Let's Talk About Sects

22/09/2026

Gloriavale's Christian Church Community Trust has been stripped of its charitable status by the Charities Registration Board.

24/08/2026

The Exclusive Brethren (now rebranded to the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church) are in the news again in Australia with parliamentary questioning around accusations of election interference. Survivor Lindy Jacomb and journalist Michael Bachelard helped me better understand this organisation in a 2-part deep dive a few years ago that’s as relevant as ever if you’re keen to get your head around it.
– Sarah

Special Guest: Lindy Jacomb Lindy Jacomb loves questions of faith, truth and meaning. She was raised in the Exclusive Brethren (now rebranded as the PBCC) and was excommunicated alone at age 20. She loves the freedom that her post-brethren life has brought, but lives with the ongoing costs of the

23/08/2026

The Joint Select Committee on Electoral Matters heard from PBCC spokesperson Lloyd Grimshaw on Friday. Those of us listening along might agree with chair MP Jerome Laxale that his evidence prompted “more questions than answers”. Michael Bachelard’s ongoing coverage of this group over many years puts the journalist in a good position to really give this context.

“Hiding behind a narrow definition does not circumvent the requirement for all witnesses to answer questions truthfully,” Laxale said. “The giving of false or misleading evidence is a serious matter, and may be regarded as a contempt of parliament.”

The pair are enjoying the hospitality of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church despite evidence its elders paid neo-N**i affiliates to bully politicians at the last election.

20/08/2026

If Victoria follows the recommendations put forward by the recent Parliamentary Inquiry into cults, advocate and researcher Patrick McIvor shares what a difference it could make – and how in some ways it will be immeasurable too.

Our chat is on the feed now, wherever you get your podcasts.

20/08/2026

One more week until we take the stage at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney! 💥

Our FODI session was sold out for weeks, but they've released extra tickets. Be quick and book yours so you don't miss my keynote about myths and misconceptions, followed by a conversation with fellow cult critics and sisters-in-arms Sarah Steel from Let's Talk About Sects and Laura McConnell Conti. Link in comments!

19/08/2026

There is now a recommendation to the Victorian Government that they: "ask the Victorian Law Reform Commission to review legislative options to criminalise group‑based coercion, with the Commission to report by July 2028 to support the introduction of legislation by February 2029." If this it taken up by the Government, it would be world-first in its approach.

Patrick McIvor was lead author of the 'Beyond Belief' submission to the recent Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into cults, and he sat down with Sarah to talk through the findings and recommendations of the committee's report that was handed down a couple of weeks ago.

Out on the feed wherever you get your podcasts now.

14/08/2026

This may have been sold out when you were looking but a few more tix are now available!

One more week until we take the stage at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney! 💥

Our FODI session was sold out for weeks, but they've released extra tickets. Be quick and book yours so you don't miss my keynote about myths and misconceptions, followed by a conversation with fellow cult critics and sisters-in-arms Sarah Steel from Let's Talk About Sects and Laura McConnell Conti. Link in comments!

13/08/2026

Australian news that will be of interest to our supporters and followers from the NSW Legislative Council, posted on their social media site, August 10th 2026: "The Upper House inquiry into the Redeemer Baptist School held its first public hearing at NSW Parliament House today.
Through this inquiry, Portfolio Committee No. 3 is examining the safety, wellbeing and education of students at the school, the employment conditions of staff and volunteers, interactions with families and guardians of students, and oversight of the school by relevant government agencies, among other matters.
Today, the committee heard evidence from a range of stakeholders, including former students and staff members of the school and former church members, NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner Dr James Cockayne (Office of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner), representatives from the Independent Education Union of Australia NSW / ACT Branch, , Survivors of Coercive Cults and High-Control Groups & the Australian Cult Survivors Network, NESA and the NSW Department of Education.
A second public hearing will be held this Friday, 14 August.
Find out more about the inquiry, including hearing transcripts and submissions at the link below." Absolutely fantastic to see this terribly problematic group under the spotlight and to see much needed conversations about the issues of high-control religious groups being had a parliamentary levels.