In the 1960s and 70s, there was a fear that cult leaders were brainwashing young people into joining their new, strange movements. But is it even possible to “brainwash” anyone?At a psychiatric hospital in Montreal, one mad scientist, with the help of the CIA, tried to find out.Featured in this episode: Alison Steel, Lisa EllenwoodTo learn more:Brainwashed by Michelle Shephard, Lisa Ellenwood & Chris Oke on CBC PodcastsThe Search for the Manchurian Candidate: The CIA and Mind Control by John MarksFather, Son and CIA by Harvey WeinsteinMK Ultra: CIA mind control program in Canada by CBC’s The Fifth Estate“Federal government quietly compensates daughter of brainwashing experiments victim” by Elizabeth Thompson in CBC NewsCredits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Additional music from Audio NetworkSponsors: Douglas, OxioIf you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The story of Brother XII still fascinates and even frightens some people in and around Nanaimo.He’s often called the Devil of De Courcy Island for good reason.Brother XII prophesied about the coming apocalypse. But instead, his story would presage something different. He was a forerunner of the strange, new religions that would sweep over the western world.Featured in this episode: Bill Miner, Justine BrownTo learn more:Brother XII: The Strange Odyssey of a 20th Century Prophet by John OliphantAll Possible Worlds: Utopian Experiments in British Columbia by Justine BrownCredits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Additional music from Audio NetworkSponsors: Canva, Douglas If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.risis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harold Henning, an expert on cults, and Amanda Montell, a researcher on the language of cults, discuss the rise of cults and their impact on society, as well as the allure of cults and the presence of cultish language in different aspects of life. They explore the reasons behind people's attraction to cults and how power-hungry individuals exploit these desires. The podcast also delves into the concept of belonging to cults and emphasizes the importance of skepticism and diversity.

The word cult gets tossed around a lot. The label gets applied to everything from doomsday religions, to wellness fads, to online conspiracies.Uncovering the stories of both devotees and dissenters, this season of COMMONS will go beyond the true crime cliches and will make you question everything you thought you knew about cults.Our new season launches on October 18th.Canadaland Supporters can listen to the first episode a week early! Become a supporter at canadaland.com/join.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, COMMONS producer Jordan Cornish sits down with Jashvina Shah to talk about her book, Game Misconduct: Hockey's Toxic Culture and How to Fix It. Featured in this episode: Jashvina ShahTo learn more:Game Misconduct Hockey's Toxic Culture and How to Fix It by Evan F. Moore and Jashvina Shah“No, this is not a watershed moment for hockey” by Jashvina Shah in The Globe and Mail Sex offences against minors: Investigation reveals more than 200 Canadian coaches convicted in last 20 years by Lori Ward and Jamie Strashin in the CBCCredits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Additional music from Audio NetworkSponsors: Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, COMMONS producer Jordan Cornish sits down with host Arshy Mann to discuss our recent season on hockey. If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek Boogaard made his living pummeling people on the ice. But outside the arena, he was soft-spoken and kind.Fighting was just his job. But it would end up taking everything from him.Hockey fights, and the numerous blows to the head that players have to endure, have become a moral crisis at the very heart of the sport. And the NHL is doing everything they can to deny the science and allow this gladiatorial combat to continue.And it’s enforcers like Derek Boogaard who end up paying the price.Featured in this episode: John Branch (The New York Times), Jeremy AllinghamTo learn more:Boy on Ice: The Life and Death of Derek Boogaard by John BranchMajor Misconduct: The Human Cost of Fighting in Hockey by Jeremy Allingham“Years after his son's death, Len Boogaard on quest to end fighting in hockey” by Roy MacGregor in The Globe and Mail“Brain Trust: Big questions surround the most influential concussion research on the planet” by Jeremy Allingham in CBC News“NHL commissioner disputes link between hockey and CTE brain disease” by H.J. Mai in NPR Morning EditionCredits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Additional music from Audio NetworkSponsors: Oxio, Douglas If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hockey Canada scandal has become one of the biggest stories in the country. And now, hockey appears to be in the middle of a reckoning. But this isn’t the first time. There was another moment, just like this one.Back then, people tried to warn the hockey world — they were ignored. And even today, the sport won’t name the very specific issue they face. Hockey has a gang rape problem. Featured in this episode: Alexis Peters, Laura RobinsonTo learn more:Crossing the Line: Violence and Sexual Assault in Canada's National Sport by Laura Robinson“Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal” in The Globe and Mail“Hockey Canada, CHL settle lawsuit over alleged sexual assault involving World Junior players” by Rick Westhead in TSN“Toxic masculinity is part of elite hockey. We need a culture shift” by Alexis Peters in CBC Calgary“‘We haven’t learned a damn thing’: Sexual violence is embedded in junior hockey culture” by Ian Mendes, Dan Robson, and Katie Strang in The AthleticCredits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Additional music from Audio NetworkSponsors: Airbnb, Oxio, Better Help, If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Danton was playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the St. Louis Blues. And at the same time, he was trying to hire a hitman to kill his agent, David Frost.Danton’s arrest and conviction would become one of the biggest hockey scandals of all time. But this is not just some salacious true crime story. It’s an extreme example of everything that’s wrong with hockey culture; hazing and abuse, sexual misconduct and the adult men who control the lives of teenage boys for their own monetary gain.Featured in this episode: Steve Simmons (The Toronto Sun)To learn more:The Lost Dream: The Story of Mike Danton, David Frost, and a Broken Canadian Family by Steve Simmons“A teenage girl's vulnerability laid bare at David Frost trial” by Christie Blatchford in The Globe and Mail“The sometimes sad and remarkable journey of Sheldon Keefe” by Steve Simmons in The Toronto Sun“How police cracked 'the cult'” by Greg McArthur in The Globe and Mail“I’m glad I went to prison” by L. Jon Wertheim in Sports Illustrated“Frost case a study in tragedy and farce” by Gare Joyce in ESPNCredits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Additional music from Audio NetworkSponsors: Airbnb, Canva for Teams, Better Help, If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Davis was never a superstar. He was a journeyman player, one of tens of thousands, chasing the dream. And at almost every step, when hockey gave him something, it would also take something away.Hockey exacts a heavy toll on many boys and young men — on their minds and their bodies. And then they’re told not to talk about any of it outside the locker room.It’s enough to make you ask the question. Is this a sport? Or a cult?Featured in this episode: Justin DavisTo learn more:Conflicted Scars: An Average Player’s Journey to the NHL by Justin Davis“Hockey Is Not for Everyone” by Akim Aliu in The Players’ Tribune“Flying” by Stan RogersCredits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)“I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor” by Chris Zabriskie, adapted. Additional music from Audio NetworkSponsors: Better Help, Ecojustice If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.