Speaking of Cults

A podcast about cults, coercive control and recovery. Formerly called the Sensibly Speaking podcast, in this weekly show host Chris Shelton interviews cult survivors, psychologists and other professionals and specialists about the topics of cult recruitment, retention and recovery. This also includes non-religious cults and extreme political movements including the more divisive elements of MAGA and left-wing culture war issues. There is nothing off-limits but we always try to be respectful of the people involved even if we do not respect the beliefs or actions involved.
A podcast about cults, coercive control and recovery. Formerly called the Sensibly Speaking podcast, in this weekly show host Chris Shelton interviews cult survivors, psychologists and other professionals and specialists about the topics of cult recruitment, retention and recovery. This also includes non-religious cults and extreme political movements including the more divisive elements of MAGA and left-wing culture war issues. There is nothing off-limits but we always try to be respectful of the people involved even if we do not respect the beliefs or actions involved.
Episodes
Episodes



Saturday Feb 21, 2026
Speaking of Cults...Body Language and Manipulation
Saturday Feb 21, 2026
Saturday Feb 21, 2026
Today I welcome back Zach Elwood to discuss body language and how it really works to "read" someone, understand their tells and how to accurately predict what they are going to do. It's a bit more complicated than you may have been told. All of this, of course, directly relates to how predators and cult leaders read their followers and use what they know against them.
Zach's podcast: https://behavior-podcast.com



Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Speaking of Cults...What are MAGA Christians Thinking?
Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Today I welcome back Dr. Clint Heacock, a former evangelical minister who was born and raised in an evangelical community and has done a great deal of research on what the Christian Nationalist agenda is and how it aligns with Trump, MAGA and Project 2025. Today we revisit these topics and answer the question "What are these MAGA Christians thinking in supporting a mad dictator?" I hope this episode helps shed some light on what is going on with these people and how to talk to them to wake them up from their Christian fever dream.
Clint's YouTube channel: @dismantlingdoctrine



Saturday Feb 07, 2026
Speaking of Cults...Transforming Landmark with Ben Eisenberg
Saturday Feb 07, 2026
Saturday Feb 07, 2026
This week I welcome Ben Eisenberg, someone who grew up in and around Landmark and its teachings, which did not help him in his early life. He's spent quite some time sorting this out and shares his journey with us today including a surprising outcome when he pushed for some change. Enjoy!
Ben's article on Medium: https://medium.com/@beneisenberg_10514/my-experience-growing-up-in-landmark-education-landmark-worldwide-1aae2ea2582e



Sunday Feb 01, 2026
Sunday Feb 01, 2026
This week we went live for the 100th episode of the Speaking of Cults podcast. I have some personal reflections and experiences to share as a cult expert and human in this world which I hope will be of some use to my listeners.



Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Speaking of Cults...The Unpaid Army of God
Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Saturday Jan 24, 2026
This week I welcome back Shannon Grover and Bryce Blankenagel to discuss the details of Mormon missionaries and what they actually are called upon to do. It's straight up slave labor under the guise of religious dedication and the Mormon Church is making billions off this free labor. Tune in and find out what is going on and how the Mormons are hiding their blatant abuse and criminality in plain sight. It's quite something.
Shannon and Bryce: https://glassboxpodcast.com



Saturday Jan 17, 2026
Speaking of Cults...The Myth of Good Christian Parenting
Saturday Jan 17, 2026
Saturday Jan 17, 2026
This week I welcome Marissa Franks Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, authors of the new book The Myth of Good Christian Parenting, a deep exploration of the myths that permeate Christian communities throughout the world about what is "good parenting" but which is, in fact, just child abuse. I hope you'll give this one a listen and consider what we have to say. Enjoy!
Link to book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0wrQkhl
In the Church Library podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-church-library/id1804968736



Saturday Jan 10, 2026
Speaking of Cults...The Rise and Fall of the Exclusive Brethren
Saturday Jan 10, 2026
Saturday Jan 10, 2026
This week I welcome Cheryl Hope and Richard Marsh from the Get a Life Podcast to discuss the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (formerly Exclusive Brethren), a religion/business group with a fascinating background and even more wild structure which survives to this day through the Hales family in Australia. Cheryl and Richard have quite a bit to share about this. Enjoy!
Get a Life Podcast: @getalifepodcast



Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Speaking of Cults...How Body Language Experts Fool You with Zach Elwood
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
We are now back for 2026. This week I welcome back Zach Elwood to discuss so-called "body language experts" and the pseudoscience they push as "infotainment" which actually creates a pretty skewed idea of how people work and what deceptive behavior is all about. We cover a lot in a little bit of time. Enjoy!
Zach's YouTube: @PeopleWhoReadPeoplepodcast
Munecat video: https://youtu.be/Y0VQyEY-B2I?si=Em_PyU9HGJnSyPYQ

Your Host
Hello, my name is Chris Shelton and I am an author, consultant, podcaster, videographer, and former cult member. Welcome to my podcast!
Who is Chris Shelton?
Chris started a YouTube channel which has over 45,000 subscribers, produces the Sensibly Speaking podcast each week and has produced hundreds of videos laying out the scam of Scientology, educating on critical thinking and interviewing former members of Scientology and other destructive cults, as well as a range of therapists, cult exit counselors, educators and media personalities. Chris has also given talks and presentations around the United States about his experiences and has been featured on numerous podcasts and television shows. He was featured on Leah Remini’s Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E and served as a consultant to the show for its first two seasons. He has also written a critical analysis of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard called Scientology: A to Xenu – An Insider’s Guide to What Scientology is Really All About, available on Amazon in printed form, e-book format and as an audio book.







