Decult, a safe space for former cult members, government officials, cult experts, human rights activists, LGBTQ+, mental health care works, skeptics, therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists, medical doctors, lawyers, film directors, satire artists, & trafficking advocates. Decult Cult Awareness Conference exposed how religious cults today are a growing problem.

Recap of the groundbreaking Decult Cult Awareness Conference, the first of its kind in the world to address pervasive harm.

Support & Learn:
Complete Decult conference video package:
https://events.humanitix.com/decult-cult-awareness-conference-tickets

I highlight key moments from the conference, including insights from renowned speakers such as Janja Lalich PhD who developed a concept called Bounded Choice describing how coercive control works on intelligent people.

Bounded Choice:
https://www.lalichcenter.org/what-is-bounded-choice

Take back your life:
https://www.lalichcenter.org/take-back-your-life

Witness Underground Rockumentary had its' international premiere at Decult, a powerful documentary exploring the experiences of former Jehovah's Witnesses who deprogrammed themselves through self-education and the power of self-expression and music to allow themselves to do free thinking sufficient to get out.

Links to watch:
Https://WitnessUnderground.com

I was invited to speak on a panel called "Rock the Watchtower" hosted by Radio New Zealand investigative reporter Anusha Bradley along with activists Lara Kaput and Shayne Mechen.

The Decult conference, organized by journalist and author of Cult Trip, Anke Richter, aimed to create a unique opportunity to better understand and prevent cultic harm in the future. It laid the groundwork for improved support systems and awareness.

Consider supporting the initiative by purchasing access to all 20 of the full Decult key-notes and panel discussions. This comprehensive package will allow you to explore topics such as kids in cults, online radicalization, and the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in cult/high-control groups.

As a decult speaker and former cult member, I was excited to share my unique perspective and our documentary. The conference provided a safe space for former cult members to share their experiences and find support and for professionals to upskill.

Attendees heard powerful stories from those who successfully navigated mind control and gained insights into the process of religious indoctrination methods and personal deconstruction. The conference also addressed critical issues surrounding human rights, offering valuable perspectives for those struggling to break free from indoctrination.

#Decult2024 #DecultConference #CultAwareness #FormerCultMembers #ReligiousCultsToday #CultSurvivors #HighControlGroups #BoundedChoice #JanjaLalich #WitnessUnderground #ReligiousDeconstruction #HumanRightsAndReligion #CultDocumentary2024 #LeavingReligion #CultSpeakingPanel #FreedomFromCult #ReligiousTrauma #ExJW #CultEducation #Menta

Support the show

Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly episodes:
https://bit.ly/WitnessUnderground

Watch now:
http://WitnessUnderground.com
https://tubitv.com/movies/100018684/witness-underground
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/witnessunderground

Support:
https://Patreon.com/WitnessUnderground
https://YouTube.com/@WitnessUnderground

Reach out directly:
XJWdoc@gmail.com

-Scott

In this special episode Scott Homan sits down with Austrian cult expert and professional skeptic Ulrike Schiesser as part of our Decult Takeover series, in support of the upcoming Decult Cult Awareness Conference. Ulrike, a psychologist and psychotherapist working at the Federal Office for Cult Affaires (Bundesstelle für Sektenfragen) in Austria, has dedicated her career to understanding and dismantling the psychological manipulation tactics used by high-control groups, cults, and conspiracy-driven communities.

Throughout this conversation, Ulrike shares her vast expertise on how to recognize the subtle yet dangerous signs of cult influence and offers practical advice on how to communicate with loved ones trapped in these environments. She also previews what she'll discuss in more detail at the Decult Cult Awareness Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she'll be a featured speaker.

Highlights of this episode include:

• Ulrike Schiesser's role at the Austrian state-run Federal Office for Cult Affaires and her mission to support cult survivors and their families.
• Practical advice on cult recovery and how to approach conversations with those still inside cults or authoritarian groups.
• Insights into the psychological and sociological aspects of coercive control and how to navigate the complex emotions involved in leaving a cult.
• Ulrike’s experience counseling families dealing with loved ones caught up in conspiracy theories, esotericism, and authoritarian group structures.

