#AlcoholicsAnonymous

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Cult Leaders Target You At Your Weakest. Never Confess This To Them | Rick Alan Ross

Watch episodes & bonus content ad-free on https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/ Cult expert Rick Alan Ross (founder of the Cult Education Institute and author of Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out) reveals how cults are shaping modern society in ways most people never realize. Could a cult be influencing U.S. politics? On this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, we examine the disturbing allegations surrounding Tulsi Gabbard's (former director of national intelligence) spiritual guru, including claims of child abuse, his reported influence on her political career, concerns about potential access to national secrets during her time as Trump's Director of National Intelligence, and why Ross says fully vetting government officials is more important than ever. Rick also answers one of today's most controversial questions: Is MAGA a cult? He explains what actually qualifies as a cult, shares examples of modern-day cults and cult-like organizations influencing global politics, and reveals what ordinary people can do to protect themselves. Think you'd never join a cult? Think again. Ross explains why anyone (regardless of intelligence, education, or success) can become vulnerable, why loneliness and social isolation make people especially susceptible, how cults first draw people in, and the psychological process they use to slowly break people down over time. You'll learn the 3 stages of thought reform (coercive persuasion), why social isolation is considered a core element of destructive thought programs, what makes a cult truly dangerous, why followers often lose their critical thinking and sense of empowerment, and whether cult leaders actually believe what they're preach, or knowingly manipulate others. Rick also breaks down: - Why it's so difficult (even for trained experts) to infiltrate cults and rescue members - How deprogramming works, why it can take so long, and what happens when interventions fail - Hidden warning signs of controlling leaders, including subtle behaviors followers display around them - Scientology's controversial "auditing" process and how it functions psychologically - Whether support groups like AA could ever be considered cults - Where the line exists between healthy religious devotion and dangerous religious extremism - Why accountability within leadership is essential, and why claims of having "a direct line to God" deserve careful scrutiny The conversation goes far beyond traditional cults. Rick explains how abusive romantic relationships often use the same psychological tactics, including how narcissistic partners create dependency, weaponize the fear of disequilibrium, why explosive behavior is never acceptable in a healthy relationship, and the key warning signs that you're dating someone controlling or abusive. We also explore how UFO communities can evolve into cult-like movements, examine real-world examples of UFO-based cults, and discuss how cult psychology is appearing in workplaces, startup culture, and organizations facing uncertainty as AI transforms the workforce. Finally, Rick shares practical tools everyone can use to recognize manipulation before it's too late. And stay until the very end to hear the shocking story of whether Mayim was personally targeted by a cult! --- 00:00 - Intro 05:02 - Cults Go Digital 06:46 - Brainwashing Basics 13:24 - What Deprogramming Looks Like 19:15 - Why Anyone is Susceptible 23:45 - Scientology Auditing 33:57 - Faith vs Destructive Control 46:34 - Do Cult Leaders Have Malicious Intent? 52:24 - Dark Psychology in Toxic Relationships 1:01:34 - Covert vs Overt Narcissists 1:04:29 - UFO Cult Dynamics 1:13:10 - Cultish Workplaces 1:19:44 - Tulsi Gabbard's Spiritual Guru 1:28:51 - Is MAGA a Cult? 1:37:48 - Cults & Media Power 1:43:46 - Did Mayim Almost Join a Cult? --- If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/BREAK Visit https://www.wakingup.com/breaker for a 2 week free trial. --- Listen on our website: https://www.bialikbreakdown.com​​ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TgOe2poCdpZtQwKetQmU1 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mayim-bialiks-breakdown/id1546456269 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bialikbreakdown/ Find Mayim Bialik: https://mayimbialik.substack.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MissMayim https://www.twitter.com/MissMayim/​​​ https://www.instagram.com/MissMayim/​​​ https://www.tiktok.com/@bialikbreakdown Find Rick Alan Ross: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RickAlanRoss Rick Alan Ross' book, Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out: https://cultsinsideout.com/ The Cult Education Institute: https://culteducation.com/ If interested in partnerships please contact [email protected] Theme Song Written, Produced, and Performed by Ed Robertson. Mixed by Kenny Luong.

