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Gerette Buglion holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education, and earned her ‘Master's Degree' in cult awareness education from the school of life. She emerged from her 18-year cult odyssey in 2014 at age 52, and asked herself, "How did I, an educated, caring mother, wife, and business owner become that lost and for that long?" Gerette then set to work studying cultic dynamics, while reclaiming her autonomy with the help of a supportive family, therapy, and countless hours immersed in nature and writing.Gerette's memoir An Everyday Cult was published in 2021, and followed by her second book, Writing to Reckon Journal – for Survivors of Spiritual, Religious, and Cultic Abuse. She is the founder of Living Cult Free, a nonprofit supporting the creative expression of survivor stories and empowering advocacy through education.Links:Gerette Buglion — Gerette's websiteAn Everyday Cult — by Gerette Buglion, 2021Writing to Reckon Journal — by Gerette Buglion, 2023 (PDF version for US$5 here)Writing to Reckon — Gerette's workshops, retreats, journal, and moreLiving Cult Free — 501c3 nonprofit empowering and educating cult survivors and advocatesLiving Cult Free: the podcastDr Dan Siegel — executive director of the Mindsight Institute and founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLAGentle Souls Revolution — Esther Friedman's websiteFaith Jones — author of I Own Me and Sex Cult NunBeth Matanaer — Finding the Path Within You (or as Beth says, "You are your own expert")You can support us on Patreon. Sarah Steel's debut book Do As I Say is available on audiobook now. Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Can dream interpretation be manipulative? You bet! Our guest Gerette Buglion, of Living Cult Free, shares her experiences with 18 years in a dream cult. Gerette is passionate about reclaiming her own life and helping others to reclaim theirs. I start by reading a short passage from my book in progress about the vulnerability of dreamers when they ask for support around their dreams. Gerette tells two of her dreams and how they were interpreted by her ex-teacher in a way that belittled her tender nature. She goes on to tell a new dream in which someone negates her own vivid experience of seeing a white bear. After the break, we talk about gaslighting and how it can be healthy for people in relationship to have different perceptions. We end with Gerette talking about the clarifying nature that writing about a lived experience brings and describing the ongoing and drop-in writing groups that she offers, plus the upcoming online panel with guests Sarah Edmonson, Daniel Shaw and others Gerette is author of two books “An Everyday Cult” and “Writing to Reckon Journal.” BIO: Gerette Buglion wants to live in a world where cult leaders, narcissistic abusers, and manipulative marketing techniques are spotted, called out, and silenced, creating more opportunities for nourishing relationships to flourish. Her work as educator centers on liberation from coercive control and supporting the integrative power of writing for survivors of cultic relationships through Writing to Reckon™ programs. Find our guest at: GeretteBuglion.com and at LivingCultFree.com. The following symposium is happening this coming weekend, September 28! (Times listed are ET.) Register at the following link: GeretteBuglion.com/writing-symposium This show, episode number 277, was recorded during a live broadcast on September 21, 2024 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick Kleffel for also engineering the show and to Tony Russomano for the phones. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on FB and IG @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms released the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Note that closed captioning is available on the YouTube version of this podcast and an automatically generated transcript is available at Apple Podcasts. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe and tell your friends.
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Have you ever felt better about yourself after telling someone your story? Today we speak with author and cult survivor Gerette Buglion who guides others to tell their "I got out" stories in a process she calls Writing to Reckon. We start with a question from podcast listener Beth sent via Instagram, "What was your biggest motivation for telling your story and what were your hopes for it in the world?" We go deep into answers to those questions and also address the shame that people sometimes feel about discovering that they have been in a coercive situation. We talk about how writing your story can help you find a way back to yourself and why you might or might not want to share it and with whom. Support for writing your story can be found at igotout.org/empowerment including Gerette's free Writing to Reckon classes, or register here GeretteBuglion.com/writingtoreckon. Gerette finishes by sharing her three favorite writing prompts designed to help you reclaim your own power as you write your story. Her new book is a journal to help you flesh out your story. The August zoom book launch party will be Tuesday, August 29 at 7pm Eastern Time. To join, register here GeretteBuglion.com/writing-to-reckon-book. BIO: Born a middle child of seven, Gerette Buglion is a natural - and lifelong - educator. Today, she's Executive Director of IGotOut, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of cultic relationships and author of An Everyday Cult and Writing to Reckon Journal for Survivors of Religious, Spiritual and Cultic Abuse. Find our guest at: GeretteBuglion.com IGotOut.org #igotout #writingtoreckon #everydaycult Intro music is Water over Stones and outro music is Everything both by Mood Science. Today's ambient music is created by Rick Kleffel. The audio can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick Kleffel for also engineering the show, to Tony Russomano for answering the phones and to Ewa Malady for audio editing. Show aired on July 15, 2023. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM, streaming live at KSQD.org 10-11am Saturday mornings Pacific time. Catch it live and call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Contact Katherine Bell with feedback, suggestions for future shows or to inquire about exploring your own dreams with her at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow her on FB and IG @ExperientialDreamwork or find out more at ExperientialDreamwork.com. Available on all major podcast platforms. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Rate it, review it, subscribe and tell your friends.