As a prominent voice in cult activism across Europe, Ulrike’s work has been celebrated by skeptics and professionals in mental health, making her an essential part of the conversation about cult recovery at the Decult event. Her knowledge provides invaluable tools for individuals struggling to help friends or family members who are under the influence of manipulative, high-control groups.

Whether you’re a mental health professional, a survivor of cult influence, or someone with a loved one in a cult, this conversation will offer key strategies for understanding and approaching these challenging situations.

Decult Cult Awareness Conference: Join Ulrike Schiesser, and other leading experts in cult awareness at the Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, happening on October 19th & 20th!

Get your livestream tickets here:
https://events.humanitix.com/decult-cult-awareness-conference-tickets

#WitnessUnderground #DecultConference #CultAwareness #UlrikeSchiesser #ScottHoman #CultRecovery #MentalHealth #CultExpert #FederalOfficeForCultAffaires #Skeptic #EuropeanSkeptic #CultActivism #FormerCultMembers #ChristchurchActivists #CultConference #ICSA #NewZealandEvent #CultSurvivors #FormerCultMemberSpeaksOut #FormerCultMemberInterview

Support the show

Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly episodes:
https://bit.ly/WitnessUnderground

Watch now:
http://WitnessUnderground.com
https://tubitv.com/movies/100018684/witness-underground
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/witnessunderground

Support:
https://Patreon.com/WitnessUnderground
https://YouTube.com/@WitnessUnderground

Reach out directly:
XJWdoc@gmail.com

-Scott

Anusha Bradley, a renowned investigative journalist at Radio New Zealand, discusses her in-depth reporting on Jehovah’s Witness shunning—a practice that has caused widespread emotional abuse among those who leave the faith or are disfellowshipped, officially kicked out. Anusha Bradley will also be leading a panel at the upcoming Decult Cult Awareness Conference, where she will engage with former Jehovah’s Witnesses, including myself, to explore this harsh form of religious abuse that has affected countless lives globally.

This conversation covers Anusha’s deep involvement in the New Zealand investigation into abuse in care within the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a groundbreaking case the organization attempted to stop it with a lawsuit. Their resistance to scrutiny has only intensified the importance of this investigation, which could soon reveal critical findings about the abuse in care within this high-control religious group.

We explore the emotional toll that Jehovah’s Witness shunning takes on individuals and families, and why this practice should be seen as a violation of human rights and religion. Anusha also talks about the importance of investigative journalism in holding powerful organizations accountable for their actions, and how the Jehovah's Witnesses lawsuit has highlighted the need for further scrutiny.

This interview is part of the Decult Cult Awareness Conference takeover, introducing viewers to the leading voices and experts in cult awareness and cult recovery. Anusha Bradley’s panel will provide unique insights into the practices and beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses and other high-control groups, including the government investigation’s expected revelations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Anusha Bradley and other experts at the Decult Cult Awareness Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand! Get your live stream ticket to the conference happening on October 19th & 20th

Get your Livestream tickets here:
https://events.humanitix.com/decult-cult-awareness-conference-tickets

The Witness Underground documentary will have its international premiere at Decult. As a survivor and filmmaker, I am excited to share my own experiences with shunning and cult trauma recovery at Decult to highlight high-control groups like Jehovah's Witnesses .

#Decult2024 #JehovahsWitnessShunning #ExJW #ExJehovahsWitness #RadioNewZealand #AnushaBradley #InvestigativeJournalism #JehovahsWitnesses #ReligiousAbuse #AbuseInCare #Shunning #HumanRightsAndReligion #WitnessUndergroundDocumentary #CultConference #DecultConference #NewZealandEvent #TrueCrimeNewZealand #JehovahsWitnessLawsuit #EmotionalAbuse #Accountability #NZInvestigation

Support the show

Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly episodes:
https://bit.ly/WitnessUnderground

Watch now:
http://WitnessUnderground.com
https://tubitv.com/movies/100018684/witness-underground
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/witnessunderground

Support:
https://Patreon.com/WitnessUnderground
https://YouTube.com/@WitnessUnderground

Reach out directly:
XJWdoc@gmail.com

-Scott