Cult Chat

Caz speaks with UK psychotherapist Sam Jahara about her years as a child living in the communes of the Indian guru Rajneesh in the 1980s. They explore how the Rajneesh movement was so similar in many difficult ways to the Centrepoint Community that Caz was involved with as a child. This is the first episode of a three part interview between two women who explore the long term effects that cults ha...

Join Caz, as she interviews two accidental cult investigators about two notorious NZ cults. The first is Natalie Malcon, producer of “Escaping Utopia” the recent Gloriavale docuseries, and “Heaven & Hell; The Centrepoint Story”. The second is Anke Richter, journalist and author of “Cult Trip”, a deep dive into the complexity of both Gloriavale and Centrepoint. This conversation between three c...

Join Liz as she chats with ex-Gloriavale film participant Rosanna Overcomer and film producer Natalie Malcon about the recent Escaping Utopia docuseries. We give you a glimpse “behind the scenes”, into the film’s journey to the screens, set design, casting, meticulous re-enactments, as well as the personal challenge of sharing one's story. We also delve into the ethical dilemmas of filming und...

Have you seen the eye-opening three-part TV docu-series “Escaping Utopia” that hit NZ this past week? Join us for a candid discussion as Caz, Liz, and Lindy share their reflections. Gain insight into the complexities of escaping Gloriavale and the support systems aiding those transitioning to freedom. Listen in as we uncover the resilience and courage of individuals breaking free from a closed com...

Lindy chats again with Tore, president of Cult Information and Family Support Australia. Tore explains some of the supports CIFS offers leavers of cult groups. The two talk about the importance of group support for ex-cultists, why cult leavers need psycho-education about cults, and how critical it is for survivors to talk to someone who understands. Tore explains why therapists need to be trained...

This week we share a fascinating discussion between Tore Klevjer and Lindy, both passionate advocates for victims of cultic harm, who also each have complementary roles in organizations which support leavers. Tore shares about his experience of being recruited into a group, and how he found his way out ten years later with his family. In this episode the duo discuss regrets, doubts and shame, and...

What do a doctor, a lawn enthusiast, and an amateur photographer all have in common? Almost no understanding of the law! Join us for this episode as Caz, Liz and Lindy bumble their way through various international laws on coercive control, and ask themselves - and you, the listener - exactly what it will take for New Zealand law-makers to recognise how harmful group coercive control is, and provi...

What does a woman abused by her intimate partner, a member of a cult group, and a prisoner of war in North Korea in the 1950s all have in common? Listen to today’s episode to find out! As you listen you’ll also learn interesting facts about venn diagrams, storm-troopers and the joys of lawn-mowing. Today’s episode features a culty analysis of 1950’s researcher Albert Biderman’s fascinating, yet ch...

Join us this week for a chat with Sarah Steel, writer and producer of the acclaimed podcast series “Let’s Talk About Sects”. Listen as our hosts do some serious fan-girling in Sarah’s direction! After 6 seasons of her podcast and a book on the topic Sarah has learnt a thing or two about cult podcasting, she’s got some ideas about how to make things better, and some tips for our hosts on how to nav...

Are you heading back from a break at the beach and now need a movie from the cultiverse to get you back into the mood for work? In this third summer series special episode our hosts talk about their favourites 2023 shows from the cultiverse. Lindy, Liz and Caz talk about what makes these shows worthy watches, and why.  These shows will shock you, inform you, and open your eyes a lot wider to diffe...

Looking for something from the cultiverse to listen to while driving on your summer roadie? Or perhaps you need help to tune out the kids as you flip the sausages on the barbie? Well, let the Cult Chat trio help! In this episode Lindy, Liz and Caz bring you their favourite 2023 podcasts recommendations to help you deepen your knowledge of the cultiverse - but only after you’ve listened to the fort...

It’s nearly Christmas! Are you looking for a holiday read? Caz, Lindy and Liz have taken a break from mince-pie-making and present-shopping to record an episode all about books! These books are the ones which jumped out as our best books from the cultiverse in 2023. Grab your pen and pad and jot down some of our recommended best reads of the year. You might still have time to get down to your loca...

