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Episode 31: NXIVM Whistleblower Sarah Edmondson

March 8, 2021 By Mike Rinder 4 Comments

  This week, Leah and I talk with Sarah Edmondson, featured in The Vow, author Scarred and host (with her husband Anthony "Nippy" Ames) of a new podcast A Little Bit Culty. We talked about the similarities between Nxivm and scientology, the systems of control and even the language are remarkably similar, so much so that there is little doubt in my mind that Kaith Raniere studied Hubbard. We talk about The Vow and what recovering from a cult experience is like and the impact of Scientology and The Aftermath had on her. Both Nxivm and scientology use the idea of personal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Fair Game Podcast, Keith Raniere, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, NXIVM, podcast, Sarah Edmondson

Episode 30: Marc Headley Blown For Good

March 1, 2021 By Mike Rinder 41 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Alex Gibney, Blown For Good, bobblehead, Claire Headley, David Miscavige, fair game, Gilman Springs, Going Clear, golden era, Leah Remini, Marc Headley, Mike Rinder, SP bracelet, The SP Shop

Mike Rinder on Mormon Stories Podcast

February 28, 2021 By Mike Rinder 15 Comments

On Friday, I had the pleasure of joining John Dehlin on his Mormon Stories podcast. We had a terrific discussion about cults and differences and similarities between Mormonism and scientology. He is very well informed and articulate. This is the oldest and I dare say most popular blog on the subject of the problems with the LDS church. It's worth a listen for a bit of a different perspective. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: John Dehlin, Mike Rinder, Mormon Stories

Episode 29: Journalist Tony Ortega

February 22, 2021 By Mike Rinder 105 Comments

Leah and I talk to our old friend Tony Ortega this week. Tony has been reporting on scientology for decades and as anyone who reads this blog likely knows, he writes pieces every day relating to scientology at the Underground Bunker. This is the most complete repository of reporting on scientology anywhere. It is an invaluable source of accurate information about scientology. Though never a scientologist, over the years, Tony has become extremely well-versed in the all things scientology and Hubbard, beyond a surface understanding, he grasps the nuances and makes use of his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Eric Saldarriaga, Gosh Porge, Intelligence Principles, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Paulette Cooper, Ton Ortega

Episode 28: Cultbusting Attorney Ford Greene

February 15, 2021 By Mike Rinder 41 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Fair Game Podcast Tagged With: Aznaran, fair game, Fair Game Podcast, Ford Greene, Gerry Armstrong, Jennifer Goirman, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Molko v. Holy Spirit Association, Moonwebs: Journey into the Mind of a Cult, San Anselmo, Wollersheim

Episode 27: Jon Atack — OG Scientology Whistleblower

February 8, 2021 By Mike Rinder 29 Comments

This week Leah and I welcome the insightful and wonderfully well-informed Jon Atack. (If anyone doesn't know the term OG, it comes from "Original Gangster" and means "someone who's incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school”" and Jon certainly fills the bill). Way back in the 1980's, Jon was a pioneer whistleblower about scientology abuses. He wrote a seminal book "Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky" which was first published in 1990. He has since written two other books on the subject of scientology. Jon was a "public" Scientologist for nine years, until 1983, when … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Fair Game Podcast, Ira Chaleff, Jon Atack, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Russell Miller

Episode 25: Valeska Guider Paris

January 25, 2021 By Mike Rinder 33 Comments

  It was a great pleasure to welcome our old friend Valeska Guider Paris to the podcast. She has one of the more harrowing tales of life raised as a scientologist, being held prisoner on the Freewinds and losing her family to disconnection. Valeska is married to Chris Guider, former professional rugby league star in Australia. He was also the former "Inspector General MAA" assigned the task of enforcing the orders of Miscavige. They escaped from the RPF in Australia where they had both been sent to get them out of sight and out of mind. I will include the link here as soon as it's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Fair Game Podcast, Freewinds, High Crimes, Law Enforcement, Leah Remini, Marion Pouw, Mike Rinder, New Hope for Justice, police, Stonelands, The Betrayal Bond, Valeska Guider, Valeska Guider Paris

Episode 24: Author and Icon Kate Bornstein

January 18, 2021 By Mike Rinder 49 Comments

  We are very excited to welcome author, playwright, performance artist, actor and icon Kate Bornstein to the Fair Game Podcast this week. For those unfamiliar with Kate, she is a prominent figure in the Trans Community. I have known her since the early 70's when she went by the name Al Bornstein, in fact Lt. Al Bornstein, in the Sea Org on board the Apollo with L. Ron Hubbard. We talk about Kate's history in scientology, its homophobia and transphobia, how scientology attempts "pray the gay away" with auditing, Kate's disconnection, her books and a lot more. She is an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Disconnection, DMSMH, Fair Game Podcast, gay, Kate Bornstein, L. Ron Hubbard, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Science of Survival, scientology homophobia, South Park, Tone Scale, Trapped in the Closet

