S2 Ep. 4: Ashlen Hilliard on her life & career that led to her role as a cult intervention specialist with People Leave Cults.
Release Date: 02/08/2023
S2 Ep. 33: Dr. Lily Dunn (P2) on “Sins of My Father: A Daughter, A Cult, A Wild Unraveling"
Project Hope Podcast
Dr Lily Dunn is an author, mentor, and academic. Her debut nonfiction, Sins of My Father: A Daughter, A Cult, A Wild Unravelling, a memoir about the legacy of her father’s addictions was The Spectator and The Guardian Best Nonfiction Book, 2022. Her forthcoming book: Into Being: The radical craft of memoir and its power to transform is due to be published by MUP in 2025. She is also author of a work of fiction, Shadowing the Sun (Portobello Books, 2007), and co-editor of A Wild and Precious Life (Unbound, 2021), an anthology of stories on recovery from mental illness and addiction. She...
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S2 Ep. 32: Dr. Lily Dunn (P1) on “Sins of My Father: A Daughter, A Cult, A Wild Unraveling”
Project Hope Podcast
Dr Lily Dunn is an author, mentor, and academic. Her debut nonfiction, Sins of My Father: A Daughter, A Cult, A Wild Unravelling, a memoir about the legacy of her father’s addictions was The Spectator and The Guardian Best Nonfiction Book, 2022. Her forthcoming book: Into Being: The radical craft of memoir and its power to transform is due to be published by MUP in 2025. She is also author of a work of fiction, Shadowing the Sun (Portobello Books, 2007), and co-editor of A Wild and Precious Life (Unbound, 2021), an anthology of stories on recovery from mental illness and addiction. She...
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S2 Ep. 31: Ryan Hernandez (P3) on his Catholic sect as an End Times Cult & “The Truth That Heals Podcast”.
Project Hope Podcast
In 2004, Ryan Hernandez joined a Catholic religious community to live a life of prayer, education, and charity. He was just 17 at the time that he left his life in Los Angeles to follow "The Call" and to follow Christ. Many years later, he would refer to this Catholic sect as an End Times Cult. While in the group he had been a devoted follower and loyal member but there was also abuse and brainwashing taking place and it was this abuse and growing shame that became an unbearable burden for him to bear. After years of bullying, physical abuse, humiliation, psychological abuse, and even...
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S2 Ep. 30: Ryan Hernandez (P2) on his Catholic sect as an End Times Cult & “The Truth That Heals Podcast”.
Project Hope Podcast
In 2004, Ryan Hernandez joined a Catholic religious community to live a life of prayer, education, and charity. He was just 17 at the time that he left his life in Los Angeles to follow "The Call" and to follow Christ. Many years later, he would refer to this Catholic sect as an End Times Cult. While in the group he had been a devoted follower and loyal member but there was also abuse and brainwashing taking place and it was this abuse and growing shame that became an unbearable burden for him to bear. After years of bullying, physical abuse, humiliation, psychological abuse, and even...
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S2 Ep. 29: Ryan Hernandez (P1) on his Catholic sect as an End Times Cult & “The Truth That Heals Podcast”.
Project Hope Podcast
In 2004, Ryan Hernandez joined a Catholic religious community to live a life of prayer, education, and charity. He was just 17 at the time that he left his life in Los Angeles to follow "The Call" and to follow Christ. Many years later, he would refer to this Catholic sect as an End Times Cult. While in the group he had been a devoted follower and loyal member but there was also abuse and brainwashing taking place and it was this abuse and growing shame that became an unbearable burden for him to bear. After years of bullying, physical abuse, humiliation, psychological abuse, and even...
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S2 Ep. 28: Jean Brown (P2) on her sister, Kirby Brown, James Arthur Ray, & SEEK Safely.
Project Hope Podcast
Jean Brown is a writer, podcaster, and mom to two young children. She has Bachelor's degrees in political science and writing from Loyola University Maryland, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University in Montreal. She is active in creating content for SEEK Safely Inc.’s website, social media, brand outreach, and legislative efforts. Jean lived in Thailand and has traveled extensively, including treasured memories of traveling with her sister Kirby. She now lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family. She loves dogs, karaoke, cooking, and ordering in...
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S2 Ep. 27: Jean Brown (P1) on her sister, Kirby Brown, James Arthur Ray, & SEEK Safely.
Project Hope Podcast
Jean Brown is a writer, podcaster, and mom to two young children. She has Bachelor's degrees in political science and writing from Loyola University Maryland, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University in Montreal. She is active in creating content for SEEK Safely Inc.’s website, social media, brand outreach, and legislative efforts. Jean lived in Thailand and has traveled extensively, including treasured memories of traveling with her sister Kirby. She now lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family. She loves dogs, karaoke, cooking, and ordering in...
