Seek Safely

AI Really Wants to Get into Self-help, but it’s as Terrible as We May Expect

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

We’ll give it to Tony Robbins–he’s trying really hard to stay relevant in a rapidly changing self-help environment. Most recently, he’s joined in with a bunch of tech bros to build a therapizing, AI guru. What could go wrong?!

Glenn and Jean chat about this latest development in the saga of AI and self-help, raising some important questions about what’s happening. The merging of two un- or at least underregulated industries, both of which are hard-selling consumers by promising them what they want to hear but not proceeding with much if any integrity, feels like a potentially dangerous direction to head in. But, what do we know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

To Listen:

“AI’s Musical Analysis Stinks” on PodSaveAmerica

“AI: The Shiny, Environmentally-destructive Magic 8 Ball” on the SEEK Safely Podcast

To Watch:

Finding Michael Documentary

To Read:

“Good Sugar, Bad Sugar” by Alan Carr

“The Path, Founded by Tony Robbins and Calm Alums, Hopes to Offer Safer AI Therapy” by Julie Bort for TechCrunch

“Dozens Injured After Walking on Hot Coals at Tony Robbins Event” by Catherine Thornebeck for ABC News

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Make a secure donation to support the SEEK Safely Podcast on SEEKSafely.org

Visionary or Delusional? What Submersibles, Fake Blood Tests, and Self-help Share

Tue, 26 May 2026 16:00:00 -0400

Jean and Glenn revisit some recent examples of supposedly visionary individuals whose grand plans led to disaster. It’s a sort of wishful thinking, fake-it-till-you-make-it, “manifest it” mindset that is not only a hallmark of modern self-help, but also seems to be pervasive in modern culture. What are the implications of this type of thinking, especially as we train LLMs and AIs from the content output of this culture?

Also… Join us on May 30th for the SEEK Safely Summit! We’ll be talking about solutions for building a better self-help world.

To Listen:

The Dropout Podcast

The Workers Letting AI Do Their Jobs on The Daily Podcast

To Watch:

Finding Michael Documentary

To Read:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Make a secure donation to support the SEEK Safely Podcast on SEEKSafely.org

Tony Robbins on a Federal Healthcare Advisory Board? Hmmm....

Mon, 11 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Jean and Dr. Doyle discuss the recent appointment of Tony Robbins to the HHS and CMS Mental Healthcare Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Wellness. A lack of qualifications never stopped Tony—why stop now?! Mostly, it’s a point of curiosity. But importantly, it’s yet another example of the ways in which the self-help world are not distinct from the rest of our world. And this is why the work of SEEK Safely matters.

We also talk quickly about the upcoming SEEK Safely Summitt, featuring prominent voices in the self-help and wellness world who, like SEEK, want to bring about a better, safer, more effective and ethical self-help industry. Join us on May 30th. Get tickets here.

Show Notes:

To Read:

The Agenda by Bob Woodward

My Life by Bill Clinton

How to Get Control of Your Time & Life by Alan Lakein

Jean's Open Letter to Oprah

To Listen:

Be Your Own Guru (bc your other guru might be in the Epstein Files) SEEK Safely Podcast

SEEK Safely Pod Episode about MLMs

To Watch:

Jim Rohn on YouTube

To Learn:

Annette McGivney

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Make a secure donation to support the SEEK Safely Podcast on SEEKSafely.org

What does "Good Self-help" Look Like with Anne Peterson

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:00:00 -0400

Glenn and Jean chat with SEEK Friend Anne Peterson, asking the question, "What would 'good' self-help look like?" It's easy to focus on the negative in the industry, but SEEK Safely's mission has always come with the assumption that this industry has value to offer people who are looking for self-improvement.

So what are the good examples? What are the good practices? How do we build and encourage an industry that is rooted in ethical practices and lives up to it promises?

If you want more conversation like this, you'll love the SEEK Summit, coming up on May 30th! Get more info here.

Show Notes:

To Listen:

Confronting the Line Anne Peterson's Podcast

To Read:

B-More Ethical Society

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankel

Outrageous Betrayal by Steven Pressman

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

The 99th Monkey by Eliezer Sobel

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Interview with Chris Shelton (Part 2)

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Chris Shelton has a Master's degree in Coercive Control and is the creator of the R.E.M. model of human behaviour, which sheds light on the motivations and drivers that can contribute to a person falling under the persuasion of coercive groups or ideologies. Chris also hosts the "Speaking of Cults" podcast and his upcoming book "What Now? A Practical Guide to Life After a Cult"

Chris, Glenn, and Jean talk Scientology, psychology, coercive control and lots of self-help history. Chris will be joining the SEEK Safely Summit on May 30th. You can join us too! This episode is Part 2 of 2.

Notes:

To Read:

"The Unique Characteristics of Post-cult PTSD and Suggested Therapeutic Approaches" by Dennis Patrick Healy in ICSA Today

"Barefaced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard" by Russel Miller

"The Program: Inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM" by Toni Natalie

To Watch:

Chris Shelton talking about "The Master" movie

"How to Become a Cult Leader" Netflix Docuseries

Going Clear on Netflix

SNL "Neurotology" video

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Interview with Chris Shelton Part 1

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Notes:

To Read:

"The Unique Characteristics of Post-cult PTSD and Suggested Therapeutic Approaches" by Dennis Patrick Healy in ICSA Today

"Barefaced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard" by Russel Miller

"The Program: Inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM" by Toni Natalie

To Watch:

Chris Shelton talking about "The Master" movie

"How to Become a Cult Leader" Netflix Docuseries

Going Clear on Netflix

SNL "Neurotology" video

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Be Your Own Guru (bc your other guru might be in the Epstein Files)

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0400

One of the things SEEK Safely has always said about self-help is that it is not a separate culture--it IS very much a part of mainstream culture. It is, then, unsurprising when it gets wrapped up in news stories of the day, such as the Epstein Files (if you hadn't heard, a prominent "Old Guard" self-help guy makes a disturbing appearance in the Files, as does a newer wellness guru).

Glenn and Jean discuss the long standing relationship between self-help and celebrity--how self-help figures have courted celebrities and political figures for clout and legitimacy, and how celebrities and other public figures have used self-help guru to show their... philosophical? spiritual? deep? side.

Notes:

To Watch:

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich Netflix Docuseries

To Read:

Peter Atia, the Epstein Files, and the Lie Propping Up Big Wellness by Jessica Grose for The New York Times

Melania Had Herself a Movie Night! by Danielle Han for Yahoo News

How Celebrity Life Coach Tony Robbins Started Working with Bill Clinton by Richard Feloni for Business Insider

Tragedy in Sedona by Connie Joy

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Climate Change and Self-help? Yep!

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Dr. Doyle and Jean discuss some of the points of intersection between the self-help industry and climate change and environmental issues in general. How do these things relate, you might ask. The self-help industry is in many ways a reflection of larger patterns in the world and society. Some of the problems that have contributed to climate change are also seen in the self-help industry.

But perhaps more interestingly, when we imagine a better future for both our environment and the self-help industry, we see parallels there, too. In this discussion, we hope to inspire some thought about what a better self-help future looks like. This conversation was largely inspired by the book “What if We Get it Right? Visions of Climate Futures” by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. A sobering but also very hopeful and inspiring read!

