Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan Utilizing Creative Therapies for Healing and Empowerment with Esther Friedman
Oct 2, 2023
Esther Friedman, an expressive arts therapist, songwriter, and author, shares her journey as a former member of the Odyssey Study Group. She discusses the intricacies of cult recruitment and the emotional manipulation involved. Esther highlights the power of creative therapies—like journaling and painting—as essential tools for survivors to reclaim their identities. The conversation covers recovery from cognitive dissonance, the importance of self-expression, and strategies for rebuilding a life after undue influence, all while advocating for ongoing survivor support.
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Slow Friendship Recruitment
- Esther Friedman describes meeting a friendly woman at Whole Foods who slowly recruited her into a secretive group over months.
- The recruiter gained Esther's trust by being personable while sharing little about herself, which later served as a red flag.
Reciprocity As A Red Flag
- Steven Hassan highlights the lack of reciprocity as a clear red flag during recruitment interactions.
- He warns that if you disclose much but receive little personal sharing in return, you should cut ties.
Avoid One-Way Communication
- Avoid one-way communication: Esther could never get her recruiter on the phone and that was a warning sign.
- If a new friend refuses reciprocal contact, treat it as suspicious and pause trust-building.