Spiritual Enlightenment, My A$$ – Ep. 62
In 2022, the “self-help” industry in the U.S. alone raked in more than $13B. (That’s BILLION, with a capital B.) There is no shame in wanting to better oneself – personally, professionally, or both. What is shameful is taking advantage of those people who seek self-improvement. Adherents of such programs often expect (and pay big money) to be challenged physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But self-help gurus operate in a largely unregulated space, and that can – and has – had fatal consequences. The Escape Pod takes an interesting turn this week, as one co-host shares her own experiences with an ungodly guru whose brazen actions pushed his followers much, much too far. BE ADVISED: This episode contains mature language and disturbing descriptions of victims in their final moments of a “retreat” gone wrong. Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: Topic #1 7:50 Escaping false gurus Topic #2 20:21 What makes a guru a guru? Topic #3 34:02 Main event at JAR’s October 2009 retreat ends in tragedy Topic #4 42:41 July 2009: Woman dies during different JAR retreat Topic #5 1:06:08 Red flags to watch for with self-help gurus/programs Resources & Links Kirby Brown Credit: AP Liz Neuman Credit: AP James Shore Credit: AP:Associated Press Self-Improvement Market Statistics 1 Self-Improvement Market Statistics 2 James Arthur Ray, Disgraced Self-Help Guru, Still Hopes To 'Enlighten Us' Self-help Guru at Center of Park Rapids Woman's Suicide Dozens Injured After Walking on Hot Coals at Tony Robbins Event Disgraced Self-Help Guru Still Hopes to ‘Enlighten Us’ A Good Day to Die Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more. https://www.escapepod.live Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts? General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
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In 2022, the “self-help” industry in the U.S. alone raked in more than $13B. (That’s BILLION, with a capital B.) There is no shame in wanting to better oneself – personally, professionally, or both. What is shameful is taking advantage of those people who seek self-improvement. Adherents of such programs often expect (and pay big money) to be challenged physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But self-help gurus operate in a largely unregulated space, and that can – and has – had fat...