Show Notes:

To Read:

“What if We Get it Right? Visions of Climate Futures” by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

“Awaken the Giant Within" by Tony Robbins

"This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Ginny Brown and Jean Brown

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

“Don’t Call it a Cult” by Sara Berman

Sunk Cost Fallacy

Floorball

To Watch:

SEEK Week 2025 on YouTube

Escaping Twin Flames on Netflix

The Vow on Netflix

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Chatting about SEEK Week and the Upcoming SEEK Safely Summit with Anne Peterson

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0400

It’s time for SEEK’s annual fundraising push! We just finished up our annual SEEK Week fundraiser, which features a different live-streaming topic each night for a week. You can watch the recordings on our YouTube channel. And we're planning ahead for a second SEEK Summit and Empowerment Workshop. Find links on our website. Glenn, Jean, and Anne Peterson chat about these events: what to expect, why they’re important, and how you can get involved. And because this is the SEEK Safely podcast, you’ll also get some food for thought about what’s up in this complicated, often problematic but (we believe) potentially great industry.

The SEEK Safely podcast comes to listeners ad-free. But it does cost money to produce a podcast, run a website, and run an organization! We need your help! Please consider joining us for these upcoming events. You can also support SEEK by sharing information about our organization and becoming a contributor. Thanks for listening!

Show Notes:

To Listen:

Confronting the Line Anne Peterson’s podcast

A Little Bit Culty podcast

WTF is On My Mind? Mark Vicente’s Podcast

SEEK Safely’s “Manosphere” episode

To Read:

Norman Vincent Peale

The SEEK Safely Promise

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

The Celebrity Guru

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Glenn and Jean dive into the phenomenon of the celebrity turned self-help guru. As trust in traditional authorities breaks down, we turn to other sources, like celebrities. But what happens when a celeb with notoriety in one area starts talking up a self-help storm? It's a tale as old as self-help time...

We get into Goop, The Biggest Loser and early 2000s weight loss culture (yikes), and even the celebrity to self-help to politician pipeline.

Show Notes:

To Watch:

The Biggest Loser Docuseries, Fit for TV

To Read:

Jean's thoughts on Netflix's Goop Series

Article About Tracy Anderson in The Atlantic

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

About The Art of the Deal Book

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Guru Origin Stories

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Jean and Glenn talk guru origin stories—from the dubious to downright fantastical. Why do they do this? What is the point, and what could be the harm?

AI: The Shiny, Environmentally Destructive Magic 8 Ball

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0400

AI is suddenly everywhere it seems, and the self-help world is no different. A low-cost machine that can pump out a nearly endless string of word salad "content" to push on a willing audience? Perfect!

Jean and Glenn chat about the implications of AI for self-help and how we are already seeing it wend its way into the industry and the wider mental health industry. Tony Robbins has created an AI Tony app! As a fun little experiment, Jean asks ChatGPT how it would go about creating an AI guru. So before you go ahead and pay for any AI self-help tools, have a listen!

Show Notes:

To Listen To:

A Little Bit Culty Podcast

To Read:

"AI has started ignoring human instruction and refuses to turn off, researchers claim" in The Daily Mail

To Watch:

Silicone Valley on HBO

The Terminator

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Talking ICSA 2025: the International Cultic Studies Association's Annual Conference

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Glenn and Jean talk about the upcoming International Cultic Studies Association's annual conference in July, where Jean is presenting on behalf of SEEK for the third year in a row. Since 1979, ICSA has been building an international network of resources for cult survivors, educators, and researchers.

SEEK's presence at the conference since 2023 has been about drawing a link between the self-help industry and cults. This year's conference focusses on the role of the media in the cult conversation. Jean will present on the media's role in SEEK's origin, right from the start-when Kirby first saw James Ray on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Into the present day, SEEK sees a role for an ever-changing media to help people draw a connection between cults and self-help.

To Learn:

International Cultic Studies Association

To Listen To:

Jennifer French on The SEEK Safely Podcast

A Little Bit Culty Podcast

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Mid-season Check-in (aka SEEK Safely Podcast Pajama Party)

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Jean’s in her PJs. Glenn is wearing sweats. Because we’re all tired…

In this episode, the podcast is checking in on how we’re all coping (or not) in this very busy, constantly “breaking news” era. It is precisely in these moments of uncertainty that the self-help world typically kicks it into overdrive. So beware! We also talk about this interesting development we’re seeing–the self-helpification of US government.

And finally, we offer a few thoughts on how to manage in overwhelming times. Thanks, as always, for being our community!

Show Notes:

To Listen To:

If Books Could Kill Podcast

The Huberman Lab Podcast

To Read:
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

About Dianetics on Wikipedia

About 12-Step Programs on Wikipedia

About Internal Family Systems Model on Wikipedia

To Watch:

The Resurrection of Jake the Snake documentary

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Dr. John Hunter Explains how Self-help Events are “Manufacturing Mania”

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

How do smart, motivated, successful people get pulled into spending thousands of dollars, many years, and lots of trust on a self-help program or teacher? Psychologist Dr. John Hunter applies the dopamine hypothesis to explain how these events may be messing with our brain chemistry in a way that puts us into a manic or hypomanic state. If you are curious about cults or if you’re a self-help person, this is a must-listen! Finally, we have a psychological explanation for what is actually going on in your brain when exposed to certain types of self-help.

Dr. John Hunter’s book is “Manufacturing Mania: The Dopamine Hypothesis of Religious Experience.” His research has focussed on LGATs (Large Group Awareness Trainings) and neurology, providing an important link to understand how anyone is susceptible to the power of these events.

Show Notes:

To Read:
Manufacturing Mania: The Dopamine Hypothesis of Religious Experience by Dr. John Hunter

LGATs and Fight Club. Dissecting a Delusion by Dr. John Hunter for The Fincher Analyst

To Learn:

Explanation of the Dopamine Hypothesis on Wikipedia

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Entering the Post-guru Phase of Self-help: Reflecting on James Ray’s Death with Dr. Christine Whelan

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0500

SEEK was surprised to learn of the death of James Arthur Ray on January 3rd, 2025, at the age of 67. Ray was responsible for the deaths of 3 people at his 2009 “Spiritual Warrior” Retreat in Sedona, Arizona, a crime for which he spent 20 months in prison. As this event was the genesis of SEEK Safely, Jean, Glenn, and SEEK Board Member and self-help industry expert Dr. Christine Whelan reflect on how his death fits into the arc of the self-help industry itself.

As the Brown family said in its public statement on the death, SEEK’s mission has always been about more than James Ray. His folly had simply served to point out the greater issues within the wider industry, an industry that has since expanded and bled into many more facets of modern life. Listen to hear thoughts on where self-help is going from here, and what safe seeking looks like in this post-guru self-help world.

And if you are a self-help provider, consider joining our upcoming Safe Practitioners Workshop, an opportunity to gather with other industry professionals to discuss best practices. This is an 8-week series starting on March 5th. If you’re unable to join in person, you can opt in to a recorded version instead.

