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.
Episodes
Episodes
Jun 18, 2022
Jun 18, 2022
1 hr 39 min
This week I am again joined live for the third and final installment of my long-form interview with Sea Org escapee Katherine Olson. Here we discuss the specifics of her escape, the help she received from an old friend leading to her reaching out to the Aftermath Foundation. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #344: Katherine Olson Escapes Scientology (Part 3) appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Jun 11, 2022
Jun 11, 2022
2 hr 57 min
This week I am again joined live in the studio by Katherine Olson, a woman who escaped from the Sea Org a little less than a year ago and has a wealth of information and very personal story to share about her 26 years in Scientology. In this second of what are going to be three parts, we discuss her time in the Sea Org and path to disillusionment and eventual escape from Scientology. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #343: Katherine Olson Escapes Scientology (Part 2) appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Jun 4, 2022
Jun 4, 2022
1 hr 20 min
For everyone anticipating part 2 of my interview with Katherine Olson, that will be coming next week. Instead, I have an interview with yet another Scientology insider, so much so that he is anonymously doing this interview as he is still a member in good standing of the Church. We go into some real details of the seeming crash and burn of Scientology right now. It’s entirely possible all of this could change, but right now Miscavige is making some pretty surprisingly poor decisions. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #342: An Insider’s Look at Scientology appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
May 28, 2022
May 28, 2022
2 hr 46 min
This week I am joined live in the studio by Katherine Olson, a woman who escaped from the Sea Org a little less than a year ago and has a wealth of information and very personal story to share about her 26 years in Scientology. We talked for almost 3 hours and only covered about half the tale, so watch for Part 2 next week. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #341: Katherine Olson Escapes Scientology (Part 1) appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
May 20, 2022
May 20, 2022
2 hr 8 min
This week I am joined by Jon Atack for a detailed look into why it is that we think Scientology auditing procedures are inherently harmful to anyone’s long-term mental health and well being. There are few people in the world more qualified than Jon to discuss this with, so I hope you enjoy it!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #340: Why Scientology Auditing is Bad For You appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
May 7, 2022
May 7, 2022
1 hr 17 min
This week I am doing a deep dive into the book Scientology: A History of Man and the mythology/cosmology of Scientology. It’s not a very deep well but there are some key concepts to go over and I think everyone will find Hubbard’s explanations of past-life horrors to be entertaining and ridiculous. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #339: Scientology’s History of Man and Mythology appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Apr 16, 2022
Apr 16, 2022
2 hr 1 min
This week I welcome first-time guest Phil Lord, professor of law in Ontario, Canada, to discuss the legal system, Scientology’s shenanigans in and out of court and both the civil and criminal cases against Danny Masterson and Scientology. This is a wide-ranging podcast and I hope you enjoy it!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #338: Scientology, Danny Masterson & the Law appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Apr 9, 2022
Apr 9, 2022
38 min
This week I thought we’d talk a bit about Scientology, violence and Will and Jada Smith, former Scientologists and purveyors of bad vibes all over Hollywood in the last two weeks. The Scientology connection is hard to ignore but I take some time to address that and also then give you the added bonus of what L. Ron Hubbard had to say about violence (you may be surprised). Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #337: Will Smith, Scientology and Violence 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.