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 Jan 07, 2023
#369: How to Stay Out of a Cult
Saturday Jan 07, 2023
Saturday Jan 07, 2023
To kick off 2023, I’ve put together a no-nonsense podcast with my “collected wisdom” of the last 10 years on how to stay out of getting involved in a destructive cult or predatory relationship. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #369: How to Stay Out of a Cult appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.



Saturday Dec 31, 2022
#368: Cult Recovery After 10 Years
Saturday Dec 31, 2022
Saturday Dec 31, 2022
This week I am breaking tradition with our usual “year in review” episode because this month marks the 10-year anniversary of my leaving the Sea Org and embarking on what would become my escape from the destructive cult of Scientology. In this podcast, I offer some backstory and some of my best life lessons/recommendations for anyone else who has had to do the “hard reset” on their life. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #368: Cult Recovery After 10 Years appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.



Saturday Dec 24, 2022
#367: China’s CCP and Nation-State Cults with John P. Capitalist
Saturday Dec 24, 2022
Saturday Dec 24, 2022
This week I welcome back John P. Capitalist to cover in some detail how authoritarian governments around the world solve the “dictator problem” by adopting cultic methods to control their population and thereby stay in power. We especially detail China’s recent history and the way President Xi has adopted the Cult Leader Playbook to maintain his position. This is a deep dive into a very important subject and one I hope my viewers will enjoy and learn from.
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #367: China’s CCP and Nation-State Cults appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.



Saturday Dec 17, 2022
#366: Going Deep on Cult Recovery w/Christian Szurko
Saturday Dec 17, 2022
Saturday Dec 17, 2022
This week I welcome back Christian Szurko, a practicing cult recovery specialist who helps me take perhaps our deepest dive yet on what it takes to help someone recover from a cult or coercive experience. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #366: Going Deep on Cult Recovery appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.



Thursday Dec 08, 2022
#365: The Danny Masterson Jury Foreman Speaks
Thursday Dec 08, 2022
Thursday Dec 08, 2022
Today I have a special, early podcast release of an interview Tony Ortega and I did with the jury foreman of the Danny Masterson rape trial. Last week this resulted in a deadlocked jury and mistrial, still awaiting determination as to whether there will be another go-round. The daughter of the jury foreman reached out and helped arrange this interview after the trial and I am thankful for her support. This interview gives real insight into what went on behind the scenes and a clear idea of how future legal efforts can be improved.
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #365: The Danny Masterson Jury Foreman Speaks appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.



Saturday Dec 03, 2022
#364: Fear and Loathing in Scientology London ft. Alexander Barnes-Ross
Saturday Dec 03, 2022
Saturday Dec 03, 2022
This week I am joined by Alexander Barnes-Ross, a former Scientology staff member in London who has some things to say about his short but deep experience with Scientology getting in, being kicked out, returning and getting kicked out again. It’s another survivor story with a lot of lessons for all of us. Enjoy!
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Saturday Nov 26, 2022
#363: The Occult Foundation of Scientology with Jon Atack
Saturday Nov 26, 2022
Saturday Nov 26, 2022
This week I am joined by Jon Atack to finally put in one place the explanation of how Scientology is based purely and wholly on L. Ron Hubbard’s occult beliefs and how Scientologists themselves not only have no idea this is true, but actively resist ever even finding out about it. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #363: The Occult Foundation of Scientology appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.



Saturday Nov 19, 2022
#362: Christian Nationalism and the Supreme Court
Saturday Nov 19, 2022
Saturday Nov 19, 2022
This week I am joined by attorney, author and advocate Andrew Seidel to discuss his latest book, American Crusade, and how a minority religious extremist group known as Christian Nationalists are taking powerful and decisive steps to unduly influence our government and religious freedom. This is one of those topics that is controversial because people confuse our criticism of Christian Nationalists and extremists as somehow taking an anti-religion stance and become personally offended that anyone would be “against religion” when that has nothing to do with the dangers of what is going on. I hope you’ll give our chat a listen. We had a fun and enlightening discussion which I found quite enjoyable!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #362: Christian Nationalism and the Supreme Court appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.

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.