Show Notes:

To Read:
SEEK Safely’s Statement on James Ray’s Passing
The SEEK Safely Promise

Tragedy in Sedona by Connie Joy

To Learn:

Prosperity Gospel on Wikipedia

Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) on Wikipedia

Theranos on Wikipedia

To Listen To:
Conspirituality Podcast

To Follow:

Eva Collins @whydontyousaysomething

To Join:

The Safe Practitioners Workshop

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

SEEK Safely Summit Recap with Anne Peterson

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500

In November 2024, SEEK was proud to present the SEEK Safely summit, a day of reflecting, brainstorming, and imagining what a better, safer self-help world looks like. We gathered together self-help industry professionals to discuss tools for seekers and self-help practitioners, to find and facilitate more ethical self-help. In this episode of the podcast, Glenn and Jean chat with Anne Peterson, SEEK friend and author of “Is this a Cult” about her experience in Landmark, who facilitated the Summit event.

SEEK plans to make the Summit an annual event–learn all about it so you can join in 2025! You can also buy a ticket to gain access to the November 2024 event recordings.

Show Notes:

Learn more about the Summit, here (buy a ticket to access recordings)

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Chatting with India Oxenberg on the Self-help to Cult Pipeline

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Jean and Glenn chat with India Oxenberg, author, producer, and activist whose escape from NXIVM is documented in the Starz series “Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult.” India was an executive producer on the series. India also shares her story in her memoir, “Still Learning.”

The conversations focusses less on the sensationalist aspects of her cult experience, and more on the self-help nature of NXIVM as an organization, and what attracted India to the group in the first place.

More about India:

India produces ‘Still Learning’ the podcast, which engages its audience with ongoing conversational advocacy through interviews with compelling guests. She is one of the founding members of Healix 180, an online healing hub for recovery. India is a supporter of psychedelic therapeutics and is passionate about public speaking. In 2020, she was awarded for her production work by WIN (Women's Image Awards) in 2022 by the Colleges in Beverly Hills as a "Champion for Children" for her advocacy for survivors.

By sharing her personal story, she helps to raise awareness about the insidious nature of coercion and psychological manipulation. India resides in Key West, Florida with her husband Patrick and their two cats. In her free time she enjoys immersing herself in the wellness community, cooking, painting and yoga.

Show Notes:

To Watch:
“Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult” on Starz
“The Vow” HBO Series about NXIVM

To Read:
“Still Learning” by India Oxenberg
“Captive” by India’s mother, Catherine Oxenberg
“The Program” by Toni Natalie

To Listen To:
Audiobook of India’s Memoir, “Still Learning”
Still Learning podcast, produced and hosted by India

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website
Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown
Donate to support SEEK’s mission
To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Discovering the Dysfunction in Self-help

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 18:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Doyle and Jean return to the underlying discussion of the self-help industry and the flaws within it that drive SEEK Safely’s mission. It was after Kirby Brown’s death at the 2009 Spiritual Warrior retreat that the Brown family discovered some of the rot at the core of this multi-billion dollar industry. This drove the family to found SEEK Safely, recognizing that the impulse to seek is not the issue—it’s the unethical, unregulated self-help providers that are the issue and the source of potential harm. Empowering and protecting seekers has always been, and remains, SEEK’s ultimate goal.

Show Notes:

To Read:

Positive Imaging by Norman Vincent Peale

Tragedy in Sedona by Connie Joy

Cult Education Institute, website of Rick Alan Ross

Stanley Milgram Authority experiments

To Watch:

School House Rock: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Following up with Anne Peterson, Author of "Is This a Cult"

Mon, 27 May 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Previously on the Podcast, Anne Peterson introduced her new memoir, "Is This A Cult?" about her many years of involvement with Landmark. Anne joins the podcast again to discuss the response to her memoir, including a flood of messages from other ex-Landmarkians saying "same here!" Anne also shares what she's learned since her book launch that has given her even more clarity about her own experience and what needs to happen going forward to create a more ethical self-help industry.

SEEK is excited to share that Anne is launching the Safe Practitioners Workshop, an 8-session program for self-help practitioners and consumers, designed around the tenets of the SEEK Safely Promise. Sign up for one or all sessions here. The Workshop starts June 5th. Listen for more on what Anne sees as the SEEK Safely Movement.

A couple of corrections/clarifications to things said in the episode:
- We slightly misspoke on the specifics of the financial arrangements around the sale of WEA (Werner Erhard & Associates) to Landmark, and understated the amount. Here is the legal case in which the specific of the deal were reported: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/16/410/491724/
- We conflated The Goddard School with Bill Gothard IBLP religious schools discussed in the doc-series Shinny Happy People. The Goddard School is a private pre-school company with an excellent reputation and has no affiliation to the Gothard schools.

Mentioned on the Episode:
To Read:
"Is This a Cult: Confronting the Line between Transformation and Exploitation"

To Listen:
Previous Episode with Anne about her Memoir
Anne on A Little Bit Culty

To Watch:
The Program

To Learn:
ilumn8.life
The SEEK Safely Promise

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website
Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown
Donate to support SEEK’s mission
To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

SEEK Safely Podcast (Taylor Edition) with Brit Barkholtz (Part 2)

Mon, 13 May 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Here is Part 2 with Brit Barkholtz.
Brit Barkholtz is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma and eating disorders, active in the Twitter therapist community as The Caffeinated Therapist. Brit shares her take on MLMs, self-help exploiting trauma, “culty” stuff, and Taylor Swift as a tool of trauma recovery.

This episode is Part 1 of 2.

To Read:
Brit’s thoughts on The Tortured Poet’s Department on HuffPo
PESI

To Listen To:
SEEK Podcast Episode on MLMs
SEEK Pod Episode on Trauma
Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poet’s Department

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website
Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown
Donate to support SEEK’s mission
To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

SEEK Safely Podcast (Taylor Edition) with Brit Barkholtz (Part 1)

Mon, 06 May 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Brit Barkholtz is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma and eating disorders, active in the Twitter therapist community as The Caffeinated Therapist. Brit shares her take on MLMs, self-help exploiting trauma, “culty” stuff, and Taylor Swift as a tool of trauma recovery.

This episode is Part 1 of 2.

To Read:
Brit’s thoughts on The Tortured Poet’s Department on HuffPo
PESI

Bypassing–Spiritual and Otherwise–in Self-help

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Bypassing is, essentially, avoidance. It's something we all do from time to time as a response to something unpleasant in our lives. But sometimes bypassing can cause us to go too far, putting off challenge for later that we'd be better off dealing with now. And sometimes in the self-help world, bypassing is either encouraged or deeply embedded in the thought system being pushed.

Dr. Glenn highlights how spiritual bypassing, emotional bypassing, and reality bypassing are all especially dangerous for trauma survivors. Have a listen so you can be prepared to recognize bypassing and know whether or not it's a potential red flag situation.

On another note, special thank you to everyone who donated to Dr. Glenn's birthday fundraiser to benefit SEEK! We are always so grateful for the support!

To Read:
“The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck
“Is This a Cult” by Anne L. Peterson https://isthisacultbook.com
About EMDR Therapy
About Somatic Therapy
“Waking the Tiger” by Peter Levine

To Listen To:
SEEK Safely Podcast Interview with Anne Peterson Part 1, Part 2
The Deep End by Jennings Brown

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website
Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown
Donate to support SEEK’s mission
To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Part 2: “Is This A Cult?” – Anne Peterson's New Memoir about Her Time with Landmark Education & the Infamous Werner Erhard

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Continuing our conversation with Anne Peterson, who has decades of involvement with Landmark, one of the original large-group awareness training (LGAT) companies, including experience producing a breakthrough leadership program developed for Landmark's founder, Werner Erhard. She tells her story in her memoir, “Is This A Cult: Confronting the Line Between Transformation and Exploitation.” This episode is Part 2 of 2. Listen to Part 1 if you haven’t already!

