• Home
  • About Me
  • Mission Statement
  • Welcome Message
  • Open Letter to My Family
  • Donate
  • Contact Me

Mike Rinder's Blog

Something Can Be Done About It

  • All Posts
  • Disconnection
  • Idle Orgs
  • IAS
  • Media
  • Books
  • Fundraising
  • Regraded Being

Episode 56: Mat Pesch Former Scientology Finance Guy

August 30, 2021 By Mike Rinder 64 Comments

One of our favorites joins us this week, Mat Pesch. Mat was formerly in charge of the money-making and money control divisions at the Flag Land Base -- the single largest source of revenue for scientology on earth. Mat joined us on The Aftermath S 2 Ep 9 The Business of Religion. His no nonsense explanations of the inner-workings of the scientology business machine are at times humorous, but always horrifying. We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Mat was the Dissemination Secretary, over the 2nd (of 7) divisions of a scientology organization responsible for marketing, booksales and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Accommodations, Big League sales, Flag, fundraising, IAS, L. Ron Hubbard Hall, Leah Remini, Les Dane, LRHED 236, Mat Pesch, Mike Rinder, Patrons, podcast, Price Lists, The Aftedrmath

Episode 54: The Sea Organization Deep Dive with Hana Whitfield

August 16, 2021 By Mike Rinder 40 Comments

Hana Whitfield is such a pleasure to talk to. One of the nicest, kindest people I have had the pleasure of knowing, she is also one of the most interesting. She helped us on The Aftermath, appearing on the episode "The Life and Lies of L. Ron Hubbard" (S2 E 13). Hana joined the Sea Org before it was the Sea Org (it was originally named the Sea Project) in 1967, and went on to Captain various Sea Org ships and bases. We do a deep dive into the early years of the formation of the SO, her recollections of Hubbard, his "Mission Into Time" and much more. Hana was a highly trained scientologist … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Athena, Avon River, Hana Whitfield, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Mission Into Time, podcast, Scientology And The Aftermath, Sea Org, Sea Project, toughness

Episode 50: The Bridge Deep Dive Part 1 with Bruce Hines

July 19, 2021 By Mike Rinder 44 Comments

We earlier had Jon Atack join us for two episodes taking a deeper look into the life of L. Ron Hubbard. This week, our old friend Bruce Hines joins us for Part 1 (of 3) where we take a look at the scientology "Bridge to Total Freedom" in more detail. In this episode we address the lower levels of the Bridge. Bruce was a highly trained scientology "Auditor" (counselor) and "Case Supervisor" (one who oversees auditors to ensure they are following the words of Hubbard exactly). Bruce appeared on an episode of The Aftermath and did a series of articles for Tony Ortega with Claire Headley on the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Asch conformity experiments, Auditor, Bruce Hines, Case Supervisor, control = income, Fair Game Podcast, Flag, Flag price list, Introductory Services, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, niacin, OCA, Oxford Capacity Analysis, peer pressure, pleasant control, podcast, Price list, Purification Rundown, raw meat, testing, The Bridge

The Great Wisdom of Ron

May 29, 2021 By Mike Rinder 58 Comments

Every day, Tony Ortega has a piece of Hubbard wisdom from the same date in history. The one from May 28th struck me. “Now, you’re a registrar and somebody is coming in, or you’re signing up PCs. (All of you have to wear a registrar’s hat at one time or another.) And you’re trying to get somebody to get some auditing, you’re a registrar, see? And there you are one fine day with a yow-yow-yow and a scream-scream-scream standing in front of your face: Seventy-five hours of auditing have been delivered — he feels terrible! He says, ‘Oh, I could kill everybody in the place,’ and he ought to go out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: L Ron Hubbard Tagged With: Jon Atack, L. Ron Hubbard, Mike Rinder, Phil Wearne, podcast, refunds, Tony Ortega, Victorian Inquiry

WISE Shows Their Stuff (And a MythVision Podcast)

May 5, 2021 By Mike Rinder 36 Comments

OK, these people claim to have the "only workable technology" of management, sales, PR, marketing, personnel and anything else you can think of. If this promotional piece and their accompanying video represents the pinnacle of what they've got...     This looks like it was put together in an 8th grade computer class. These are the experts? They actually do believe that because they have some scribbling from Hubbard that says it is "the only workable technology of ______" that it's true. But what is even more remarkable is that they then offer their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: WISE Tagged With: management, Mike Rinder, MythVision podcast, podcast, WISE, workbook

Episode 37: Mormon Stories Host Dr. John Dehlin

April 19, 2021 By Mike Rinder 28 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Beauty in the Now, Betsy Davis, Ensign Peak, fair game, John Dehlin, Joseph Smith, Leah Remini, Margi Dehlin, Mike Rinder, Mormon Faith Crisis, Mormon Stories, podcast, Sam Young, Symmetry Solutions

Episode 34: Journalist and Author John Sweeney

March 29, 2021 By Mike Rinder 47 Comments

Our friend and scientology nemesis, journalist, author and podcaster John Sweeney, joins us this week. John was for many years a correspondent for the original TV investigative magazine show, Panorama.  He did a program about scientology for Panorama in 2007, where I was one of the "handlers" on behalf of scientology. It was a catalyst for me leaving -- I was in London defending scientology and Miscavige from the "chaos merchants" at the BBC.  After I had left, I did a second Panorama show with John explaining some of the things that had happened in that first program. We had a lot to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: BBC, Cathy Bernardini, David Miscavige, Fair Game Podcast, Hunting Ghislaine, john sweeney, Justice4Mom, Leah Remini, media, Mike Rinder, Panorama, Pinellas County Sheriff Report, podcast, Scientology and Me, SHeriff Report, Taryn Teutsch, The Church of Fear, The Secrets of Scientology, Tommy Davis

