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HowdyCon 2026: Claire Headley reveals title and cover of forthcoming Scientology memoir

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The Bunker held its first HowdyCon convention since 2019 this weekend in New London, CT. And during yesterday’s talks, Claire Headley gave us a welcome surprise, the title and cover for her forthcoming memoir! []

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HowdyCon 2026 starts off with speakeasy fun, and on to serious business today!

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We began HowdyCon 2026 in a New London speakeasy, so 20s garb seemed appropriate. And how great it was to meet Bunker folk from such far-flung places. Today we get to the serious stuff! []

HowdyCon 2026 is here — New London is Clear!

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: It’s happening! Scientology watchers gather today and we look forward to seeing you there. ALSO: The Danny Masterson civil lawsuit gets a trial date, and the City of Clearwater balks at its own citizens []

When Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard first revealed the power of the dark side

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: On the eve of our HowdyCon gathering, we’re remembering a significant anniversary in Scientology history: When founder L. Ron Hubbard, after months of setbacks, revealed that Dianetics had a very harmful side, and that []

A pre-HowdyCon surprise: Look who showed up in this Scientology publicity shot

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: One of Scientology’s most toxic practices is the way it rips families apart with ‘disconnection.’ And sometimes, the only way you know if your loved ones are still alive is when they show up []

Scientology put Taylor Swift’s name in the new ‘Dianetics.’ Now, she’s hanging with Tom Cruise?

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Maybe it was just two mega-stars watching a football game. But when one is Tom Cruise, questions about Scientology come up. And maybe now there will be more attention on what we brought up []

Marc Headley is coming to HowdyCon 2026!

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Our resurrected convention HowdyCon begins this Friday. We are thrilled that Marc Headley will be coming, along with other luminaries from across the country. And our silent auction is live, benefiting the Aftermath Foundation! []

Mitch Brisker: The real story of how Grant and Elena Cardone met on a Scientology video set

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Mitch Brisker, Scientology’s former film director, says that he doesn’t care how Elena Cardone tells her life story: ‘But because she and Grant met as a result of my casting them both in the []

Want to visit the Scientology site where Xenu was born? This is how much it’s going to cost.

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s genius new fundraising wrinkle: Donate enough for the new holy auditorium in Florida, and you can make a pilgrimage to the spot where L. Ron Hubbard hatched Xenu while he was stoned out []

Remembering 9/11, and how Scientology tried to turn tragedy into a sales opportunity

[David Miscavige in 2001, just weeks after 9/11]

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Twenty-five years after the attacks of Sept 11, 2001, we remember that Scientology tried to turn the tragedy into a sales opportunity, with church leader David Miscavige’s []