Confronting The Line

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...