Candice returns with the second half of her convo with new friends of the podcast and co-founders of the #igotout movement, Lisa & Gerette. If you missed part one, circle back because the conversation picks up where it left off. Gerette shares what a relief it is 'being human' after 18 years spent striving to perfect herself in a therapy-based cult. Lisa acknowledges activists who are blowing the whistle on her very first guru, who has since rebranded himself. Candice wonders aloud at how so many wellness influencers rely on spiritual lineages that reinforce oppressive ideologies, referencing her own recently discovered blindspots. Gerette inspires a discussion about healthy leadership - what is it and how do we create it? Then Lisa emphasizes the importance of deconstructing hierarchies, sharing personally about the learning curve she has faced as the #igotout content curator. She reads aloud from Geoffrey Wallace's book - A Voice From Inside - which inspires a lively dialogue about the power of creativity and critical thinking. Candice shares how she was discouraged from asking questions in new age wellness circles, and Gerette voices an encouraging open-invitation to us all. The three discuss why collaboration and organic growth is so critical to the reinvention of leadership; then, Lisa speaks in depth about anonymous activism, providing a helpful template for easing our way into cult recovery spaces. The episode wraps with a peek into the collaborative future of the igotout movement.Gerette & Lisa are co-founders of igotout.org, which serves as a platform for the voices of the isolated, silenced, and invisible…and as a hub and amplifier for ex-cult related advocacy. The hashtag, #igotout, connects survivors of all kinds of power-over abuse and creates a web of support and access to resources for healing and community. Referenced In This Episode:Exposing Guru Maharaji activist's accounts - @wasapremie and @premrawatcult on instagram A Voice from Inside: Notes on Religious Trauma in a Captive Organization, by Geoffrey WallisThe Carbon Almanac with Seth GodinThe Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World, by Max FisherCover Story - New York Magazine (podcast series)Tears of Eden Story Slam Participation FormStory Slam Fundraiser#IGOTOUT - The Musical KickstarterNon-profit consultants: Lindsay J.K. Nichols & Nancy MosherThe stories and opinions shared in this episode are based on personal experience and are not intended to malign any individual, group, or organization.Join The Deeper Pulse at Patreon for weekly bonus episodes + other exclusive bonus content. Follow The Deeper Pulse on IG @thedeeperpulse + @candiceschutter for more regular updates.
The ‘cult'ure series continues with a a two-part conversation with the co-founders of igotout.org. In Part 1, Candice shares how #igotout was a saving grace when she first released her story publicly. Lisa & Gerette join her to share about the origins of the movement, speaking about the hashtag's conception and why it is so important for cult survivors to have safe spaces to share their stories. Gerette makes a distinction between recognizing and ‘reckoning with' the harm we experience, and Lisa speaks to why anonymous activism is something she continually champions. Candice shares how the idealism that hooked her is also what enabled her to get out, and Lisa expands upon this with a potent declaration that bears repeating. The three discuss how involvement in cult communities and abusive relationships very often results in arrested development; how we stop thinking critically and our fears are leveraged and used against us. Carlos Castaneda's influence is explored through a peek into Lisa's childhood and family history, and she shares intimately how growing up in the hippie movement primed her for entry into a cult at age 19. And a fascinating dialogue about death leads Gerette toward a personal ah-ha around how grief shaped her exit from a a therapy-based cult. The episode wraps with a sneak peek at part two, which drops next week. Gerette Buglion, co-founder of igotout.org, is a spokesperson for the #igotout movement, co-manages day to day operations and communications while also providing her expertise in Cult Recovery and Education. Gerette is creator and facilitator of Writing to Reckon - and offers free classes for people to write their #igotout statement in a supportive environment. Gerette's educational memoir, An Everyday Cult was published in May 2021.Lisa co-founded igotout.org as an anonymous cult-survivor activist with the intention of creating a space for victims of high control environments to safely share their stories...in whichever way supports their healing. Lisa co-manages communications and is the main point of contact for messaging on the igotout social media platforms. She is a generator of community building initiatives within the #igotout space.Referenced In This Episode:An Everyday Cult, by Gerette BuglionHBO's The VowHoly Hell: a film by Will AllenThe Sorcerer's Apprentice: My Life with Carlos Castaneda by Amy WallaceI'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing, by Kyria AbrahamsThe Denial of Death, by Ernest BeckerDeathCafe.comThe stories and opinions shared in this episode are based on personal experience and are not intended to malign any individual, group, or organization.Join The Deeper Pulse at Patreon for weekly bonus episodes + other exclusive bonus content. Follow The Deeper Pulse on IG @thedeeperpulse + @candiceschutter for more regular updates.
