Cult Chat

25/03/2025

We know you've been waiting for Episode 58! Wait no longer and join us for a moving conversation with Tristan Phipps and Dr Kyle Eggleton, who share about the Two by Twos in NZ. This organisation is currently under investigation internationally by the FBI for child abuses, which has prompted NZ survivors to speak up. Our guests talk to us about the heirachy & control of the church, the social context which has made systemic child sexual abuse possible, and the work they are doing as advocates in a movement that's drawing survivors together into safe spaces.

You Tube: https://youtu.be/w7Jisj6TRfo?si=t_k22tDs0ma9sTUO

Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cult-chat/episodes/Episode-58-2x2s-and-Survivor-Advocacy-with-Tristan-Phipps--Kyle-Eggleton-e30k0v0/a-abrmuqm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-58-2x2s-and-survivor-advocacy-with-tristan/id1693307722?i=1000700685828

Plains FM: https://player.accessmedia.nz/Player.aspx?eid=00f7122c-53ca-4b8c-85b6-cd20ef0acddc

Join us for a moving conversation with Tristan Phipps and Dr Kyle Eggleton, who share about the Two by Twos in NZ. This organisation is currently under inves...

20/03/2025

What do cult members want their therapists to know? Here's a teaser for next week's episode with 2x2 Advocates Dr Kyle Eggleton and Tristan Phipps.

Shared with Dropbox

18/03/2025

Have you ever felt embarrassed about being born into a culty group? Next week's Cult Chat guest Dr Kyle Eggleton offers a thought-provoking response.

18/03/2025

Here’s a teaser for next week’s episode on the 2x2’s and survivor advocacy. Do you recognise our guests?

Shared with Dropbox

18/03/2025

Love Cult Chat and what we do? Please consider taking action in the next 5 days (by March 23rd) to counter a threat to community radio stations across NZ.
Cult Chat wouldn't be here without PlainsFM, a community access radio station who help us produce our show and play it on air, (and the 11 other radio stations all over NZ who also play our show). Right now PlainsFM and all these 11 other Community Access Radio Stations in NZ are under threat by a media reform. This is not the first move against the media that has occurred in the last few years, reducing opportunity for the voices of survivors to be heard, and for the resultant mobilisation action from the community that can occur. Last year in 2024 Cult Chat won the NZ Radio and Podcast Broadcasting award for Best Community Access Radio Show, yet now this category of radio is under threat. Community access radio is radio that is created by diverse peoples in local communities, and is listened to by these same diverse people - by the people, for the people radio. The whole thing is frankly very cool. Any threat to this is a threat to diversity of voice being heard - and this is very much the sort of threat which any cultic organisation will be rubbing their hands with glee to see being shut down.
If you care about Cult Chat, and love the idea of an easily accessible radio station that anyone in Canterbury (or across 11 other regions in NZ) can access to create quality radio in their own unique voices directed at their own communities, please consider making a submission to the media reform consultation process. You have 5 days!!! Details for making the submission here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jxos41n0hmt7w1on1uyyh/Media-Review-Consultation-Submission-Details-to-Support-PlainsFM.pdf?rlkey=kg8gov56vjbxi7vmcp80ogo3s&st=d9jgrzp0&dl=0

11/03/2025

The much-anticipated Episode 57 is here. It's called Waking Up!

We loved Andre so much we got him back for a third episode! This time he tells us about his PhD on waking up from indoctrination in the Jehovah Witnesses. In this fascinating interview you’ll find out all about the role of doubt (even in the most fervent believer), the trigger event which leads to the effort to resolve the doubt, and if that isn’t resolved… the turning point which leads to waking up. This episode will give you the language to understand this experience common to people who have left a cult.

You Tube: https://youtu.be/RQdetWUH6e4?si=Ydn-8vZJ8_AEloec
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hQQMqfoZdzVBgYMmlJ8O9?si=VIgFqlqgTaOAeKn9rL7Z1g
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-57-waking-up-with-andre-jackson/id1693307722?i=1000698666429
Plains FM: https://player.accessmedia.nz/Player.aspx?eid=6fc9b633-46c3-4ca4-a771-96e68ab4b1ab

We loved Andre so much we got him back for a third episode! This time he tells us about his PhD on waking up from indoctrination in the Jehovah Witnesses. In...

