Julian Dorey Podcast
#231 - Ex-Scientologist on Grant Cardone’s Cult Investments & Danny Masterson | Aaron Smith-Levin
Aug 27, 2024
Aaron Smith-Levin, a former Scientologist and Vice President of the Aftermath Foundation, shares his gripping journey from being deeply entrenched in Scientology to advocating for its victims. He delves into the unsettling dynamics of Grant Cardone's connection to the church and reacts to his controversial statements. The conversation also exposes the darker truths of Scientology's operations, such as human trafficking and manipulation tactics. Aaron discusses the emotional toll of leaving the organization and the personal sacrifices made by members influenced by celebrity figures.
03:18:09
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Quick takeaways
- Aaron Smith-Levin shares his childhood experiences growing up in Scientology, shaped by strict rules and homeschooling influenced by the organization's values.
- The mandatory disconnection policy in Scientology forces members, like the speaker, to choose between familial loyalty and organizational allegiance, leading to emotional turmoil.
Deep dives
Early Involvement with Scientology
The speaker recounts their early childhood experiences in Scientology, initiated when their mother introduced the family to the organization at a young age. Growing up in a Philadelphia organization, the speaker experienced what it was like inside the Scientology nursery while their mother worked on staff. This environment was characterized by strict rules and a separation from traditional schooling, as the speaker and their siblings were eventually homeschooled to meet Scientology's educational requirements. Although they did not experience the harshest conditions faced by some, the speaker still felt the weight of being raised within such a unique and isolating environment.
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