To Read:
https://isthisacultbook.com
iLumn8.life, Anne’s safer self-help platform
Rick Alan Ross
“Outrageous Betrayal” by Steven Pressman
The SEEK Safely Promise
“This Sweet Life” by Ginny and Jean Brown
About LGATs

To Watch:
I Am Not Your Guru

To Listen:
Anne’s First Interview on the SEEK Safely Podcast

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

“Is This A Cult?” – Anne Peterson's New Memoir about Her Time with Landmark Education & the Infamous Werner Erhard

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Anne Peterson has decades of involvement with Landmark, one of the original large-group awareness training (LGAT) companies, including experience producing a breakthrough leadership program developed for Landmark's founder, Werner Erhard. Millions (3.5 million, according to Landmark's press packet) have passed through its trademark Landmark Forum training, many of them having positive experiences. But after her many years of working with Landmark as a facilitator and program producer, Anne began to see some of the cracks under the surface, particularly with its very guru-y founder, Werner Erhard (aka Jack Rosenberg). Anne is now telling her story–and in the process, raising many red flags for other seekers of personal growth–in her memoir, “Is This A Cult: Confronting the Line Between Transformation and Exploitation.” This episode is Part 1 of 2.

To Read:
https://isthisacultbook.com
Rick Alan Ross
“Outrageous Betrayal” by Steven Pressman
“The Program” by Toni Natale
The SEEK Safely Promise
“This Sweet Life” by Ginny and Jean Brown
About LGATs

To Watch:
I Am Not Your Guru

To Listen:
Anne’s First Interview on the SEEK Safely Podcast
Guru Podcast

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

From Kirby Jam 2023: SEEK Safely’s Legislative Effort to Pass Self-help Consumer Protection Legislation

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0500

This episode is a throw-back to our annual fundraiser, Kirby Jam, in October 2023. We had live-streamed on a different topic each night, and on this night, Monday, October 16th, we discussed our effort to pass self-help consumer protection legislation. Dr. Glenn, Jean, and SEEK Founder Ginny Brown talk about why we feel the legislation is necessary, what our effort has looked like, and the bill that we are hoping will make it to the floor in the New York State Legislature in 2024. (And please give us a bit of grace for extraneous noises, etc, as what you are hearing was live-recorded!)

To Read:
About Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos
About SEEK’s Consumer Protection Bill

To Listen To:
SEEK’s Kirby Jam first night broadcast
S2E2 Glenn and Jean Spoil 'The Secret' on the SEEK Safely Podcast

Self-help Books that Arent's Self-help Books with Guest Dr. Christine Whelan

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Our resident self-help geeks, Dr. Doyle and Dr. Christine Whelan, along with Jean, talk about self-help books that aren’t self-help books—that is, books that were not written to be self-help books but have been adopted into self-help culture, or society at large, as self-helpy how-to life manuals. Some are about other aspects of mental health and wellness, some are memoir or autobiography, some are straight-up fiction, but somehow they either took on a self-help life of their own, or have been readily adopted by the self-help industry, or launched the author into the self-helpisphere.

The rest of the notes are just links.

So. Many. Links.

To Read:

The Bible by God(?)
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
The Power of Purpose by Richard J. Leider
Self-esteem by Nathaniel Branden
The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Brandino
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Art of the Deal by Tony Schwartz and Donald Trump
I’m Ok; You’re Ok by Thomas Harris
The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
Get the links to the rest of the books we mention on our website...

Healthy, Less Self-helpy New Year's Resolutions

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Did you set a New Year’s resolution that is already floundering? Have you been inundated by self-help/wellness/woo-woo New Yearsy stuff, too? Or maybe peri-menopause supplements… The self-help industry loves a New Year’s resolution, so Jean and Glenn talk all about resolutions–their own takes and advice for resolutions, red flags to watch for in scammy self-help world, and some thoughts on how to approach this interesting, sometimes inspiring, sometimes overwhelming, time of year!

Also Mentioned in this Episode -

To Read:

Jean’s Blog www.theselfstyledlife.com

Glenn’s Blog www.useyourdamnskills.com

To Listen To:

Glenn on the GutWizdom podcast

To Help you Move Your Body:

Mommastrong (the fitness program Jean mentions)

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Also, please let us know where the burr goes!

BINGO! We’ve got another Self-help Cult with Twin Flames Universe

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Glenn and Jean tackle the cosmic matchmaking self-help group/cult, Twin Flames Universe. Much has already been written and said about this fascinating/terrifying group. But on the SEEK Safely Podcast, the focus is on what this Twin Flames phenomenon says about self-help, and what it illuminates about why and how people get into self-help groups that turn out to be cults.

Also Mentioned in this Episode:

To Read:
Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins
Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus by John Gray
The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

To Watch:
Escaping Twin Flames Docuseries on NetfliX
Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe Docuseries on Prime

To Listen To:
A Little Bit Culty Episode with Alice Hines about Twin Flames Universe
A Little Bit Culty Episode with Kelly Griffin about Twin Flames Universe

Taking on the 'Giant Within' Self-help: Tony Robbins (PART 2)

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0500

This is the continuation of the first episode of the 3rd season! It picks up where the first episode left off, deep into Tony Robbins’ assent into self-help superstardom. Tony Robbins was Dr. Glenn’s first stop in the wide world of self-help, and in many ways, he is arguably one of the best known and most successful self-help personalities ever. He put the modern self-help industry on the trajectory of providing The Answer to Everything in your life–a “kitchen sink” approach, as Dr. Glenn calls it.

Tony went from the best-selling book model, to stadium events, to QVC, to expensive retreats, to appearances at other people’s events, to endorsements, to… flirting with anti-vax and gender essentialism stuff? In diving into the story of Tony Robbins, we consider where self-help has been, where it is today, and (maybe) where it’s going from here.

Also Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Christine Whelan

To Read:

Tony Robbins Wikipedia Page

Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Buzzfeed investigation into misconduct allegations

The Program by Toni Natale

Fit For Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond

Behind Tony Robbins’ Dangerous Approach to the Pandemic by Zoe Schiffer for The Verge

To Watch:

Sarah Edmonson’s TedX Talk on Cult Literacy and Seeking Safely

The Problem with Tony Robbins (Part 1) by Münecat on YouTube

“I Am Not Your Guru” docu-series on Netflix

To Listen To:

SEEK Safely on A Little Bit Culty

Unleash the Power WIthin Tony Robbins audio series

“I Am… I Said” by Neil Diamond

SEEK Safely Episode on the Manosphere

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Insta

Taking on the 'Giant Within' Self-help: Tony Robbins (PART 1)

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500

Jean and Glenn kick off the third season of the SEEK Safely Podcast, diving right in with a chat about Dr. Glenn’s favourite self-help author, Tony Robbins. Robbins has been one of the biggest names in self-help for decades. His success has inspired numerous other would-be gurus and has shifted the self-help industry in many ways. His career tells a story about the evolution of self-help, from the tape-series model to stadium events to guest appearances... anywhere. This is part 1 of 2. Watch for Part 2 on December 18th.

