Today we’re back in the spirituality series and we are taking a look at cults and high-demand groups. My guests have both been impacted by cults and they have a theory that adopted people may be more susceptible to these types of groups. Donna and Sara have extensively researched cults since they got out and have a ton of knowledge to share with us. They both tell their personal stories of how they inadvertently found themselves in high-demand groups, how they got out, and what adopted people specifically need to know about cults.

Show Notes

Recommended Resources

Sara Easterly’s previous appearance on Adoptees On E143 and Donna’s E79
A Little Bit Culty Podcast
The Vow: NXIVM Documentary on HBO
Searching for Mom: A Memoir by Sara Easterly
Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems, by Alexandra Stein

More reading, research and resources on the topic:

#iGotOut www.igotout.org | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
ICSA: International Cultic Studies Association
Traumatic Narcissism and Recovery: Leaving the Prison of Shame and Fear by Daniel Shaw
Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems by Alexandra Stein
BITE Model of Authoritarian Control by Steven Hassan
Steven Hassan - What is a Cult? YouTube video with a whiteboard animation explaining the BITE Model
Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Jana Lalich, Madeleine Tobias
The Gift of Fear : Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin DeBecker
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Sunderland, Paul “Relinquishment and Adoption: Understanding the Impact of and Early Psychological Wound” presentation for iCAAD London 2019, August 12, 2019. (His reference about religiosity/fundamentalism as something commonly seen in adoptees with developmental trauma comes in around 45 minutes in)
Podcast episode Roys Report “What Makes a Church a Cult” with guest Steven Hassan

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Donna: Email adoptee3 [at] gmail [dot] com
Sara Easterly: saraeasterly.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing stated on it, either by its hosts or any guests, is to be construed as psychological, medical or legal advice. Please seek out professionals in those fields if you need those services. The views expressed by the hosts of Adoptees On or any guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organization or other person unless otherwise stated.