S2 Ep.17: Anke Richter (P1) on her book, "Cult Trip. Inside the World of Coercion & Control" & her life as a cult journalist.
Release Date: 05/31/2023
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_outlineAnke Richter is a columnist and reporter. Her investigative and personal features have been published in Die Zeit, Spiegel, FAZ, taz, New Zealand Geographic, North & South, The Spinoff, Canvas and others. Her most recent and fourth book is called, Cult Trip. Inside the World of Coercion & Control.
In Part 1 of this 3 Part interview we primarily cover the subject matter of Centrepoint. Part 2 has a focus on the neo-Tantric community of Agama. Part 3 is primarily a discussion about Gloriavale.
Cult Trip is described as “a leading journalist’s personal, intense and riveting investigation into the worlds of cults.
At a new age festival in Byron Bay, Australia, German journalist Anke Richter is finding her spiritual awakening when she meets a woman (a survivor of the Centrepoint cult) who will change the course of her life and career. Over the next ten years, Anke pursued a labyrinthine investigation into how and why cults attract, entrap and destroy otherwise ordinary people, asking what the line is between tribe and cult, participant and perpetrator, seduction and sexual abuse.
From the emotional and criminal carnage of Centrepoint in Auckland, New Zealand, to an anti-cult conference in Manchester, the infamous Osho’s ashram in India, the tantric Agama Yoga school in remote Thailand and culminating in a visit to Gloriavale on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Anke uncovers a disturbing pattern of violence and suffering.
International bestseller Cult Trip is a powerful exploration of what really goes on inside the groups we call cults, and how to reckon with their aftermath.”
I am so grateful for Anke’s body of work raising awareness for cult survivors and also her advocacy to protect the public and educate about these abusive groups.
Please listen with care as these episodes deal with the subject matters of sexual abuse & child abuse.
“Cult Trip. Inside the world of coercion & control.”
Purchase on Kindle with special discount code:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cult-Trip-Inside-Coercion-Control-ebook/dp/B0BYGPCP66
Anke Richter's website: www.ankerichter.net
FACT Aotearoa Fight Against Conspiracy Theories (New Zealand):
https://factaotearoa.nz/
Cultic conversations NZ. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/839211113870029
Documentary mentioned about Centerpoint.
Heaven and Hell. The Centrepoint Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3qA_X7E0BM
For more on the Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust:
https://www.gloriavaleleavers.org.nz/
For more on the Centrepoint Restoration Project: https://www.centrepointrestorationproject.com/
Our podcast features a beautiful song by Jaia Suri called, “Leaving the Cult”. Subscribe to Jaia Suri on Spotify and access the song here.
If you feel moved to support Jaia’s music, please join her at Patreon.
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:
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If you would like to be on the Project Hope Podcast or have any inquiries regarding the show, please email, [email protected].