Chris Shelton and Jon Stewart
#TCVol8SheltonStewart
#TCVol8SheltonStewart
Chris Shelton (L) and Jon Stewart (R)
discuss cult psychology
on his “Sensibly Speaking Podcast #83
Work Cited
Shelton, Chris. “Sensibly Speaking Podcast #83.” Chris Shelton, Critical Thinker. YouTube, 1 April 2017.
Biographies
Chris Shelton was a dedicated member of the Church of Scientology for twenty-seven years, including twenty-two years in the self-styled elite ecclesiastical order the Sea Organization, and three of these in that group’s internal discipline system the Rehabilitation Project Force. In 2013 Chris quit Scientology and now runs the successful YouTube channel Chris Shelton, Critical Thinker. His first monograph, Scientology, A to Xenu: An Insider’s Guide (2015) presented an auto-ethnographic analysis of the church as a high-demand cult. Chris spoke at the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) conference 2018 and has a research paper currently under review for the Open Cultural Studies Journal (De Gruyter). Chris also appeared in, and worked as a consultant on Season 1 of the Emmy Award-winning A&E TV series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (2016)
Dr. Jonathan Stewart was the co-founder, guitarist and co-songwriter for gold- and platinum-selling “Britpop” band Sleeper (1993-1998), best-known in North America for their contribution to the international hit movie Trainspotting (1997). In 2018 Sleeper performed a sold-out UK reunion tour and recorded their third album with producer Stephen Street (Smiths, Blur, Cranberries). A widely-published academic, Jon’s PhD and forthcoming book Dylan, Lennon, Marx & God examines the thought control mechanisms experienced by Bob Dylan and John Lennon during their time in various therapy, political and religious cults—exploring how these were articulated in songs and interview statements. Jon has also published work on addiction and alcoholism thought reform groups in media sources such as The Guardian and on the BBC.
©2018-2019 Chris Shelton and Jon Stewart, used by permission
