Cult Hackers

Today Celine and Stephen look at at the challenge of being more assertive. High control groups often encourage a submissive attitude. Upon leaving this can make assertively getting more of what you want and need difficult. Stephen talks about his turn to aggressive behaviour and how this got in his way and subsequently how an honest manager and a training course turned his thinking around. This po...

"Pride and Prejudice without the fun". Celine and Stephen talk about the role of women in many high control Christian groups, including Jehovah's Witnesses. What impact does this have on the way a woman raised this way, thinks about herself, whilst a member and upon leaving? Also how does this colour the way men within these groups see their role? How do they relate to women? And how does this cha...

Many High Control Groups claim a monopoly on truth. Jehovah's Witnesses for example in casual conversation label their religion "The Truth". For someone who leaves such a group, coming to terms with how to recognise truth can be difficult. This week Celine and Stephen begin to explore theories of truth and why it can be a slippery concept. They also ask questions about the future of Truth and why...

What happens when we die? What makes for a good life? How do you decide what you believe about life after death after you've left a high control group?  

Leaving a group that told you who you were, what to believe and how to think means struggling to construct an identity of your own. How does being an 'ex' impact upon identity? Today dad talks about his own experience as a former Jehovah's Witness and explains some of the psychological research into these types experiences.    References Hookway, N. S., & Habibis, D. (2015). ‘Losing my religion’:...

We look at three of the claims made about veganism and explore the merits of its health benefits, the ethical questions and its impact on reducing negative impacts on the environment.   References https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/veganism-environmental-impact-planet-reduced-plant-based-diet-humans-study-a8378631.html https://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6392/987 h...

What is Social Darwinism? And does it actually have anything to do with Darwin? Where did the phrase 'survival of the fittest' come from? Also we somehow end up talking about Wooly Mammoths...

Science tells us we evolved. Recent surveys suggest lots of people believe humans were created. What should we think about this?

This week Celine and Stephen review the Netflix short series 'The Queen's Gambit'. One of the most surprising hits of the year it tells the story of orphan Beth as she learns chess from the janitor and then goes on to take on the world. It's a great personal story about a talented and troubled young woman and even makes chess seem cool. This episode contains spoilers so if you haven't seen it, wat...

Celine looks at the controversy around a male contraceptive trial and Stephen explores religious views towards the subject by evangelicals, Christian fundamentalists and the Catholic Church.

This week, dad talks about his feelings of frustration and loss about not getting his career off the ground. He also talks about his research into ex JW's search for identity through education and career.

Part 2 of a 3 part story. Dad (Stephen) is now baptised and serving as a ministerial servant and is a member of a quick-build team. He leaves a job he enjoys and buys a window cleaning round so that he can regular pioneer. Marriage and fatherhood follow and becomes a catalyst for finally confronting his serious doubts once and for all.

We review cult expert Steven Hassan's latest book 'The Cult of Trump'. Should we think of Trumpism as a cult? What evidenced is presented and is it convincing? We look at the psychology behind the claim and the argument presented.

Part 1 of a 3 part personal story. Dad (Stephen) describes his childhood as a Jehovah’s Witness, from his early experiences of being the only Witness at school and confidence that he had an angelic protector, his training in the preaching work and taking part in meetings, through to leaving school and getting baptised. Dad remembers his dominant emotions of fear and anxiety and the concept of bloo...

Celine and Stephen look at what it means to be resilient and how to strengthen your resilience. It's not just about taking the blows!    References Coutu, D. L. (2002). How resilience works. Harvard business review, 80(5), 46-56.   Yarker, J., Lewis, R., McDowall, A. & Teoh, K. (2020). Managing our wellbeing in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic   Stephens, J. P., Heaphy, E. D., Carmeli, A., Spr...

Celine and Stephen explore Cartesian Dualism - the idea that the mind and body are separate from the perspectives of psychology and media. Plus Stephen is surprised by Celine's lack of an inner voice. Surely everyone talks to themselves?

Father and daughter Stephen and Celine talk piercings, tattoos, hair dye, cosmetic surgery and body augmentation. There's no shortage of ways we can change how we look, but the social rules around body modification are complicated and the way we feel about them confusing. An episode that includes references to Kevin Keegan, hair dye, colostomy bags and face tattoos. #BodyModification #Podcast #Fat...

How does an apocalyptic group survive after multiple failed prophecies about the end of the world? This week, Stephen and Celine look at a paper that provides some possible answers by taking Jehovah’s Witnesses as a case study. Of particular interest to Stephen as an Ex Jehovah’s Witness but with possible lessons for thinking about new apocalyptic movements.   References  Zygmunt, J. F. (1970). Pr...

Celine asks her dad about being a humanist. Why did he become one? What is it? What do humanists believe? Is it the same as being an atheist? What stance do humanists have towards religion? These questions and many more answered in this episode. Useful links https://humanism.org.uk/  

It's Crohn's and Colitis awareness week and in this special bonus edition Stephen presents an interview from 2019 with Celine about her first attack, and diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the age of 16. #ItTakesGuts   Crohn's & Colitis UK https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/get-involved/awareness-week-2020

The Crown, Selma, The Imitation Game - all based upon true events and people. How accurate should they be? Does it matter if they make stuff up. Celine and and Stephen dig into this question in this week's episode of What Should I Think About..

A banned game in his youth, Stephen explores why fundamentalist Christians feared D&D, and then Celine patiently explains how to play to the confused and slightly grumpy dad.

"That's woman thinking!" What should we think about old films that contain what we would now see as problematic themes or scenes? Stephen enjoys pointing out some problems in some of Celine's favourites - "Seven brides for seven brothers" and "Calamity Jane", and they both consider "The Al Jolson Story" and the visceral effect it had on them.

Celine and Stephen are alarmed at the safety record of the Holodeck on numerous iterations of Star Trek as well as wondering what we should think about the apparent regularity of holograms achieving consciousness, and the casual way this astonishing phenomenon is treated.

What should we think about theories about ancient aliens and the TV show that's one of Stephen's guilty pleasures. Celine gets Stephen to reveal his early dalliance with fringe theories and the day he met some of the Ancient Alien dudes.