Episode 31: NXIVM Whistleblower Sarah Edmondson

March 8, 2021 By Mike Rinder 19 Comments

  This week, Leah and I talk with Sarah Edmondson, featured in The Vow, author of 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 Keith 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 23: Activist and Blogger Stefani Hutchison

January 11, 2021 By Mike Rinder 28 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

Recent Podcasts with Jon Atack

December 20, 2020 By Mike Rinder 3 Comments

I have done a couple of podcasts with the wonderfully informed Jon Atack. The second of them went live yesterday and Tony Ortega included it on his site. I am including it here also, as well as the earlier one, as I think the discussions are illuminating. Jon is such a wealth of information. And has such good takes on all things scientology. Leah and I are planning on talking with Jon on our fair Game Podcast soon. That should be a treat. This is the most recent episode of Jon's podcast. I recommend you subscribe to his YouTube channel too:   This is the one we did about 6 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Jon Atack, Mike Rinder, podcast, Tony Ortega

Next Page »
Mike-Rinders-Blog

Subscribe

Loading

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
donate-button

Recent Tweets

Mike Rinder Follow

Blogging at Mike Rinder's blog -- http://t.co/T78dZmflmH

MikeRinder
mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
18h

The pressure is mounting on #scientology. The day is coming where they will be held accountable for their reckless disregard for human rights and the law. They’ve gotten away with hiding behind the shield of “religion” for way too long. #JusticeforDave https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-scientologists-came-forward-with-shocking-trafficking-claims-now-they-say-theyre-being-stalked

Reply on Twitter 1556459354416713729 Retweet on Twitter 1556459354416713729 159 Like on Twitter 1556459354416713729 743 Twitter 1556459354416713729
Retweet on Twitter Mike Rinder Retweeted
scientology_411 NOT Scientology 411 @scientology_411 ·
6 Aug

Nothing that a refreshing KOOL menthol cigarette can't cure! More Hubbard on CANCER https://www.mikerindersblog.org/more-hubbard-on-cancer/ #Scientology via @MikeRinder

Reply on Twitter 1555972871540903943 Retweet on Twitter 1555972871540903943 3 Like on Twitter 1555972871540903943 23 Twitter 1555972871540903943
Retweet on Twitter Mike Rinder Retweeted
karendlacariere Karen de la Carriere 🇺🇦 @karendlacariere ·
31 Jul

#Scientology #cult #Religion #ScientologytheAftermath #Cienciologia
Paul Haggis Sexual Assault Case Dismissed by Italian Court. A judge in the southern Italian city of Lecce has ruled that there are no grounds to further pursue...
https://variety.com/2022/global/global/paul-haggis-sexual-assault-dismissed-1235330006/

Reply on Twitter 1553573005476777984 Retweet on Twitter 1553573005476777984 17 Like on Twitter 1553573005476777984 80 Twitter 1553573005476777984
mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
30 Jul

Another carefully researched obliteration of #scientologylies about @LeahRemini — L. Ron Hubbard dictates their insane behavior so they have no choice. Details of why they continue such easily disproven bs is in article on my blog https://www.mikerindersblog.org/28-why-do-scientologists-lie/

Stefani A Hutchison @azhlynne

Scientology’s Fair Game Continues http://azhlynnes.blog/2022/07/30/scientologys-fair-game-continues/

Reply on Twitter 1553401813419843589 Retweet on Twitter 1553401813419843589 40 Like on Twitter 1553401813419843589 187 Twitter 1553401813419843589
Retweet on Twitter Mike Rinder Retweeted
mercnews Mercury News @mercnews ·
30 Jul

To be a superstar again, Tom Cruise downplayed Scientology as his ‘driving force,’ report says https://bayareane.ws/3zGgXYr

Reply on Twitter 1553372431531868161 Retweet on Twitter 1553372431531868161 16 Like on Twitter 1553372431531868161 34 Twitter 1553372431531868161
Load More

Recent Comments

  • Bill de Carle (spbill) on Correct Estimation of Effort: “If the church really wanted to clear the planet, they could do so easily: just announce all auditing will henceforth…” Aug 8, 11:08
  • Miss Dutch on Correct Estimation of Effort: “Mikey, Mikey, Mikey. You silly boy! 8 million? You’re forgetting that Scientology only helps the ‘able’. That does not include…” Aug 8, 10:31
  • grisianfarce on Correct Estimation of Effort: “Any time I do DIY round the house I find preparing to do the job, and cleaning up after the…” Aug 8, 10:23
  • Glenn on Correct Estimation of Effort: “Thanks for the math work Mike. Think it should be printed up and passed out broadly. Re the promo; Interesting…” Aug 8, 09:59
  • Richard on Correct Estimation of Effort: “Someone on a blog once mentioned, “Life is about moving things around.” That got me thinking and when I needed…” Aug 8, 09:21
  • Richard on Correct Estimation of Effort: “There was an axiom or maxim or something saying, “The human mind is engaged in the estimation of effort.” That…” Aug 8, 09:06
  • otherles on Through the Bubble – Lili’s Adventures in Scientologyland Part 25: “Sorry, I was taking that seriously.” Aug 8, 08:43
  • otherles on Correct Estimation of Effort: “Can I groan internationally?” Aug 8, 08:41
  • Fred Haseney on More Hubbard on CANCER: “Peggy L, A message to any and all under-the-radar Scientologists who are reading this: Real communication, such as the one…” Aug 8, 07:56
  • I Yawnalot on More Hubbard on CANCER: “I vaguely remember reading an LRHED decades ago & he wrote that OT8 was to be delivered at the AOs.…” Aug 8, 02:04

Past Posts By Month

August 2022
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Jul    

Copyright © 2022 Mike Rinder · WordPress · Log in