Chris Shelton has a treat for us today — he talks with Leah Remini!
Here’s the intro he sent for today’s podcast…
My “Sensibly Speaking Podcast” has featured a number of former Scientologists, exit counselors, therapists, and professionals from other interesting fields, but this week I was proud to host Leah Remini, co-creator of Scientology and the Aftermath and star of King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait. She actually agreed to come on a couple of months ago and we were finally able to arrange the time to do our phone interview this last week.
In Scientology and the Aftermath and on many major media outlets and shows, Leah has described the abuses of Scientology in grim detail and why she has brought the fight back to the Church of Scientology’s doorstep. In this podcast, I wanted to try to dive into some topics not often discussed in as much detail, such as Leah’s own personal transition out of the bubble world of Scientology and recovery from it. We also briefly discuss the other potential new show under development to help survivors and former members of other destructive cults, as well as her thoughts on the new Aftermath Foundation.
AdvertisementWhile some of this podcast won’t be new information for many Scientology watchers and those familiar with her show, this podcast will give anyone who is interested in this topic and in Leah something new to learn and hopefully generate assistance in our cause to end the Church of Scientology’s abuses forever. Enjoy!
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SMERSH Madness 2018
Today we’re finishing up the second round of our big dance featuring the people we think are working hardest to defend Scientology against its enemies. These are not only Scientologists, but also the people who enable the church as it works against its foes. Which of them do you think deserves the most recognition for Keeping Scientology Working, spreading disconnection, and litigating former Scientologists into the ground?
Our matchup today features our #1 seed, Scientology leader David Miscavige. He’s at the top of the heap because he’s been leading the Scientology movement for more than 30 years now. His biggest accomplishment in that time, no doubt, was winning tax-exempt status for the church in 1993. In more recent years, he’s been consumed with making appearances of Scientology “expansion” with his “Ideal Org” program, opening buildings around the world as a media strategy. But the relentless pressure he’s put on members to donate, coupled with his legendary ruthlessness, has produced a steady exodus of many longtime, loyal fans of L. Ron Hubbard. And now, his new grand scheme: Scientology TV. We were actually surprised to see him introduce the new TV channel with a short monologue. Now, if he’d only sit down for a real press interview.
Miscavige is pitted against our #17 seed, International Justice Chief Mike Ellis, who defeated actress Laura Prepon in the first round. Ellis is the “terminal” that is your only hope of getting back in the good graces of the church if you are booted out and “declared” a “suppressive person.” Ellis has featured pretty prominently in our coverage of the lawsuit filed by Luis and Rocio Garcia alleging that they were defrauded by the church. Most recently, it was Ellis who “hatted” an arbitrating panel in Los Angeles with some of the wackiest Scientologese we’ve seen in a long while. Ellis is a lifer who will do whatever it takes to please David Miscavige and the “Keeping Scientology Working” policy, and he personally has the fates of many Scientology families in his grasp.
Who deserves to move on as champions of Scientology? Who has done more to perpetuate the church’s reputation in this time of crisis? Cast your votes!
Yesterday’s winner: Tom Cruise crushed Tommy Davis!
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Make your plans now!
Head over to our HowdyCon 2018 website to start making your travel plans!
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,063 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 1,666 days
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 209 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,272 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,046 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 2,820 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,166 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 2,660 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 1,700 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,412 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 938 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,027 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,167 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,487 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,462 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 818 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,120 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,226 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 1,629 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,501 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,083 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 1,588 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 1,832 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 12,941 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 24, 2018 at 07:00
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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2017 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2017), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…
BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts
Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news
