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A Primer on Brainwashing

November 21, 2020 By Mike Rinder 41 Comments

  If you have watched either The Vow on HBO, or Seduced on Starz about NXIVM, or The Aftermath or Going Clear about scientology, this article will ring a lot of bells. Many of the specific control mechanisms Dr. Burkley cites about NXIVM have direct parallels in scientology. As she says, "the psychological tricks Raniere used are not particularly special. In face, his ability to ensnare so many victims is rooted in his reliance on several core psychological principles -- principles to which each of us is vulnerable." One of the great accomplishments of The Vow was how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Special Feature Tagged With: brainwashing, David Miscavige, john sweeney, Keith Raniere, Martha Stout, Melissa Burkley, NXIVM, Psychology Today, Sea Org, The Hole, The Sociopath Next Door

Predatory Alienation, Religion and the Law

November 14, 2020 By Mike Rinder 40 Comments

  This is an excellent article in the Albany Times Union, prompted by the recent sentencing of Keith Raniere. I saw this and Tweeted it out, but it deserves more attention. Mary Ann hones in on the exact problem that looms like a massive roadblock in the path of justice for victims of coercive and high demand groups. And this definitely includes scientology. The hardest thing to demonstrate is mental/emotional abuse. There is no cauterized brand left on the victim’s body. No canceled checks or credit card debt trail. It would make it far less onerous for victims to be heard in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Special Feature Tagged With: Albany Times Union, Disconnection, Jehovah's Witnesses, Josh Marcus, Keith Raniere, Mary Ann Castronovo Fusco, NVVIM, Predatory Alienation, Religious Right, The Independent

Keith Raniere Sentenced to 120 Years

October 27, 2020 By Mike Rinder 44 Comments

Keith Raniere, the former head of NXIVM, was sentenced to 120 years in prison yesterday. One of the main people who brought him to justice was Mark Vicente. A former leader in the NXIVM movement, he and his wife, Bonnie Piesse, along with Sarah Edmunson and her husband Nippy Ames and Catherine Oxenberg were chronicled in the excellent HBO Series The Vow about their awakening and subsequent efforts to bring the leaders of NXIVM to justice. We interviewed Mark on the Aftermath Podcast a few weeks ago. Victims in criminal cases have the opportunity to make a statement before the court … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fair Game Podcast Tagged With: Bonnie Piesse, Catherine Oxenberg, Keith Raniere, Mark Vicente, Nippy Ames, NXIVM, Sarah Edmunson

Episode 11: “The Vow’s” Mark Vicente

October 5, 2020 By Mike Rinder 56 Comments

We have an amazing episode of Fair Game podcast this week, speaking to Mark Vicente. If you have not been watching The Vow on HBO I highly recommend it. It is the story of Keith Raniere and the NXIVM cult, told from the perspective of a number of former senior people in Raniere's organization, including Mark. We had a terrific conversation with him about the similarities between NXIVM and scientology -- and there are MANY. We also talked about patterns of high control organizations and the larger picture. I will post the link to the episode here when it becomes available. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fair Game Podcast Tagged With: Keith Raniere, Leah Remini, Mark Vicente, Mike Rinder, NXIVM

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Important Reading

Troublemaker - Leah Remini
Ruthless - Ron Miscavige
Going Clear - Lawrence Wright
Bare Faced Messiah - Russell Miller
Counterfeit Dreams - Jeff Hawkins
Blown For Good - Marc Headley
Abuse at the Top - Amy Scobee
Unbreakable Miss Lovely - Tony Ortega
The Church of Fear - John Sweeney
Fair Game - Steve Cannane
Inside Scientology - Janet Reitman
A Piece of Blue Sky - Jon Atack
Beyond Belief - Jenna Miscavige
My Billion Year Contract
Escaping Scientology - Karen Schless
Commodore's Messenger - Janis Grady
Commodore's Messenger - Book II
Scythe Tleppo - Nathan Rich
Expert Witness - Jesse Prince
Perfectly Clear - Michelle LeCaire
Ron the War Hero - Chris Owen
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enfant_criminelAlfred O@enfant_criminel·
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@jj1109 @UltioetVeritas @MikeRinder @LeahRemini @KarendlaCariere @tarpleyhitt @thedailybeast @randomname7700 @TeamSPNetwork @SkyBird03914123 @Deana828 It’s been well documented that SeaOrg members do not receive much education other than Scientology training. On the recent Fair Game podcast Marc Headley confirmed that he was encouraged to drop out when just 15 years old. They appear confident in their ignorance of acronyms.