This month we are teaming up with igotout.org, throughout the month of November, follow along with us as we share education, survivor stories and ways you can join in on the movement. Each episode this month will include stories of cult survival, including the abuses described in Dr Steven Hassan's BITE Model. This episode in particular deals with covert abuse, along with a variety of triggering subject matter. Please use discretion when listening. Have an MLM CULT STORY to share? Email me! | Send a voice message! | Submit ANON These stories will be used in anthology episodes for Commercial Cult Awareness Month with IGotOut.org! Gerette Buglion spent over 18 years in a cult that manipulated her dreams and kept her stuck in an endless chain of enlightenment masquerading as a cult. Since leaving her everyday cult, she's written a book about her experiences, helped found a movement, changed countless lives and encourages other cult survivors to embrace their story, by using an incredibly powerful tool, the written word. Want to take one of Gerette's classes? Join the FREE Writing to Reckon for MLM Survivors here!! Dec 4th, 2022 @ 5pm EST. Show Notes: Gerette's website - https://www.gerettebuglion.com/ IGotOut - https://www.igotout.org/ An Everyday Cult by Gerette Buglion - https://amzn.to/3AKGcJ0 Dr. Dan Siegel - https://drdansiegel.com/ Lisa from IGotOut on From Huns to Humans - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-93-i-got-out-lisa/id1585142247?i=1000586691304 Out of MLM - https://outofmlm.info/ Cultish by Amanda Montell - https://amzn.to/3Q7owx9 Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/ Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJb How can you help? Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.org You can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/ Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwide Support the Podcast! Join the Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/robertablevins Buy me a Taco and leave a note!
Have you ever lost a loved one to a controlling group? Whether around religion, self-improvement or politics, such losses can be devastating. Today we have a conversation with author and cult-recovery educator Gerette Buglion about why it is so important to keep open communication with the loved one and to offer our support for them even if we don't understand what they are getting from that group. Gerette speaks about indoctrination and provides a check list we can use when questioning whether that group (or person) we have been so excited about might be a cult. We take a call from Veronica from Santa Cruz who asks how we can help loved ones get out of cults. She shares her story of taking the drastic step of leaving the US for a year to disentangle herself from a cult. Gerette offers a three week class starting October 18 called Writing to Reckon for Loved Ones in addition to her ongoing Writing to Reckon classes for people who are looking to process time spent in a high control group or relationship (check the image below or Gerette's IG feed). Gerette closes with a dream about reconciliation and forgiveness around her own cult experience. BIO: Gerette Buglion is author of An Everyday Cult, a memoir which shows how her innocent quest for meaning left her open to manipulation by a controlling dream teacher. Gerette's current work is in Cult Recovery and Education. Her signature writing course called, ‘Writing to Reckon' offers a safe space for cult survivors to share their stories. She is a founding collaborator of the #iGotOut movement, whose mission is to encourage people who have experienced cultic abuse to tell their stories. She also has a podcast called Everyday Cults, Everyday People. IG: @Gerette.Buglion Websites: GeretteBuglion.com, iGotOut.org Podcast: Everyday Cults, Everyday People Intro music is Water over Stones and outro music is Everything both by Mood Science. Today's ambient music is created by Rick Kleffel. The audio can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick Kleffel for also engineering the show, to Tony Russomano for answering the phones and to Ewa Malady for audio editing. Show aired on October 15, 2022. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM, streaming live at KSQD.org 10-11am Saturday mornings Pacific time. Catch it live and call in with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or at onair@ksqd.org. If you want to contact Katherine Bell with feedback, suggestions for future shows or to inquire about exploring your own dreams with her, contact katherine@ksqd.org, or find out more about her at ExperientialDreamwork.com. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal. You can also check out The Dream Journal on the following podcast platforms: Rate it, review it, subscribe and tell your friends. Apple Podcasts Google Play Stitcher Spotify
Gerette Buglion is a co-founder of the #igotout movement and a lifelong educator, who brings discernment, compassion, and understanding to the psycho-educational journey of cult recovery. She published her book An Everyday Cult in May 2021 and is currently working on a new project called Misunderstood. Gerette has a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education and earned her "Master's Degree" in cult awareness education from the school of life. This training occurred during her eighteen-year odyssey with Doug (fictitious name, real person) who was the leader of the ‘Center for Transformational Learning (fictitious name real group) Gerette joins Rachel to express her passion for education and explain the events that led to her current work as a cult educator with the #igotout movement. Together Rachel and Gerette dive deep into the common difficulties cult survivors have as they leave their groups and discuss the best practices for alleviating the dizzying complexities of starting a new life outside of the high control they've become so accustomed to. Find more info on Gerette's work here: www.gerettebuglion.com/ More info on the #igotout organization here: www.igotout.org/ Before You Go: Rachel expands on how sharing personal stories of survival does not have to include naming the group or perpetrators in order for survivors to gain autonomy and healing from the process, noting it's just as cathartic for the survivors and just as educational for others to hear. You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Stephanie Ellis, Marianne Fox, Stacey Bellows, Dr. Jo Eckler, Travis Bouwer, Julia C, Tom Harper, Ginger Sorbara, Dao Tindukasiri, Emily Adele Fletcher, Marie-Claude Hébert, Jessica, Maria, Matt Faucher, and, Juliana Zhou !! Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctrination You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
