below. This is definitely an episode you don't want to … [Read more...]
Episode 28: Cultbusting Attorney Ford Greene
Leah and I talk with attorney Ford Greene this week. Both fun and informative. Ford appeared on one of the Aftermath Specials with 9 or 10 other people and unfortunately didn’t get much airtime… I will add the link to the podcast when it becomes available: Ford has fascinating insight into litigating with cults, and especially scientology. He went into the Moonies in 1974 to rescue his sister, but ended up brainwashed himself, staying for 8 months before walking out. He said it took a year after walking out to deprogram himself at which point he resolved he had a personal … [Read more...]
The “Glory” of Scientology’s Dead “Enemies”
A couple of days ago, Tony Ortega posted a lengthy "success story" from a woman who had recently completed "Super Power." Of course, it was over-the-top bizarre, but one paragraph stood out: While on the rundown two major SPs (2.5 percent) connected to my dynamics received their bitter end. One died in an unexpected way, and the other got put in a psychiatric hospital by his best friend. This filled me with the glory of justice. I doubt there is a more clear-cut example of the callous disregard for human life into which scientologists are inculcated than this. Many former scientologists, … [Read more...]
Episode 19: Christie Collbran Rinder
This week Leah and I speak with my wife, Christie. I will add the link as soon as it is live. While there is always a lot of interest in me, Christie has her own story. She is much more than simply my other half. Her entire immediate family, just like mine, disconnected from her when she began to question things and tried to communicate this to them. When our son, Jack, was 6 months old we visited LA and tried to see Christie's parents to introduce them to their grandson. Her mother was sent away to the Freewinds. Her father, who I have never met, is a former pro-linebacker … [Read more...]
Episode 15: Former President of Narconon Luke Catton
We welcome an old friend of mine, Lucas (Luke) Catton to the Fair Game podcast this week. Luke was a very prominent member of the Narconon team for a number of years, until he saw the light about scientology. He subsequently spoke out and was targeted by scientology in response. We discuss a wide range of things relating to Narconon, scientology's involvement, the effectiveness of the program and the Fair Gaming Luke has been subjected to. I will include the link as soon as it becomes available. A few of the things we mention during our talk. Here is a copy of the public image.doc … [Read more...]