Cult Chat

What makes someone become a cult leader? Do they deliberately set out to harm others, or can destructive leadership develop over time? And are some people more vulnerable to cult recruitment?
Caz shares insights from the 2026 ICSA Conference, including conversations with Maria Esguerra, Heidi Hewett and others. We explore emerging research on cult leaders, recruitment, vulnerability, coercive control and accountability - plus encouraging developments in survivor advocacy and recognising cultic harm.

Show notes:
ICSA website: https://internationalculticstudies.org/

Former Gloriavale member Serena Pilgrim and lawyer Steve Patterson join Liz Gregory to unpack a damning new Employment Court judgment finding the Labour Inspector made “numerous reviewable errors” when investigating serious concerns about child labour, forced labour, servitude and slavery at Gloriavale.
The Court describes decisions as “irrational” and “manifestly unreasonable” — but what did those failures mean for the people who were left inside?
And now that the leavers have won, what should accountability look like? Will the Government acknowledge the harm and make it right — or keep fighting through the courts?

Today’s episode is our 100th and we are so excited! In the spirit of the celebration we run through how we got to where we are, some interesting facts about the show and we share some behind the scenes secrets. We read out some feedback from our listeners, talk about some key events, share a blooper or two and look to the future. This one is silly and light hearted and there is even a cake. (Confession time - see if you can spot the odd use of AI). Happy birthday to us!

Part 2: Former Gloriavale member John Ready continues his powerful reflection on Devotion: The Gloriavale Story, asking whether the documentary revealed the truth - or simply another perspective. He explores coercive control, accountability, repentance, and the journey of rebuilding life after leaving a high-control group. Liz, Lindy and Caz then unpack John's insights, debate the documentary's ethics, and discuss the voices and context they believe were missing.

Following the release of the newly released 3-part documentary series "Devotion: The Gloriavale Story", former member John Ready joins Liz Gregory to unpack the documentary’s themes, messages and claims. Together they explore whether high-control organisations should be allowed to rehabilitate their public image before genuine accountability has occurred.
John reflects on the pain experienced by former members, his own journey, and what true repentance looks like. They also discuss cognitive dissonance, institutional dependency, the creation of the “eternal child”, and whether Gloriavale’s leadership has truly accepted responsibility for the harm that has occurred.