In this episode I chat with the wonderful Gerette Buglion about her experiences in a high-demand group, her memoir "An Everyday Cult", life since Gerette's exodus from the group and her work around writing, consulting and working with others in the cult-recovery space. #igotouthttps://www.gerettebuglion.com/https://www.igotout.org/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everyday-Cult-Gerette-Buglion/dp/1578690552Cult Vault Shop - cultvaultpodcast.com/shopCrimecon UK 2022 - https://www.crimecon.co.uk/Get In Touch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultvaultpod/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CultVaultPodReddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Cult-VaultGmail: cultvaultpodcast@gmail.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecultvaultSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/cultvaultpodcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Discussing the difference between a cult and a high control environment and the fine line between them. Addressing different tactics cult leaders use to control and how we reconnect with our core self after we've gotten out. Gerette Buglion is the co-founder of igotout.org, and is a spokesperson for the #igotout movement, co-manages day to day operations and communications while also providing her expertise in Cult Recovery and Education. Gerette is creator and facilitator of Writing to Reckon - and offers free classes for people to write their #igotout statement in a supportive environment. Gerette's educational memoir, An Everyday Cult was published in May 2021. Gerette is dedicated to helping others navigate, heal from and avoid the complex power dynamics involved in coercive control. From writing workshops, readings, and consultations to public talks, Gerette's work aims to cultivate compassion and discernment by engaging healthy dialogue and a psycho-educational approach that promotes autonomy and authenticity. Lisa co-founded and created igotout.org. She receives, designs, coordinates, and publishes survivor's stories, educational materials, and resources for the igotout social media. Lisa is the main point of contact for igotout communications through email as well as messaging on the igotout social media platforms and is a generator of community building initiatives within the #igotout space.Lisa is a firm believer in Creativity being The Great Healer…for all trauma, but especially when it comes to recovering from cultic influence where one's voice is often silenced. Through empowering and facilitating others to safely express their stories and voices, she discovers her own path of creativity and healing.Uncertain is a podcast of Tears of Eden, a community and resource for those in the aftermath of Spiritual Abuse. If you're enjoying this podcast, please take a moment to like, subscribe or leave a review on your favorite podcasting listening apparatus. You can support the podcast by going to TearsofEden.org/supportTo get in touch with us please email tearsofeden.org@gmail.comFollow on Instagram
Gerette Buglion, B.A. Elementary Education and Special Education, earned her ‘Master's Degree' in cult awareness education from the school of life. She is the author of the memoir An Everyday Cult.In this episode, Gerette discusses: Her definition of cultic involvement How she became involved in a cult The subtle nature of indoctrination The concept of being “love bombed” How seeds of dependence are planted What unhealthy dependence can look like What to pay attention to when working with a teacher, healer or person of authority Neurolinguistic Programing (NLP) The consequences of addressing your trauma history in a cult setting Her exit from the cult Power dynamics Taking your life back The mindset of cultic dependence The international #igotout movement Her work as a cult educator How she uses writing to help cult survivors process their experiences Gerette's website: https://www.gerettebuglion.com/#I Got Out: http://www.igotout.org/Find cool totem animal, cosmic, psychedelic t-shirts, blank notebooks and journals at the Lucid Path Etsy Shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/LucidPathLucid Cafe episodes by topic: https://www.lucidpathwellness.com/lucid-cafe-podcastListen to Lucid Cafe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSseC4eLwkov3lFSZVkYDYATo contact Lucid Cafe host Wendy Halley, please visit her website: https://www.lucidpathwellness.com/★ Support this podcast ★
A Little Bit Culty – If you think you're too smart to fall for a cult, this episode is your wake-up call. Undue influence can poison what starts out as a ‘good thing' and turn it into a culty shitshow. Just ask today's guest: Gerette Buglion. She was a member of an under-the-radar cult for over 18 years. In this organization, there was no tithing, no rules about where you should live, what brand of deodorant you must use, or what clothes to wear. Instead, far more subtle techniques were used...but they were powerful, and destructive all the same. When Gerette finally emerged from the cult at age 52, she asked herself, “How did I, an educated, caring mother, wife, and business owner become that lost and for that long?” She joins us to discuss her page-turning memoir, and her journey from hopeful therapy client to enthusiastic cult member to an anti-cult crusader. Spoiler alert: You're not too smart to fall for culty shit. More about today's guest: Gerette Buglion, B.A. Elementary Education and Special Education, earned her ‘Master's Degree' in cult awareness education from the school of life. This training occurred during her eighteen-year odyssey with Doug (Fictitious name. Real person) who was the leader of the ‘Center for Transformational Learning' (fictitious name for a real group, also simply CTL). Her memoir of her experience, An Everyday Cult, lifts the nuanced veil of controlling groups through its subtle weaving of personal experience with insight from recognized cultic phenomena. In addition to hosting retreats and her Writing to Reckon workshops, Gerette is a co-founding collaborator of the #igotout movement and igotout.org and co-host of the Everyday Cults, Everyday People podcast. Learn more about Gerette's work and upcoming events at her official website.