Confronting The Line

In this episode we meet up with Ann Betz, Co-founder of BEabove Leadership and an expert on the intersection of neuroscience, coaching, trauma and human transformation. Ann speaks, trains and coaches internationally, and writes about neuroscience and coaching as well as relational trauma. TRIGGER Warning … In this episode we discuss employment abuse, domestic abuse and strangulation specifically f...

I LOVED this conversation with my book publisher Angela Kingdon. On this one year anniversary of writing my first book Is This A Cult? Angela and I explore the complex dynamics of personal transformation, the fine line between empowerment and exploitation, and the impact of cult-like structures in personal development. We reflect on VERY serendipitous meeting as well as our own journeys of writing...

In this conversation, Brandie Hadfield, MLM recovery advocate and I explore the complex dynamics of exploitation and transformation within the personal development and multi-level marketing (MLM) industries. We discuss Brandie's personal journey from being involved in MLMs to becoming an advocate against their harmful practices. We delved into the allure of MLMs for young mothers, the misleadi...

The Seek Safely Summit, hosted by Anne Peterson, focuses on the mission to create a safer and more ethical self-help and wellness industry. The conversation highlights the tragic story of Kirby Brown, who died during a poorly run self-help retreat, leading her family to establish Seek Safely. The organization aims to educate consumers, advocate for accountability in the industry, and promote respo...

In this episode, I introduce my new producer partner, Tony Barros-Limon, as we dive into the complexities of personal development—especially our shared experiences with Landmark Worldwide. We reflect on insights from Season One (2024), the role of accountability in transformation, and the highs and lows of reinventing oneself. From the structure of large group awareness trainings to the challenges...

In this conversation, Anne L Peterson, Brian Nord, and Erik Rojas discuss their experiences with Landmark Worldwide, a high control organization. They explore the challenges of leaving such an environment, the impact of speaking out publicly about their experiences, and the emotional and mental struggles that come with questioning long-held beliefs. The discussion highlights the importance of comm...

In this conversation, former est Trainer and early Forum leader, Ed Gurowitz Ph. D., shares insights about the 6 Day program, a unique transformational training experience that emphasized safety, integrity and going beyond personal limits. It is legendary in the Landmark/Werner Erhard circles. The discussion covers the program's history, structure, and the experiential learning processes involved....

In this conversation Anne, Mark and guest Dale Dickins discuss the challenges of speaking out publicly about the dark side of personal development companies like Landmark Worldwide. They explore the impact of Landmark on personal relationships and the illusion of completion in transformation, emphasizing the need for open conversations and the healing power of confronting the line between transfor...

In this conversation with guest Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle we delve into the complexities of personal development, trauma recovery, and the often blurred lines between self-help and exploitation. Dr. Glenn specializes in complex PTSD, and shares with us the definitions and impacts of trauma, and the psychological mechanisms like dissociation that can arise from prolonged trauma. Our discussion emphas...

In this conversation with guest, Dr Glenn Patrick Doyle, licensed psychologist and board president of SEEK Safely, we dive into the complexities of self-help culture, exploring its potential benefits and pitfalls.  Check out the SEEKSafely SUMMIT ⁠https://ilumn8.life/op/the-seek-safely-summit/⁠   We discuss the allure of self-help, the psychological dynamics that can lead individuals into high-con...

In this episode, we explore the concept of weaponized empathy. We look at how empathy can be manipulated and used as a tool for control with the end justifies the means argument and how this moral theme is common in high-control groups, cults or culty groups and extremist ideologies. And what about the weaponization of empathy in the context of misinformation and narcissism? Often these people the...

Meet Gerette Buglion, author and educator. In this conversation we delve into the complexities of public discourse, cultural homogeneity, personal insights, and the dynamics of language and communication. We reflect on our similar experiences having spent years involved in different high-control groups and the importance of critical thinking in program design, while also exploring themes of person...

Chris Shelton MSc, Scientology survivor and coercive control expert joined us as guest this week. We had fun exploring the similarities between Scientology and Landmark Worldwide, two organizations that are known for their controversial practices and being accused of cult-like behavior. Similarities such as the cult-ish personalities around the founders, L. Ron Hubbard and Werner Erhard, and the l...

Welcome back Ed! In this conversation with our resident transformational technologies expert Ed Gurowitz we cover various topics including cult dynamics, the power of influence, the illusion of scarcity, and the impact of directed sharing. We also touched on the creation of special groups within an organization and the role of scarcity in creating value. The absorption of a powerful person's w...

In PART TWO of this conversation with Exene Paloma, we continue the discussion about how certain structures and hierarchies can replicate dominant power dynamics and exclude individuals based on their race, gender, or personality. We also examine the limitations of external interventions in communities and the importance of empowering individuals to develop their own solutions. The conversation hi...

"Dominance hierarchies, structures that are about people having power over other people inherently are to be questioned." ~ Exene Paloma In this conversation we question the power and privilege dynamics in the personal development space, with a focus on the Landmark Forum. Our guest, Exene Paloma, shares the experience as a former Landmark staff member and course supervisor. The conversa...

In part two of this conversation with Dr. John Hunter we discuss the concept of informed consent in the context of Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGATs) and explore the importance of providing participants with accurate information about the potential benefits and risks of these trainings. We also highlight the need for independent research to support the claims made by Landmark Worldwide and th...

Meet Dr. John Hunter who teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students in research methods and psychology. Today he shares his background and research on large group awareness trainings (LGATs). He tells us about his personal experience in a seminar where abusive tactics were used by the trainer. In this discussion he emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating information from these grou...

Mark and I took some time this weekend to discuss our experience and reactions to the recent revelations and stories that have emerged related to abuse at Landmark and the personal development world. We reflect on the impact of my book, 'Is This a Cult?', and the surprising response of the many #samehere experiences. We continue to emphasize the importance of telling the truth, exposing ab...

In Part 2, Alan starts to realize that he cannot change the culture from within. He explains how he was de-designated as a Landmark Forum Leader, what led up to it and the good news and bad news of this turn of events. He reflects on some of his values and how they were not the same as Landmark’s and stressed his need to to live a life of contribution and the importance of healing past wounds. He...

Today we welcome Alan Cahn who has over 40 years of experience in personal development, 30 of them with Landmark Worldwide. Alan talks about his journey before he does the est training in 1976, including his experiences with Zen Buddhism and mystical Christian groups and how he makes his way, first onto W.E.A Staff (1985), and then becoming a Landmark Forum leader (1988). Alan tells us his unique...

In this show opener, Anne and Mark introduce themselves and discuss the purpose of their podcast, 'Confronting the Line.' They explore the concept of confronting the line between transformation and exploitation in personal development and self-help programs. Anne shares her motivation for writing her book, 'Is This a Cult?' and the response she received after its publication. They...

In part two of this conversation between Mark and Anne, with guest Ed Gurowitz, a former est trainer & former leader, explores the evolution of the Landmark Forum personal development program. They discuss the transition from the EST training to the two-weekend forum and then to the one-weekend forum. Ed recalled how the focus of the forum shifted from ‘giving up what you're putting up wit...

In this conversation, Mark and Anne discuss recent communications from Landmark and debunk the claim that they refuse to respond. They also introduce their guest, Ed Gurowitz, PD.D a psychologist who did the EST training in 1978 and in 1981 went on staff in Werner Erhard's office, traveling and working directly with Werner. They discuss the history of personal development and the importance of...