Interview with Chris Shelton Part 1 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.

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Seek Safely

Interview with Chris Shelton Part 1

March 30, 2026 • Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle • Season 5 • Episode 2

0:00 | 58:16

Chris Shelton has a Master's degree in Coercive Control and is the creator of the R.E.M. model of human behaviour, which sheds light on the motivations and drivers that can contribute to a person falling under the persuasion of coercive groups or ideologies. Chris also hosts the "Speaking of Cults" podcast and his upcoming book "What Now? A Practical Guide to Life After a Cult"

Chris, Glenn, and Jean talk Scientology, psychology, coercive control and lots of self-help history. Chris will be joining the SEEK Safely Summit on May 30th. You can join us too! This episode is Part 1 of 2.

Notes:

To Read:

"The Unique Characteristics of Post-cult PTSD and Suggested Therapeutic Approaches" by Dennis Patrick Healy in ICSA Today

"Barefaced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard" by Russel Miller

"The Program: Inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM" by Toni Natalie

To Watch:

Chris Shelton talking about "The Master" movie

"How to Become a Cult Leader" Netflix Docuseries

Going Clear on Netflix

SNL "Neurotology" video

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