~The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.~A Little Bit Culty is proud to support the #IGOTOUT project, which empowers survivors of cultic abuse to share their stories online as a catalyst for education, prevention, and healing. Learn more at igotout.org~For more information on A Little Bit Culty and co-hosts Sarah Edmondson and Nippy “Anthony” Ames, visit our official website at alittlebitculty.com. Follow us on Instagram & Twitter @alittlebitculty~CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of Sound Producer: Will RetherfordAssociate Producer:
We start off by speaking with Katherine about working with cultural symbols vs letting the dreams speak for themselves through embodiment and personal associations. Gerette questions the idea that certain techniques are difficult to do on one's own and we launch into a discussion of what to look for in a dream teacher including certification and evidence that they are doing their own work. We also talk about the ethics of dream sharing from the point of view of the teacher or therapist. For one thing one must be aware of the egotistical high that can come from being in a position of authority. Also we speak about the pressure of being in the projections of the people we work with and how important it is for the teacher or therapist to be self-reflective and to have their own support network. In the context of peer support, we mention the work of the Association for Spiritual Integrity which can be found at Spiritual-Integrity.org We take a call from Jane who asks how can a practitioner recognize when a client is not the right fit for them? Katherine's BIO: Dr. Katherine Lawson has an MA in Counseling Psychotherapy from Pacifica and has her doctorate from Saybrook University in Mind-Body Medicine with a specialty Integrative Mental Health. She is a therapist who has studied extensively with Robert Bosnak and is a certified Embodied Imagination practitioner. She recently released a book: Dreamwork for Growth and Healing: A Guided Dream Journal. You can reach Katherine at DreamsHeal.com Gerette's BIO: Gerette Buglion is author of An Everyday Cult, a memoir which shows how her innocent quest for meaning left her open to manipulation by a controlling dream teacher. Gerette's current work is in Cult Recovery and Education. Her signature writing course called, ‘Writing to Reckon' offers a safe space for cult survivors to share their stories. She is a founding collaborator of the #iGotOut movement, whose mission is to encourage people who have experienced cultic abuse to tell their stories. She also has a podcast called Everyday Cults, Everyday People. You can reach Gerette at GeretteBuglion.com and at Igotout.org Both of these guests have been on the Journal before here they talked more about their specific history and influences. You can find Katherine's show here: https://ksqd.org/embodied-imagination-with-katherine-lawson/, and Gerette's show here https://ksqd.org/an-everyday-cult-with-gerette-buglion/, We play clips from the following two guest-selected songs: Head Full of Doubt by the Avett Brothers and Walking in the Rain by Grace Jones. Ambient music created by Rick Kleffel new every week. Today's composition is entitled Anullabye. Many thanks to Rick Kleffel for engineering the show and to Tony Russomano for answering the phones. Show aired on December 4, 2021. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM, streaming live at KSQD.org 10-11am Saturday mornings Pacific time. Catch it live and call in with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or at onair@ksqd.org. If you want to contact Katherine Bell with feedback, suggestions for future shows or to inquire about exploring your own dreams with her, contact katherine@ksqd.org, or find out more about her at ExperientialDreamwork.com. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page is found here. You can also check out The Dream Journal on the following podcast platforms: Rate it, review it, subscribe and tell your friends. Apple Podcasts Google Play Stitcher Spotify
Today we explore strategies you can use to get out of a cult or help a loved one get out. To setup the framework for our discussion, we look at numbers and definitions. The numbers are huge. Up to 10,000 cults still exist today in the United States. That number is growing. IGotOut.org suggests that “Millions of people have been affected by undue influence. Many of us have had religions chosen for us or we've joined self-help or spiritual groups that became harmful or destructive. We have suffered from coercive control and mind manipulations while bending to narcissists. We've given our power of decision making over to an organization and their leadership.”And language matters. The way we talk about cultic abuse influences how our good intentions are received. Someone who might shy away from what Gerette calls the C-word (cult), could respond better to “Controlling Group,” or “High Demand Group,” or “Spiritual Abuse.”We discuss Dr. Hassan's “reality testing,” and Gerette's escape after 18 years from the Center for Transformational Learning and the strategies that worked for her. We also talk about strategies we can employ when helping others who might be embroiled in a controlling group.If you have been in ANY culty high-control group or religion, share your story with the hashtag #igotout. Share on your own platform OR if you need to be anonymous and/or would like support, there are resources at www.igotout.org.To Learn more about Writing to Reckon, visit www.gerettebuglion.com/writingtoreckon.Learn more about the signs of thought control and other aspects of Dr. Hassan's work by visiting www.freedomofmind.com.
