On the Emmis artwork

On the Emmis

32 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 41 ratings

Cults and cult-like organizations are front and center in society today—as they should be. We are becoming more aware of the insidious abuse perpetrated by programs that are supposed to help young people in the Troubled Teen Industry. Combining true crime, cult recovery, and a lot of dry, dark humor, the On the Emmis podcast unpacks and unveils the inner workings of Enthusiastic Sobriety Programs created by Bob Meehan and other high control groups. We'll have bi-monthly episodes that dive deep into specific topics, interviews with professionals and activists or survivors telling their stories.

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Episodes

Agape Boarding School Survivor: Robert Bucklin // Surviving Institutionalized Abuse

March 27, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 61.6 MB

CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse of children This week I'm talking to Robert Bucklin, a survivor of the Agape Boarding School for Boys in Stockton Missouri. Robert's story is heartbreaking, horrifying, and infuriating. Now he's working to end the abuse at Agape Boarding School, and he's turning his trauma into fuel for the fight. Find Robert on social media and join the fight to shut down Agape Boarding School for Boys: On Twitt...

Janja Lalich, Ph.D.: Life and recovery after leaving Enthusiastic Sobriety programs

March 18, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 53.4 MB

I had the best time talking to Dr. Janja Lalich. Janja is a researcher, author, and educator specializing in cults and extremist groups, with a particular focus on charismatic relationships, political and other social movements, ideology and social control, and issues of gender and sexuality. She has been a consultant to educational, mental health, business, media, and legal professionals, as well as having worked with current members, former members, and families of members of controversial...

Anti-MLM stories: Danielle Bolster, LMHC // From Huns to Humans

March 10, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 75.4 MB

This week I sit down for a delightful conversation with Danielle Bolster, Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Danielle has her own podcast, "From Huns to Humans" where she talks about the detrimental effects of multi-level marketing on mental health. We talk about toxic diet culture, the allure and danger of "supplements", and the pressure women especially are under from their "uplines". Danielle is smart, funny, and educated on the best ways to protect your mental health as you recover from ...

Caroline and Meg from Unsilenced: Creating real change in the "troubled teen" industry

January 29, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 77.4 MB

Meet Caroline Cole and Meg Applegate! They are survivors and  the co-CEOs of Unsilenced, a grassroots movement of survivors and advocates speaking out about institutionalized child abuse in the troubled teen industry. Bob Meehan’s enthusiastic sobriety programs are only one example of an abusive adolescent “drug abuse” program. Unsilenced is working with survivors and allies to make changes in the troubled teen industry so no one has to go through this kind of abuse ever again. In this episo...

Caroline and Meg, co-CEOs of UnSilenced: Creating real change in the "troubled teen" industry

January 29, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 77.4 MB

Meet Caroline Cole and Meg Applegate! They are survivors and  the co-CEOs of Unsilenced, a grassroots movement of survivors and advocates speaking out about institutionalized child abuse in the troubled teen industry. Bob Meehan’s enthusiastic sobriety programs are only one example of an abusive adolescent “drug abuse” program. Unsilenced is working with survivors and allies to make changes in the troubled teen industry so no one has to go through this kind of abuse ever again. In this episo...

Jo-Anne Liakakos, LPC: A licensed therapist weighs in on ES Programs

January 20, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 71.8 MB

This week I’m talking to Jo-Anne Liakakos, MA, LPC, NCC, CPCS of Major Counseling Solutions and Consulting in Alpharetta, GA. I wanted to interview Jo-Anne since she is a therapist and counselor who works with adolescents with substance use and general life issues, as well as adults with eating and personality disorders (and a bunch of other stuff). Jo-Anne and I discuss how we met and what it was like unpacking my involvement in enthusiastic sobriety programs. I ask Jo-Anne what a licensed ...

Cindy: Abusive relationships after you leave

January 12, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 64.7 MB

This week I talk to Cindy, a survivor of the Insight Program in Atlanta. A common thread of survivors of any abusive high-control group is that they continue to find themselves in abusive relationships after they leave. Cindy wanted to tell her story to help others who may currently be in an abusive relationship or recovering from one in the past.  ‼TW/CW for discussion of psychological/emotional abuse.‼  There's a little bit of everything in this episode: death threats, Scientology, Niss...

