Sarah Mettrick spent 13 years in the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Christchurch. In this first of two episodes Sarah talks to Caz about her years in the group. The two talk about life as a teenage recruit in this eastern mysticism group, the conflation of the guru with the divine and the control of member’s sexuality. Sarah reflects back now years later on what she was part of and how much she gave of herself, the aspects she loved, and the aspects she was ultimately forced to escape.

Show Notes

• Article - Out on their Own by Anke Richter

• Book - 1984 by George Orwell

• Book - Animal Farm by George Orwell

• Book - Mao’s Last dancer by Li Cunxin

• Book - Wild Swans by Jung Chang

• Book - The Guru Papers by Joel Kramer and Diane Alstad

Recently Caz, Liz and Lindy spent a day with renowned trauma expert, Dr Bessel Van Der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps the Score”. Our trio unpack their day of learning, and talk about the impact of trauma on the body, on memory, on recovery and why it is important in the context of cults. Using their hastily scribbled notes, they discuss neurophysiology, EMDR, neurofeedback, and a bunch of other technical stuff. Listen up if you’ve an interest in the mind-body connection and trauma recovery.

What do you do if someone you love won’t acknowledge the harm that you experienced - the harm they may have caused? How long do you wait, and is there another way to move on? In this third episode Sam and Caz talk about the yearning for acknowledgement and reparation that follows betrayal, especially betrayal as a child. Join this final conversation with Sam and Caz, as they grapple with hurts left behind, relationships that may never be repaired, and their own creative pursuits for justice.

Show Notes:

• Webpage: An Open Letter Calling for Restorative Justice for the Children of Centrepoint Community

• Book: Trauma and Recovery - Judith Herman

• Podcast: The Children of Osho - Cult Vault

• Podcast: In My Father’s Footsteps - Indoctrination

• Podcast: Children of the Guru - Loss of Identity within the Rajneesh Cult - Talk Beliefs
  

Decades after leaving a cult, what is life like for a child cult survivor? How does she build identity and integrate into the outside world? In this second episode of Caz and Sam Jahara’s intimate conversation, the two discuss these concerns and more. They talk about the resources needed to recover and thrive, the wounds left by neglect and abuse, and the unique challenges those born or raised in a cult must navigate. This vulnerable second part of a three-part conversation is not to be missed.

Notes

Film: Wild Wild Country on Netflix

Article: The psychological impacts on children who grow up in cults by Sam Jahara

Book: What Happened to You? Conversations on trauma, and healing by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey

Book: Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman

Caz speaks with UK psychotherapist Sam Jahara about her years as a child living in the communes of the Indian guru Rajneesh in the 1980s. They explore how the Rajneesh movement was so similar in many difficult ways to the Centrepoint Community that Caz was involved with as a child. This is the first episode of a three part interview between two women who explore the long term effects that cults have on the children who live in them. Listen up if you care about the impacts of cults on kids and are interested in accountability and repair.

Join Caz, as she interviews two accidental cult investigators about two notorious NZ cults. The first is Natalie Malcon, producer of “Escaping Utopia” the recent Gloriavale docuseries, and “Heaven & Hell; The Centrepoint Story”. The second is Anke Richter, journalist and author of “Cult Trip”, a deep dive into the complexity of both Gloriavale and Centrepoint. This conversation between three cult activists, each using a different medium to shine light on cult harm, will be eye opening.

Join Liz as she chats with ex-Gloriavale film participant Rosanna Overcomer and film producer Natalie Malcon about the recent Escaping Utopia docuseries. We give you a glimpse “behind the scenes”, into the film’s journey to the screens, set design, casting, meticulous re-enactments, as well as the personal challenge of sharing one's story. We also delve into the ethical dilemmas of filming undercover scenes in India, sparking thought-provoking discussions on filmmaking and media responsibilities.

Have you seen the eye-opening three-part TV docu-series “Escaping Utopia” that hit NZ this past week? Join us for a candid discussion as Caz, Liz, and Lindy share their reflections. Gain insight into the complexities of escaping Gloriavale and the support systems aiding those transitioning to freedom. Listen in as we uncover the resilience and courage of individuals breaking free from a closed community, and see the plight of group of members who are part of an Indian Gloriavale Community which has never featured on our screens before.

Show Notes:

Documentary: TVNZ On Demand New Zealand: Escaping Utopia: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/escaping-utopia