“Freedom of thought is a universal human right.” This statement is the first thing you see on the IGotOut.org website. As modern, functioning adults, we like to think that we are in control of our own thoughts. This is not always the case. As we know from Gerette's book An Everyday Cult and from this podcast, we know that destructive cults use any number of techniques to get members to stay and commit themselves to what may be harmful activities. Thought Control is the most insidious. Listen in as we discuss the different techniques cult leaders use to control the thoughts of their followers. Some techniques are extreme, others are subtle but insidious...If you have been in ANY culty high-control group or religion, share your story with the hashtag #igotout. Share on your own platform OR if you need to be anonymous and/or would like support, there are resources at www.igotout.org.Learn more about the signs of thought control and other aspects of Dr. Hassan's BITE Model visit freedomofmind.com or freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model.
#igotout is a hashtag, website and movement to make abuses of power unacceptable in all kinds of groups, not just cults. Gerette Buglion and Lisa are two of the founders of #igotout. They believe now is the time for survivors of cult dynamics to share their stories with unflinching honesty. Every story matters, and the ripple effect of speaking up can make a difference. Survivors of cultic abuse can raise awareness of undue influence and coercive control. The goal is to change the cultural acceptance of abuse of power in all kinds of groups, not just cults. Gerette and Lisa join me to share the story of how #igotout was formed, characteristics of cult dynamics in today's society, and how survivors can find support at igotout.org. Gerette Buglion, B.A. in Elementary and Special Ed, is the author of An Everyday Cult. She earned her ‘Masters Degree' in Cult Awareness Education from the school of life. Gerette co-manages operations and communications of igotout.org, is a spokeswoman and activist for the movement and hosts Writing to Reckon, an online workshop where survivors of cultic abuse write their I got out statement. Lisa owns, designs, and manages the igotout.org website intended to support the #igotout movement, as well as makes most of the material and posts for the social media accounts. She is the main point of contact for #igotout communications through email and messaging on the #igotout social platforms. Connect with igotout.org online: WebsiteInstagram - @igotout_orgFacebook Mentioned in this episode: Article: Elsevier - Aggression and Violent Behavior: Sexual abuse and charismatic cults Books: Gerette Buglion - An Everyday CultSteve Hassan - The Cult of Trump Podcasts: Jen Kiaba - Lessons on LeavingKaila Tova - Your Body, Your Brand Support Free Your Inner Guru: Become a Patreon – patreon.com/freeyourinnerguruShop the merchandise – freeyourinnerguru.com/shop Stay in touch: Subscribe to the Free Your Inner Guru newsletter
We explore the dynamic of unethical persuasion especially in the context of dreams. Sharing a dream is a vulnerable act. How do we support each other in owning our own dream experiences without unduly influencing each other? Today we talk with Gerette Buglion about her new book, An Everyday Cult. Gerette is passionate about promoting ethical forms of self-discovery. We talk about gentle ways of exploring dreams together and about what red flags to look out for around choosing a practitioner. Gerette shares some of her experiences about how her life was upended through a cult whose spiritual center involved manipulative dream analysis. We talk about Gerette's current work in the cult survivor movement and her part in the creation of the #Igotout movement in which people who have escaped from cults are encouraged to share their stories. We finish by talking about NXIVM and QAnon and the Unification Church (aka the Moonies). Gerette hosts a podcast called Everyday Cults, Everyday People. You can also learn more about cults and get help through organizations including the International Cultic Studies Association. She also hosts a writing class called "Writing to Reckon". Bio: Gerette Buglion B.A. Elementary Education and Special Education, was born on Long Island NY and migrated north, eventually landing in Vermont. Her work and passions merged in caring for others as an elementary school teacher, special educator, house parent for people with special needs, a hiking guide and business owner. Her greatest accomplishments include parenting two exceptional young adults, marrying an extraordinarily understanding man and escaping from what she calls ‘an everyday cult'. Also the title of her memoir, An Everyday Cult shows how an innocent quest for meaning was hijacked by a teacher who recognized Gerette's thirst for spiritual knowledge, awakening insight - while simultaneously eroding her capacity for critical thinking. In her book, she shows readers how a mind and psyche