Survivor Story with Cindy - The Insight Program, Atlanta, Georgia: Abusive relationships after you leave

January 12, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 64.7 MB

This week I talk to Cindy, a survivor of the Insight Program in Atlanta. A common thread of survivors of any abusive high-control group is that they continue to find themselves in abusive relationships after they leave. Cindy wanted to tell her story to help others who may currently be in an abusive relationship or recovering from one in the past.  ‼TW/CW for discussion of psychological/emotional abuse.‼  There's a little bit of everything in this episode: death threats, Scientology, Niss...

Mike Harper: The BITE Model

January 11, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 66.3 MB

This week Mike and I are live on Twitch talking about Dr. Steve Hassan's BITE model. Check out Dr. Hassan's website here: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/ We started with the "B" in BITE: Behavior Control. It didn't take long for us to come to the conclusion that enthusiastic sobriety programs are, in fact, a cult. Enjoy! Wanna come on the podcast? Email [email protected] Or text us at: 404-537-2392 Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnTheEmmis Insta...

Survivor Conversation with Mike Harper - The Crossroads Program, St. Louis, Missouri

January 11, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 66.3 MB

This week Mike and I are live on Twitch talking about Dr. Steve Hassan's BITE model. Check out Dr. Hassan's website here: https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/ We started with the "B" in BITE: Behavior Control. It didn't take long for us to come to the conclusion that enthusiastic sobriety programs are, in fact, a cult. Enjoy! Wanna come on the podcast? Email [email protected] Or text us at: 404-537-2392 Instagram: @ontheemmis and @essurvivors Facebook: @ontheemmis...

Hyde School Survivor Part One: Rachel

January 01, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 57 MB

What do cold food, forced exercise, and being blindfolded and walked into the woods in a blizzard have in common? They're all used as forms of punishment at the Hyde School in Bath, Maine!  This week's guest is a survivor of the Hyde School's Woodstock campus that has since been shut down. But before you high five us, they are still operating in other parts of New England and are owned and managed by the same people. Who thought that was a good idea? This is exactly why the #ACCA is so so i...

Hyde School Survivor Part One: Rachel - The Hyde School, Woodstock Campus

January 01, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 57 MB

What do cold food, forced exercise, and being blindfolded and walked into the woods in a blizzard have in common? They're all used as forms of punishment at the Hyde School in Bath, Maine! This week's guest is a survivor of the Hyde School's Woodstock campus that has since been shut down. But before you high five us, they are still operating in other parts of New England and are owned and managed by the same people. Who thought that was a good idea? This is exactly why the #ACCA is so so i...

Survivor Story: Creator of the "Jim Jones" Facebook page - The Pathway Program, Phoenix, Arizona

December 18, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 62.2 MB

This week I interview the notorious "Jim Jones". Jim Jones was a Facebook account that popped up circa 2007 and blew up overnight. Jim Jones was speaking the truth about enthusiastic sobriety programs, and people were listening. It was the first place on Facebook for survivors to connect and tell their stories. Our movement would not be where it is today without this Facebook page. This is the first time creator has opened up about who they are and what it was like to be...Jim Jones. Grab ...

Episode 4: Jim Jones

December 18, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 62.2 MB

This week I interview the notorious "Jim Jones". Jim Jones was a Facebook account that popped up circa 2007 and blew up over night. Jim Jones was speaking the truth about enthusiastic sobriety programs, and people were listening. It was the first place on Facebook for survivors to connect and tell their stories. Our movement would not be where it is today without Jim Jones. This is the first time Jim Jones has opened up about who they are and what it was like to be...Jim Jones.  Grab your p...