10/03/2025

False start for today's episode of E57 Waking Up!
Thank you to one clearly dedicated listener who pointed out that today's scheduled episode has popped out prematurely... and it is not what it should be. Instead of a new episode, Spotify has duplicated our last one. Liz is on to it though, and hopefully it will all be on track this afternoon. If you automatically get downloads to your phone, you may what to delete this new episode and reload it again this afternoon.

EDIT: 1:40pm Its fixed now!!

10/03/2025

Grappling with doubts and asking questions - a fabulous quote here from Andre Jackson's conversation with Liz, Lindy and Caz, airing tomorrow, about waking up from cult indoctrination. We know you will love this one.

04/03/2025

We’ve a mini-series coming up in the next couple of months on leaving. What is it like? How does it impact people? How can we help leavers? What struggles are common? We’re wondering what our listeners might like to know and also what they might want covered. If you’ve got questions or ideas which you think might inform the leaving mini-series, please pop them in the comments section below or email [email protected] .

The book that just arrived in my mailbox today is a bit of a content hint.

04/03/2025

Episode 56 has landed! In Part 2 of "Are the Jehovah Witnesses a Cult?", Dr Andre Jackson returns to finish his chat with Liz about the JWs, their doctrines and the methods they use to control members. Together the two examine different methods of control utilized by the JWs, particularly information control, use of propaganda, and justifications for misleading people for the benefit of the organisation. At the end of this episode Liz is joined by Lindy and Caz to dissect the interview, with a view to understanding how these themes apply to cults across NZ.

You Tube: https://youtu.be/WLagapOLoiU
Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cult-chat/episodes/Episode-56-Are-the-Jehovah-Witnesses-a-Cult--With-Dr-Andre-Jackson-Part-2-e2vm3l0
Apple:
Plains FM: https://player.accessmedia.nz/Player.aspx?eid=0c6d80d5-b482-4dfb-964a-f8d0d5b581cf

Dr Andre Jackson returns in this episode to finish his chat with Liz about the Jehovah Witnesses, their doctrines and the methods they use to control members...

25/02/2025

Our next podcast series should garner some interest. Are the Jehovah Witnesses a Cult? In our newly released episode 55, Liz plumbs the depths of the JW’s with Dr Andre Jackson to try to understand the control mechanisms within this organisation. What are the expectations of members of the JWs? How is the organisation structured? What are their key beliefs, and are any of these harmful? What are the impacts on witnesses when they ask questions or try to leave? With approximately 15,000 JWs in New Zealand (according to their website) plus others who have left, these are important questions to ask.

Listen Up here:
You Tube: https://youtu.be/HtSVZzYJqQo

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zDno6GtqSm0X5hR9E8tDZ?si=-rhh9RAWR4CLrMFO9jcUpQ

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-55-are-the-jehovah-witnesses-a-cult-with/id1693307722?i=1000695698387

Plains FM: https://download.accessradio.org/StationFolder/plainsfm/Cult%20Chat%20-%20Ep%2055%20-%20Are%20the%20Jehovah%20Witnesses%20a%20Cult%20with%20Dr%20Andre%20Jackson%20-%2025%20Feb%202025.mp3

Liz plumbs the depths of the JW’s with Dr Andre Jackson in this episode, to try to understand the control mechanisms within this organisation. What are the e...

20/02/2025

This week Liz was invited to speak to a large group of ladies at the Benvenue Friendship Club about the work of the Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust. It just so happened one of the lawyers leading proceedings against Gloriavale (and the inactive/ineffective Government) was in town and he came along! He shared legal updates and answered questions and people were gripped by what he was saying. There were many moments of audible gasping.

Don’t forget to listen up to Episode 54 which we released this week where two other lawyers chatted with Liz giving a comprehensive update on all things Gloriavale.

20/02/2025

Last week in Auckland a group of members of the Destiny Church protested aggressively at a public library during a children’s story hour, causing staff and locals to be both intimidated and some assaulted. There have been calls to reconsider their Charitable Trust status, given increasing examples of public harm. Charitable Trust status is awarded to organisations who show evidence of public benefit, or are assumed to be of benefit because they are a religious organisation. We have spoken often on the show about groups in NZ who benefit from the tax exemptions which are afforded through having charitable status, while causing serious harms to their members and ex-members. These tax exemptions effectively enable harmful groups to continue.