Also Mentioned in this Episode:
Dr. Christine Whelan

To Read:
Tony Robbins Wikipedia Page
Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins
Think and Grow Richby Napoleon Hill
Awaken the Giant WIthinby Tony Robbins
Buzzfeed investigation into misconduct allegations
The Programby Toni Natale
Fit For Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond

To Watch:
Sarah Edmonson’s TedX Talk on Cult Literacy and Seeking Safely
The Problem with Tony Robbins (Part 1) by Münecat on YouTube
“I Am Not Your Guru” docu-series on Netflix

To Listen To:
SEEK Safely on A Little Bit Culty
Unleash the Power WIthinTony Robbins audio series
“I Am… I Said” by Neil Diamond

***

ICYMI: Reviewing Season 2 of the SEEK Safely Podcast

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Before we take a quick podcast break, Glenn and Jean go back through the episodes from Season 2, reviewing some of the highlights and favorite moments. They also take a look at what theme emerged from this collection of discussions and interviews.

We’d love to hear what your favorite moments from this season were! Let us know–send us a message or even leave a voicemail.

We’ll be back with new episodes in October! Thanks for listening!

Also mentioned in this Episode:

Read:

The Secret Practice: Eighteen Years on the Dark Side of Yoga by Joelle Tamraz

Life 101 Series by Peter McWilliams

Self-help Books and the Quest for Self-control in the United States 1950-2000 Dr. Christine Whelan’s Doctoral Dissertation

Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

About The Art of the Deal

Watch:

Enlighten Us documentary by CNN Films

LuLaRich docu-series on Amazon Prime

The Deep End docuseries

Listen:

The Gateway podcast by Jennings Brown for Gizmodo

Conspirituality Podcast

Guru Podcast by Wondery Media

Learn:

Dr. Christine Whalen’s website

Dr. Steven Hassan’s Freedom of Mind Resource Center

SEEK’s Red Flags

The SEEK Safely Promise

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Man Cave Bacon-eating Energy: ‘The Manosphere’ and Self-help

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

“Not unlike the tactics used by cults, who often exploit people who are seeking meaning, The Manosphere and the alt right provide meaning in the form of misogyny and white supremacy, creating an “affective fabric” that binds them together.”

Julia DeCook for boundary2.org, linked in notes

Jean and Dr. Glenn dive into the murky waters of the Manosphere, specifically where it overlaps with the self-help world, traditionally an industry geared towards women. They discuss how the rise of this segment of the industry may indicate a reaction to recent women’s rights action like the #MeToo movement, and even, more recently the Barbie movie! From Masculinity Bro accounts to Wellness Bro influencers peddling absurd wellness hacks, this male-directed segment of self-optimization content is not necessarily new, but it is concerning in how it tends to be a gateway into more extreme, misogynist views.

Please note, there are some spoiler-ish points in our conversation about the Barbie movie!

Show Notes:

Podcasts:

Jordan Harbinger

Conspirituality episode about Bro Science

You’re Wrong About Podcast

Websites:

Wikipedia Entry on the Manosphere

Wikipedia Entry on Bro Culture

Articles:

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/3/4/18246518/man-cave-boom-pre-recession-masculinity-male-friendship

https://impakter.com/from-incels-to-tradwives-understanding-the-spectrum-of-gender-and-online-extremism/

https://www.boundary2.org/2019/11/julia-decook-how-deep-does-the-rabbit-hole-go-the-wonderland-of-r-theredpill-and-its-ties-to-white-supremacy/

https://www.gq.com/story/mouth-tape-for-sleep-hostage-tape

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Enlighten Us 7 Years Later: Discussing the Flawed Documentary and What’s Happened in Self-help Since (featuring Dr. Christine Whelan)

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0400

In 2016, CNN Films released a documentary entitled “Enlighten Us,” which followed James Ray’s attempted comeback after his short imprisonment for negligent homicide. That conviction was the result of the deaths of 3 people at Ray’s Spiritual Warrior personal development retreat in Sedona, Arizona, in 2009. The film features interviews with survivors as well as James Ray as he attempted to rebuild his personal development business.

Jean discusses what always frustrated her about the film, particularly how it left out the voices of victims’ families as well as context about James Ray’s prior knowledge of how dangerous his event was.

Along with the perspectives and wisdom of Dr. Christine Whelan and Dr. Doyle, this episode examines what James Ray’s evolving efforts to return to guru-hood reveal about the current state of the broader self-help world.

Also mentioned in this Episode:

Enlighten Us documentary by CNN Films

In Enlighten Us, Disgraced Guru Fails to Find Redemption article by Matt Stroud for The Verge

“Tragedy in Sedona” by Connie Joy

Self-help Books and the Quest for Self-control in the United States 1950-2000 Dr. Christine Whelan’s Doctoral Dissertation

The SEEK Safely Promise

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Joelle Tamraz, Author of “The Secret Practice: Eighteen Years on the Dark Side of Yoga”

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Jean and Dr. Glenn speak with author Joelle Tamraz, whose gripping memoir details her time with a “yoga guru” who became her life and business partner. Through her compelling storytelling, it becomes clear that it was not weakness or desperation, but a heady mix of idealism, openness to possibility, and a desire for meaningful connection that put Joelle in the path of Arun, who promised to guide and love her, but instead exploited her faith and abused her trust.

Joelle’s personal experience under the control of a charismatic partner illuminates another, wider issue: how “new age” movements like yoga and meditation have been weaponized by charismatic leaders in the popular and lucrative world of self-help. The means in which Arun manipulated Joelle also resemble how “gurus” and predatory self-help organizations manipulate wider audiences.

In this interview, Joelle, Jean, and Dr. Glenn discuss Joelle’s experience, focussing on the problems with yoga, how the popular practice fits under the umbrella of self-help, and why it deserves as much criticism as any other corner of the industry. Joelle also shares a number of tips and red flags to help other seekers avoid unethical and dangerous “gurus.”

“The Secret Practice” releases in August 2023, and is now available for pre-order.

Also mentioned in this Episode:

General info:
SEEK’s Red Flags
Post about Harmful Yoga on SEEKSafely.org by Sarah Jean White

Books:
“Tragedy in Sedona” by Connie Joy

Documentaries:
“The Secrets of Hillsong”
“Holy Hell”
“Wild, Wild Country”

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website
Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown
Donate to support SEEK’s mission
To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

A Self-help History: Peter McWilliams and ‘What to do When Your Guru Sues You’

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Glenn takes us through the fascinating tale of Peter McWilliams who was both the author of the best-selling “Life 101” series and a victim in many ways of his guru/cult leader, John-Roger.

The story of Peter McWIlliams is sad and interesting; but importantly, it demonstrates so many of the recurring themes of how the self-help industry operates:

Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGATs) as a gateway into more insidious and culty self-help
self-help gurus fabricating an origin story
the ways in which manipulative leaders divert and exploit the talents of their followers
how self-help continuously recycles (and/or plagiarizes!) the same old content
the readiness with which self-help organizations use law suits for intimidation and self-protection

In telling the story of McWilliams, we also take a walk through some of the biggest self-help books, leaders, and movies of the last ~35 years! Be sure to check out the links below!