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of Safeguarding Children and share insights on navigating the challenges within high control, cultish groups. Drawing from personal experiences, the hosts shed light on vulnerability factors, resiliency, and the complexities of identifying abuse or neglect in such environments. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the collective responsibility we...

Need a way to come back down to earth again after listening to Hopeful & Victory Disciple’s interview? Come along as Liz, Lindy and Caz reflect together. Our hosts talk developmental regression, what it really means to be a second or multigenerational child of a cult, and they dig into the physical manifestation of trauma for children. What does it mean for a child to learn to deny their needs...

Dive into the gripping continuation of the 'Kids in Cults' miniseries with Hopeful and Victory Disciple as they unveil more about life inside Gloriavale. In Part Two, they discuss the intricate web of friendship, social status, and snitches. Discover how high-control groups set children up for failure and hear Victory's emotional poem, providing a heartbreaking glimpse into her childho...

Join Hopeful and Victory Disciple in a gripping two-part interview as they share their journey growing up in Gloriavale. They delve into their upbringing in a socially entrapped society, discussing the profound impacts on kids in cults. From bed-wetting to false personas, they shed light on the hidden struggles within high-control groups, unraveling the lasting damage inflicted on the inner selves...

How do harmful organizations respond when they are accused of abuse? What are the indicators that the response lacks substance or is part of a strategic ploy to maintain control and protect an image? Today our hosts talk about defenses used by abusive groups, including denial, excuses, justifications and comparisons, using examples they have encountered personally. Listen in to learn what real apo...

Join us for part 2 of Lindy’s conversation with Shayne and Rachael about the JWs application to be exempt from the NZ Royal Commision of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. They examine the arguments that played out in court, providing a fascinating case study of a faith-based group’s reaction to being investigated by outsiders. Lindy, Liz and Caz then unpack the interview and ask if the behaviour display...

Lindy interviews Shayne Mechen and Rachael Jackson after a week in the High Court. The NZ branch of the Jehovah’s Witnesses are arguing their case for why they should be exempt from the NZ Royal Commision of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Shayne and Rachel are both former JWs, and are advocates for former members of the JW faith. In the episode - part 1 of a 2 part interview - Shayne, Rachel and Lind...

The leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (Exclusive Brethren) tells its New Zealand fellowship to urgently gather together, with very short notice, and 7000 Brethren drop tools and flood airports all over New Zealand in their urgency to show their obedience. Why? Is the world about to end? Is there something we need to know? Meanwhile, Lindy’s dearly beloved Nana Anna passes away and h...

Part B: He said what?! Gloriavale Leavers and some current members provide commentary around journalist Rebecca Wright’s visit to Parliament where they asked the head of NZ’s Child Protection Agency whether the children at Gloriavale were safe. You won’t believe what he said! Leavers think it’s time the politicians & government agencies get educated. Today we set the record straight. Show Note...

Part A: Articulate Gloriavale Leavers hit back at the politicians! Journalist Rebecca Wright (Newshub) went to Parliament to ask whether children are safe at Gloriavale. The Prime Minister’s answers elicited quite a reaction among 20 former and current members. Their contributions to this episode are priceless. Your hosts have tied it together with commentary on the Government’s response to cults....

Laura was a young adult just starting her career in Auckland when she was recruited into Shincheonji - a Korean high-demand religious group. In this interview Laura describes how she was pursued and recruited, and how fear, deceit and a desire to please others was used to trap her. She became a leader herself and used these same destructive tactics on others. Five years later she extracted herself...

A chance encounter with a Centrepoint survivor at a festival a decade ago set Anke Richter on a labyrinthine journey into understanding the aftermath of cults. The result of this work was “Cult Trip”, Anke’s book about her investigation into cults inside and outside New Zealand. Today's chat between Anke and Caz discusses trauma-informed, survivor-centric journalism, how impossible it is to st...

Are you reaching for your dictionary far too often as you learn more about the cultisphere? If that’s you, you’ll love hearing our hosts slice and dice their way through the most common culty words and phrases. Sit back as our trio define concepts like narcissism, psychopathy, authoritarianism, machiavellianism, and gas-lighting. By the end of our chat you’ll be ready to butt-in on the next conver...