It looks like 1News are planning to look into this. Is there anyone on this page who could provide information to 1News about the financial activity of a NZ cultic or high control group that they have been a part of?

(Please note this story is about pressured financial giving.)

19/02/2025

Interested in being part of a support group for people who have been in a cult or left a high control religion? Recovering from Religion are starting up a new group end of February.

https://www.meetup.com/rfr-hamilton-new-zealand-virtual-support-group/events/305368314/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2sm5UvGbEG9YZj9gxrvgGGhLaO-ewWX1FURZlgY2A9YiGmim4veQSrsas_aem_U-ie4O4EXKAGIVbuYPF-AA

The New Zealand Recovering From Religion support group's meeting will be a virtual one. Attendees can remain anonymous if they so choose and are not required to share their

18/02/2025

Want to know what's happening in the Gloriavale sphere? This week's episode is not to be missed. Join Liz and two of the lawyers representing Gloriavale Leavers, Steve Patterson and Dennis Gates, as they give a comprehensive update on the long and arduous road to justice and holding the Gloriavale leaders to account.

They chat about the highlights and lowlights of 2024, and discuss the many investigations and court cases that are ongoing. They reveal some new actions that will get underway in 2025 and they chat about the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historic Abuse in Care and the recent apology Gloriavale made. Was it genuine? Also find out what's happening with their Charity Status, the School, India and the Police Slavery investigation.

Listen up and find out.

You Tube: https://youtu.be/Ky4bXVIGOLc
Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cult-chat/episodes/Episode-54-Gloriavale-2024-Reflections-and-the-Road-Ahead-e2v0o5o
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-54-gloriavale-2024-reflections-and-the-road-ahead/id1693307722?i=1000693163362

What is happening at Gloriavale? Join Liz and two of the lawyers representing Gloriavale Leavers, Steve Patterson and Dennis Gates, as they give a comprehens...

11/02/2025

Does shunning kill? Episode 53 is serious discussion where your hosts wrap-up the shunning mini-series, unpacking what they’ve learned from Craig, Lindy, Windy & Savin. This topic has been given four episodes because the costs for individuals, families and communities who experience this cruel tactic of control is devastating and poorly understood. Mandated shunning destroys lives, destroys communities, and there are no laws to protect people from falling victim to it. Join the Cult Chat team as they debrief for the final episode on this topic.

You Tube: https://youtu.be/FvckVt5nkyo

Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cult-chat/episodes/Episode-53-Shunning-Kills-Mini-Series-Part-4-e2umbnb

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-53-shunning-kills-mini-series-part-4/id1693307722?i=1000690913644

Today our co-hosts wrap-up the shunning mini-series, unpacking what they’ve learned from Craig, Lindy, Windy & Savin. This topic has been given four episodes because the costs for individuals, families and communities who experience this cruel tactic of control is devastating and poorly understood...

10/02/2025

We love hearing from our listeners, especially those who send warm fuzzies our way! This listener sent us a lovely message today, and the encouragement is warmly recieved. Not only do we love encouragement, we highly appreciate hearing what you like about the show, what differences you are seeing it make for you and those you have contact with, and any areas you think we should cover in upcoming episodes. Thanks so much to this kind soul, for the heart-warming words 🙌🥰🥹

04/02/2025

Our podcast this week is the 3rd episode in the shunning series. Craig Hoyle, author of “Excommunicated” shares about growing up in the Exclusive Brethren, aware that many members of his family have disappeared and been painted by the church as evil. Ultimately Craig faces his own sudden excommunication. This conversation between Lindy Jacomb and Craig at Decult shows powerfully the inter-generational impacts of shunning, both for those who are obliterated from the family tree, and those who are left behind.

You Tube: https://youtu.be/HIJVd9sTmkE

Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cult-chat/episodes/Episode-52-Multigenerational-Impacts-of-Shunning-with-Craig-Hoyle-Mini-Series-Part-3-e2ucdd3

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/vn/podcast/episode-52-multigenerational-impacts-of-shunning/id1693307722?i=1000688700672

Plains FM: https://player.accessmedia.nz/Player.aspx?eid=081b1385-7616-4e76-9d59-f894b2d4464b

In this 3rd episode on shunning, Craig Hoyle, author of “Excommunicated” shares about growing up in the Exclusive Brethren, aware that many members of his fa...