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Brendan Carr was a member of a rogue Alcoholics Anonymous group some labeled a ‘cult’

Carr was a member of the group in his teens and 20s. There is no evidence Trump’s powerful FCC chair participated in any inappropriate conduct

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How Cults and Tech Giants Exploit Unpaid Labor

Whether in tech giants or religious cults, exploitative organizations blur the line between devotion and labor trafficking by convincing people that extreme sacrifice is a badge of honor. About me: I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, author, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as Knitting Cult Lady. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International, or COG-TFI), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. Those books are called, "Uncultured" (my memoir) and "The Culting of America" (my bad-guy tactics book). For those of you who have been through the cult experience (any kind of cult experience including 1:1 cults, or single family cults, or internet cults, or 12 step cults) I made a "Deconstruction Workbook" as a companion guide to help you find your way out of the rabbit hole. Support my Work and Learn About Me: Linktree with all my links and Upcoming Events:https: //linktr.ee/Daniellamyoung Buy the Culting of America: https://bit.ly/4reK0u7 Buy Uncultured: https://bit.ly/42TKNWN UnAmerican VideoBook (A Work In Progress): https://tr.ee/V_vytb1pcO Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8

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Ibogaine & 5-MeO-DMT: An Autopsy with Dave

This week, I spoke with a remarkable man who Alcoholics Anonymous would deem a "miracle." But he is a miracle on his own accord. The 12 Steps would recoil upon learning he found recovery "his way." That's not how it works! "It works if you work it!" The 12 Steps were not how Dave worked it. Oh well, Dave has been sober for over a year now. And it wasn't without his slips, stumbles, and immersive relapses. His sobriety journey started as a teenager, when he first stepped into the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. As a youngster, it was hard to relate; members weren't talking about first kisses, where they might go to college, or passing the SATs, but about their wives, kids, 401(k)s, or other adult responsibilities. An argument in AA is that people come from all different backgrounds, but with the same "disease" (alcohol use disorder).Life took him for a ride; some glorious, some terrifying, and he always landed in the same spot: AA. He worked it, and it nearly worked him to death. After switching to SMART Recovery, he learned about ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. He took a leap of faith and went down to Mexico...Tune in to find out what happened. Show notes for this episode are at patreon.com/cw/inrecoveryGotta a story or question? I may read it on the podcast! Email [email protected] 

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The 3 Stages of Deconstruction Why It Takes a Full Decade

Deconstructing a worldview is a long, difficult decade-long process that feels like a physical breakdown, but keeping at it will ultimately lead to freedom on the other side. I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, author, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as Knitting Cult Lady. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International, or COG-TFI), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. Those books are called, "Uncultured" (my memoir) and "The Culting of America" (my bad-guy tactics book). For those of you who have been through the cult experience (any kind of cult experience including 1:1 cults, or single family cults, or internet cults, or 12 step cults) I made a "Deconstruction Workbook" as a companion guide to help you find your way out of the rabbit hole. Support my Work and Learn About Me: Linktree with all my links and Upcoming Events:https: //linktr.ee/Daniellamyoung Buy the Culting of America: https://bit.ly/4reK0u7 Buy Uncultured: https://bit.ly/42TKNWN UnAmerican VideoBook (A Work In Progress): https://tr.ee/V_vytb1pcO Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8

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Watch Power: Hey White Women with @TheWhiteWomanWhisperer

Sense of Urgency--a Tenet of White Supremacy Rebecca's links: https://www.whitewomanwhisperer.com/ https://www.patreon.com/whitewomanwhisperer?fan_landing=true About Me: I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, author, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as Knitting Cult Lady. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International, or COG-TFI), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. Those books are called, "Uncultured" (my memoir) and "The Culting of America" (my bad-guy tactics book). For those of you who have been through the cult experience (any kind of cult experience including 1:1 cults, or single family cults, or internet cults, or 12 step cults) I made a "Deconstruction Workbook" as a companion guide to help you find your way out of the rabbit hole. Support my Work and Learn About Me: Buy the Culting of America: https://bit.ly/4reK0u7 Buy Uncultured: https://bit.ly/42TKNWN Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8

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Watch Power: Hey White Women with @TheWhiteWomanWhisperer

