This episode features author and activist Ryan Stollar, who grew up in the Christian homeschooling bubble, but has since become a staunch advocate for those who unfortunately suffered a great many abuses within that system. A former editor and author at the now-archived Homeschoolers Anonymous blog for several years, Ryan has since branched out and is currently doing a lot of writing--including working on two books at the moment. He is still very active within the former homeschooling community, and is very active on social media with support groups for survivors. This episode reveals much about the backstory of how Christian homeschooling not only started, but what some of the major leaders within the movement are up to currently--including expanding their vision worldwide. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This special bonus episode features returning guest, Dr Warren Throckmorton. Though he identifies as a Christian himself, Dr Throckmorton has long been an outspoken activist and blogger for what he clearly sees as abuses within evangelicalism. In the current Christianity Today podcast series on the collapse of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, and Mark Driscoll's role in it, his name comes up--as he was one of the early voices to speak out against the problems inherent within Mars Hill. Not only do we discuss the Mars Hill saga, and its ultimate implosion, we also delve into the concept that Driscoll, in many ways, fits a classic ego-driven cult leader--and his current church in Scottsdale, AZ, features even more disturbing elements of cult psychology and high-control groups. For more information you can visit Warren's blog at this link.  Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This week's guest is Daniel Phelps, who grew up in the World Revival Church, now located in Kansas City, MO. A recent investigation by Fox News has shone some light on this church's disturbing cult-like practices and tactics. Off the back of that, Daniel shares his story of how he not only grew up in the church--which he  now describes as a cult--and how he finally got out.  Can a church become a cult? Listen in to find out how this one did! Click here to read the Fox News investigative report on the multiple abuses by WRC. Visit the KC Cult Survivor Facebook Page. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

In this special bonus episode, I recently caught up with Kurt Andersen, author of the 2017 book Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire--A 500-Year History.   Kurt's book explains so much about the current state of America today by looking at its history through the lens of "fantasyland"--basically, what happens when people begin to blur, or commingle, fantasy and reality. It's not that other nations don't do this, but it's more than what makes America so exceptional is that we seem to have a corner on doing it the best.   Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community!   Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

It's finally out! This is an absolutely incredible, informative and educational conversation I had a while back with David Johnson, host of the Skeptics and Seekers podcast. I met David when we were guests on the Still Unbelievable podcast, and he shared about a time when he'd been a guest on an atheist podcast and talked a lot about the church and racism--only to discover that when the episode finally aired, the host of that show had edited out that entire section. So right then I knew...we had to have that conversation. I hope you not only enjoy this conversation, but that you learn a lot also from this chat as well. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Contact Information Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Subscribe to the MindShift Podcast YouTube Channel

This week's episode features another super informative--and potentially disturbing--conversation with returning guest, Fred Clarkson of the Political Research Associates. Matt Shea is a former Republican state legislator from my home state of Washington, up in the Pacific Northwest. He's long been a lightning rod for controversy in his own right, and a few years ago drew nationwide attention for his connection to some very far-right causes.  But now, Fred has uncovered a new and potentially more disturbing connection in the person of Timothy Taylor, a New Apostolic Reformation "apostle" who is also a major proponent of the 7 mountains dominion mandate theology. That the two men are now apparently working together for some agenda is an area of major concern, and something to keep a close eye on moving forward. You'll learn more about both men, and what they're working on, in this very educational episode. Join the MindShift Podcast Community on Patreon! Article by Frederick Clarkson on Matt Shea & Tim Taylor Follow Fred Clarkson on Twitter @FredClarkson Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

In this special bonus episode, I spoke recently with Dr Audrey Clare Farley, who wrote a fascinating (and quite disturbing) article not long ago exploring the connections between Dr James Dobson of Focus on the Family and...eugenics. Sounds crazy, right? No, there is definitely a connection--not just between Dobson and eugenics, but his entire "family values" empire. There's a dark underbelly to the whole thing, and in this episode, we lay it all out. Join the MindShift Podcast Patreon Community! Read Audrey's Article on Religion Dispatches Follow Audrey on Twitter @AudreyCFarley Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

After last week's conversation with Jared Yates Sexton, that spurred me to do some more investigation into this issue of the "noble lie"--what is it, and how exactly does it relate to the official American narrative of its history? Once we understand that critical concept--that goes all the way back to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato in the 3rd century BCE--it becomes a helpful paradigm or model through which to interpret not just American history, but many other nations also. Join me on this journey of discovery and please, let me know your thoughts! Help support the work of MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Subscribe to the MindShift Podcast YouTube Channel

Jared Yates Sexton, the co-host of the Muckrake Podcast, is back! This time we are taking a super deep dive into his excellent and thought-provoking book American Rule: How a Nation Conquered the World but Failed its People. As always, Jared is a profoundly deep thinker and communicator--and in this case, we will look at some of the defining myths and "noble lies" that have sustained a particular version of American history from even before its founding as a nation.  Understanding this paradigm will, I believe, help you to make sense of not just current events, but also American history also. Support the Work of MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Details Follow Jared on Twitter @JYSexton Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This week's episode features an amazing survivor--Maya Ram. She not only survived a traumatic relationship with the Seventh Day Adventist cult, she also had to deal with a controlling, abusive mother too--who also used religion as a means of coercion. Today, Maya is rebuilding her life, and is involved in activism warning the world about the dangers of Christian mission work--not just in her home country of India, but around the world too. Find out more about Maya's work at the Mission Kaali website. Help Support the Work of MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Follow Maya on Twitter @MayaRam0521 Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018