Episode 23: Activist and Blogger Stefani Hutchison

January 11, 2021 By Mike Rinder 27 Comments

Leah and I talk with Stefani Hutchison this week, and the conversation was a true delight. We cover a lot of topics. Stefani was never a scientologist, but she has become a very effective and vocal whistleblower on the abuses of scientology. She is an example of what anyone can do if they want to take an active role in ending the pain and suffering that scientology causes for so many. I will post the link here once available. Here is how Stefani describes herself on her blog. I am a stay at home mother of one wonderful son. Married over 25 years to a wonderful man who puts up with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Fair Game Podcast, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, podcast, Stefani Hutchison

An Open Letter to Church of Scientology by Mark Fladd

December 31, 2020 By Mike Rinder 32 Comments

  Mark Fladd appeared with his wife, Stephanie, on an episode of The Aftermath. They told part of their experiences with Orange County org. Good people, chewed up and spit out by the relentless money-grubbing. Of course, instead of making things right with them, scientology sought to smear them. Mark wanted to clarify some things and I am happy to have this forum available for him to do so.   Open Letter to Church of Scientology Clarifications and an update for the Public Record By Mark Fladd, ex-Scientologist | Riverside County, California | 2020   Introduction The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fundraising, The Aftermath Tagged With: Adam Whitworth, AOLA, Aryana Dangberg, Cathy Moore, David Miscavige, fundraising, irs, Karin Pouw, Leah Remini, Mark Fladd, Mike Rinder, Orange county org, Scientology The Aftermath, SRD, Stephanie Fladd, The Aftermath

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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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cedarsjwsurveyLloyd Evans@cedarsjwsurvey·
10h

By filing a fraudulent takedown request Watchtower is just sticking to the usual cult playbook, but I expected more from @TeamYouTube. They have a responsibility to shield ex-cult creators from obvious attempts to silence and censor by their former faiths. https://youtu.be/OxEkKyXk-uo

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PaulBegalaPaul Begala@PaulBegala·
20h

If you saw Meghan tonight and thought, “Yes, I know how she felt. Sometimes I feel like I no longer want to live,” please know that help is a phone call away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. Please. (Fixed typo.)

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misskimmycKimberly Jaime@misskimmyc·
7 Mar

Just finished watching @LeahRemini and @MikeRinder Scientology and the aftermath....Let me tell you...WOW. And wow in a bad way. I’ve always known about Scientology, but never LIKE THIS. My heart broke in every episode. Just....you gotta look for yourselves.

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GrowingupinSCNAaron Smith-Levin@GrowingupinSCN·
7 Mar

Although the special March 13th, 4pm Cult City Tour of downtown Clearwater is all booked up, the guides will publish the phone # to listen to the tour live about 30 min prior to start.

The system can accommodate up to 1,000 callers.

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Retweet on TwitterMike Rinder Retweeted
GrowingupinSCNAaron Smith-Levin@GrowingupinSCN·
7 Mar

The downtown Clearwater tour on Saturday, March 13th at 4 PM will now be hosted by:

Aaron Smith-Levin
Marc & Claire Headley
Mike Rinder & Christie Colbran
Mary & David Kahn
Matt Pesch
Mark Bunker

(https://www.cultcity.us)

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Recent Comments

  • Jen Bross on Welcome To My New Blog: “I was just thinking that this morning. Death certificates are public record aren’t they? Would it show what he really…” Mar 8, 14:01
  • Christian Universalist on Episode 31: NXIVM Whistleblower Sarah Edmondson: “I am not sure but I heard somewhere that Reiniere was upset that people compared NXVIM to Scientology. Apparently Reiniere…” Mar 8, 13:29
  • Maverick Arbuckle on Episode 31: NXIVM Whistleblower Sarah Edmondson: “Lloyd Evans’s channel might possibly get shut down due to the watchtower. Something needs to be done to make sure…” Mar 8, 12:37
  • Balletlady on “Big News” — Scientology-style: “Thank you friend. The song seemed MORE than fitting. Instead of grass, trees, floral, a small pond…..asphalt???” Mar 8, 12:27
  • Mike Rinder on Episode 31: NXIVM Whistleblower Sarah Edmondson: “Of course. Ranieres big error was not calling himself a religion. Might not be in jail if he had followed…” Mar 8, 11:13
  • Tara Blount on “I’m a Christian and I’m also a Scientologist”: “Yes. Your only recourse is to insult viewpoints that don’t fit the limits of your understanding. You are consumed by…” Mar 8, 10:45
  • Lindsay Spence on Episode 31: NXIVM Whistleblower Sarah Edmondson: “I watched the special on Dateline about Nxium recently. It was shocking. Does it feel bittersweet to see the leader…” Mar 8, 09:52
  • Roger Larsson on “Big News” — Scientology-style: “Thetans going on will have to pick up frozen bodies left by the billioneres.” Mar 8, 08:20
  • Mary on “Big News” — Scientology-style: “… or miss out on two weeks of the worst “auditing” you’ll ever get. But hang on, after two weeks,…” Mar 8, 08:13
  • SP on “Big News” — Scientology-style: “Dotey OT – very good post. I love it. Keep Janitology Working. I want a Clean bracelet. 🙂” Mar 8, 07:09

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