Episode Three: Daniel Kolitz, author of "The Love Bomb" (Part One)

December 11, 2021 18:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MB

In this interview, Daniel and I talk about the article that took over his life for 3 years: The Love Bomb. He explains how he stumbled on the story, and what it was like interviewing survivors of Bob Meehan's programs. We discuss Bob’s shady past that no one can quite verify or explain and whether or not him starting a cult was intentional or accidental. We could have talked for much longer, so we decided there will at least be a Part Two. If you have any questions for Daniel let us know and...

Daniel Kolitz, author of "The Love Bomb" (Part One)

December 11, 2021 18:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MB

In this interview, Daniel and I talk about the article that took over his life for 3 years: The Love Bomb. He explains how he stumbled on the story, and what it was like interviewing survivors of Bob Meehan's programs. We discuss Bob’s shady past that no one can quite verify or explain and whether or not him starting a cult was intentional or accidental. We could have talked for much longer, so we decided there will at least be a Part Two. If you have any questions for Daniel let us know and...

Anti-MLM stories: Cory Perry-That Anti MLM Girl

December 09, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 47.4 MB

Today I'm talking to Cory Perry, the famous Anti MLM Girl. We talk about how YouTube taught her about MLMs, and how they are similar to Bob Meehan's enthusiastic sobriety programs. I interview members of the anti-MLM community because MLM indoctrination is a part of my story, and the philosophies are very similar. We talk about Steve Hassan's BITE model and how it applies to MLMs and ES programs. You're in for a treat! Find Cory on Instagram: @thatantimlmgirl You can find more information ...

Cory Perry: That Anti MLM Girl

December 09, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 47.4 MB

Today I'm talking to Cory Perry, the famous Anti MLM Girl. We talk about how YouTube taught her about MLMs, and how they are similar to Bob Meehan's enthusiastic sobriety programs. We talk about Steve Hassan's BITE model and how it applies to MLMs and ES programs. You're in for a treat! Find Cory on Instagram: @thatantimlmgirl

Updates for December 2021: Hotline! Daniel Kolitz! And much more...

December 03, 2021 18:00 - 9 minutes - 6.64 MB

A quick update on our new text/voicemail hotline, Daniel Kolitz's episode and some other random stuff. 

Survivor Story: Susanna Eller- The Insight Program, Augusta, Georgia

November 27, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 76.8 MB

Happy day after Thanksgiving! Heat up some leftovers and tune in to Susanna Eller. Susanna joined the group in 1999 in Augusta, Georgia. After 20 years of being in recovery, Susanna decided to look deeper at the diagnosis of alcoholic she received and figure out if she really needed to be "sober".  We talk about the genesis of the Augusta group and why the coolest people there were Stephen and Sherm.  Find Susanna on Facebook: Susanna Eller On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susannahar...

Bonus Episode Two: Susanna Eller

November 27, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 76.8 MB

Happy day after Thanksgiving! Heat up some leftovers and tune in to Susanna Eller. Susanna joined the group in 1999 in Augusta, Georgia. After 20 years of being in recovery, Susanna decided to look deeper at the diagnosis of alcoholic she received and figure out if she really needed to be "sober".  We talk about the genesis of the Augusta group and why the coolest people there were Stephen and Sherm.  Find Susanna on Facebook: Susanna Eller On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susannahar...

Sex and Relationships with Lauren Wortman

November 20, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 58 MB

This week I talk to Lauren about her experience in the group, and more specifically about how the staff talked about sex and relationships. Spoiler alert: it's super weird. Don't skip the intro because I make some important announcements about our new platform and some changes to the podcast you won't want to miss! TW: suicide, sexuality, sexual identity

Sex and Relationships with Lauren Wortman-Survivor of The Insight Program, Augusta, Georgia

November 20, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 58 MB

This week I talk to Lauren about her experience in the group, and more specifically about how the staff talked about sex and relationships. Spoiler alert: it's super weird. Don't skip the intro because I make some important announcements about our new platform and some changes to the podcast you won't want to miss! TW: suicide, sexuality, sexual identity You can find more information about us at: enthusiasticsobrietyabuse.com Instagram: @ontheemmis @essurvivors Tik Tok: @ontheemmis linktr....

