This week on the pod, we explore one-on-one cult dynamics with memoirist, Emma Stevens. Emma’s story begins with a peek inside of her first book - The Gathering Place: An Adoptee Story. She shares why she felt compelled to share her story of relinquishment and how the industry of adoption is problematic and ‘a little culty’ in sense that it doesn’t always serve the best interests of the children it serves. Emma describes being adopted...
Part 1 | Moving On: Alternatives to 'Cult' Fitness w/ Susan McCulleyThis week and next, former Org instructor Susan McCulley joins Tracy & I for a deconstruction of cult fitness norms. Our conversation centers around the question:How can we do movement/fitness differently?In the first episode in a two-part conversation, we: Critically examine fitness norms (whitewashed aesthetics, detox culture, perfectionism, ableism) and explore what it...
This week, we're stepping outside the bounds of wellness 'cult'ure etiquette with an honest peek behind the curtain of a multi-billion dollar industry - YOGA. Cultural appropriation. Wealthy white-centric standards of wellness. Spiritualized abuse of power. These are some of the mainstays of western yoga. Sybil Nance has been involved in the world of yoga since 1994 and has worked as an international teacher trainer, studio co-owner, and yoga...
Part 2: Regret, Repair, & Healthy AlternativesWelcome to Part 2 of my conversation with Sybil Nance where we continue examining red flags in yoga 'cult'ure + take a deep dive into the harm we inadvertently cause when trauma cascades through the hierarchies we inhabit.In this episode, we speak about: Regrets we have in common How frequently trauma gets passed down through 'the teachings' from leader to trainer to teacher to student The active...
The ‘cult’ure series continues with a Patreon Sampler, a carefully-curated sneak peek at what’s been happening in the deconstructing dogma series - streaming exclusively over on Patreon. Every week, Candice sits down with friends and former colleagues to critically examine culty indoctrination in the wellness world, and you can now access 14+ hours of bonus content over on Patreon. This episode features some of the best moments from those...
Part 1: Yoga & Retreat 'Cult'ure Red FlagsThis week I'm joined by Sybil Nance to discuss the ins and outs of yoga wellness 'cult'ure. Sybil and I met back in 2019 when we were both active in the same online yoga community and have reunited for this timely convo. In part one of a two-part dialogue, Sybil & I discuss her trauma-informed background and experience hosting yoga retreats, as well as a number of red flags we've both...
Part 2: Charisma, Kool-Aid, & Going 'All-In'We're back with Part 2 of our convo with Maria Skinner!In this episode, we're challenging what the wellness world taught us about leadership. We discuss the difference between teaching and performing... and take a critical look at how they are often confused.Then, the conversation goes all sorts of places: Charisma, culty hierarchies & the illusion of advancement "Are you in or are you out?" -...
In this week's bonus episode, Tracy & I are deconstructing dogma with our dear friend Maria Skinner! Maria is a former teacher and trainer with 'the Org', and were more than a little excited to sit down and hear from her. It was a jam-packed convo, so it's gonna roll out in two parts.Part 1: Transparency or TMI? - Healthy Boundaries in LeadershipMaria came to us with a burning 'cult'ure series question. When it comes to healthy leadership......
CW: This episode contains descriptions of child abuse and reference to addition, mental illness, and suicide. Please listen with care. In December of last year, I released my conversation with Trina Studebaker who shared about the fourteen years she and her family spent an abusive religious cult (see episode #42). In addition to offering a refreshingly-honest peek into her own personal journey, Trina spoke about her regrets as a mother; how due...
IF you missed part 1 of this convo, we highly recommend you circle back to it before diving into this one, because we pick up right where we left off. In this episode, Tracy & I continue our deconstruction of 'triple isolation' as defined by Alexandra Stein, who writes:"People in totalist organisations are pressed so tightly together that their individuality is erased – as are any trusting interactions among them. Everyone is a...