Also mentioned in this Episode:

Books:

Life 101 Series by Peter McWilliams

"The Personal Computer" by Peter McWilliams

“Getting Things Done” by David Allen

“Tragedy in Sedona” by Connie Joy

“The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck

“Ain’t Nobody’s Business if you Do” by Peter McWilliams

“Fit for Life” by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond

Info Pages and Articles:

About Life 102: What to do When Your Guru Sues You by Peter McWilliams

Insight Seminars

Large-group Awareness Trainings definition

MSIA

Erhard Seminar Trainings (est)

Behavioural Activation

LA Times article about allegations against John-Roger

Review of I Am Not Your Guru documentary about Tony Robbins

Podcasts:

A Little Bit Culty podcast

How Self-help Approaches Trauma (hint: it’s kind of a problem…)

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Given how much of a buzzword TRAUMA is in the self-help/wellness/self-improvement world and even more broadly in our culture, we’re lucky that Dr. Glenn happens to be a trauma specialist!

A lot of gurus and New Age love-and-light types are talking about trauma these days. One in particular stands out. Although there has been a lot of coverage of Teal Swan, the SEEK Safely Podcast has not addressed this very popular online persona who has made her name talking specifically about trauma. Jean and Dr. Glenn talk in this episode about what Teal Swan represents vis a vis trauma and the self-help world.

They also discuss more broadly this question of why trauma has become a more open conversation in our culture–for better and worse. In particular, they get into the difference between how self-help tends to address trauma and mental health in general, versus how addressing trauma would look in a clinical setting with a licensed therapist or psychologist. While there might be some initial catharsis in diving into your trauma at a self-improvement retreat over a weekend, there are reasons why self-help consumers need to be really careful with this approach.

Please be aware that we do refer extensively to suicide and trauma in this episode.

Also mentioned in this episode:

About Trauma and Psychology:
Jonathan Shedler
“Recollections of Sexual Abuse” Christine A. Courtois
“Trauma and Recovery” by Judith Herman

About Teal Swan:
The Deep End docuseries
The Gateway podcast by Jennings Brown for Gizmodo

About James Ray:
“Tragedy in Sedona” Connie Joy
Guru Podcast

Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle at Insight Therapy Solutions

Learn more about SEEK Safely
on our website
Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown
Donate to support SEEK’s mission
To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Self-help’s Intensifying Flirtation with Conspiracy Theories

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Conspiracy theories are on the rise in many areas of our society, and this holds true within the self-help industry, especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jean and Glenn discuss this situation, shedding some light on why it is that conspiracies fit so easily into the realm of self-help–an industry that has often presented itself as an alternative to the mainstream.

But while the fringes have long been comfortable territory for self-help, these conspiracy theories seem to be taking up more space and pushing the industry into more political territory as well, which feels like a newer development. Ultimately, we find ourselves asking more questions than offering answers at this point.

Also mentioned in this episode:

“The Problem with Tony Robbins” by MüneCat on YouTube

“$10.4 Billion Self-improvement Market Pivots to Virtual Delivery During the Pandemic” by John LaRosa for MarketResearch.com

“We Need to Talk about the Rise of White Supremacy in Yoga” by Arusha Wijeyakumar in InStyle

@ShantiWithin on Instagram

“How Dangerous is Jordan B. Peterson, the Rightwing Professor who “Hit a Hornet’s Nest'?”

in The Guardian

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Geeking Out on Self-help with Dr. Christine Whelan (Part 2)

Tue, 30 May 2023 04:00:00 -0400

In Part 1 of our interview with Dr. Christine Whalen, self-help researcher and SEEK Safely’s newest Board member, we discussed her background in researching self-help, how she got connected with SEEK Safely, and a bit about what she’s learned about how to be a best-selling self-help author.

In Part 2, we really get into what’s going on with self-help today. This packed conversation covers:

the new social-media fuelled trajectory for becoming a self-help guru
what we’re currently seeing in the gender-izing of self-help
the stickiness of the Law of Attraction
the role self-help plays in the lives of young people
why the term “self-help” guru doesn’t even capture what’s really happening with the industry

You’ll see why we are so excited to have Dr. Whalen with us!

If you missed Part 1, find it here.

Quoted in this episode:

“To say ‘I love you’ one must first know how to say the ‘I.’ The meaning of the ‘I’ is an independent, self-sufficient entity that does not exist for the sake of any other person. A person who exists only for the sake of his loved one is not an independent entity, but a spiritual parasite. The love of a parasite is worth nothing.” - Ayn Rand

About Dr. Whelan:

Dr. Whelan is a clinical professor in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and director of MORE: Money, Relationships and Equality. She earned a masters and doctorate from the University of Oxford and has held teaching positions at the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Iowa and Princeton University. She has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The New York Times, among other national outlets. She has appeared live on television programs and radio programs across the nation. Read more about Dr. Whelan on her website. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Also mentioned in this episode:

“In Therapy We Trust” by Eva Moskowitz

“The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck

“Poor Richard’s Almanac” by Benjamin Franklin

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on

Geeking Out on Self-help with Dr. Christine Whelan (Part 1)

Mon, 15 May 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Jean and Glenn welcome Dr. Christine Whelan, SEEK Safely’s newest Board member, to the SEEK Safely podcast in this first of two episodes.

Dr. Christine is an author, professor and speaker, and one of the few researchers who has specifically looked into the self-help/advice industry. She is also perhaps the only person whose personal library of self-help books rivals that of Dr. Glenn! But more importantly, through her research Dr. Whelan has meaningful insights to share about how we consume self-help, how the self-help industry attempts to reach us, and how the industry has changed over the years.

In this episode, we talk about how we first connected with Dr. Christine following the Sedona tragedy and how, in her, we found someone who understood the wide reach of self-help and the broader context of the sweat lodge deaths. We also discuss the cultural pervasiveness of self-help, how to be a best-selling author-guru, and when self-help leaders start to go off in a potentially dangerous direction.

Watch for Part 2 of this interview, in which we get into the current self-help landscape.

About Dr. Whelan:

Also mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Christine’s article about Sedona for the Washington Post

About Dale Carnegie’s "How to Win Friends and Influence People" on Wikipedia

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

You Cannot Miss This Opportunity to Talk about MLMs!

Mon, 01 May 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Jean and Glenn have an amazing opportunity to share with you! That’s right, we’re talking all about multi-level marketing! Why is the self-help podcast talking about MLMs? In this episode, the discussion specifically highlights the links and parallels between self-help and MLMs:

how they share similar tactics to pull people in
the similar types of people that are targeted by MLMs and self-help
how they use self-help tropes like the Law of Attraction to condition/gaslight their victims sales associates
the shared history between self-help and MLMs
the familiar faces from the self-help industry that cross over into the MLM industry

Indeed, the ways in which MLMs operate and even the way the whole industry is shaped is very similar to the self-help industry. So before you sign up to an MLM ~or~ a self-help program, learn about some of the ways these “opportunities” might not live up to their promises.

Quoted in the episode:

from American Beauty: “In order to be successful, one must project an image of success at all times.”