can be compromised by a controlling leader—using techniques that fly under the radar of human awareness—and implores readers to wake up to these ever-present abuses of power. Her current work in Cult Recovery and Education arises from her dedication to helping others navigate and avoid complex power systems found in controlling groups the world over. Gerette has been a regular presenter at the annual conference for ICSA, the International Cultic Studies Association since 2015. Her signature writing course called, ‘Writing to Reckon' offers a safe space for cult survivors to share their story through written word. She works as a consultant and educator in cult dynamics for individuals, families and organizations of all kinds and is a founding collaborator of the #iGotOut movement, whose sole mission is to encourage people who have experienced cultic abuse to tell their stories to help steer society towards a new day where abuse of power is not tolerated. She is especially excited to be a guest on The Dream Journal since the cult she was involved with for 18 years used dream analysis as a controlling technique. Her cult recovery process over the last seven years has included creating new and gentler ways of exploring dreams which continue to inform, support and inspire her. Gerette is passionate about promoting ethical forms of self-discovery. You can contact her at her webpages: GeretteBuglion.com Igotout.org And you can read a review of her book here. We play clips from the following two guest-selected songs: Pink Floyd's “Wish You Were Here” and Moon Panda's "On the Attack" Live ambient music by Rick Kleffel. Show aired on August 21, 2021. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM, streaming live at KSQD.org 10-11am Saturday mornings Pacific time. Catch it live and call in with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or at onair@ksqd.org. If you want to contact Katherine Bell with feedback, suggestions for future shows or to inquire about exploring your own dreams with her, contact katherine@ksqd.org, or find out more about her at ExperientialDreamwork.com. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page is found here. You can also check out The Dream Journal on the following podcast platforms: Rate it, review it, subscribe and tell your friends. Apple Podcasts Google Play Stitcher Spotify
We explore what Gerette has identified in her book as the final stage of cultic involvement: Waking Up Again and Again. In this ongoing phase, one becomes fully aware of the reality of cultism. Awake, cult survivors remain ever watchful for the potential for harmful power dynamics that play out in the world or in themselves. Waking Up Again and Again is the effort required to be a conscious, conscientious, human being.In this episode on post-cult life, we discuss the human need to be part of a group, cult-hopping, self-care, the importance of recognizing one's own vulnerability, and how to be an ally.Tune in for frank talk about everyday cults and how they can endanger everyday people like you and me. Views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Gerette Buglion arising from her personal 18-year cultic involvement and from her subsequent work in cult recovery and education. We are deeply grateful to Moon Panda for the use of their song "Slow Drive." Yes, Everyday Cults. Everyday People is a kind of slow cruise around the cult world, taking in the varied landscapes. Let us know what you liked and where you'd like to head for Season Two. Contact Gerette through her website GeretteBuglion.com or through direct message on Instagram or Facebook.
In this episode of Everyday Cults. Everyday People, we explore what Gerette identified in her book as the fourth stage of cultic involvement: Snapping—as in snapping out of it. This is the period of dawning recognition; it's the acknowledgement that you have been indoctrinated. It demands a huge shift in consciousness. For many, it is also an awakening of conscience when you see how you or your loved ones have been harmed by the group. It may also be a realization that you have been complicit with something that is in direct contradiction to your deepest personal values or even morality itself. We discuss complicity, accountability, and then ask the one question cult survivors hate to be asked. Tune in for frank talk about everyday cults and how they can endanger everyday people like you and me. Views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Gerette Buglion arising from her personal 18-year cultic involvement and from her subsequent work in cult recovery and education. We are deeply grateful to Moon Panda for the use of their song "Slow Drive." Yes, Everyday Cults. Everyday People is a kind of slow cruise around the cult world, taking in the varied landscapes. Let us know what you liked and where you'd like to head for Season Two. And tune in next week for our wrap up of Season One. We will discuss the fifth stage of cultic involvement: Waking Up Again and Again.