Chatting about the cult of white supremacy https://www.whitewomanwhisperer.com/ https://www.patreon.com/whitewomanwhisperer?fan_landing=true About Me: I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, author, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as Knitting Cult Lady. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International, or COG-TFI), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. Those books are called, "Uncultured" (my memoir) and "The Culting of America" (my bad-guy tactics book). For those of you who have been through the cult experience (any kind of cult experience including 1:1 cults, or single family cults, or internet cults, or 12 step cults) I made a "Deconstruction Workbook" as a companion guide to help you find your way out of the rabbit hole. Support my Work and Learn About Me: Buy the Culting of America: https://bit.ly/4reK0u7 Buy Uncultured: https://bit.ly/42TKNWN Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8

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The Truth They Won't Tell You About AA. Alcoholics Anonymous Is A Scam

Is Alcoholics Anonymous criticism warranted? This video challenges the foundational practices of AA, arguing that its widely accepted methods often fall short of effective treatment. If you have ever felt skeptical about the standard 12-step model, this analysis explains why many people are now questioning the efficacy of the organization's core tenets. BOOKS FOR RECOVERY AND REINVENTION THE SMALL BOOK: HOW I BEAT ALCOHOLISM AND WHY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS DOESN'T WORK. https://www.amazon.com/SMALL-BOOK-ALCOHOLISM-ALCOHOLICS-DOESNT/dp/B08VCJ4ZPT THE SHEPHERD AND THE RUNNINGWOLF: A PATH TO FORGIVENESS ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL https://www.amazon.com/SHEPHERD-RUNNINGWOLF-Forgiveness-Pacific-Crest/dp/B08P1FCC7G REINVENTION OF SELF: HOW TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND BEING FOREVER https://www.amazon.com/REINVENTION-SELF-CHANGE-BEING-FOREVER/dp/B08PJWKXHC To listen to the deconstruction of two long time AA members who escaped the cult check out their channels below Quackoholics Anonymous https://www.youtube.com/@UCcj54GbpaeqNzy4s-nQRt4g Kirsten--Sobriety Bestie https://www.youtube.com/@UCWefB6bk8reofI7ZnXfPTNA Sober Strong https://www.youtube.com/@Soberstrong Burn The Stigma With Tara Grace https://www.youtube.com/@Burnthestigma420 John Barleycorn taken from Jack London's book John Barleycorn first published in 1913 Content opinion of creator only, not medical advice

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Cult or Addiction? or Both? Let's Unpack The Overlap (Looking at YOU Alcoholics Anonymous!)

About Me: I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, author, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as Knitting Cult Lady. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International, or COG-TFI), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. Those books are called, "Uncultured" (my memoir) and "The Culting of America" (my bad-guy tactics book). For those of you who have been through the cult experience (any kind of cult experience including 1:1 cults, or single family cults, or internet cults, or 12 step cults) I made a "Deconstruction Workbook" as a companion guide to help you find your way out of the rabbit hole. Support my Work and Learn About Me: Buy the Culting of America: https://bit.ly/4reK0u7 Buy Uncultured: https://bit.ly/42TKNWN Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8

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Are AA and NA Cults? A Cult Scholar Responds

Thanks for this question Derek! I definitely have some thoughts on it. About Me: I'm Daniella Mestyanek Young, author, scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. These days, I'm also known as Knitting Cult Lady. I grew up in the Children of God cult (also known as the Family International, or COG-TFI), and served 2 tours of duty in the cult of the US army. I noticed that those two organizations had a lot in common and have been studying them and what we can learn about other cults-- and how to protect ourselves from coercive control and abusive situations. Those books are called, "Uncultured" (my memoir) and "The Culting of America" (my bad-guy tactics book). For those of you who have been through the cult experience (any kind of cult experience including 1:1 cults, or single family cults, or internet cults, or 12 step cults) I made a "Deconstruction Workbook" as a companion guide to help you find your way out of the rabbit hole. Support my Work and Learn About Me: Buy the Culting of America: https://bit.ly/4reK0u7 Buy Uncultured: https://bit.ly/42TKNWN Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Knitting Cult Patterns: https://bit.ly/4alDbQe Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8