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LOTUS_3030Lindsey Johnson@LOTUS_3030·
3 Mar

“If the downside of leaving is greater than the upside, you’re going to stay” @MikeRinder so true king

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blownforgoodMarc Headley@blownforgood·
2 Mar

If you haven't heard this Fair Game podcast yet, it is a must-listen-to episode. https://www.mikerindersblog.org/episode-30-marc-headley-blown-for-good/ If you have heard it, here are my failed attempts at making a @Leahremini bobblehead. @mikerinder @iheartpodcasts @THESPSHOP1 @AftermathFdn @GrowingupinSCN @mikerinderbobb1

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MikeRinderMike Rinder@MikeRinder·
2 Mar

New ep. of #FairGamePodcast today. @LeahRemini and I talk to our old friend @blownforgood. Known for his amazing memory and sense of humor, Marc is entertaining and an all around good guy. Give it a listen on @iHeartPodcasts, @iTunes, @Spotify etc etc
https://www.mikerindersblog.org/episode-30-marc-headley-blown-for-good/

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MikeRinderMike Rinder@MikeRinder·
1 Mar

Excellent article by @tarpleyhitt in @thedailybeast about #scientology in the workplace and this company that is an avenue to politicians for scientology "safepointing" (see my recent blog post about this subject with Hubbard quotes).
https://www.thedailybeast.com/scientologist-execs-at-media-company-erepublic-with-ties-to-democrats-made-workers-lives-a-living-hell

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Recent Comments

  • amber miranda on Episode 30: Marc Headley Blown For Good: “i just wonna ask are you ok.. ive never been involved but if u wonna talk im here” Mar 3, 21:55
  • Jeremy S on Pasadena “Ideal Org” Is Empty — Photo Evidence: “Shawn. I know this post is old but are you there?? I have some questions i really need to ask…” Mar 3, 21:28
  • Aquamarine on Amazing Seminar! Blow Away!!!!: “Sure, he’s a Christian but just wait until he hits OTIII. Goodbye Jesus, nice worshipping ‘ya for a while. In…” Mar 3, 21:20
  • Susan Harbison on Amazing Seminar! Blow Away!!!!: “Your post is inspiring! I hope you hear from your loved ones soon. I think the glory days of the…” Mar 3, 21:08
  • Aquamarine on Amazing Seminar! Blow Away!!!!: “I spent 27 years in Scientology and attended many events of one type or another. In all those years, I…” Mar 3, 20:59
  • Ethics Are Inside Out on Amazing Seminar! Blow Away!!!!: “Pumpkin – that is awesome. Yes, Scientology is circling the drain. Heh – I have a bunch of active Scientologists…” Mar 3, 19:53
  • ISNOINews on Amazing Seminar! Blow Away!!!!: “Argh. Typo. Third link, to Snellings’ Twitter account, should be: https://twitter.com/msnellingsMNCD4 /” Mar 3, 19:42
  • Dee Liner to Bee on Amazing Seminar! Blow Away!!!!: “I served in the Sea Org as a un paid slave for way too many years of my precious life.…” Mar 3, 19:37
  • Jp on Amazing Seminar! Blow Away!!!!: “So very very true Pumpkin” Mar 3, 19:37
  • Gary on Welcome To My New Blog: “Shame on the Federal Government for not doing the right thing to protect its citizens.” Mar 3, 14:48

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