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S2 Ep. 26: Dr. Tamara MC (P2) on the Sufi based cult she grew up in which has led her to advocacy work & writing on child marriage, & human trafficking.
Project Hope Podcast
Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking survivor. She advocates worldwide for girls and women to live free from gender-based violence. Her Ph.D. is in Applied Linguistics, and she researches how language manipulates vulnerable populations. She's published in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Salon. She’s currently revising her debut memoir, “Child Bride: My Marriage at 12”. Tamara’s website: Follow Tamara on: Twitter: Instagram: Links to Tamara’s articles mentioned in the pod:Article in Ms. Magazine:...
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S2 Ep. 25: Dr. Tamara MC (P1) on the Sufi based cult she grew up in which has led her to advocacy work & writing on child marriage, & human trafficking.
Project Hope Podcast
Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking survivor. She advocates worldwide for girls and women to live free from gender-based violence. Her Ph.D. is in Applied Linguistics, and she researches how language manipulates vulnerable populations. She's published in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Salon. She’s currently revising her debut memoir, “Child Bride: My Marriage at 12”. Tamara’s website: Follow Tamara on: Twitter: Instagram: Links to Tamara’s articles mentioned in the pod:Article in Ms. Magazine:...
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S2 Ep. 24: Esther Friedman (P2) on her book, “The Gentle Souls Revolution”, both memoir & healing guide for recovery.
Project Hope Podcast
Esther Friedman is a licensed mental health counselor, expressive art therapist, songwriter, author, and ex-cult member. In 2006, a “new friend” introduced her to an "esoteric school." In 2011, she left a secret cult. Afterwards, she researched, obsessively, and recognized “school” as a cult. She posted a blog. Soon, Cult Confessions, a CD of ten original songs, followed. Every time she spoke or sang out, she felt calmer and clearer. She started an “edu-tainment campaign” presenting her misadventure to private audiences. Releasing secrets freed her voice and mind. The...
info_outline Ashlen Hilliard is a cult intervention specialist helping families with loved ones in cultic or high-control groups or relationships through her organization, People Leave Cults.
She completed her MSc in the Psychology of Coercive Control in early 2022 and conducted research on the relationship between reproductive coercion, psychologically abusive environments, and the extent of group identity in a sample of those who have left cultic groups.
Ashlen has previous experience working for multiple non-profit settings in the field of cult recovery. Most recently, this has included working as Director of Events for the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). During that time, she facilitated workshops, webinars, and conferences for those in touch with multiple aspects of the cult phenomenon including therapists, former members, legal professionals, media representatives, academics, and others. Prior to her work with ICSA, she worked as a case manager in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the non-profit Holding Out Help, where she was involved on the front lines of helping individuals leaving diverse polygamist communities out West.
She currently enjoys living in Portland, Oregon where she is a volunteer co-organizer of the Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education (SAFE) Meetup for those who have left or are considering leaving high-demand religious groups in the local community.
Find Ashlen on social media at:
https://www.peopleleavecults.com/
https://linktr.ee/peopleleavecults
https://www.instagram.com/peopleleavecults/
https://www.facebook.com/peopleleavecults
https://www.linkedin.com/company/people-leave-cults-llc/
Email address: [email protected]
The Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education (SAFE) is a regular meetup in Portland, Oregon for those who have left or are considering leaving high-demand religious groups. https://www.safeportland.org/
Ethical Standards for Thought Reform Consultants
Article: Exit Counseling and the Decline of Deprogramming
Cultic Studies Review, Volume 1, Number 3, 2002, 249-291
Research Presented by Ashlen Hilliard, MSc Psychology of Coercive Control: Understanding Reproductive Coercion and Cults in a Destructive Group Setting:
Warren Jeffs FLDS documentary we referred to called, “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey”. https://www.netflix.com/title/81292539
Our podcast features a beautiful song by Jaia Suri called, “Leaving the Cult”. Subscribe to Jaia Suri on Spotify and access the song here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0d8WYUM6qo8LEO5mviIauB?si=cuDxfcBmQPeutbg153oeWg&nd=1
If you feel moved to support Jaia’s music, please join her Patreon subscribers at: https://www.patreon.com/JaiaSuriMusic
Jennifer is a cult and religious recovery counselor. She is certified in a specialized approach working with survivors that is research-based and rooted in the work of Dr. Gillie Jenkinson. She has a Masters in the Psychology of Coercive Control and functions as an expert witness in such cases. Jennifer is also a research associate at Salford University. For more information, please visit her website, Jennifer-French.com.
Follow Jennifer on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermonica.holcomb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.french.jfh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr6Ufd0I7My6dumbTpQwn8A/playlists
If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, [email protected].