Speaking of Cults

229

A podcast about cults, coercive control and recovery. Formerly called the Sensibly Speaking podcast, in this weekly show host Chris Shelton interviews cult survivors, psychologists and other professionals and specialists about the topics of cult recruitment, retention and recovery. This also includes non-religious cults and extreme political movements including the more divisive elements of MAGA and left-wing culture war issues. There is nothing off-limits but we always try to be respectful of the people involved even if we do not respect the beliefs or actions involved.

Recent Episodes

Episodes loading...

Recent Reviews

WisdomAnne

Culty deconstruction tool at its best!

I love the approach Chris takes to question, explore and bring some good old fashioned critical thinking to the whole field of culty recovery and deconstruction. We get to learn these lessons or relive them … this podcast is a must follow if you are looking to understand the mind set and implications of culty manipulation and control.
mrkit2u

Apology

Long time listener. I really enjoy this thoughtful podcast. It sounds like you owe Aaron an apology. Extra star for you if you do because that would be the classy move.
LaurentiaA

One of the best

I cannot recommend this podcast enough. I listen to a ton of podcasts and this is one of the best out there. Content is well presented, interviews are interesting and thoughtful and the long format means the information unfolds naturally. Chris also has a fantastic podcast voice making listening to him very pleasant.
mojo82678

Rhetorically poor, more about ill-informed opinion than fact

At one point, Chris claims that his conversations with a couple of “religious friends” (who drastically misrepresent the beliefs of Christianity) is “proof that religious belief is not rational, but rather serves as an emotional crutch.” The conversation then continues with this premise. This is laughable for its lack of subtlety, but more importantly, is one example of many where the host’s ill-informed and hasty conclusions drive conversation. There’s not much to be gained here.
username18392093

Love this podcast

Chris is really great at explaining concepts, also super well spoken. The show has a good balance with humor and seriousness. Definitely recommend
Franki57

Thank you

Love your show. So informative and educational. Keep it up. Your guests are all so interesting and so are you!
Lentilsmcgee

Great subject matter

Chris is fighting the good fight against Scientology and the podcast is very interesting. But he needs to let his guests speak! Maybe with a little more experience in interviewing we’ll be able to hear more from his guests and a little less from him.
Xtina27

Not useful

Presentation is mediocre at best.
kwak11

Skills we all need in today’s world!

Chris uses his experience as a former Scientologist, his studies as he has healed since leaving that cult, education as he works toward a Master’s Degree, and guests on the show to teach us all critical thinking skills we all need to a live a life where we control our own lives and think thru our decisions and interactions with the world around us.
graphica4

This podcast is a treasure trove!

Thank you for such a fantastic and extensive mix of fascinating conversations. I came upon this podcast bc I have a fascination with mind control (recovering from a mind-bending relationship with a narcissist and being through religious indoctrination will do that to ya!). I also just love Chris Shelton’s voice and laugh. Keep on trucking you are doing great work!
jattzl

Very Sensibly Speaking

This is now on the top of my list. Thank you. Your one question “how do we fill the emotional hole” after leaving a religion. I’ve never heard this discussed. Ever. Anywhere. Please spend time on this.
Bumbsmack

Honest Discovery & Objective Analysis

I thoroughly enjoy Chris and his podcast. He tries (and succeeds) at being as objective as possible with his approach and analysis of the topics. He is also well aware of his biases and keeps them in context or checks them at the door. Chris - thanks for all you do to understand the world and how we humans navigate within it!
HallyBean

Great variety of topics!

The variety of guests and topics is great! Thankfully, Chris realises there are many, many things that need to be spoken about in a “sensible” manner in addition to Scientology.
Mikeyp122

Recommended listening

I am fascinated by the topic of scientology, and this podcast is an important and educational deep dive into the subject. Having been born and raised in St. Petersburg, Fl, just outside Clearwater, I have always been highly curious to know more about that “secretive church down the street.” The work that Chris and others who have left are doing to expose what happens inside, is invaluable, and more than worthy of support. Thank you!
cubonefan3

Not what it used to be

Chris is not talking about religion anymore.
ePalila

Educational and Entertaining

I absolutely love learning about the behavior- and thought-manipulating techniques that high-control groups use. I feel like I’m better prepared to recognize and avoid sketchy groups!
Goog caddish

Respect for even handed coverage

I have a ton of respect for what Chris has been through, what he has learned through those decades of experience within a destructive, controlling belief system, and how he chooses to move on from those experiences encouraging more people to embrace reason, education, and concern for our fellow humans. The three apostates episodes are particularly great.
Jayhawk Grad

Very insightful podcast

Chris Shelton delves into a variety of topics with an open mind and great questions that are thought-provoking, entertaining and educational. He gets outstanding interviews with top-notch guests like Leah Remini and Jon Atack. Keep up the great work, Chris!
the bird lady

Generally good.

The voices are good. The subjects are interesting. The audio is good.
supergirl101234

Awesome and well done

Must listen to for COS info
Braunchad

Great info!

As an ex Scientologist and Sea Org Member, I love Chris' podcasts.
H2OmGirl

Great Podcast!

Found you first on YouTube - so happy to have the podcast to listen to on the car!
HappyHammyFeet

Entertaining and thought provoking!

A must listen podcast for the person who enjoys thinking!
Tom of helatrobus

Learn to Deprogram Yourself

Chris Shelton is a person who spent a lot of his life in the cult of Scientology. Those days are past him now. He's deprogrammed and host this very informed program which will teach you how to deprogram yourself. He discusses Scientology every so often, but the theme of the show is the tools of critical thinking you can use to to debunk scams like Scientology. The has interesting guest and interesting topics typically surrounding the subjects of scams, cults, logical fallacies and why smart people believe stupid things.
sgerbic

Great Scientology Content

I like a lot of these interviews, some about topics I've never really thought about. Where the show excels in when it talks about cults and of course Scientology. I know he likes to focus on critical thinking, and that is needed in our society, I just usually don't listen to those. But that's whats great about podcasts, I don't have to like every topic, as long as most of the topics interest me, it will stay on my very small list of must listen to content.
DayTurns2Night

Refreshing and informative

I really enjoy Chris's podcasts and videos. His presentation style is easy going and I always walk away having learned something.
MatthewM_NJ

Excellent Podcast

Whether you agree or disagree with any of the thoughts or opinions from either Chris or his guests, you will always find something to think about. The depth and respect that each topic is covered with is both entertaining and informative. Definitely worth a subscription.
JAS7778

Keep it up!!!

Love the podcast you two! Don't always agree with you, but I do the majority of the time. Keep em coming!
Moto reju

Keep up the good work

Very insightful I would like to hear more about the reason humans believe in cults and combating the evils of them. O-Yea first!!