Also mentioned in this Episode:

LuLaRich docu-series on Amazon Prime

John Oliver’s MLM segment

Robert L. Fitzpatrick, expert on home-based businesses

The Office clip

Steven Hassan’s BITE Model

Penn and Teller Bullshit “Easy Money” episode

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Glenn and Jean Spoil ‘The Secret’

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Despite its name, the Law of Attraction will come to you in your self-help journey, whether you’ve asked for it or not. It’s a big part of SEEK’s story, given that James Arthur Ray’s rise to fame came from his involvement with the self-help phenomenon of the early 2000’s, “The Secret.”

Jean and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle break down this enduring “law” in self-help thinking–where and when the concept has popped up in self-help history, as well as more broadly in philosophy, literature, and religious thought.

They cover what’s good in the concept, how it shifts around in popular conversation, and where it goes off the rails and can become more damaging.

Quotes mentioned:

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.”

William James

“Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Might you become master of your fate through choice—no matter what the stars say?”

William Shakespeare in “Julius Caesar”

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Also mentioned in this episode:

Eva Collins Interview on the SEEK Safely Podcast

“Creative Visualization” by Shakti Gawain

“The Power of Positive Thinking” Normal Vincent Peale

“The Science of Mind” by Earnest Holmes

“Agnes Collard’s Marriage of the Minds” in by Rachel Aviv in The New Yorker

The New Thought movement

Martin Seligman and positive psychology

“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne

We’re Back for Season 2

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0400

The SEEK Safely Podcast is back for a 2nd season!

Life’s been busy! Feedback for the podcast has been so encouraging, and we’re happy to be back! We’ve got some exciting discussions for you.

On this first episode, we touch base with what’s been happening in the self-help world in the last few months, what has come out of the first season for us, and what we hope to achieve with our second season.

Some highlights of the upcoming season:

we’ll talk recurring themes in self-help, like the Law of Attraction
we’ll meet our newest board member, Dr. Christine Whalen
we’ll look into the history of self-help and talk about how this legacy influences the industry as we see it today
we’ll look at the phenomenon of self-help sliding into other areas, like politics, fitness, health

We say it right in the show’s intro: our primary goal is to empower seekers to have safe and rewarding self-help experiences. We do this by examining what is going on in this industry–shady stuff to be aware of, pitfalls to avoid, and how to find the best resources for YOU. We are excited to keep this momentum going!

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Also mentioned in this Episode:

Life 101 Series by Peter McWilliams

Recapping Season One of the SEEK Safely Podcast and Looking Ahead to Season Two

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0500

In this final episode of the SEEK Safely podcast’s first season, hosts Dr. Doyle and Jean share some of their lasting impressions from the previous episodes of the podcast.

Big themes that came through:

SEEK has gained many allies in this effort to scrutinize and improve the self-improvement industry
Not all self-help is culty, but a lot of self-help does culty stuff
There is still so much to unpack as we look at the industry and imagine a better future for seekers
Podcasting is a great vehicle for SEEK’s message
The NXIVM story is endlessly fascinating…

If you’d like to support SEEK as we start producing Season 2, go here. We will be back with more episodes in the New Year! In the meantime, stay in touch: leave a review, send a voice message, find us on socials, etc…

Also mentioned in this episode:

@whydontyousaysomething curated by Eva Collins

Jennifer French, cult recovery therapist

August McLaughlin

Anne Peterson of iLumn8.Life

About NXIVM:

“The Vow" on HBO

A Little Bit Culty podcast

The Program by Toni Natalie

Don’t Call it a Cult by Sarah Berman

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Articulating a New Self-help Industry with Anne Peterson

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0500

Anne Peterson has worked in and around the self-help industry for decades. Anne has designed and delivered programming for her own company as well as for some of the most prominent self-help gurus and one of the largest international self-development organizations in the world.

Anne is hard at work to impact and improve this industry where she has spent so much time and, like us, sees so much potential. On this episode, Jean, Glenn, and Anne, chat about what a better self-help industry could look like: how to make space for the potential of this industry while building safeguards to help seekers avoid the kind of abuses that so many consumers and practitioners have experienced in the self-help world as it operates now.

(also, shout-out to Anne’s pup who was happily gnawing a bone in the background throughout our conversation ;)

A bit more about Anne:

Anne’s start in the world of making a difference for people may not look like others. From being a 16-year-old teen mom and starring with her son in an after school special and serving on the Washington State Steering Committee for School-Age Parenting, to designing and delivering practical and transformative inquiry based programs for thousands of people over a 20 year period, this became her focus.

After she became aware of the problematic design of group awareness programs and began to discover the red flags that point to a destructive cult and/or potential abuse in organizations, Anne is committed to provide safe environments for learning.

Known for bringing new ideas into reality, she has launched iLumn8.Life which is a gathering place bringing together life-long learners with the practitioners who offer personal & professional development that enhances and evolves the human experience. In an effort to ensure that each learner has a safe experience in their growth and development endeavors, all practitioners on the iLumn8.Life platform make the SEEK Safely Promise.

Also mentioned in this episode:

SEEK Safely Promise

“Who is Wellness For?” by Fariha Roisin

Phoenix Rising

Definition of Love Bombing

Eva Collins Interview on the SEEK Safely Podcast

Jennifer French Interview on the SEEK Safely Podcast

“The Vow" on HBO

“Guru” podcast by Wondery

A Little Bit Culty podcast by Sarah Edmondson and Nippy Ames, NXIVM whistleblowers

Seduced on Starz

iLumn8.Life

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and

Seeking through Struggle and Finding Authentic Empowerment with August McLaughlin

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0500

August McLaughlin is a nationally recognized health and sexuality journalist and host and producer of the podcast, Girl Boner Radio, which offers a spicy blend of personal stories, in-depth reporting and inspiration.

Dr. Glenn and Jean chat with August about mental health, seeking, and finding real, lasting empowerment.

August shares her personal story of grappling with undiagnosed ADHD, an eating disorder, and the general challenges of adolescence and young adulthood that put her on the seeking path familiar to so many of us. August shares how she found a more authentic type of empowerment on her own terms, and how she has integrated SEEK Safely’s message into her own work.

Learn more about August:

On her website

“Girl Boner: The Good Girl’s Guide to Sexual Empowerment” by August McLaughlin”

“With Pleasure: Managing Trauma Triggers for More Vibrant Sex and Relationships” by August McLaughlin and Jamila Dawson, LMFT

Girl Boner Radio Podcast

On Instagram

Also mentioned:

Herbalife

The Salty Droid

Jean on Girl Boner Radio

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Surviving Cultic Abuse with Jennifer French (Part 2)

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0500

Jennifer French is a psychologist who focuses on helping victims of cultic abuse. She got into the field after her own experience with a cult group. She is also the creator and host of the Project Hope podcast.

In this second episode of two, Jean and Jennifer discuss this new era of cults, and Dr. Doyle pops in to share his thoughts!

They chat about:

The implications of social media for cult activity
Legislation as the next phase of the fight against abusive self-help and cult abuse
Advice for seekers to stay safe when seeking self-improvement

Browse Jennifer’s Website

Listen to the Project Hope Podcast

Also Mentioned:

Red Flag Education

SEEK’s Self-help Consumer Protection bill in NY State

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Surviving Cultic Abuse with Jennifer French (Part 1)

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0500

In this first episode of two, Jean and Jennifer discuss Jennifer’s experience and how it led her to undertake a Masters degree in Psychology of coercive control.

