Cult Vault

I recently discovered this great podcast, Cult Vault, which is run by a brilliant woman in the UK who produces the show from her home. Kacey comes well prepared for every episode. All deep-dives, they usually last over two hours. She covers everything from the usual suspects (Jim Jones, Manson) to conspiracy theorists to multi-level marketing cults to religious cults, and now, to Sharon Gans. Check out episode 141. And sometime in February or March (I'll let you know), Cult Vault will be having another episode about School/Sharon/Robert Klein featuring my friend and hero Esther Friedman of Gentle Souls Revolution/Cult Confessions where she will be discussing her upcoming book which will be a doozey.

Floating

I revised the book cover. I realize its kinda satanic looking with the enneagram floating over the Empire State Building but its so accurate to me. In my mind back then, the "Work" hovered over me and us in Manhattan, an invisible protector, a delicious secret, in the air, etc. Anyway, I hope you consider purchasing it. Available now.

Its OK

My memoir is about me. And my life. In a cult. But for a handful of leaders, I dont name names. I know some folks are worried. Don't. Please. Here is the author's note: "To disguise people’s identities, I have changed names, physical descriptions, and occupations. In some instances, other identifying traits (such as backgrounds) have been altered, and I have also created a handful of composite characters based on actual people and events. Finally, in a handful of instances, I have slightly distorted certain non-material surrounding events in order to disguise the identities of some people."

Manhattan Cult Story

My memoir "Manhattan Cult Story," drops on July 5, 2022, and is now available for pre-order everywhere, including on the Simon and Schuster website. The book went on sale over the weekend and is already the number one new release in two Amazon categories. I would be honored to autograph your copy in person or mail you a beautiful personalized bookplate. The book is about my experiences and I disguise the identities of all student/members because we were all victims. But teachers and leaders are excepted because they are/were predators.

What Is A Class Action?

The article in the Daily Mail (but not the one in The New York Post) about the lawsuit against Sharon's Estate and others neglected to point out this is a class action. A class action is a type of lawsuit which can be brought by one or more people who represent a class of other people who were also hurt by the same acts of the same defendants. They are commonly used in securities fraud cases or mass torts. So to be perfectly clear: if anyone else was a member of school and wants to be part of the class, they can potentially collect damages by joining the class by contacting the attorney for the plaintiffs. You would not need to be named in the lawsuit to be part of the class.

Class Action Lawsuit

Two former members of School filed a class action lawsuit this week against Sharon Gans's estate and others. The suit alleges that, "Through methods traditionally utilized by cults to groom, intimidate, weaken, gaslight, and exploit their victims, OSG coerced and tricked its members," into providing free labor to Gans and others. The suit seeks to recover for unpaid labor members were forced to do for Gans: recruiting, construction, cooking meals, and many other tasks. The suit also names Minerva Taylor, Ken Salaz, Lorraine Imlay, and Greg Koch. Since this a class action, the suit was filed on behalf of all other members who suffered similar damages for provding free labor to School and/or Gans. This would include current and former members of School. The attorney representing the plaintiffs is Mordy Yankowich.

Do You Need Help?

I receive almost weekly calls from former members. Strangers to me. Readers of this blog. Folks who were involved in "School" for a night, a week, month, a year, a decade, what have you. From decades ago. One thing in common: trauma. Doubts, thoughts, dreams, voices. Shame and embarassment. And I also know people who were involved in School who will bet everything they have they suffered no such thing -- that the Work Ideas were fine and that it wasnt so bad, etc. They will even say things such as "leave Alex and Sharon alone - they are dead." I will not argue or debate anyone on this because they can't be argued with. But I do know this: Alex and Sharon and Fred and Robert and Lorraine and the rest of them abused members. Period. That's right: abuse. Bullying. Punishing. Threats. Pressure. Intense. And worse. Criminals. So if you think it was all fine and dandy - good for you -- show your face and name and defend it. For the rest of us, what do you think? Do you need to speak to someone who is compassionate and empathetic and honorable?