Everyday Cults. Everyday People explores the five stages of cultic involvement identified by Gerette Buglion in her new memoir An Everyday Cult. In this episode, we discuss what she calls “Asleep,” the third stage of cultic involvement.Gerette estimates that she was asleep for five out of the eighteen years she was in the cult. We discuss how the cult leader lulled members into this stage and the impact it had and still has on their lives. We also talk about how to recognize such a sleeper and what you can do when you think a loved one has fallen prey to the dangers of a cult.A recent New York Times article suggests that 15% of people in the US are involved in QAnon, an organization that many people consider to either be a cult or have cultic qualities. We talk about how to determine whether or not the group or organization we are interested in is a cult and the questions we should be asking ourselves.Tune in for frank talk about everyday cults and how they can endanger everyday people like you and me. Views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Gerette Buglion arising from her personal 18-year cultic involvement and from her work in cult recovery and education. We are deeply grateful to Moon Panda for their song "Slow Drive". Yes, Everyday Cults. Everyday People is a kind of slow cruise around the cult world, taking in the varied landscapes. Please be sure to comment about what you liked and where you'd like to head for Season Two. Be sure to tune in next week for the fourth stage of cultic involvement: Snapping.
In this, our first season of Everyday Cults. Everyday People we explore the five stages of cultic involvement Gerette identifies in her new memoir An Everyday Cult. Last week, our subject was Falling—as in falling for the trickery of a cult. Today, we discuss drifting, the second stage.Drifting is a period of psychological meandering where part of one's psyche is lulled into unconscious complicity with a doctrine. During this stage one can be easily influenced but can also hold down a job and raise a family without great negative impact, despite the fact that they are living a split reality. We also discuss the cult leader's lack of accountability, training, or ethical standards for the ‘therapy' sessions he conducted, and the predatory, non-consensual relationships ‘Doug' had with members of the ‘Center for Transformational Learning' cult he founded. (For the protection of those who have been and are subject to cultic abuse, 'Doug' and 'Center for Transformational Learning' are pseudonyms.)Tune in for frank talk about everyday cults and how they can endanger everyday people like you and me. Views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Gerette Buglion arising from her personal 18-year cultic involvement and from her work in cult recovery and education.
Just as no one intentionally falls in love with an abuser, no one intentionally joins a cult—we fall for them. Falling, in this case, refers to both falling in love and falling asleep. Gerette fell. Her fall lasted eighteen years. Often - but not always – cultic involvement begins with 'love-bombing' - a starry-eyed stage where someone is magnetically drawn to a group or a leader who promises the moon and it feels really good. Typically, the early stages of cultic involvement can include a lot of longing, learning about one's self, and a whole lot of idealizing.In this episode, we discuss the early days of Gerette's cult life which devolved into the gradual erosion of her psyche. Tune in for frank talk about everyday cults and how they can endanger everyday people like you and me. Views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Gerette Buglion arising from her personal 18-year cultic involvement and from her work in cult recovery and education.
What is a cult? How are they created? Who joins a cult? Why? How can we recognize a cult if we're in one? In this introductory episode, cult survivor Gerette Buglion, author of An Everyday Cult, delves into her experience living in a cult for eighteen years to answer these compelling questions. Cult dynamics exist in all layers of society. They can be political, racist, religious, sexual, satanic, or educational. They can be founded on human potential, mass transformation, or mass marketing… Initially, many Everyday Cults can seem perfectly normal and acceptable until that very convincing façade starts to crack. We discuss the techniques cults use—such as ‘love bombing', polarized thinking, and loading the language which we'll investigate further in future episodes—to attract and keep members and the unbalanced power dynamics that often result. We talk about the recognition of abuse that caused Gerette to leave the cult and dedicate her life to helping others come to similar realizations. Tune in for frank talk about everyday cults and how they can endanger everyday people like you and me. Views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Gerette Buglion arising from her personal 18-year cultic involvement and from her work in cult recovery and education.
This week's special bonus episode features an excellent conversation with Lisa and Gerette, two amazing women who started the igotout.org website. Both cult survivors in their own right, each not only tell their stories of their time in their cults and also what led them to get out finally after spending years in the group. Following this decision, both women have dedicated themselves to activism and helping people to have a platform where they can share their stories of cults, religious groups, and other high-control groups they left behind. Check out their website and tell your story! Help Support the Ongoing Work of MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Follow on Twitter @igotout_org Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Subscribe to the MindShift Podcast YouTube Channel
This week’s special bonus episode features an excellent conversation with Lisa and Gerette, two amazing women who started the igotout.org website. Both cult survivors in their own right, each not only tell their stories of their time in their cults ... Read More »