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‘Like a brother to me’: The tributes to Mike Rinder keep coming

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The tributes to Mike Rinder have kept coming in. On Monday, we heard from ‘Going Clear’ director Alex Gibney and co-star Spanky Taylor, and on Tuesday from writer Lawrence Wright. Today, it’s two more ‘Going Clear’ participants, Tom Devocht and Hana Whitfield, and more. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading ‘Like a brother to me’: The tributes to Mike Rinder keep coming

Scientology reacts to Los Angeles fire apocalypse, offers shelter at its orgs

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re watching in horror as our hometown goes up in flames. Numerous people we know have had to flee as wildfires are destroying entire neighborhoods. We want everyone there to be safe, including Scientology members, who live in L.A. at their greatest concentration in the world. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Scientology reacts to Los Angeles fire apocalypse, offers shelter at its orgs

Scientology is back to business as usual in 2025, and wants to hear from you!

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: As 2025 begins, it appears to be business as usual for Scientology as David Miscavige’s minions continue to squeeze money out of a dwindling membership. But before they can turn the entire country ‘Ideal,’ they need to hear from you! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Scientology is back to business as usual in 2025, and wants to hear from you!

The Mike Rinder they knew, from Lawrence Wright, John Sweeney and more

[Mike Rinder, gaunt from his imprisonment in The Hole, ‘handles’ the BBC’s John Sweeney in 2007]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Yesterday, we posted tributes from Alex Gibney, Spanky Taylor, Tracey McManus and others, but the messages keep coming with memories of Mike Rinder that we knew you would want to see, from author Lawrence Wright, journalist John Sweeney, Claire Headley, and more. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading The Mike Rinder they knew, from Lawrence Wright, John Sweeney and more

Memories of Mike Rinder from people who knew and admired him

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We asked readers to send memories of Mike Rinder, and the response has been overwhelming. Here are just some of the messages we received, from ‘Going Clear’ director Alex Gibney, to co-star Spanky Taylor, to journalists Tracey McManus, Steve Cannane and Bryan Seymour, and more. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Memories of Mike Rinder from people who knew and admired him

If Scientology ads told the truth: Mark Bunker’s new AI version is must-see TV!

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Every Scientology TV ad has one thing in common: It never actually tells viewers anything about what Scientology is. And that’s why we are pleased to bring to you today a dynamite new offering from Mark Bunker: If Scientology ads actually told the truth! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading If Scientology ads told the truth: Mark Bunker’s new AI version is must-see TV!

Leaked document: How Scientology plotted to destroy Bruce Hines

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In court, Scientology’s attorneys describe the church as an embattled victim of bigotry. Its internal documents paint a different picture. We have another new example for you, a document that takes us into the dark heart of Scientology’s retaliatory schemes. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Leaked document: How Scientology plotted to destroy Bruce Hines

A new sighting of former Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis is always a delight

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re often asked about former Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis, who is such a source of fascination for many. We want to thank the reader who pointed us to a new sighting of this ever-popular figure, and we’ll bring you up to date if you’re behind on your Tommy Davis news. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading A new sighting of former Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis is always a delight

Stunning letter shows Scientology pitting devotion against family ties

[Derrick and Tammy Synovec]

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Tammy Synovec has told us in the past about #Scientology ripping apart her family. Now, she’s found an incredible 1998 letter chastising her late husband for choosing to have kids over dedication to the church. It’s a shocking look at how Scientology actually treats employees. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Stunning letter shows Scientology pitting devotion against family ties

Scientology rings in 2025 in Los Angeles: The photos!

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A big thanks to Apostate Alex who, about an hour after we had rung in the new year here in New York, sent us a message that he noticed Scientology had put up at its website a slideshow and press release for its celebration of 2025 arriving. Let’s take a look! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Scientology rings in 2025 in Los Angeles: The photos!