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How Scientology hardens you against the people who matter most

[Alex mans a table, circa 2011]

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Alex Barnes-Ross reminds us that Scientology’s real cost isn’t counted in dollars or pounds, but in human lives. [What is this Substack thing, []

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Scientology grifter pleads guilty to health care fraud and faces 10 years in prison

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A Scientologist chiropractor pleads guilty to health care fraud and is facing 10 years in prison, Scientology’s UK headquarters is angry that its license to throw parties has been questioned, and France 5 says []

40 years ago: The eerie Hollywood sendoff for Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

[David Miscavige, master of ceremonies]

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: 40 years ago today, Scientology members assembled to hear that L. Ron Hubbard had voluntarily left his body to explore ‘researches’ elsewhere. Once again we’re marking this anniversary with a []

Heber Jentzsch, from Utah polygamist to Scientology president: A life in press clips

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Karen de la Carriere recently wrote a touching tribute to Heber Jentzsch, Scientology’s ‘president’ who died on October 25. Now, our researcher friend who dives into old press collections has once again found some []

When NFL great John Brodie was a Scientology pitchman

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In 1955, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard announced ‘Project Celebrity,’ an attempt to make the church look more mainstream. And before Travolta (1975), Alley (1979), and Cruise (1986), the project’s biggest success may have []

PREMIERE: Lawrence Wright interview of L. Ron Hubbard’s final caretaker Steve ‘Sarge’ Pfauth

[Steve ‘Sarge’ Pfauth, 1945-2016]

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: PREMIERE: 40 years ago today, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard left this planet. One of his final caretakers was Steve Pfauth (1945-2016). For the first time anywhere we have the full []

Scientology sues city for LAPD info on the Shelly Miscavige revelations by Yashar Ali

[Shelly Miscavige 2010 drivers license photo revealed by Yashar Ali in 2023, right]

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology is suing Los Angeles to turn over LAPD records regarding a couple of controversies: Allegations by Chrissie Bixler that Scientology was []

‘Save the Garden’ meets goal for initiative inspired by Scientology development

[Brooks Gibbs at a December city council meeting]

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The Save the Garden movement in Clearwater, Florida announced yesterday they have met their goal of gathering 7,000 signatures to place a ballot initiative which could slow []

Scientology ramping up the hype for its newest ‘Ideal Org’

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology is building up the hype for its next ‘Ideal Org’ opening, which is taking place in Puerto Rico. And we’re all invited, according to the staff there! Check out this warm video welcome. []

Hilary Duff a ‘secret Scientologist’? Why we’re doubtful.

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Social media mavens are a-twitter that ‘Lizzie McGuire’ star Hilary Duff is a ‘secret Scientologist.’ We hadn’t heard anything indicating Hilary was involved in Scientology, but we reached out to someone who might have []