UNC Charlotte professor and psychology researcher Dr Richard Tedeschi discusses his pioneering work on post-traumatic growth, how his field is different from resilience, how core beliefs are involved in our trauma, what "integration" means, and the value of an "expert companion," having a mission, and sharing your story.Learn more about Richard's work at https://bouldercrest.org/If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.comFOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:@trustmepodcast@oohlalola@vibehigherbitchOR TWITTER:@trustmecultpod@ohlalola 

How do we self-regulate when faced with triggers? CEO of the Arizona Trauma Institute and President at the Trauma Institute International Dr Robert Rhoton digs into the physiology of trauma, why the particular therapeutic model isn’t THAT important (as long as our therapists are trauma-informed), how being dysregulated is akin to a certain Marvel character, and why it’s important for our therapists to be regulated themselves. Plus, how our culture might not promote emotional regulation, practical ways to get regulated, and how we can actually begin to heal our trauma over time. Learn more about Robert's work at https://aztrauma.org/  If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we're taking May to dive into trauma: how we think about it, how it works, and what we can actually DO about it if we're struggling. How can we live our best lives, even if we've had difficult or terrifying experiences? In part 1 of the Rethinking Trauma series, Lola and Meagan chat with Columbia professor and PhD George Bonanno about his pioneering research into trauma and resilience, how we aren't necessarily doomed to be traumatized when we experience something terrible, why "coping ugly" is okay, and how flexibility can help us become more resilient. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/  If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

Podcast veteran Jordan Harbinger joins Lola and Meagan to talk magical thinking, the law of attraction, influence vs manipulation, how to be an ethical leader, how he himself has been scammed, and what makes people susceptible to scams! If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

A little meditation never hurt anyone... right? Lola and Meagan chat with former Hare Krishna monk Nitai Joseph about meditation and how it isn't necessarily always the cure-all it's cracked up to be. They discuss Sam Harris, whether you can divorce meditation from its religious roots, and the work Nitai does with Cheetah House to help those with adverse meditation experiences. Learn more about Nitai's work at https://www.cheetahhouse.org/  SUPPORT LOLA'S FILM: bit.ly/pruningfilm  If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

Nitai Joseph, talks about being a former Hare Krishna Monk, what the general beliefs are, going to California to learn from a seemingly cooler guru, devoting his life to the group, the labor exploitation he experienced, and the dangers of the guru structure. SUPPORT LOLA'S FILM: bit.ly/pruningfilm If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

Episode 72: Lynn Short, former member of the Armageddon cult the New Gnostic Society, shares how her relationship drew her to the group, the belief that their original guru was resurrected, working as a missionary, doomsday predictions, their use of lucid dreaming and withholding orgasms, what Lynn describes as "spiritualized depression," and the nails in the coffin for leaving. SUPPORT LOLA'S FILM: bit.ly/pruningfilm   If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

Episode 71: Anne Speckhard, Director of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism and Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown, discusses her interviews with members of Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and white supremacist groups, how she gets people to open up, the factors that drive people to terrorism, and what to do if someone you know is falling prey to extremism. Learn more about Anne's work at https://www.icsve.org/  SUPPORT LOLA'S FILM: bit.ly/pruningfilm  If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

Episode 70: Terra Newell shares why her mom took John back after they broke up (despite his criminal history), not being able to file a restraining order, how John started to stalk the family, how Terra was able to defend herself and kill John when he attacked her, and what the recovery process has been like. If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola

Episode 69: Terra Newell, life coach and animal lover who survived an attack from the now-infamous con man and manipulator Dirty John, shares how her mom met John on a dating app. In part one, they discuss how he claimed to be a doctor, some of his bizarre behaviors, and how he isolated her mom from the family. Plus: the grey rock method of communication, a tool for dealing with narcissists and abusers.  If you have your own story about cults, high-control groups, manipulation, or abuse of power, shoot us an email at trustmepod@gmail.com. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @trustmepodcast @oohlalola @vibehigherbitch OR TWITTER: @trustmecultpod @ohlalola