Survivor Story: Jake McEndollar

August 13, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 65.6 MB

This week, Liz and Jacqueline interview Jacob McEndollar, the man behind "The Group" documentary. Jacob talks about what it's like to explore his time in the group 20 years later. We talk about our experiences with anger and how we faced what we'd been through and what we did.  You might have noticed our name changed; we talk about that, too. Thank you to all of those that came before us.  After you listen go watch Jacob's documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXBLYEeF5vs Until next t...

Survivor Story: Bob Fleming-The Insight Program, Greensboro, North Carolina

July 10, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 51.2 MB

This week we talk with Bob Fleming and hear about  his time in enthusiastic sobriety programs in Greensboro, North Carolina, starting at 14 years old. He talks about struggling to manage his diabetes because he was called "attention seeking" for needing to eat and sleep regularly, what graduation was like, and what he still deals with now from his time in the group. We had so much fun with Bob, and we hope you will too! You can find more information about us at: enthusiasticsobrietyabuse.co...

Survivor Story: Bob Fleming

July 10, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 51.2 MB

This week we talk with Bob Fleming and hear about  his time in enthusiastic sobriety programs starting at 14 years old. He talks about struggling to manage his diabetes because he was called "attention seeking" for needing to eat and sleep regularly, what graduation was like, and what he still deals with now from his time in the group. We had so much fun with Bob, and we hope you will too! To find the Yes!Weekly article we discussed go here: https://bit.ly/3hZ2E7n Find us on Instagram: https...

Survivor Story: Blake

June 26, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MB

This week Liz and Jacqueline talk to Blake, a survivor of The Insight Program. We explore the program's strict policy of taking clients off of mental health medications cold turkey, their twisted philosophy of "No victims, only volunteers", and the notorious "Let Go, Let God" day in outpatient. Blake's experience is brutal, and unfortunately we have heard so many stories just like hers. This is not the exception, it is the rule. This is a long episode but totally worth the time. Let us know ...

Survivor Story: Blake-The Insight Program in Greensboro, NC

June 26, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MB

This week Liz and Jacqueline talk to Blake, a survivor of The Insight Program, and enthusiastic sobriety abuse program in Greensboro, North Carolina. We explore the program's strict policy of taking clients off of mental health medications cold turkey, their twisted philosophy of "No victims, only volunteers", and the notorious "Let Go, Let God" day in outpatient. Blake's experience is brutal, and unfortunately we have heard so many stories just like hers. This is not the exception, it is th...

What is "The Movement"?

June 11, 2021 17:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MB

Surprise! We're releasing our third podcast episode today. It's a bonus episode (mostly because we wanted to get our podcast on Apple podcasts) where we talk about "Enthusiastic Sobriety Abuse", the movement and "Enthusiastic Sobriety Abuse Alliance, Inc., the nonprofit, and how they differ.  Jacqueline and Liz give a quick overview of how they individually became activists and what the mission and goals are for the movement and the nonprofit. You don't want to miss it! Did you even know yo...

What is enthusiastic sobriety? with Christina Warden, LPC

May 26, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 52.2 MB

This week Liz and Jacqueline are joined by Christina Warden, a licensed therapist who is also a #survivor of enthusiastic sobriety programs. We unpack the "enthusiastic sobriety" philosophy and how it is sold to parents vs. how it looks once you're on the inside. Christina gives us some great perspective as a once-counselor and a now educated, trained, licensed mental health professional. We also challenge each other to arm wrestling matches and laugh a lot about Liz never being on steering ...

What is "The Group"?

May 19, 2021 03:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MB

Liz and Jacqueline talk about "The Group" from a member and staff perspective. 

What is "The Group"? (or, what are enthusiastic sobriety programs?)

May 19, 2021 03:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MB

Jacqueline and her guest host talk about "The Group" from a member and staff perspective. Enthusiastic sobriety programs are adolescent substance abuse programs started by Bob Meehan and are located in Roswell, Georgia, Peachtree City, Georgia, Tampa, Florida, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte, North Carolina, St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, Denver, Colorado, Phoenix, Arizona, and Sacramento, California. They have been around since the 1970s and since their inception, staff members and...

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