Even the Rich

Kidnapping American Royalty: The Patty Hearst Story | The Psychology of Cults with Alexandra Stein | 100

Feb 8, 2022

A deep dive into Patty Hearst's involvement with the SLA and the debate of brainwashing vs. voluntary participation. Author and ex-cult member Alexandra Stein sheds light on cult dynamics and brainwashing methods. They explore the process of indoctrination, recovery from radicalized mindsets, and the societal impact of the Patty Hearst case.

31:30

Episode guests

Patty Hearst

Alexandra Stein

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Cults employ deceptive tactics to control individuals through false promises and manipulation.

Breaking free from a cult requires understanding coercive control tactics and having a supportive escape hatch attachment.

Deep dives

Alexandra Stane's Experience in a Political Cult

Alexandra Stane, a social scientist, shared her experience of spending 10 years in a political cult called The O. She initially got involved through union organizing, believing in the goal of societal equality and shared power. Stane highlighted the deceptive nature of cults, where individuals unknowingly surrender control of their lives due to false promises and manipulation. She emphasized the difficulty of leaving such groups and the importance of understanding the true goals behind their enticing facade.

Introduction

4min

Perception of SLA Among Leftists and Ideals of Social Justice

2min

Unveiling Deceptive Cults and Mysterious Interactions

7min

The Manipulation Tactics of Cult-Like Groups

17min

Breaking Free: Recovery from a Radicalized Mindset

7min

Patty Hearst would eventually put the SLA in her rearview mirror; she’d go on to have two kids and act in a string of John Waters films. But through the years, the debate has continued: was Patty really brainwashed, or did she voluntarily join the SLA? To help answer this question, Brooke and Aricia are joined by author and social scientist Alexandra Stein. Alexandra studies the psychological tactics cult leaders use to brainwash their subjects. She also has first hand experience with cults, having survived a decade in one. Alexandra will explain why it’s so hard to leave a cult and what can help people break free.

To learn more about her story, check out Alexandra’s memoir: http://www.alexandrastein.com/inside-out-a-memoir-of-entering-and-breaking-out-of-a-minneapolis-political-cult.html

And her latest book, Terror, Love and Brainwashing:

https://www.routledge.com/Terror--Love-and-Brain-washing-Attachment-in-Cults-and-Totalitarian/Stein/p/book/9780367467715?utm_source=individuals&utm_medium=shared_link&utm_campaign=B012494_dm1_1au_1aj_d741

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Even the Rich

Kidnapping American Royalty: The Patty Hearst Story | The Psychology of Cults with Alexandra Stein | 100

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Alexandra Stane's Experience in a Political Cult

Recruitment Techniques and Cult Dynamics

Challenges Faced After Leaving a Cult

Brainwashing and Patty Hearst's Experience

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts