Be Your Own Guru (bc your other guru might be in the Epstein Files) Artwork

Seek Safely

The SEEK Safely podcast is the official voice of the nonprofit organization SEEK Safely Inc, which advocates for ethics and accountability in the self-help industry, and empowers seekers to have safe and effective self-improvement journeys. Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle peel back the layers of the largely unregulated, multi-billion dollar self-help industry, discussing the patterns of exploitation and deception that pervade the industry and allow self-help gurus to thrive at the expense of their customers and followers. Along the way we’ll have discussions with people who care as much as we do about the self-help industry being held accountable for the promises it makes–and we lay out our vision of a world in which seekers are respected and protected.

All Episodes

Seek Safely

Be Your Own Guru (bc your other guru might be in the Epstein Files)

March 16, 2026 • Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle • Season 5 • Episode 1

0:00 | 58:25

One of the things SEEK Safely has always said about self-help is that it is not a separate culture--it IS very much a part of mainstream culture. It is, then, unsurprising when it gets wrapped up in news stories of the day, such as the Epstein Files (if you hadn't heard, a prominent "Old Guard" self-help guy makes a disturbing appearance in the Files, as does a newer wellness guru).

Glenn and Jean discuss the long standing relationship between self-help and celebrity--how self-help figures have courted celebrities and political figures for clout and legitimacy, and how celebrities and other public figures have used self-help guru to show their... philosophical? spiritual? deep? side.

Notes:

To Watch:

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich Netflix Docuseries

To Read:

Peter Atia, the Epstein Files, and the Lie Propping Up Big Wellness by Jessica Grose for The New York Times

Melania Had Herself a Movie Night! by Danielle Han for Yahoo News

How Celebrity Life Coach Tony Robbins Started Working with Bill Clinton by Richard Feloni for Business Insider

Tragedy in Sedona by Connie Joy

Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org