Your Undivided Attention

How To Free Our Minds — with Cult Deprogramming Expert Dr. Steven Hassan

May 5, 2022

Dr. Steven Hassan, a leading authority on undue influence and brainwashing, shares insights from his past as a member of the Unification Church. He discusses how cults and social media use emotional manipulation and personal narratives to control minds. The conversation dives into the dangers of absolute beliefs, the importance of critical thinking, and how sleep deprivation can distort perceptions. Dr. Hassan emphasizes the healing power of former cult members' stories and the need for greater awareness of manipulation in today's digital age.

51:28

Creator website

Episode guests

Steven Hassan

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

4min

Cult Dynamics and Modern Manipulation

18min

The Manipulation of Hesitation and the Allure of Certainty

2min

Navigating Polarization and Perspective in Belief Systems

3min

Unraveling Cult Influence

20min

The Power of Former Members in Cult Deprogramming

5min

How would you know if you were in a cult?

If not a cult, then at least under undue influence?

The truth is: we're all under some form of undue influence. The question is: to what degree and to what extent we’re aware of this influence — which is exacerbated by social media. In an era of likes, followers, and echo chambers, how can we become aware of undue influence and gain sovereignty over our minds?

Our guest this week is Dr. Steven Hassan, an expert on undue influence, brainwashing, and unethical hypnosis. He’s the founder of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center — a coaching, consulting, and training organization dedicated to helping people freely consider how they want to live their lives. Dr. Hassan was himself a member of a cult: the Unification Church (also known as the Moonies), which was developed in Korea in the 1950's. Since leaving the Moonies, Dr. Hassan has helped thousands of individuals and families recover from undue influence.

RECOMMENDED MEDIA

Freedom of Mind website: The website for Dr. Hassan’s Freedom of Mind Resource Center, which includes resources such as his Influence Continuum, BITE model of authoritarian control, and Strategic Interactive Approach for alleviating people of undue influence

The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steven Hassan: Dr. Hassan’s podcast exploring how mind-control works, and how to protect yourself from its grips

Reckonings: A podcast that told the stories of people who’ve transcended extremism, expanded their worldviews, and made other kinds of transformative change. Start with episode 17 featuring a former paid climate skeptic, or episode 18 featuring the former protégé of Fox News chairman Roger Ailes

RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES

Can Your Reality Turn on a Word? Guest: Anthony Jacquin: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/34-can-your-reality-turn-on-a-word

The World According to Q. Guest: Travis View: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/21-the-world-according-to-q

The Cure for Hate. Guest: Tony McAleer: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/11-the-cure-for-hate

Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.