Ep.65 – Decolonizing Identity & ‘Capital-C’ Cult Recovery | Aleyah-Erin Lennon – Part 1

Candice is back on the main feed, asking for help as she deconstructs the striking overlap between cult dynamics and colonial harm. Inspired by the work of BIPOC educators and anti-racism activists, she explores how social location factors into collective cult recovery. Then, artist, activist, and educator, Aleyah-Erin Lennon joins Candice for the first half of a two-part conversation that explores what it might mean, if we, as white women in...

DD#33 (BONUS BRIEF) | ‘Not My Circus’: Keeping Our Focus on Cult Recovery

dd #33 (BONUS BRIEF) - 'Not My Circus': Keeping Our Focus on Cult RecoveryHere's a spur of the moment Deconstructing Dogma BONUS BRIEF that Tracy & I recorded yesterday on the fly! We didn't want to wait another minute to address a sudden surge in listenership & how's it's changing things in 'Org' cult recovery spaces.Here's what we touch upon in this impromptu drop: How After The Org (our private FB recovery group) has doubled in size...

DD#32 – Lost Years, Honest Expression, & A Call To Action | Jill Pagano – Part 2 of 2

dd #32 - Lost Years, Honest Expression, & A Call To Action | Jill Pagano - Part 2 of 2"Education is definitely the start of it. For not only the people who are using these manipulative tools. If they're really earnest about doing things well, they'll be open to learning how to undo it." - Jill PaganoWe are back with the second half of our two-part conversation with Jill Pagano. If you missed Part 1, be sure to start there. In Part 2, her...

P.S. Labels are necessary

I have more to say on the heels of yesterday's post, because I'm receiving more questions - mostly from folks who are new to the 'cult'ure series... asking me, but WHY is the cult label even necessary? As I said yesterday, I agree that labeling can be a distraction and stand committed to keeping the focus on accountability. AND ALSO.... When is the onus no longer on victims to protect those who cause harm from feeling defensive and upset by the...

“But it’s not a cult!”

My choice to use the word 'CULT' scares some people away from the work I do on & off the pod. So why do I continue to use it? Because it's the right word. For years, when I was involved in wellness 'cult'ures where shady shit was going down... I would on occasion, google the word 'cult' and scan the clickbait criteria, my heart pounding all the while. I was desperately on the hunt for ANY evidence to assuage my anxiety. I'd breeze past many...

DD#31 | ‘Org’ Training ‘Cult’ure w/ Jill Pagano – Part 1 of 2

dd #31 | 'Org' Training 'Cult'ure: Deconstructing The Damage w/ Jill Pagano - Part 1 of 2" hey can just stop brushing it off, because you have intelligent, articulate, emotionally educated women - and a few men of course - that are saying... I'm dissociated from my body... I'm feeling all this shame. I still have it 15 years later... you can't tell me that it's nothing." - Jill PaganoJill Pagano joins Tracy & I for a two-part deconstruction...

Ep.64 – P.S.Survivor Shame, Spirituality, & Moving on After ‘the Org’ | Deconstructing Dogma w/ Special Guests

Here's another sneak peek at what’s been happening over on Patreon in the ongoing deconstructing dogma series. Every week, Candice sits down with friends and former colleagues to critically examine undue influence and culty indoctrination in the wellness world, and there are now 30+ bonus episodes available to all patrons of the pod. This episode features some of the best moments from recent releases. Excerpts include:  Sample cuts...

DD#30 | Razzle Dazzle & Red Flags @ ‘Org’ HQ w/ Valerie Branch

dd #30 | Razzle Dazzle & Red Flags @ 'Org' HQ w/ Valerie Branch"We still have the connection with each other. No matter if we are 'in' or 'out.' It transcends." - Valerie BranchValerie Branch & I worked together at 'Org' HQ for two years. We left at around the same time and our friendship has stood the test of time, so I recently invited her to sit down for a peek back at her time working for the Org.In this conversation, Valerie shares:...

DD#29 | Shame & Self-Care

dd #29 | Grappling w/ Shame & Prioritizing Self-Care | Candice SchutterI'm coming to you solo this week to share a few resources that are helping me to navigate all the feels of late. I know that I'm not alone in my struggle to reconcile everything that is coming to light, so in this episode of Deconstructing Dogma I offer a recap of what's currently helping me to better understand recent events.The bulk of the episode is about shame &...

Ep.63 – Masks Off: Ritual Revelations, Shared Grief, & Outrage | Shannon Geltner – Part 2

CW: This episode features reference to emotional abuse and coercion. This week, we pick up where we left off in a two-part conversation with former ‘Org’ trainer, Shannon Geltner. The episode opens with Shannon & Tracy deep breathing through their emotional triggers to offer us a peek inside of yet-another disturbing trainer training - and a group sharing ‘exercise’ that has cult-vibes written all over it. Shannon shares how it felt...