They chat about:

how and why people get into abusive groups
"cult hopping”
why Jennifer signed the SEEK Safely Promise and how she implements it in her work
how seekers can reclaim their own self-improvement experience, rather than giving the power over to a teacher, group, or program

Watch for Episode 2, where Jennifer and Jean discuss what’s happening in the new era of cults, with high control groups, wellness in social media, etc.

Browse Jennifer’s Website

Listen to the Project Hope Podcast

Learn about the SEEK Safely Promise
_____

Also Mentioned:

Gillie Jenkinson, psychologist

Red Flag Education

Alleged Abuses of Yogi Bhajan

“Enlighten Us” CNN documentary
_____

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Jean and Dr. Glenn Dissect Episodes 1 & 2 of The Vow, Season 2

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0500

Dr. Glenn and Jean share their thoughts about the first two episodes from Season Two of “The Vow," HBO’s docu-series detailing the public downfall of the cult NXIVM. The NXIVM story has been a big part of our collective education about cults. But on its surface, NXIVM was just another self-help organization offering leadership development courses to thousands of people throughout North America.

SEEK has followed and shared the NXIVM story for many reasons:

as another example of the type of “worst-case scenarios” that can happen to self-help consumers
understanding how coercive control plays out in abusive self-improvement organizations
observing how the legal system handles these types of crimes perpetrated by “self-improvement” organizations and leaders

Season Two of “The Vow” continues on HBO.

Also Mentioned in this Episode:

The Program by Toni Natalie
About NLP from Wikipedia
Don’t Call it a Cult by Sarah Berman
A Little Bit Culty podcast by Sarah Edmondson and Nippy Ames, NXIVM whistleblowers
SEEK’s Self-Help Consumer Protection Bill in NY State
Escaping NXIVM Podcast by CBC
Seduced on Starz

Links:

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website
Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown
Donate to support SEEK’s mission
To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Part 2: Pushing Back against Unethical Coaching, Wellness, & Self-help with Eva Collins

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Dr. Glenn and Jean chat with Eva Collins about her experience in the self-help/online coaching/wellness world, why she left her coaching business, and what it has been like pushing back against unethical practices and teachers in these industries.

About Eva Collins:

Eva is the creator of the Instagram account and podcast called "why don't you say something.”

After 20 years in the spiritual, self help, and yoga world and 8 years working as an online coach, she started to see so many issues in the industry and made an account speaking up about it.

She realized some of the things she was learning and teaching around spirituality and online business, were harmful and unethical and weren't a match for her or her values anymore. She quit her coaching business a year and a half ago and now works at a community health care center, and creates content bringing awareness to the harms of the industry.

She has trainings in Reiki, mediumship, NLP coaching, is a certified Holistic Health Coach, and 750 HR register yoga teacher, certified angel therapy practitioner, has years of training and mentorship in online marketing and is a certified Trauma of Money facilitator.

Follow Eva on Instagram: @whydontyousaysomething

Listen to her podcast

SEEK Safely Roundtable conversation about Coaching

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Part 1: Pushing Back against Unethical Coaching, Wellness, & Self-help with Eva Collins

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400

About Eva Collins:

Eva is the creator of the Instagram account and podcast called "why don't you say something.”

After 20 years in the spiritual, self help, and yoga world and 8 years working as an online coach, she started to see so many issues in the industry and made an account speaking up about it.

Follow Eva on Instagram: @whydontyousaysomething

Listen to her podcast

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Is Scrutiny of Self-help Building?

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Dr. Glenn and Jean discuss the growing feeling that more people are joining in scrutinizing the self-help industry. They discuss some of the contributing factors to this, including recent culty docuseries and a more nuanced cultural understanding of how people get involved with questionable leaders and groups.

Jean also discusses how, 13 WHOLE YEARS after the Sedona (not-a-)sweat lodge deaths, more people than ever are reaching out not just to express condolences over the loss of her sister, but to share in the knowledge that there’s something fundamentally broken in this industry.

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Also mentioned in this episode:

A Little Bit Culty Podcast

The Vow docu-series from HBO

Wild, Wild Country docu-series on Netflix

Seeking in Times of Uncertainty on our blog

Learned Optimism by Martin E. P. Seligman Ph.D.

Dr. Glenn’s Story and the Potential of Self-help

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Life sends millions of people into the *whisper* ~self-help section~ at the bookstore/on Instagram/on Youtube, etc. So many of us feel kind of ashamed about that, and yet we’re spending billions of dollars per year on our journeys of self-improvement and discovery.

Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle shares his personal journey with self-help, starting in his teen years when self-help literally saved his life, to when he finally joined forces with SEEK Safely. His story mirrors the stories of many seekers–people who are looking for help or direction but can’t access that help from more typical sources.

When Dr. Glenn finds SEEK Safely, he’s happy to find an organization that doesn’t just want to vilify the industry, but actually wants to improve it.

Jean and Glenn discuss the great potential of this industry, its staying power, and their frustration over how it falls short.

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email us: info@seeksafely.org

Also mentioned in this episode:

“Holy Hell” documentary

“Feeling Good” by David D. Burns, M.D.

Background on allegations against Tony Robbins

From the “Sweat Lodge” to SEEK Safely (Part 2)

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the second episode of the SEEK Safely Podcast, where we aim to empower seekers of self-improvement and discuss the abuses of this billion dollar industry.

In this episode, hosts Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle continue diving into the problems with the self-improvement industry that were revealed by the “Sedona sweat lodge deaths” at James Ray’s 2009 Spiritual Warrior retreat. This tragedy launched SEEK Safely Inc.–a non-profit org founded by the family of one of the sweat lodge victims, Kirby Brown.

Jean (Kirby’s sister) and Dr. Glenn (SEEK’s Board president) point out the “red flags” that became clear in the aftermath of Sedona–tactics of manipulation and abuse that were present not only at that event, but which are common across the entire self-help industry.

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Also mentioned in this episode:

“Tragedy in Sedona” by Connie Joy

“Guru” podcast by Wondery

“Enlighten Us” CNN documentary

From the “Sweat Lodge” to SEEK Safely (Part 1)

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the first episode of the SEEK Safely Podcast, where we aim to empower seekers of self-improvement and discuss the abuses of this billion dollar industry.

In this episode, hosts Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle dive straight into the problems with the self-improvement industry that were revealed by the “Sedona sweat lodge deaths” at James Ray’s 2009 Spiritual Warrior retreat. This tragedy launched SEEK Safely Inc.–a non-profit org founded by the family of one of the sweat lodge victims, Kirby Brown.

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Also mentioned in this episode:

“Tragedy in Sedona” by Connie Joy

“Guru” podcast by Wondery

“Enlighten Us” CNN documentary

Trailer: Seek Safely with Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle & Jean Brown

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0400

The SEEK Safely podcast is the official voice of the nonprofit organization SEEK Safely Inc, which advocates for ethics and accountability in the self-help industry, and empowers seekers to have safe and effective self-improvement journeys. Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle peel back the layers of the largely unregulated, multi-billion dollar self-help industry, discussing the patterns of exploitation and deception that pervade the industry and allow self-help gurus to thrive at the expense of their customers and followers. Along the way we’ll have discussions with people who care as much as we do about the self-help industry being held accountable for the promises it makes–and we lay out our vision of a world in which seekers are respected and protected.

Learn more about SEEK Safely on their website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook